TV Spy Macnee Will Come Into the Fold

A movie version of “The Avengers,” the classic ‘60s British spy series, will hit the big screen this summer with Ralph Fiennes starring as bowler-hatted secret agent Jonathan Steed and Uma Thurman as his sexy, leather-clad partner, Mrs. Emma Peel.

But in the beginning--when the tongue-in-cheek spy drama aired on ABC-TV in the late ‘60s--Patrick Macnee starred as the suave and imperturbable Steed, who was known for dispatching bad guys with a deft flick of his umbrella and trading sexually charged yet understated badinage with Mrs. Peel (Diana Rigg).

Macnee, who now hangs his bowler in Rancho Mirage and La Jolla, will discuss his alter ego and his new book, “The Avengers & Me,” at the Round Table West literary luncheon at noon Thursday at the Balboa Bay Club, 1221 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach.

Joining Macnee on the speaker’s platform will be Lorna Luft, author of “Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir”; and Jane Pejsa, author of “Romanoff: Prince of Rogues.”

Tickets: $40. For reservations, call (213) 256-7977.

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Charles Champlin, Los Angeles Times arts editor emeritus, will discuss the movie industry’s past, present and future at 7 p.m. Monday at the Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave.

The evening will include a showing of excerpts from Champlin’s interviews with with actors and directors from the “Champlin on Film” cable series.

Champlin will also sign copies of his new book, “Hollywood’s Revolutionary Decade,” an annotated collection of his film reviews from the 1970s.

Seating is limited. For reservations, call (714) 717-3870.

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Also This Week

* Earlene Fowler, author of “Dove in the Window,” will sign at 1 p.m. today at Coffee, Tea & Mystery, 13232 Springdale St., Westminster.

* Patricia Guiver, author of “Delilah Doolittle,” will sign at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble in the Huntington Beach Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave.

* Roy Feinson, author of “The Animal in You,” will sign at at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Noble in Triangle Square, 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa.

* Dionicio Morales, author of “A Life in Two Cultures,” will read and sign at 7 p.m. Friday at Martinez Books & Art, 200 N. Main St., Santa Ana.

* Doris Crandall, author of “Dining Guide: The Best Restaurants in Southern California,” will sign at 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble in the Huntington Beach Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave.

Send information about book-related events at least 10 days before event to: Dennis McLellan, O.C. Books & Authors, Life & Style, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.