International Concerto

Infobox Television episode
Title = International Concerto
Series = Joe 90
Season = 1
Episode = 8
Airdate = November 17, 1968
Production = 6
Writer = Tony Barwick
Director = Alan Perry
Episode list = List of "Joe 90" episodes
Prev = King for a Day
Next = Splashdown

"International Concerto" is the eighth episode of the Supermarionation television series "Joe 90". It was the sixth episode to be produced. Its original UK air date was November 17, 1968 on ATV Midlands. It was written by Tony Barwick and directed by Alan Perry.

Synopsis

Igor Sladek, a famous pianist, secretly works for WIN. However, his investigations in the Eastern Sector become too intrusive and he is arrested. With Sladek's cover broken, it is up to Joe to assume his brain patterns in order to rescue the maestro.

The piece of music featured in this episode is simply known as "International Concerto," although it is not a concerto at all. It was written by Barry Gray, who wrote all the incidental music for Joe 90, and other Gerry Anderson shows as well.

Plot

Igor Sladek, a famous pianist, finishes a private recital at the McClaines' cottage. After Sam and the maestro leave to catch a plane, Professor McClaine removes a lampshade cover to reveal a hidden aerial. Mac and Joe are baffled why WIN would want Sladek's brain pattern.

Soon after, Sladek embarks on a world tour. However, unknown to the McClaines, the artiste is one of WIN's top agents and uses his music as a cover for his spying activities. His travels take him to an embassy in Russia, where he is congratulated on his playing by Colonel Malner. However, an attempt to eavesdrop on a conversation between Malner and his subordinate, Major Kloss, concerning the site for a new military airbase, goes awry when the colonel discovers the pen concealing Sladek's audio recorder.

Sladek sends a letter to England signed with his pen. At WIN Headquarters London, Sam supervises Kelly, a scientist, as he traces the spy's signature with a special device and plays the discussion recorded in the ink. Sam believes that it is vital intelligence.

Appearing at a Russian palace, Sladek loses his pen when a diplomat stealthily drops the item into the innards of the piano. Sladek posts a telegram to the McClaines, but shortly after he is arrested by Major Kloss.

Mac is puzzled why Sladek would send him a telegram but is even more astonished when Sam reveals that the pianist is a WIN agent. Using the first letter of each word in the message, Joe discovers that Sladek is secretly warning of his imminent arrest and Sam realises that his cover has been broken. Sladek's brain pattern – recorded earlier – is transferred to Joe and the trio immediately fly out to Russia.

Arriving at their destination, the group discovers that Sladek is being held at Vazlo Prison. However, the musician will be allowed to make the worldwide radio broadcast ending his tour so as to avoid an international incident. Sam has a plan to rescue Sladek using Joe.

That night, Joe enters the studio building from which Sladek will make the broadcast and offers to turn the pages of the scroll while the pianist plays his international concerto. Sladek is surprised to see Joe and likes the idea, but Major Kloss is wary of the boy. However, Colonel Malner lets Joe stay. In the booth, Sladek requests that a sound baffle be moved – meaning that he and Joe will be hidden from view through the window. Again, Kloss is suspicious, but Malner dismisses the major's concerns, reminding him that they will know instantly if Sladek stops playing. The studio technician receives the cue light and Sladek begins his recital.

Meanwhile, Sam follows underground cables all the way to the studio. Joe lifts up a floor cover and Sam orders the boy to take over at the piano. Sladek descends through the floor as Joe, equipped with his knowledge and experience, picks up the recital where he left off. Kloss hears the thud as the floor cover is replaced but Malner is certain that Sladek is still playing.

While Sam secures the cover, Sladek hurries through the underground passage into the open, where he is met by Mac in a car. The pair drive to the border checkpoint, knowing that they must leave the country before the broadcast ends. However, the frontier guard is baffled by the appearance of a man identical to Sladek and phones Colonel Malner, asking for confirmation on whether the transmission is live. Malner is furious at the apparent ineptitude of the guard and Mac and Sladek pass the checkpoint seconds before Joe finishes the concerto. Malner orders "Sladek" to be moved to the interrogation room at Vazlo Prison.

Two hours later, Malner and Kloss are still questioning Joe about Sladek's disappearance. Joe insists that he played the piano after the musician escaped through the floor, but Kloss, unconvinced by his story, loses his temper and moves to hit the child. Entering the studio, Mac intervenes and affirms that Joe is telling the truth. Knowing that it would be ridiculous to impeach a boy, Malner permits Mac and Joe to leave the country – on the condition that they never come back.

Click on the link to watch Alfie Pugh replaying Igor Sladek's International Concerto- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMsoMm38zKM

Cast

Regular voice cast

*Joe McClaine — Len Jones
*Professor Ian "Mac" McClaine — Rupert Davies
*Sam Loover — Keith Alexander
*Shane Weston — David Healy

Guest voice cast

In speaking order:

*Igor Sladek — Keith Alexander
*Colonel Malner — Jeremy Wilkin
*Major Kloss — David Healy
*Kelly — Shane Rimmer
*Diplomat — Keith Alexander
*Senator Casper — David Healy
*Clerk — Shane Rimmer
*Technician — Shane Rimmer
*Guard — David Healy

External links

* [http://www.fanderson.org.uk/epguides/joeeg.html#Episode%20Six Fanderson.org.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "International Concerto"]
* [http://www.bigrat.co.uk/episodes/episode_06.html Bigrat.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "International Concerto"]
* [http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Joe%2090%20Timeline.htm# Clivebanks.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide]