The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

United Network Command for Law and Enforcement

Robert Vaughn (Napoleon Solo), David McCallum (Ilya Kuryakin) and Leo G. Carroll (Mr. Waverly)

"The Man from U.N.C.L.E." was a spy-oriented NBC series that ran for 105 episodes from 1964 to 1968. Inspired by the popularity of spy stories (thanks to James Bond!), the series featured the exploits of agents for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement, headquartered in New York.

Where's the Bond connection to "The Man from U.N.C.L.E?"
They have the same roots. Executive Producer Norman Felton recruited Bond creator Ian Fleming to start up the show, and Fleming made two crucial contributions before bowing out for contractural reasons--the names of agents Napoleon Solo and April Dancer. "The Man..." series featured Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo, as well as David McCallum as agent Ilya Kuryakin. UNCLE was run by Mr. Waverly, played by Leo G. Carroll (who had also played a spy-master in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest."). In 1966, a spin-off series called "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." starred Stefanie Powers as agent April Dancer, and Noel Harrison as agent Mark Slate.

Robert Towne and Harlan Ellison wrote scripts for the series and the distinctive theme was composed by Jerry Goldsmith.

A 1983 "reunion" film entitled "The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E." (or "The Fifteen Years Later Affair") was broadcast by CBS and is notable for two reasons. Leo G. Carroll, having passed on, was replaced with Patrick MacNee of "The Avengers" and A View to a Kill. And there was a cameo appearance by a fellow driving an Aston Martin DB5 with the license plate "JB." This cameo was played by none other than George Lazenby. (He was great in it, too!)