Diana is a situational comedy television show produced by Talent Associates-Norton Simon Inc. The show aired for one season during 1973-1974, producing fifteen episodes total. The collection contains fourteen episodes, and is missing one episode entitled “Take My Father, Please.”
Diana stars Diana Rigg as Diana Smythe, who moves from London after her divorce to start a new life in New York City. She learns how to adapt to life in America with the help of her neighbor Holly, copywriter Howard, window decorator Marshall, and her friend Jeff. In the series, Diana contends with her boss Norman at Buckley's Department Store, and the many young women who have keys to her apartment; a common occurrence as her brother was the former tenant.
The show was originally titled The Diana Rigg Show, and the pilot episode featured Nanette Fabray as the character Norma Brodnik. After the show was picked up by NBC, the title was changed to Diana and Norma was played by Barbara Barrie. Other notable recurring actors include Richard B. Shull, Carole Androsky, Richard Mulligan, and Robert Moore.
The show was created by Gordon Farr, Arnold Kane, and Leonard Stern, and written by Stern. Diana hoped to capitalize on the popularity of other sitcoms about single, independent women, drawing audiences with Rigg's celebrity. However, Diana aired after the highly popular male dominated shows Gunsmoke and The Rookies, and eventually was cancelled due to low viewership on January 7, 1974.
The collection is comprised mostly of 16 mm prints and 35 mm archival positives, with optical sound and color. The contents list only gives the call number for the viewing copy, which is generally the 16 mm print copy. The overall quality of the films is good, with slight discolorations. Most of the prints contain commercials.
