The Sentimental Agent is a television drama series spin-off from Man of the World. Produced in the United Kingdom in 1963 by Associated Television and distributed by ITC Entertainment, the series ran for 13 one-hour monochrome episodes. Some episodes were edited into a 1962 feature film Our Man in the Caribbean. Argentinian Carlos Varela is a successful import-export agent based in London, whose company takes him into unusual and sometimes dangerous situations. Impeccably dressed, cigar smoking and using wit, ingenuity, and charm, which often involves a damsel in distress, he is typically assisted by Chin, a resourceful Chinese manservant, and Miss Carter, an ultra-efficient secretary.
The Sentimental Agent (Season 1)
All That Jazz (Episode 1)
Writer: Julian Bond
Air date: 1963-09-28
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: When Varela undertakes responsibility for a jazz group debuting in England, he soon finds himself with more than he bargained for. It isn't long before the band are serenading a group of spies to save the life of a musician.
The Beneficiary (Episode 2)
Writer: Julian Bond
Air date: 1963-10-05
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: Finding himself in trouble in Greece, Jarrell, a wartime colleague of Varela's, sends his ex-comrade a prearranged distress signal: a campaign ribbon and a torn half of a document — the two items that spell 'danger'.
Express Delivery (Episode 3)
Writer: Lindsay Hardy
Air date: 1963-10-12
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: In Poland, Varela is harassed by the authorities at every turn. At his hotel, a beautiful girl seeks his help in order to escape to Austria, but is she really a communist agent?
Never Play Cards with Strangers (Episode 4)
Writer: Julian Bond
Air date: 1963-10-19
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: A young woman, whose parents were cheated by gamblers on a luxury cruise Varela arranged, persuades him to take the next trip to expose the card sharks.
May the Saints Preserve Us (Episode 5)
Writer: Patrick Campbell
Air date: 1963-10-26
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: Varela investigates where an Irish monastery has apparently been sold and needs moving to Texas.
Meet My Son, Henry (Episode 6)
Writer: Lindsay Hardy
Air date: 1963-11-02
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: Varela finds himself involved with the mysterious disappearance of top-secret flight plans from a Space Development Centre. At a millionaire's request, he embarks on an intriguing escapade to recover the plans.
A Little Sweetness and Light (Episode 7)
Writer: Tudor Gates
Air date: 1963-11-09
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: Varela investigates the death of an old friend on a small Greek island, where he discovers a deported American gangster has taken over.
The Height of Fashion (Episode 8)
Writer: Peter Lambda
Air date: 1963-11-16
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: Varela moves in fashion circles and discovers that anything can be sold as the latest vogue – provided you sell your product with panache and style. Yes, anything — including horse blankets.
A Very Desirable Plot (Episode 9)
Writer: Brian Clemens
Air date: 1963-11-23
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: An American has been selling sunny Caribbean housing lots that turn out to be under muddy water, leaving angry buyers and Varela with prefab houses that can't be built. He works out a plan to convince the greedy land dealer that the lots are worth buying back.
Finishing School (Episode 10)
Writer: Peter Lambda
Air date: 1963-11-30
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: When a young girl goes missing from an exclusive finishing school, everyone suspects she's been kidnapped. However, Varela thinks otherwise and, at the headmistress's request, he sends Bill Randall to investigate.
The Scroll of Islam (Episode 11)
Writer: Jack Davies
Air date: 1963-12-07
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: Varela is intrigued when Professor Fletcher requests his help in obtaining photographs of a relic which could prove more important than the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Not Quite Fully Covered (Episode 12)
Writer: Leslie Harris
Air date: 1963-12-14
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: Randall is taken in by a lovely heiress who convinces him to insure an antique collection being smuggled out of her country, which recently went socialist. When the lot is sunk at sea, Randall's on the hook.
A Box of Tricks (Episode 13)
Writer: Ian Stuart Black
Air date: 1963-12-21
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: Why won't the Palabria people receive an £11 million gift to their country? Randall is sent to investigate – and finds himself playing the role of an African witch-doctor to encourage them to do so.
Seasons
Episodes 13