Many Happy Returns (1967 episode)

"Many Happy Returns" is a television episode of the British science fiction-allegorical series, The Prisoner. It was first broadcast on 10 November 1967.

Plot summary
Number Six awakens to find the Village completely deserted. He sees this as an opportunity to escape. He takes numerous photos before assembling a raft and taking flight by sea for 25 days. He takes careful notes as to headings and times as best he can, but has an unfriendly encounter with gun-runners who are of no assistance. He escapes them and ends up on a deserted beach. Wandering, he encounters a small band of Gypsies who speak no English.

He eludes what appears to be a police manhunt and stows away on a truck which takes him to what he now recognizes as London. A Mrs. Butterworth now occupies his old townhouse and drives his Lotus 7. She is unperturbed when he approaches her, seems intrigued by his plight, and feeds and clothes him. He mentions that the next day is his birthday. Receiving Number Six's promises that he will return, Mrs. Butterworth says she might even bake him a birthday cake. He returns to the underground carpark/office where he presents himself to his old boss. His photo (and other) evidence of The Village meets with considerable skepticism. Former colleagues "The Colonel" and "Thorpe" are not entirely convinced that Number Six has not defected and now returned as a double agent, but after verifying all the details of his escape and evasion story, they seem to be more reassured.

With the assistance of some military officers and a map, they determine the general vicinity of the Village ("Coast of Morocco, southwest of Portugal and Spain." "Might be an island."). He leads a jet fighter pilot in a sweep of the area and spots the Village from the air, but is unceremoniously ejected, parachutes in, and is greeted in his cottage by the new Number Two: Mrs. Butterworth. She offers him "Many happy returns!" and a birthday cake.

Revealing mistakes

 * 1) During the fight scene on the boat, wrinkles are clearly visible in the backdrop that is supposed to be a foggy sky. Perhaps the area is enclosed like the set used for 'The Truman Show' 
 * 2) As Number Six assembles his compass from the radio, it can be clearly seen he is in very shallow water despite having already sailed far from the beach. Perhaps there is a plateau just under the surface in that area.

Cast

 * Patrick McGoohan as The Prisoner

Guest Stars

 * Donald Sinden as The Colonel
 * Patrick Cargill as Thorpe
 * Georgina Cookson as Mrs Butterworth

with

 * Brian Worth as Group Captain
 * Richard Caldicot as Commander
 * Dennis Chinnery as Gunther
 * Jon Laurimore as Ernst
 * Nike Arrighi as Gypsy Girl
 * Grace Arnold as Maid
 * Larry Taylor as Gypsy Man

Uncredited

 * John Clifford as Detective
 * Peter Madden as Undertaker (opening)
 * George Markstein as Man Behind Desk (Title Sequence)
 * Robert Rietty as Number Two (opening)(voice only)
 * Jeff Silk as Constable
 * Frank Maher as stunt double (Patrick McGoohan)

Crew

 * Written by Anthony Skene
 * Script Editor: George Markstein
 * Produced by David Tomblin
 * Directed by Joseph Serf
 * Executive Producer: Patrick McGoohan
 * Production Manager: Bernard Williams
 * Director of Photography: Brendan J. Stafford B.S.C.
 * Art Director: Jack Shampan
 * Camera Operator: Jack Lowin
 * Editor: Geoffrey Foot G.B.F.E.
 * Theme by Ron Grainer
 * Musical Director: Albert Elms
 * Cameraman (2nd Unit): Robert Monks
 * Assistant Director: Ernie Morris
 * Sound Editor: Wilfred Thompson
 * Sound Recordist: John Bramall
 * Music Editor: Eric Mival
 * Casting Director: Rose Tobias-Shaw
 * Continuity: Josie Fulford
 * Set Dresser: Kenneth Bridgeman
 * Make-Up: Eddie Knight
 * Hairdressing: Pat McDermot
 * Wardrobe: Masada Wilmot

Uncredited

 * property master: Mickey O'Toole
 * props: Charlie Parfitt
 * fight choreographer: Frank Maher