And where did those catsuits come from? "Three months before miniskirts appeared in British boutiques, one was purchased from Courreges for [Rigg] to wear on screen . . . the mini drew protests from the U.S. networks and was soon displaced by the emmapeeler, a ribbed jersey . . . jump suit."

Almost 40 years on, "The Avengers" remains Britain's most popular exported serial ever, with sales to 120 countries….Its fan sites choke the Internet, Mrs. Peel cat suits (called Emmapeelers) and Steed T-shirts turn up in specialty shops and an "Avengers" movie will soon saunter to the big screen, with Uma Thurman in the zippered leotard, Ralph Fiennes in the bowler hat.

The producer loved it, not to mention how much the public loved Emma in her famous "Emmapeelers," the character's black, skin-hugging fighting suits.