shonashusband
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Is The Saint British or American?
I've always assumed, British because of Roger Moore, but now i've just started reading the stories there are lots of hints to suggest he's American. But so far i've not come across anything absolute, just tentative suggestions. Those of you have have read more (i'm only on my first collection), and earlier stories, will proably all know the answer and think i'm crazy, but I was wondering if Charteris was deliberatly vague to encourage both US and UK sales, with it easy to read the character as American in stories set in the US and visa versa. Someone let me know please.
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24/Oct/09, 3:54 pm
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markvv
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Re: Is The Saint British or American?
I always thought of him as a British citizen and not American. Afterall he carries a passport issued by her majesty the queen.
The Saint as an American is about as silly as James Bond being an American. 
Being a modern Robin Hood would also point to his origin.
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24/Oct/09, 5:05 pm
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Hoppy
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Re: Is The Saint British or American?
Given that--with the exception of the Kilmer film--his backstory remains a mystery, no one knows the Saint's true nationality.
Sure he has a UK passport but I'd have to suggest that in his line of work he has a number of passports and probably not all in the same name.
Certainly historically he pretty much imitated Leslie in terms of starting off English, moving to America and then travelling around the world.
If anything I've always thought of him as a citizen of the world, residing where adventure takes him.
The new pilot film will be set in Vancouver, and as we all know the Saint has been there before...
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24/Oct/09, 5:10 pm
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St Hayward
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Re: Is The Saint British or American?
I agree with Hoppy's sentiment; I like the Saint's history being mysterious and feel he should be able to easily fit into most cultures within reason. However, this shouldn't stretch to his accent as the Saint should have an upper-class English brogue. So I'm not bothered whether Simon has an American passport, as long as he doesn't speak like an Californian beach-bum – i.e. Val Kilmer.
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25/Oct/09, 8:31 pm
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shonashusband
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Re: Is The Saint British or American?
Pleased to read everyone comments. Being British myself, I must admit to feeling disappointed with the idea that perhaps the Saint was American. However, I guess your comments show that my question wasn't as daft as I feared it maybe, and I still wonder if Charteris wasn't deliberatly trying to play to all audiences so to speak. As I read more and more of the stories, I will keep a careful eye open for clues or discrepancies, but in my head will read him as having a distinctive British upper class accent which i agree suits the part best. I was particularly interested by the mention of James Bond because it seems clear to me their are many similarities, exotic locations, fine food and drink, a healthy disreguard for authority and a ruthless streak under a veneer or respectibility. I can't help feeling that Fleming must have based the Bond character, at least in part, on the Saint.
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25/Oct/09, 10:18 pm
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Hoppy
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Re: Is The Saint British or American?
"as long as he doesn't speak like an Californian beach-bum – i.e. Val Kilmer."
Ouch. That's a bit harsh.
What have those poor Californian beach bums done to be insulted like that?
Hoppy
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25/Oct/09, 10:37 pm
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