MISSING ADVENTURES: NAPOLEON SOLO'S EARLY YEARS

With the recent death of Robert Vaughn, I've been looking at his role of Napoleon Solo in 'The Man From UNCLE' anew.  However, in this post, he's the supporting player....

In the reunion TV movie, "The Return Of The Man From UNCLE: The Fifteen Years Later Affair", Keenan Wynn played Piers Castillian, one of Justin Sepheran's main henchmen.  (The other being Janus.)  Castillian was a relatively small role for such a noted character actor, and may have only existed for a quick punch line. 

As Castillian went Mano a Mano with Solo, it became apparent that he and  the UNCLE agent had crossed paths once before. 

CASTILLIAN:

"Napoleon Solo… You can't imagine  how long I've looked forward to this meeting."

SOLO:

"It must be rewarding."

So that makes for a good reason why we never saw Castillian in any other TV shows sharing the same TV dimension as 'The Man From UNCLE': because he was obviously beaten by Napoleon Solo and ended up in prison for a good number of years.  That is, until Sepheran was able to either hire him after his release or busted him out of prison. 

So there's an episode of 'The Man From UNCLE' which we never saw; Keenan Wynn never appeared on the original series.  Piers Castillian must have previously tangled with Mr. Solo either before the series began in 1964, at some point between the show's cancellation and this TV movie, or perhaps it was even an adventure that took place between the episodes which actually aired. 

I'm leaning towards it happening before the series began, perhaps even back to when Solo was a novice operative and Castillian was the more seasoned adversary.  I would think it was back during the Eisenhower years, maybe circa 1957. 

But now the tables were turned and Castillian must have realized the years had put him at a disadvantage...

CASTILLIAN:

"How do you look so young?"

SOLO:

"Good make up men."

Solo left the old man dazed and confused with his hearing aid broken. He was arrested and sentenced to serve a lengthy jail term.  He most likely died in prison, which is why Piers Castillion was never seen in Toobworld again. 

But maybe we did see his half brother, Lamar Pettybone, around that same time.  Lamar was Matt Houston's ranch foreman, who basically always in charge since Matt was off playing private eye.

O'BSERVATION:

No "identical cousins" theory at play here. I just think Keenan Wynn and Paul Brinegar look enough alike to be brothers. But those last names of Castillian and Pettybone could mean their mother had two different husbands...

So we get a little theory of relateeveety in as well.....

BCnU!