Dinosaur TV CRIME/ ADVENTURE
Sherlock Holmes Fabian of the Yard The Big Man Third Man Zero One Scotland Yard Edgar Wallace . . Studio Series
Colonel March Martin Kane Dial 999 International Detective Crime Club The Pursuers Calling Scotland Yard Mark Saber Man from Interpol The Cheaters
Charlie Chan The Invisible Man 4 Just Men Interpol Calling Danger Man African Patrol Stryker of the Yard Inspector Morley 1960's Filmed Series

No Hiding Place (#8.4 It Could Always Happen Nov 23rd 1965)
A brief contemporary report: "I think authors must have a licence to devise any sort of plan or plot they choose, as long as it is in English. If they write any sort of fantasy, then I'm all for drawing the long bow, but not in a Lockhart story which is near to life, or should be... The idea of a man who has already spent seven years in jail still harbouring hatred for the policeman who put him there was hard for me to swallow. So was choosing the moment we switched on to escape to exact vengeance. Nothing was shown of him actually getting out of jail, one moment he was in, the next he was out. William Marlowe played Jack Baker, he with the hatred of Lockhart, and he was a bit heavyhanded about the whole business and threw the sympathy of the viewer clean out of the window. Only Annette Crosbie as Mavis his wife was likeable"

Photo Question: from the opening title sequence of which series? Answer .

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Stryker of The Yard
These were cinema second features made by Republic at Nettlefold Studios in 1953/4. The star was Clifford Evans who played Chief Inspector Robert Stryker, and his assistant was the genial George Woodbridge. Narrator was ex policeman Tom Fallon, who went on to be adviser on Dial 999. ITV bought the films and screened them in the 1960's.

My reviews of 3
The Case of Canary Jones, 8 The Case of The Black Falcon, 9 The Case of The Bogus Count
Details of the thirteen 35 minute stories:
1 The Case of The Studio Payroll (Cinema release date, with #2, Jan 18th 1954)- with Jack Watling and Susan Stephen. An unpremeditated crime on the part of a young man who takes £10,000.
2 The Case of Uncle Henry- with Elliot Makeham, Edwin Richfield and Desmond Llewelyn. The story of an old man whose good heart leads him to steal cash to help others.
3 The Case of Canary Jones- with Patricia Burke, Belinda Lee, Peter Hammond, and Bruce Seton.
4 The Case of Gracie Budd- The sad tale of seventeen year old blonde and petite Gracie, a typical juvenile delinquent whose parents were killed in the war. With no loving hands to guide her, the lure of easy money leads her into bad company.
5 The Case of Soho Red- with Sebastian Cabot and Esma Cannon. Stryker investigates The Kataro Marriage Bureau in London. Kathy O'Hara, a lovely orphaned Irish girl, had answered one of their advertisements. The boss had embarked on an evil plan, after reading her letter which gave her complete financial details.
6 The Case of The Burnt Alibi- with Joss Ambler, John Chandos and Avis Scott. Written by Lester Powell. Directed by Arthur Crabtree. An explosion in a deserted barn- and Stryker finds the charred remains of an unidentified man.
7 The Case of the Two Brothers- (Cinema release, 1954 with #8 as 'Companions in Crime.') with Maurice Kaufmann and Kenneth Haigh. Also in cast- Gaylord Cavallaro, Ian Fleming, Jack Lambert, Fred Griffiths, Russell Napier, Billie Whitelaw, Christine Silver, Patrick Jordan, Gillian Lutyens, Cyril Chamberlain. Arnold helps his young brother to find a job with a haulage company. But John Kendall (KH) soon realises the company is just a cover for a more sinister business, and he is framed for the murder of his employer. Sentenced to prison for ten years, he escapes from a working party on the moors, determined to bring the killer to justice
8 The Case of The Black Falcon- with Tim Turner, Dorothy Alison, David Perrin, Guy Deghy, Elliot Makeham and Philo Hauser.
9 The Case of the Bogus Count- with Elwyn Brooke-Jones, Harold Lang, Kenneth Haig, Leonard Sachs, Eunice Gayson and also Anthony Newley.
10 The Case of The Express Delivery- with Sandra Dorne, a bad time girl who leads astray a once reliable mechanic Wally Ross.
11 The Case of Diamond Annie- with Hugh Moxey, and Marjorie Rhodes in the title role. Also with Vida Hope, Harold Lang and Peter Swanwick. Inspector Susan Bond starts work as a shoplifter in order to help Stryker catch Diamond Annie who runs a junk shop, where stolen goods are bought and sold
12 The Case of the Pearl Payroll- with Mary Merrall, Joan Newell and Russell Waters. Written by Lester Powell. Directed by Arthur Crabtree. Stryker chases a gang of bank robbers- and the final showdown comes in a lonely warehouse....
13 The Case of the Second Shot- with Irene Handl. To pay for his wife's medical treatment, Joe turns to crime.
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The Case of Canary Jones

Anita (Patricia Burke) is known professionally as Canary Jones, singer at the Cafe Colombo, run by the manager (Bruce Seton), who is in love with her. But she has another admirer in Jack (Harold Goodwin), plus another, Henry, both of whom get the brush off.
Undercover policeman (Peter Hammond) chats to her before she leaves the club after her act. He is enjoying his time here with hostess Lola (Belinda Lee).
Anita reaches her flat, but an intruder shoots her dead. The gunshot brings our policeman and Lola to the scene. Hurriedly they lock the door on the porter. He summons the police, and Inspector Stryker investigates. The gun by the corpse is an obvious clue. He questions Jack, then the manager, and search is made for the missing policeman.
The manager accuses Jack of the killing, and gets him arrested, though he protests his innocence.
Lola has taken our policeman to Morley Mansions, where Henry lives. Inside, he is busy destroying his love letters to Anita. But police spot the fugitive and it is left to Lola to confront Henry alone. As they talk, he is shot dead. Lola runs away, the murderer in pursuit, closely followed by the police. Shots are fired, and a struggle over a ledge before an arrest is made.
Lola sings while Stryker celebrates at the club

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The Case of The Black Falcon
Interpol requests the help of Scotland Yard in tracing diamond smuggler Gustave Clement, who has eluded police after a chase.
A hulking man (Guy Deghy) approaches the owner of The Black Falcon boat, Philip Marsden (Tim Turner), who is short of money. That night Marsden makes for France leaving behind his worried wife Sheila and small son, who live near the River Thames.
At the rendezvous, a rowing boat brings Clement and his purse of diamonds to The Black Falcon. Having safely returned up the Thames, however, the crook does not hand the diamonds over to his boss, Sandford (Eliot Makeham). It's the double cross.
Inspector Stryker is pursuing his inquiries over the diamonds. Having interviewed Sandford in his wheelchair, he talks to Marsden, who does admit he had recently crossed the Channel. Yes, he had given a lift to someone, but he didn't know the man's identity. As he searches the boat, Stryker opens a cupboard, and out pops Clement's corpse! Marsden panics and runs away.
Stryker questions Mrs Marsden in her home. When he's gone, she takes some food to her husband who is hiding in a boatshed. Then she boards The Black Falcon and removes the purse of diamonds that Clement had secreted. Sandford's henchman however is watching her, and demands the diamonds. She runs off.
So the Marsden's son is taken captive, that's too much for Marsden and he fights with the crook boathooks flying everywhere, boats overturned. The struggle moves dangerously on to a bridge over a weir in the river. The watching Sandford shoots. But he hits his own man!
Stryker moves in to arrest Sandford, who neatly leaps from his wheelchair, out of his upper storey window. The story ends with some comedy from Sergeant Hawker (George Woodbridge) attempting to ride a very wobbly old bicycle
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The Case of the Bogus Count

Lew (Harold Lang) is a jewel thief working for Count Kudos who runs a night club. Singer Gerry Barnes goes undercover to work here and comes to blows with Lew over a hostess (Eunice Gayson).
Stryker questions Kudos and takes away his books for examination. But nothing is revealed.
Lew attempts a spot of blackmail, "£1,000 or else." Kudos with his two henchmen wait for Lew when he returns to his flat. He is duffed up and killed. Kudos and his men beat a hasty retreat, and Gerry is found by the corpse. The hostess helps him elude police. He searches Kudos' office but is caught there. Kudos shoots, but kills his own henchman. Next for a bullet is Gerry, but Stryker arrives in the nick of time.
To finish Stryker and Hawker dine at the club, and Hawker gets to dance happily with Eunice Gayson

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Fabian of the Yard (made in 1954 and 1955)
with Bruce Seton as "one of England's greatest detectives." Says one top-hole character of him: "I never saw such a single-minded man in all my days."

4 Bombs in Piccadilly 9 Brides of the Fire 11 Nell Gwynn's Tear 19 The Executioner 24 Robbery in the Museum 37 Moral Murder

An archive in Canada holds prints of many of this series, and it really is past time for some enterprising business to release it on to dvd. It's no masterpiece, but it does have the distinction of being the first British made filmed crime series shown in Britain.

The book Fabian of the Yard, published in 1955, described cases of the great Fabian, though it's unclear whether all cases described in this, were ever filmed. At the end of each episode, the real Inspector Robert Fabian adds an epilogue to provide a touch of authenticity.

The series was made by independent producer Charles Wick, and shown on BBC Television, starting in 1954.
A splendid five minute tribute to the series was shown in C4's TV Heaven in the 1990s, with Shaw Taylor linking clips from the series, included were scenes from 26 Hand of Terror, and 29 The Jade Blade.

Here are cast lists and synopses of many of the stories.
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FABIAN OF THE YARD - Episode Details (incomplete)
For the cast lists and synopses, I am extremely indebted to Jean-Claude Michel who has gathered this data.
The series was screened on the BBC in 1954-6, with episodes repeated later in the decade.
Fabian of the Yard
This is a cinema compilation (Bombs in Piccadilly, The Actress and the Kidnap, Death on the Portsmouth Road).
Handcuffs, London
This was a second compilation of three stories, one of which was Nell Gwynn's Tear.

1 The Extra Bullet (Saturday November 13th 1954 8.45pm, first repeated Monday April 4th 1955, 3pm)
A murderer made the mistake of firing an extra bullet at the time of the crime, providing Fabian with a clue to a double murder. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Michael Kelly (sergeant) Donald Eccles (ballistics expert) Gordon Bell (police surgeon) Jane Barrett (Mona Proudly) Melissa Stribling (Vera Proudly) Michael Alexander (Arthur Carlton) Isabel Dean (Mrs. Regis) Elsie Wagstaff (Mrs. Wilkins)
2 The Unwanted Man (Nov 20th 1054)
A gypsy provides a clue to the year-old murder of an unrecognisable corpse found in the Thames. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Philip Dale (detective sergeant) Frank Sieman (police superintendant) Philip Lennard (forgery expert) Jack Melford (wood expert) Ursula Howells (Ellie Stafford) David Oxley (Dan Stafford) Gwen Bacon (Aunt Bess)
3 The Skeleton in the Closet aka The Skeleton in the Cupboard
The discovery of a skeleton walled up in a closet brings to light a murder that may have been committed a century ago. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Genine Grahame (Rose Pool) Sylvia Marriott (Mollie Boldero) Peter Dyneley (Captain Pool) Edmund Willard (Colonel Ledbetter) Ewen Solon (Elstead) Allan Jeayes (Hagben) Gordon Bell (pathologist)
4 Bombs in Piccadilly (this was one of the pilots that were made)
London is terrorized by a gang of fanatical bombers. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Ann Hanlip (Policewoman Wetherby) Richard Pearson (Sergeant MacKenzie) Jack Crowley (Paxton, first terrorist) James Raglan (Assistant Commissioner) Reg Hearne (Charlie)
5 Death on the Portsmouth Road aka The Wrotham Hill Murder
A lorry driver strangles a hitchhiker.
6 The Actress and the Kidnap Racket aka The Snatch Racket aka Four A.M. Phone Call (Dec 18th 1954)
Unless £250 in notes are left in a telephone directory, Benny threatens to kidnap the son of an actress. He collects the cash from a kiosk and speeds away in a taxi, not knowing Fabian is hiding in it. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Sarah Churchill (the actress) Victor Maddern (Chick) Margaret Boyd (Nanny)
7 Against the Evidence (Saturday Jan 8th 1955, 8.15pm)
A necklace is stolen from a jewellery shop and an innocent customer is accused of the crime. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Richard Warner (detective sergeant) Peter Copley (Brownlove and Audley) Stuart Saunders (Heathrow) Betty Cooper (Mrs. Brownlove) Wilfred Caithness (Dr. Cardwell) Nicolas Tannar (Pinkley) Toke Townley (Popes) James Thomason (Minlane) Philip Lennard (forgery expert)
8 Murder in Soho aka The Antiquis Murder
Fabian tracks down three hoodlums who run down a motorcyclist Alec de Antqiuis who had attempted to stop them as they fled from their jewel robbery. They shoot him, but they leave behind a raincoat, which Fabian is able to trace back to them. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Ian Whittaker (Cox) Lew Harris (Coker) Eric Corrie (Turner) and Graham Ashley (Spicer)
9 The Brides of Fire aka Brides of the Fire
Three women have died in allegedly accidental fires. They all had the same husband. Now he is courting another lady. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Stephen Vercoe (Robert Morley) Shirley Cooklin (Peggy Drayton) Michael Shepley (Mr. Thrale) Arnold Diamond (Inspector Kelson) Sheila Burrell (Helen Russell) Hugh Munroe (Andrews) Cicely Paget-Bowman (Mrs. Dove) Lillemor Knudsen (Lois Russell)
10 The Troubled Wife
A bank manager claims he shot a burglar in self-defence but his wife tells a different story. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (Detective Sergeant Sims - or Wyatt ?) Trevor Reid (George Hubble, the bank manager) Sylvia Marriott (Kate Hubble) Betty MacDowell (Sara Milne) Gordon Bell (pathologist) Victor Adams (policeman) Michael Kelly (detective sergeant)
11 Nell Gwynn's Tear
Scotland Yard is called to investigate a report that a famous diamond on exhibition is a fake. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Isabel Dean (Doris Tedford) Kathleen Byron (Janet Tedford) Alexander Gauge (Bardwell) Noel Howlett (Jeremiah Rugeley) Jack Melford (expert)
12 The Vanishing Cat (rpt Nov 14th 1955, 4.15pm)
A newspaper ad is used to recruit a cat burglar into a crime syndicate. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Jean Ireland (Monica Ridley) Tim Turner (James Ridley) Ruth Gower (robbed woman) Robert Sydney (Yard expert)
13 Written in the Dust
A psychopathic housemaid responsible for many murders has gone to London - to buy poison for her next victims. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Edwin Richfield (sergeant) Noel Dyson (Cora) Mary Kenton (Mrs. Apsley) Margaret McCourt (Ellen) John Boxer (micrologist) Patrick Boxill (Mr. Throgget) Helen Hurst (chemist's assistant) Charles Mortimer (Mr. Wimpole)
14 The Purple Mouse
Fabian investigates the case of a wealthy dowager who was committed to a mental institution - for seeing a non-existent mouse. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (detective sergeant) Colette Wilde (Lily Ransome) Cecily Paget-Bowman (Tessa Oakman) Seymour Green (Dr. Horn) Gladys Boot (Mrs. Ransome) Roy Dean (Eddie Carmen) Max Brimmell (pathologist)
15 The King's Hat
A rare coin provides the only clue to a mysterious archer's attacks on tourists visiting a 15th-century castle. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Dorinda Stevens (Lady Edith Garvam) Derek Aylward (Sir Michael Garvam) Michael Craig (Roger Garvam) Alexander Gauge (Nicholas Bardwell) C. Denier Warren (Robert Meekers) Noel Howlett (Jeremiah Rugeley) Jack Melford (expert) Charles Lepper (Edmund Burrows) Ian Fleming (Sir Digby Button)
16 Little Girl
An unknown woman's face powder is the only clue to a private secretary's murder. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Gillian Maude (Rita) Peter Stanwick (Vale) Arthur Howard (Trew) Mary Jones (Ruth) Gordon Morrison (Baines)
17 The Coward
Did a young student try to commit suicide by poison or is she the victim of attempted murder? Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Barry Lowe (Andy Wagner) Jill Raymond (Frieda Barnes) Anthony Rea (Ed Seddon) Ann Stephens (Sylvia Parker) Betty Cooper (Mrs. Wagner) John Boxer (pathologist) Paul Daneman (doctor)
18 Lost Boy
Fabian investigates the Edwardians, a gang of juvenile delinquents on a rampage. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Ian Whittaker (Ginger) Sheldon Allen (Nobby)
19 The Executioner (Wednesday April 6th 1955, 8.15pm, rpt Apr 23rd 1956)
London is terrified by a mysterious killer who murders people in their bathtubs. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (detective sergeant) Peter Swannick (Mr. Porter) Elspet Gray (Marian Courtland) Noel Howlett (vicar) William Abney (Jim Keyes) Tottie Truman Taylor (Miss Langley, schoolmistress) Marjorie Rhodes (Mrs. Boody) Geoffrey Denys (doctor) Peter Cellier (uncredited, as an expert at the Yard)
20 The Poison Machine (rpt Mar 26th 1956, 7.30pm)
In London, poison-pen letters drive one man to insanity and another to attempted murder. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Patricia Driscoll (Agatha) Richard Gale (Peter Lancefort) Brenda Hogan (Deborah) John Salew (Mr. Pontifex) Nicolas Tannar (Mr. Kinney) Alan Rolfe (police superintendent) Jack Melford (typewriter expert)
21 The Golden Peacock
A young dock worker is suspected of murdering a beautiful French dancer. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Kieron Moore (dock worker) Pascale (French dancer) John Gabriel (night-club owner) June Rodney (girl) Martin Boddey (police surgeon) Basil Lord, and Wensley Pithey
22 The Lover's Knot
Love letters may be the death of a salesman - who's suspected of murdering his wife. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Philip Dale (detective sergeant) Thomas Heathcote (Selby) Shelagh Fraser (Emma Horton) Jessica Dunning (Mrs. Addison) Douglas Muir (doctor) Larry Cross (Fleddon) Jennifer Browne (waitress) John Boxer (laboratory expert) Martin Boddey (graphologist) George Woodbrige (supervisor)
23 The Man from Blackpool
Victims of a gambling syndicate are taught the virtue of silence - by acid-throwing teachers. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Elspet Gray (Lady Jane Shaw) Alexander Gauge (Harry Disbrow) John Trevor (Hon. Victor Leggett) John Orchard (Big Fred)
24 Robbery in the Museum
Fabian searches for a poor young poet who has stolen jewels from a London museum. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Ian Sampson (superintendent Forbes) Emris Leyshon (Masters) Josephine Griffin (Mrs. Masters) Charles Lloyd Pack (Prof. Wynn Jones, the curator) John Stuart (Jarvis) Jacqueline Con (child) Menhardt Mauer (Dutchy) Charles Wade (Nick)
25 Deadly Pocket Handkerchief
Police seek a thief who chloroforms and robs women on the streets of London. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Richard Pearson (MacKenzie) Dagmar Wynter (Susan) Fanny Carby (Mary) Brian Haines (Quailes)
26 Hand of Terror (Wednesday May 28th 1955, 7.45pm, rpt Aug 17th 1955)
A politician's fear of scandal prevents him from taking action when his wife is kidnapped by an escaped convict. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Colette Wilde (Cynthia Barker) Arthur Young (Mr. Barker) Michael Craig (Ted Enfield) Patrick Westwood (Larry Redman) James Gilbert (expert) Betty Cooper (Mrs. Barker) Allan Jones (Reedy) Christina Forrest (BOAC clerk) Jessica Cairns (maid)
27 Pinpoint Signature
Five men are suspected of terrorizing an actress. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Jean Ireland (Edna Kent) Madge Brindley (Mrs. Daisy) Maurice Kaufman (Jerry Strong) Allen Sheldon (Arthur Flagg) Harry Fine (Bill Beckford) Jack Melford (expert) Max Brimmell (psychiatrist)
28 Innocent Victims (June 8th 1955, 8.15pm)
Fabian investigates the involvement of two teachers in a theft that seems to be an inside job. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Dorothy Allison (Mary Walton) Arthur Howard (Jim Graham) Philip Ray (Dr. Walton) Joan Newell (Mrs. Mortlake) Robert Sandford (Peter) Victor Wood (expert)
29 The Jade Blade
The mysterious death of a young Chinese man is linked to an ancient law that sometimes justifies murder. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Reginald Hearne (detective sergeant) Alan Tilvern (Sen Shan) Betty MacDowall (Mary Soong) Martin Boddey (Fat Harry) Wanda Balcon (Lotus Yung) Charles Mortimer (Professor Hughes)
30 April Fool (June 22nd 1955, 7.45pm)
Four people are implicated in a puzzling April fool joke - the near- fatal shooting of a man. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Betty McDowall (Angela Hollis) Garard Green (Major Randall) Jean Wilkinson (Barbara James) William Mervyn (Ronald James) Marjorie Rhodes (Mrs. Flinge) Gaylord Cavallaro (Jack Hollis) Jack Melford (ballistics expert) Elaine Dundy (chorus girl)
31 No Alibi (the series returned after a break with this story on Saturday Nov 12th 1955 3.45pm. Repeated Fri March 8th 1957, 3.15pm)
The murder of a fashion model is linked to a man with a good alibi - he is serving a prison sentence. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Robert Raglan (det sgt Wyatt) Sylvia Marriott (Mary Sedney) Tim Turner (Bill Jaggers) Myrtle Reed (Miss Janes) Patrick Connor (Madden) James Raglan (prison governor) John Boxer (pathologist) Dermot McMahon (Dalton)
32 Escort for Death aka Escort to Death (rpt Sept 6th 1956)
Three people are marked for death when one of them discovers a state secret in a foreign embassy's code room. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Colette Wilde (Silvara) Gerard Heinz (ambassador) Alan Tilvern (Carlac) Cecile Chevreau (Teresa) Kenneth Edwards (Carter)
33 The Sixth Dagger (Nov 26th 1955)
The works of Shakespeare are linked to five mysterious stabbings - all committed with the same dagger. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Philip Dale (detective sergeant) James Drake (city sergeant) Avice Landone (Amanda Malloy) Kenneth Griffiths (Heywood) Michael McKeog (student) Roddy Hughes (pawnbroker) Jack Melford (metal expert) Lloyd Lamble (Dr. Brighton) Martin Boddey (graphologist) Max Brimmell (psychiatrist)
34 The Ribbon Trap (Tues Jan 17th 1956, 9.30pm)
Fabian pursues an elusive gang of railway freight-yard thieves. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Philip Dale (detective sergent) George Woodbridge (supervisor) Valerie Jene (Julie) Patrick Jordan (Sandy Evans) Marjorie Stewart (Mrs. Manners) Margot Van Der Burgh (Madame Amata) Frederick Piper (railway foreman) John Witty (map expert)
35 Cocktail Girl (Mon Jan 30th 1956, 7.30pm)
Fabian defends a prominent businessman accused of murder. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Philip Dale (detective sergeant) Kathleen Byron (Helen Kervan) Ewan Roberts (Galney) Wensley Pithey (Jerry Watson) Conrad Phillips (Raynel) Jack Melford (wood expert) Frank Forsyth (museum custodian)
36 The Masterpiece (Tues Feb 6th 1956, 7.30pm)
Scotland Yard sets a trap for a master counterfeiter-turned- kidnapper. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Philip Dale (detective sergeant) Anna Turner (Kitty Penley) Antoinette Cellier (Magda) Ivan Craig (Bateman) John Cazabon (chemist) Patrick MacJordan, Frank Forsyth (museum custodian) John Witty (map expert) John Boxer (laboratory expert) George Woodbridge (supervisor) David Yates (radio operator)

Synopses of other stories.
No transmission dates on the BBC, it is possible that they may have been screened as alternatives to the scheduled programme.
37 Moral Murder aka Blackmail
A rich businessman, a candidate for Parliament, confides to Fabian that he is being blackmailed. He is becoming desperate. Fabian lays a trap for the blackmailer in the lounge of an hotel. The brain behind the crime turns out to be an actor. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Tod Slaughter (Palmer) Hugh Latimer (Mitchell) Richard Pearson (MacKenzie) Marjorie Stewart (Mrs. Mitchell) Harry Lane (Lester) Al Burnett (Club Manager)
38 The Witches of Wednesday
Superstitious villagers are led to believe that a doctor's housekeeper is a witch. Cast: Bruce Seton (Fabian) Renee Goddard (Trudi) John Boxer (Lomas) Keith Davies (Reg) Daphne Maddox (Sybil) Gladys Boot (Miss Isles)
39 One Way of Learning the Charleston
Fabian arrests a dancing instructor who robs the wallets of his clients.
40 The Black Butterfly
A nightclub singer is murdered. Her sister identifies the killer from a picture in the Scotland Yard files.
41 The Beer Bottle Murder
A thief in a hotel leaves a suitcase full of beer bottles, a sufficient clue for Fabian to catch him.
42 Marita and the Count
The daughter of an American millionaire elopes with a foreign count, but Fabian stops the wedding.when he proves he is a con man.
43 Celluloid Alf
Fabian tracks down a series of thefts in Chelsea flats to the commissionaire.

The final two episodes on this list were found in a 2005 archive. They may be alternative titles. One other unknown story was in this archive: 44 The Samba Case.

That is a list of 44 stories. As five pilots were made, a series of 39 films is quite likely a number- but this is informed speculation.

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Bombs in Piccadilly
At times this pilot is almost a silent film, with reliance on narration rather overdone.
It begins with Inspector Fabian at Pepper's Bottle Room being presented with a medal by 'the boys.' This story explains why.

Outside a cigar shop in Piccadilly Circus, a terrorist plants some sticks of dynamite. There's an explosion and Fabian and his assistant Sergeant MacKenzie are soon sifting through the debris. In the rubble Fabian uncovers a parcel "ready to go off now." Gingerly he puts it down, and with a bystander Charlie happily at his elbow, the inspector defuses the bomb himself. But more bombs follow and some explode, twenty innocent people injured.
A phone call from fanatics demands World Peace or perversely London will face more bombs. Fabian gets a lucky break when he spots a known terrorist Carl Paxton in the street, and the man is followed, past a playground with young children, before Paxton senses he's being followed and manages to shake Fabian off.
A nark, Frankie (probably uncredited Robert Raglan) informs the police that Paxton's men have been meeting in a stable in Hoxton. Police swoop on the building in Nunnery Lane, but the terrorists have cleared out. However in a smouldering fire, Fabian pulls out a charred piece of paper, which is sent to the lab.
Another tip leads him to a bombed out house. "I'll kill to stop war," is how Paxton explains his misguided philosophy to Fabian. Again Paxton eludes the police.
The charred paper shows Harry's Cafe is the meeting place for the gang. PC Wetherby ("I can look after myself"- Ann Haslip sic) goes undercover to the cramped cafe in Soho to keep an eye on Harry (Howard Lang, not credited). There she is picked up by the bombers and learns some useful secrets, which she can then phone through to Fabian.
Unarmed police raid the addresses she has provided, and the villains are chased along a canal. They leap on a barge and there's a punchup on board the moving boat. Several splash into the water of course, though Paxton escapes, Fabian in hot pursuit, tackling him on a steep railway embankment.
At the conclusion Bob Fabian tells us his medal was inscribed "for bravery." The late King gave him a medal too

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Brides Of The Fire
While a woman sleeps peacefully in bed, a man sets a cat on a nearby table, that knocks a candle over starting a fatal fire. It's not the first such crime.
The woman's sister tells Fabian that she is worried: she's not seen her sister since she went off with a man calling himself David Morley. Fabian traces a photo of her with the man, and publishes it in the papers. That leads him to Albert Andrews, who says his girlfriend Peggy Drayton had gone off with a man looking like Morley. She is traced to a boarding house where the landlady Mrs Dodd tells Fabian that the girl had been heard arguing with the man over insurance.
But Peggy and the man have left. We see them in a remote cottage, and Fabian desperately searches for her before it is too late.
Unexpectedly, a neighbour called Archie calls at the cottage, he doesn't find David at all friendly. Against David's wishes, Peggy slips out to Brighton, bored with their quiet existence. Archie spots her from afar and informs police, who scour the seafront. But David is doing the same! Thankfully Fabian reaches her first.
"He's a wonderful person," Peggy insists of her fiance, and she runs off. She is chased around the Brighton backstreets until she is found- by David.
Back home, he makes soup for Peggy, "tastes odd." Too late, Peggy sees what David intends. He is getting his cat ready to start the fire as she gazes on almost insensible. Fabian gets a break when Archie tells him he has met Peggy. Enter Fabian in time to prevent the deed being done.
"He was hanged," Fabian tells us coldly, As for Peggy, "she was one of the silliest women I ever met"

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The Executioner

A bobby on the beat just misses spotting the Bath Tub Murderer (Peter Swannick), who has just executed his fifth murder in eighteen days, that of Andrew Haggerty.
What’s his motive? “Even a psycho has to have a motive.” Until Fabian and his assistant (Robert Raglan) can work that one out, the police are at a dead end.
Now we move to Jim and Marian (Elspet Gray). She was a friend of Andrew’s when they had been children. This is the link between all the murders. But the killer, Mr Porter, is confident he won’t be caught, as he confides to his late son Robert. He tells the photo of his boy that he now has only one to trace and then kill, Marian Courtland. And there in the parish magazine are details of her forthcoming wedding to James Keyes.
Fabian is getting warm as he questions teacher Miss Langley. She remembers the victims, and one of their friends Bobby Porter. Fabian even questions Bobby’s father, not yet suspecting him. Porter tells the detective that his son is currently working in Brazil.
Next, to the church, where the chatty vicar (Noel Howlett) recalls all the murdered people had years ago been involved in a tragedy whilst on a Sunday School picnic, during which a young lad was accidentally drowned. His name? Robert Porter. His father had, quite unfairly, held the youngsters to blame.
Along a dark street, The Executioner walks towards his victim’s rooms. “Robert’s giving a party,” he tells Marian. “You left Robert to die in the river.” He knocks her down. Then switches on the bath water. Just as he is dragging her into the bath, Fabian arrives. The two struggle, and just in time, Marian is saved from being The Executioner’s final victim.
Bob Fabian himself rounds off the story, reminding us that it was routine police work that solved this crime.
Note- appearing uncredited as an expert (‘Peter’) at the Yard, is Peter Cellier

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Robbery in the Museum
Arising, Dracula-like, at dead of night from a coffin in the Egyptian Room of the Warwick Museum, a thief helps himself to uncut diamonds on display. “A very tired and frightened man,” poet Ken Masters (Emrys Leyshon) catches the bus home where his wife (Josephine Griffin) and young daughter Jane, penniless, await his return.
Fabian and his assistant Sgt Jim Jarvis (John Stone) work out “this joker did not break in.” Thus suspicion falls on members of staff, much to the disgust of the owner Wynn-Jones (a nice comedy cameo from Charles Lloyd Pack). The hiding place used, the sarcophagus, yields a clue- a piece of tweed fibre from an old coat. “You better find the owner,” is the rather obvious order Fabian is given by his superior, who tries some detective work of his own, not at all cleverly.
Fabian questions all the gem cutters in London without success until an informer Nick tells of a barmy fellow who spouts poetry, and who wears a rough tweed jacket.
To Bayswater, where Fabian poses as an unemployed person, where he spots his man at the Unemployment Exchange. Having learned where he lives, Fabian turns into a building inspector to search Masters’ house. “My heart went out to Mrs Masters and the child,” when he sees the squalour in which they have to live. In the toilet cistern he finds the stones.
When did you last have a square meal?” he asks. He obliges by providing the family with a nice meal in a very chummy way.
Concludes the real Fabian “He wasn’t a criminal at heart.” His sentence was a light one.

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Moral Murder
Made in 1954. Script: Max Kester. Director: Alfred Travers.

The first scene shows a man attempting to jump in front of a tube train. He is Walter Mitchell, a prospective MP.
In the dingy Stork Room, as an American singer renders the famous number from Pagliacci, Mitchell downs another drink, and is introduced to Robert Fabian. "I was a fool," he admits. He is being blackmailed and has to make his next payment at 4pm tomorrow.
Fabian suggests Mitchell changes the venue to the Imperial Palace Hotel, where he will deploy men to keep watch in the restaurant. After rehearsing what they will do, they watch and wait.
Enter the blackmailer, demanding £100. Fabian pounces. The man is an actor, John Palmer (Tod Slaughter) and is surprisingly calm under arrest. He is obviously merely a messenger boy for the real blackmailer.
This villain is tracked down. The star of a theatre production named Lester Davenport, After a struggle, he gets away from Fabian, "come back, the curtain's going up!" Along wet streets, past Trafagar Square and finally into Fabian's clutches.
Fabian himself informs us that Mitchell was known as Mr X at the trial, thus preserving his anonymity.

In the Fabian of the Yard book, this case is simply titled Blackmail. This story follows the general plot though some licence is taken with the detail. For instance in the book, Lester's arrest is in Bournemouth

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Nell Gwynn's Tear
At an exhibition of Royal and Historic Jewels at Pym Art Galleries, a visitor denounces the star attraction, Nell Gwynn's Tear, once presented by King Charles to Nell herself, as a fake.
She claims to possess the original, purchased from a Jeremiah Rugeley (Noel Howlett). The woman is Janet Tedford (Kathleen Byron), who lives with her sister Doris (Isabel Dean), who is a girl friend of Nicholas Bardwell (Alexander Gauge), who had authenticated the diamond as genuine when their late father had purchased it many years ago. Though Bardwell is an expert, he claims he hasn't seen this "exquisite" diamond since 1930, and anyway "it's too well known for agents to attempt to sell imitations under the counter."
Doris complains to Inspector Fabian about Bardwell, and entrusts him with her diamond, which is examined by an expert (Jack Melford). He declares it a fake, even though he values it at £10,000.
Fabian can see the sisters are trying "to take Bardwell to the cleaners," and Bardwell and Rugeley deny ever being involved with the sale of a fake. But in the latter's shop, Sgt Wyatt (Robert Raglan) finds machinery that will create forgeries: "a windfall for us," he smiles. It is indeed, for Bardwell's fingerprints are found on one fake, and that's the cue for Bardwell to disappear, having succumbed to blackmail from Janet and Doris, to buy back the fake diamond.
However he sends a message that he will meet Fabian at his solicitor's, but gets nervy and runs off. Fabian gives chase and Bardwell takes refuge on a Thames pleasure cruise, but at Tower Pier, the "biggest art forger of modern times" is arrested: "the things of beauty that meant so much to him could never be his again"
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Adventures of the Big Man (1956)
starring Wayne Morris as Bill Pierce, a detective attached to a large London store.
Pamela Thomas played Bill's secretary Sheila in several stories.

This series was the new production from the makers of Fabian of the Yard (Charles Wick), but it proved to be an utter flop. Wayne Morris in the lead role might have US-appeal, but he was hardly a charismatic star.

16 stories were filmed and screened by BBC Television: 1 The Bomb (May 7th 1956), 2 The Amazon Bandit, 3 Baby Sitter, 4 The Runaways , 5 The Magenta Box, 6 Secret Enemy, 7 Rich Girl (June 26th 1956, 7.30pm), 8 The Gun Runners, 9 Say Hello (July 9th 1956), 10 Lady Killer (July 30th 1956), 11 The Thief (Aug 13th 1956), 12 The Door of Gold (Aug 20th 1956), 13 Edge of Darkness (Sept 3rd 1956), 14 The Frightened Angels (Sept 17th 1956), 15 The Accomplice (Sept 24th 1956), 16 The Smugglers (Oct 2nd 1956).

My review of a surviving story:
3 Baby Sitter (May 21st 1956, BBC). Directed by Charles Saunders.
Man With Hammer Attacks Housewife are the headlines after Mrs Alice Judson is knocked unconscious by an intruder. Jane Ramsden (Margaret McGrath), a buyer in the Infants department had been babysitting nearby for her sister Lois, and she notices the man. After newspaper publicity she gets scared she might be "silenced" and her fears are compounded when she's phoned at home and warned "you talk too much. If you don't learn to keep your mouth shut, you're not going to be around very long." But her boyfriend Harry (a young Nicholas Parsons) advises her not to start "imagining" things! But who could blame her for these fears when she receives a written note- I'm Watching You.
Bill Pierce is concerned for the store's valued employee and arranges a police tail for her. He and Inspector Gregg (John Harvey) visit Mr Albert Judson who's worried that he himself has no alibi for the time of the attack. Yet suspicion seems to fall on their handyman Fred Hall (Laurence James) who has done various odd jobs for the family in the past.
Now we meet Hall. His wife Doris (Helen Christie) suspects he's been up to something as he's in the money. He's been writing forged cheques, stolen from Mrs Judson, one of which Doris unwisely gets cashed at the store. Seeing the net closing after a visit from Bill, they realise there's only one thing to do, "leave town."
With Mrs Judson now dead, Bill chases after Fred Hall in an exciting chase in which Fred temporarily eludes capture by jumping on a number 14 bus. But Bill follows by taxi straight to Jane's room. Fred's sworn to silence her ("if it's the last thing I ever do...") but just as he's about to throttle the poor babysitter, Bill leaps to her rescue
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The Third Man with Michael Rennie as Harry Lime
The Beeb's most prolific, most awful filmed series. Jonathan Harris as Lime's right hand man Brad, was the only redeeming feature: "I am supposed to have an adding machine mind," he explained of his role, "and I guard Harry Lime and his business with complete devotion." Note * means an American made story

1* Confessions of an Honest Man
2* A Question of Price
3* Hollywood Incident
4* Death of an Overlord
5* Sparks from a Dead Fire
6* Trouble at Drill Hall
7* The Man Who Died Twice
8* The Angry Young Man
9* Dark Island
10* The Girl Who Didn't Know
11* The Third Medallion
12* Castle in Spain
14* Listen to the Sound of a Witch
16* A Pocketful of Sin
17* How To Buy a Country
18* As the Twig is Bent
19* Broken Strings
21 The Best Policy
22 One Kind Word
23 Three Dancing Turtles
26 Barcelona Passage
27 Collectors Item
29 High Finance
30 Toys of the Dead
31 The Man with Two Left Hands
32 The Man Who Wouldn't Talk
35 Experiment with Money
36 Harry Lime and the King
39 Death in Small Installments
40 A Question of Libel
41* Mishka
42* Cross of Candos
43* Happy Birthday
44* Queen of the Nile
45* Calculated Risk
47* Diamond in the Rough
48 King's Ransom
49 Hamburg Shakedown
50 Unexpected Mr Lime
52 Portrait of Harry Lime
53* Man in Power
54* Meeting of the Board
55* Hansel and Son
56* Act of Atonement
57* Ghost Town
58* The Gold Napoleons
59 Bradford's Dream
60 The Way of McEagle
61* Who Killed Harry Lime?
62 A Question in Ice
63 I.O.U.
64 Crisis in Crocodiles
65* Judas Goat
66 A Little Knowledge
67* Day of the Bullfighter
68 Mars In Conjunction
69* The Big Kill
70* The Frame Up
71 House of Bon Bons
73* The Luck of Harry Lime
74 The Trial of Harry Lime
76/7 Members Only (last story)
It's incredible that despite this series of 39 films of "mid Atlantic nothingness" proving a flop, a second series of 38 films was also made. A contemporary account was spot on, when it claimed, "Michael Rennie walks through these films like a man in a trance. He hardly permits himself to smile, he hardly opens his mouth to talk, and the only bit of action he allows himself to make is when he dodges a bullet.The trap the makers have fallen into is they haven't made up their minds whether their lead is a hero or villain. He is not black, he is not white. You cannot hate him. You cannot like him." Personally, I quickly got sick of him.
Some films were made in America, others in Britain. The first British series was made at Shepperton. Associate producer Bernard Coote claimed, "I have chosen technicians who are off-beat," but the shooting of these early British films was dogged by union disputes. After an enthusiastic reception marking the start of shooting of the British films at the Dorchester on 18th June 1959, production finally commenced on 6th July only for NATKE to stage a one day strike on 20th July, and ETU two days later. An overtime ban added to the acrimonious dispute. Original UK backroom staff included Fred Oughton (publicity), Douglas Barnett (sound camera), Peter Handford (sound mixer), Charles Wheeler (boom), Alan Harris (art director), Geoffrey Tozer (asst art director), Ted Brister (scenic artist), Peter Allwork (camera operator), Reg Wyer (director photography), Ray Hearne (stills), Richard Marden (editor), Roy Hyde (dubbing), J Workman (production manager), Jack Finberg (production secretary), Phil Leakey (make-up), Doreen Lewis (casting).
After various changes in personnel and working practices, shooting began in earnest in late August with An Offering of Pearls. The second series of British films saw production move to AB Elstree Studios. Producer Felix Jackson optimistically stated, "we hope the series will bring back the lost art of story telling." All that The Third Man did was to curtail what became the lost art of these joint US/UK ventures. Never again, in the black and white era were the two countries to embark on a joint tv venture.
Footnote- 1958 publicity suggested originally James Mason was to have played Harry Lime. I don't think it's recorded why he didn't do the series, though he was a very wise man.
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Confessions of An Honest Man
(No Brad)

This first story starts suitably mysteriously and indeed promisingly in Rome, very little dialogue early on, but by half time viewer lethargy is already setting in.
Harry receives a glove thru the post, and he immediately flies to The Gilded Peacock in France. Then to the Rue Verlaine for another cryptic message. This leads him to a tape recording of a conversation with a smuggler.
Police intercept Harry's playback, there follows an odd questioning sequence as Harry plays The Laughing Record, and all the participants break into helpless laughter. Whether you the audience do, is another matter.
Taxi to meet the lady who sent the glove, Marguerite, married to John Sylvestri. However he is dead, according to the Baron, who is the smuggler. The Baron wants his recording, but Harry grabs his minions' gun and foils the demand. The police frame Harry for robbery, it's all happening, but Harry with a wily trick, gets back to London with the tape.
This is handed over to Sylvestri, who is not dead, who hands the tape to the papers resulting in unpleasant publicity for The Baron

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A Question of Price
In helping a stricken ship at sea, Captain Carstairs receives his thanks by a demand to open his ship's safe. "This is piracy."
Harry Lime owns this ship. Of course he does. His was the property stolen too, an antique jewel case, for which he paid $25,000 in auction. What's more, he was going to sell it for a lot more. Of course.
He even knows who the thief is. Demos Recuite, an old enemy from Harry's days in Austria: "he'd cut your throat for a brass farthing." Demos had tried to purchase the jewel case by fair means, but Harry had turned down all offers from this "cobra." So Demos had resorted to this crime.
Off to Rome flies Harry, "you are expected." He is greeted by Elsa (Viveca Lindfors) with a long kiss. Of course. They are old friends etc etc, of course. "I've been expecting you these last ten years."
We get a flashback of their not so steamy Viennese romance, which is seen as at the bunch of flowers level. She'd married Demos for his money, "I've got almost everything." Everything except love of course she means, and that means Harry of course. The main mystery is what she could possibly see in Harry. "Take me away from here." She'd even do without her husband's money to have Harry. Doesn't she know Harry is fairly well off?
Harry has an eyeball to eyeball with Demos. Elsa points her gun at her husband. She can't get Harry to shoot him, so she is going to kill him herself and put the blame on Harry. Such is love. She fires. Harry had wisely removed the bullets so there is no corpse.
Harry walks off with his jewel case. Later he dispassionately reads the headline in the paper, Demos Slain By His Wife. Of course

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The Hollywood Incident
Inspector Roberts of the LA Police is after an escaped Nazi war criminal, Bruckner, who, back in '45, used to do business with Harry Lime.
Harry is in town to sell another fine painting for $85,000 to his old client film director Marcel Genet (Lorne Greene). He's an unusual director, for he claims he can't afford it. In fact, he's recently purchased some pictures by an up and coming artist named Mansa. They are "magnificent," agrees the disappointed Harry. But after Harry has taken his leave, Genet rips up one of these paintings.
Harry wants to learn more about this artist, and goes to the gallery who sell his works. However it's the young assistant there, Miss Page, who really catches Harry's eye. "You owe no apologies," he tells her, "for any part that shows." Yuk. She tells Harry that she has never met this artist, but knows he speaks with a German accent. Ah. Harry gives her a kiss. She says, "you have a very one track mind." One dimensional, I think she meant. In return for an introduction to Genet, she gives Harry the artist's address. Brad takes her to the studios.
Inspector Roberts has the unsurprising news that the artist is the wanted Nazi. But he is not at his home. He is hiding in Genet's office, after more blackmail money. Allegations of Genet's collaboration during the war.
As rehearsals continue under Genet's direction, Harry and Roberts comb the studios for the criminal. "There he is!"
Just time for one more kiss for Miss Page

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Death of an Overlord (no Brad)

In New York, the mighty Ben is investing three million dollars with Harry Lime. As they seal the deal over a slap up dinner, he collapses and dies, his dying words, "take care of Gwen." That's his wife.
His body is flown to LA where Harry meets Spender, Ben's business manager, who advises that Ben was all but bankrupt. Three dark characters belonging to The Wheel are also lurking, they inform Harry they had planned to bump off Ben anyway. They want their money.
At Ben's funeral, Harry spends less time mourning, more in searching for the truth. He gets it, "now I want an explanation." So did I.
We do get some interesting revelations, interesting if you are a moron on the level of this story, "sorry it worked out this way." Harry receives an offer of a million for his silence, and a final touching scene with Gwen. I won't reveal the absolutely brilliant twist, in case you are enthralled. lost in the drama of it all.

As a sample of dialogue, this is typical:
Nicole, a girl at a bar to Harry: "Talk to me, maybe we'll fall in love or something."
Harry (surprised): "At one o'clock in the afternoon?"

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Sparks from a Dead Fire
An anonymous European femme fatale has left a handful of uncut diamonds of first quality for Harry Lime.
At the Blue Danube Club, Harry finds this Woman, Elena, as she sings a sultry song. She's the niece of Anton Radek, a friend from Harry's Vienna days. Harry hands back the diamonds to Radek, who really wants Harry to finance his find of a diamond mine, perhaps the finest "since Kimberley."
Radek doesn't want to do a deal with the International Diamond Company, whose charming representative, Charles Biddy (Sebastian Cabot) is eager to obtain the concession. But Radek now disappears after Biddy's assistant is found dead in Radek's wardrobe. This forces Elena to come clean with Harry. She is actually Anton's wife- just why the deception, is unclear. As Harry listens stiffly, woodenly even, she recounts her dull if romantic tale: "the world was full of tomorrows" etc.
Luckily Harry has friends who know where to look for Radek. He is lying on his deathbed, he knew he was dying. He killed Biddy's helper because "he knew too much," having been ready to betray Biddy- it seems rather irrelevant in the circumstances. Radek entrusts his gems to Harry with his dying breath.
The final scene is of Biddy buying the rights to the diamond mine, Harry receiving a fat commission and Elena, well she's unconsolable. Perhaps Harry might be too, as for once, he doesn't get to kiss the girl.

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Trouble at Drill Hall
Yet another worker has suffered an accident at the Deepwell oil complex, falling into a sump of oil. Harry and Brad want to know why four men have died recently at their wells. In charge of the site is Vince Gabriel (Robert Wilfe) and he disputes what rumour is having, that there is a jinx. Indeed Eddie Dodds claims that someone is out to sabotage Harry's investment.
"Accidents don't usually happen that often," agrees the local sheriff.
Brad pores over the company accounts whilst Harry, obviously unconcerned, admires a beautiful employee at their hotel. "I'm fabulously wealthy," is his chat-up line, and that certainly seems to hook Lisa (Elaine Stewart). Harry even proposes, though he's only just met her, in another of those unbearably cliched Third Man scenes.
But their spell is broken when Harry spots an old mate, Pete Kebble (Elisha Cook), who has recently been fired from Deepwell by Gabriel. "I want to tell you about some things you don't know about," he tells Harry darkly.
"Harry, you're getting handsomer by the minute," is Lisa's even more ridiculous line, once their spell is resumed.
Another interruption as news is received of another death, Eddie's. The remaining workers down tools and only Gabriel is there when Harry arrives. As Brad suspects Gabriel of cooking the books, Harry challenges Gabriel with their suspicions. Certainly Vince Gabriel seems all eaten up.
"Wine soaked bum" Pete advises Harry, "get rid of Vince and your troubles are over."
Harry again faces Gabriel with the facts, but an explosion interrupts their fisticuffs and No 3 rig catches fire and the two of them race to prevent the flames spreading. Harry spots the saboteur and captures him- it's Pete who admits all: "I needed the money." About to reveal his paymaster, Pete is shot dead as the sheriff arrives on the scene: "figured it was him all along!"
Harry reprimands him and the sheriff falls into the flames, which are really taking hold now of Deepwell. More explosions, before things are brought under control.
Later Harry is toasting Vince, but becomes distracted by Lisa once again, now clothed in a gold dress with "Mata Hari sleeves." Concludes the despondent Brad: "I just wish she were deductible"

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The Man Who Died Twice
There's a dead man in Harry's bath! Harry thought this man had actually died two years previously!
Before Harry has time to gather his thoughts, the police are knocking on the door of his San Francisco hotel room. How on earth do the cops fail to spot the corpse? Well, Brad pretends to shave the dead man. Jokes Harry after the police have left to Brad: "you'd make a terrible barber!"
The body disappears and Harry is pursued by the obligatory beautiful woman, this one named Martha (Ilka Windish), some sort of Marta Hari figure, toying with Harry as Harry helps his old mate Koralis, for the consideration of $150,000 to get out of America. Of course Harry outwits her and tells her "there are too many faces between us, and those faces would always keep us away from each other."
To this corny dialogue, I can add a few other choice bits of bunkum:
Harry to Brad: "You've seen too many private eye shows on television." That's when Brad suggests how the corpse had been taken from their room. When Brad is proved correct, he nicely throws the line back at Harry.
And one more to make you squirm:
Martha adoringly to Harry: "Has any woman ever turned you down?"
Harry: "I'm afraid so."
Martha: "Some women are fools."

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The Angry Young Man
Odd that this episode was filmed in America, even though the setting and every member of the cast is British!

In London, Harry is about to seal a deal with Sir Basil Simms, but too late, he's been murdered- Sir Basil that is, sorry to get your hopes up, it's not the demise of Harry. Police say it is suicide, but Harry informs Lady Simms (Hazel Court) otherwise.
Simms' son by his first marriage, Jimmy (Roger Moore), is hardly grief stricken. Even his girl friend Helene (Jean Marsh) calls him "hopeless."
Harry's suspicions fall on Simms' production manager Crary (Max Adrian) who has a big argument with Jimmy. The latter is now busy snogging his step mother!
Of course wonderful Harry has worked the whole thing out. Harry listens to confessions, not all the whole truth, but is perceptive enough to sort out the truth from the fiction.

Not a bad little corny tale, with an interesting cast

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Dark Island
Note- no Brad to lighten this grim story.
You know we are in London as Big Ben is striking. On behalf of his client, Andresi (Alan Napier) is asking Harry Lime to trace a stolen golden goblet by Cellini.
The scene shifts to Istanbul, you know we might be there because of the music. The local police warn Harry not to see Hakim, so of course Harry does just that. When Harry is shown the genuine Cellini, he nearly smiles, as big a smile as Harry Lime ever betrays. He returns with it to his hotel room, but there a man claiming to be an Interpol agent knocks Harry out and steals his wallet and passport. The Cellini is untouched, oddly.
Andresi escorts the recovered Harry to his client's heavily guarded island home. General Marius (Abraham Sofaer) has a collection of rare and unknown paintings by Henry Juvet, portraits moreover of people long thought to be dead. Juvet has recently died, his final work is even more extraordinary- it's of Harry Lime himself. Looking at it, one could discern it is no masterpiece. No wonder Harry studies it, puzzled.
Harry is now introduced to the general who is planning a return to power in his country, despite his shady history, "Napoleon had his Elba..." Harry is invited to take on the post of Foreign Minister as he's "the best in diplomacy," but the offer is declined "with pleasure." However it seems Harry cannot refuse. He is to be kept on the island a prisoner.
He's not the only one. An ageing but still beautiful film star Marie (Patricia Medina), once of course an intimate of Harry, is a fellow prisoner. "He's mad," she warns Harry. Recently Marie had tried to escape with Juvet, but it had been a failure, Juvet being killed.
So Harry decides to play along and tries to drive a wedge between Marius and his chief adviser Andresi. "Your time is now," urges Harry to the frustrated colonel, though Andresi urges caution. Andresi is correct in this, but rather incorrectly has to shoot his master, "I had to save your dream."
So now the island is open again, and everyone can leave.
We conclude with Harry enjoying a meal with Marie, who is talking of a possible comeback
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The Girl Who Didn't Know
A bad old fashioned creaking story.

Odd we are in London, even though this is an American made film. A young woman named Jane accosts Harry, asking him to help his old pal Nick. Counterfeit plates Nick was supposed to have destroyed could be worth $300,000. A guy named Stoner will pay that much. But Harry isn't the same Harry as in his Viennese days, and he refuses to be mixed up in anything shady.
Nevertheless, he goes to where Nick had buried them plates under a tree. Having interrupted a pair of lovers in a rare moment of comedy, he is almost found out by an Irishman named McKevin (Liam Redmond).
After a bout of philosophy of all things with Jane, she takes the plates at gunpoint. She is taking them to Stoner. Harry is taken by two heavies to McKevin who also wants those plates. Harry spins him a line.
Later in his office, Harry catches intruders. It's Jane with Stoner, "Lime played a trick on me." Naturally, Harry hadn't handed over the plates that easily. Nick interrupts all this excitement, after the plates, Harry accuses him of betraying him in the old days. Nick is nothing but a traitor. Good old Harry exposes him. McKevin, who represents British Intelligence arrests Nick, Stoner and anyone else you care to name. Except Harry of course

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The Third Medallion

In a Berlin bombsite, a plot is hatched against Harry Lime- "he's the one to use."
"An innocent temptress" calls at Harry's New York studio, "you may call me Martine." She persuades Harry, despite Brad's misgivings, to fly with her by private jet to meet Sandor (Nehemiah Persoff) at his luxury Villa Vedura. He is after a mere 500 million dollar hoard of French bullion, sunk during the war. If Harry could locate a medallion, Sandor could obtain a vital clue as to the location of the wreck. Only three of these French medallions were ever awarded for outstanding bravery.
Martine assists Harry in his quest for the medallion. "I'm always willing to learn from a girl like Martine."
Donner is the agent who knew about the French counterspies and Harry flies to Berlin to obtain the names of the three receipients of the medals. The third was Arthur, "the best," who escaped and disappeared in 1943, "the Shadow with the Voice." The first was Adele, more easily traceable. Harry is now in Marseilles to contact her. Once in love with Harry (of course), she has now seen the light and become a nun (or was it because she could not marry Harry??) She still has her medal. "I shall pray for you," she concludes. Well, he needs it.
Back in Berlin Donner is done in. He has a medallion- "is this some kind of joke?"
Harry 's long travels end back at Sandor's mansion. He is paid $200,000 for the third medallion, which it turns out he had all the time, because he was the other recipient of the medallions- of course I should have remembered how brave Harry was.
He was stringing Sandor along all the time. He know about the plot to frame him, naturally he did! But Martine draws a gun. It is Sandor she shoots. "Why?" Well perhaps we will never know. Or care. At least Adele's prayers were answered- though not mine

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How To Buy A Country
The story, quite interesting actually, of how Brad met Harry.

Harry is busy in his office, kissing an old friend Louise Hoercher. In a flashback we are shown how they first met, Harry and Brad that is, when Harry got gone to a New York bank shortly before closing time asking for $28,000 payable to cash. It's to buy a Cezanne. The cautious banker is doubtful, but decides to take a chance, then wishes he hadn't when the cheque bounces.
Harry is not to blame, naturally. His bank has collapsed, so to bail poor Brad out, Harry draws on a lot of personal favours, "utterly impossible," with the result that the pair of them find themselves in Zurich in no time to meet the owner of the bank. Hoercher has committed suicide over the affair. His daughter Louise explains he had invested heavily in some shares from Aunt Victoria, which amount to owning a small country.
Charles Ponti, a tycoon and long time rival to Harry, offers to buy the near worthless shares. The rightly suspicious Harry makes a counter offer. The pair decide the matter by the traditional means of a few punches. Ponti had only been after the shares as a means to fly a flag of convenience on his fleet of ships. But he did not kill Hoercher. Harry surprises everyone by revealing who had, and why, and then appointing Brad, by way of thanks, the job as treasurer to the great Harry Lime

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Castle in Spain
Brad is quite agitated that Harry Lime hasn't informed him about the purchase of a 45 roomed medieval castle in Spain, "a quarter of a million dollar white elephant." Why, it's "unsaleable."
Shrewd old Harry though may have a buyer. She's Miss Jocelyn Davies from Vienna, so Harry and Brad fly to Austria to clinch the deal. "What the devil's going on?" Harry asks Steiner (John Banner) of the Viennese police. Apparently someone has attempted to kill Miss Davies, so she has gone into hiding, no-one can see her.
But at your typical jolly zither-playing Viennese restaurant, Harry gets friendly with a girl called Christine, who is Jocelyn Davies' social secretary, they kiss, and she takes him to her home. It's all a put up job, as Harry's old enemy Hauptmann is waiting to see Harry. He's now calling himself a Count, and is all set to become Miss Davies' fifth husband. Harry is the only one who knows of his evil past as a Nazi war criminal, and the attempt to kill his fiancee was only a ruse to ensure Harry doesn't split on Hauptmann. "Leave Vienna, Lime," he asks. Harry will, if the castle is bought- for $250,000 as agreed.
So the deal is signed, she purchases the castle as "a wedding present for the man I love." He feigns surprise when she gives him her lavish gift. It was Christine's idea, she adds. Hauptmann looks puzzled, she was supposed to be in league with him. Christine explains her motive: she knew Harry could expose Hauptmann, and she wants revenge for her family who were victims of his Nazi atrocities. "She is raving," protests Hauptmann, but Harry is easily able to expose the butcher, giving him a severe punching as a bonus. Christine apologises to Jocelyn for her subterfuge. But it ends happily as she decides to purchase the castle, "there we will both forget"
To
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Listen For the Sound of a Witch

James Clark (Raymond Bailey) asks Harry to go and pick up the five million dollar option on a castle in Portugal.
On the flight over, he has to sit next to a beautiful girl. She's a good talker is Caroline (Suzanne Pleshette).
She tags on as Harry goes by riverboat from Lisbon. Other passengers include those also on Harry's flight- Cyril Nathan and Salvatore a wine merchant. There's also the sinister looking Mouk who warns them of werewoves and witches, though you couldn't say Harry is at all phased- "some of my best friends are werewolves. I'm part werewolf myself." That explains a lot.
Finding the castle is difficult. No local has heard of the place. But cash loosens tongues. But "you must make the journey by daylight." Of course, for at night wolves and witches lurk.
In this remote spot lives Paolo, who's life Harry once happened to save. He warns Harry not to go, but is killed. With his dying breath, for even Harry can't save him this time, he gives instructions as to how to reach the castle. Go to the river and listen for the sound of a witch....
Caroline follows Harry, who reaches the river. The sound of a WINCH! There is a quarry, what is going on here? The pair are attacked and deposited in a cage dangling in mid air. After a long wait, for no obvious reason, the cage is lowered and Harry then ascends to the top where he finds his castle. At the foot of the stairs lies Nathan, dead. Salvatore is here also, a rival buyer for the castle. Mouk appears then Caroline holding a gun then her grandfather Josiah. He's after the option.
Surprise! Mouk turns out to be a policeman and arrests Salvatore for Nathan's murder. Conveniently, that's Harry's rival gone. So Harry can exercise his option, and the castle is bought. Not a werewolf in sight!

(Note- no Brad in this story, too scared of all those werewolves?)

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A Pocketful of Sin
In Paris, a man staggers into Harry Lime's office and collapses, a knife in his back. No identification on his person, though he carries a cheque made out to Harry for $100,000. Signature illegible.
The Banque Parisienne refuses to cash the cheque, but point Harry in the direction of one Renee du Farge.
She runs a dance studio. "We have been expecting you." She explains the dead man was one of Hitler's leading chemists. One Bruno Wunderlich had silenced him having stolen his secret formula for a fuel. Wunderlich is now planning to sell to an anti-Western power.
Harry puts out a story that the formula Wunderlich has is mere "scientific gibberish," and that he has the genuine document. He wants $300,000 for it.
The enemy are flying in a professor to authenticate Wunderlich's document, but Harry arranges for his friend to replace the expert in order to denigrate Bruno Wunderlich's document. "It's nonsense," pronounces the replacement expert, right on cue. He tears the worthless paper up, chucking it into the fire. Police arrest Bruno, and Harry sells his formula to the foreign agents. But as they pay in counterfeit cash, the deal is off anyway. Of course by now, Harry has the genuine formula which had been quietly swapped with the one chucked in the flames.
Harry just has time for a dance with Renee, plus one kiss

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As The Twig is Bent
Using a title, a quotation from the immortal Virgil, is rather over the top for this story, which, had he been alive, Virgil might well not have wrote quite the same.

Harry Lime must fly from New York to Genoa, interrupting a big deal, and a date, in order to see Bellano urgently.
This rich Italian lives in a magnificent palace, his daughter Elena shortly to marry into one of the wealthiest families in the country, even though she still has time to ogle Harry. In a nutshell, the problem is that Harry's shady past has come back to haunt him. Twelve years ago, he had stolen the valuable painting Mother and Child from a marquis, substituting it for a clever forgery which somehow noone noticed. Bellano was Harry's client, but now he is being blackmailed about the picture. For $100,000 Harry agrees to switch forgery and original.
"You have a lovely smile," Harry tells Elena, who has asked Harry not to do it. Harry has to, to cover his own reputation.
"Do you know who did it?" Elena asks Harry, when he stumbles over her father's corpse. Harry however still continues with his task. Elena's fiance tries to stop him, at the point of a gun, but of course Harry outsmarts him.
He calls on the marquis on the friendliest of terms. In a quiet moment, Harry makes the switch. Just in time. However it seems Harry didn't need to make the switch because the marquis had earlier arranged his own switch. Which picture is the original, who knows? (Apart from Harry of course.) The marquis had, it seems, already learned of Bellano's theft, and had been blackmailing him. "He was an evil man." Harry warns that he must pay for his crime, though apparently Harry himself seems immune from prosecution for his part in the original theft. But he does return the $100,000 to Elena, with a knowing smirk.

No, the twig may have been bent, but possibly Virgil would have written a more intelligent script- sic transit genoa limey. Or, in American, this was bunkum.
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The Best Policy

The first British made story of this series starts at New York airport, with Harry and Brad booked on to Flight 920 to London. Harry however seems more interested in a posh lady and her poodle.
The sycophancy continues on the plane as Harry chats up the stewardess Susan, and even promises to remember her in his will. His mind wanders to the lady and the poodle. He tells Brad about how he first met her in Lucerne... Harry had been entrusted by a Viennese baron to bring his daughter Martha (Venetia Stevenson) to him. He'd not seen her for many years, but his interest in her seems to have revived now she is of age, and to inherit 8 million.
Harry finds her at the Hotel du Lac, and sort of kidnaps her, driving her back to her daddy. But she snatches the car keys and leaps out. Harry catches her and the two face a long trek through the snowy mountains. She is frightened, she says, though she never sounds it. Shelter is found in a well furnished but empty hut.
This not being the swinging sixties, all they do is reminisce over her past, Harry being remarkably perceptive when he tells her, "it doesn't sound like too happy a life," adding that he thinks her father "is a bad type."
Next day is her birthday. She isn't afraid now, help- I think she loves her kidnapper. She has the chance to get away when a visitor drops in, but she don't want to leave dear Harry. Must be mad. At least he realises he shouldn't have kidnapped her. But that realisation comes too late, for the Baron has found them. "You're very like your mother," he tells his surly child. But Harry springs one shock, he tells the baron he is going to marry Martha. There's a fight and the Baron is shot, accidentally. End of kidnap.
Back in Lucerne, Harry has renoucned the marriage idea. "I'm not the sort of man for you." At least he's honest.
But Harry gets a cheque for $50,000 from one Cyrus Proctor, for reasons I won't bother to explain. That money was used to set up Harry in legitimate business. "I've been honest ever since," he tells Brad. So that gives Harry the cred to enter Britain legit. Instead of being turned away as an undesirable

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One Kind Word

With his familiar wooden stare, Harry watches at the bedside of a patient (Mai Zetterling) in a London hospital.
Her sad tale is related by Harry Lime.
In the days when Harry was a black marketeer, on a New Year's Eve in a very quiet Viennese bar, Harry had met Hanna. She had already drunk nine double cognacs, and she asks him pathetically for "one kind word, just one." Harry comes up with a good one, "you're very beautiful." But despite the hour, he's pretty observant too, as he adds, "you're very unhappy." As though we hadn't noticed.
Shadowed by Inspector Shillings (Rupert Davies), she takes him to her home, which is surprisingly well furnished. Her fags, Harry notes, are US army issue. He's curious as to how she is so wealthy. "People deal with me" in Vienna, Harry proudly says, so who is his rival? In fact her accomplice is hiding in her bedroom. "Perhaps you will find out for yourself," she smirks. He realises now she is an old acquaintance from his time in Alexandria.
As he leaves, someone shoots at him, a rotten marksman, unfortunately.
An American colonel tells Harry his "reputation stinks," so maybe to redeem himself he can aid Inspector Shillings who wants to catch Hanna. "I didn't think she was up there with the angels," replies Harry drily. Shillings explains she is in the pay of Prokrian (George Pastell), Harry's rival, who besides smuggling drugs, cigarettes etc also smuggles people across the border. Since so many refugees have ended up massacred, Harry agrees to help.
He keeps his date with Hanna. He looks carefully round her flat, adding by way of explanation, "I just wanted to know who might shoot me, if I make love to you." For some inexplicable reason, it seems she used to love him. Prokrian emerges to shoot Harry, but she prevents the tragedy and shoots her boss instead. The soft hearted Harry allows her to disappear before Shillings can catch her- "you're a sentimental fool."
So that is why Harry is at her bedside now. I am sure you wanted to know

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Three Dancing Turtles
Blame John Kruse for writing this hokum. Blame Michael Rennie for such deadpan monotony.
Harry Lime is taken by donkey (no comment) to a mountain fortress in Sicily at the invitation of on-the-run Gaby (Bill Nagy). "When I climb higher than a bar stool, I usually get danger money," is his corny line as Gaby offers him $85,000 to prove him innocent of jumping bail after being accused of smuggling narcotics which had been found by customs in his 'boat.' (However when we see his ship Andromeda it's clearly an outsize in boats.)
Mary Halliday (Louise Collins) is a tourist Harry picks up in the Italian seaport where the boat lies in dock. However finding it proves very difficult, and Harry is distracted, not for the last time, by a corpse in his hotel bath. It is actually Gaby's brother. The police find the corpse, but Harry has by now fled via the balcony.
He follows a hearse to the docks and stumbles on the sign Tre Tartarughe Ballerine, a sign that the Andromeda is nearby. It's found in a very poor state. Oddly, Miss Halliday is there taking photos. Inside the hull of the ship, all is a mess. The bulkhead has been removed. Miss Halliday, who proves to be a reporter, explains it had been made of platinum. Clearly Gaby and his brother had fallen out over the platinum. If you care, the stuff has been hidden in a coffin. Obvious really. Senseless too. In another coffin lies Gaby. Harry punches the undertaker whose heart is pierced by a jagged edge of platinum. No real logic or cohesion to the whole adventure.

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Barcelona Passage
A typically convoluted storyline, with several fine actors sadly wasted.
But at least Harry is absolutely silent for once! He listens patiently as an insurance investigator persuades him to buy a ship that's sailing to Barcelona. As no legal powers can enable a bank robber who's on board to be arrested, by pretending to buy the ship Harry will be able to get on the ship. Thus in mid ocean, Harry and Brad come on board, ostensibly to inspect their proposed purchase. Brad immediately feels seasick and is able to contribute little to all the excitement, or should I say nonsense.
Look- there is the bank robber, Jan, who has nicked $500,000 from the National Exchange Bank. He cuts an odd figure, an ex-professor, and seemingly gloating in his reputation as a robber who cannot be arrested. Harry makes a beeline for his girl friend Eva (Dawn Addams), of course. He is less happy however, when someone bangs him on the nut. At least there's nothing in it to damage. When he comes to, Eva is proposing a 50-50 share of the loot. "What are you going to bring to the partnership?" asks Harry naively. What a daft question. She kisses him, that's her answer.
Harry's tactics become clear. Jan is an inveterate gambler and Harry fixes a game of poker with him. Eva also joins in, as does the Marquesa (Ferdy Mayne). However the latter is a notorious card sharp, and a suspicious Jan backs out. He's rumbled Harry, "what are you going to try next?" Harry tries playing head to head with Jan at Vingt Et Un. But there's no need for such subtlety now as Eva has found where Jan has hidden the cash- in the hold. Of course, it turns out to be her trickery. The real Jan is dead in the hold, now it's Harry's turn. But he's rescued by the purser, alias a secret agent (Jack Hedley). "I got suspicious because everything seemed too easy," explains Harry blandly
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Collectors Item
The late Earl of Barset has disposed of his available property to avoid inheritance tax, so his four heirs are left only a Ming jar each. One is for his son Mark, another for Arletta his 'companion,' a third for nephew Charles and the last for his granddaughter Diane (Eileen Moore). She's the only one who ever cared for the earl, according to the solicitor, and she is given an extra letter: "contact Harry Lime" it reads.
Harry meanwhile is elsewhere and rather puzzled why the earl hasn't mentioned a rare necklace in his will, that Harry had sold him. He wants to buy it back- it must be hidden in one of the jars since only three are known to exist. The fourth must be a fake, made to conceal the necklace.
Arlette is first to be asked. "Am I collector's item?" she enigmatically asks Harry, whose response is to kiss her. "You must go now," she warns, but hands him her front door key. But no jar.
Charles is broke and keen to sell however, but the new Earl of Barset, Mark, is keen on buying the rare Ming vases himself.
Arlette is found murdered, lying beside a smashed jar. It's actually Mark's jar which she had smashed in a rage. Arrest of new Lord Barset.
All this time Diane has been trying in vain to meet the elusive Mr Lime. As Brad watches in growing surprise, he offers her £216,000 17/- for the jar. "Sheer lunacy. It can't be worth that." Worse is to follow- Harry then smashes the jar! Even more shock horror. But then the reason for Harry's seeming madness- inside was the Collector's Item, the beautiful necklace. Whilst Brad continues his baffled look, Harry escorts Diane off to Paris.
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High Finance

From an East African bauxite mine, director general J Van Elst phones Harry Lime about the natives being restless.
Asa result, share prices are falling, and Brad advises Harry to sell up quickly. But before Harry "jumps out of windows," he decides to fly there to find out more. He also needs to know who has shot J Van Elst.
It's caviar for Harry and Brad, as they stop off en route at Brussels. The founder of the feast is, of course, a beautiful woman, she's named Simone and her father is governor of Belleville, our heroes' destination.
WV Praag is new director general of the mine, and says Van Elst had been killed by one of those restless natives, motive revenge, for he had recently been sacked.
Due to the riots, the government has ordered the mine to be closed and Praag strongly advises Harry to sell those shares. "The situation is hopeless," agrees Brad. But Harry is remarkably unconcerned, spending the evening with Simone and her father, who becuase of his ill health, is to retire from his post. Harry surprises them by telling them that far from selling, he is going to buy more shares!
A reporter interrupts Harry's examination of Van Elst's office. He's Paul (John Bentley) who had obtained a secret report Van Elst had prepared before his death. Evidently his phone call had been about this discovery.
"Papa's been kidnapped by the natives," cries Simone. Harry of course knows it's all a ruse to try and force Harry to sell up, "it had to be pretty important," agrees the shrewd shareholder, "for a governor to step out of line."
The final scene is no great shock. Harry is comforting Simone, very woodenly

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Toys of the Dead
Note- An uncredited Oliver Reed is in the cast as Dame Lavinia's secretary.

Dame Lavinia (Isabel Jeans) has a task for Harry Lime- "our minds dance to the same preposterous music," is her absurd line.
Today, she brings him an oriental necklace, 1250 years old, from Ceylon. Harry is required to talk to Toni, who sent it, and who claims he has lots more of the same.
Deep in Ceylon's interior, Harry and Brad check in to the Grand Hotel. "Hotel is closed," claims the terse manager Mookajee. Yet a young girl called Shani, who proves to be Toni's sister, has better news- they can stay. She seems to run the hotel, as her father is paralysed. She's frightened. The guests are taking the place over, she tells Harry, who is ever willing to provide a listening ear, especially to an attractive lady. One guest is a local jewel expert, Batlivenga.
Harry hands Toni Dame Lavinia's payment for the necklace, but he is scared and says he knows nothing about it.
That night there's an explosion in the nearby temple. Mookajee shoots at Harry, as ever missing his mark, though Harry is just slightly injured.
But next day he's well enough to explore the temple and finds a horde of jewels, like the one Toni had sent Dame Lavinia. In fact Toni had already discovered this treasure, but has been tied up by Batlivenga and his cronies, since they have also discovered Toni's secret. Brad is also forced into the cave by Mookajee, "the man with the dreadful name." Batlivenga plants explosives at the temple entrance, Toni, Brad and Harry still inside, but of course Harry turns the tables, and it's Batlivenga who is trapped inside, the valuable treasure buried for ever in the rubble.
"The toys of the dead are safe once more." What a shame. What a shame, I mean, that this story was ever filmed

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The Man Who Wouldn't Talk

A woman claiming to be Harry Lime's secretary cancels an appointment made to see Harry, so she can see him herself. However Jackie (Moira Redmond) is not actually Harry's proper secretary, she just wants to see the great man urgently. Any chance of £1,000 she asks. Inevitable really, she is an old friend of Harry's though he hardly recognises her, for he last knew her as a fourteen year old with glasses. He prefers the newer version.
Her father is an important Foreign Office offical in line for promotion. She explains she needs the money to find Martin, her fiance, whom her father has forbidden her to ever see again. Martin had been due to fly in to London from Zurich, but though she had waited for hours at the airport, he failed to come. "I nearly went out of my mind." Then she had received a note telling her to go to 23 Leyman Street Fulham. A man there had promised to tell her where Martin is, for £1,000.
Brad stumps up the cash. "Not tax deductible," he warns Harry. Jackie hands it to the man who is called Talbot. The information is not really value for money- Martin is in prison.
Jackie goes straight there, and meets the insalubrious character. He's not at all communicative. "Martin, say something." All he says is "I don't know you."
Next day, Harry accompanies Jackie to Leyman Street. They find Talbot, dead. He worked for detective Arthur Schillings (Rupert Davies), but according to his boss, he was earning extra cash on the side.
Harry consults yet another underworld pal, "you know who pulled the strings." Harry gets his £1,000 back and learns "Talbot was a rat who was killed by mistake." Anyway, "the deal's washed up." It is all to do with Jackie's dad and his work at the FO. Martin was a spy, so no wonder Jackie can never see him again.
This review from a 16mm film

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An Experiment With Money

Brad enters Mr Lime's office- a man is slumped in Harry's chair. Is it Harry? Is he dead? Let's hope so.
No it's not Harry sadly. He is dining with yet another beautiful woman, this one named Griselda (Delphi Lawrence). After the usual corny chat up lines, an interruption. Brad phones wth news of the corpse.
Harry returns to his office, no clue as to who the dead man was, or why he was killed. Or perhaps there is. A Greek banknote is found stuffed in Harry's phone. Also the tape recorder had been running.
Back to Griselda Harry goes. Her butler looks suspicious. He's no butler. He's Mario, a stockbroker. He had forced Griselda to date Harry tonight. She didn't seem to need much forcing! It's apparently a plot to do with Greek banknotes.
The dead man worked for a printing firm which printed foreign banknotes. Very calmly, Harry smashes a window in this firm's offices and sits in the boss' chair to await the arrival of Mr Grinling (John Warwick). A crook had tricked Grinling into printing 200,000 genuine Greek banknotes. Brad plays the tape recording, which he has actually deviously doctored, to expose the killer

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Harry Lime and the King
"I don't like foreign places," announces Brad, as he lands with Harry Lime at Hamsing airport, only to be escorted by a colonel, the chief of police (Sydney Tafler) to jail. Harry is suspected of planning to assassinate the king. The allegation has been made by the unusual Fawzia (Marla Landi), who claims Harry had once jilted her. Harry however has never seen her ever before. More to the point, she's a government agent.
"It's dreadful," cries Brad, who has shown solidarity with his boss by also opting for the jail, which is actually a pleasant hotel suite, if barred and guarded. Brad turns in for the night, but Harry gets out of his room when he finds his guard has been knocked out. But then he is overpowered. He comes to, in the arms of Fawzia, but then up marches the colonel to accuse the bewildered Harry of murdering his guard. However Fawzia extricates Harry, taking the blame herself. Harry is put back in his barred room.
Here, Harry has another visitor, you'll never guess... Fawzia. Naturally, Harry wants to know what she's up to. he knows really, of course, but he just wants to hear her explanation. So do we.
Harry is taken to the Prime Minister (John le Mesurier) who discusses the oil concession that was Harry's reason for coming to the country. There had been an agreement of 50-50, but the arrival of international crook Martin Clearwater (Philip Friend) had persuaded the PM to get himself a more favourable deal.
But into this game of bluff walks the young king, soft spoken but firm, eager to meet his "would be assassin." Harry attempts his own bluff, confessing to trying to kill the king, but implicating the colonel.
"Not a bad story," concedes the king, "sounds quite convincing." The king is evidently wise beyond his years and can see Harry for what he really is (or maybe foolish beyond his years...) and he orders Clearwater to be deported.
The witness against Harry, Fawzia, is produced for the king to examine. But a quick gunshot from the colonel exposes the real villain behind it all, and he is captured. The oil concession is sorted out. All ends well.
Brad has slept through it all. When he awakes, there is Fawzia cooing Harry's name, in his arms

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Death in Small Installments
Brad is on the phone to Muriel when there's a knock at the door. In falls a stranger, dead.
"Not very satisfactory," concludes Inspector Newton, when he's spun this unlikely tale. The only clue to the dead man's identity is that his clothing is French.
It so happens that Harry and Brad are flying to Paris next day, at the request of old Nick (a Frenchman that is, not the devil). However the old man is too ill to see them, his junior partner Paul March (Laurence Payne) explains. Ten years ago Nick's son Victor was killed, and though police decided it was not murder, Nick has worn himself out trying to find the man whom he holds responsible, Pierre. Nick's daughter Roxane (Lisa Gastoni), asks Harry not to join the fruitless quest, for she's been "living with the dead" for too long.
But Harry gets to see bedridden old Nick, who wants Harry to promise to kill Pierre himself.
Harry does examine the reports of the numerous private detectives who have sought Pierre in vain. Roxane tells Harry more about Victor who was "no good," though his father could not see it. But shrewd old Harry spots she must know where Pierre is. And does he also guess that it is Pierre who is trying now to poison Nick? For Nick is now delirious and has to be treated by the family doctor.
Harry has a heart-to-heart with this Pierre who has taken a false identity in Nick's household. Pierre and his accomplice make steps to make Harry "disappear," though I regret to tell you this fails and Inspector Newton pounces, even though he's on foreign soil, to arrest Pierre, who had killed the first detective to spot his identity, and this he was going to reveal to Harry, which is where we came in. Perhaps Brad should never have opened that door
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A Question of Libel
This is one of the better Third Man scripts, written by John Warwick.

On page 12 of Pride and County magazine is an article by the editor Gerald Black on the low moral fibre of England. To back up his point, in a village near Winchester, the editor alleges the following all live: 1) a blonde habitual shoplifer, 2) a titled lady who writes poison pen letters, and 3) a hotel keeper who has been embezzling hunt club funds. Though noone is named and the village not specified, Harry Lime, as owner of the magazine, is being sued for £100,000 each by the three people who feel they have been libelled.
The editor (Ralph Michael) insists what he has written is the truth, even though he cannot prove it. If Harry can prove it is true, he's in the clear, so he takes Brad to the village of Highfield to visit the owner of the inn George Freeman (Sydney Tafler). The lawyer acting for him, Diana Barrett (Barbara Shelley) is chatted up by Harry in his inimitably awful manner. As is another of her clients Miss Wyvern (Nyree Dawn Porter), an actress. Lady Millicent Bridges (Athene Seyler) is the other member of the trio sueing Harry. She takes in every stray dog in the district ("a handful of trouble" she confides to Mr Lime), and even apologies for her part in the libel action. But she does deny the charge of writing poison pen letters.
All three seem to have lost something as a result of this article: Freeman the local council election, Miss Wyvern a good acting chance and Lady Millicent the opportunity to open her house to the public.
Black asks Harry to meet him urgently, but before this can take place he is pushed out of the window (Black that is, not unfortunately, Harry). Worse is to come, when Brad's investigations only show that nothing in the editor's article was true.
So Harry calls a meeting of the three and their lawyer. He hands them each a special edition of Pride and County. Is it a retraction? Not so, there's a revealing account of a libel suit fraud! The clever Mr Lime has worked out that Gerald Black had written the original article in collusion with the three, so they could sue poor Harry. Freeman is the brains behind the scheme but when he had "found his conscience," Black had needed to be silenced. Case closed.
Magnaminously Harry dates Diana Barrett.

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Mischka
In San Francisco Paul Portell (Gerald Mohr) is launching his new perfume, it's bound to be a "winner." Annette, top buyer, wants it badly, but as Harry Lime owns 80% of the company, and knows he can get an even better deal, Paul turns her down. How about a merger?
As Paul confides to Harry how he came upon this perfume called Mischka, he collapses and dies. He'd been a sick man, but his medicines had kept him going- until now. Brad later discovers that his pills were merely sugar, the question is, who had switched his prescribed medicines?
Harry suspects Roger Dobson, Paul's right hand man. Then it is discovered that the formula for Mischka, known only to its creator, has disappeared from Paul's safe!
Paul's widow believes she knows who has this formula. He had a woman on the side. Her name? Mischka.
Harry goes to a restaurant in Greenwich of this name. A girl there is wearing the perfume. She says she knows nothing of the formula. But she did know Paul. She did love him, but not he her. He had given her a sealed letter for his "dear friend Harry"(!) and of course this contains the formula, "worth quite a bit of money."
Fearing Harry will work out he had switched Paul's pills, Roger reveals his accomplice in the murder.
It all ends happily with Annette marketing the new perfume. Harry reads aloud Paul's letter to Mischka. All very sentimental

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Cross of Candos
Harry Lime has bought a painting, not any painting, but a Rafael, from an old friend in Greece. But when Plato Kazantis' package arrives, all it contains is a note to go to Athens to collect it. "Highly unbusinesslike," comments a disapproving Brad.
Nevertheless, he and Harry go to Greece and board Kazantis' millionaire yacht. The real reason for Plato's ruse is now revealed, it's confession time. When he was only a lad, he had stolen a gold cross from his village church. He gives Harry the thankless task of tracing it, after he sold it all those years ago, to he doesn't know whom. Where to start?
Harry begins with another old friend, taxi driver Arto. He suggests the dealer might have been Zorba, oh no, he's dead now. So try Charles Rochard, says Arto. He's an art dealer, and Harry knows a crook when he meets one. He offers a bargain to Rochard, an El Greco Plato prizes, for the cross.
As Harry waits for developments, Rochard's young assistant warns "Rochard is not a nice man." That is stating the obvious, though he isn't that ghastly a person, to be frank. Harry is given the address of a rich collector. It's a large Gothic mansion. Lauber would indeed like the El Creco for the cross. But even he sees it is a rather one-sided bargain- the El Greco is worth a fortune, the cross a mere $15,000. Proudly Lauber shows Harry his priceless collection of stolen Rembrandts, Rubens and the like. Having got his El Greco, he draws a gun to shoot Harry. However Harry has a trick up his sleeve, and tells Lauber all his paintings are fakes obtained via Charles Rochard. Harry proves his point and is given the cross. However it was a bluff by Harry- Lauber's paintings are genuine, if stolen. Plato is given the cross, and he promises to return it and confess his sin.

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Happy Birthday
It's Brad's birthday, and Harry Lime is splashing out $7,500 at Pierre's shop for a "surprise" present, the stamp that will complete his Moldavian collection. For apparently Brad is an expert on nineteenth century Moldavian stamps.
His eyes open even wider than usual when Harry presents him with the stamp, the Moldovian Maidens. It's a "bonus," explains Harry. However Harry is not so shrewd in philatelic matters, and after his initial joy, Brad detects he has been given a fake. He takes his complaint to Pierre.
But the forger has silenced Pierre, who had not appreciated he was being used by a forger. His eyesight is not what it was. Correction, his eyesight was not as it was, for he is now dead.
Brad catches sight of the killer, and reports to the police that he's "early 30's, medium height, dark hair."
Result- Brad is next on the killer's list. Thanks to Harry's intervention, all the shots miss Brad. Isn't it fortunate that Harry can recall a few "forgers from the old days"? One is Felix and his partner John, who is the killer. Felix was "the best engraver in the business," but claims to be clean now, and points Harry in the direction of Chick Maple, who is now in San Francisco.
Harry flies there, Linda Landers, Pierre's secretary, sees him off at the airport, with a kiss.
Now he's off the scene, she can tip off John where Brad is holed out. Brad lets her in to his apartment, John pushing in after her. However the police are waiting to arrest them. Of course the wily Harry knew it all, and is there to see the finish.
He apologises to Brad that his present is a fake. But Brad seems unperturbed, as he believes forgeries have their own intrinsic value
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44 Queen of the Nile

In Alexandria, Alex is offering to fill up Harry's freighter with needlework, "the finest silk brocade," handmade by the monks of Yemen. Brad values the consignment at $270,000.
Count Alex is to be married on the morrow, to Diana Westerbury, yet another friend of Harry's, from seven years back. ("I'm told you know everybody Mr Lime." How true!) The best drawn character in this story is Caroline, Diane's mother (Norma Varden), yet another old sparring partner of Harry's. She never did like Harry. She enjoys saying to him "silly things" that "just pop into my head." I could give her a few choice thoughts also.
Inspector Shahar questions Harry about his deal with Alex. Caroline protests about this interrogation, why, she knows the count is on the level, she's had him checked by private detectives. Even so, Shahar has a right to be suspicious, as he has discovered a priceless bust called The Queen of the Nile hidden in the cargo of silk. "Looks as though you finally got me, inspector," is Harry's corny comment.
"The great Harry Lime" is under arrest, but allowed to potter round town until his trial. "Why did you do it Harry?" asks Diane, "always ready to make a fast dollar." She points her gun at Harry. Brad looks shocked. But good old Harry proves to her that he's not to blame.
Yet another old acquaintance of Harry's is "humble" antique dealer Tejurmain, Harry inquires about rare artefacts, including The Queen of the Nile. After a scuffle, Harry finds he has $10,000 on his person.
The marriage is off. Caroline has insisted Diana finishes with Alex. But she has made one mistake, they all do. The $10,000 Harry found was in one of Caroline's personal envelopes. It's she who had been trying to smuggle this Queen of the Nile, but not for its intrinsic value, merely to discredit Alex. The naughty woman.
"Better luck next time," Harry bids adieu to Inspector Shahar. How right had this official been in his earlier observation: "somehow you always manage cleverly to escape." "Can't we just forget about it Harry?" begs the criminal. Yes let's

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45 Calculated Risk

Harry and Brad are in Hong Kong to deliver a sealed bid for a construction company. Seven and a half million- and that's apparently a deliberately low bid!
Agent Reeves accepts the case with Harry's bid, but no sooner received than it's stolen from him: "maybe a competing firm wanted an advance look at our bid so they could undercut us," seems a rather too obvious explanation.
Whilst Brad, in the best comedy tradition, attempts to purchase a 32 dollar suit from a Chinese gent, Harry calls on old pal Easy to see if he has any knowledge of the thief. Later Easy is shot, and just when he'd found something out!
Then in a bar, a girl approaches Harry to inform him the envelope with the bid can be retrieved: just catch the cable car and then.... A car draws up, the shadowy driver demanding 100,000 dollars for the return of the envelope. 50,000 promptly proposes Harry.
Harry later returns to this same lonely spot to hand over the cash. He receives the envelope, all very straightforward. But Harry isn't as dumb as he looks. Reeves is the crook, Harry having discovered this through some convoluted logic, all to do with a cat.
So a happy conclusion as we hear Harry utter that corny cliche to the bar girl "you and I could have had lots of fun together"

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Diamond in the Rough

250 thousand for a diamond if it's properly cut- and naturally Harry knows the right man do do the cutting- Karl van Root.
He lives in La Jolla with his granddaughter Lisel: "you've grown up, Lisel" notes the observant Harry. But grandfather can't help. He says he's retired: "diamond cutting is for younger men: age is the enemy of precision." Harry ain't fooled however. He spots Karl's cutting tools have been used quite recently.
In his hotel, Harry encounters a dead man who had earlier told Harry he was watching van Root. He claimed to be an insurance agent and when Lisel reveals to Harry that grandad is being forced by crooks to recut a stolen necklace, wise old Harry knows what to do. "Why didn't you go to the police?" is his rather obvious question to her. Apparently grandad had killed someone years ago, so it's a case of blackmail. The only advice Harry can give her is... go to the police. "I shouldn't have told you," adds Lisel, growing up fast.
"Nice timing" by Brad enables Harry to catch the crooks and the terrible truth about Karl van Root comes out. But a bit of quick thinking by the clever Harry and Karl's face is saved. "Mr Lime, you're a wonderful man!"

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King's Ransom

Liz discovers the dead body of her uncle in his bookshop. The last words scribbled on his notepad read 'Harry Lime.'
Harry is mugging up on the English Civil War, when Inspector Stephens of Oxford City Police arrives to question him about the dead man, Geoffrey Ormesby (Mervyn Johns). Last February Harry had given him money.
"This is terrible, Mr Lime, "cries a wide eyed Brad. Harry's story is that Ormesby had told him about a "lost treasure," made of gold, worth about half a million pounds. Apparently King Charles, of Civil War fame, had entrusted Ormesby's ancestor with this treasure. Now Geoffrey has inherited a book in code, which may yield a clue to its whereabouts. The philanthropist in Harry had given Ormesby £500 to buy a decoding machine.
Recently Ormesby had contacted Harry again, giving the key to the code, "I now know where the treasure lies."
Harry learns from Liz that her uncle had had two appointments on the day of his death.
Dr Parkin (Barry Jones) is the author of the definitive book on the Civil War, and he poo-poos the treasure theory. He forgot he was supposed to see Ormesby, so they had never met that day.
Prof Lionel 'Beastly' Beasley also claims not to have seen Ormesby that day. He identifies Robert, Liz' boyfriend as being seen running away from Ormesby's house the night of his death. Robert admits he owed the man a lot of money and that "I found him dead with a knife in him."
Bradford finds a notepad with the name Parkins on it, not Parkin. He phones everyone in Oxford with that name. He's Rev PJ Parkin (Brian Oulton) who had been asked by Ormesby for permission to open up his ancestor's vault in the family church. Harry speeds there and has no difficulty prising open the lid of the tomb. "Light please, vicar." But it's empty.
Harry leaves the key to the code with Dr Parkin, who that night enters the church for the treasure. He's the murderer of Ormesby, killing him because his book would have been discredited. Harry then reveals that though the coffin is bare, the gold had been melted down, for underneath the leaden surface of the lid, it's solid gold.
Liz is going to be "terribly rich." Harry does quite well out of it too.

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Hamburg Shakedown

Harry is commisssioning a sculptor to make an unusual statue carved out of butter to commemorate an event five years ago. This is the ungripping tale of why.
Harry had been travellling with Brad from Denmark to Hamburg on a "museum piece" of a train. Fellow passengers in their compartment were Mr Lloyd, a large scale custard manufacturer, and young Susie (Annie Farge).
When the train reaches the border, she hides her ring in a package of butter. The customs officer, however, confiscates it for hygienic reasons and she gets in rather a flap about it, part of her elaborate con trick. Kind Harry despatches Brad to retrieve her ring while Harry continues on the train with Susie, who spins Harry her transparent tale about her kidnapped father, for whom she is to raise his ransom by pawning her ring. "All I want is papa back."
Brad, in Denmark, chases the butter which has been donated as part of a large food parcel to an orphanage. He has to melt down a huge amount of butter, to the bemusement of the owner, before he gets hold of the ring.
In Hamburg, Harry and Susie book into a one star dump of a hotel. The 'blackmailer' phones, ordering Susie to pay 50,000 marks. Come alone. Her father speaks to her, only we see that the voice is a tape recording.
Harry supplies the cash from his own pocket. She takes it to pay the ransom.
Brad brings Harry the ring, "a most unusual ring," worthless in fact. Harry thinks it very funny.
At the police station, Susie admits that rich Mr Lloyd had been her original target for the scam. She'd changed however to Harry, her "dearest, nicest.... favourite goof." The police chief thinks it very funny.
That was five years ago. Now Harry is preparing a celebratory meal with that statue of butter. It's for the charming but mildly sickly Susie, just out of jail. She thinks the statue is very funny. Well, so long as everyone is happy, except me perhaps

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The Unexpected Mr Lime
The SS Demetrio Bay is nearing its destination, Beirut. Lopez, a sailor, starts to send a cable to Harry Lime in New York, but is thrown overboard.
Kuvati (Peter Illing) is in charge of Lime's Beirut operations, and with his daughter Anna welcomes Harry and Brad to their country, and arranges for them to look round the ship which belongs to Harry, as soon as it is in port. But in their hotel room at the Royal, they watch the ship catch fire. On board had been a cargo of cars, sewing machines, and even dynamite.
"Deliberate arson," concludes the local police chief (Peter Arne). If the insurance company concurs, Harry stands to lose $730,000, enough to make even Brad worried. "It's just money," is Harry's attitude.
First officer Nicholas Shearer is in league with Kuvati, but gets cold feet and offers to tell all to Harry. For $10,000. But Shearer is knifed in the back. However Harry is soon on to the truth, that Kuvati is behind a gun smuggling racket. Kuvati admits it, adding he has only a short while to live, and had been trying to leave his daughter a reasonable inheritance. But he didn't kill Shearer, so who did?
Anna was the last to have seen Shearer alive- she had been begging him to leave Beirut, but he had been alive when she left him. In fact, the captain of the vessel (George Colouris) is the guilty man, and though he attempts to kill Harry, he is drugged and handed over to the police.
For once Brad gets the girl at the end, well in a way he does. Barmaid Gina (Catherine Woodville) is taking Brad out, on a tour of a camel saddle factory.
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Portrait of Harry Lime

A collector has died at the age of 95. He had purchased a painting back in 1903 from Renoir himself, Dejeuner Dans La Foret. "I want that painting," Meyrick (Bernard Lee) informs Harry Lime, who agrees to try and buy it for him from the executors.
"That's the only millionaire I don't like," notes Brad of the scheming Meyrick. As Brad distastefully suffers French cuisine and other abominations of the land, Harry is enjoying the local pleasures with an artist, Veronique (Delphi Lawrence). Oh, and he does buy that Renoir, for $600,000 too.
"That's very good," he says of the picture she has been sketching of the lugubrious Brad. It's Brad's, and he takes it back to the hotel, leaving Harry to chat with "talented, beautiful" Veronique in her studio.
When he rejoins Brad, he gets the bad news, the Renoir has been stolen. Not insured either.
Veronique is now painting Harry's portrait. "This painting is you," declares Brad, rather untruthfully I felt, for it bears only a passing resemblance to the attractive but wooden features of Mr Lime.
However she is actually painting two pictures of the great Harry (as if one weren't enough!), the second is for Meyrick. Behind one is hidden the stolen Renoir.
The police seem no nearer to recovering Harry's property. Brad is questioned by the French police chief, who sourly comments that Brad isn't like Harry Lime who enjoys "the wines, womens and chantings." This is a rather well acted scene, if awfully hackneyed, by Jonathan Harris with George Pravda.
Back to London, where Harry has to advise Meyrick the Renoir is still missing. "There's something wrong, Brad," Harry confides later to Brad, for Meyrick seeks hardly concerned about the theft. Or was Harry talking about the actual picture of himself, which is such a poor likeness? However Brad seems to have taken an inexplicable liking to it, and hangs it in his office admiringly. It takes all sorts.
But the picture has to be taken down again, as Veronique requests it is loaned for an exhibition of her talent, sponsored by Meyrick. At the gallery there's a fight and Harry is shot, or rather a bullet hits him in his portrait. You see, Harry has been cleverer than I and has worked out what has been going on, and has retrieved his picture, plus of course that Renoir hidden in the back. Not that Harry seems that concerned, he's busy kissing Veronique

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Man in Power
In his New York office, Harry Lime is mounting a bid for hydro electric equipment in Santo Sanduras. When he flies there, he expects a warm welcome from his old friend, none less than the president. But when customs check his baggage, Captain Garcia finds guns- it's a fix. So if Harry leaves town, he won't be charged with gun running. Harry, being the man he is, refuses to comply.
Another old friend, an Irishman, fills Harry in on his rival bidders, including Carlos Dos Casos. Yet another old friend, well a young one this time, the beautiful president's wife Margo, asks Harry why he is trying to ruin her husband. All very peculiar.
A bomb explodes nearly killing Harry - pity really it didn't. Harry is questioned by Garcia, but isn't very co-operative since he half thinks Garcia might be the one trying to kill him off.
A confession follows as to why Harry is being framed for gun running. From the Irishman, Harry obtains advice as to how to get Carlos arrested, even though the president himself will fall as a result. Harry and the contrite president confront Carlos who tries to pay off Harry with a quarter of a million. Carlos is arrested and by some dubious means, Harry gets the top man off the hook

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Meeting of the Board

From New Orleans, Dub Garney has come to consult the great Harry Lime. Which is odd, as Harry is just off to New Orleans, to attend a board meeting of Eric Potter's successful company. Dub is a blackmailer. He knows about Potter's past. He is wanted for murder. This would ruin Harry's investment! Not to mention Potter.
The board are all for handing over $100,000 to Dub. But Potter, and Harry, are honourable men and know Eric should go to the cops. However Mrs Carrie Potter tries telling Harry her husband ain't no killer. Obviously she knows as she must have done the deed.
Dub appears at Harry's doorstep, dead. No great loss.
Sergeant Jarrow investigating his death gets the sharp end of Harry's wit: Harry confesses to this killing, tongue-in-cheek naturally. It must be his sense of er, humour.
With Dub conveniently out of the way, Eric has no need to go to the cops. Another board meeting is shocked to learn Carrie has confessed to the killing for which her husband was wanted. Calmly, Harry exposes the killer of the blackmailer, then even more incredibly gets Carrie off. Apparently that killing was justifiable homicide. It's what anyone shooting the team making this series should surely get

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Hansel and Son

This is almost tragic, for Harry Lime's valuable cargoes are being stolen from European ports. Someone inside Harry's vast organisation must be leaking advance information about shipments. Suspicion falls on the Norwegian firm of Hansel and Son.
But Olaf Hansel is an old friend of Harry's, as honest as the day is long. Harry has sent a private eye, Sven, to make doubly sure, but when Sven is killed, it's off to Norway for Harry and Brad. Sven's last cable had warned that the chief suspect for the leakages was Olaf's own son Edvard.
Harry and Brad stay with Olaf, Edvard and Olaf's daughter Gerda, though relations are strained when Olaf is told Harry suspects a security leak. But Harry doesn't reveal on exactly whom suspicion has fallen.
Edvard gives Brad the books, then dashes to his boss Andersen worried about being found out. But he's worried too over Sven's killing. "You can't go around killing everyone who might find out," he tells Andersen rather lamely.
Olaf senses the worst, Harry trying to spare the old man until he has definite proof.
He sets a trap by getting Brad to announce that his inspection of the books will shortly uncover who is behind the thefts. So that night, with everyone asleep, Edvard tries to remove the offending files. Too late he realises he's caught in a trap. Harry listens to his confession as well as his excuses for his crimes. Olaf interrupts them, without hearing the whole truth. At last he realises he has thwarted his son's intiatives and offers him equal shares in the firm. But Edvard must atone for Sven's murder and tries to force Andersen to confess. Andersen's response is to silence Edvard, though in a shootout Andersen is shot in return. "There's no need for a doctor."
Olaf is naturally distraught, though perhaps it's as well he never finds out about his son's criminality.

A very poignant story, possibly, so poignant Harry doesn't even have time to date or even kiss Gerda!

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Act of Atonement

Henry Vincent Mott is generously providing funds for a new hospital. His spoilt daughter Victoria (Nora Hayden) is to manage the project with the help of- you've guessed it- Harry Lime. But suddenly "the great man" has a heart attack, Mott that is, not Harry Lime regrettably. Harry comments on his death rather callously, "St Dismus will have his hands full with Henry Vincent." Brad queries this, as this saint is the patron saint of thieves.
Matt Stacey, Victoria's new attorney, hands Harry a cheque for $75,000, a pay off for his work on the hospital project that she has now cancelled.
Harry and Brad want to know why, so travel to Maine where she gives them the brush-off. But Harry decides to hang around, and puts up in a backwoods hotel run by the faintly tedious Jedidiah (John Qualen). "It's dangerous around here," warns old enemy Ballerino, who is also staying at the hotel. It certainly is, when a rifle is trained on Harry, when he goes to talk to Victoria by a lake. She urges Harry to go back to New York, but when he refuses, she warns, "anything that happens now is your own fault." That includes a shot, which misses Harry, as ever.
Victoria is being forced to sign a document by Stacey, signing over her inheritance to Ballerino. "It's my money," reasons the gangster simply. But Harry has seen through the whole scheme. Victoria's dad had been the respectable face for Ballerino's underworld activities. Unless she pays up, her father's reputation will be in ruins, he will be exposed as a crook. "The truth has to come out," urges Harry. He persuades her to continue this "finest gesture of his life," and pay for the hospital. Despite her fears, she follows his advice and refuses to pay up the "several million dollars."
Brad spots that the files Victoria's father has left her can indite Ballerino for tax evasion. But the gangster is under arrest anyway, because Jedidiah is taking him in- what for? shooting at Harry. "Who is this hick?" demands the blustering Ballerino. But Jedidiah has the authority, and the FBI are soon pressing that more serious charge of tax evasion. "This is all a terrible misunderstanding," protests Ballerino as he is taken away.

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Ghost Town

Eddie Collins at the Desert Door in Arizona phones Harry Lime to warn him. But this was just a joke, he insists to the men who sees him phoning and kill him.
When Harry and Brad visit this desert hotel, Fox, the manager, assures them that business is fine. He shows them where bartender Collins had died- the sheriff explains that he had been thrown from his horse.
Enter the beautiful dame, Monica Sellers, an artist who is staying at the hotel, room 12. Naturally she's an old pal of Harry's.
"S'pose Lime starts nosin' around?" hired hand Rich asks the manager. But Harry's nosing is mostly with Miss Sellers, who is shrewd enough to sense Harry's not just here for the vacation.
However, next morning she is nowhere to be seen. Her car is there, it has driven four miles since last evening, but there's nothing in the desert nearer than 10 miles distant. Except an old mining settlement, now a ghost town.
The scene switches here, clearly a set from a slightly more opulent film, or maybe an old closed movie studio. Among the rubble, Harry and Brad peer, looking for Monica presumably, when gunshots force them into cover. In drives the sheriff who searches the derelict old bar. "Empty." The snipers has gone. No sign of Monica either.
Back at the Desert Door, Harry searches the manager's room, examining the books. He finds evidence of a gambling racket that Collins was gonna snitch on to Harry. Brad is left to point a gun at Fox and call the sheriff, while Harry drives back to the ghost town.
It's a kinda half High Noon as Harry faces up to Rich, whose guarding Miss Monica Sellers, who had spotted the gambling equipment near the bar. There's some sort of surprise as Harry catches the big man behind the racket. But not enough 'surprise' to stir any discerning viewer

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The Gold Napoleons
A Tang horse has been bought by Harry for a client, Liaquat as a present for his fiancee Miss Syra Taradi. He always pays in gold, and he hands over $100,000 worth of gold coins, over a corny joke about Harry's huge profit on the deal.
Brad weighs the coins. "I don't trust that man, Mr Lime, I never have."
After Liaquat has left, Paul, a dealer in gold calls. He offers a price for the 5,882 Gold Napoleons, $115,000. "I don't trust that one either, he wears cologne."
On his yacht, Liaquat has an argument with his fiancee and she runs off. When Harry calls on him to seal their deal, he finds only Liaquat's corpse. There's a knife in his back. A servant, Ali, had overheard Miss Taradi arguing with his master. She seems the guilty party.
An expert is shown one of the coins and declares it to be made of lithinium, a worthless metal often used by old forgers. Back at the office, Brad is knocked out, and the dealer Paul, with Ali, steal the chest. "Finally, after eleven years," Paul gloats. It's their bad luck that Harry happens to return and he is greeted by Miss Taradi. She asks his help, for, she says, she is innocent of the killing. But Harry calls the cops. Then he has it out with the robbers, and the police arrive to arrest them.
Brad reveals the sudden interest in lithinium, it's been renamed nowadays as platinum, worth a great deal more than even gold.
Harry gives Miss Taradi her horse: "I have my reasons." She thanks him in an appropriate way.

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Bradford's Dream
Enjoyable role reversal as Brad Webster dreams that he is running the business successfully. Of course, he eventually gets put in his place!

Old opponent Aristides (Eric Pohmann) buys a candelabrum from Harry for $20,000, but if its pair could be found their value would be $100,000. He goads Harry by suggesting that it is really Brad who is in charge. Thus triggers Brad's dream, in which the opening scene is repeated and it is Brad who enters the office to kiss the secretary, "good morning, baby." Then Sonia (Jennifer Jayne) offers him the second candelabrum for $50,000. After he does so, Aristides informs Brad he is bust so can no longer purchase the second candelabrum. It's clear he is in league with her.
In a second dream, Brad observes hopefully, "it's only money Harry." By now, Harry has worked out where the candelabrum is. In another dream, Aristides demands at gunpoint that Brad hand it over, but Brad knocks him out. "Be careful, Mr Webster," cries Harry cautiously as Brad, by his powers of persuasion, overcomes Sonia. Then the reality, as Aristides really does come for the candelabrum, and it is Harry who thwarts his quest. Harry now has both candelabra, so all ends well, "they're worth a fortune"

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The Way of McEagle
Prospects of "an excellent business deal" have lured Harry and Brad in a rickety car to the Scottish Highlands, any contract to be signed "by midnight tonight, or not at all." But the locals are out to spot 'em: "they'll repent the day they came to Strathclyde."
Apparently the road to their destination, the castle of the laird Tim McCriach (Laurence Naismith) is impassable, so Harry rests at the Eagle Arms where Helen McEagle (Eileen Moore) welcomes Harry. "It's a strange country," she tells him.
It is for Brad! In search of a phone, he's taken on a wild goose chase: "I'm being kidnapped!" For unexplained reasons, he's taken to the laird who, despite protest, takes him for Harry Lime. Both he and Harry separately hear of the typically Scottish family feud between the McCriachs and the McEagles. Whilst Brad tries to digest haggis, Harry is kept away by Helen's charms. He tells her at twenty to midnight, "I'm not really a fool." No comment.
Helen explains it's her birthday tomorrow, the day she comes into property, currently being held in trust by McCriach. (Why him, if there's a feud on?) She wants to keep her land. Harry's response is to take the whole bunch of McEagles to face the McCriachs. Brad is suffering to the sound of the bagpipes when the clan burst in.
There's a lot of Scottish ballyhoo, ended when the wise Harry scolds the lot of 'em: "why don't you stop fighting like children?" And so it all ends happily ever after

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Who Killed Harry Lime?
Don't let the title get your hopes up!
Headlines in a Honolulu newspaper read Harry Lime Killed in Plane Explosion. Don't all cheer at once. For someone has got the wrong man: Neil Taggert, an old pal of Harry's and a business partner in his latest venture- pearl fishing. Brad looks suitably lugubrious. Harry passes on his condolences to Taggert's grieving widow Nina, "I warned Neil not to get mixed up with you." Wise advice.
Chief Marruba, yet another old pal, has now received another offer for the pearl rights, from a Jap named Miyashiro. As Harry's luck seems cursed, the Chief is minded to accept this offer.
Gunshot. Missed again, sad to report. The police suspect Miyashiro of trying to eliminate rival Harry, though wise old Harry has no such dishonorouble thoughts. He can see the whole plot- incredible! According to the great Harry, the real target of the attempted murder was Martine, the Chief's daughter. "You must be out of your mind, Mr Lime." I thought that too.
All on his own, Harry has worked out Neil had been in in love with Martine, so Harry goes off to Nina to expose her cunning plan.
Of course Harry turns up smelling of roses, with half shares in the new pearl company with the Jap

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A Question in Ice

Brad is looking apprehensive, as Miss Muffin (Vanda Godsell) is flying in to demonstrate her wide variety of pancake mixes, for a new business venture that Brad has urged on Harry. When Harry is called away urgently by a phone call from Luigi in Italy, poor Brad is left to taste pancakes alone.
Harry has been paying Luigi for the past 18 years to keep his eye on a glacier. Major Harry Lime had been delivering $50,000 to one Alberto to aid the French resistance, who had tragically fallen into this glacier. Harry is alleged to have stolen the money, but now Alberto's corpse has finally drifted to the foot of the glacier, Harry knows he will be able to prove his innocence. Not that he was convicted of any wrongdoing, but Alberto's father, ex-partisan General Dino (Marius Goring) is certain of Harry's guilt. At the hotel where Harry checks in, the General has arranged for a military style court, attended also by the hotel manager, the cashier Pepi (Oliver Reed), and Simon, a journalist from America. The result seems predetermined, "it's Harry Lime who's going to die here... Harry must pay according to partisan law." Indeed the guard rail on the balcony in Harry's room has been removed. But Alberto's daughter Nina (Joanna Dunham) is unhappy with her grandfather's high handed actions. The suave Mr Lime however assures her the money will prove he has been telling the truth. As a precaution, he has asked Luigi to keep guard by the glacier, but during the night an unseen figure attacks him and removes the knapsack with the cash...
Back in London, Brad is tasting such delights as Bacon Pancake ("I knew you'd like it!"), but, worried for his employer's safety, rushes off to Italy.
The trial of Lime. Nina cannot believe nice Harry could have killed her father. "There are some people you do believe." Well, she is pretty gullible. But by a clever application of logic, Mr Lime is able to show who attacked Luigi and stole the money. Pepi "is the only one who could have done it." Pepi confesses, adding he had burned the money as it was all in Italian lire, now completely valueless.
As Brad dashes to the rescue, he finds Harry kissing Nina, "thank you for worrying about me, Brad." But Brad ends up pleased, since Miss Muffin's pancakes have not gone down well in England, and "the English haven't done anything terrible to the United States since the war of 1812"

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I.O.U.

Vienna 1945, and Max saved Harry's life. Now Max Kruse (Theodore Marcuse) is offering Harry "the opportunity of a lifetime," a coffee plantation in the quaintly named Costa Semana. Some coffee tasting with Brad proves it's good coffee but the unstable political situation is worrying, with the country under the thumb of aged and hated El Presidente.
The plantation is only a ruse however, as when they meet Max explains he "wants out" as he's a virtual prisoner in his own mansion. He holds Harry to that favour he owes him. As a "man of honour" good old Harry must help him get out of the country.
Enemies of El Presidente, who are planning his overthrow warn Harry that it has only been Max's ill gotten money that has kept the president in power for so long: "he swindled our people." What can the wonderful Mr Lime do? He decides to help both and asks Max for half a million dollars: "you drive a hard bargain, Harry!" Brad sums it all up: "Mr Kruse doesn't deserve to escape after what he's done to this country."
Night, and Max Kruse is driven out of the country in a coffin. The hearse is stopped, but it's a decoy enabling Harry to succeed in his mission. But there's a poetic end, as the half a million is used to bring about the downfall of El Pres, and safely away in Rio, Max meets a poetic end, well rather a messy one actually

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Crisis in Crocodiles
"My zip is stuck- would you like to help me?" That's the greeting Brad gets from model Arlette as he enters Mr Lime's office. "I shall dine alone tonight, monsieur," she adds. Brad makes no response.
Harry is told he's inherited 20% of Australian Enterprises from the late Julian Roper of Sydney. 18 years ago, this Australian had been daft enough to save Harry's life, but why has he left part of his business to Mr Lime? His two children inherit 40% each.
Down under, Julie (Jill Ireland) and Bill (John Meillon) are running the crocodile skin business. Their only rival is one Rankin (John Barrie), who winds Harry up the wrong way: "get out of Australia- now," he orders Harry, though for what reasons is not clear.
Harry doesn't seem that popular with Bill either: "lay off" my sister he warns Harry. Harry's not that popular with me either, though I wasn't the one shooting at Harry, because I wouldn't have missed. Who tried to shoot him? "Do you really think I want to see you dead?" asks Julia, very unconvincingly.
A phone call tips them off that Rankin has planted a fire bomb in their office. "There's a great deal more to this than you think," Harry tells Bill and Julia. So the wise Harry amazingly agrees to Bill taking the ticking bomb (!) and planting it in Rankin's warehouse. "This is extremely unwise," warns Brad, rather unnecessarily. But it's part of Harry's master plan. He tails Bill, defuses the bomb, and exposes Rankin, who had been attempting to get Bill caught placing the bomb. In fact Rankin's warehouse is full of waste products for he's all but bankrupt. So Julia and Bill have a nice monopoly in crocodile skins. For me, it's perhaps a pity that bomb didn't detonate
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Judas Goat
Cable: re- 15 million dollars of road building machinery to South East Asia. The Prime Minister refuses to pay Harry Lime.
So Harry whisks out there, but Prime Minister Mai Di Tan refuses to meet Harry or explain. However his alluring secretary Wanda Soo meets Harry in secret to tell the great man that it was his involvement in an old currency fraud that is behind the reneging of payment. Why does she tell him this? You guessed it- she is one of Harry's million and one old friends! "Please be careful," she warns.
Brad accompanies Harry as the pair gatecrash Tan's mansion. Tan apologises, he knows the accusation is false, but that's politics! So to seal the deal, and get his money, Harry offers to prove his innocence. This is what Tan really wants. He has Harry followed as he visits the ageing Julia, flatters her ("sweetens her to death"), for she is an old pal of the prince's, in order for her to tell him where the old prince Puma Diau (Abraham Sofaer) is hiding. He can prove Harry's innocence, but since the revolution in his country, he has been in seclusion, afraid of his enemies, the current government. Julia reveals he's living in a ruined city.
Harry has just got himself introduced to the prince, when Tan's men swoop. This had been Tan's devious method for finding Puma Diau in order to eliminate him. So it looks like he and Harry are for the chop, as Harry despite the threat berates Tan's tyranny. But Harry, naturally, had worked out the whole plot and has brought reinforcements in the shape of the police.
"There will be a new and honest government," promises the prince. And one that uses Harry's expensive machinery.
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66 A Little Knowledge

"Ole" is the only Spanish Brad knows, and it proves to be a running gag that at least makes this story just bearable. He's in Madrid with Harry and, adds Brad, "something terrible" always happens when Harry's in town. Harry looks unconcerned, as usual, even when the "something terrible" proves to be a beautiful woman.
An anonymous letter is delivered with an address, to where Harry travels to encounter the young beauty, secretary of Snr Garcia. But they know of no reason why Harry should visit them. Returning, even Harry looks puzzled, "whatever the reason, I don't like it," he confides in Brad.
He's right of course. Cpt Ramirez (Ferdy Mayne) warns Harry he has been sentenced to death by the underworld! Bang, bang! But the shots miss, more's the pity. To try and learn why he's under this threat Harry calls on Mendoza (Roger Delgado), allegedly the biggest criminal in the whole of Europe.
Another shot at Harry. Missed again, the idiots! "Old friend" Mendoza emlightens Harry, in this thin plot, which, if it weren't for Bradford Webster's entertaining remarks would be even more awful. In case you might want to know why the order had gone out on Harry, "a friend of mine thought I had done something I hadn't," is Harry's profound explanation

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Day of the Bullfighter

Harry and Brad are viewing some faded film footage of a bullfighter. He has now retired, has Luis Compos, down to his family ranch in Mexico. But he has stopped his payments on Harry's loan. So Harry flies down there to find out why. Brad accompanies, though he is worried that he might encounter his nemesis again, one Miss Skipworth.
At his opulent family ranch, Compos and his wife greet Harry. He is coming out of retirement, he tells Harry, so he can make some money, as his ranch has inexplicably started to run at a loss. A Juan Rodriguez has offered to purchase his property, but Compos will not give up his family's heirloom so easily.
Rodriguez is puffing a fat cigar in his spacious office. "Someone is deliberately trying to ruin Compos," Harry tells him bluntly. Rodriguez's response is to offer to buy Compos' promissory note to Harry, but naturally the great man refuses.
Next Harry is taken to the mysterious and alluring ex girl friend of Compos. "There are some worthwhile sights in Mexico I haven't seen," is Harry's corny introductory line to her. She wants that promissory note also. Allegedly she has a soft spot for Compos, and wants him to stay on in his ranch, but is Harry Lime fooled by her altruism? No!
Brad has cautiously wheedled out the information from Miss Skipworth that Rodriguez is definitely trying to foreclose on Compos. Compos has tripped, or rather been tripped down some steps, and though not too badly injured, cannot now make his comeback in the ring. The magnanimous Harry graciously extends the period of Compos' repayments.
"Harry darling" returns to the alluring female, ex-film star Lita, to find her in the arms of Rodriguez. The truth is she had been ditched by Compos and was seeking her revenge on him. Harry has seen through them.
Rodriguez apologises to Compos and apparenly all ends happily ever after.

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The Big Kill
Like a child, Harry Lime is playing with a consignment of toys, when Ingrid Garson phones to warn him, "it's a matter of life and death." Whose? Harry's!
In her apartment, she introduces Harry to her husband Matt's best friend, Roy. They are worried because Matt is due out of jail, and he has vowed to kill Harry- "it's hard to believe." Well no, it isn't! Matt blames Harry for sending him to prison for eight years, convicted of embezzling $120,000 from Harry's company whilst working for Harry Lime. "Prison has twisted him so."
Ingrid evidently hasn't been living off the cash- "the money must still be hidden," concludes Brad. Officer Ned is also keen to retrieve the money and he's watching Harry's office in case Matt shows up there. Harry is as ever calm, he is sure the money will "turn up."
In fact Ingrid and Roy are hoping to grab the money off Matt when he picks it up from where he'd hidden it. A happy Matt has no inkling of his wife's treachery. In a twist, Matt tells her he is going to return all the money to his employer!
This he does. Brad looks very suspicious. Harry listens to Matt's apologies. He even offers Matt a job: "after what I did...?" When he has left, Roy and Ingrid come in with a gun. "It's on the desk," states Harry, still calm, as they grab the money. Harry had guessed all along. He has taped this conversation, Officer Ned listening in, and they are under arrest.
I must be getting old, I found a few tender moments in this daft story

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Frame Up
Harry is in San Francisco, tenth floor room 8. On behalf of Sun Fat Sing, Catherine calls to negotiate on Harry's "ridiculous" $127,000 bid for some jewellery. She is making "herself comfortable" on Harry's couch when enter an outraged husband. Harry's seen this sort of thing before, as have us viewers, but this man shoots Harry, but only in the arm however.
Lt Marrell questions Harry who remains uncommunicative. Harry then questions Sing about the woman, but he knows of no such person. Sing does suggest Harry asks Kenneth Palmer, but he ain't at home, according to his butler Richland. He's staying at his country place, but when Harry gets there it's deserted, except for one corpse, knifed in the back. Harry beats a quick retreat.
For $5,000 Richland tells Harry who this Catherine really is. She's called Jennifer Reiner, married to rich Phillip.
After buying a jadite brooch from Sing for $10,000 Harry plans to send it anonymously to Mrs Reiner. Brad looks worried. "You're not serious." But it's Brad who carries the present, and hands it to Phillip Reiner. Of course he is jealous.
Jennifer realises the brooch must have come from Harry and goes to ask him why. He "plays it like a French farce" though without any of the humour. Indeed there is nothing to laugh about here. Lt Marrell finds himself preventing Harry from being arrested for Palmer's murder, as the murder weapon has as yet not been found. Actually Harry has hidden it in a police car!
Harry accuses Richland of the murder of his master. He's been in cahoots with Jennifer who loves him. But she's not that much in love for she tries to silence him with her gun. The pair collapse in tears as Harry hands them over to Lt Marrell. I'd collapsed in tears by this time too
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71 House of Bon Bons

A Swiss sweet factory unexpectedly makes a profit of over 76,000 dollars. The trouble is, Harry had only bought it for the sake of an old friend Heinrich Miren (an effusive Martin Miller) as a "dud," a loss maker.
So it's to Zurich for Harry and Brad to inspect the factory, the House of Bons Bons. They meet a happy staff: "your ugly duckling investment turned out to be a beautiful swan," the poetic Miren confides to Harry.
But what is the secret of their success? It's all down to sales manager Leon Kruger. "We never appointed him," says Brad. So how did he get the job there? Harry questions the chief accountant Blodin (Paul Whitsun-Jones) who is feigning illness to avoid meeting Harry. He's got some secret to hide, but Harry will never learn it now, as Blodin is stabbed to death. The reason: a lot of smuggled goods are found in his room.
Returning to the factory, Brad and Harry find nothing suspicious in a search, except their rather awful tasting chocs. But the truth slowly dawns on Harry, with the emphasis on the Slowly. When he's realised how smuggled goods are being taken from the place, a giant eight foot man (on stilts) attacks him. He's easily foiled (it's unclear how such an ungainly person could possibly hope to succeed) and it's left to Harry to explain that the chocs had been wrapped in "solid gold foil," a neat smuggling racket.
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The Luck of Harry Lime

A sombre doc pronounces his verdict- JB Masters has only a short time left. JB sees it as his chance to get even with old enemy Harry Lime, who had got the better of him in a business deal.
JB's scheme starts with Professor Lyle Fraley who has hit on hard times. For $50,000, he's persuaded to tell Harry of a site that is floating on oil. JB then tries to get Harry to fund the oil well jointly with him: "don't take my word," JB assures Harry, just consult Fraley.
Fraley's daughter Julie notices he is very agitated and soon Fraley is dead, possibly committing suicide.
But Harry knows better, accusing JB of Fraley's murder. JB admits all, but as there are no witnesses, Harry can't prove anything.
"An extremely twisted mind," is Brad's verdict on JB.
JB's daughter Diane (Lizabeth Scott), who inexplicably declares a secret yen to marry Harry, delivers a $500,000 cheque from JB if he will marry her. Harry's gallant reply is that he never accepts money from women. Brad looks faintly disappointed.
In an unlikely twist, Harry, ever the shrewd one, guesses it really might be a genuine oil strike. When proof is forthcoming, he is able to gloat over JB, who is shown up for the cunning schemer he is in fromt of Diane. She walks out on her dear father, thus bringing on JB's last fatal heart attack. "Poor JB," is all Diane can say. I was speechless too
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The Trial of Harry Lime
Justice has at last caught up with Harry Lime for he's in the dock at the Central Criminal Court, charged with income tax evasion to the tune of £800,000. His plea is not guilty.
His alleged partner in crime is Theodore Ratteau (Esmond Knight) of International Nitrates, his third wife Madga (Margit Saad) had begged Harry to help her dying husband, even though they were sworn enemies. The wheelchair-bound Ratteau had entrusted Harry with a valuable collection of diamonds, which he wanted to return to his old prospecting partner Jack Tanner. Some suggestion that the ruthless Ratteau might have diddled him. Jack is now dead, so his son Michael (Peter Reynolds) is to be the beneficiary of Theodore's generosity. He runs a theatrical shop in the Charing Cross Road, and Harry hands him the diamonds, which Michael suspects are fakes. They are not, insists Harry, they must be worth a million!
Inspector Brace (Duncan Lamont) questions Harry about the diamonds now that Ratteau has died. Tanner is dead too, stabbed in the back. Missing are the diamonds, of course. Further probing uncovers the surprising news that this Michael Tanner was unrelated to Jack Tanner.
It seems a clear case of Ratteau trying to avoid inheritance tax, and Harry has colluded with him. But Harry, out on bail, accuses Magda of lying at the trial. She is alone in her house and admits sacking her loyal chauffeur, Charles Martin, who she says, had been insolent.
Harry plays a hunch, "a long shot," and Martin is arrested trying to get out of the country with his red headed girl friend Corinne, and the diamonds.
Thus the case against Harry collapses. Politely, the judge asks Harry why he really gave Michael the diamonds. Harry explains they were actually fakes he had made up, as he had never really trusted Ratteau. But he promises he will return the real diamonds to the undeserving Magda
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Members Only (a 2 part tale)

The exclusive Palm Bay Club is run by the countess (Margaretta Scott) and is so exclusive no outsiders even know who are the members, who live their lives in solitary exclusion from the world.
Paul Clark wants to buy a beach on the island where the club is situated. His nephew James, sent to negotiate the deal, has failed to report back, so Harry Lime is engaged.
He and Brad book into the only hotel on the isle, run by Mr Parker- "I don't trust that man," Brad observes to his boss. Brad also dislikes his room as there's a lizard there, and he is unimpressed by Parker's explanation that it's there to eat mosquitoes.
Only other guest is Sara (Betta St John) who is up to something, though the biggest mystery is why this last story of the series was extended to fifty minutes, since the storyline is so thin it could have filled just one programme length. But it does mean Harry has bags of time to dance with Sara, and kiss her.
Harry and Brad are vetted for membership at Palm Bay. Some 'friends' from the old days are members. But Harry turns down their offer. He and Brad are locked in. End of Part One.

Part two: "this is ridiculous Mr Lime, and I refuse to remain here for the rest of our lives." For all members of the club are millionaire crooks, hiding from the law. "Some kind of accident" awaits Harry and Brad, though Aldrina (Nadja Regin), only daughter of a crook to be born in the place, is making eyes at Harry. She explains that James had tried to escape and was executed.
"There's always a way out of every place," Harry confidently asserts, and he promises to take her with them. She shows how to switch off the electrified fence that guards the grounds of the club. Off that night creep Harry, Brad and Aldrina, unaware that the countess has got wind of their escape, and has ordered the current to be switched on again as they climb the fencing. But her plan mysteriously fails, and she ends up electrocuted herself. The other crooks emerge from their lair to try and prevent the three escaping, but they run straight into the arms of the FBI, guided by Sara.
There's a frosty moment as Sara and Aldrina vie for Harry. Myself, I really had been hoping that as it was the final throes of this abysmal series, they'd have allowed Harry to have been frazzled on that fence

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Zero One
Starring Nigel Patrick as Alan Garnett, head of airport security. Bill Smith played Garnett's assistant, Jimmy Delaney. Katya Douglas was Maya his secretary- originally her name had been going to be Sari.
Garnett's car: Daimler 3251HP

The series was based on reminiscences of Donald Fish, a security officer at BOAC. Shooting commenced on November 13th 1961 at MGM Boreham Wood Studios. The official blurb described this BBC series thus: "Activities of International Airline Crime Detection." Anyway, arguably this the BBC's best effort to imitate ITV! By recruiting ITC personnel such as Aida Young, perhaps that is not surprising! However, in 1961 commercial TV had moved to the hour long format, in effect making this 1962 made series obsolete. Despite this, some early episodes screened starting October 3rd 1962 reached the national Top 10 in the TAM ratings. So why did it end up as 'competition' for Coronation Street, not a recipe for success? Its ignominy was complete when it extraordinarily was shown for a short period in the Children's slot at 5.25pm on Saturdays. The final stories were only first screened in summer 1965. Sad that such an ambitious series has been so seriously neglected. Critics at the time were uncompromisingly scathing: wrote one, "uninspired acting, drab situations, no laughs or excitement... how MGM and the BBC could have got this thing on to tv is a puzzle."

26 stories have appeared on 2 dvd reissues, unfortunately (for some of us) only with a German soundtrack.
These German language episodes in Volume 1 are: 2 Glidepath 3 The Liar 4 The Contender 7 Fly Away Peter 9 The Marriage Broker 10 Gunpoint to Shannon 11 Million Dollar Lift 13 Deadly Angels 14 Everybody's Uncle 15 The Good Old Days 22 The Creators 31 The Switch 39 Excess Baggage.
Volume 2 contains: 6 The Bovard Affair, 8 Return Trip, 16 The Man Who Waited, 17 Danger on Cloud Seven, 18 Downdraft, 21 And Maya makes Three, 27 Key Witness, 28 Hurricane, 32 Triple Cross, 33 Delayed Reaction, 35 A Case of Charity, 36 And One To Go, 38 The Body
My brief reviews
These are 5 episodes (in English!) that I have- 8 Return Trip 13 Deadly Angels 18 Downdraft 23 Ghost Strip 38 The Body
Picture: from a film print of #8

#1 Stoneface (Oct 3rd 1962, 9.30pm)- the first of this series to be screened was given this contemporary report:
"Peter Elkinson (Michael Goodliffe) seems to be going insane, and he is brought up before the Board for a series of tests to indicate whether he is fit to fly. His wife Sarah (Brenda Bruce) whose unhappy lot it has been during the past eighteen years always to sit and wait hopefully for the return of her airline pilot husband, is proved to be the cause of all the trouble. As Alan Garnett discovers, because she would prefer her man to be grounded and so remain at home. This shies away from the direct sensational approach, and concentrates more on personalities. The acting, photography and general presentation were good, but I doubt whether it's powerful or original enough to lure viewers from the show on the other channel" (This was The ill-fated Bulldog Breed)

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Zero One- some brief reviews

2 Glidepath -General Keen (Andrew Faulds) is planning to overthrow the President of Lapata by nobbling his plane which is flying to London. Unfortunately security in the shape of Sharif (Edwin Richfield) and Jimmy, fail to spot mechanics changing the pressure in one of the tyres. Even though Keen is arrested when the air compressor explodes at the airport, he is confident the plane will never be able to land. Police Chief Karri (Joseph Furst) can't persuade him to help, though the villain's sidekick Prof Damah eventually does. Garnett makes emergency preparations, Masra the asisstant pilot cracks up, but Cpt Cargan (George Baker) bravely lands the aircraft on one wheel

3 The Liar - The young wife of teacher David Clandon (Robert Flemying) dies on board an Atlantic night flight. Another passenger, Mrs Pendenny (Margaret Rutherford) informs Garnett in no uncertain terms that Clandon murdered her. Her friends at a house for retired ladies tell him that she is well known for her tall stories. But the newspapers publish her accusations and Clandon gets some nasty ribbing from his pupils, "Old Clandon is a Murderer." Garnett takes the old lady on board the plane to reconstruct what she says she witnessed, and it is she who has to do the confessing... at first

4 The Contender - Paddy Farrell (Kieron Moore) is flying by BOAC from LA to London with his girlfriend Miriam to compete in a World Championship title fight. When an explosive device is found on the plane, Garnett gives Farrell protection from all the numerous suspicious characters on board, including an uncredited Anthony Booth. Garnett chats up Jill (Delphi Lawrence), a journalist on the Empire magazine. At a stopover, Garnett phones Maya to ask her to check out the passengers. But Shaffer has pointed a gun at the boxer, and taken him out of the airport. Luckily Jill has spotted him and warns Garnett. By way of thanks, Farrell grants her an interview. But Maya has tipped Garnett off that Jill is a phoney, so her pen with a poisoned tip never harms Farrell, since Garnett intervenes. Later, Maya visits her boss in hospital, while Farrell's fight is screened on tv

6 The Bovard Affair - Francie (Virginia Maskell) causes an Amalgamated World Freight van to get a puncture- it is carrying an Impressionist painting worth £300,000 by Paul Bovard. It is bound for the Wentworth Museum in New York, and Garnett personally escorts it there. However a crook (Eric Pohlmann) has already switched the painting. Noyes (Wensley Pithey) of the art gallery declares it a fake. So Garnett investigates, starting with the driver of the van (Harry Locke). He recognises Francie, girl friend of John Cameron, a penniless artist (Richard Pasco). Her face is also on advertising hoardings as The Sunglow Girl, so Garnett easily traces her. She runs away from an art class and dashes off with Cameron to Paris, with another forgery. But they are stopped at the airport, and a simple ruse by Garnett elicits a confession. But Garnett does purchase one of Cameron's paintings

7 Fly Away Peter- Passengers emerging off the Chicago flight include unaccompanied young Peter Firth, but nobody is here to greet him. After explaining to him the rules of cricket, Garnett takes him to his mother, Eileen (Lana Morris), who has remarried. Unwelcome, Peter runs away, reaching London Zoo, before jumping an airport bus. It's dark now, as he chats with a passenger from Chicago (Francis Matthews, uncredited), before stupidly running on to the runway. Jimmy Delaney saves him from himself, and then happily accepted by his mother, Garnett treats them to a cricket match at Lords

9 The Marriage Broker - Tina (Andree Melly) has flown in to Athens to meet her fiance George Kadopolis, but though George turns up to meet her, the man she is expecting to marry, the man whose picture she had been sent, is actually his brother Pedros. Garnett has to sort it all out with Mama Kadopolis a formidable opponent. Miss Smith (Lois Maxwell) is introduced to the real George and soon they are hitting it off. But Mama's approval, or lack of it, is the key problem. Finally the worm turns, and George puts his foot down and it ends happily if not as expected

10 Gunpoint to Shannon - Garnett just happens to be on a flight where I Am Being Kidnapped is scrawled on the toilet mirror, He has to work out who wrote it. Perhaps young Michael with his stepmother, or the flighty Jinx travelling with Rikki 'Sugarboy' Jourdan, or is it Mowbray the Australian prankster (Charles Tingwell)? Or Zapotsky and Hafner from Berlin, or any of the others? Garnett gets Jinx to feign drunkenness and when the plane lands Garnett arrests Mario. This his companion Mrs Glomy (Bessie Love) finds hilarious, though the ending isn't quite so amusing for her

11 Million Dollar Lift- Vance has been released from the US State Pen, met by his pal Ziggy in a flash auto. Destination England, where Garnett recognises him and details Jimmy to tail him. He meets Miss Kelly a teacher (Jane Hylton), and Jimmy overhears plans for a robbery, the prize, a million! He joins the gang. In a Rolls, they drive to the airport dressed as pilots and board a Pan Am plane. Hijack. Jimmy attempts to prevent it, but is knocked out. When the crooks land, it's straight into the arms of the law. Note Vance and Ziggy return in The Body

14 Everybody's Uncle- Valentina flies into Rome with her baby, but runs away when a man attacks her. Later in hospital she dies. She leaves behind a broken doll, which leads Garnett to an adoption racket run by nice Uncle George (Joseph Tomelty) who runs a children's home. Jimmy poses with a fake wife seeking to adopt, they hand George the cash and he is arrested

15 The Good Old Days - A suspicious character on a flight attempts to jump out of the door. He's a juggler. Once landed, Bill Delaney questions him, then visits his digs, where a crowd of minor theatricals live, landlady Miss Clara Daly, once "the most amazing act." They are dominated by the raucous voice of a rotund opera singer, all unemployed, refusing to bow the knee to the new televisual menace. Maurice (Miles Malleson) says he knows nothing of any £10,000 flight insurance fraud. Garnett poses as an escapologist in order to stay at the digs, and in the cellar he gets Maurice a little tiddly, revealing quite a bit. Before them all, being urged to show his act to them, Garnett produces a suitcase containing the tools of his trade. He handcuffs Maurice to Nero, The Strongest Man Since Samson, then spirits away the key. Bill shows up with the police, and Clara amazingly shows up from inside Garnett's case

16 The Man Who Waited- Jimmy Delaney follows Brodick (Eddie Byrne) from Miami Airport to Lisbon, on to Rome, Cairo, and finally Gaboro, a small airport. Here, it is Jimmy that the local official (Warren Mitchell) wants to arrest, leaving Brodick, a known professional assassin, the opportunity to work out the lie of the land. Jimmy is vouched for, and meets the local sheik (James Villeirs), Garnett joining them, flying out with Langford (Alan Gifford) and his wife (Zena Walker). Arriving at Gaboro airport, Brodick fires his long distance rifle at Langford. But Brodick is arrested, and Langford unscathed

17 Danger on Cloud Seven- Howard K Hodgson of New York shoots himself in his office. Jimmy Delaney and Baker of NY Air Security question his widow. He had been on an air trip organised by The Count (Ferdy Mayne), so Garnett joins the next chartered flight of The Count's, talking to passengers who include actor Steve Hunt (Paul Carpenter), Hope (Adrienne Corri), and McHale (Howard Marion-Crawford), and among others the uncredited Arthur Lowe. Garnett suffers poisoning, Hope kindly helps him recover. After a sword fight, Garnett exposes the Count's racket

21 And Maya makes Three - Why has Air India hostess Veena Singh been murdered in her Calcutta hotel room? Garnett's secretary Maya volunteers to act as decoy, and to his and Jimmy's amusement takes a crash course in being a stewardess. But she gets her own back by spilling coffee in Jimmy's lap. On her first flight, passengers include Hanwell (Jack Watling) and Mrs Sykes (Nora Nicholson), but when you see Paul Stassino is the co-pilot, you surely need look no further. Maya checks into her hotel, closely watched by Garnett. Naturally all three of the above act suspiciously, but only one tries to strangle Maya

22 The Creators- Film starlet Didi (Nadja Regin) is introduced to us in a bath of frothy bubbles. Her scene is interrupted by a phone call warning she won't make 25. Jimmy has the pleasurable task of visiting her on the film set of Castle in the Clouds. The director (Alan Tilvern) doesn't impress him, even if she does. It seems like some publicity stunt, but she goes to impress Garnett, and he agrees to accompany her on the eve of her 25th birthday on the flight to Vienna. On the way over, while worry is driving her to drink, he reads the script. They reach Vienna safely, but Garnett has worked out the significance of the number 25, and joins the group on the set , and watches for an awfully long time. The scene with the cocktail mixer sees Garnett spring into action, dramatically stopping shooting and chucking the mixer to the man out to destroy her (Peter Dyneley). Note- this was the nineteenth in the series to be filmed

27 Key Witness - Antonio Sporinza (David Bauer) has been flown to England as a key witness. But as his daughter Angela returns from school, she is kidnapped, and Sporinza sees her being taken on to another plane. The flight is delayed. A plane spotter (Pip Rolls) confirms that the girl is on the Glasgow flight, so Garnett, posing as a photographer's model, leaps on board to rescue Angela

28 Hurricane - Jimmy Delaney has to cut short his holiday on a tropical isle when Hurricane Hilda strikes. At Carriacou Airport, there is panic to board the sole plane, Taggart (Gordon Tanner) tries bribing Jimmy, and many other passengers assail him. The plane is made as light as possible by removing all the seats, then comes the choice of who can join the flight, Taggart's method is to use a gun. Finally the plane takes off and Jimmy, presumably the hurricane has suddenly ceased, resumes his holiday with more than a passing ressemblance to John 'Danger Man' Drake

31 The Switch- Alex (William Lucas) has nicked the Goriot diamond in Paris and has smuggled it into London, unfortunately accidentally leaving it in Garnett's office! One of his gang, Jenkins (Alfred Burke) fails to retrieve it, so Alex phones Garnett who is at home in bed. His doctor has told him to take it easy as his blood pressure is too high. Alex asks Garnett to go to a dance studio with his coat. Dora, Alex's girl friend teaches Garnett to do the cha-cha, before running off with his coat. But though they thought it was, the diamond isn't in there. Jenkins returns the coat, then leads Garnett a merry dance as he tries to shake him off tailing him- all the clambering can't be good for Garnett's heart. Luckily when Garnett catches up with the gang, Jimmy shows up to prevent his boss' demise. The final scene has the doctor declaring Garnett's blood pressure is, incredibly, back to normal!

32 Triple Cross - Three wise oriental sheiks arrive at London Airport, where they are shadowed by two villains Hakim (Ferdy Mayne) and Suleman Bay (Warren Mitchell). They book into a swish country hotel, and a fortune in jewellery is stashed in the safe. Posing as tv engineers, the two baddies nick the gems. In Garnett's office they are apprehended and the property returned to Sheik Abdul Pasha. But Garnett, with a touch of humour, has a job sorting out just who does own them

33 Delayed Reaction - Big Ben is chiming 5pm as a man falls from a fourth storey window, down on to a pavement. An opportunist thief steals the dead man's briefcase, but is arrested. In the case is evidence that a passenger on the plane to Athens has been poisoned, but which one of the eight on board? Garnett despatches Jimmy Delaney to Brussels Airport to liaise with agent Andre Bouchard. Miss Baker the stewardess introduces Jimmy to the possible victims: Mrs Andrews, Mrs Gates (Sarah Lawson), Saunders (Nigel Green), Mr and Mrs Williams, Rev Salomon, Betty, and Muller. Numerous red herrings distract Jimmy who finally gets to the poor poisoned one. A doctor treats her, while Jimmy tricks the poisoner (Geoffrey Keen) into a confession

35 A Case of Charity- On a flight, a girl passenger bursts into tears, it's a diversion worked by gentleman confidence trickster Frank Littlefield (Cecil Parker). When one of the notes from a stolen airport payroll is changed in Rome, Garnett meets up with Gassini of Rome Air Security and they hatch a plan to use Frank to entrap the boss behind the payroll theft (Francis de Wolff). Once more the girl is in tears, since her dad has apparently died...

36 And One To Go - In Paris, HP Finch (Charles Lloyd Pack) loses at lot in a fixed game of cards, and shoots the dealer dead, or so he believes. He flees on the flight to London, on which Garnett is also travelling. The passenger next to him goes down with smallpox, and everyone has to be inoculated. But Finch panics, as does Mrs Marian Dorlian (Moira Redmond) and both run away. Garnett finds her at home, and diplomatically keeps the secret of her illicit weekend from her husband (Patrick Holt). He catches up with Finch at the airport, and sorts out his problem also

39 Excess Baggage- With his four wives, a sheik arrives at London Airport. One named Anees hides in a supply room. Having got her description and photo, Jimmy Delaney, with a little help from Maya, traces Nadja (Petra Davies), who tries unsuccessfully tries to fool the sheik into believing she is the missing wife. Jimmy discovers Anees hiding in Nadja's flat. Rasool, the sheik's right hand man, attempts to push her from an upper window, but Jimmy saves her. With a new assistant, the sheik departs with three wives. He gives the now liberated Anees, dressed in a beatnik style jumper, a ticket to Hollywood

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Return Trip

Garnett is in Detroit being interviewed on tv. On his trip back, he sits next to a nervous woman, who claims she has lost her memory. So he drops her off at Chicago, where she disappears.
We see her changing her appearance, donning dark glasses, and flying back to Detroit. She checks into a hotel, and makes for room 127, to shoot Harry, her husband. Then she returns to Chicago, dressing as herself once more, and is found wandering in a car park, apparently still uncertain who she is. In fact she is Margo Jennings (Patricia Neal).
Garnett escorts her to hospital, where she recovers. She tries phoning her husband to assure him all is all right, but is shocked to learn the bad news. Captain Tyler (Lionel Murton) says Harry is "very dead," suicide. She refuses to accept this.
But Garnett "smells something fishy," and of course he's right. We see her in the arms of Mike (Bill Nagy). "I killed him... I did it for us," she admits to him.
But by an oversight, she has left some evidence, her plane ticket, in room 127 and she persuades Mike to retrieve it. However he is arrested, a fall guy for her. But Garnett is able to break her alibi.
Some American/English language humor from elevator boy Jerome 'Dukie,' which Garnett reciprocates at the end

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Deadly Angels
A beautiful fairy doll. It's dismembered to reveal its contents. Ah Chen of International Air Security in Hong Kong is then killed, resulting in Garnett flying in to continue the investigation into dope smuggling. Chen's junior Jerry Wang tells how Chen had befriended and helped him, taking him from the orphanage where he had grown up. Garnett visits this Mission of Light and Hope, run by Rev Judd BPeteer Maddern) and assisted by Len Fu (Jacqui Chan). The money to run the mission is obtained from pedalling toys across the world that they make there. Garnett is impressed with Judd's kindness towards his ch rackets when arg t , for the wire that makes up the halo of a fairy, is identical to the piece of wire clutched in Chen's dying hand.
The bank account of Judd is inspected: "not exactly a fortune," notes the manager. But hold on, there's just been a deposit of $15,000. When Judd is asked to explain he is unconcerned: "suspicion is your business, mine is faith."
The next export consignment of dolls is opened by customs. Every doll is smashed. Nothing. Garnett checks on a second crate, and with Judd and Len Fu watching, he smashes a doll. Len Fu protests, and with reason, for "your angel dolls," he advises the shocked Judd, "have been carrying heroin." It was Len Fu, and she rants against his other worldliness. Her mute accomplice is in the wings, and she spurs him on to finish Garnett off ("if you love me, kill him"). It is Judd who ends the violence. Len Fu runs off, but in her haste, is run over by Jerry's car.
At the airport, Judd bids Garnett farewell. Garnett generously donates the $15,000 to pay for all those dolls he had smashed.

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Dpwndraft

A small Selkirk Airways plane crashes into the sea, the pilot Dunk (Jerry Stovin) rescued.
Garnett is in Vancouver to decide if the firm deserve being awarded a passenger licence, so he questions the employees of the business, but Jo (Jeannie Carson) has briefed them well. Dunk however realises that such a licence "is going to be murder," since the downdraft in the vicinity is too hazardous.
Jo puts Garnett up for the night and takes him Scottish country dancing where Dunk becomes jealous of Garnett's attentions to Jo. After some some rough stuff, Dunk is pushed into a pool of mud. That decides Dunk to propose to her, but what he doesn't know is that Garnett is sleeping in Jo's bedroom, and through a closed door, he proposes only to Garnett!
Next morning, she takes him up to show him the route of the plane that crashed. She has deliberately not refuelled the plane, and they have to land in a remote spor, where they find a convenient shack. She wants to persuade him to grant that licence, but he pretends to make advances, but is interrupted by Dunk, who has miraculously appeared from nowhere. Dunk smacks Jo's backside before taking them back to base.
Garnett cannot grant the licence and adds a moral message. The Selkirk employees half threaten to lynch Garnett, but Jo sees him away safely. Back in Vancouver Garnett offers a few mitigating words on behalf of Selkirk Airways

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Ghost Strip

200 miles from nowhere is a remote African landing strip. A forced landing here finds noone manning the place. Jimmy Delaney phones Garnett from Nairobi about the mystery and he's asked to investigate.
The only two workers at the strip are Renston and Smith, "decent chaps" according to local police chief Rogers (Maurice Hedley). But where have they got to? "This place gives me the willies," declares pilot 1, whilst the other (John Bonney) observes "the tea was still hot," just like the Marie Celeste. Yet tea had been laid for three, so who else had been there? The only other plane there has broken down, and in it Jimmy finds bars of gold, stolen in a recent robbery. That night Ahmed who is guarding the plane has his neck broken. Rogers decides to fly off for reinforcements, leaving Jimmy and the gold as "bait." In the dark bushes Jimmy crouches, and finds the bodies of Renston and Smith. Amidst the croaking of frogs and the sounds of African night life, he waits. Then gunshots- Jimmy has to shoot a dangerous looking snake. That noise drives off the killer.
But he emerges next morning with a gun pointed at Jimmy, who is ordered to repair the stricken plane. But his gun has no cartridges and so the thief and murderer is caught. "Good show," exclaims the returning Rogers.

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The Body
Two New York villains take the frozen corpse of hoodlum Happy Jack and ship him air freight to London. However the declare the body as that of Sir Philip Humbolt, who disappeared into obscurity ten years ago. The pair are Archie Vance (Hugh McDermott) and "his number one playmate" Ziggy. Air security chief Alan Garnett is an old acquaintance of Vance (see #11) who declares "I'm a reformed man." Garnett is not going to believe that! What Archie hasn't explained is that he's working for a relation of Sir Philip called Cecil (Jeremy Lloyd), who has traced his uncle, now living happily in a doss house. Cecil will inherit the unspent fortune "when the old man kicks off," but that event needs hastening. However they don't want to get into any murder rap, so this is their plan....
Step One- Collect Happy Hack's coffin from the airport. However Garnett doesn't trust that "warped, bent, calculating mind" of Archie's and traces Cecil to his home.
Step Two- Poison the real Sir Philip, just to knock him out, not to kill him. There's a nice moment as the incompetent Ziggy wonders if he's drinking the doped drink instead of Sir Philip.
Step Three- Archie poses as a doctor, and takes Sir Philip away to a 'hospital.'
Step Four- switch bodies and get Bronson, Sir Philip's solicitor, to identify the body. "RIP," sighs the solicitor. "Alleluia," responds Archie.
But Garnett has been watching proceedings and the bodies have not quite been swapped back when the police break in. "Archie, haven't you got a body too many?" quips Garnett, as Happy Jack lies frozen on the floor. Archie shakes Garnett's hand as he is taken off to jail.
This is a tongue-in-cheek tale that ends with Sir Philip sitting up in his coffin, very much alive, but a little mystified

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The New Adventures of Martin Kane starring William Gargan
1
Missing Daughter (pilot)
2 Kidnap Story
13 The Brother Story pictured
30 Railroad Story
32 Race to the Finish

There had been several American series about Martin Kane, but this is the seriously forgotten British series starring the creator of the role.
A pilot was made at Rotherhithe Studios in July 1956, and with the series approved, shooting at Elstree Studios commenced about February 1957, lasting 19 weeks. 39 stories were made in total.
Some location shooting was done, including an episode with scenes shot in Paris with Gargan and Betty McDowall (possibly #3 Passport Ring Story). It was stated that this series was "made on location in all the countries of Western Europe," but although this was one of the first British dramas to use extensive location shooting, I can't believe it was that far ranging.
Martin Kane was screened in USA from the middle of April 1957. The series was also sold to Spain, dubbed in Spanish.
Quite why it was largely disappeared from view is a mystery that only Kane himself might have been able to solve. True, this was really British ABC's first effort to make their own filmed series, but it's more viewable than the earlier American made stories, and has its own charm, especially in Brian Reece as Inspector Page, who stiff upper lippedly attempts to rein in Gargan's enthusastic American methods.

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Missing Daughter

In Monaco, American Jim Wilson and his daughter Lorraine (Kay Callard) are holidaying, but she disappears from their hotel room.
Ex-colonel in the US Air Force, Martin Kane, who has been in London for five years, is asked to investigate since Lorraine had had a breakdown when her fiance had died two months ago. In Monte Carlo she had fallen for an artist James Richards (Martin Benson), fast, unstable, selfish. The Lucinda is his boat and according to Lloyd's register, it is docked a few miles offshore near the Thames estuary.
So Kane takes a launch to this boat, and learns that Lorraine is on board, here of her own free will. Inspector Hedley of the Yard (John Warwick) tells Kane that Richards is a known diamond smuggler, usually employing an innocent dupe as a courier, yes that's Lorraine. When she comes ashore she is put under surveillance. She calls at a shop, emerging with a box of paints, then goes on to Kane's office where she has a heart to heart with her father, which amounts to "dad, I'm going to marry him."
Kane opens the paint box, the tubes of paint are systematically squeezed, but no diamonds are revealed. The box is in bits so a replica is given to Lorraine, but when she presents this to Richards he is not at all pleased.
He has to risk the trip ashore to retrieve the original box. Up a fire escape, Richards climbs into Kane's flat, and despite the fact that police are watching the place, after a fight he succeeds in running off with the remains of the box.
That sets off a long police chase, with Richards making for his launch at Tower Bridge. Cleverly eluding the cops, he reaches it and sets course for the safety of the three mile limit. But police give chase and by Rotherhithe they are closing, so Richards leaps ashore, still clutching his box, and is pursued round the docks until cornered, "you can stop running, Mr Richards."
Louise is now safe home. Those diamonds are discovered in the lid of the paint box, you'd have thought Kane would have had the brains to think of that one!

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Kidnap Story aka The Boxer
Joey Reardon (Lee Patterson) is in London for a big boxing match. But his wife Helen (Lisa Gastoni) is kidnapped. She'll come to no harm as long as he throws the fight. "Kidnapping is almost unheard of in England," Kane informs us, but this is a rare case. Wisely Reardon informs the US Embassy and they point him in Martin Kane's direction. In turn, he does call in Scotland Yard, Supt Page, who promises absolute secrecy.
Reardon's boxing contacts are checked out and his phone tapped. "It takes time to trace a call," (unlike these days) and preparations are made to do this as efficiently as possible. At 4pm a call comes through, the message repeating the same instructions to Reardon. This call is traced to a phone booth, but of course it is long deserted. No clues can be found at all.
Dominic, his manager, realises he is in no condition to fight properly.
Mrs Reardon is still a prisoner, the boss of the gang is Anders (Leonard Sachs), who is placing bets on the match all over the continent. His ally Hollis (Kenneth Griffith) is getting jumpy and allows her to phone her husband to tell him she's OK.
This call is taped, and a strange background noise is picked up, a kind of whining. Analysing it, Kane surmises it is a jet engine. The most likely address is Stanley Aircraft Works so police swoop on the area, sealing off a street.
The boss is caught as he attempts to sneak away, his voice bretraying the fact that he had made one of the phone calls. Hollis tries to get away using Mrs Reardon as a hostage, but Kane sneaks up on him, and in order to get away has to let her go. After a chase Hollis too is arrested.
At the fight, Joey delivers a KO in the second round
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The Brother Story

In a burned our bungalow is found a bracelet with the name O'Hara. He is an American, who engages Martin Kane to investigate newspaper reports from Munich claiming that his brother was a Nazi collaborator.
Kane starts by talking to his wife Ginny (Patricia Laffan) who is not very forthcoming, and to Inspector Page, who agrees to talk to her further. Then Kane flies to Bavaria to talk to Inspector Kruger (Walter Gotell), who promises to cooperate. Next interview is with the newspaper editor (Guy Deghy) who had published the accusation. Kane is approached by Obermann (Ferdy Mayne) who splutters out the truth about O'Hara's past, "you have got your story now."
Kane tails him to his apartment, only to find Obermann dead, on the corpse is found a map marking where Nazi loot had been hidden. With Kruger, Kane goes high into the Bavarian mountains, to an impressive castle, following O'Hara who leads them to the loot, hidden behind a rather poorly constructed wall. O'Hara runs off when he is spotted, and Kruger and Kane pursue him for a final chase

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Railroad Story
script by Brian Clemens (as Tony O'Grady).
The title is not very appropriate, since the story is about a swindle involving hospital drugs.

Ray Dilling (Walter Gotell), a director of Anglo Canadian Chemicals sabotages his own firm by replacing a batch of drugs with a lethal chemical.
Another director, Bill Wright Jr, calls in Martin Kane who tries "a long shot," bugging the factory.
Playing over the tapes, Kane hears a voice which Wright identifies as Dilling's, directing an employee to doctor Assignment K7. At the rail depot, Supt Page catches the gang of three tampering with K7 and they are arrested.
A ten year old girl is the latest victim of being given the wrong drug, and proof has to be found to convict Dilling.
So Kane joins the firm and in a rehearsed scene is questioned by Supt Page over a crime. Dilling kindly gives Kane a false alibi, in return for which Kane is asked to deliver a package to Paris. It contains banknotes. Kane delivers it to M Bouzanne who is a legitimate stockbroker.
Gilling's plan becomes evident. He's out to create a scandal to force the company shares down, so he can buy them cheaply. But with the little girl set to recover, it looks as though shares won't be falling.
Another tape reveals Dilling has become desperate. He is going to the hospital to kill the girl! Supt Page and Kane arrive just as he's about to inject her. Dilling runs off, there's a chase through the streets and on to Tower Bridge, where Dilling is cornered. "Case all wrapped up"

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32 Race to the Finish

A lesson on the evils of gambling.
The Sport of Kings... and Crooks, like Brandon Hall (Peter Illing) and Max Laymer (John Harvey). One of their sucker clients is John Parker (Gaylord Cavallaro), a US businessman who starts betting beyond his means. £200 on Lillywhite. "He's almost at rock bottom," so Laymer helps him on his way. He provides a hot tip for Parker, Saucy Sue, but Parker just hasn't enough cash. Why not 'borrow' it from his firm? When the sure snip fails to come in, John is easy blackmail material.
His boss but also his friend, Forrester, suspecting embezzlement, calls in Martin Kane, who having questioned some touts, has picked up on Parker's heavy betting habit. But Mrs Parker (Ann Sears) knows nothing of her husband's dilemma. Checking on Parker's business contacts, it seems the Ashton Machinery Company are still awaiting goods ordered through Parker.
Reluctantly, Forrester accepts Kane's report and they agree to call in the discreet aid of Supt Page. Parker is arrested and does confess, for he had wanted to break from Hall and Laymer. To redeem himself, Parker agrees to play along in an entrapment.
At the race course, Page and Kane watch as Parker makes a rendezvous with the crooks, passing them the £1,000 blackmail money that will allegedly free Parker. Of course they demand more, but Supt Page swoops. However Hall draws a gun and takes Parker hostage. The crooks get away but the tick tack men relay a message that they have made for the Owners' Parking Lot. Here, amid the shooting, Parker grabs Laymer and Kane jumps on Hall from behind. Thanks to his valuable assistance, "the future didn't look too dark" for John Parker

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INSPECTOR MORLEY (LATE OF SCOTLAND YARD) INVESTIGATES
(
Many thanks to Jean- Michel for his painstaking research into this series which was definitely shown on American television. However the series was never screened on British tv.)
Produced in 1952 by Ambassador Film Productions Ltd.
Shot at Bushey Film Studios. Producer: Gilbert Church. Director of all episodes: Victor M Gover. Screenplays: John Gilling. Director of photography: S.D. Onions. Art director: Don Chaffey. Editor: Helen Wiggins. Special music composed by W.L. Trytel. Assistant Director: John Workman. MKP: Harry Webber. Continuity: Gladys Reeve. Sound recordist: Peter Birch (GVI Recording).

Surviving stories (if you have #4, #6,#8, #11, I'll be glad to hear from you):
1
Scarlet Letter
2 The Case of the Green Eye
3 The Case of the Wise Monkeys
5 The Red Flame
7 Murder at Scotland Yard
9 Reilly at Bay
10 Dark Passage
12 Death at the Festival (cinema release as Murder at the Grange)
13 Showdown

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Details of the 13 stories made:
Notes: The 3 first episodes were released as a feature, KING OF THE UNDERWORLD, released in 1952. Episodes 7, 8 and 9 released as the feature MURDER AT SCOTLAND YARD in 1954. Episode 13 released as a featurette (BBC tv screened it this century, Talking Pictures TV first showed it in 2016).

1 SCARLET LETTER
The title of this first episode is according to an old US television magazine.
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter (Morley's secretary)
Len Sharp.......................... Mr. Mullins
John Morley, late of Scotland Yard, is approached by a married woman who is being blackmailed by a crook for compromising letters (this society woman has committed an indiscretion). Morley soon discovers that the extortionist is Terence Reilly, homicidal King of the Underworld, and his arch enemy.

2 The Case OF THE GREEN EYE
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Ingeborg Wells.................. Marie Stewart, alias Joyce Winters, alias Coleen Fenton
David Davies..................... George
Anne Valerie (Valery).......... Susan
A woman is kidnapped to obtain a valuable emerald as a ransom. Of course, Terence Reilly is the real culprit, helped by his accomplice Marie who was the maid of the victim. Spike, a member of the gang, tries to blackmail Reilly but is killed by the arch-criminal. Inspector Morley witnessed the murder. Disguised with a beard he infiltrates the gang and unmasks the woman's husband as one of Reilly's accomplices.

3 The Case OF THE WISE MONKEYS
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Frank Hawkins................... Insp. Cranshaw
An old scientist visits Morley and tells him that his young assistant has disappeared. Reilly murders the scientist to secure his secret formula, for sale it to foreign powers. Eileen Trotter, Morley's secretary, is kidnapped but Morley saves her from an acid bath in the nick of time. But Reilly escapes the police... (note: in the "feature" version, this is immediately followed by a conclusion where Morley tells us that Reilly was finally seized and hanged for his crimes.)

4 SILENT WITNESS
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Tom Macaulay................... Insp. Grant
Clifford Buckton
Hilda Barry
Erik Chitty

5 THE RED FLAME
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Tom Macaulay................... Insp. Grant
Dorothy Bramhall.............. Maria Flame
Arthur Howard.............. Theatrical Costumier
A gang of car thieves is at large in London; during their latest raid, a young motor mechanic was critically injured, prompting police to step up efforts to apprehend them. Head of the gang is Maria Flame, alias The Red Flame, a former pickpocket's assistant whom Terence Reilly had helped to transform into a major-league criminal. Following his escape from prison one week earlier, Reilly is hiding out with Maria, blackmailing her to give him £10,000 in exchange for not exposing her to the police. Morley – who has already identified one of the car thieves as Phelps, a known associate of Riley's from the 'Green Eye' case – responds to an enigmatic classified advert placed by Maria, offering 'profit' to a 'young man in search of adventure.' He goes to meet her disguised with a false beard as a Frenchman named Pierre. She offers him £1000 to kill Reilly, but the latter subsequently sneaks back into Maria's flat, leading to a struggle at the end of which both Reilly and Flame are arrested.

6 ROUGH JUSTICE
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Rita Birkett....................... Pauline

7 MURDER AT SCOTLAND YARD
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Tom Macaulay................... Insp. Grant
Michael Moore................. Fred Carstairs
Dorothy Bramhall............. Maria Flame
T. Nichols......................... policeman
Verne Morgan
Cyril Conway
Terence Reilly, gang leader, determines to liquidate his arch enemies, Fred Carstairs of the Yard and Inspector Morley, private investigator, both of whom are hot on his trail. Reilly conceives the idea of anonymously presenting them both with a radio set which will explode and kill them. His plan works so far as Carstairs is concerned, but misfires in the Case of Morley. The shop where the sets were purchased is located, and after a number of exciting adventures Reilly and his accomplice Maria Flame are tracked down and arrested.

8 FALSE ALIBI
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Dorothy Bramhall.............. Mrs Lester (Maria Flame's sister)
Joss Ambler...................... Lester
Patrick Boxill.................... Spud
Louise Grainger................ Miss Wilson
Brenda Bauell.................. secretary
David Davies.................... George
Reilly escapes whilst awaiting trial on a capital charge. Morley and a man named Foxley are the prosecution's chief witnesses. Morley is warned by Inspector Grant of the Yard of his danger, as loyal associates of Reilly are seeking to eliminate the witnesses and Foxley has disappeared. Morley investigates, but Foxley is murdered. Reilly's accomplice who committed the crime is caught, but Reilly is still at large, and in another of his many disguises is now engaged in diamond robberies.

9 REILLY AT BAY
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Tom Macaulay................... Insp. Grant
Roger Delgado.................. George Grayson
Judith Nelmes.................. Mrs. Foxley
Scott Harold..................... Mr. Foxley
Humphrey Kent............... Major Fry
Rita Birkett...................... Pauline
T. Nichols........................ policeman
Stewart Yantan............... Pat Campbell
William Nicke................ policeman
Hugh Gort...................... policeman
Roy Russell

10 DARK PASSAGE
Tod Slaughter....................Terence Reilly / Patrick Reilly (his brother)
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Frank Hawkins................... Inspector Cranshaw
Dorothy Primrose.............. Mrs. Hawkins
Andrew Laurence.............. Penshaw
Ian Fleming....................... police doctor
Carl Lacey......................... Mr. Hawkins
Charles Leno..................... Crossley
Joanna Black..................... waitress
Jill Dunkley....................... telephonist
Walter Horsbrugh............. Brent
Ian Sadler......................... Brown
Jack Midwinter................. policeman

11 MURDER IN THE STRAND
Tod Slaughter.................... Reilly (Terence or Patrick ?)
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Frank Hawkins................... Inspector Cranshaw
Amy Dalby......................... Amelia
Dagmar Wynter................. Angela
Jack Newmark................... Glyn
Sidney Hunt ...................... police clerk
Dennis Cowles.................. Dr. Penn
Cara Stevens..................... secretary
Isobel George................... hairdresser

12 MURDER AT THE GRANGE (shot as DEATH AT THE FESTIVAL)
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Frank Hawkins................... Insp Cranshaw
Grace Denbigh-Russell...... Cynthia Quelch
Margaret Boyd.................. Agatha Quelch
Tod Slaughter................... Patrick Reilly, posing as Clarence Beacham, a butler
Peter Forbes-Robertson... young clerk
George Bishop.................. senior clerk
Pat Neal............................ maid
John Sanger...................... policeman
Ned Lynch........................ sergeant
Pamela Harrington........... Agatha at 19
Tony Spear....................... Richard Parker
John Miller...................... manservant
Note: when they decided to release this short theatrically, in re-making the new credits (after the change of title) they simply forgot to mention Tod Slaughter, the star of the series! The first five names are the only ones credited in this version. The others came from personal seach at the Film Archives of BFI, like most of the credits mentioned for the series.
An involved story of mysterious murders in Victorian family and two elderly spinster sisters, the only remaining members. The murders are thought to be committed by rejected suitor, full of hatred and revenge. Detective Inspector Morley is called to The Grange by Cynthia Quelch who is fearful that she is the next member of the family on the murderer's list. Her sister Agatha, supposedly confined to a wheel chair, is filled with insane hatred for the world, and particularly her family who were responsible for the broken love affair of her youth. When Cynthia is killed, Morley with the help of Scotland Yard's Inspector Cranshaw, finds incriminating evidence damning Agatha who with the help of her manservant has contrived to satisfy her revenge.

13 SHOWDOWN
Tod Slaughter.................... Reilly
Patrick Barr....................... Inspector John Morley
Tucker McGuire................. Eileen Trotter
Frank Hawkins................... Inspector Cranshaw

Many thanks to Jean-Claude Michel for this section. Thanks are also due to Robert J. Kiss for the information about the American broadcast of the series.
To Inspector Morley

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Scarlet Letter
Terence Reilly, currently a Hatton Garden diamond merchant, is "tall, sinister looking, frightening charm." He is blackmailing Lady Sylvia Gray, to hand him the Gray Diamond, in return for her compromising letters. Her only recourse is suicide, but she is rescued from Boulter's Lock.
A few years ago she'd consulted Inspector Morley but fear of scandal forced her not to press charges.That decision was a huge disappointment to Morley who had been trying to catch this master criminal for years, ever since he'd killed a fellow police officer.
Mullins is another crook, acting as a go-between, arranging a deal whereby his boss Alec Trent will buy all the blackmail material for his own criminal purposes. Morley poses as Trent to arrange a face to face meeting with his nemesis.
1 Hatfield Gardens Clapham Park is the empty property where it comes to pass. Morley pins Reilly down but the latter has been shrewd enough not to bring any of the letters with him, so Morley leaves him bound and gagged and taken the keys to Reilly's safe, with no lack of scruple that previously he had shown. However a puncture then a traffic jam delay him and Reilly, who had wriggled free, thwarts Morley's plan, "one of us is just a little smarter than the other." Now it's Morley's turn to be trussed up, "then I'm going to kill you."
Rescue comes in the form of Eileen, Morley's secretary. Posing as an American, name of Trent, she buys those blackmail letters in a nice exchange in which Reilly admires her charms and even decides that in future he might call himself 'Miss Reilly.' Too late Reilly realises he's been tricked, she's paid with counterfeit money! But Reilly has been cunning himself, only handing her duplicates. Morley has freed himself and he snatches the real letters and departs with this promise to Reilly, "I'll follow you to hell," since he can't prosecute him as yet because of the danger of scandal.
Uncredited speaking parts: Lady Sylvia Gray (Katherine Black), Sir Donald Gray, a boy playing football who finds Reilly

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The Green Eye
In her flash sports car CGG240 Susan is held at gunpoint.
Blandford her uncle receives a kidnap note demanding the Green Eye emerald valued at £10,000 for her safe return. He consults Inspector Morley, who advises ignoring the threat for the time being, "she's of more value to them alive than dead."
Marie Stewart, the Blandford maid, she's a convicted criminal associated with Reilly- Morley is quickly on to that! Eileen Trotter is deputed by Morley to watch Reilly's Hatton Garden office, while Morley blames Blandford, who has gone against his advice and handed over the emerald. However Susan has not been released.
In fact she cannot be released since old lag Spike, in a fit of drunkenness has told Susan that Reilly is her kidnapper. Reilly orders Spike to dispose of her. But in one of those improbable coincidences, Morley happens to have seen Spike in the street and "curiosity" makes him follow the crook to the house where his boss George is holding Susan. Spike is paid off and of course spends his ill gotten gains in a pub. He staggers to Reilly's office to demand the Green Eye, the pair fight and Spike is stabbed to death.
A man called Archie, Morley with a thick beard, approaches Reilly offering to bump Morley off as well as the girl. In fact the simple plot becomes more elaborate as the inspector uses his chance to expose the mastermind behind the kidnap. He kindly explains to the gang the errors they always make, "simple deduction" solved this case. It's a neatly done finish though regrettably Reilly must have penetrated Morley's disguise and "the old fox got away again."
Uncredited speaking parts: Blandford, Spike Mulligan

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The Case of the Wise Monkeys

Scene 1 shows Inspector Morley waiting with Inspector Cranshaw. The former relates how this case had begun.
Scientist John Harrison had approached him two weeks ago. His new discovery is XYQ, but he is worried as his assistant Paul Roger has disappeared, and so have elements of his formula.
Morley's secretary Eileen Trotter had found out that a typewritten note from the crooks was executed on a Derwent Portable Mk II. Now crooked diamond merchant Terence Reilly had purchased such a machine, though when she asks him, he denies it.
Reilly is up to his old tricks, strangling Harrison in order to search his home for the rest of the formula.
Eileen is in danger too. Walking along a street to work, Reilly kidnaps her, bundling her away in his car.
A stranger calls at Reilly's office, pretty obvious it's Morley with a moustache and beard and glasses, but Reilly is slow on the uptake. The stranger wants to buy a diamond, and admires the ring Reilly is wearing. Now its shape matches exactly the indentation in the dead professor's neck. Too late Reilly works out who this stranger is.
In a typical Tod Slaughter scene, with several wonderfully corny lines, the crook attempts to make a deal with Morley, "clever Morley, but not quite clever enough." Eileen Trotter is offered in exchange for the damning evidence of the ring that Morley has got. No, responds the inspector. "Then Miss Trotter will trot no more."
Roger has approached Reilly, £5,000 for the formula. Morley chases him across a bombsite but loses him when Roger grabs a car. Morley hails a taxi, but it's too late.
That brings us back to the opening scene. Hoping for Eileen's release, and for news that Roger's car is spotted. It is, and Roger is tailed to a warehouse.
In another typical Slaughter scene showing him at his nasty best, Reilly has concocted a bath of nitric acid for Eileen's benefit. When Roger joins Reilly at the warehouse, the Yard swoop and Roger is under arrest. Reilly however, tips the bath over to cut off pursuit, and exits a free man. But Inspector Cranshaw doesn't seem bothered, "Reilly won't get far."

For the ending of the tv story- Reilly remains a free man.

The feature length film has one final scene to round it off. Reilly is caught and on the prison notice board, a note as to his time of execution is posted.
Inspector Morley concludes with a mini sermon.
Uncredited speaking parts: John Harrison, the scientist, The assistant in the typewriter shop, Paul Roger

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The Red Flame
A string of cars have been stolen, the latest being KUC450 from the Circle Car Mart, Western Avenue, where a mechanic is coshed, winding up in hospital. Is there any connection with the fact that Terence Reilly had escaped prison the week previously? "The heat's on."
Reilly is hiding out at the flat of his prodigy Maria Flame, she who had been taught all she knows about crime from the master, "your beauty finished the job." So she owes him one, £10,000 to be more precise to help him. She's got the cash, from the proceeds of all these car robberies, for it is she who is the brains behind this gang. However she is reluctant to hand him all that cash. "Oh frailty, thy name is woman," laments Reilly. "Oh shut up" is her more unpoetic response.
Inspector Morley recognises one of the car thieves as Phelps, an associate of Reilly on the Green Eye case. According to Inspector Grant of the Yard, Reilly has been seen in Paris, but Morley is convinced that this proves he's still in London.
The car of a Dr Simpson is stolen, a note warns him off telling the police. But he does consult Morley, who smells the exclusive Parisian perfume on the notepaper.
Morley buys a beard from a theatrical costumier, then makes his way to Maria Flame's flat. She has been advertising for someone in search of adventure. After Maria meets the bearded Pierre, it transpires the job, for £1,000, is to kill "someone who has been annoying me." You can guess who.
Phelps is assigned to tail Pierre, just to make sure he doesn't renege on the deal. But Morley outwits him and has him arrested.
The final drama. In the best Tod Slaughter manner, Reilly ascends the fire escape to Maria's flat. "You shall pay for this," her double cross that is. Enter Pierre with a gun. A struggle, as Maria watches on. Then the police burst in and arrest Reilly
Uncredited speaking parts: A thief called Phelps. A garage mechanic. A police constable. A radio announcer. A theatrical costumier (Arthur Howard). Dr Simpson
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Murder at Scotland Yard
Reilly has escaped from prison! He's somewhere in Soho.
At Scotland Yard, Inspector Carstairs stupidly opens a package, a radio "from an old admirer." The tension builds well, for we can guess, even if Carstairs can't, what's going to occur.
"Get the doctor!" Too late. "Murder by radio," gloats Reilly, and a double one too he hopes, for Inspector Morley has been sent an identical present.
His secretary, Miss Eileen Trotter unpacks it, but since it needs a plug- stupid mistake by Reilly- she cannot switch it on. A kind window cleaner does the job for her, "there we are." But by now Miss Trotter has left the office to meet her boss at Piccadilly Circus.
He has been with Inspector Grant at the Yard sifting through the rubble in the late Carstairs' office. A photo of Maria Flame is mysteriously intact, "slippery as an eel." The radio is traced to a "store" in Wood Green run by Miss Elaine Wilson.
The window cleaner is plugging in the radio when Morley returns, he switches off the sweet music in a haste, then defuses the bomb.
Miss Trotter has been delegated to watch the radio shop, but she is kidnapped. Reilly devises another fiendish plot to dispose of his enemy. "I'm going to settle with that gentleman once for all. It's either Morley or me."
The pair meet face to face in the radio shop. They fight but Morley is shot by Reilly's accomplice and dragged away into a car thence to Reilly's hideout. Here, Miss Trotter has managed to get away, "stand still Reilly," she shouts, and so Reilly and Maria Flame are recaptured

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Reilly at Bay
Terence Reilly is finally behind bars- again! But Eileen is sure she has recently seen him in Trafalgar Square!
She informs her boss, Morley, who has just interrupted an intruder in his office. He is arrested. Neither Morley nor Inspector Grant believe that Eileen could have seen Reilly, but just to make sure, Grant checks with the prison governor, "of course he hasn't escaped!"
It is clear that Reilly's gang are intent on silencing all witnesses who will be testifying against Reilly at his trial. Albert Foxley is one, but he has disappeared. According to his wife, he went off in a blue car with a stranger. In fact his corpse is found dumped in Reily's own car! Inspector Grant tracks down the blue car, it had been stolen from a Major Fry, in whose garage Morley discovers a clue, an unusual comb. The major doesn't recognise it, and Eileen traces this to a woman she sees with Reilly himself. She follows the girl, Pauline.
Grant questions Mrs Foxley about her husband's extra cash he had earned. In a flashback we see how she learned he was being blackmailed into working for the gang. Mrs Foxley is given protection.
Eileen's vision of Reilly is explained. She takes Patrick, Reilly's brother, to meet Morley. "Terence was "always the black sheep."

Cars: RWL729 Inspector Morley. KUU7 Pauline. BUL909 taxi

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Dark Passage
John Hawkins phones Inspector Morley for help, but is shot dead immediately, another caught by blackmail, "typical Reilly victims."
With Insp Cranshaw, Morley visits Hawkins' address in Kilburn. Blackmail letters are found before they are interrupted by a woman in tears, she's Mrs Hawkins, "I never liked Reilly," she tells them.
Terence Reilly is still in jail, awaiting trial. But his brother Patrick is behind this, "I got it all figured out," the killer informs Reilly, he will pin the murder on to Roland Brown, who had been convicted of a jewel robbery four years ago and was released last month. Terence corresponds with his brother via coded letters.
Morley poses as Hawkins, and says he cannot pay the blackmail demand. Mrs Hawkins is advertising for a maid, and Eileen is persuaded to apply. She witneses Mrs Hawkins leave the house in a car driven by a man. Their destination turns out to be Patrick Reilly's house.
Morley interviews Brown, who now works at a garage.
Cranshaw learns that Mrs Hawkins had recently split with her late husband. He also speaks with Reilly in jail, who is too much on his guard to reveal anything incriminating.
Morley talks with the widow about her relationship with Reilly, but they are interrupted by the killer, who conveniently reveals the whole plot. He is about to bump off Morley, but the police arrive, not as late as they usually are, in time to round the gang up

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Death at the Festival (Murder at The Grange)
Phone call for Morley from a Miss Cynthia Quelch of The Grange, Princes Risborough. In his Morris Minor, the detective drives down from London, to discuss Miss Quelch's problem. Before Morley even talks to her he knows what it is, for the door is opened by the butler none other than Morley's old nemesis Reilly, last seen running a marriage bureau.
He ushers Morley in, Cynthia explains her invalid sister Agatha is her worry. The events go back fifty years to when a Richard Parker had wanted to marry her, but their father had not consented because Richard's father was in prison. Parker had sworn revenge on the Quelch family, ten years later Mr Quelch had died in mysterious circumstances. A long gap before last year, at the Festival of Britain (hence the original title of the story), their only brother Roger had died. Find Parker, Cynthia begs. Morley's initial advice is sack Clarence the butler, alias Reilly. But that is impossible, according to Agatha, so just what is he up to here?
Inspector Cranshaw learns from the American police that Parker had died in 1910, the valet and chief suspect was never traced. Now Patrick Reilly was known to be in the USA about then.
To protect the two surviving sisters, Morley stays at The Grange. He discovers love letters from Parker to Agatha. "It must be Reilly," he decides. But when Cynthia takes her afternoon rest, she is strangled in her locked room. How did the killer get in? Cynthia's cup of milk is still warm, suggesting she had only just died.
Inspector Cranshaw warns, "keep an eye on the butler." A smart piece of detective work proves just how Cynthia was murdered, and evidence helpfully points the police to the actual killer.
The evil exposed, a dagger is improbably drawn, but it's not long before arrests are made. But can anything be proved against Reilly? The detectives end by mulling over the case
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Showdown
In jail, Terence Reilly is awaiting sentence. Brother Patrick is being taken away by train to prison. But he jumps off and escapes.
An anonymous call tips off where Patrick is hiding out. Secretary Eileen takes this call for Morley, and as her boss is out, she goes alone to the address, and finds herself at a seance. A voice materialises, that of Cynthia Quelch (see #12). However as an antagonistic spirit prevents her from saying more, the lights are switched out. The inevitable follows, screams and death! The medium has been strangled with a stocking.
Inspector Cranshaw questions the three others at the session, Mrs Corbett, Mr Earle and Mr Blair. It turns out that the dead woman was sister to John Fraser, whom Reilly had earlier murdered. Morley soon discovers a hidden mike, and works out that the maid had voiced Cynthia. The maid has now flown!
Mrs Corbett is also strangled with a stocking- it's a type sold at the market stall run by Blair. The missing maid shows up at Mrs Corbett's flat and reveals the truth. Then in walks Blair. Where's Reilly? He's gone to the docks to board a ship. He is re-arrested.
Morley addresses the camera to finish with a moral. The story meanders, with the search for Reilly peripheral. Tod Slaughter himself is hardly seen, and the door is left open whether the evil brothers will ever elude justice yet again. But the series never did do well enough to make that possibility come to fruition

Other speaking parts: Warder. Guard on train. Mme Defargot. Her maid. Mrs Corbett. Leslie Earle. Quentin Blair. Sergeant. Police doctor. Landlady. Photographer
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Crime Club
Towers of London started at the end of June 1959 on this proposed series of one-off stories that hoped to repeat the success of Towers' earlier successful radio series of this name.

The first of the series to be made was Invitation to Murder.
The director was Robert Lynn, the writer Joel Murcott. Robert Beatty starred as Michael Steel, Ernest Thesiger as Sadouris Andrade, Lisa Daniely as Joan, and Douglas Wilmer as Insp Marquand. Others in the cast were Catherine Feller, John Howlett, Bud Knapp, Denis Shaw, Guy Kingsley Poynter, Keith Pyott, Tony Thawnton and Olga Dickie. A bed ridden eccentric leaves his money to the last beneficiary to survive him: one of his two grand-daughters, or his lawyer, his secretary or his nurse. A private eye (Robert Beatty) vies with the police to solve the crimes. This story was not well received by St John Roberts, who wrote after seeing it, "a very heavy handed drama which was supposed to look like one of those creepy French thrillers... We had a millionaire who proposes to leave a will naming five beneficiaries. Each is to receive a hundred dollars a week, though the bulk of the estate would go to to the remaining survivor... the drama was laid on so heavily with a trowel that if it was meant to be taken seriously, I apologise for laughing though I feel I can be excused for smiling at dialogue like this. Millionaire to inquisitive private eye: 'The last time we met you cost me a couple of oil wells.' 'Well, well...' It is obvious that the play was written for the title because the simplest thing the millionaire to do- if he felt so passionately about his youngest daughter- was to leave all the cash to her anyway and save himself the trouble of going to such lengths to eliminate the others."

The first story in production had been planned as
You'll Never See Me Again.
Script: Cornell Woolrich, adapted for TV by Joel Murcott. Director: Ted Post.
My review: Jim Mason (Ben Gazzara) is an architect, his work affected as Molly his wife has left him for mother. But when he phones her there, he's told she hasn't been there. Worried, Jim consults Inspector Stillman (a laid back Leo Genn). His wife's last words, he says, were the ominous, you'll never see me again.
In his sports car EXL367, Jim drives with his friend Bob to Danby Warwickshire, where her family live- he's never met Molly's mother or her stepfather Joe. "I don't understand," snaps Jim at them, when they claim his wife had written several times saying she was unhappy.
Inspector Stillman becomes suspicious when all of Molly's possessions that Jim said she had packed and taken with her are found in their St Albans' home. Jim's on the point of being arrested, so he locks the police in his cellar and drives off fast. He's chased - by the usual police car XPC898- and avoids a road block, then he learns Molly had boarded the bus for Warwickshire, she must have gone to her parents.
His architectural skills prove useful in locating a dummy wall in the house, the inspector steps in to complete the demolition of the wall, and sure enough there is a corpse. However it is not Molly's! "She must be with them," surmises Jim, but where are her parents? In fact they have gone south to Jim's home where Joe is digging up the cellar to plant Molly's corpse there. It's a bit of a cheat, since we had seen the bottom half of the murderer- and it was certainly not Joe's shape! Police arrive in time to stop the frame-up. The first body was that of Molly's real mother, as the whole evil plan is exposed in this neat little thriller

As far as I can ascertain these two films were all that were made in this Crime Club series, and rather improbably they were screened in the 'Summer Armchair Theatre' slot in August 1959. Presumably the project was abandoned. In 1963 ABC did repeat the films under the banner 'Crime Club.'
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Crime/ Adventure series live/ on videotape
My reviews of some of the survivors:

Dixon of Dock Green Spy-Catcher Maigret Z Cars Softly Softly Call The Gun Expert Detective Sherlock Holmes The Spies Jury Room
Adam Adamant The Expert Cluff Boyd QC No Hiding Place Riviera Police Crane Blackmail The Rat Catchers The Hidden Truth
Shadow Squad On Trial It's Dark Outside Mr Rose The Man in Room 17 The Corridor People Sergeant Cork Police Surgeon The Protectors Redcap
BBC Crime Serials Colour code used above: BBC . . . A-R . . ABC . . . ATV . . .Granada
Sadly, stories screened 'live' have been lost in the ether, while too many 'taped' stories were wilfully destroyed by philistines, some of whom should have known better, like David Attenborough at the BBC, who, while enthusiastically ensuring wildlife didn't become extinct, oversaw the destruction of some of BBC television's endangered series.
We must be thankful that Granada, in particular, had a much more responsible attitude to their archive, and kept such quirky series as The Odd Man, and The Corridor People.
ATV's zeal for earning their fortune in the export market, has ensured that some of their studio based series like Sergeant Cork, also survived in some corner of a foreign field, now thankfully, if that's the word, reissued on dvd.
The BBC have sorted out that part of their archive that wasn't annihilated, and we can utter a sigh of relief that those days of wilful tape destruction will never return.

Picture Question: have a go at identifying this series answer

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BBC Crime Serials

Quatermass (1953-8)

A Game of Murder (1966)

Take A Pair of Private Eyes (1966) - picture

Quick Before They Catch Us- The Tungsten Ring part 1

Bat Out Of Hell (1966)

Ransom For A Pretty Girl (1966)

Death is a Good Living (1966)

The Dark Number (1966/7)

The Big M (1967)

This Way For Murder (1967)

Crime Tape menu see also BBC Classic Serials menu

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Ransom for a Pretty Girl (September 1966, BBC2)

In the last analysis, this is a chase round Scotland, a poor man's 39 Steps, the two pursued are sympathetic enough, though confusing are the several subplots woven around the kidnap story. The theme music using bagpipes is an acquired taste, even if I suppose it's authentic.
James Cosmo starred as Charlie, with Nike Arrighi as Princess Nadia.

The opening episode I haven't been able to see, but it sets the scene: Arriving in Glasgow by air is a powerful Family, at its head The Baron, a proto-godfather, whose granddaughter Nadia is abducted from their hotel by one of two gangs, one from London, another local. Someone in the Family is behind the plot.

Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

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Part 2
In a river a dog sniffs out a body- but it proves to be a dummy!
Jacques makes the introductions for Inspector MacRoberts. He meets Paul, and Sophia the estranged parents, the former blaming his ex-wife and her boyfriend Colonel Caron for allowing Nadia to be kidnapped.
The kidnappers are shouting among themselves over what to do with Nadia, while Nadia confides in one of them, Charlie, "they were going to kill me." They phone, demanding £250,00 but Paul refuses to pay up.
An alleged witness to the kidnap comes forward, Burroughs. He claims to have seen Nadia driven away in a white sports car. However in fact he is one of the gang, in league with Paul.
Charlie has rather fallen for Nadia, who admits that she doesn't really want to return to her family, "my parents, they want to kill me!" It's for her money. The Colonel pays the gang to release Nadia into his control, but once he learns her whereabouts, he coldbloodedly shoots the gang's messenger. Sensing the danger, Charlie doesn't hand Nadia over to the Colonel, instead drives her away to safety

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Part 3
Inspector MacRoberts questions the Family about the dummy which looked "very much like the princess."
"I don't want anyone to find me," Nadia insists to Charlie. Only her grandfather will she go to. The pair are hiding in an empty cottage, but Caron's men are closing in. Fearing discovery, Charlie and Nadia drive away.
Paul and Sophia are for ever arguing about their missing daughter. Sophia has been told by her lover Caron that their scheme had gone awry, but she has lost faith in him. "Bring her back immediately," she orders.
As they flee, Charlie stops to help a tinker whose caravan has got stuck. Nadia gets talking with the man's wife, and sees a chance to swap her expensive clothes for a less noticeable outfit. Though the wife is happy with the bargain, it proves to be a disaster. For when Charlie and Nadia see her next, she has been shot dead. They have ditched their campervan, and thumbed a lift from a motorist

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Part 4
Police return Nadia's clothing, found on the dead woman, to Sophia.
The man giving Charlie and Nadia a lift realises who they are, and phones the police. So the couple drive hastily away in his van, "where to now?" Destination- a castle.
The Baron has flown from Athens into Glasgow, on news of the kidnap. The Family gather to hear his instructions. "Find her."
Charlie phones his brother Bobby, another of the kidnappers, for some much needed cash. "If you get caught with that girl, you'll be inside for ever," is Bobby's stark warning. However he agrees to send money to a post office in Argyll.
The Colonel offers Burroughs a necklace worth £100,000 if he hand over Nadia, but the latter says he doesn't know where she is," the Scots boys have got her." He learns from Bobby the vicinity where she is in hiding.
The Baron disinherits son Paul, holding him responsible for Nadia's disappearance. "She is my sole heir," he announces. Inspector MacRoberts finds the necklace on Burrough's person, and Jacques identifies it as the possession of Sophia.
Charlie collects the cash that his brother has posted, but returning to the castle, he finds that Nadia has disappeared (again)

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Part 5
The colonel tells Inspector MacRoberts that he had been in the process of selling the necklace, using Burroughs as intermediary.
Where is Nadia? Charlie strikes a deal with the shadowy Mr Passenger to find her- she is kept prisoner by the colonel. Charlie is shown the place and through iron bars Charlie is able to communicate with Nadia. She is suspicious of Passenger's intentions.
MacRoberts brings in for questioning Burroughs and Charlie's brother Bobby, but he cannot hold them. Sophia enlightens the inspector of their planned doublecross, since she is very anxious about Nadia's safety. and informs him where the prisoner is held.
That night, Charlie commences his rescue attempt, trying with a crowbar to bend the bars of the room where Nadia is trapped

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Part 6

After a long struggle, Charlie manages to loose one of the bars and Nadia squeezes out, though at her insistence, they do not go to Passenger. Too late, Sophie arrives. A shootout. Back at the hotel, the corpse of the colonel is discoovered.
Charlie and Nadia are in hiding once more. But they see Passenger searching, and flee in a borrowed Land Rover.
Passengfer is joined by Jacques, who is now revealed as the mastermind behind the kidnap. They root out Charlie, Passenger shoots him, "run for it," he beseeches Nadia. The wounded Charlie follows her as best he can, but Passenger again shoots at him, "you've killed him!" Next for the chop is Jacques, but Charlie ain't quite a gonner, and he somehow survives.
The Baron is dead. Thus Princess Nadia inherits his fortune. As for Charlie, he is, naturally with her- as her chauffeur

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Quick Before They Catch Us (1966)
with David Griffin as Mark, Pamela Franklin as Kate, and Teddy Green as Johnny.
The Tungsten Ring -1
Corpse lying in road by a car. A man stops to investigate and is attacked, contents of his van nicked. It's a security van full of coffins.
Mark happens to photo the crooks at their factory and makes "a run for it." In the cafe, he is telling Kate about it when a "yobbo" takes a strong interest in his camera. "What was all that about?" He is ejected and Johnny helps develop the film with Mark, Katie watching on. However Don ruins things by entering the darkroom- is he in league with the yobbo?
Ferrars (Frank Williams) and Venner (Leonard Sachs) have a secret process for developing methane. In their coffins are boxes containing two substances, which if mixed together- Boom!
Kate goes to the factory to see the lie of the land, she radios to her friends what she sees, "Mr Fat and Mr Thin." But unfortunately she is spotted. "You were spying on us," says Venner, who sends her back to the others with a warning. Liquid oxygen.
Mark has managed to get a photo however and it shows a live man in a coffin. Why? Johnny volunteers to go and find out more. The coffin is now on the ship Eureka, but after a fight Johnny is shoved overboard. On their video link, his friends watch in horror. End of part 1 (only survving ep)

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The Big M

A 1967 six part thriller serial, on Francis Durbridge lines, without quite the intrigue. Nevertheless, Michael Bryant gave a sympathetic portrayal of the private eye Johnny Treherne, who inherited his father's sleuthing business, but hasn't the inclination to succeed in it, hence the series title, The Big M(anyana).

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

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Jury Room (1966)
5 The Lady and the Axe
with Bridget Turner as Lizzie Borden, and Robert Beatty.

In 1892 Lizzie Borden pleads Not Guilty to charges of murdering her father and stepmother. The DA (Robert Beatty) outlines the facts, and while the defence counsel (Glyn Edwards) sums up, one juror Dodds (John Ringham) sings to himself the song commemorating Lizzie's alleged deed.
The jury retire, the foreman Floyd (James Maxwell) proposes an initial vote, while we hear the case against Lizzie and the judge's summary. Nine of the twelve vote Not Guilty. But Floyd insists the evidence against her is strong, as we recap the trial. Bridget the maid had found the corpse of Mrs Borden, and Lizzie's contradictory statements are read out. Damning is the fact that she later burned one of her dresses- was this to hide bloodstains? A possible murder weapon, an axe, had been found, but several other possible axes are also in evidence. An overheard conversation between Lizzie and her sister Emma seems to point to her guilt. "Murder begets murder," and she had proceeded to kill her own father since he knew the truth.
Another vote, but now only one votes Guilty. Dodds suggests that Bridget could equally well be the killer, though the evidence is inconclusive. The jury deliver their verdict.
We never hear much from Lizzie herself. It's a well presented drama, with very sparse sets
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Spy-Catcher (1959-1961)
"True stories of the unceasing search for enemy spies in wartime Britain." Bernard Archard gives a memorable performance as Lt Col Oreste Pinto of Allied Counter Intelligence.

1.2 Three from Spain
1.3 Friend or Foe?
1.5 I Know Your Face
1.6 Louise
2.1 Double Agent
2.2 VIP
2.3 Like Father Like Son
2.4 Game Set and Match
2.5 Never Say Die
2.6 The Absent Friend
2.7 Infernal Triangle
3.2 Photograph

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Three From Spain

Stories of men who had escaped from Belgium and got as far as technically neutral Spain. Firstly, lawyer Hans Helvig (Brian Nissen) tells his story to Pinto, "you're a good liar." His possessions are searched. This case fades away.
A second person is Eugene Zimnmermanns (Barry Letts), a sailor who had reached Barcelona, where he had been put in jail. Thanks to the Belgian consul, he had obtained his release. However in his wallet are tools of the spy trade, invisible ink. Zimmermanns claims this wallet had been passed to him by a Communist in the prison.
The third man Jules Veraerts has swum to Gibraltar, and from there had been taken to Lisbon, thence to Britain. "I doubt your story," Pinto tells him. Impossible to swim in the Med with a heavy pack that distance. Pinto challenges him to prove his story by swimming round a pool with a heavy pack, "I'll take that test." On film we see Jules enter the pool and start to swim.
Zimmermanns is ordered to repeat his story to Pinto, to see if he contradicts himself. Then Pinto humiliatingly proves to him how the Germans had poorly briefed him, a mere Belgian they could not be bothered to properly train.
Jules successfully completes his long swim. Zimmermanns however is convicted and hanged as a spy

Spy-catcher

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Friend of Foe?
"The most difficult case." Anton Poelhof had planned the escape of fourteen men out of Holland, but bad weather had forced their return and they had been captured. But when they were released a second escape is successful.
Pinto makes inquiries in this Poelhof, who is working as a food distributor in Rotterdam. Chosen by the enemy, he even drives a German car. Pinto informs his superior of what he has discovered, revealing Poelhof is not liked by any of the 87 men he has helped escape.
Then three weeks before DDay, Poelhof himself reaches England, to be interrogated by Pinto, who has eight questions that need answering. Such as, why is he disliked, why had the men who were captured been released? His own escape sounds, to Pinto, very fortuitous, why hadn't the enemy stopped him, "a put-up job?" Poelhof offers straightforward answers, claiming he desires to return to Holland to continue his work. "You're not going back," retorts Pinto, who cannot be sure of the man's bona fides. After four days of questioning, Pinto confines him to England, to undertake adninistrative work.
In April 1945, Pinto finds himself in Holland, and among abandoned Nazi files, finds reference to Poelhof. It seems he had joined the OSS and returned to Holland. A month later Pinto catches up with Poelhof. "I wanted to be in the war," is his excuse for leaving Britain. He describes his work in the OSS, "did I betray anyone?" "I did my best."
Pinto concludes, "in your kind of war, you get very little thanks"

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Louise
"A perplexing story" of Louise van Geran (Miranda Connell) who had been convicted in 1940 by the Nazis of possessing drawings of an airfield. In prison, she reads Mein Kampf and becomes "a convert", and is so highly thought of, that she is allowed to return to her homeland Holland in 1942.
In 1944, Pinto is asked to assess her bona fides. She is suspected of hiding a code in messages she had been asked to send to the Nazis.
She relates how she had been sent to Rome as a Nazi spy, but had sought refuge in the British embassy, "it'a a dangerous game." Is she a double agent? Back in 1940, she said she had made those drawings in order to protect Jan, "I pretended to co-operate." Her story sounds plausible enough, though her affair with a German officer in Rome speaks against this. Her testimony partly hangs on two Dutchman in the spy school, who were, like her, members of the underground. So Pinto goes to Amsterdam to interview them.
"She was loyal, if she had been against us, she would have turned us in." Pinto ponders over her case and comes to the conclusion that she is "genuine." He tells her this good news, and accompanies her back to her home in Holland.
There is however a sting. Pinto learns that her mother had died in the war, her father is in jail, all down to the fact that the locals believe she "went to the Germans." Pinto attempts to explain that she is no traitor. "Espionage is always a lonely business"

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The VIP
In Spring 1941 Pinto travels to an aerodrome to meet Paul Denet a Dutch resistance leader. He had been smuggled out of Holland via "the new route." Pinto is given valuable information on the new Dutch cells.
On the same plane happens to be His Lordship (Ballard Berkeley), a colonel, who naturally has clearance, but he has brought with him "a personal friend," Miss Dykstra (Helen Lindsay) who has no such clearance. So Pinto is asked his opinion by the Commanding officer at the airfield.
"I worked in the resistance," she tells Pinto, and describes how she escaped from Holland via Paris to Spain. The route was called Cyclone. She tells Pinto of various code names used. She had walked the last two hundred miles from Spain to Portugal alone. While his lordship impatiently drinks brandy in the mess, she tells Pinto how she fortuitously bumped into his lordship once she reached Lisbon. "A fairy tale," wryly observes Pinto.
He checks with the resistance leader about Miss Dykstra's bona fides. But he does not know of her, and offers some suggestions.
Then Pinto continues his chat with her. He questions how she managed to gain entrance to the posh hotel where she met his lordship, if she was in the bedraggled state she had said. However she admits that some Portuguese contacts had bought her some new clothes. "It isn't good enough," Pinto tells her, "it's beginning to fall apart." He demands to examine her feet, these do not suggest that she had walked for a long distance, "You were planted."
The news is a shock to the baffled colonel, "a Very Imprudent Person"

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Like Father, Like Son
October 1942- Pinto meets a sailor, codename Gabriel, a Dutch underground resistance leader, who has come to England to warn Pinto that one of his group of twelve must be a traitor. Two weeks ago, a planned escape was foiled. Then another lot of escapees were all killed. So he had set a trap, and eliminated some of his friends, now he suspects either Loeven or his son Jan. He asks Pinto to interview them, if he can send them over to Britain.
Two weeks later, Jan meets Pinto. He had started out with his father, who had been taken ill and hospitalised. Pinto gets Jan to talk about the recent problems the group had encountered, which he puts down to bad luck. Pinto faces Jan with the fact that there must be a traitor in their cell, "no, they are my friends." Jan relates that first abortive escape in detail, he had been one who managed to get free.
Pinto examines the men's possessions, before talking to Loeven Sr, who is now sufficiently recovered. "Someone was telling the Germans," he has to admit. But he has no idea who. He shows Pinto his wife's wedding ring, which he wears round his neck.
Pinto sees Jan a second time, asking him to relate that first botched escape again. Pinto picks up the flaw in his tale. Jan is interred, and Gabriel has no more troubles

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Game, Set and Match

October 1944 in Eindhoven, Pinto has to decide if Cornelius ver Loop (Harvey Hill) is a spy. His wife and son, he has not seen of late, but he has been named as a suspect by the local Resistance, even though he had worked with them. Cornelius claims he is innocent, and Pinto explorers his accusers' motives.
The man's belongings are "ordinary enough," though his diary contains some writing in code.
The Resistance leader making the accusation is interviewed: there had been four failed raids of late, ver Loop had not been injured in any. So ver Loop is interviewed again, He relates how he had helped steal radio parts from the factory where he was a supervisor, before he had joined the group. Then they move on to recent raids which failed, "you were never hit." Cornelius puts it down to being well trained, "I never ran away." On one raid he had failed to properly destroy a bridge. Questions about his work in the factory. His diary needs explanation: the figures are his meticulopus notes to ensure he was fit. More about his work as a supervisor, why had he matches in his possession though he did not smoke? The matches are fakes, the heads contain a chemical, invisible ink. He had passed information in this ink on his supervisor's pass.
He is sentenced to life imprisonment

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Never Say Die
Rather different opening. Pinto is in a Dutch military hospital in December 1944. He is told he has abdominal cancer, advanced, no operation possible, only a few months to live. He reflects on how many times he has had to similarly deal with so many men, as this doctor has done with him.
He takes the diagnosis to his own doctor. "What you need is a rest." He offers a second prognosdis, "nothing worse than overworking." So Pinto resolves to take a rest.
He returns to work three months later, and with loss of some of his staff, he faces a backlog of men detained for questioning.
First case is Dirk Koopman (Paul Eddington), a loyal Dutch citizen, he says, who is wearing a Nazi SAS uniform! "I was ordered to join by an important Dutchman," he tells Pinto, but he is unable to reveal that official's identity.
Koopman relates how he had worked for the Secret Service in Holland, to pass on the names of traitors. This was given by word of mouth to a liaison officer. His whole story stands on the verification of the high up official who had commissioned him. Finally he says who it was... a Colonel Pinto! Koopman describes the man, "not at all like you!"
Koopman writes down all he knows He is persuaded to describe this Pinto. "All so vague, isn't it?" Pinto goes over the main facts before revealing his own name. "You're a traitor... how does it feel to be talking to a dead man?" The Germans had thought Pinto dead and briefed Koopman accordingly, but erroneously

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The Absent Friend

In the autumn of 1944, linerunners in Eindhoven need checking carefully. A resistance leader Pieter (John Stuart) is interrogated, He is a garage owner, who had led a group of men through Holland to safety.
Bak Hills-Flint is a farm owner who had done some jobs for the Resistance. He escaped when the enemy had taken over his farm. He carries money in new notes, his life savings. He had got away alone.
Van Der Aa also carries some new banknotes, curiously numbered immediately after the last set. He claims to have left his family behind "to do something for his country." He names his contacts in the Resistance to whom he had passed information. As for the money, he says he stole it from a collaborator.
Pinto gets Van der Aa to listen to Hills-Flint's story. By a neat twist, Pinto exposes the pair, since a careless German had poorly briefed them

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The Photograph
In late 1942, Pinto goes to the Admiralty, to meet young Lt Vernon who briefs Pinto on the unxpectedly high losses of ships to and from Cape Town because of U boat activity. But is there a security leakage? The ship of Captain Murray (Charles Morgan) appears to have been exceptionally fortunate in various attacks, so Pinto with Vernon travel to Southampton, where the ship has just docked.
While the lieutenant interviews the mixed nationality crew, Pinto meets officers, who all declare "noone on the ship" is a Nazi sympathiser. "It's a very lucky ship," P|into observes drily. There comes a break, when a wallet is seen being thrown overboard from C deck. It contains a lot of South African currency as well of a photo of "Mei Greta," a "pretty girl."
Three crew had been noticed on C deck about this time, Harley, Jenkins and Wilkes. Pinto first interviews William Harley (John Ronane), who is studying to become an officer. It's not his wallet, so he says, nor does he recognise the girl. However, on his person are discovered letters in pristine condition from a girl, and Pinto deduces that until very recently, these must have been stored in that wallet. Harley confesses his involvement with her, he had tried to save her when he had been informed that the Gestapo might arrest her.
Pinto adds a chilling footnote

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Call The Gun Expert
Robert Churchill had already appeared as himself in the Scotland Yard episode The Mysterious Bullet in 1954, before ten years later, the BBC recreated six of his most famous cases.

With Wensley Pithey as Robert Churchill. Hosted by Macdonald Hastings
1.1 The Jockey Cap Case (1927)
1.2 The Trick That Failed (1918)
1.3 The Green Bicycle Case (1919)
1.4
The Teenage Murderer (1926)
1.5 The Whistling Corpse (1927)
1.6 The Perfect Crime (1934)

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The Teenage Murderer 1926
The programme begins in 1954. In autumnal woods Merrett (Michael Rathbone) shoots himsdelf. Macdonald Hastings stands beside the corpse, revealing that this man had committed a lifetime of crimes.
He had first been on trial in 1927 in a case of matricide that was "not proven" in Scotland. It was alleged that he had murdered his wife in her bath, in order to marry a German girl. Sir Bernard Spillsbury and Robert Churchill had testified on his behalf.
He had been a wild lad, though well brought up, attending Edinburgh University, but spending his money on girls, all paid for by his mother, unknowingly. We see film of him with one girl at Edinburgh Castle. He purchases a gun and shoots his own mother. He claims it is suicide. But she had not quite died, and is kept barely alive for a fortnight, during which time she had told a nurse about her son. However a postmortem can only decide that her death is consistent with suicide.
This police investigation is riddled with errors. Nine months after his mother's death, Merrett is charged with her murder, when his forged cheques from his mother's account come to light.
Churchill talks with Macdonald Hastings saying that in his opinion, Merrett's actions after his mother's death did not suggest he had killed her. The firearms evidence offer a margin of doubt. We see parts of the trial, where both Churchill and Spillsbury explain one possibility of suicide. The jury, thus guided, record the verdict "not proven," which in essence means that we believe he did it, but the evidence is not there

Gun Expert

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The Whistling Corpse 1927
In deep darkness in a West Country copse, a prowler fires his rifle. Two gamekeepers are waiting, "we'll get him this time," though one of them is himself shot. This was Robert Churchill's "greatest" trial, we are informed, investigating the crime scene. The poacher is charged, though his story is that he had only fired at a pheasant. The gamekeepers had seen him, and he had run off after his gun went off "accidentally." Churchill has to prove if it was an accident. The man's back is found peppered with shot. this proves the poacher was nearer to the gamekeeper than the fifteen yards he had claimed.
Judge and jury disagree over the import of the evidence. The poacher is sentenced to fifteen years.
Then two years later in 1929 a similar case in Suffolk. Two keepers are waiting for another poacher, who shoots. The result is one wounded man. Police promptly arrest Whistlecraft, a settled gypsy. In court, he conducts his own defence. Certainly the bullet fired had come from Whistlecraft's rifle, even though he denies it. He even disputes Churchill's testimony. In fact Churchill has to retract his evidence, with the result that the poacher is found not guilty on the evidence heard.
Macdonald Hastings recontructs what may have taken place, but the presentation is confused, the tie-up with the first case unclear

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Cluff
starring Leslie Sands as Sgt Cluff, of the Yorkshire Police. The series is neatly summed up as, "there's nowt for you as a bobby." Sgt Caleb Cluff himself says of his patch, "I may not be the best policeman, but I know them and they know me."
Best described as Dixon of Green Ooop North, a kind of pre-Juliet Bravo without the bite, or the female, more like Emmerdale in fact. T'Yorkshire accents are reet authentic, lad.
SK offered these contemporary thoughts on the first series: "it's all very well to say, 'oh another detective series' with a yawn. This may be another policeman's romp up to a point, but this one, by Gil North, has, I think, a freshness about it, a naivete if you like... In trying to analyse this impression, I came to the conclusion that the reason for it is probably because Cluff and his colleagues take us out into the open air away from the humdrum of the city sleuths. As we trail along behind this rugged and quick thinking character with his pipe, stick, and faithful dog, we leave behind all the noisy car chases and gun battles of the big towns and follow our criminals through woods, over fields or hills. Murder is there, yes, but murder in the fresh air, and no less exciting for that. Then of course it has the enormous advantage of the tough bluff Cluff of Leslie Sands, who might have been born to play this part, so naturally does he live it. Eric Barker too, as the ratty Inspector Mole, shows his strength and makes a good foil for Cluff... Following Cluff around the house with brush and duster, Olive Milbourne is a true to type 'lady who does' and following him everywhere without a sound, the clever Clive is a true-to-type one man's dog."

2.1 The Chicken, 2.2 The Brothers, 2.3 The Cigarettes, 2.4 The Thief. 2.5 The Professional, 2.6 The Fireraiser, 2.7 The Strangers, 2.8 The Convict, 2.9 The Daughters, 2.10 The Husband, 2.11 The Pensioner, 2.12 The Dictator, 2.13 The Village Constable
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The Chicken (May 15th `1965, rpt Apr 2nd 1967)
This starts nicely, with Inspector Mole so unoccupied that he has fallen fast asleep in his office. Nowt to do, you see. As Cluff declares, "this place is like a graveyard." So he and Constable Barker take a stroll, "patrolling" is the technical word, and what do they discover? By the beck, by heck, nothing less than a frozen chicken, oven ready the expression is. Seizing it, they call in at nearby Cissie Lawton's home. She is bedridden. Her husband Spencer (Wilfred Pickles) is too proud to accept any state aid: he works for Mr Cass at the auction house.
Cluff checks out where the chicken might have been sold. This is cutting edge police work. Fred the shopkeeper professes ignorance, but Cluff knows it came from his shop.
That night we see Spencer cook his wife's meal, while the inspector dines with his wife at home and Cluff shares fish and chips with his underling Alec. Of course the frozen chicken is top of their discussion.
Cluff chats informally with Cass about Spencer, "I'd trust him with my life." But can Spencer be trusted with the firm's books? Cluff has a very restless night mulling over The Case Of The Chicken.
"Have a word with him," suggests Sgt Barker next morning. But Spencer is the porter at today's auction, where the inspector buys an Indian table, "a bargain."
Spencer knows he has been found out, and a sad scene with his wife follows that evening, (The couple are watching tv, a tape of a BBC programme that includes Roy Hudd.) "I knew I was going to be caught," cries Spencer. He fears arrest and being separated from Cissie. The gas burns low. Is it suicide?
"How long's this been going on?" demands Inspector Mole. A fair question. Thankfully the couple are rescued in time, and the coda is set in the auction house

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The Brothers
"No more than animals," Luke and Abel, always fighting, under the thumb of their stern father Albert (Gordon Gostelow) "a vicious man when he's cross," also a chapel man, who demands obedience from his wayward offspring, too much of a cliche to be plausible.
Inspector Mole is feeling irritated, that noisy car outside the station is right loud, 'tis Constable David Barker trying to start his new car, "this is a police station, not Brands Hatch." On inspection, the car is an ancient jalopy, but on film, he drives Cluff on a tour of inspection of his patch, first stop the pub. Landlord Josh complains that his new helper Mrs Ruth Rudge spends more times with those brothers. She's a "bobbydazzler," according to Cluff.
Next Cluff has time for a chat with water bailiff Barney (Joe Gladwin) whose daughter Lizzie now has no-one to wed in t'district since the brothers' eyes have turned to Ruth.
The inevitable crisis ends with the death of Luke, his corpse found in the river, "all t'lads and lasses come here." Certainly Abel had been courting her here, and it is known that Luke had pursued them in a temper. Several hairpins are scattered around, suggesting Ruth had been chased. Cluff questions her, but she remains obstinately silent.
Cluff's next call is on Albert and Abel. The former had been out alone, praying. He has an alibi, and Abel's dirty shoes seem to prove that he had not been the one doing the chasing.
Cluff turns to the guilty party. A word and t'truth emerges, "he's not a murderer"

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The Cigarettes
Break-in at the newsagents shop of Silas Smith (Geoffrey Hibbert), the odd thing is that he doesn't inform the police.
June is Smart's assistant: she is courting Sgt David Barker. She notices that the "special consignment" of cigarettes is missing. Barker also notices a smashed window.
Inspector Mole calls to purchase some cigarettes, as does Cluff, who also sees Charlie, a glazier, at the shop. "I'll make a few inquiries," promises Cluff to the shopkeeper, who looks dismayed. We see that Pete, June's no-good brother has nicked the fags, along with his simple mate Dennis. Now Dennis' dad is Charlie, small world isn't it?
June is also in with Pete, Sgt Barker a useful contact, "if you're in with the police, you get away with it."
Cluff has soon deduced that the missing cigarettes must be stolen ones. From Charlie, he learns that treacle had been used by the thieves. When he sees Dennis innocently eating said substance, why, Cluff can put two and two together. Some cigarettes hidden in a rabbit hutch complete the investigation.
Smart has informed his two contacts of the robbery. They had nicked a large consignment, Smart one of their middle man. The villains plan to retrieve the fags that night, they know where to find them since Smart has guessed the identity of his thieves.
Sgt Barker's loyalties are split, but he agrees to Cluff's suggestion that he takes June out that evening. Cluff questions Smart, who confesses all, "I'm not a very good criminal."
Thus, in a neat touch, Inspector Mole has to leave off watching Z Cars, in order to swoop on Pete. Both he and Barker only find that the cigarettes have disappeared. But Cluff knows where they are! He is waiting at Smart's shop, for the thieves to return them. "A right collection" are taken to the police station and booked

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The Thief

At dead of night, Len and Jack shoot a sheep in a field. Then another. In their ramshackle van, they drive away the carcasses.
Jack is in need of the cash, to buy the lease of his cottage with his wife Hilda, but Len, a gamekeeper, is more out for the fun of it. He has eyes on Hilda.
Police get a break when potholers discover a huge heap of dead sheep, all their meat removed. Cluff reckons he knows one good marksman, that's Len and he chats with him and Hilda. He recalls that Jack's late father worked in a slaughterhouse, and had likely taught son Jack how to skilfully skin animals. The two thieves realise that Cluff is on to them, but he has no proof at all. Cluff knows it too, his one hope is to catch them in the act. But Inspector Mole is impatient for results and demands the crooks are brought in.
Len tries it on with Hilda, who is unsure of her feelings. When Jack learns of it, the couple row.
Inspector Mole joins Cluff and Barker on surveillance of the suspects. When Len is about to shoot a sheep, police pounce, "they knew!" They knew where to find Len, because Jack had informed the police.
Back at t' station, Cluff and Len have a reet heart to heart

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The Professional

Intruder sneaks upstairs, helping himself to small items of jewellery. "not a lot to go on," it's the work of a professional.
Willie is a reformed poacher who has now settled slightly, with a trading job in the market stall run by Pell. His sister Sally is pleased, as is Cluff.
Inspector Mole is addressing a group at a dinner, a constable on the beat spots an open window at Mole's house, and calls Cluff, "our lives won't be worth living." Only clue in sight is a rabbit charm. Now Cluff recognises it as Willie's. All steamed up, Mole demands to know whodunnit. Since Willie had promsed to get even with Mole when he had been arrested, Willie must be the burglar. But Willie did not do it, in fact he had been out poaching again.
Det Supt Patterson comes in to investigate this crime, with Cluff assistng. Cluff chats with Willie, Sally anxiously listening in. Willie can't offer an alibi, but the truth comes out that he had been poaching. Cluff has guessed the truth, as we have, and with Barker sets up a watch on Pell. That night Pell goes to Willie's, planting some stolen property. Pell is arrested, asking for 43 other offences to be taken into consideration

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The Fireraiser

Cluff inspects Harriet's barn, with her employee Stirk- it has been burned to the ground, the latest in a series of minor arson attacks. Poacher Sammy (Jack Smethurst) is one suspect, another being tramp Wilkie (Leonard Rossiter). The latter informs Cluff that he had seen Sammy in the vicinity of the barn.
Insp Mole is irritable that he has not, unlike Cluff, received an invitation to the ball. Running this is Harriet Cobb, mother of April, strapped for cash.
The next night, Cobb calls on Sammy for a little chat. Another fire- except this one quickly goes out. On the night of the ball, Wilkie calls at Cluff's house to admit that he "may have seen wrong" about Sammy being near the barn. Barker is assigned to shadow Wilkie, while Caleb Cluff enjoys himself at the ball, chatting with guests. He pops round to talk to Stirk's daughter, when another fire develops, though it is quickly extinguished. Then another fire is prepared at Harriet's home. Mole is keen to arrest Sammy, but Cluff swoops to expose the fireraiser

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The Strangers
Cluff is chatting idly with John who is expanding his farm. Farmworker Moses joins them for a pleasant cuppa. He tells Cluff about young Jim, whom he clearly disapproves of, who is courting Joan (Judy Geeson), John's daughter. Joan gives Jim a tour of their property.
The scene shifts to a train. Mrs Core sips some medicine. When she alights, she feels poorly, and Inspector Mole offers sympathy.
Jim is back home with his mum, who has married again, to Don Swan, they've taken over the running of the pub. Mrs Core turns up here, and is given accommodation. It seems she knows Don.
Moses, ever out to make trouble for the newcomers, Strangers he calls them, tells Cluff that Mrs Core never slept in her room. Then her corpse is found by the river.
Cluff inspects her belongings, "there's something missing." As Mole had seen her arrive in town, he questions him. Then he leans on Moses, who admits he had found Mrs Core's handbag.
Moses is following Jim and Joan, when she accidentally falls down a cliff. With a rope, and assistance from Don, Jim and Moses pull her to safety. Thus disposed in The Strangers' favour, Moses intervenes when Don admits that Mrs Core had been an old friend. He had witnessed their meeting by the river and is able to exonerate Don

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The Convict
In jail is Cluff, just visiting, recently convicted Hubert Pencarron is his man. Cluff is sure Pencarron is shielding the rest of the gang, but he is also here to inform the man that his sister had just died. Pencarron was driving the getaway car, who else was in it? Though he gets no reply, Cluff suspects Reader.
This villain is already planning another job with Frank Darby, and they steal a van and rob an off licence. Cluff tackles Reader, accusing him of the job. But there is no proof, though the questioning makes Frank and his wife Flo (Yootha Joyce) nervy.
"I work in a continual fog," complains Inspector Mole, but now's his chance! Cluff collapses suddenly, an attack of lumbago. He is transported off to bed.
Pencarron breaks out of prison and gets to Frank, Flo providing grub and a pint. As Cluff surmises from his bed, Pencarron is making for Reader. But Frank has his own idea, and sees a way out of his mess by getting to Reader first.
Reader is dead. No sign of struggle. Pencarron is on t'moor, running. Police close in.
Emerging from his bed, Cluff tries to question the nervy Frank, who is arrested for killing his boss. Pencarron is hiding in caves, and Cluff hobbles in to rescue him. A slight roof fall, and the convict is trapped. But Cluff and Barker succeed in releasing him

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The Husband
Three seemingly disparate scenes to start. In t'warehouse, Jake (Derek Fowlds) and Stewart loaf idly. In school, children have a pottery lesson with teacher Dave. A wife is working at home, looking pensive. She turns out to be Dave's wife.
Vicky is secretary at Jake's factory, the lad sees her home, inviting himself in to her digs for a cuppa. He makes a pass, and is pushed out.
Dave and his wife try to patch matters up, she weary of having to look after their two youngsters. So he pops round to see his mum, who is Vicky's landlady. While there, Dave has a chat with Vicky, "stop chasing after me," she begs. His answer: "I just need someone to talk to." This is somewhat akin to The Wednesday Play.
It's now Saturday night, and Inspector Mole has forebodings of trouble. Jake and Stewart are enjoying a pint, but Stewart goes mad and police have to break up the riot. Stewart is arrested and is evidently under the influence of drugs.
Dave's mum returns home to find her son with blood on his hands, and then she sees Vicky's dead body. Dave is taken to the station, "I didn't touch her." He bares his problems to Cluff, whose question is, "where's the knife?" Cluff is convinced Dave is innocent, a matchbox his main clue, not Dave's. Inspector Mole however wants Dave arrested.
Under questioning, Stewart admits that his mate was Vicky's friend. Where is he? At t'warehouse, sleeping it off. Cluff finds him and after a chase, Jake is injured. "Dropped his matchbox in the struggle."
"Sordid business, most dispiriting," comments Mole, and he were quite right

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The Pensioner
Under t'floorboards, that's where old Bob Wheatrick hides his money. He shows granddaughter Rosie his hiding place, however neighbour Walters also notices the spot. "For a rest," Bob has to stay with his daughter Maggie and husband Fred who runs the post office.
Inspector Mole has devised proposals for expansion of the station, not to Cluff's liking. However Cluff promises to ponder on't, and goes for a stroll. He bumps into young Rosie, who is eyeing a shop window with a new radio for sale. Then at home, he chats with Mary, daughter of Annie his home help, "I'm getting old and crochety," he admits. She cooks for him and Barker, while they reflect on Mole's plans.
Rosie stops a couple of lads annoying a helpless old man, Jody.
Next day, Bob finds his £200 has vanished. How has Rosie been able to buy that £6 radio? Bob tells Cluff what he suspects. Cluff is dubious.
An odd clue is found in Bob's room- an old shirt that had belonged to Inspector Mole. Bob explains that during his absence, he had allowed Jody, who now has this shirt, to sleep in his house, "he's got my spare door key."
Jody says that Rosie took the money, and he runs away. But no sign anywhere of the missing money. Rosie says she did not steal it, though she had been given the £6 by Jody. Jody had taken that sum from under the floorboards, but who had taken the remainder? Cluff answers that mystery and the motive.
Mole's expansion plans are quietly put on hold. A well developed story

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The Dictator

A nice little storm in a teacup. A stone through the window of estate agent Liddler (John Barron), "next time it'll be a brick." He's a man none too popular in Gunnershaw, "you've got to be ruthless," is his motto, as he tells his son Eric, witness his treatment in threatening the houses in Wellington Row with demolition.
He gives Cluff names of likely perpetrators, "a very large number," dryly observes Inspector Mole. Then Cluff goes to the three properties, first meeting Fred Bland locksmith. Cluff knows that it was he who chucked the stone. But he also calls on neighbour George Roberts, a signwriter, and dressmaker Beattie, who stands to lose her business.
That evening, while Barker is taking Mary for a meal, and Eric ditto with Elsie his father's secretary, a brick flies through Liddler's window. His office is vandalised, and some cash stolen. But no sign of a break in, so Cluff sees locksmith Fred as the cut and dried suspect. But Fred denies stealing the money.
In fact Barker works out that Eric used the cash to pay for his night out with Elsie. He admits it, and Liddler is stunned by this news. He understands that he's treated t'lad hard. Cluff too learns a lesson about not jumping to suspect the wrong man, "he'll rise again like a phoenix"

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The Village Constable

PC Chris Ripon receives praise from Inspector Mole for his excellent report. He's "young and keen" and enjoys "a jar" in the pub with Barker, here also is Cluff, imbibing with Rufus, a farmer.
Rufus' wife Liz is having it off with Saul (Philip Madoc) and indeed anyone else she can find. For she also flirts with Chris. Rufus complains to Chris about gypsy Tom, who has taken his chickens. But he has no proof. Nevertheless Chris has a chat with Tom and his wife outside his caravan, "you'd best be on your way." Tom refuses to budge. But Cluff is more conciliatory, knowing more about Tom, "I'll see you're not bothered."
There are numerous filmed shots of an old car driving along t'lanes- it is David Barker with Mary Croft, on their way to Chris' home. He isn't in, and they find the place a mess. Actually he has gone to question Saul, who has had some tools stolen.
David and Mary see Chris when he returns home, beaten up, "I wouldn't know who it was," he says feebly. But under Mole's interrogation, he confesses it was done by Tom. Cluff listens to this, in rare silence. Later he explains, "I was with Tom all evening."
Cluff figures it all out. "Who might I arrest?" queries the mystified Mole. After a punch up, the villain is arrested by Chris

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On Trial (Granada, 1960)
Real life historical trials, theme music Brahms' Fourth Symphony. My reviews of
1
Sir Roger Casement
5 Oscar Wilde
Studio Series menu
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Details of this series of ten dramas, Andrew Faulds was the Narrator in all of the trials, Peter Wildeblood producing the entire series.

1 Sir Roger Casement Friday July 8th 1960 9.35pm, repeated: Friday June 30th 1961 11.2pm (Granada region only)
Starring Peter Wyngarde in the title role, Abraham Soafaer as Lord Chief Justice, John Robinson as Serjeant Sullivan KC, John Westbrook as Sir FE Smith KC, Henry Oscar as Sir George Cave. Commentary by Brian Inglis. Cast also included: Neil Wilson, Brian Phelan, James McLoughlin, Liam Gaffney, Joan O'Hara, Jack Cunningham, Michael Robbins, Colin Blakely, John Barron, Ballard Berkeley, J Leslie Frith, John Maitland.
Documented by Cedric Watts. Designed by Darrell Lass. Director: Cliff Owen.
On Good Friday 1916, Sir Roger Casement was arrested after landing from a German U-boat on the Irish coast. His trial for treason, overshadowed by the existence of his notorious private diaries, was one of the most sensational in history.
Critic 'JP' commented that "the use of a narrator and a commentator (Brian Inglis) to describe events during the trial and to explain the background... was excellent... Peter Wyngarde did not have very much to say. How could he, when Casement refused to be called as a witness in his own defence? Abraham Sofaer appeared as a very upstanding and correct Lord Chief Justice, John Robinson played Defence Counsel, and John Westbrook was Prosecuting Counsel. Even Henry Oscar had only a relatively small part as the solicitor general... a difficult experiment but a production well done."
2 The Baccarat Scandal July 15th 1960, Friday July 14th 1961 11.2pm rpt (Granada region)
Starring John Justin as Sir William Gordon-Cumming, Alan Webb as Sir Edward Clarke QC, Michael Shepley Sir Charles Russell QC, Georgina Cookson as Mrs Arthur Wilson. Commentary by James Laver. Cast also included: Barry Lowe, Graham Crowden, Derek Smith, Hugh Cross, Kevin Brennan, Redmond Phillips, Malcolm Watson, Gilbert Spurge.
Documented by William Slater. Designed by Darrell Lass. Director: Henry Kaplan.
Sir William Gordon-Cumming is accused of cheating at cards during a society house party at which the Prince of Wales is a guest. In spite of every effort to suppress the scandal, it breaks out and Sir William is forced to bring an action for slander. Critic 'GT' liked the programme, writing, "direction of Henry Kaplan was, as usual, beautifully controlled and timed to heighten and lessen tension by a single shot of a glance, a smile, a look of worry."
3 Admiral Byng (July 22nd 1960) with Donald Wolfit in the title role. With William Mervyn as President of the Court, John Horsley Vice-Admiral Temple West, Jack May as Lord Robert Bertie, Noel Trevarthen as Capt Hervey. Narrator: Andrew Faulds, commentary by Commander Kemp RN.
Also in the cast: Richard Wordsworth as Charles Fearne, Peter Bathurst as Robert Boyd, Charles Heslop as General Lord Blakeney, Nicholas Selby as George Lawrence, John Miller as Rear-Admiral Holder, Richard Butler as Capt Simcoe, and Michael Lees as Capt Moore.
Britain is at war with France, Austria and Russia. The all important island of Minorca has fallen to the enemy, and the public demands a scapegoat. On December 28th 1756, Admiral Byng, Commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean is put on trial accused of cowardice. The critic ('RW') who reviewed this programme was most unimpressed: ""I don't think the excess of dialogue was the fault of ... the scriptwriter as the narrator was careful to point out that the play was 'in the actual words used.' Whatever it was that kept this documented play so static and so flat it certainly added nothing to the authenticity of the trial. Donald Wolfit as the unhappy and misjudged admiral... managed a look of dismay as he heard the adverse verdict, that became the only believable thing in the whole production. The whole subject with its exaggerated attires, its background of death before dishonour, lent itself to Ham. Everyone took advantage of it."
Director: James Ormerod.
4 Spencer Cowper Friday July 29th 1960 9.35pm, Friday July 28th 1961 11.2pm rpt (Granada region)
Starring Laurence Payne in the title role. Also starring: George Howe (Baron Hatsell), Richard Warner (Mr Jones) and Llewelyn Rees (Sir Hans Sloane). Cast also included: Viola Keats, George Skillan, Hamlyn Benson, Derek Tansley, Frank Crawshaw, Felicity Young, John Woodnutt, Paul Sherwood, Rory McDermot, William Young, Bartlett Mullins, Roger Boston, David Jarrett, Maureen Gavin, John Ronane, John Tucker.
Designed by Darrell Lass. Director: Michael Scott.
The body of an 18 year old Quaker girl is found floating in a village stream. Spencer Cowper, a rising young barrister, is charged with her murder. On July 16th 1699 at Hertford Assizes, he conducts his own defence.
5 Oscar Wilde August 5th 1960, Friday July 7th 1961 11.2pm rpt (Granada region)
Starring Michael MacLiammoir in the title role, Andre Morrell as Sir Edward Clarke, Martin Benson as Edward Carson, Harold Scott as Mr Justice Charles. Commentary by JB Priestley. Cast also included: Lewis Wilson, Deering Wells, Alan Browning, Derek Sydney, Brian Alexis, Clive Colin-Bowler, Michael Caridia, Beresford Williams, Tudor Evans, Michael Bangerter.
Documented by Peter Lambda. Designed by Darrell Lass. Director: Silvio Narizzano.
Victorian England idolises Oscar Wilde, but when his private life is exposed in the courts, it seems that even his fame as an author cannot survive the scandal.
Two trials were shown, in a flashback the case brought for libel by Wilde against the Marquess of Queensberry.The main trial is of Wilde in the dock at the Old Bailey. Critic 'GT' confessed he was "completely disappointed," in the director, "Narizzano's worst production to date. It lacked depth, excitement. Camera work was dull, cutting was slow." Surprising too, was some bad acting, "only Andre Morrell came off well." Especially disliked was "the dreadfully bad casting" of Oscar Wilde: "I have great admiration for this actor.. but MacLiammoir had the wrong looks, the wrong build and lacked the extra-delicate sensitivity of Wilde... he hammed it up." Then "the usually reliable Martin Benson... was not the fiery cunning lawyer. He only looked like one." This programme, 'GT' described as "a complete failure"
6 The Dilke Case Aug 12th 1960
with Leo Genn as Sir Charles Dilke, Allan Cuthbertson as Henry Matthews QC, Laidman Browne as Walter Phillimore QC, Rachel Roberts as Mrs Rogerson, Joanna Dunham as Virginia Crawford. Commentary by Roy Jenkins MP. Others in the cast were Basil Dignam, Jack Gwillim, HM Beaufoy Milton, Ronald Adam, Ralph Truman, Donald Pickering, John Dawson, Walter Horsbrugh, Ian White.
Documented by William Slater. Designed by Darrell Lass. Director: Cliff Owen.
In 1886 Sir Charles Dilke Liberal MP for Chelsea is a respected figure. The Prime Minister, Mr Gladstone, looks on him as his political heir. Then suddenly Dilke is named as co-respondent in a sensational divorce suit brought by a Scottish MP against his pretty young wife Virginia Crawford.
7 The Tichborne Case Aug 19th 1960, Aug 18th 1961 11.2pm rpt (Granada only)
starring John Slater as The Claimant, with Oliver Johnston as Sir William Bovill, Nicholas Meredith as Sir John Coleridge, William mervyn as Sgt Ballantine, Lloyd Lamble as Hardinge Giffard, John Bailey as Henry Hawkins, Joyce Howard as Catherine Radcliffe, Edward Underdown as Lord Bellew. Also appearing: John Harrison, John Salew, John Wentworth, Bryan Coleman, Ian Ainsley, Malcolm Watson and Donald Bisset.
Documented by Peter Lambda. Designed by Darrell Lass. Director: Claude Whatham.
Roger Tichborne, heir to a baronetcy and a fortune, sets off on a voyage round the world to forget an unhappy love affair with his cousin Kate. The ship on which he sails is reported sunk with no survivors. Eighteen years later a butcher from Wagga Wagga Australia, comes to London claiming that he is the long-lost heir. In 1871 begins one of the longest and strangest cases in legal history.
8 WT Stead Aug 26th 1960, Aug 4th 1961 11.2pm rpt (Granada region)
with William Franklyn as Stead, costarring Douglas Wilmer (Sir Richard Webster QC), James Raglan (Charles Russell QC), Brian Oulton (Mr Justice Lopes), Annabel Maule (Rebecca Jarrett), Avis Bunnage (Mrs Armstrong), Milo O'Shea (Charles Armstrong). Others in the cast were Abb Martin, Julia Nelson, Frank Pemberton, Howard Taylor, Daphne Foreman, Peter Burton, Bruno Barnabe, Robert Sansom, William Wymar, Owen Berry as Archbishop of Canterbury and Keith Ashley as Bramwell Booth.
Documented by Vincent Brome. Designed by Darrell Lass. Director: Michael Scott.
In a series of articles exposing the corruption that lies beneath the puritanical surface of Victorian London, newspaper editor WT Stead describes how he bought a 13 year old girl from her parents for £5. The scandal has an extraordinary sequel when Stead is put on trial at the Old Bailey accused of abducting the girl.
9 The Trial of Governor Wall September 2nd 1960, September 1st 1961 rpt 11.2pm (Granada)
starring Roger Livesey as Governor Wall, Ewen Solon as Sir Edward Law, Anthony Sharp as Spencer Percival with Ballard Berkeley as Mr Knowlys, Geoffrey Toone as Thomas Poplett, Lally Bowers as Mrs Harriet Lacy, Glyn Owen as Evan Lewis. Others appearing were Eric Woodburn, Ronald Ibbs, Robert Cartland, Joss Ackland, Peter Madden, Edward Rees, Edwin Brown, David Dodimead, Henry Rayner, Raymond Mason.
Documented by Fenton Bresler. Designed by Darrell Lass. Director: Mario Prizek.
For twenty years Joseph Wall, ex-Governor of a British penal colony, has eluded justice. Now in 1802, he is brought to trial at the Old Bailey, charged with the murder of Serjeant Armstong, who died after a brutal flogging ordered by this governor.
10 Horatio Bottomley September 9th 1960 starring Harold Goldblatt in the title role. With Raymond Huntley, Geoffrey Chater, Edwin Richfield, Hugh Moxey, Peter Williams, John Longden. Director: Herbert Wise. The 1922 trial of the MP on 23 counts of larceny.
On Trial
Note: A 1965 BBC series JURY ROOM also dramatised a few of these celebrated cases

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Sir Roger Casement

1916. Sir Roger is accused of high treason. He pleads not guilty. The narrator (Andrew Faulds) introduces the trial: "a mirror of the society who put him on trial." The context is the Great War, and the Easter Uprisng in Dublin. "What he did, he did for Ireland."
Sir Roger Casement's past loyalty to the crown is outlined, culminating in a knighthood in 1911. The Ulster prosecutor alleges that after this, Casement changed. First witness is John Cronin, once a German POW who refused to join The Irish Brigade "as guest of the German government." A second witness confirms this group was formed "to fight against England." However facts about this group are not properly explored, whether because this case has been heavily redacted, or because the details of the group were unclear at the time.
Roger McCarthy and May Gorman both testify that on Good Friday, a boat landed with arms. A police sergeant found Casement that afternoon and charged him with landing arms on the shore. Apparently this was common practice. The narrator explains how "amateurish" this smuggling of arms appeared, leaving us to draw out the implications. He explains how British public opinion swayed the case after the Easter Rebellion.
Casement offers a voluntary statement, denying the charges of working for Germany, and states that "not one penny of German gold" financed the rebellion.
Sjt Sullivan of the defence becomes unwell and collapses in court. He is unable to continue.
The Crown make a final statement, pointing out that Casement had been "in an enemy country."
The judge sums up. If the jury have "any reasonable doubt," the defendant must be discharged. Otherwise they must perform their solemn duty. The verdict is unanimous: guilty.
Casement reads out his prepared response, rejecting the jurisdiction of the court, he has been convicted under an archaic law dating to 1351. Home Rule for Ireland is his mantra, "I am proud to be a rebel."
The judge prononces the death penalty. Brian Inglis concludes the case, offering the support given by Bernard Shaw. But Sir Roger's Black Diaries contributed to his downfall. He became a martyr.
This hour long play gives maybe the essence of the trial, but few questions are answered beyond the strong impression probably intended by the script, that political expediency played its part. My own summary of the play is also constricted by space

On Trial

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Oscar Wilde
1895, Oscar Wilde is on trial accused of indecency. He pleads Not Guilty. "Abandon all prejudices" wisely advises the prosecuting counsel. However a certain bias in the script seems apparent to me.
Narrator Andrew Faulds explores the background to the case, presented confusingly and too briefly, a case involving Wilde exposing his views on art, morality and his friendship with Lord Alfred Douglas, a "sodomite" according to his own father. One line from Wilde stands out, "I have never loved anyone but myself." But his relationship with one "ugly boy" is "unnerving." This was quite advanced television for its era.
Wilde had been arrested, and put in the dock alongside Alfred Taylor, accused of procuring youths for Wilde. A valet Charles Parker testifies how Taylor introduced him to Wilde, "good for plenty of money." Then Atkins adds to this evidence, but stating there was "no impropriety." However blackmail is his business. It is easy for Wilde's counsel Sir Edward Clarke to suggest these men are tainted witnesses. But this is harder to suggest in the case of the more respectable Edward Shelley, who says he rejected Wilde's advances.
The prosecutor reads extracts from True Love, "I am the love that dare not speak its name," and this draws Wilde to comment, eliciting applause in court. He denies any "improper conduct" with all these youths, but the redaction of the case for tv actually becomes surprisingly repetitive, and we are left to wonder what has been left out. A summary by the defence offers the key point that the witnesses are suspect. "Mr Wilde is not an ordinary man."
The selection of material might suggest the scriptwriter's own sympathies. Mr Justice Charles summarises, again repeating the details about the character of the witnesses. The jury retire, and cannot agree on a verdict.
A retrial is held, Wilde is found guilty. At the end, JB Priestley explains that he believes the government needed to obtain a Guilty verdict, Wilde was "a scapegoat." This certainly reinforces the programme's own stance
On Trial

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Sherlock Holmes (BBC, 1964-8)

Douglas Wilmer created a fine Sherlock Holmes. Nigel Stock provided staunch support as Dr Watson. Later Peter Cushing took over the role of the great detective.

Pilot: The Speckled Band (May 1964)
1.1 The Illustrious Client (Feb 1965)
1.2 The Devil's Foot
1.3 The Copper Beeches
1.4 The Red Headed League
1.5 The Abbey Grange
1.6 The Six Napoleons
1.7 The Man with the Twisted Lip
1.8 The Beryl Coronet
1.9 The Bruce-Partington Plans
1.10 Charles Augustus Milverton
1.11 The Retired Colourman
1.12 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax
2.3 A Study in Scarlet (Sept 1968)
2.4/5 The Hound of the Baskervilles
2.6 The Boscombe Valley Mystery
2.15 The Sign of Four
2.16 The Blue Carbuncle

To the earliest TV version of Holmes
Taped Crime Menu

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The Speckled Band
Who is whistling during a stormy night in an old lonely house?
Julia Stoner is to be married shortly, how relieved she will be to get away from her domineering stepfather's gloomy pile. A baboon and cheetah wander freely around it. "You're going to live happily ever after," her sister Helen tells her. "i sometimes think he's mad."
Not so, for that night there's a scream and Julia is dead. Has she fainted away from fear?.
Two years have passed, and now Helen is engaged to Percy. She tells her fiance that her stepfather has insisted she sleeps in Julia's bedroom until the marriage. Indeed, he forces her to do so. That night Helen hears a whistle. She jumps out of bed and runs away to consult SH.
She is shaking with fear, afraid of her stepfather. Dr Watson of course is all "at sea," especially baffled over Julia's dying words, Speckled Band.
After she has left with a lighter heart, the wicked stepfather himself, Grimesby Roylot (Felix Felton) bursts in to warn SH to mind his own business.
Undeterred, SH and Dr Watson travel down to Roylot's home. Nearby they meet some surly gipsies- one is wearing a speckled handkerchief round his neck.
Now SH examines Helen's new bedroom. His attention is on a bell pull, which does not work. A ventilator links the room with her stepfather's. In the latter room is a saucer of fresh milk.
That night, Helen lies petrified as Roylot prowls the house. SH and Watson gain entry via her bedroom window. "What a nightmarish place!"
They wait. A scream, but this is from Roylot. A deadly swamp adder had entered Helen's bedroom via the ventilator, down the bell rope. SH had beaten it off, and the snake had retreated and savaged its master, "violence recoils upon the violent"
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The Illustrious Client(1965)
Sir James (Ballard Berkeley) is seeking SH's aid in preventing "the Austrian murderer," Baron Gruner from killing "a man of great significance." He has already implemented the first stage of that scheme, by becoming engaged to the innocent Violet de Merville (Jennie Linden).
Peter Wyngarde's Baron has an edge, irascible, almost frightening as you fear for the besotted Violet who is unable to see through her love for this egocentric. She will hear nothing against his "noble nature" for the very good reason that he has been so open and honest with her about his disreputable past, even to accusations that he killed his first wife.
SH's first move is to contact at a music hall a petty criminal called Shinwell Johnson. Proof positive against the baron is what Shinwell is asked to supply.
Then face to face with the baron in his sumptuous home. They exchange unpleasantries as both stand confident in their positions. Now the baron seems foppish, bantering, yet still menacing in warning off SH.
Miss Kitty Winter (Rosemary Leach) from Islington is the person that Shinwell comes up with. She is sure the baron has committed two other murders. He keeps a leather book, his 'collection' of his women conquests.
DrW has mugged up on another passion of the baron's, Chinese pottery, so he can offer him a rare Ming saucer, as a distraction while SH and Miss Winter search his study for the leather book. But it must be admitted Watson is no match for the baron who sees through him, "what is the game?" Too late he understands what SH is doing. The book is snatched, but Miss Winter has her own revenge, acid in the baron's face. Though naturally the good doctor rushes to his side, he's now a disfigured martyr. That at least is how Violet will see him, until she is shown the Lust Diary.
Perhaps the only weakness of this, is that the Baron seems, in the last analysis, no master criminal, but a mere lothario
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The Copper Beeches

A pianist plays, her audience of two disinterested, until she faints. Jephro Rucastle (Patrick Wymark) must find a new tutor for his only son.
A very suitable candidate is Miss Violet Hunter (Suzanne Neve) who is offered the post at the Copper Beeches, five miles outside Winchester at one hundred pounds a year. For that generous salary, she must also make herself "useful." Another odd request is that she must cut her hair short.
She refuses, but seeks SH's advice when she receives a letter offering her £120. SH perceives she is a capable woman, and only suggests that she sends him a telegram if any problems arise. For she is determined to take up the position. Equally SH expects to hear from her.
At The Copper Beeches, she meets Claire Rucastle, Jephro's second wife, and ten year old Edward who "has his little ways." These include catching a mouse and killing it spitefully, "you little scamp." It is evident that husband and wife are planning something for Violet which is none too nice.
SH discovers that the first Mrs Rucastle left nearly all her fortune to her daughter Alice, who has gone to America.
Rucastle takes Violet's photograph, it draws the attention of a strange man lurking in the garden.
She makes a rendezvous with SH and DrW in Winchester, and tells them that she believes that she is there to impersonate Alice, whom she thinks is dead. SH concurs, though warns that other theories are possible. Following his advice, Violet explores the house, and finds an area that is not used. Is Alice imprisoned there? She asks SH to help, and conveniently the Rucastles are going out this evening. Violet locks the housekeeper in the cellar, and ensures her husband is drunk before signalling to SH and DrW that they can enter the house.
The only problem is that Rucastle returns unexpectedly. In the secret room, SH finds... nothing. Had the "scoundrel" guessed? A murderous attack by the infuriated Rucastle is stopped, and he unwisely releases Caspar the giant dog. Poetic justic almost follows, though SH shoots the dog to spare the villain.
All is explained, the stranger was Miss Alice's fiance, he had already rescued her from that secret room. We end with a nice misunderstanding by DrW, who thinks for a moment that SH has become engaged to the enchanting Miss Hunter!

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The Red-Headed League
A break-in at the home of banker Merryweather. Master criminal, dubbed by SH as John Clay, leaves behind a trademark clay pipe, "he cannot bear to see his work unnoticed."
Pawnbroker Wilson is red headed. He employs a new assistant Vincent Spaulding, who offers to work at half pay since he is so inexperienced. He settles in well, and points out to his master an advertisement for a red headed gentleman who for "purely nominal services," will be paid £4 per week. Wilson applies and Duncan Ross offers him the post which involves copying out a book from ten to two each day. The work must be done in Ross' office.
SH is growing impatient as, apart from forged notes being passed, no hint of Clay can be found.
As Wilson suspects, the job is a fraud. One morning he arrives to find the office closed, and he turns to SH, who laughs at the story. Then astonishes Wilson by revealing a lot about himself. He takes on the case, and is fascinated by the description of Spaulding who "has a light acid mark on his forehead."
While DrW dozes, SH ponders the problem. They proceed to the "pokey" shop for "a time for observation."
SH returns to Merryweather. Plans of his bank were among items stolen. With the banker and Inspector Hopkins, they wait inside the vault of the bank. Spaudling enters via a different route, a tunnel constructed from the pawnbroker's. John Clay, alias Spaulding, is arrested, though in his arrest, he demands to be treated like royalty.
"An escape from boredom," is SH's verdict on the case

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The Abbey Grange
Only the second half survives- the dvd gets Douglas Wilmer to read parts of the original.

Sir Eustace Brackenstall has been murdered by three intruders, who tied up his wife Mary (Nyree Dawn Porter). They had helped themselves to a drink and snaffled the silver. But SH reckons that Lady Brackenstall and her maid Theresa are lying.

SH returns to The Abbey Grange, and scrutinises the scene of the crime. He tells DrW that he knows who is the killer. "How on earth did you find that out?" marvels the dcotor.
SH questions Lady Brackenstall, urging her to tell the truth. She is silent. So SH orders Inspector Hopkins to search the fish pond, and here the stolen silverware is discovered.
SH has no proof that Captain Jack Croker is the killer, so he confronts him, "you be frank with me..." The captain admits he is in love with Mary, who had not reciprocated his advances, even though her marriage was a loveless one. In a flshback we see what really happened. SH notes that Croker had acted under provocation, and calls on his friend to act as a kind of jury, to determine what action should, or should not, be taken

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The Beryl Coronet
Banker Alexander Holder (Leonard Sachs) has obtained, as security for a huge loan of £50,000, a crown.
His wayward son Arthur is in finacial difficulties yet again, gambling at cards. His pal Sir George won't honour the debt, so an IOU has to be all that Arthur can offer "for a few days." Worse follows for him, when his intended, Mary (Suzan Farmer) turns him down.
Lucy the maid notices that the crown has been locked in a cabinet and informs an admirer, Francis. At 2am Alexander awakes, to discover his son stealing the crown. The priceless jewels have been removed already. "I haven't taken the jewels," cries Arthur, but the police are called. Mary faints. Arthur is arrested.
Distraught, Alexander consults SH, desperate to recover the missing jewels. "A complex case," comments the great detective, "more in it than meets the eye," adds DrW.
SH starts outside the Holder residence, examining footprints. Then he questions Mary, who confirms that she had seen Lucy leave the house briefly, to talk to Francis, a man with a wooden leg.
Dr W is told to go to Arthur's cell and examine his hands, "you haven't cut yourself?" No. SH disguises himself and gains entrance into the downstairs rooms of Sir George's house. He learns from the butler that his master is broke.
"I am a ruined man," Alexander cries, as the jewels are not yet found. SH visits the jail and asks Arthur to remove his right shoe and sock. He examines the bare foot. "You will be a free man," he promises.
SH challenges Sir George, whose hand has been cut. The jewels are recovered and returned. Mary has left home. SH explains how the crime was committed, in flashback, "I can not believe it"

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The Bruce-Partington Plans
At Aldgate station, a model train draws in, a dead man lies by the track.
The "omniscient" Mycroft Holmes (Derek Francis doesn't really convey him as such) seeks SH's help in finding out who murdered this dead man, Cadogan West, a junior clerk at Woolwich Arsenal. Naval plans were found on his body, some are still missing.
SH travels on the Metropolitan Railway to Aldgate, and deduces the corpse had fallen from the roof of a carriage.
Sydney Johnson, senior clerk, held one key to the safe where the plans were kept. The other was held by James Walter, who has just died. Col Valentine Walter claims to know nothing.
Johnson introduces SH to West's fiancee Violet. She reveals her fiance had been worried of late, but she is certain he was not the man to betray state secrets.
SH inspects the security at Woolwich. A known spy Hugo Oberstein has gone to Paris, and SH uses the opportunity of searching his house. Blood stains! The railway runs by a window of this house. "Holmes, this is your masterpiece!" exclaims the admiring DrW. The plans are found in a box, along with newspaper cuttings. These lead SH to Fleet Street.
The return of Oberstein is awaited. A surprise! All is revealed. Oberstein is arrested.
The tale ends with SH revealing to DrW a tie pin, a gift from a lady "at Windsor"

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The Retired Colourman

"Pathetic and futile" Josiah Amberley (Maurice Denham) is sent to SH by Inspector L, over his faithless wife who has elopied with her lover Dr Ray Ernest, stealing bonds worth £700. DrW is put in charge of the case. After interviewing the grumpy old man in his dilapidated mansion, Dr W reports back to SH, saying that he noticed he had been followed by a man wearing dark glasses. It must be Ernest. SH is hardly impressed by DrW's visit, "you have missed everything of significance," he chides. Off to the Albert Hall is SH, for a Joachim concert.
Dark Glasses pokes round the outside of Amberley's home. Next day a telegram from Rev JC Elman who wants Amberley to call on him on his parish near Frinton. Since Amberley's wife's sister lives here, Dr W agrees to accompany Amberley, who himself is hardly keen on the trip. They catch the train and have sandwiches, washed down with "Chateau Liverpool Street." After the long journey, they reach the vicar, who is in church, "I sent no telegram." The wild goose chase is made worse, when it is discovered that there is no train back to town until the morrow. "Bungling amateurs," is Amberley's comment.
But SH has been busy. He has explored the interior of Amberley's house and summons DrW and the owner to the mansion, in the inspector's presence. As a storm rages, SH introduces Dark Glasses, who does look like Ernest, but of course is not. He is actually a private detective. SH explains his solution of this case, the crime recreated for our benefit.
L takes all the credit for the arrest, much to SH and DrW's amusement

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The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax
In a Lausanne hotel, servants Jules and Marie admire the jewellery of Lady Carfax while she is out on a walk. The lady is accosted by a bearded stranger. She is not seen again.
DrW is despatched to Switzerland, since the maid has cashed Lady Carfax's cheque for £50. DrW learns that last to see her had been a doctor of divinity, Dr Schlessinger. He also talks to Jules, who reveals that Marie had been dismissed. He says that Lady Carfax had met an Englishman, "I think she was frightened of this man." DrW cables SH for advice. He is hardly impressed by DrW's efforts.
DrW next finds Marie, who has a piece of jewellery which she claims is a wedding gift. Suddenly DrW spots the bearded man! The two fight, DrW rescued by a stranger, none other than SH in disguise. Hon Philip Green is the bearded man- and SH introduces him to DrW. It turns out that this man was in love with Frances, but forbidden to marry her by her father. But now he has made his fortune, he is an eligible suitor. But where is she?
SH has found out that Schlessinger is really a con man. Lady Carfax is, he is almost sure, held prisoner, somewhere in London. When one of her jewels is pawned in Westminster Road, SH gets the Hon Philip to watch this shop. A coffin is seen entering the premises of the "lately" Schlessinger. SH confronts him.
His story is that Lady Carfax had accompanied him to London, but then went away, leaving her jewels in lieu of unpaid bills. But who is inside the coffin? Dramatically, SH opens the lid - it's an old woman.
"I feel I have personally failed," SH confesses to Green. Then the penny drops. He returns to the coffin, and there inside is the dead woman as well as Lady Frances Carfax. DrW expresses the opinion that she will recover and SH explains how he solved the crime
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A Study In Scarlet
Drebber and Stangerson, two Americans, are after Miss Charpentier. The former is taken prisoner and taken to an empty property, there to be killed.
3 Lauriston Gardens is where Inspectors Lestrade and Gregson find the corpse, and immediately summon the aid of the great detective. But there is one obvious clue, 'Rache' is scrawled in blood on a wall. Our Scotland Yard men search for the elusive Rachel. Thus the wrong suspect is arrested. However Holmes points out that the word is actually German for Revenge.
A wedding ring was lying by the corpse. A woman claims the ring, but obviously this is a man in disguise. Holmes gives chase but loses him. Evidently he is an accomplished actor, and thus Joey Daley is traced to a music hall. But he says he only claimed the ring as his for a wager.
Stangerson is done in, Rache is found above his corpse as before. By his side are two pills, which Holmes analyses while the Yard men patiently wait. Hol;mes deduces why the ring had been placed by the dead man. A Jefferson Hope is arrested.
He had been a cop on the trail of the two Americans. An explanation he offers a little tediously, partly in flashback. He had forced the killers of his girl friend to choose one of these pills, one was harmless, the other contained deadly poison. Drebber had taken a poisoned one, but Stangerson had refused to play the Russian roulette, and had been stabbed. "They both deserved to die."
Frankly, though this may be heresy, this plot is no better or worse than many a cheap tv crime show, let's not pretend otherwise. The only subtlety lies in the involvement of Sherlock Holmes
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The Hound of The Baskervilles

Briefly, the legend is related using a painting of the hound, "it is out there now." Sir Charles be dead- from terror- new owner Sir Charles, whose life is "at risk" inherits over £740,000.
Dr Watson is charged with guarding him, "I shall come to no harm." Holmes is nowhere to be seen. This is a slightly plodding if authentic version of the tale, lacking the gory colour of the Hammer film, but offering, when out the studio, genuine Dartmoor locations.
Watson muddles through the clues, though of course it is Holmes' shadowy presence that penetrates the identity of the murderer. "Not a very satisfactory case," admits the great detective, even if readers might disagree, for collecting the clues proves difficult, and several blunders mar his brilliance. A trap is set, when Sir Henry is invited to dinner, rashly encouraged by Holmes to walk home across "the perils" of the moors, surely an invitation to murder. Unfastened is the chain, fog descends- "the greatest blunder of my life" cries Holmes. The hound bays and howls and attacks. Like the police in so many crime dramas, Holmes shows up too late- almost. Poor Sir Henry be nearly gored to death.
The bog claims the killer- aaargh! "No one can help him now," mutters Holmes dispassionately. This be almost Hammer

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The Boscombe Valley Mystery

Uninspiring drama of a son who is arrested for murdering his father. James McCarthy had been seen crouching over his father's dying body, whose final word had been Rats.
Holmes and Watson catch the train to Ross in Herefordshire to attend the inquest. James refuses to divulge the reason why he and his father had argued earlier. Holmes meets Miss Alice Turner, who is hoping to marry James. Then he examines the scene of the crime, as Watson watches on in bemusement. A stone is found, the murder weapon.
Alice's father owned the McCarthy farm, the two men had been involved in the Australian gold rush. Turner reveals that Alice can never marry James. James' father however had wanted to see them married, but it can never be, since James is married to the local barmaid.
Baccarat in Australia was a gold rush town, and that apparently was what the dying man had been saying, the end of that town's name. The clues lead to the killer, Holmes supplying the motive is a long coda, partly unusually related through pen and ink drawings. Then melodrama to finish, oh and Alice and James kiss. On the train home, Holmes elucidates all to Watson

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The Sign of Four
Miss Mary Morstan (Ann Bell) rather takes Dr Watson's eye, as she relates how every year she receives a flawless pearl through the post. Sent on the anniversary of her father's disappearance. This year she has also received a letter which promises to enlighten her. She asks Holmes, and Watson, to accompany her.
Their destination is a South London house, outwardly suburban, but the interior is "an oasis of art," where dwells Thaddeus Solto (Paul Daneman, utterly unconvincing as an Indian). "You are a wronged woman," he tells her. He relates how he and Mary's father had argued over a hidden treasure. This is now somehwere in Pondicherry Lodge, home of Thaddeus' brother. They all go there, to find the brother dead, the sign of four beside his corpse in a locked room. The killer had entered via a hole in the ceiling, and in the attic the treasure was hid. Of course it is now missing.
Inspector Jones is quick to arrest Thaddeus. Holmes however, pronounces that a wooden legged man named Jonathan is the killer. Using the dog Toby, he tracks down Mordecai Smith, boat builder. A wooden legged man had hired his boat, the Aurora, They track it down on the Thames, Jonathan attempts to run off, but with only one leg, he can't get far. The treasure is recovered.
Solto is handing Mary more pearls, as her share. Sensing a rival, Watson proudly hands her the recovered treasure chest, which is opened.
Holmes offers a somewhat melancholy epilogue

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The Blue Carbuncle

At the Hotel Cosmopolitan, Lady Morcar complains of a bad odour in her room. Workman John Horner pokes up the chimney. When the distinguished guest discovers that her valuable Blue Carbuncle has been stolen, Horner is arrested. He claims he is innocent, and attempts to kill himself in his prison cell.
Holmes is ordered by her ladyship to investigate the theft. However he expresses himself not interested in such a trite case.
What does attract him is a hat left behind, along with a dead goose, by a man fleeing the police. Holmes persuades Watson to make deductions from the hat about the owner. Holmes offers an amazing amount of detail. Watson offers Holmes a small Christmas present of tobacco, they are interrupted by a policeman who had discovered a carbuncle in the Christmas goose!
An advertisement is placed in the paper for Henry Baker, owner of the hat and goose, to come forward and claim his property. Eventually a man named Harold Baker shows up, brother of said Henry. He claims he had purchased the goose at the Alpha Inn, from landlord Mr Windigate. From him, Holmes learns the goose had come from Covent Garden Market. Here Mr Albert Breckinridge is less helpful, but is eventually persuaded by a little bet to reveal the goose came from a Mrs Oakshott.
However somebody else is inquiring after the goose. John Robinson is he, and he proves to be James Ryder, who works at the hotel. "That's mine!" he shouts, when Holmes shows him the carbuncle. The thief explains how the carbuncle had been hidden in the turkey, Holmes in the spirit of the season, allows him to run off, before returning the jewel to Lady Morcar

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The Quatermass Experiment (1953)
with Reginald Tate as the Professor.
Two surviving stories
July 18th 1953, and
July 25th 1953.

Quatermass II (1955)
with John Robinson as the Professor.
The six episodes from October 22nd 1955 to November 26th 1955.
1 The Bolts
2 The Mark
3 The Food
4 The Coming
5 The Frenzy
6 The Destroyers

Quatermass and the Pit (1958)
with Andre Morrell as the Professor.
Episode 1 was on December 22nd 1958. 1 The Halfman, 2 The Ghosts, 3 Imps and Demons, 4 The Enchanted, 5 The Wild Hunt, 6 Hob

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1 Contact Has Been Established

It wouldn't be British if our first manned rocket doesn't go missing Somewhere in Space, "something went wrong." Judith's husband Victor is the youngest of the three crew members. I was waiting for the line, "it's jolly bad luck," but the script wasn't as bad as that, though we were given, "I'm not letting myself go!"
Here is primitive tv, of its time well done, with numerous close ups, and a few models, then a rather unconvincing mock up of the wreckage. Yes, contact with the errant rocket is re-established and it is guided back to Earth, "somewhere nearer than Croydon." The studio, in fact. The unruffled Dr Quatermass is driven to the crash site, somewhere on "the west side of Wimbledon Common."
You'd expect a larger crowd to be gathered here and there's little panic or even worry evident, however one enjoyable scene as an old lady (Katie Johnson) clutching her cat is helped down a ladder from her wrecked home- she's the only actor who looks at all dazed.
Jaded journalist Jimmy is one of a (slightly) increasing crowd. "There must be somebody inside the thing," for, to Judith's intense relief, tapping can be discerned. The tension and excitement build well, then the press interviews keep us guessing up to the end of part one. The rocket door is opened and out staggers a man in a space suit, real 50's sci-fi. It's Victor, the worse for wear. But inside the ship Quatermass can find no sign of his two companions, "I don't understand"

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2 Persons Reported Missing

Victor Carroon is the only survivor, "where are the others?"
How could they have disappeared from the rocket?
Fullalove, a reporter, probes, as he is sure Professor Quatermass has some secret worry he has not revealed. When an apparent clue is discovered on the space clothing, he won't even reveal its significance to the police.
Victor is delirious, Inspector Lomax cannot get any sense out of him, "his brain must have been damaged." His wife is distraught, even though she had been intending to tell him she was leaving him.
Another clue is found in Victor's fingerprints. Quatermass is so worried by this action of the police, he has Victor removed from the hospital. The professor's own doctor has a theory about the "change" in Victor.
The patient is shown film of the launch. His only comment is "bring something back." However he repeats some his leader's German words, and it emerges that he can understand this language.
"A sort of powder" is found in the rocket. This might have caused an electrical fault. "What went on here?"

By today's standards, this single thread of story is very drawn out, its dramatic impact in 1953 was greater than it is on us today. It is interesting how this drama is sustained so well for over half an hour

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1 The Bolts
"Another of 'em!" Captain Dillon heads for a ploughed field and finds a hot meteorite aside a dazed farmworker. Call Professor Quatermass!
He is busy trying to solve why his rocket launch in Australia has resulted in a nuclear reaction on earth, instead of heading for the moon to build his projected moon colony. "We're out of the race!" Britain that is, not going to be first on the jolly old moon. The twin of this rocket in Britain clearly has the same latent fault.
Dillon, who happens to be the girl friend of Quatermass' daughter Paula, brings the meteorite to the great man. He at once goes to question Fred the ploughman about what he had witnessed, but the poor chap is unco-operative, who can blame him?
A security area excites Quatermass' suspicions- it looks like a refinery, though the professor knows what it really is. It is strangely deserted.
What's that? That thing on poor Dillon's face...?

Sorry if my review isn't more enthusiastic. I found some good acting in the story, notably Herbert Lomas as Will in the pub, but there is also some poor acting, here I have to slate Quatermass' daughter, nearly your original BBC-accented actress, who hardly improves as the series progresses and nearly derails several scenes. Still, this makes for interesting viewing

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2 The Mark

The fallen meteorite has sent Dillon into a trance like state. Security guards swoop and take him away, as a semi-prisoner, to the hospital at the mysterious government research unit. Quatermass is not allowed to accompany him, ordered away.
He encounters a tramp (Wilfred Brambell) who talks about the village that had been on this site before this huge base was built. Quatermass collects up a lot of flints, then drives to the nearby new town of Winnerden Flats, a mass of prefabs built for workers at the base.
One of their 'representatives' is Dawson (Michael Brennan) who is uncooparative when asked by the professor about the nature of the place.
A little girl who "wanders" interests him, she is in the same trance like state as Dillon, and has the same mark on her.
Analysis of the fragments, coupled with Quatermass' glimpse of something almost invisible, yield wild theories. Police refuse to help, but then Quatermass is introduced to a civil servant who says the place is researching into synthetic foods.
He finds one ally in an angry MP (Rupert Davies) who is trying to conduct an inquiry into Winnerden Flats. All he has met to date is "evasion." Quatermass is permitted to attend the next session, and oh dear, there he sees on one of the committee The Mark!

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The Food

Vincent Broadhead MP's inquiry ends with Quatermass departing in disarray. "Menace" is how he describes the atmosphere in there. But it is also gas, and the MP is turned into a shell of a man.
Public Relations Officer Ward has visited the plant and as he has a pass is persuaded by Quatermass to take him and the senior civil servant Fowler on a tour of inspection.
They begin at the medical centre, where there is no sign of Dillon. In fact very few people are around at all. The tour makes for the processing unit, where the suspicion is that it is not merely food for human consumption that is the end product.
Ward disappears, and reappears a sorry mess from 'The Dome,' handing Quatermass an object that he had found in there before he dies.
On the nearby beach, a picnicking family are ordered off by guards. Meeting resistance they are brought to the plant by armed guards, passing the departing Quatermass.
Leo Pugh has examined the rocks and has identified the source of the meteorites in deepest space. But now, thousands of miles away, "they are coming.....!"

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The Coming

Quatermass is certain that the meteorites now hurtling again towards Earth are capable of paralysing the nervous system and instil submission to an alien will. While Fowler delves the top secret ministry files, he becomes the latest casualty.
Quatermass decides to alert the press. He takes Hugh Conrad, a reporter, to a pub used by the workers at Winnerden Flats, and they chat with the McClouds, a couple celebrating their silver wedding. They pick up a few useful titbits, but the people there are nervous of speaking out. Then an" overshot", as they call it, crashes into the building. Vainly, Quatermass attempts to warn them of their peril.
Conrad unwisely handles the fallen object and surely he is succumbing! He manages to phone through his horrific story before dying.
The mud flats seem to be swarming with invaders! Quatermass breaks into the plant disguised as a guard. He stares at the inside of The Dome, swarming with a writhing mass of horrible looking gunge

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The Frenzy
Perhaps this title is optimistic, though "coming down in hundreds," are the meteorites to be transformed in the steel dome to beings that control The Earth itself. This "nest" is only one of many around the world.
A mob storms the plant and amid volleys of bullets, some dodge into the control room to where the pursued Quatermass has also fled. Quatermass reveals what he had seen in the Dome, "I don't believe it."
Pump oxygen into the dome, orders the scientist, this will destroy the process these workers had inadvertently created. As loudspeakers order them to quit the plant, union leader McCloud, who is operating the oxygen pump, capitulates and takes many of the workers with him, lured by the promise of being shown what is inside the dome.
"Blood!" Their bodies are used to block the oxygen pipe. If this had been made today, no doubt an ocean of red would have filled our screens- instead this horror is merely reported. Smoke! In the chaos, Quatermass gets away and bumps into Pugh, who is on a rescue mission, or something. Back to the rocket- quickly!
Rocket to take off... What's this? It is The Return of John Dillon, now zombified, who declares, "the rocket base is under our control." Sorry, but I didn't know whether to laugh or laugh

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The Destroyers

"He won't be the same man you knew four days ago." That is Cpt Dillon, who hands over some written orders. When Quatermass reasons with the zombie, somehow or rather Dillon responds and permits the rocket to be launched on its mission to destroy the enemy.
Consideirng there is no rocket, only scaffolding in the studio, the model behaves creditably, though maybe the drama by centering on the rocket loses the tension of their objective. Yet the scenes are performed without glorifying these space pioneers, who lurch desperately round their studio capsule.
Leo Pugh has been infected! He attempts to shoot Quatermass but finishes whirling off into outer space, "there's no gravity!" (In case you didn't know.)
Having reached his objective, Quatermass, with a cardboard cutout of Pugh wailing comically in the ether, destroys the enemy. The conviction behind the drama has necessarily to be conveyed by the strength of John Robinson's acting, and he carries it out well.
Dillon is released from his spell. Oh- and the world is saved

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1 The Halfman

In Hobb's Lane SW1 (also spelt Hob's), during excavations a skull is dug up. Apeman in Knightsbridge read the popular headlines.
At a press conference, Dr Matthew Roney appeals for more time to study the ancient fossils being unearthed. The concept of a five million year old human grabs the public attention.
Quatermass is falling out with politicians over the misuse of his rocket project for military purposes to achieve British world domination (don't laugh!). His plea for peaceful uses for his rocket falls on very deaf ears.
Back at the dig, a lady alerts Roney's assistant Barbara Judd over another discovery- an unexploded bomb. Or is it? It is not made of metal. Roney calls in the disillusioned Quatermass...

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The Ghosts
The officious Col Breen is in charge of operations at the bomb site. Quatermass examines the metal alloy, finding it "harder than diamond." Thus it cannot be a World War Two bomb, though Breen persists in believing it to be so.
A complete skull is unearthed. As there is some low level radiation, a clay sample is removed for analysis, and to Roney's dismay, excavations have to stop.
Local gossip has it that the nearby house is haunted, and Quatemass explores the building, derelict since 1927. Scratch marks are on the wall. Mrs and Mrs Chilcot, neighbours, tell him about "the dreadful sounds" that would emanate from there. Then he chats with Roney about the dating of the bones.
With the radioactive all clear, Breen speeds things up with an excavator, again to Roney's intense anger. The analysis is dismissed by Breen as "absurd," though Quatermass knows that the presence of alien substances in the sample are significant.
Barbara Judd brings newspaper cuttings about The Knightsbridge Spooks of 1927. Breen has uncovered a huge rocket-like structure. Inside are strange markings, and a ghost.

The tension has been built up well, though perhaps too slowly, interesting that even a contemporary review by DEH admitted that much

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Imps and Demons

The markings inside the rocket are identified as a pentacle, as used in black magic. A soldier panics when he sees a "horrible" figure.
Excavations reveal a door, this is made of a heatproof metal.
In a newspaper office, the story of the Apeman seems to be fizzling out. Reporter James Fullalove (Brian Worth) is sent to probe further.
The most powerful cutter fails to penetrate the void inside the rocket. All that happens is eveyone starts shaking. Research by Quatermass reveals the ghost stories are much older than 1927. In 1762 there were stories of ghosts, and several centuries previously, are found reports of demons in Hobs Lane. Each time has been after some disturbance of the ground.
A small hole mysteriously appears in the metal inside the rocket. Through this, a large eye is seen!
More noises when another attempt is made to break into the empty compartment. Success. Inside cobwebs and great demons. Dead demons

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The Enchanted

"Colossal" dead insects inside the bulkhead. Roney has them hastily sprayed so they do not decompose and then removes them to his museum. Quatermass and reporter Fullalove scour the area where the things had once lived.
The latter's newspaper article soon has the public clamouring outside Roney's museum, inside which there is much speculation on the origins of the species.
Is Colonel Breen cracking up? He and Quatermass are called on the carpet to the War Office. The minister is briefed. Quatermass hands out his considered theory that the specimens are Martian invaders from many aeons ago. You can't blame Breen for being dubious, his idea is that the last war is to blame. His is not scientific though an "ingenious" counter theory that the Minster eagerly latches on to.
As a result the area with the rocket is declared safe. Things can be returned to normal. But Barbara suddenly becomes unsconscious and one worker, Sladden, goes beserk as he clears away, and totters wildly out of the rocket into a graveyard where he collapses. Mysterious underground rumblings underneath his body add to the mystery

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The Wild Hunt

"The whole place was shaking." Barbara describes this latest crisis to Quatermass, who is still fuming over the rejection of his theory by the minister. The two of them go to the church where Sladden is recovering. He becomes wildly excited when questioned about what he had witnessed.
Col Breen is attempting to substantiate his theory, by checking with Germany over the identity of 'their' rocket. Quatermass knows, however, that it is a throwback of the Martian invasion of Earth aeons ago. I'm not sure I knew if I believed either of 'em! That's probably the fascination of the story.
Roney has created an incredible invention, an optic encephalograph, that can depict the imaginings of the brain, and wants to use it to discover what Sladden has seen. As he is in too agitated a state, Quatermass tries to recreate what Sladden saw. It's a failure. But Barbara is more receptive and a violent reaction sweeps around the area as her mind records the scene. Later a tape is shown to the sceptical minister and Col Breen. It is "the cleansing of the hive," and indeed looks dramatic and "most serious," though the doubters put the whole thing down to hallucination.
At the rocket site, Breen delivers his speech on tv designed to calm the nation, but it backfires when there are explosions and Lord knows what else

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'Hob'
The final episode becomes a mass of cleverly generated wild scenes, which, if you have gone along with the premise, might be pretty convincing and even scarey.
A technician is electrocuted in the hull. This was no accident insists Quatermass, falling out yet again with Colonel Breen, who is preparing for a live tv broadcast to reassure the nation.
In a nearby pub, people are watching the tv screen which suddenly goes blank. Viewers are not shown the chaos at the rocket site, ethereal rumblings, then panic. A stampede along the street. Roney drags Quatermass to the now empty pub. "Everything's going mad." This includes Quatermass himself, who is more suspectible to the 'influence' and rages wildly, Roney acting as pacifier, all thoroughly melodramatic.
At the site Fullalove takes photos while Breen sits amid the ruins mesmerised, impressively baffled. Barbara acts possessed.
An American tv channel, NYBC-TV, puts out a report from a pilot flying over London, fires spreading like an epidemic. His plane crashes.
In the haunted house Potter searches. Roney reckons he knows how to end this madness, and as Quatermass is more in tune, he will execute the plan. This is a success, though not without fatality. When it is all over, Quatermass delivers an ominous warning speech

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ADAM ADAMANT LIVES! (1966/7)
"It's his courtesy viewers admire. The way he puts every woman on a pedestal and treats her like a rare flower." Alongside the perfect star Gerald Harper was Juliet Harmer as Miss Jones.
The BBC gave this their best shot in an attempt to emulate the fantasy that made The Avengers so unique. It's nice this series has received some sort of recognition following its dvd revival, although it's very hit and miss with a few absolutely brilliant stories but also a number of scripts that are best forgotten

The surviving stories:
1.1 A Vintage Year for Scoundrels
8*
1.2 Death has a Thousand Faces 7*
1.3 More Deadly than a Sword 0*
1.4 Sweet Smell of Disaster 9*
1.5 Allah is Not Always with You 2*
1.6 The Terribly Happy Emblamers 5*
1.7 To Set a Deadly Fashion 3*
1.8 The Last Sacrifice 1*
1.9 Sing a Song of Murder 8*
1.10 The Doomsday Plan 8*
1.11 Death by Appointment Only 7*
1.12 Beauty is an Ugly Word 7*
1.13 The League of Uncharitable Ladies 7*
1.15 The Village of Evil 5*
1.16 D for Destruction 2*
2.2 Black Echo 4*
2.13 A Sinister Sort of Service 6*

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The Expert (BBC)
starring Marius Goring as Dr John Hardy, a Home Office pathologist. The other regulars were Hardy's wife Jo (a medical doctor and thus confusingly Dr Hardy), his assistant Sandra and Inspector Fleming.
There were three series shown from 1968 to 1971, with a revival in 1976. It lacks any lightness of touch, a serious, almost grim, account of forensic police work, sometimes quite absorbing, but you do wish Marius Goring's character could be just a little more human. I suppose he's a typical anti-hero, though hero is entirely the wrong word for this good doctor with but a hint of dry humour. "Arrogance, to the point of pomposity," is his wife's accurate summing up of his character, though he does vainly protest, "I'm never pompous."

2:1 The Witness Hypothesis (April 1969), 2:2 The Witness Hard Facts , 2.3 The Witness Judgement
2:4 The Yellow Torrish
2.5 The Gun That Walked
2.6 One Life- More or Less
2.7 A Question of Guilt
2.8 A Famnily Affair
2.9 Death in the Rain
2.10 Protection
2:18 Lethal Weapon (August 1969)
2:22 Your Money for My Life
2:25 Flesh and Blood
3:1 A Way to Die? (January 1971)
3:2 Where are you Going?
3:3 The Man on my Back
3:5 Whose Child? The Wife, 3:6 Whose Child? The Husband
3:7 Cedric
3:11 Smithereens
3:12 Hothouse
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The Witness, part 1 Hypothesis
Though this two part story becomes progressively more absorbing, this first half would have been tighter as a half hour story.
A fourth murder in quick succession. "Keep your door locked," is police advice. All the victims are girls aged 19 to 25, all killed in their homes. First knocked out, then stripped and gagged. The motive appears to be some sort of punishment rather than lust.
Cameras follow Viv, a fiery redhead as she shops in a supermarket then goes home. Her gossipy phone conversation is interrupted by a knock on her door. Posing as an official, the killer gains entrance and swoops immediately. Procedure as before, only this time Viv's friend on the phone can hear something is wrong. She dials 999, the police swoop, but the attacker just succeeds in escaping on his motor scooter. Then we observe him in his bedsit, fastidious in his obsession with cleanliness.
A witness identifies a man who was proably following Viv. Another, Mary, who lives in the same block of flats, also identifies Viv's visitor, Jimmy Porter he was asking for.
Dr Hardy mulls over the Case with his wife. He builds up a possible portrait of the maniac, all guesswork but good guesswork- effeminate, good looking, and strong. An arts student, in his early 20s from a broken home. "All conjecture."
Police have been busy too, Martin Ingram is their suspect, who reluctantly but quietly is taken from his bedsit to the police station. Though he protests innocence, he certainly fits in with Hardy's theories.
Viv, dangerously ill in hospital, is just about able to identify her attacker, though the ordeal is far too much for her.
(for the
continuation)
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The Witness, part 2 Hard Facts
Following the harrowing identity parade, Dr Hardy examines the suspect Martin Ingram, while Jo Hardy uses hypnosis on the victim Viv. Both scenes are well observed in detail, though the best follows. Despite Hardy's protestations, Ingram is immediately interviewed by the police inspector (John Collin).
Viv remembers the supermarket manager looking at her, and a good looking stranger inside the shop whom she quite fancied. He was in the identity parade but she hadn't seen him on that day. We reach the crux, the attack, "haven't I seen you somewhere before?" repeats Viv, though a description of him is hard, too hard to obtain.
Mary identifies Ingram as being in the flats that day. Hardy has pieced together a supermarket bag that Ingram had burned, it is from that supermarket. The manager describes a youth whom he thought might have been watching Viv, "staring" at her. He identifies Ingram in a parade.
All the evidence seems to suggest Ingram's guilt, this is the interest of the story. However what follows is unfair.
Ingram writes down a statement denying any knowledge of the girl. Cameras follow another girl being followed by a man. Ingram admits he had been in the shop, stealing, and had been at Viv's flats coincidentally to see his friend Jimmy Porter.
From his evidence, Hardy now concludes, "there is nothing to connect him and her." Too much of a swindle is this story as police fail to pick up the right vibes and like the story end in a cul-de-sac, though the court case follows

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2.4 The Yellow Torrish (April 25th 1969)
Frank Houghton (Basil Henson) is worried that his company secretary Arthur Williams (Peter Barkworth) and shareholder Thorpe (Glyn Owen) are attempting to takeover "his" company.
In the river next to Houghton's cottage retreat, Williams finds his boss' bloodstained jacket in a drifting punt. No sign of a body but instead of phoning the police he calls in Dr John Hardy to investigate, fearful lest company shares plummet at the news of Houghton's disappearance.
Mrs Houghton (Jean Marsh) has no inkling of any accident and perturbed by the news that police have not been informed, contacts Inspector Fleming.
Hardy searches the cottage, then the river. Bloodstains indoors, and a possibility that the kitchen floor has been recently cleaned. Any initial injury, Hardy concludes, would have happened here. The boat has scratches on the side and some hair. This is later shown to be from a dog. And the jacket has two different blood groups on it.
Hardy is mystified why some clues have been left, apparently carelessly, while other fingerpritns and the evidence on the kitchen floor have been concealed. Though no fisherman, he is also intrigued why Houghton had taken two fishing rods with him.
The mystery is partly solved when old Greg admits he had borrowed Houghton's boat, he'd also borrowed Houghton's fishing rod, he's a poacher. His old dog had jumped out the boat and is later found drowned. Though the rod is a trout rod, it was a salmon fly, a yellow morrish. The other rod had been taken by Houghton on a trip to Ireland. He returns in time for a vital board meeting, his reappearance part of his scheme to gain control of the company. He is almost guilty of wasting police time, but where's the proof? The author has led us, and the police, a merry dance
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Death In The Rain
Lurking in the dark is Trimmer (Michael Gough), not somebody you'd want to meet on a dark night. He talks to ten year old Lucille, who is later found dead. In tears, Jack Norton her father (Glyn Houston) makes the identification in the morgue. He asks Dr Jo Hardy to help his distressed wife.
Dr John Hardy performs the post mortem, "great violence was used - fracture to the skull." A friend, Denise, says she had seen Lucille talking to a man "with a box of tools."
"They should never have done away with hanging," Norton complains. Police soon trace the suspect, a heating engineer who lives alone. Trimmer's workshop is searched, a hammer is discovered, possible murder weapon, though Hardy doubts it.
Jo Hardy finds it impossible to get through to Mrs Norton, who has shut herself off from everyone.
Trimmer is interviewed, "I am not normal," he admits, having a history of depression and attempted suicide. He's a sad case, but denies harming the girl.
At the bus garage, a wheel nut is discovered with blood on it. Hardy surmises that Lucille had been walking home when she tripped and fell against this vehicle. "There is no doubt," he is right, though Norton cannot accept this was no more than a tragic accident.
Eyes follow Trimmer suspiciously, as he walks slowly down the street, a man shouts to him Get Out

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Protection
At Warwick races, bookie Harry Poole (Sam Kydd) is pursued by Les (Anthony Valentine). The latter is found later, badly beaten up.
Harry returns home to his invalid wife Maggie. After release from hospital, Les joins his brothers Louis (George Craven) and Teddy who run a "friendly" protection racket.`
Inspector Fleming questions Harry, "you know I know." Two years previously, Harry had offered to help police expose the protection racket, but his wife had been run down in a car accident. So now Harry is employing two "friends" to help protect himself against the Brothers. He might need them, since he has been withholding his payments to them. Harry tries to encourage fellow bookies to join in his stand. As a result, Louis finds that his bets are refused. Len learns the same at the racecourse, and tries to duff Harry up. However for a second time, Les gets the worse of it. In fact, this time he dies.
"I hardly touched him," protests Harry, who has been arrested. Hardy examines the corpse and pronounces that Les died of a blood clot, it is not even a case of manslaughter. So Harry has to be released, though he is scared of retribution. His wife is even more scared, and persuades her husband to provide evidence that can be used against the two remaining brothers

The Expert

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2.18 Lethal Weapon (August 1st 1969)

This well constructed absorbing story by NJ Crisp begins with a night worker returning home early in the morning, stopping his car when he sees a dead woman in the road. Prof Hardy examines the corpse.
Mandy Williams is the dead girl, last seen alive at the Riviera Night Club, owned by Terry Warren. This information is relayed to Inspector Fleming by his assistant Charles Oakley, who is struggling to make ends meet with his wife Phyllis (Meg Wynn-Owen). Suddenly becoming reminscent of a 1950s film, there's a cabaret turn (by Lois Lane) at the night club where the boss is reluctant to reveal who Mandy had been with, apart from Oakley, who had used her as a minor informer. She was a hostess here, and had a six month old child, father unknown.
One man who has accompanied her home is traced, William Lever. He claims that though he had indeed offered her a lift, once they got outside the club, she had been picked up by a man driving a Cortina.
Mrs Webster of the Adoption Society explains Mandy had been having second thoughts about having her child adopted. The name of the father is not on record, but Mrs Webster is sure he is a policeman. Now the plot is clear, Oakley owns a Cortina and this is examined thoroughly by Prof Hardy. Underneath are discovered human hair, wool fibre and a wide scattering of blood stains.
"Why can't they treat you like a human being?" Phyll asks, as her husband is now under the closest scrutiny. It's the best scene. To her, he offers to resign from the force, so that they can have a better home life.
However it has got beyond that. In charge of the investigation now is Det Sgt Perry (John Collin). His questioning of Oakley, in Fleming's presence, soon forces the admittance, "it just happened with Mandy," his relationship that is. She had wanted him to get a divorce. He had picked her up that night, they'd argued in a quiet spot, near to where she was later found. In a temper she had walked off, he'd driven after her and accidentally knocked her down.
Hardy tries reconciling the evidence with Oakley's statement. Perry goes over the story in fine detail with the accused. Oakley is arrested but denies murder.
"One of my own men, I don't like that," says Fleming. He takes it on himself to tell Mrs Oakley in another satisfying if sad scene. Phyllis breaks down, she did know about her husband's affair, though the identity of the woman was unknown to her

The Expert

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Your Money for My Life
On a dual carriageway, almost empty of vehicles, a car overtakes what traffic there is, and speeds down the outside lane, veers into a bridge, the driver hurled through the windscreen.
Peter Haskins, an Advanced Motorist, had been doing over 80mph, but what is most interesting about the case in charge of insurance investigator David Lynch (Simon Oates) is that he'd only recently taken out a £100,000 policy. The terrible news is relayed to his wife and children Brian and Angela. But Lynch wants to know how such a crash could have happened to a driver who'd never had any accidents before. Was Haskins worried about his son's latest student protests? Lynch engages Dr Hardy to examine the forensic evidence, which has seemed to indicate only a normal if tragic accident.
The main puzzle is why the usually reliable Haskins had turned up late for his office work that morning. The reason for his delay becomes the focal point of the story. Dr Hardy's examination of Haskins' clothing reveals several strands of hair, black white and blonde and lipstick on a handkerchief. Not his wife's. "I think his wife knew," surmises Lynch. The make-up is traced to a cosmetics company that specialises in bespoke products and Inspector Fleming is persuaded to open a police inquiry and contact this company. Over 100 customers have used this product, Angela one of them, but she certainly never saw her father that day. But the trail leads to a friend of Angela's, Penny Sparrow, a model who demonstrates the powder in question.
She provides the story of Peter Haskins' other life. To conclude, Dr Hardy goes over the evidence with Lynch in a typically vague 1970s conclusion
The Expert

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Flesh and Blood
Ten year old Jacky Carr is bullied on his way home from school. The purpose of this scene isn't apparent until the end.
His father Albert (Dudley Foster) and "gone to seed" mother Jeanette (Ann Lynn) take him to the doctor to see about the annoying grit in his eye. Albert unburdens himself privately to Dr Hardy's wife about his sudden doubts that Jacky is his child. It's too long a scene but he wants a blood test to confirm his suspicions. "It's not as simple as that," he's warned for this was pre DNA days. Dr Hardy does check the blood. Mother is apparently O group, so is father. So is Jacky, though that doesn't prove anything of course.
The mother-in-law from hell (Marjorie Rhodes at her best) doesn't help the growing tensions between husband and wife. "If your father had known..." and lines like that don't cheer up the atmosphere, or indeed the play.
Albert has decided that Jeanette's former boss Michael (William Lucas) must be the father. He attacks him, nothing very violent, but it's enough to get Michael to complain to the police.
Angst ridden Albert is now arguing with his wife. There was never anyone else she cries. Another more advanced type of blood test might resolve the issue for now Albert is getting ever more neurotic. Another row with mother-in-law only makes it more like the dreaded Wednesday Play.
The new tests produce an "impossible" result. "She's not his mother." The Hardys inquire into Jacky's birth and the awful truth comes out. Unexpected and not at all convincing. About a baby stolen ten years before. That brings the police into the story and Jacky's future looks bleak as he is placed in an orphanage. That's where we go back to the opening unpleasant scene, for here it seems Jacky is going to be happy. It is more than flesh and flood can stand to swallow this story
The Expert

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A Way to Die (January 3rd 1971)
In a giant pigsty where pigs are fattened, a young man is found locked inside, trampled to death. Head pigman Ronald discovers his corpse.
Not a lot of clothing or personal belongings left, the pigs have eaten almost everything they can. "I can hardly arrest 160 swine." So what's a shotgun pellet doing in his backside?
A scrap of scarf identifies him as a university student, and he is found to be David Lewis a second year undergraduate, known to Dr Hardy's wife as someone who had once attempted suicide. "A neurotic type," she underdescribes him. David's student friends put up a wall of silence, in a none too convincing scene. David's diary is found but "it's all Greek to me," for it is written in Russian and other languages.
Sendall, the piggery manager was allegedly staying at a London hotel on the night of the tragedy. Yet he never occupied his room. He admits he'd been covering up a dirty weekend. A yokel named Bennett (Windsor Davies) is found to be the owner of the shotgun that fired the pellet at David. But he says he lent it to Ron, who had wanted to scare off the students. That brings on a confession from David's girl friend that they had planned to release the pigs, all to do with animal rights. Ron admits borrowing the gun, then says Snedall fired the shot. Sendall in his turn admits leaving his dirty weekend in order to deal with the students.
At the piggery Dr Hardy demonstrates to Inspector Fleming the evidence that supports his conclusions about David's death. A confession follows.

The best characters in this story are David's grieving parents, a fine study.
The Expert

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3:2 Where are you Going?
In the rain a young hippy is hitching a lift. Another girl joins him, but he quickly leaves in an empty bus. The driver comes to a halt on the A425 when he sees a corpse by the roadside. They recall an MGB passing them driving erratically a while earlier and police promptly trace this vehicle. The owner Alan Stafford (Jonathan Newth) is detained. Dr Hardy examines his car, noting a dent on his front bumper, though nothing inside to indicate a struggle.
We see what the police don't, a Cortina driver named Brian (Mike Pratt) with a scratch on his face. It makes the story suddenly pointless as Hardy gives Stafford a detailed examination. Maybe it shows that police work sometimes involves wrong turnings.
The dead girl was Claire, who had been making for London, "one of her daft ideas," to join her poet boyfriend. Cause of death, a fractured skull, but the question is, did she fall or was she pushed? There's a well done scene as Hardy discusses with his wife about hitchhikers, whether she'd pick one up, if so whom she would, whom she wouldn't.
Another quite pointless scene follows. Another sports car driver picks up a student from Warwick University. "These cars are very fast," though we are shown the speedo reading 50mph! He makes a pass she struggles, but he does let her out of his car.
Hardy has discovered lime on Claire's clothing, but what type of lime? Slake lime, cement which suggests a building site. The name Brian crops up but all this science has proved unnecessary. Brian's conscience has weighed him down and he confides in his mum who's not sympathetic but ultimately very worried for her son. She wants to concoct a tale, but he insists on informing the police. He'd given this "beautiful girl " a lift. "I felt funny... I touched her," after a struggle "she was gone."
Not clear if he'd killed her deliberately. The final scene is one that is very unhelpful also, must have been there to fill in time. The same sports car driver, not Alan, picks up another girl. I could have provided several more satisfying and honest endings than this lazy one
The Expert

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3.3 The Man on My Back (January 17th 1971)

Dr Hardy is at the scene of a hit and run road accident in the countryside, by a railway bridge. There's "a car but no body," the crashed car had been stolen from probation officer Davis Jones (Edward Fox).
Inspector Fleming questions Jones as to whether any of his clients might have stolen the car. One possibility is the pathetic Norman Hobson, who can only produce the alibi that he was "at home in bed."
Hardy and his wife enjoy an evening meal with the probation officer and his wife Beth. It's evident from their sometimes philosophical discussion that Davis Jones has an unorthodox approach to his work, "a dilettanti," Flemings calls him, though he gets results.
Escaped convict Jock had been pally with Hobson and evidence connects him with stealing the car. Hardy works out the corpse had been carried in the back of this car to the bridge, traces of an expensive raincoat are evident, suggesting that it must be one belonging to Jones.
Jones resigns his job. He admits giving the coat to Hobson, who claims he has "flogged" it. It seems probable that Jock is the dead man and his corpse had been tipped over the bridge onto a passing train. A goods perhaps, "try Pontypool or Crewe."
Once the body is recovered, Jones who has turned to drink, comes clean. He sees he had been used. A very immature officer, you wonder how he got appointed.
The final scene in prison is very pathetic
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Whose Child? Part 1 The Wife
Well drawn characters, even if this two parter is too drawn out.
Ruth Fletcher (Ann Lynn) has taken her baby boy to Dr Jo Hardy. She'd been so pleased after fifteen years to have this child, but her dilemma is, who's the father? There follows the familiar angst of the eternal triangle, is it her husband Harry (Anthony Bate) or her boyfriend Michael Jackson (James Maxwell)?
Though Harry's a cold fish, we do see him enjoying an evening out with business colleague Bill (Geoffrey Palmer) at a strip club. Too gratuitous though apparently "not much to write home about." Naturally, when he returns home late, he wants a bit more fun...
That decides Ruth to make a private appointment with Dr John Hardy, who as expected has a slightly high handed approach, wanting her to see the consequences of her action. Her idea is that she will live with the real father even though she loves only Michael. Blood samples taken, result: Michael could be the father. However unless Harry's blood group is ascertained, Hardy cannot say whether Harry might also be the father. Ruth is very reluctant to tell her husband anything, so borrows his hankie. She awaits that result anxiously.
Dr Hardy prefaces his comments with the rider that this hankie might have been borrowed, so could she be absolutely sure the sample on it is his? All Hardy will state is the person who used that hankie could not be the father. To be more positive, Harry's blood sample must be taken. However she decides there's sufficent proof and leaves Harry for Michael. She's all for ducking a confrontation, but Michael is honourable or maybe stupid enough to talk to Harry as he comes home from work. There's a scene outside Ruth's late home which ends in blows.
Now Harry is the one to consult Hardy. Sample taken, the evidence is that he cannot be the baby's dad. "You'll pay for this," Harry threatens his estranged wife
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Whose Child? Part 2 The Husband
On his driveway, Harry Fletcher is confronted by Michael, "please be reasonable." Divorce is the request, an argument is bound to result, Harry taps Michael with his umbrella and Michael collapses to the ground.
A postman finds the corpse. Ruth Fletcher is distraught (Ann Lynn gives us a fine study in grief).
Dr Hardy conducts a post mortem. Cause of death: a blow to the side of the neck.
Chief Inspector Fleming questions Harry who is quite open about the confrontation but states he left Michael "standing," adding, "he can't be dead." But the postman's testimony is that when Fletcher drove away in his car, the victim was already on the ground.
"I thought he was shamming," admits Harry at last. It bears out what we watched. Harry admits he struck Michael, but "I didn't mean to hurt him." He is charged with murder.
The question is, did he intend to cause his enemy grievous bodily harm? That's what the defence refute, pleading provocation. So why did Harry strike him?
Prof Hardy gives his evidence, the prosecution manage to hint that it might have been deliberate, even if Hardy won't budge from his opinion. A nervous Jo Hardy gives her account about the paternity of the baby. She has to mention Harry's threat to "kill" Michael, but believed it only an idle notion so had not reported him to the police.
"I thought you did very well," Dr Hardy tells his wife, slightly patronisingly.
Harry comes over as the injured party, in the light of his wife's adultery. Carefully staged questioning, and though he admits he hated Michael, his rival's taunt of impotence was what had made him strike the blow.
"It wasn't like that at all," Ruth states privately, even though she hadn't been present. The law states she is not permitted to testify against her husband.
The Hardys discuss the verdict, while Ruth and Harry pass in the street as strangers
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Cedric
A typically bleak drama of the era, of an angst ridden loner, well portrayed by Peter Jeffrey.
Cedric is unwrapping a parcel, inside a rare book, a first edition by Sir Walter Raleigh- phew!
So engaged by it is he, that he consults his doctor, Jo Hardy, since he has no one else to share his find with. Evidently he is seriously depressed, though she, even if sympathetic, only sends him back to his flat. Here he gets in a state, what with the noise of the baby crying downstairs.
Dr Jo and husband John Hardy find his room in an absolute mess, Cedric himself missing. We watch him outside a woman's house. When she goes out, he follows her, and into a supermarket. Their eyes meet for an instant, then she goes home, he behind her. He knocks on her door, it seems he'd been informed she was lonely by Dr Jo Hardy. At his place of work, a colleague Miss Lee describes Cedric as "like an old granny," hardworking though unusually he'd been off sick the last two days.
Dr John Hardy is examining the corpse of the lady we know Cedric had followed. Inspector Fleming questions a paper boy who had seen a man running away from the house, it is Cedric. Dr Jo Hardy is ridden with guilt that she might have inadvertently pointed Cedric in the dead woman's direction. She'd died of a heart attack, is her husband's conclusion, no definite proof she had been attacked, even though her head had been hit, this possibly from her falling onto her bath.
Cedric is in a pub discussing with a fellow drinker football, including Pele's beating England. Then he returns to his lonely room, now clean and tidy, as though in his old routine he makes for his office. This is on the eleventh floor. Miss Lee screams. His jump has been aborted. As usual, the police arrive after the event, such as it was, is all over.
The two Hardys take the unfortunate wreck of a man away to their home. Talk about his landlady's baby being his, an Oscar attempt at a closing monologue, thank goodness it's over
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Smithereens (March 14th 1971)
An old widow, Mrs Carr (Lucy Griffiths), alone with her cat settles down to sleep. Outside a man in a balaclava flashes his torch and effects an entry into the conservatory. Alerted, the lady waits, poker in hand, and bravely or perhaps foolishly, confronts the thief.
Next morning the milkman finds her unconscious and she is taken by ambulance to hospital.
Dr Hardy sifts the evidence, a broken milk bottle. This is the latest in a series of thefts on lonely old people living in isolated houses, others had been robbed of small sums of money. The local pub seems a likely spot where the crook had learned of possible victims. Farmer Stan is one such. Inspector Fleming interviews Mrs Carr when she comes round, though she cannot properly describe her assailant, he wore a balaclava and goggles. She admits she kept a hoard of half crowns in the house, which have gone missing.
Eddie Rutter had been spending half crowns at the pub, he lives in a scrap yard, a bleak place, and Fleming's assistant searches for the cash while he questions the man. Though he is now chief suspect, Hardy cannot provide any conclusive proof as to his guilt. But are the traces of blood found in Mrs Carr's house Rutter's?
Hardy's most important clue is algae that must have been brought in on the thief's clothing. The interesting breakthrough comes when Dr Hardy mysteriously sets about reconstructing the milk bottle broken into a hundred pieces, "what is the point of all this?" That only becomes clear when this long shot pays off as the reconstructed bottle can display a fingerprint, built up from all the fragments, but not, admits Hardy in disappointment, definite enough to obtain a conviction. But Inspector Flerming uses his own cunning and shows the print to Rutter to bluff a confession
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Francis Durbridge
The early work of that master of suspense serials has not been treated well by the BBC, who did so well out of him.
Thankfully, some memorable series have been released on dvd, here's one complete surviving six part serial from 1966:

A Game of Murder
starring Gerald Harper as Det Insp Jack Kerry,
with Conrad Phillips as Chief Supt Bromford (not ep 5),
David Burke as Det Insp Ed Royce, and June Barry as Cathy White.
Designer: Roy Oxley. Produced and Directed by Alan Bromly.
Others in all episodes were: John Harvey as Charles Bannister, and Christopher Wray as Douglas Croft.
Other semi regulars were: Diana King as Iris Bannister (stories 1,2,4, and 6), Peter Copley as Norman Penn (2,3,4,6), Dorothy White as Doreen Osborne (2,3,4,5,6), Dorothy Frere as Freda Lincoln (1,2,3), John Carlin as Leonard Lincoln (3,4,6) Kenneth Hendel as Cleg Reed (3,4,5), Murray Hayne as Rupert Delaney (1,3) and Patricia Shakesby as Greta (5,6)
Episode 1
(Feb 26th 1966) - With Anthony Sagar as the murdered Bob Kerry, Donald Oliver as PC Collier, Bernard G High as Postman.
Episode 2 (Mar 4th 1966) - With Carole Lesley (billed as Lesley Carole) as Liz Mason, Elizabeth Hopkinson as Brenda Thompson, Alan Hynton as PC Hodges, Bernard Stone/ Derek Martin as Taxi drivers.
Episode 3 (Mar 11th 1966) - With Richard Jacques as Barman.
Episode 4 (Mar 18th 1966) - With Donald Hoath as Det Insp Everson.
Episode 5 (Mar 25th 1966) - With Christopher Gilmore as Dr Friedman, Kenneth Waller as Dr Hasling.
Episode 6 (Apr 2nd 1966) - With Brian Cant as Sgt Fuller, Reg Whitehead as PC Small.

My reviews of the episodes

Crime Serials Menu

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Episode 1

Bob Kerry, professional golfer, is to play a round on his own today. Liz and Douglas are left in charge of his pro shop in Putney. Before leaving for the course, Bob says goodbye to his son Jack, a Scotland Yard detective, whose workload currently includes the minor case of finding Midge, the poodle of Bob's daily, Mrs Lincoln.
On his way to see a friend in hospital, Jack is stopped by police. They have terrible news. His father has been hit by a golf ball. He has died. A distressed young golfer, Rupert Delaney, had driven a ball straight at Bob in a bunker on the twelfth hole. Accidentally of course. The doctor had taken an hour to get to Bob, too late.
Jack disagrees with the coroner's verdict of accidental death. But then there is some good news. A Mrs Bannister on Kingston Hill, phones to say her husband has found a dog answering to Midge's description. Jack confirms it is Midge, even though her rather valuable collar is missing. He writes a cheque for £5, a reward, to be given to charity.
Driving home with the dog, he sees a Fiat HXC443C, a numberplate his father had written down before his death for some unknown reason. Oddly, the driver of this car is Delaney, his passenger a blonde.
6 Linton Close Knightsbridge is where Delaney lives. But Jack finds him out, and returning to his car, notices a recently dropped lady's scarf. And close by is Delaney, shot dead in the back of his head.
In his pocket, Chief Supt Bromford finds a receipt for a registered letter posted this day to Jack.
Next morning Jack, with Bromford in attendance, awaits the arrival of the post. Bromford asks Jack if he knows a Basil Higgs. The name of the treasurer of the charity named by Mr Bannister to whom Jack had donated his £5 cheque. Why was this cheque in Delaney's flat?
The letter is delivered. In Bromford's presence, it is opened by Jack. "This is why your father was killed," reads the abrupt note. Enclosed is a collar. Midge's.

For my review of episode 2

Start of Game of Murder

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Episode 2

Jack Kerry recounts the whole tale to Supt Bromford, perhaps for the benfit of new viewers! He says the collar had been bought by his dad for Mrs Lincoln. "It seems a perfectly ordinary collar to me." Liz explains Douglas had told Bob Kerry he could buy it at Penn's pet shop. She also recalls Bob had been talking quite earnestly with one posh customer, a lady called Iris, whom he later told Liz he had never met before. This Iris seems have have given Penn a medallion which had been attached to the collar. Some investigation reveals her real name is Cathy White, from Liverpool, and what's more, she was the girfriend of the late Rupert Delaney. He had been backing a show, which had flopped, which starred Cathy.
Bromford interviews Charles and Iris Bannister who admit they had returned Midge to Kerry, but had never taken any cheque for charity from him. "I don't know anyone called Basil Higgs," states Mr Bannister who, furthermore, is not wheelchair bound as Kerry had described. Now Basil Higgs was the payee for the £5 cheque for charity, and that turns out to be an alias of Delaney!
Mrs Lincoln has resigned her job, why she has lied about staying with her nephew instead of admitting she has got another job isn't at all clear.
Cathy (aka Iris) phones Jack, "I'm in trouble." She arranges to meet him at a Notting Hill restaurant, but when he shows up, she runs off. After a chase along the pavement, she leaps into a taxi, he joins her and she claims she never phoned him. "It was a tip-off," she concludes, "they knew I was at the restaurant." Question is, who are They?
Jack Kerry starts to escort her to the police, but on the way she admits she knows who killed Bob Kerry...

For my review of episode 3

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Episode 3

Cathy White is taken to Jack's home where she tells her overlong story, though it is enlivened by partly being told in flashback. She had moved in with Rupert Delaney after the show he'd backed proved a flop, "we were very happy together." She had overheard Rupert being instructed by a man called Charles to be on the golf course at 10am next day. The name Bob Kerry had been mentioned. Rupert had returned next day in shock, "there was nothing I could do," he had accidentally killed Kerry with his golf ball. Rupert says he had never met Kerry before and asked her to forget all about it. Rupert's boss Mel Harris, whom Cathy has never seen, phoned later about the incident. Then later, the night before he died, she had argued with Rupert and left him. It was over such a trifling thing, a mere dog collar.
The chat is interrupted by an intruder who must have whisked Cathy away, for when Jack comes round, she has gone.
An unannounced visitor for Jack, Leonard Lincoln, nephew of his former housekeeper. He's worried about his aunt, "heading for a breakdown." It's a silly matter, she is gabbling something about Jack has stolen something from her, her dog collar. Jack is happy to return it, but insists she collect it in person. Yet it seems a most ordinary collar, nothing out of the ordinary according to the Yard lab report, nothing that could provoke murder surely.
In his father's belongings, Jack notices a guide book with a ring round a hotel in Aldeburgh. Now that was the place Bromford had said that Charles Bannister and his wife were off to!
At the Golden Plough in Barnes, Jack has arranged to return Mrs Lincoln's dog collar. In return, he has warned her he wants information about Mel Harris. But she never shows up, or rather she shows up later in Jack's flat, dead

For my review of episode 4

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Episode 4

Jack Kerry is reprimanded for seeing privately the late Mrs Lincoln. Kerry also has to explain to Leonard Lincoln what happened to his aunt. The puzzle is, why she'd told Leonard she was coming to see Kerry. And why did she state she was working at this hotel when in fact she was staying there at £3.15/- a night?
Douglas tells Kerry of his father's secret- he had been having an affair with a married woman called Bannister. Oddly she had phoned Doug last evening about a missing receipt for a pearl necklace. Doug had been asked to post it, should he find it, to a hotel in Aldeburgh.
The Bannisters have reported a break-in, only item stolen is a pearl necklace. A police inspector investigating, later informs Supt Bromford that he had seen in the Bannister's house a wheelchair hidden in a cupboard. This corroborates Jack Kerry's statement that he thought Bannister was an invalid.
Cathy's friend Doreen Osborne had been spotted with Penn the pet shop owner. Kerry questions Penn about this "dreadful woman," who at the moment "has money to burn." 32 Defoe Mansions is where she lives.
Kerry finds her at home but not very forthcoming about Cathy's whereabouts. "She did a bunk," after Delaney died, is all Doreen can offer. But Jack hides in her flat and overhears her on the phone to Mel. Evidently she knows more. When she goes out, Jack pokes around and ends up at the wrong end of a gun, held by Stella, alias Cathy. She says she is so scared she is going to be charged with Rupert Delaney's murder. There's a struggle and the gun goes off...

For my review of episode 5

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Episode 5

"Suffering from shock more than anything else," Cathy is now recovering. "Are you falling for her?" Inspector Ed Royce asks Jack Kerry. He fills his colleague in on what he has learned about Rupert Delaney. He worked for the shadowy Mel Harris, running a call girl racket. Cathy was the front girl, and blackmail followed. Jack can't accept Cathy was involved. But how to find the elusive Mel?
Doreen, with money to burn, seems the weakest link. Jack finds her weeping, having been beaten up. Mr Penn had been seen leaving the building. "You've got to tell me about Mel Harris," Jack urges her. But she is too scared, so Jack demands the same of Penn. He admits seeing Doreen but says she had been beaten up before he got to her.
A thin story, Ed believes. Is Penn Mel?
Cathy has now recovered enough to confide in Jack. She says she knew nothing about Rupert's business, though she knew Doreen was a call girl. She's never seen Mel Harris. Together they go to question Doreen, but she is now not in her flat.
Jack will take Cathy to Steeple Aston, to hide her away from any danger.
Leonard Lincoln brings Jack the dog collar, which has a zip which conceals a receipt for a pearl necklace. Jack arranges to return it to Iris Bannister. They are to meet at The Danish Cafe, but it is her husband Charles who comes to the rendezvous, "did you have trouble parking your wheelchair?" Jack asks him drily. He wants to know about his dad's involvement, but all he receives is a warning off. The real trouble is that Bannister knows exactly where Cathy has been hidden...

Review of episode 6

To the start of Game of Murder

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Episode 6

The Priory Hotel Steeple Aston is where Cathy is. But Jack had spotted the hidden microphone in Doreen's flat and had given them a "bum steer." Bannister has no hold. Iris phones her husband at the cafe to warn that Mel Harris is watching the cafe. He is driving his grey Jag. When Bannister comes out, he is run down.
Iris is in "a terrible state" and tells all. Mrs Lincoln had gathered incriminating evidence against one of her former employers, Harris, and had tried blackmailing him. Wrongly, she had implied that Bob Kerry was her partner. Her dog Midge had been kidnapped to persuade her to call off the blackmailing. Cathy had sent the dog collar to persuade Rupert to speak out, but that scheme had failed. So who is Mel Harris? And where is he? That we still don't know.
Doreen is in a nursing home in St Albans, to undergo plastic surgery on her disfigured face. Jack asks Cathy to speak to her. "You know Harris," Caths urges her. Doreen is too scared to talk, but Cathy gets her to agree to a meeting, for "I want Rupert's job." To enforce the point, she adds darkly that she knows about Mrs Lincoln.
This works. Harris arranges to talk to Cathy about her proposal. "Play it cool, Jack advises her, "and watch his hands." She does act the part well. "I know why you killed Charles Bannister," she tells him. Mel curses him as "a bloody fool," he'd been trying to peddle narcotics on the side. With Harris increasingly suspicious, Jack intervenes to arrest the boss who is now trying to throttle her.
So all is explained, well almost. And Cathy really is taken to Steeple Aston... by Jack

The End

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Death is a Good Living (1966)

A deposed dictator, Salias, lives in comfortable exile in Florida, but longs to start an invasion of his former empire. He sends his pal Ramon Aguirre (Michael Godfrey) to Europe to drum up support from his rich sympathisers.
From the novel by Philip Jones, script by Brian Degas and Tudor Gates.
Leonard Rossiter plays the British agent Norman Lynch who will be retiring after this caper. His job is to eliminate Ramon. Though he likes to work alone, he is persuaded to take under his wing the promising young Peter (Don Borisenko), and most of the interest in the serial is their relationship, and their very different approaches.
You have to get away from seeing Reggie Perrin in Rossiter's every move, but once you overcome this, you can get involved in the characters.

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

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1
In Miami, Ramon is briefed on his job to buy arms in Europe to kickstart his country's revolution. But his mission is known to others.
In London, Norman Lynch is briefed on his final job before he retires. His successor Peter is to accompany him, despite Norman's protests. Norman bids his dear old mother goodbye- she thinks he works as a travel agent.
Ramon flies in to Shannon Airport, two security men, Jim Prescott (Geoffrey Toone) and Tim Barton (Jeremy Burnham) have a watching brief on his every move.
Peter is impatient to kill Ramon off, but Norman is more patient, They tail Ramon as he is driven by car to a large house, where he is reunited with Maria Salvedor, a Cuban, whom he seems to know pretty well.
Norman leaves them there, much to Peter's frustration. As they while away the hours in their hotel, Norman explains that an agent needs a certain "flair" in his killing. But as Norman dozes, Peter goes off on his own to the house...

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2

While Carlo leaves Ramon to "talk politics" with Maria, their conversation is more on the "I love you" lines. But she does try and get him to see his supporters for what they really are. "I am an old fashioned ideallist," he admits.
Peter is lurking in the garden, aiming his rifle through the open window. A gunshot. He runs off. He is not quite the fully fledged agent, for he had been aiming at the mirror image of Ramon! "Fortunately he was not a very good shot."
Lynch is furious, for he has got slightly injured in going after the wayward Peter. His precipitous action has put the enemy on the alert, though its naievty has also mystified them. A revised schedule is drawn up for Maria and Ramon. She is first to leave by plane, Ramon kisses her goodbye at the airport. He tells her he has given up his mission, for her sake.
Lynch is confident he has guessed correctly what changes will be made to their plans. He has indeed got it right, for Ramon is heading for a private airfield in Hertfordshire. Lynch and Peter are waiting there.
For Lynch, this will be his final act before a happy retirement, but in this he is wrong, for as his boss notes, an agent can never retire

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Episode 3
At the airstrip, Lynch and Peter await their quarry, following Lynch's cunning plan, of deviancy of Reggie Perrin proportions.
"It's too tight," objects Peter, asking pertinently, "where am I to shoot from?" In fact it's "a simple matter of geometry," timing all important. "You go for the head," Lynch orders Peter.
The plane is running a little late, due to headwinds, giving the agents on board time to mull over their lives and motivation, "we don't take any chances," they comfortingly inform Ramon.
Lynch is all prepared, "stand by." But this is only a rehearsal. They have to wait some more. Lynch is going to write a book after he retires.
The plane appears in the sky. Lynch is to drive a baggage truck, Peter concealed behind stacks of cases. The plane lands and the passengers disembark. Peter shoots.
"Right through the heart," he breathes. "I said to the head," cried Lynch. The assassins make their getaway.
The airport gates are closed quickly. But Lynch and Peter are already on a plane, that has received the okay to take off. Destination Manchester.
"We did it." But they are not yet out of danger.
At the airport, the body is brought in from the plane. Ramon, it seems, is not dead

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Episode 4

Maria is accused of the shooting of Ramon. "Why should I?" She becomes hysterical until Prescott brings Ramon to her, very much alive.
Lynch tells Peter that he is not returning to London. But the latter reveals that the job is not finished, for Peter's orders are to make Lynch the scapegoat. However Lynch has one ace up his sleeve, for he can tell the assassin that the killing has failed, labelling Peter "an amateur."
In any case, Lynch must have expected Peter might try to do this, and had emptied his gun! The pair part.
Major Gates (Jack May) inquires into the attempted assassination. His men tail Lynch, who does in fact drive to London.
Peter reports to his boss, though it is Gates who is waiting to question him.
Lynch gives his tail the slip and returns to see his mother. But she is not well, and Lynch has to call a doctor urgently. Here we see, not the hardened killer, but his soft heart, as he accompanies her to hospital. Gates, by contrast, has no heart for the old lady's feelings and bursts into the hospital. Lynch is escorted away. As he attempts to get away, he is shot dead.

THE END

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Bat Out Of Hell

A 1966 5 part serial by Francis Durbridge
Starring John Thaw as Mark,
and Sylvia Sims as Diana.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

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Part 1
The wealthy Geoffrey Stewart and his young wife Diana are packing, for tonight they are off on holiday to Cannes. Second in command at work, Mark Paxton lends them a suitcase- that's how stingy Stewart is with his money! Ned is to pick them up at 17.00 to drive them to the airport.
Geoffrey is a superior estate agent, and before he takes his break, he must see an important client who is very interested in buying this large mansion the firm has on its books. He is dropped off by Mark at the empty property, where he is shot. Dead. It's all so Mark can make out with Diana. Mark dumps the body in the boot of his Cortina and locks his car away in his own garage.
Diana phones the police, who are not at this point over concerned that her husband has failed to turn up to go on holiday. The plot is very straightforward.
Mark plans to drive the corpse to a gravel pit, "they'll not find him in a thousand years." However this is where things get complicated. The body has vanished. Then Diana receives a phone call. It's Geoffrey's voice, and he warns her, "they've got to think it's me."
Panicked, Mark and Diana puzzle what it all means. It cannot have been Geoffrey on the phone. He was definitely dead.
Next day Inspector Clay questions Mark about Geoffrey's death. His body has been discovered in a gravel pit. Diana identifies the corpse. She confides later to Mark however that her husband is not dead. The phone rings...

Note- one section of the background music is the theme later used in Callan

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Part 2
Alunbury 8130. Mark answers. it's only bachelor Ned Tallboy, to see if Diana is all right.
Offering sympathy, family friends Walter and Thelma call to comfort her. Walter is a writer, and curiously advises Mark not to underestimate Inspector Clay. Thelma promises to come by in the afternoon to keep Diana company.
A cigarette case that Geoffrey had given Diana is returned to her, though she says it is not hers. The inscription inside from Geoffrey is odd, "who came like a bat out of hell."
Inspector Clay is mystified. A pair of gloves belonging to Geoffrey certainly do not fit the dead man. Moreover fingerprints also suggest the corpse is not that of Geoffrey.
Thelma tells Diana that she has had a call from Geoffrey saying he wants to meet her at three o'clock. Mark however is certain he had killed Geoffrey. Don't go, he advises Diana. But she goes to the Chichester Motel only to find another corpse being removed, this time it definitely is her husband. Shot dead.
Miss Tracey, owner of a sweet shop, phones Mark informing him that Diana has been arrested. She rings off after a reference to Bat Out Of Hell

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Part 3
Kitty Tracey's phone call has come like a bolt from the blue. Mark returns home to start packing. Diana calls. She has not been arrested as the phone call had said. She'd admitted to Inspector Clay that she had gone to the hotel hoping to meet her husband.
He had told her that the first corpse in the woods has now been identified as that of Ken Harding, who ran a betting shop. Geoffrey's wallet had been discovered in these woods. Inside was a notebook with a list of payments to or possibly from "T." Tracey perhaps.
Alunbury 7432. Miss Tracey answers Diana's call. They fix a meeting for 7 o'clock tonight at her shop.
Ned is trying to flog an old Bentley to Walter. Thelma is against it. She tells Inspector Clay that she did not take any phone call from Geoffrey, despite what she had said to Diana.
Inspector Clay finds a message in Italian, which he gets translated: You Came Into my Life Like a Bat Out Of Hell.
At 7pm Diana arrives at the shop. A bloodstained knife is on the stairs. A dead body. But it is Thelma's corpse!
Shaken, Diana informs Mark. Inspector Clay calls round, then in walks Thelma very much alive

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Part 4
Diane faints when Thelma walks in. She is put to bed. Walter explains that they had called round to "have it out" with Diane over her claim that Thelma had taken the phone call from Geoffrey.
Inspector Clay, suspicious, calls at Miss Tracey's sweet shop. He soon discovers her dead body.
Next he makes for Nigel Mills, who had wanted to see Diane urgently. He is the family solicitor. He explains that under Geoffrey's will, the bulk of his considerable fortune had recently been made over to a Diana Valesco. She lives in Chelsea, and Clay is soon talking to her. She is surprised to learn of the bequest.
"I think Kitty was blackmailibng Geoffrey Stewart," Inspector Clay informs Ned Tallboy. Kitty was a tenant of Ned's. Tallboy had guessed Geoffrey was seeing another woman, but he didn't know her identity.
Mark and Diane row over the will. Contest it, is Mark's first thought. Then he changes his mind. We can guess why, when he phones Diana Valesco asking to see her. 7pm tonight.
When he reaches Diana's flat, he is confronted by Clay. What is Mark's relationship with Diane Stewart? Mark bluffs. Why has he come to see Miss Valesco?

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Part 5
An edited tape of Geoffrey's voice has been discovered in Miss Tracey's flat. The question is, who was her partner in crime? Inspector Clay concocts a possible scenario.
Walter tells Clay that he is worried about his wife. She was being blackmailed by Miss Tracey, and had gone to see her on the night of the murder.
Diane asks Mark about Diana Valesco, "very good looknig." He had learned that she had met Geoffrey by accident, like a bat out of hell. She has made an offer of accepting £10,000 rather than taking the whole legacy. But Diane is in an angry mood, the reason for which is revealed: she had received an anonymous note stating that Mark was running off, and she had checked and learned he had bought a ticket for a flight to Australia. She shoots him dead.
Thelma admits to the inspector that she had been blackmailed to the tune of £200 a month, on account of a swindle she was operating with Ken Harding. That fateful night, when she had called on Miss Tracey, an unseen intruder had knocked her out.
She receives a message via her husband to go to Diane's house at 2pm with £4,000 for the return of the blackmail documents. This she hands over and police swoop. After a brief chase through windy woods the blackmailer leaps into his getaway sports car. But Clay has disabled it. The ending is unintentionally slightly comic, when at least a dozen uniformed policeman close in on the one villain

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Dixon of Dock Green (1955-1976)
starring Jack Warner as PC George Dixon, an Ordinary Copper. In September 1964 he was promoted to sergeant.
Other long serving cast members included:
Peter Byrne as Andy Crawford, George's son-in-law, Jeanne Hutchinson as Mary, his wife, as well as Arthur Rigby as Sgt Flint, the gruff but likeable station sergeant.
The series was one of the most famous creations of Ted Willis.

A "cosy" police drama which reflected the integrity of a pre-Z Cars police force. It ended up being derided as an anachronism, but that wasn't the fault of the programme, but of the world that had changed all around. Despite periodic attempts to make the stories more contemporary, this was always Jack Warner's show, and he ensured it was never unpleasant. One critic at the time nicely described watching the series as like "slipping into a comfortable pair of old slippers."
Jack Warner didn't begin every story, as some think, with George Dixon welcoming us with his celebrated "Evening All," though he often did.

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The Rotten Apple (1956)
17 The Roaring Boy
18 Pound of Flesh
19 Father in Law
120 The Hot Seat (1960)
350 Waste Land (in colour, 1971)
367 Jig-Saw
397 Eye Witness (1973)
399 Harry's Back (1974)
410 Target
411 Seven for a Secret- Never to be Told
412 Sounds
413 Firearms were issued
414 Baubles Bangles and Beads
416 Looters Ltd
419 A Slight Case of Love
422 Conspiracy
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The Rotten Apple
George Dixon: 'Ah, good evening!"

"A dickens of a surprise" awaits Alderman Mayhew (AJ Brown) in Glenside Terrace, he's been robbed. As it's on PC George Dixon's beat, he is on the carpet for not spotting anything. The irascible Sgt Flint bawls him off, so a chastened George returns home silent. Andy is here, having his radio repaired by PC Tom Carr, from Bristol (Paul Eddington). As the policemen chat idly about a spate of similar robberies Tom observes the crook must have "tons of nerve," while Andy believes it must be the work of The Captain, even though he has an alibi.
Now we see this gentleman crook, in Nelson Terrace, robbing the house of Mr Collings. But the owner interrupts the thief and phones the police. The captain waits unperturbed, sipping a drink. The pair exchange philosophies before the Captain catches Collings off guard, knocks him out and makes his getaway.
But Collings supplies the crook's description and it fits The Captain, "underneath he's a rat." The robber is arrested, though he denies any of the other crimes, and indeed his alibis for these remain watertight.
Mrs Gilbert in Westhouse Street is robbed that same evening, this can't be the work of The Captain since he has the very best of alibis! Observes The Captain, "someone else did these jobs, and did them to look like my work."
George is having a tiff with Mary about plain cooking, before Mary goes for a night out with Andy, all paid for by Tom Carr, who has had a nice win on the horses. George, back home, has a chat with Maurie, a bookie, who's owed a tidy sum of money. He asks George to help, as the debtor is Carr. "A damn young fool," he must be, decides George.
Next day he calls on Tom in his High Street digs. Carr does admit he is in debt, but implies that George is only making these inquiries as Maurie has given him a backhander. Naturally that riles our honest George and the pair exchange words. In the struggle stolen jewellery is exposed. "I can explain...." But it's all very clear now, "there's nothing worse than a rotten copper," pronounces George. Before Carr is placed under arrest, George forces him to take off his dishonoured uniform. "The only bad copper I ever me," he informs us in conclusion

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The Roaring Boy

PC Dixon comes face to face with an army deserter, Douglas Beale (Kenneth Cope), who is holed out in the room of his girl Diane (Jennifer Wilson). "Don't be a fool son, give me that gun."
But he won't, getting a sadistic pleasure from the power it gives him, and he enjoys arguing with his prisoners.
Remarks the disillusioned Diane: "I only hope there's no men in the next world." For Beale has declared "I've always wanted to kill someone."
But PC George Dixon gives them both a lesson in morals before pulling the carpet, literally, from under the coward

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Pound of Flesh
George Dixon: 'Ah, good evening!" Turning a blind eye, that's a policeman's art, he tells us. This is illustrated in the case of Mrs Kay Evans (Dorothy Gordon), of Turner Street, who reported "a sort of burglary." Her husband's best suit and shoes had been stolen while she popped out to post a letter.
An aside, old Billy calls at the station to announce that he has reformed. No more drink, he has signed the pledge. He explains to Sgt Flint that he found Glory while at the dogs at the White City, He's now at the Mission, and would like, please, a reference so he can get a job there.
George has had a look round the Evans home, but her story strikes him as a little odd. Neighbour Maisie can't confirm Mrs Evans' story that she met her on the way to the post box. Andy Crawford agrees her story's "thin" when he chats with George about it at home. When Andy investigates, his obvious question is, "are you sure the suit was stolen?"
Then Andy relaxes at the pub with Mary, chatting with George Blake (Leonard Williams), their window cleaner. George enjoys a drink also, with another friend, Jim. George has been busy, down at the pawnshop where he's been told Mrs Evans had pawned the suit. So he and Andy have to leave poor Mary high and dry to sort out the Evans.
Alf Evans is worked up about his missing suit. Why this cock and bull story? She's short of money, indeed she's been borrowing to make ends meet and owes £52 plus interest. She'd borrowed the money off Blake, "daylight robbery." Husband and wife make up tearfully.
Blake is running quite a moneylending business. Mrs Watts is his latest 'victim,' " a secret between us," he snidely whispers to her. She signs up to something she doesn't follow, actually a high rate of repayments. George Dixon arrives on official business. Blake possesses no licence to lend this money, so he is arrested. "Thank you Mr Dixon," concludes Mrs Evans.
Perhaps a very simplistic solution to a debt problem, but well acted

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Father in Law
George Dixon: "Ah, good evening."
This is the joyous story of Andy and Mary's wedding, that begins with a cosy chat between George and Andy on the eve of the big day. Guests include the bridesmaid Peggy, and 23 year old Pam who had been jilted at the altar.
Next day, it's off to church as a crowd watches outside the Dixon home extraordinarily undemonstrative (well, these filmed scenes were only shot without sound in those days). "Like a white angel," Mary takes her dad's arm, tramp Billy seeing them off and receiving an unexpected invitation to the reception.
Here Sgt Grace Millard and Sgt Flint are checking over the last minute arrangements. Grace thinks she recognises one of the helpers. Pam is there early also, as she can't bear to sit through the ceremony.
There's film outside the church, Andy and Mary now happily married. Nice shots of father looking on. Dinner afterwards then dancing, Billy has a turn with Grace. Pam can't dance however.
So well it all goes off, until a hitch, the reception manager Frank has found his wallet has been stolen, £10 missing. George is forced into a spot of quiet sleuthing, "this is a fine lark."
Billy is first to be questioned, naturally he takes offence. Then Grace recalls that the cloakroom girl she recognised is Muriel, who had been in court for something. Tempers start to fray until George calms them down and provides one of his comic monologues about his relations, then renders the sentimental Her Name is Mary, which all join in. To romantic music Andy and Mary take their leave, "I wish your mother could've seen you today." Then George gets a confession of theft, and all is forgiven
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The Hot Seat
George Dixon, "Oh good evening all."
George, Andy and Mary, plus Grace Millard spend a weekend in Paris. On the flight over the two men jest they are living the high life and are overheard by a conman. Peter Ames (Kenneth J Warren) and Joyce Cardew have a partner named Treadgold (William Mervyn) who gets to know Dixon in the hotel bar. He says he's in fertilizers, and is very impressed with George and Andy who say they're in Public Relations. He kindly loans them his car so they can tour the city.
Not so green Andy checks up with Dock Green, where there's a certain jealousy over this foreign trip, "I could do with a nice long weekend in Paris meself." Sgt Flint, tears Andy off a strip for making such an expensive phone call, but is already on the lookout for these swindlers. "They're not trying it on George, are they?" he asks incredulously.
On film we watch the tour de Paris, the flash car taking them in style to shots of them at the Arc de Triomphe, Eifel Tower and the Artists' Quarter in Montmartre. Then it's dinner with Treadgold, when Grace finds a stray wallet that is claimed by Peter Ames, and this introduces the other two crooks into the group. By way of thanks, Ames insists on buying drinks, after which Andy gets so carried away he offers to pay for the meal, kindly accepted. Then a night drive round the bright lights of the city, this time shots of the British inside the car with street scenes flashing by. At midnight they are admiring Nore Dame, by 1am it's time to turn in and Treadgold makes his move. Peter has this fantastic deal, 135,000 francs, about £10,000, would George and Andy like a slice of the windfall? A cash deal, bring it next morning, there's a big profit to follow. But it's the French gendarmes who swoop next morning and the conman find out it's they who have been conned, "we had to pick a couple of coppers."
But Andy has to pay for that meal, which George thinks funny until he gets a shock too, that fancy car had been hired out in his name
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350 Waste Land
"Good evening all."

He was living in a wasteland, a policeman, whose mind was damaged after a fight. While on duty, he goes missing, last seen in this sawmill, closed for the past six months. It makes for a distinctive backdrop to this story.
PC Norman's movements are traced, his wife is very worried since he was a very quiet man, "he couldn't get his mind to work." (Nor could the writer, you could add.) Yet somehow he was still allowed to work as a policeman.
A woman is found who knows him. She is Ruth. Though denying she knew Norman, finally she admits she was "an ear" for him. Not more? The whole story is always teetering on the Wednesday Play until the tedious search is stopped when a body is fished from the river, drowned.
We are offered "private thoughts" on his death, but it hardly makes for satisfactory drama

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Jig-Saw
available on YouTube

Forbes is a watchman at a huge site, a derelict gasworks. In a warehouse he is locked in- briefly.
He gets out and George Dixon spends a long time questioning him. A baby book has been discovered on the site, belonging to Pamela Warren who was reported missing on Monday night. Her husband Colin is brought to the site.
A dog sniffs around the complex, then a posse of policeman join in the search. In fact three women two years ago had been attacked in the vicinity, is this a related case? Why was Pamela here? Colin doesn't know, saying he had attended an evening class on Monday. It turns out he was spending the time with Joan, a girl friend.
Pamela's handbag eventually is discovered. Uncle George chats to two small children who tell him they had found it earlier today. They had become scared when Forbes showed up, and locked him in.
That night a watch is kept. A decoy policewoman in plain clothes bravely strolls up and down. Though nothing happens, on the third day, after an attack, an arrest is made and Pamela's corpse unearthed. Very simple really, well written though ultimately very straightforward

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Eyewitness
George Dixon: 'Good evening, all!"
A crooked croupier, about to flee the country, is stopped by Colley (Steve Plytas). His girl Anne watches in horrified hiding as he's shot dead.
She refuses to tell the police the truth, but when Colley's hitmen, realising the danger she poses try to shoot her too, she consents reluctantly to accept police protection after Andy Crawford saves her life. Not that she's grateful, she travels with her 'uncle' George Dixon to the safety an island hotel (Burgh Island).
The place she finds boring, though if she were aware of the extensive network of criminals that Colley has summoned to find her, she might be more cooperative. Instead, she grabs a chance of borrowing a car to drive off the island. However police soon stop her progress.
She is returned to Uncle George, but the alert crooks are istening in to police radio messages and are easily able to locate the hotel. An annoyed George makes Anne stay in her room, though even he underestimates the danger as Anne is snatched and dragged at gunpoint away from the island.
By speedboat, then by car, George gives chase. As the law, he is able to take a shortcut along an unfinished motorway and after turning off (at Eastwick) arrives at an airfield in time to prevent Colley's aircraft from taking off with Anne. Colley is placed under arrest. Well, that is what ought to have happened, but Colley hands Anne a fat bribe and she gives some cock and bull tale that means Colley gets away with it. George concludes by describing to us the rest of Colley's life history

To
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Harry's Back (January 12th 1974)

George Dixon: "Good evening all."
Lee Montague has a fine role as the likeable villain, "one of the best," friend to all his mates, Harry Simpson. Among his own, he's loved by one and all, in his flash white suit, driving his flash white car. He's just been booted out of Spain.
Andy Crawford however knows Harry's other side, he's "the scum of the earth," his partner Lennie has gone to ground somewhere, though Harry with his typical Cockney generosity sees Lennie's wife's all right. Now Harry is becoming legit, marrying the posh Miss Marion Croft.
The sting for Andy is that he's up for promotion at long last, and Harry's one blot on his past, three cases against him collapsing when witnesses had mysteriously withdrawn their statements. Andy scans the wedding photos to see what villains had been present. Perhaps not unreasonably, Harry is upset when he finds out about this, and tries a quiet word with George Dixon. As George won't respond, Harry has a word with another, the chief superintendent no less. Thus Andy gets invited to a round of golf with the super, and Andy forthrightly says what he knows, or believes he knows about Harry, "he buys and bullies immunity from the law." Tread carefully, Andy is advised.
Harry's right hand man Bernie Moss is setting up another job. He leans on Freddy for his clean driving licence, reminding the poor Freddy, "Harry looked after you when you had that accident." The licence is needed for the hire a car used in a robbery of cosmetics, and Freddy is soon traced. His licence had been lost, he claims, why he'd even reported the fact. But a little leaning elicits a reluctant name, Bernie. That puts Bernie and Harry on a quest for revenge, and Freddy is "encouraged to change his tune," that is, run over and all but killed, "didn't see who it was," he moans pathetically.
Harry has decided wisely to scarper. But at the airport with his wife who seems in shock, he's asked a few pointed questions. In return Harry threatens to scotch Andy's promotion. However the news that his ex-partner's corpse has turned up is enough to prevent him flying off.
A search of Harry's luxury flat proves disappointingly fruitless, as Harry gloats and Marion remains in shock, until Andy finds a key concealed under a coffee table. A safety deposit box is later opened and the case against Harry complete when the gun that killed Lennie is found. However a lot of people still cannot believe anything bad about good old Harry

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Target
"Good evening all."
A man named Smith (Anthony Steel) collapses in a supermarket. Winston Dallas kindly escorts him to his flat in Jasmine Square. Smith should go to hospital, Dallas suggests. His reward for being a Good Samaritan is for Smith to point a gun at him. Dallas runs off in haste.
Andy Crawford has started a full scale search after an eyewitness had seen Smith being "robbed" in the street. This misinformation and its aftermath would be called over reaction these days. However a second report from Dallas about the gun means that events take on a more serious turn.
In a snooker hall, Andy chats with Dallas. "He was drunk,"" is Dallas' opinion, but actually Smith's landlady has realised that the man is suffering from malaria.
Into this minor incident appear three men, posing as Post Office engineers. They are digging up the road, but in reality waiting and watching. Andy questions them. They are part of some undercover operation waiting for The Butcher to show up, your everyday suburban story has now changed dramatically, but is this really Dock Green? Scarely less credible is when Andy advises them how to tackle Smith.
Smith's landlady learns that he is a mercenary. The Butcher turns up amid some tension. Police surround him. He pulls a gun, as schoolgirls nearby start screaming. Gunfire. After a stand off, Dock Green is back to its wonted peace

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Seven for a Secret- Never to be Told
"Good evening all."
A gas explosion in a house, one dead woman, assumed to be suicide. But George Dixon is wise enough not to take things at face value. Why was the kitchen window open, if she killed herself?
The corpse is that of Mrs Margaret Pengelly, a thoroughly unlikeable and detestable woman by all accounts. Her sixteen year old daughter Chrissie is missing. Her estranged husband Alfred isn't at all bothered by her demise. He'd not seen her for two years. Mrs Pengelly's most recent partner was Kieron O'Shea who tells George they had split up recently.
Another oddball character in her life was 'Uncle' Ralph Harding, whom we know, and Andy Crawford finds out, has taken Chrissie away. His borrowed car is found empty in Devon. It looks sinister, as "he's off his chump." Ralph has taken her to his mother's isolated cottage, and Andy is soon there, with the invaluable assistance of local policeman Sgt Goacher.
O'Shea decides he must tell the police he knows Mrs Pengelly was murdered, though subsequent events make you wonder what he is rabbiting on about.
After a chase, Ralph takes Chrissie to a derelict house, where Goacher is waiting. Ralph explains about Mrs Pengelly's death, the reason for their flight is hardly very clear. As George Dixon had warned us at the start, this wasn't really a case at all. And of course George is always right, isn't he?

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412 Sounds

George Dixon: "Good evening all."
Phone call to Dock Green police station, a woman sounds as though she is being strangled. Then a young girl picks up the instrument and explains, "mummy's fallen down." Patiently Uncle George Dixon tries to find out more, but all she can tell him is that she's called Janey. These days of course, such a call can be traced, but back then all the police have to go on is their taped recording of the conversation.
There's the sound of an industrial machine faintly in the background, yes, and a hooting of a ship.. This is a simple but absorbing tale of the hunt for Janey and her mum. To obtain a fix on their whereabouts, the hooting sound is identified as that of a tug on the river, the captain of this vessel is asked to play those hoots again, with police officers recording the noise at strategic local points.
Electronics expert Dave has the task of matching these recordings with the original hooting on the phone. He also refines the noises on that original tape. Two possible areas are suggested, and the machine noise identified as that of a printers. Hammond Street is where the search homes into, and above a printers is a flat, empty. Living here is new tenant Mrs Anne Turner, separated from her husband.
Mr Davis calls at the police station. He works for a security firm whose phone number had been scribbled on a wall in the flat. Oddly, it's a special line only used for confidential matters. Davis wants to know how she got it. He does recall a Mrs Anne Turner working for the company for a short while, but then we see him phoning Anne.
She does what he orders and phones Goerge at the station. She explains she is OK now, and quickly rings off. But sharp witted George has recognised the background sound on this phone call, she's at a railway station and a police car swoops and picks her up.
Andy Crawford questions Davis. Anne's his wife. He had beaten her up, trying to persuade her to return home to him. She maintains it was an accident. A frustrated Crawford has nothing to charge Davis with, he smugly confident no charge can be laid against him, as his wife won't betray him. It's a frustrating disappointing though maybe realistic conclusion to an absorbing little story

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Baubles Bangles and Beads
"Some jobs are more unusual than others," George informs us, after his usual greeting. This one is really more of its age, unconvincing, and with one dubious actress.
It starts with a police car chase round London back streets, Thieves chuck their loot over a fence in Dean Road, where it is found by Eric, a squatter. Thus when Chuck (Brian Glover) and his gang are apprehended, they are as innocent babes, and have to be released.
Of course Chuck makes for Dean Road, but the jewellery has gone. Eric and his mate, the dominant Phil, have found new and better digs. But though Chuck finds no trace of his loot, John, a more observant copper, manages to find a pair of earrings, part of the hoard stolen from Sir Paul Carson. Andy searches the property, and works out, like Chuck already has before him, that the squatters are into meditation.
Eric is taken by daughter of the house, Marian, to a guru, it's hard to take these scenes seriously. Eric offers the guru the jewels, which are gratefully accepted. He is a "dumb bell," under the influence of Phil.
Chuck and his mate Bert get to Phil first. He knows nothing about the jewels. They don't find Eric, who is with Marian, er, meditating.
Police raid the guru's and find the jewels, "well, well, well." The guru and his assistant are exposed as worthless frauds, "we've gotta earn a crust."
Chuck's gang come to search the guru's and are promptly arrested also

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Looters Ltd
Sam Kydd gives another of his sympathetic portraits, this one of recently released ex-con Charlie Bennett, who had served his latest sentence after a bad accident on his last job.
On the way home, he witnesses a mugging. He helps Mr Price who is badly shaken, but is most reluctant to talk to police.
But he leaves his name and address and proceeds homewards, to a welcome from many friends and family. His son Ray gives him a present, a gold watch. The party falls silent when George Dixon pops round. But he only wants to praise Charlie for his part in helping Price. But when Charlie learns that keys and a gold watch had been taken from Price, he suspects the worst.
A lot of shoplifting has been going on of late, "organised raids." Andy Crawford's inquiries are at a dead end. In fact, we see that Charlie's wife Olive has been earning money while he was inside by getting her gang to steal goods to order, then sell them on to friends in the neighbourhood.
Charlie is touched when he receives a £20 thank you from Price. But he knows Ray was one of the muggers. As he reprimands his son, Ray realises the keys he had nicked must be those of Price's shop. He arranges with a pal to rob the place that night.
One of Olive's 'workers' is caught shoplifting. She refuses to talk. However PC Harry has been given a miniature tv as an engagement present from his fiancee Barbara. Andy spots that it is on the Stolen List. An offended Barbara says that she had bought it in good faith from Mrs Bennett.
At Charlie's house, Andy swoops with a search warrant. Olive Bennett is nicked, so is Ray when he returns home with the proceeds of his robbery, "a full house"

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A Slight Case of Love
Good Evening all," is the familiar intro, followed by a quote, "you can't con an honest man."
Seven honest men to be more exact. A woman tells her intendeds that her aged mother needs to be placed in a home, £1,000 deposit will secure it.
She is Kate Harris (Moira Redmond) who is really only raising the money to pay her sister Fleur's debts. Her eighth and final victinm she falls for, he is Lewis Naylor, a rich businessman.
He reports her swindle to Dock Green police, but after examining files of local con women, picks out two possible women, neither of whom is Kate. He has fallen for Kate, and employs Phil Haynes, a private eye to trace her.
Andy Crawford interviews one of the women pointed out by Naylor, the scatty Heather, a known con artist, who says she has "retired." George deals with a similar, Sue.
Haynes has additional information from Naylor, and takes photos of women leaving an artist's shop. Kate is soon spotted, and Haynes takes Naylor to show him the exterior of the house where she lives, "it's the lady."
Phil informs the police that he had been followed on his latest job, though Andy denies all knowledge of Kate.
Naylor later phones Kate, inviting her to dinner. She accepts, and offers him a cheque reimbursing his payment. Instead her proposes to her, or is this more akin to "blackmail?"
Things may be set fair for them to live happily ever after, but police invite Naylor to attend an ID parade. Kate is one of the women in the line, along with Heather and Sue, but Naylor fails to pick out Kate. Andy has words with Naylor.
Others of Kate's victims however easily identify her, and George offers us the conclusion to the episode

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413 Firearms were issued

An £80,000 armed bank robbery and police have to be issued with guns so they can close in on the three crooks who are now sharing the cash out.
After a tense time of waiting, the house where they are hiding is surrounded and the police move in. One criminal is shot as he tries to escape, but it turns out that none of the men are actually carrying shooters. So a detailed investigation is organised as a matter of urgency by brusque Inspector Donovan (Percy Herbert) whose main concern appears to be press reaction.
Questions are asked, still relevant today.

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422 Conspiracy
"Good evening all."

Here's a familiar theme, is policeman Len Warren bent?
He is the key witness in the trial of Ben Randall and his wife June, accused of drunk driving, knocking down and killing a pedestrian. However "a wellwisher" writes suggesting Warren has been bought. Against Andy's advice, George investigates, his instinct is that Warren is a good copper.
However he has recently purchased a new car. Andy questions him. Len believes Ben is out to frame him. "I don't have to prove my honesty to anyone."
George chats with Len's fiancee Sally, She does explain the new car had come from their savings. He had been receiving threatening phone calls from someone. This animosity is traced to the anonymous letter writer, who had recently been charged with assault by Len. The man withdraws his letter of complaint.
Groge observes to Andy that Len does try to play it alone, very much like young Andy used to do. Len resigns, telling George his reasons. George offers him a gentle lecture. The ending is open ended

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The Hidden Truth (1964, Rediffusion)
The series was devised by Geoffrey Bellman and John Whitney. The producer was Stella Richman. The stars: Alexander Knox as Professor Lazard, and James Maxwell as Dr Henry Fox. Semi-regulars were: Zia Mohyeddin as Dr Hammond da Silva, Elizabeth Weaver as Dr Ruth Coliton, and George Moon as Stanley Garnet. Ruth Meyers as Bridget Webster, and Jacqui Chan as Tua Ling were in several stories.
The series depicted the work of a department of forensic scientists.
Surviving stories: 3
Cross Examination, 5 A Question of Involvement, 9 Sweets to the Sweet, 10 One For The Road
Taped Crime Series Menu

Series details:
1 The Shape (July 16th 1964) with Zia Mohyeddin, Elizabeth Weaver, and George Moon.
Script: Roger East. Director: Stuart Burge.
The Department of Forensic Medicine is asked to investigate an unusual case, and Dr da Silva, using a new technique, produces an unexpected result
2 Cause of Death - Professor Lazard has to decide if a charred body found after a warehouse fire has been murdered
3 Cross Examination (July 30th) with Zia Mohyeddin, Elizabeth Weaver, and George Moon.
Script:Fenton Bresler and Martin Woodhouse. Director: Peter Moffatt.
When expert witnesses clash, the verdict in a murder trial depends on the evidence of Dr Henry Fox
4 The Achilles Heel (August 6th) with Zia Mohyeddin and Elizabeth Weaver.
Script: Paul Lee. Director: Michael Currer-Briggs.
When a small boy's fears prevent him from telling the truth, Dr Ruth Coliton is forced to take an unorthodox step.
5 A Question of Involvement (August 13th) with Zia Mohyeddin.
Script: Richard Harris. Director: Lionel Harris.
6 Penny Post Paid (August 13th) with Zia Mohyeddin and George Moon. Also with Kathleen Breck as Grace Aystone.
Script: Roger East. Director: Marc Miller.
Professor Lazard's investigation of a 300 year old letter could shatter a daughter's love for her father
7 The Guinea Pig (August 27th) with Elizabeth Weaver.
Script: Martin Woodhouse. Director: John Frankau.
A young scientist's inexplicable death during a test at a research unit, forces Dr Henry Fox to cancel his holiday
8 Twelve Good Men (September 3rd) with Zia Mohyeddin, Elizabeth Weaver, and George Moon.
Script: Eric Corner and Ross Salmon. Director: Don Gale.
Dr Fox is the key witness in a case of poisoning. Will the jury be swayed by emotion, or his scientific facts?
9 Sweets to the Sweet (September 10th)
Script: Hugh Leonard. Director: Peter Moffatt.
Professor Lazard uses shock treatment on a student taking drugs
10 One for the Road (September 17th) with Zia Mohyeddin. Also with Bryan Pringle as Police-Sgt Robert Oakman.
Script: John Hawkesworth. Director: Lionel Harris.
When a police sergeant causes a fatal accident, his absolute guilt is without question until Professor Lazard is called in
11 The Final Analysis (September 24th) with Zia Mohyeddin, Elizabeth Weaver, and George Moon.
Script: Peter Lambda. Director: Peter Sasdy. Three adults are in conflicts when a baby is born
12 Missing, Presumed Killed (October 1st) with George Moon- James Maxwell not in this episode.
Script: John Hawkesworth. Director: Lionel Harris.
A crashed wartime bomber is discovered. Can Professor Lazard's findings solve a twenty year old mystery?
13 One of the Hampshire Pargeters (October 8th 1964) with Zia Mohyeddin.
Script: Ludovic Kennedy. Director: John Frankau.
How was Barry Pargeter killed? An Old Bailey jury hear expert evidence from Professor Lazard, but could he be wrong?

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Cross Examination
Post mortem on Tobias Drew, died of coronary artery disease, according to Dr Henry Fox. But Drew had been robbed in his shop, and since his larynx is slightly bruised, foul play is suspected. Police believe old lag Jackie Munson be the guilty man, "more inside than out." He admits breaking into the shop, but says he never touched Drew.
Frisby is Munson's solicitor and Fox meets him outside the courtroom, and arranges to meet Dr Jessup whom the defence are calling to examine Drew's corpse. Dr Fox takes quite a shine to her.
Dr Lazard returns from his trip to America, and is filled in on the case. In court, the defence challenge Fox's assertion that any slight bruise was found on Drew's larynx. "It can't have disappeared!" But doubt is thereby cast on Fox's report, while Lazard listens on dubiously. Doubt is also cast on photographer Stan Garnet's pictures- is that a bruise on his photo or merely an imperfection in the developing of the print?
Lazard and Fox re-examine Drew's larynx, finding "no sign" of bruising. Lazard is able to explain why it might have disappeared, and how it can be found. However since the evidence has already been presented, this new finding is not permitted. However Munson can be questioned, the key point is, how did he know that Drew was dead? "Do you realise you have just confessed your guilt?"
The case is reviewed with Dr Jessup, and it is Lazard who invites her for a meal

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A Question of Involvement

Excellent script by Richard Harris. Cindy is barking like mad in the grounds of Forest Lodge, where the Ashworths are caretakers. The dog has found a corpse. Supt Bowen calls in Dr Henry Fox to perform an autopsy. Village gossip is focussing on the drowned girl, a stranger, as well as on the Ashworths, three years ago they moved in, but keep themselves aloof.
The corpse is identified as an eighteen year old girl, who lived 40 miles away, but had left home two weeks ago. Landlord Edwards says he had seen her making her way to Forest Lodge. So Bowen confronts Mrs Ashworth, "did you ever see her alive?" The woman is not very cooperative. Bowen notices that Ashworth is a wood carver, and that one of his chisels is brand new. Was one of these the murder weapon?
Mr and Mrs Ashworth have an argument, she is sure her husband must have killed the girl. Though she has given him an alibi, in fact she was away in London. Mr Ashworth has some dark secret.
Police dig up his record, one of violence. He is interrogated. He claims that on the fateful night, he had seen a strange car nearby. Why has he a new chisel? Where is the old one that got broken?
Fox has been dubious about Bowen's theorising, and discovers some evidence that casts doubt on the case against Ashworth

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Sweets To The Sweet
A young man, David (Ian Ogilvy), on the point of collapse, gets into his sports car, "I can't breathe, get doctor." In hospital, he dies of pneumonia, but a nurse spots he is a drug addict.
Professor Lazard is dining with old friend Andrew (Bernard Archard) and his wife Kate, in their swish apartment that looks too much like a set. Their studious son Gerry, a friend of David's, is given a lift by Lazard afterwards, off to a club. Lazard realises that Gerry must be on drugs too.
The professor consoles Carol, David's fiancee, who eventually confirms that David was an addict. It seems he had tried with persuasion from Carol to kick the habit, but his body had rebelled.
With Andrew, Lazard searches Gerry's room and a powder is discovered which Fox analyses as purple hearts.
In the club, Gerry is on a high, but in a police raid, he flees to Carol. In an unconvincig scene, they argue and he beats her up.
The script moralises, as Andrew confronts Gerry, "where's the harm in me taking something that bucks me up for a few hours?" Counters his father, "what's not natural, can't be altogether healthy."
Sporting a black eye, Carol tells Andrew that she had been beaten up by Gerry. The son flatly denies it, cannot even recall the incident. "You little monster."
"I took too many of those things," admits Gerry. It was pressure from his father to be a success.
Lazard talks to them both, Fox reading out his post mortem findings on David, and making Gerry formally identify the corpse. Shock tactics might have an effect, though the story concludes open endedly

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One For The Road

An out of control car crashes, at the wheel a drunken policeman, Sgt Ted Oakman (Bryan Pringle). A doctor examines him, then, on bail, he is taken home to his sister Daisy.
Anstruther, a solicitor, listens to the whole story. Oakman had only had a few drinks, though his memory around events is hazy. Then comes the worst of news: the child passenger in the car has died. The charge will be manslaughter. "Like vultures," two reporters hover outside Oakman's house.
The policeman's urine sample is analysed, it reads over 100. Dr Henry Fox suggests a second reading is taken, and meets Oakman, who tells him he had been dieting. A sugar tolerance test is taken, and a blood sample. Oakman stays with the Department of Forensic Medicine for a few days, given beer for breakfast. Miss Ling observes as his speech becomes very slurred. More samples and tests.
Professor Lazard offers his advice, the lack of sugar is the cause of Oakman's condition, in the past it had often been assumed to be mere drunkenness. Lazard dines with the Chief Constable, answering a few oblique inquiries.
Oakman returns home and fills in his sister. He tells her he is determined to plead guilty. That's his choice, and the Forensic Department's backing is thus redundant. Oakman informs the Chief Constable, who tries to dissuade him. But Oakman is determined to defend himself, "it was my fault"

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Maigret
Rupert Davies achieved a well deserved success as the celebrated pipe-smoking detective. That opening sequence of his striking a match to light his pipe, accompanied by Ron Grainer's evocative music was a classic.
Initially the programmes were telerecorded using Kinescope, "just as effective as film and a great deal cheaper." According to another contemporary report they were shot on both 405 and 525 line videotape as well as on 16mm and 35mm film. In fact, the main story is on tape, though a generous dose of film inserts using Parisian locations is added.
When shooting started the new BBC Television Centre had not been opened so the first two stories were shot at the old Lime Grove studios. Riverside Studios were apparently also used for a few early episodes before the BBC Centre opened officially on June 29th 1960. Rehearsals had already began (at the end of the previous month) and the first episode shot around June 14th 1960. The stories were screened from that October. In all, four series of thirteen episodes each were screened during the autumns of 1960 through to 1963.

1 Murder in Montmartre 2 Unscheduled Departure 3 The Burglar's Wife 4 The Revolver 5 The Old Lady 6 Liberty Bar 7 A Man of Quality 8 My Friend the Inspector 9 The Mistake 10 On Holiday 11 The Experts 12 The Cactus 13 The Children's Party 14 Shadow Play 15 The Simple Case 16 Death of a Butcher 17 The Winning Ticket 18 Inspector Lognon's Triumph 20 The Golden Fleece 21 Raise Your Right Hand 22 The Liars 23 A Crime for Christmas 24 The Reluctant Witness 25 The White Hat 27 Voices from the Past 29 The Countess 30 The Wedding Guest 32 Love from Felicie 33 The Dirty House 34 The Crystal Ball 36 Death in Mind 37 Seven Little Crosses 38 The Trap 40 Poor Cecile! 41 The Fontenay Murders 42 The Lost Life 43 The Cellars of the Majestic 44 A Man Condemned 45 The Flemish Shop 46 A Taste of Power 47 The Log of the Cap Fagnet 48 The Judge's House 49 Another World 50 The Crime at Lock 14 51 Peter the Lett 52 Maigret's Little Joke. See also Maigret at Bay (1969).

Production problems in 1961 in shooting series 2: A two week delay, in order that Rupert Davies could have a cartilage operation. Then Ewen Solon jumped from a Paris parapet - his own idea- and broke his ankle. A hastily devised new scene incorporated the accident, then he had to miss the next two episodes. Another incident was a cameraman falling ill with appendicitis, the relief cameraman didn't know the movements and as he tracked Davies, the actor inquired, "who's playing this part, you or me?" A filmed sequence that was retained in #14 Shadow Play was of a small boy in a scene shot in the Places des Bosges: he was watching the action and dropped his bottle of milk. Davies comforted the weeping lad, and it was felt so in keeping with Maigret, that the scene was retained

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Murder in Montmartre
A girl leaves a low strip joint, and walking home in the dark (not what you are expecting), stops a gendarme. She wants to report a murder. She is 24 year old Arlette, and Maigret questions her in his office. It transpires that this murder is yet to take place: Arlette had overheard two men plotting to rob a countess, one of them was called Oscar. But when Maigret wants to talk to her boyfriend Albert, she withdraws her story.
Actually, it is Arlette who is done in, when she returns home. Maigret: "she was killed because she came to us."
Maigret's first call is to the Picratts Club, but neither the owner nor his wife know of any Oscar or countess. It turns out that Albert is a policeman, and he believes Arlette had been afraid of someone. It was not her real name.
A second death, an old lady, a countess, strangled. Clearly she was living in reduced circumstances, although robbery appears to have been the motive.
Philippe is her unsympathetic nephew, a drug addict like his aunt. He is released, but tailed by Albert.
The identity of Oscar is established, fifteen years ago he had been a servant of the countess, and has recently been seen in the district. Arlette's real identity is also discovered.
Philippe is seen collecting dope, and then he goes up the Funiculaire, "obviously looking for someone." Oscar, surely, whose identity is revealed when Philippe finds him. As police swoop, Oscar tries to get away, but Albert shoots him

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The Burglar's Wife
Freddie the Safebreaker smashes a pane of glass, breaks in and is about to crack the safe, when he sights the body of a dead woman. Quickly, he runs away.
Maigret is about to go on holiday to Brittany, but is approached by Freddie's young wife Ernestine (Andree Melly), who, as she reminds the great detective, once was seen naked by him. She knows he is incorruptible, and she relates the story above to him.
The house belongs to a "respectable" dentist, M Serre (Hugh Burden) who lives here with his wife and mother. He says his second wife Maria left him two days ago. Maigret notes the smashed window but is told that "there'd been no burglary." However the dentist's car has been stolen.
Maigret joins his wife, promising they will be off and away tomorrow. But for now, he returns to the Serre house and makes a search. In the safe is gold. Maigret questions the dentist and they talk of his wife who is nowhere to be found. Obviously he is hiding something. Maigret is very suspicious that Serre's father, and his first wife both died of heart problems.
The missing car is discovered half a mile from the house. After a clue is found in it, he warns Serre, "as soon as it's light, the river will be dragged." Maigret gets Ernestine to put a bit of pressure on Serre's elderly mother.
Another round of interrogation at the station. Serre admits the truth, "it's fantastic." Exposed is "a systematic murderer." Maigret prevents another poisoning before the story finishes

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The Revolver
A stranger has called at Maigret's home to see him on a "personal" matter, but the detective is out, and while he waits, the man nicks Maigret's gun, and runs away.
The theft is only noticed later. Maigret learns that Alain 19 year old son of his friend Baron Legrange is missing. The concierge in the ailing baron's block tells Maigret she saw a trunk being transported down the stairs. It is traced to the Gare du Nord, and inside is the corpse of a man named Andre. Reports come in that Alain had purchased some bullets, though the dead man had not been killed by them.
Alain had been seen at the home of Mme Debul, but she has just gone to England. Her maid Georgette shows Maigret round her home, and an open safe is found. It is empty.
Maigret flies to London to stay at the Somerset Hotel, where Mme Debul is also booked in. He meets Inspector Pyke (Campbell Singer) who had arranged for Alain, who is also in town, to be tailed.
Maigret sees Mme Debul and asks if Alain is her lover. He is not, but when Maigret searches her empty room later, he discovers it not quite empty. Someone is hiding in the cupboard! It is Alain. Maigret conducts a one way conversation: Andre it seems, had stumbled on Andre's corpse in his father's room. He wanted advice from Maigret, but had stolen the revolver instead. Legrange is being blackmailed by Debul. Alain emerges from his hiding place and hands over the gun. Maigret offers some comfort to Alain, by revealing that Debul used his dad to put the "squeeze" on victims like Andre.
When she returns to Paris, she will be arrested. Maigret chats sympatically to young Alain.
Perhaps not entirely convincing, with Margaretta Scott cast in the role of blackmailer, but I liked the touch of Maigret in England not perfectly understanding the language. Police car used: WWL317
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Liberty Bar
On the Med, two women dash away from a large house carrying cases. Later in their garden, a corpse is dug up. "Very peculiar," observes Maigret. Dead man is William, once of Deuxieme Bureau. The two women, mother and daughter, are interviewed, they claim he had been drunk after collecting his usual money from an unknown source.
Slot machine tokens in his possession are traced to the Liberty Bar in town. Ja-Ja (Renee Houston) is the owner, here lives William's goddaughter Sylvie. "He used to throw his money about." Last Saturday he had left here around 2pm, but Maigret knows that he hadn't reached home for three hours. Where else had he been?
Maigret also meets Giovanni, Sylvie's boyfriend, and Harry Brown (Paul Eddington), William's son who had taken over the family business after his father "lost all dignity." He paid his father an allowance every month, though he'd not met him "for years."
All of them attend the funeral, "one of them killed him," notes Maigret. Those missing hours seem to have been spent at a hotel, where Maigret finds Sylvie, and also Brown. In her handbag is a huge sum of money, given her by Brown. This was payment for the return of his father's will, which Giovanni had nicked.
Some flowers purchased by Brown lead Maigret to a florist, who had sold flowers to the dead man last Saturday. In a nice touch, Maigret buys some flowers for the mother and daughter. Then he gets the truth out of Ja-Ja, though it's too late

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7 A Man of Quality
Maigret's Citroen draws up at Les Marguerites, he is the bearer of bad news for Mme Gallet- her husband Emil has been found dead. He died in Sancerre, where he was staying in his capacity as a commercial traveller. However it emerges that he gave up this job fifteen years ago.
Maigret examines the papers of Emil, while his son Henri relates how his father passed his time. An eyewitness claims Emil was seen arguing with a man with horned spectacles, this is evidently Henri. His mistress is a widow, and is hoping to marry Henri when they have enough money.
Emil had visited a M de St Hilaire (Maurice Denham) while in the town, apparently they were both staunch Royalists, Emil helping raise funds for impoverished Royalist supporters. I'm a Republican, admits Maigret.
Lukas is in the room where Emil died, when someone takes a pot shot at him. Police trace Jacob (Wilfred Bramble) who passed letters, suggesting that Emil was being blackmailed. Then a taxman named Louis advises Maigret that he knows the identity of the killer... a Tonkinese. But he had not met Emil for 25 years, so this comedy interlude can be dismissed, except that Louis inadvertently puts Maigret on the right trail.
The dead man is not Gallet, and Maigret confronts the real Emil. A complex story emerges, perhaps too complicated, or at least in this presentation it doesn't come across clearly enough. Nevertheless it offers some pleasing touches, such as with Louis, and with the local police inspector (Peter Barkworth) who is extremely zealous and eager to help Maigret

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The Mistake
Maigret is working at home to avoid interruption, but he is interrupted by news of a murder of a prostitute named Louise. Maigret goes to her flat in the Avenue Carnot, where Pierre, who works in a night club, used to visit her.
The concierge informs Maigret that eminent surgeon Professor Etienne Gouin (John Robinson) paid the rent of her flat. He lives in another flat here, but he had been called away the night of the murder.
Lukas traces Pierre to the club, where he is playing the piano. He sings his answers to the policeman's questions! When he is informed that Louise is dead, he does a bunk. After a chase through crowded streets, Lukas loses Pierre among railway sidings.
Dr Paul advises Maigret that the girl had been pregnant. She had been shot by a pistol.
Mme Gouin tells the inspector about her husband's numerous dalliances. Antoinette, her elder sister, did not approve of Etienne's behaviour, "I've seen this coming for years," she tells Maigret. She is certain that Etienne killed Louise, even despite his alibi. His colleague Dr Decaux does confirm the alibi, even though earlier we had seen Dr Gouin kissing her. Did he kill her? Maigret asks her.
Pierre gives himself up, "I didn't kill her." Listening in to Gouin's phone calls, shows that he was being blackmailed. Gouin admits it. Maigret is reluctant to question the famous man, but in their conversation, they cover Louise, Pierre, and life in general. Gouin repeats his alibi. Maigret has "a sort of instinct" as to the identity of the guilty party.
He phones Lukas ordering him to issue a warrant for the arrest of Antoinette. For once Maigret is in error, and a confession from the killer results from this action. Gouin is almost unmoved by the scene.
Later Maigret tells his wife that he had used Antoinette to force a confession from the real killer. Ah, so he hadn't made a mistake!

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The Winning Ticket
In this, Maigret's investigations are rather interrupted by the zealous magistrate (Noel Howlett).
"I'm in great danger, Inspector Maigret," a man on the phone warns. Shortly after, his corpse is dumped from a yellow Citroen.
Maigret is suffering from a slight cold, so it is Lukas who establishes the identity of the dead man, Albert, who worked in a cafe. From here he had phoned the police. The Citroen had been seen outside yesterday. A man entering this cafe is shot dead and his attacker runs off. A lot of money is on the dead man's person.
Some of this cash had come from Maria, a Czech girl who is found in a low boarding house, heavily pregnant. She is taken to hospital. She is one of a number of illegal immigrants living together, the source of their cash is evidently something illegal. Maigret questions Maria after she has given birth. A nurse castigates him for being too severe. Two men attempt to 'rescue' her but are rather needlessly shot dead by police.
A thief is traced who owned the Citroen, he had been going to drive Albert out of Paris, except Albert had been shot first.
Maigret establishes that Albert had chanced on a railway ticket which in a complicated way had led to his death. The killer is one of these immigrants who were "doing pretty well" out of robbing farmers in isolated rural homes. It was his ticket and he is arrested

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The Crystal Ball
Stabbing of a fortune teller as she gazes into her crystal ball. The killer drives hastily away in his green sports car, spotted by one young lady. A note by the corpse says The Fortune Teller Is Doomed To Death.
Maigret is dismissing Mascouvin, a nervous estate agent who is confessing to robbing his employer, who however claims no money is missing. "Go home," Maigret warns the shaking man.
Maigret inspects where the fortune teller lived. In a locked room, he discovers a man skulking, an old retired mariner. His wife says he had had a stroke, and neither she nor her daughter know of any fortune teller. The girl who witnessed the man driving away is scatty, though Maigret gets her to pick out a suspect.
Maigret takes his wife up river to a hotel where the dead woman stayed a lot. His interest seems to centre on a villa on the opposite bank, the Villa Verdi.
Back in Paris he searches the old mariner's room, more a "cell." The old man is discovered hiding in the loft. "I don't think you're mad," Maigret tells him, "or a master mariner." Lapointe arrests his wife, since she is found with 50,000fr on her person. It transpires that her real husband is dead, this new 'husband' is posing as her husband. The fortune teller had found out her crime, and demanded money, 50,000fr to be placed in a green sports car. Mascouvin who collected the money has been silenced. From his employer, Maigret learns that the lessee of Villa Verdi is a M Blaise, he was indulging in blackmail, and is about to flee to Switzerland. Despite offering Maigret a huge bribe he is arrested.
Maigret and his wife enjoy a dance at the hotel, though the dance looks a trifle modern for him

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Death in Mind

Two lonely old women are murdered and the ten million they've left seems sufficient motive.
Grocer's delivery boy Hertain (John Ronane) is chief suspect, but it seems obvious that he has been framed. He insists he has "nothing to say" to police.
Though he has to be arrested, Maigret risks his career in letting him escape, with the idea of following him.
An anonymous complaint about this "pseudo comedy" leads Maigret to Emile Radek (Anton Rodgers), an impoverished medical student, as well as his wife and his mistress. Hertain jumps into the Seine, and is taken unconscious to hospital.
Kirby (Jerry Stovin) is the man who is set to inherit the fortune, but he shoots himself. Now Maigret finds himself taunted by this Radek who is suddenly in the money. Radek is supremely confident that Maigret cannot touch him. He is interrogated in a strip club, with a stripper noisy in the abckground who never disrobes. Later he drops into Maigret's office to continue their little chat. "There could be another murder," Radek warns.
But Maigret can play cat and mouse too, and he toys with Radek at the scene of the murders

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Seven Little Crosses
Unusual Christmas edition, with Maigret at home with his family, only updated by phone by Lucas.
It is Christmas. A lad breaks in to an upstairs apartment, removes a small box and leaves via the stairway. He follows a burly man, and smashes several emergency police call point glasses. He chucks the box he has picked up, a lunch box, into the river.
An eyewitness had spotted the lad, twelve year old Francois climbing in to the apartment of an old moneylender. She has been found murdered, latest victim of a killer nicknamed The Sunday Man. Francois is the son of Olivier (James Maxwell), who is brother of Lecouer (Alfred Burke) who is currently the police officer in charge of the police call centre. He is able to give Lucas some useful background on unemployed Olivier, who is picked up by police. He admits he had borrowed 75 francs that night from the murdered woman.
Francois is still following the man, but why has he smashed seven police glasses? Francois is spotted by the burly man, who is Sgt Gaston Lubet, who had recently been sacked from the police force. Lubet points a gun at Francois' head. He takes the lad to a cafe. Police work out that Francois has been alying a trail, but reach the cafe too late. Lubet has forced Francois down to the river to kill him, for Francois had seen the killing. He had removed his dad's lunch box that his dad had left behind in the apartment.
Police prevent Francois being killed. Maigret is informed. He has been very inactive.
At times this story seems like a French Z Cars, though much less coarse

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The Trap
A more straightforward story than usual commences with the Montmartre killer striking again. At least, that's what the press think, though in fact it's a ploy by Maigret to lure this killer who knows "every alley" of Montmartre.
Police are deployed to watch the district, as policewomen trained in judo walk the streets. Eventually, one is attacked, and police swoop, "she'll be all right." Lucas gives chase but unfortunately loses the trail.
The shaken attacked women is only able to give a vague description of her attacker. But she had torn a piece of his coat. Through this, Marcel Moncin is traced, "I wasn't there." He is an architect and says he had been working at home. His domineering wife supports the story. The overcoat is his, but he claims he had given it away.
Maigret talks to Moncin's domineering mother, who tells the inspector,"he hasn't been here for months."
At an ID parade, Moncin is successfully identified. A tramp named Armand is found, who has the discarded coat. Maigret surmises Moncin's motives and charges him with murder.
However that night there is another murder! Moncin finds this highly amusing, "your murderer is still at large!" But Maigret is sure he has got the right man, and deduces that either the mother or wife must have done this last killing- though I must say they look unlikely suspects physically. He arranges a confrontation between the two possessive women, and the truth comes out

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The Fontenay Murders

Maigret is travelling to spend a few peaceful days with Chabot (Alan Wheatley), a friend who is also the local magistrate. On an overcrowded train, Maigret is recognised by wealthy Gilbert Vernoux (Edward Chapman) who reveals his town of Fontenay is seething with unrest over the death of his brother-in-law Robert. An old widow had been killed in similar fashion, though the murders are seemingly unconnected.
Now there has been a third victim, an old tramp. Alain Vernoux, Gilbert's son had found the body, and is popularly assumed to be the murderer. Maigret vainly attempts to dissociate himself from investigations, but owing to a misunderstanding Lucas also shows up.
Class tensions are mounting, as Maigret tries to get some sense out of the peasant girl Alain is in love with. Her squalid room is such a contrast with Gilbert's opulent mansion that Maigret is shown round.
Rioters begind throwing stones and Chabot has to issue a warrant for Alain's arrest. He is found with his girl friend, who is nearly dead.
Maigret finds that Gilbert has cracked under all the strain of his son's arrest, and is much the worse for drink An unlikely scene sees the real murderer exposed.

This was not one of the better stories in the series, in fact it is quite poor

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The Lost Life
At night a girl aged about 20, is knocked down by a car. Fractured skull. With some assistance from Inspector Lognon, Maigret investigates, since it is a matter of murder. Her clothing had been made by Madame Irene, who had hired them to the dead girl, who had left her own clothes at the shop. The girl's landlady says the girl Louise had kept very much to herself, but when she lost her job, she couldn't pay rent and was forced to leave.
Lucas travels to Nice to talk to her mother, whom he finds at a casino, none too bothered to hear her daughter is dead, "she ran away two years ago." She reveals where she had first stayed in Paris.
Lognon has traced her movements- she had attended a wedding reception on the evening she died. Her friend Janine, with whom she had shared a room, was the bride, groom was Santoni. Maigret manages to contact him on his honeymoon and learns that Janine had just lent Louise some money. She points the inspector in the direction of The Pickwick Club.
As has happened several times already on this case, Lognon is one step ahead of Maigret, he has got there first! The barman Albert says he had kept a letter for Louise, and after she had read this, she seemed a bit happier. Albert is brought in for further questioning, and reveals the letter had been from her dad, telling her to go to Brooklyn, behind it all is a 100 grand robbery. In a Brooklyn house, is found the stashed cash. Louise had been the courier, when she had been murdered

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The Cellars of the Majestic

At six am in the basement of the Hotel Majestic, a woman waits, holding a gun. She is strangled. Prosper Donge (Ivor Salter) discovers her corpse in the locker room where he works, Ramuel is in charge of the wine cellar, and the manager (George Coulouris) shows Maigret the room where the dead woman Madeleine Clark was staying. Why had she gone to the locker room?
Her husband (Peter Dyneley) is called back from his trip to Rome. He admits he had spent the night with his lover Helen.
From Charlotte, Donge's partner, Maigret learns about Jo (Diana Coupland), a stripper in Cannes. Lukas is despatched to interview her. The story is that Madeleine had once been Mimi another stripper who had got Clark to marry her, thinking she was bearing his child. Blackmail had ensued, the payee appears to have been Donge, though from what his partner says, it seems it was not he who had killed Mimi.
His dark secret is removed from a case in the locker room, and he goes to see His son. Lukas arrests him. But it transpires someone else was the blackmailer, using Donge's name, and this man is tailed to the bank where he is withdrawing his blackmail money, and is arrested

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A Man Condemned
Despite Maigret's best efforts, Adrien Josset is found guilty of murder. The inspector relates the background.
Eight years ago, Josset had married rich widow Christine. He had taken over the running of her successful business, and maybe neglected her a little. He also had an affair with Annette. His wife he had found dead in their luxurious villa, he doesn't know if he killed her or not! He hadn't phoned doctor or police. So why had he washed blood off his shirt, and why had he planned to go to South America?
The maid Julie tells Lucas that a dagger is missing- was this the murder weapon? When this is found, it has but one fingerprint on it, that of Josset. Though Maigret is sceptical, the guilty verdict is a foregone conclusion.
Maigret is dissatisfied with the defence lawyer the unfortunately named Pardon, because it hadn't been strongly enough brought out how Josset loved his wife. (His affair might be the reason it isn't part of the defence case.) With no reprieve granted, Maigret visits Josset in his cell. The condemned man has decided that he must have been too drunk to recall killing Christine.
Maigret traces one contact of Christine's, Popaul (Philip Madoc), who possessed a key to her house and has "a rotten alibi." Maigret also interviews Colonel Latinde, who lives the other side of the road to Josset, who had claimed he saw Josset entering the house that night. Maigret is surprised to find the maid Julie in his house, and it turns out she had been there the night of the murder. The truth emerges

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The Flemish Shop
Maigret is called in when an unmarried mother disappears. Last seen in a shop run by the Peeters, a despised foreign family. He meets the ladies, Anna and nun Maria, who tell him that Joseph, who is to marry another of them, Marguerite, is not the father. Local gossip centres on this "modern Casanova," alternative view is he is "a crossover of Einstein and an angel." But he admits he is the father.
Gerard (Robert Gillespie) is hiding on a barge, he stands to gain a fortune if the missing girl is dead. A witness named Cassin claims to have seen a body being thrown into the river by the quayside.
Maigret examines a bedroom in the shop and finds a photo- it's of Gerard. Then the corpse turns up in the river, beaten to death with a hammer. Maigret can perceive that both Joseph and Anna knew she was already dead. Maigret tries to question the distressed nun, but cannot get the truth from her.
Lucas arrests Cassin, while Maigret talks to a mute lad who works for him. At the wedding of Joseph and Marguerite, there is an interruption by Maigret himself. Questioning Anna, all is revealed. But Maigret cannot prove his theory. Anna is confident that nobody will speak out the truth, but Maigret uses Maria's vows to reveal what actually happened. "You've destroyed yourselves"

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46 A Taste of Power
A row between brother Richard Gendreaux (John Carson) and his sister Lise over her inheritance, when she shortly comes of age. He runs the family business, but soon she will have an equal control.
Richard blackmails Count Bob to marry Lise. What Richard doesn't know is that the pair have been having a clandestine affair.
At 1am Sergeant Lapointe happens to be passing the Gendreaux residence when he hears a shot. It comes from Lise's room, but when he searches the room, nothing is discovered. Exit one embarrassed sergeant. But after he has left, we see Louis the butler removing a corpse.
Maigret reads Lapointe's detailed report. He suggests that Lapointe trace the sports car that he saw outside the house. It belongs to Bob and he had been driven there by his friend Dede. Bob is lying in the morgue.
Lise is being sent away to America all of a sudden. Lapointe gets a break when he sees the sports car, and he watches Dede visiting a friend Cleo. When Lapointe calls, Dede knocks him out and ties him up. Maid Germaine later frees him. Dede is 80,000 francs to the good, but he is relieved of it when police pounce and the gang are arrested.
Maigret talks to Richard's retired father who confides that his two children are at daggers drawn over running the firm. He learns from Germaine that Bob had visited Richard that night, and from Richard and Louis the butler, Maigret gets the truth. Or is it? Maigret has a shrewd idea who was the intended victim of the killing, but there is no real evidence and thus no prosecution. However Maigret reflects that at least Richard will lose his control of the business

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The Judge's House
Maigret is wrapping up a smggling case in Honfleur, when, in a very protracted opening, Lucas playing with a football with local lads, a corpse is reported at the judge's house. "He's going to throw it in the river tonight at ten to eleven." That's the time of high tide. Sure enough, as they keep watch on the property, Maigret and Lucas see the judge dragging something heavy. He admits it is a corpse (even though the actor is inadvertently breathing), though he is not the killer, nor does he even know the man's identity.
Lise his daughter, suffering from dementia, is the only other person living here, though the judge's son, Albert, lives nearby. The dead man is identified as a guest staying at the same hotel where Maigret is residing. He is a psychiatrist, and had been killed in Lise's bathroom.
Albert's mate Marcel had been seen with Lise- but he has disappeared. The judge confesses to the killing, but this is obviously only to deflect from the fact that he thinks his daughter is the killer. No way is she the killer, says Maigret. Lise is taken away to a nursing home.
Albert tells Maigret that Marcel was planning to marry Lise, they had approached this psychiatrist to find out if it was safe to marry Lise. Marcel is found and Maigret gets the two men to fall out, and after a punch up, he makes his arrest.
This is a sad, moody tale, with a sympathetic performance by Leslie French as the judge

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Crime at Lock 14

Two young women are turned off a river boat, another remains on board, but someone on the bank recognises her, and calls out her name, Marie.
Lucas examines her corpse later, she had been strangled. Three boats had been moored at Lock 14 that evening. Maigret cycles the five miles to the next lock, where the boats now are. Here we see Jean (Andrew Faulds), who had spotted Marie, he helps the old lady who runs the cafe here- she has sort of adopted him, "he's like a baby, but a good bargeman."
Maigret talks to the owner of the Southern Cross, a rich man named Lampson (Hugh Burden), who identifies Marie as his wife, his fourth wife actually. Those on this boat are an unpleasant lot, morals suspect, "we don't interfere in each other's lives." The two ejected girls had been picked up. The question is, was Marie robbed for her missing necklace?
Jean lives on a barge, The Providence, caring for numerous pets. Mario, a sidekick of Lampson's, is an intruder, ransacking the boat. Jean returns to find him, and in the ensuing fight, Marco falls into the river and drowns.
It emerges that Jean had once been married to Marie and the chase is on to catch up with him. Maigret gets to his barge, but he has left, "gone beserk." He must be making for The Southern Cross. A lot of running through woods and fields by Lucas, to a showdown on the boat. Jean boards it, confronting Lampson, but a police bullet finishes him off, too dramatically

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Peter the Lett
13.20 - arrival of the train from Amsterdam, Maigret watches as Peter Oppenheimer (Marius Goring) alights. He's "a successful swindler," known as Peter the Lett. Maigret's job is to "make him unsuccessful."
At the Majestic Hotel, Maigret inspects the man's passport and leaves Torrance to watch him. Then a corpse is found on the 13.20 train, and he looks like Peter!
Maigret pokes round Oppenheimer's hotel room and finds a photo, which takes him to Le Portel, and a female photographer, wife of the dead man Johannsen. Lucas spots Peter Lett here and trails him through the snow to Paris, where he loses him. In fact Lett is arranging business with Strophades (Peter Illing), and Torrance, although not authorised to do so, searches the Greek's room and finds many share certificates. However a waiter named Moreno sees him, and knocks him out.
At a low club, infamous for dope peddling, Maigret finds Peter with Strophades. Maigret takes Peter in for questioning, but is shot at, slightly wounded. Thus Peter eludes police again.
Torrance is found with a steel pin through his heart, and search is made for Moreno, at whose house Peter is spotted. After a strange war of silence, Maigret confronts Peter. "Peter the Lett is dead," Maigret is informed. Once again, Peter, or is it Oppenheimer, eludes police, and goes to Strophades for a shouting match. End of the Greek, and his forged bonds racket.
Peter returns to Le Portel. We learn that this man had shot his identical twin brother dead- should have guessed that one! Explanations follow, "the only way," a sad tale of forgery. Once more Peter eludes Maigret, only for his body to turn up on a frozen beach. The killer Moreno is dragged in

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Maigret's Little Joke (Dec 1963)

Dr Philippe Javet (Michael Goodliffe) is off to Nice for his holiday with his wife. But a few days later she is found dead, in bed naked, in Paris, by locum Dr Gilbert Negrel (Neil McCallum). He claims she died of heart failure.
Maigret is on leave, his arm in a sling, after being wounded in a recent case. Lucas investigates this murder, but Maigret cannot help pondering the case, and sends Lucas an anonymous note, "why was she naked?"
It's from a crank, decides Lucas. He had learned Mme Javet died from digitalis, "it would kill her."
Martine, girlfriend of Negrel, asks Maigret to help her boyfriend. So he pokes his nose in, to the extent of visiting Javet's flat and sends Lucas a further anonymous note, "did you know the concierge is nearly blind?"
Another note follows, "what's the name of Javet's boat?" Lucas drives down to Nice to find out. He meets Javet's housekeeper here. It seems Javet was having an affair with Claire, his nurse.
Maigret gets Negrel to admit to Martine that he had had an affair with Mme Javet. Lucas arrests him. But he also questions other suspects, Javet of course, and Claire. Another slight joke from Maigret follows: it's his next note, "why is Claire lying?"
At last the killer is exposed, none too convincingly. Maigret congratulates Lucas on his success, but Lucas nicely leaves a note in return, thanking Maigret

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Take a Pair of Private Eyes (1966)
Almost a take off of a drama serial starring Derek Fowlds as Ambrose Frayne, and Jeanne Roland as Dominique Frayne, his new wife, who together run a sort of detective agency.
The cartoon opening and closing credits set the mood, which is hardly improved by some weak acting and a script that uses every cliche in the book. As a comedy it fails, as a drama it never ignites, so all that's left is to enjoy the polished acting from those of the cast not afflicted with the above mentioned malady.

Part 1 (April 10th 1966)

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6 (May 15th 1966)

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Take a Pair of Private Eyes

1 (April 10th 1966)

Ambrose is demonstrating how to pick pockets to his new young wife Dominique or Nicky for short. He also calls her 'Frog.' His business partner Charles runs numerous businesses, including that fronted by Ambrose, Recovery Enterprises. He has a new line for kiddies, a large snake. A customer in a grotesque mask attacks him and steals the file on the Grayden Pearls. He takes it to the novelty shop of Crozier (John Sharp), where Cornelia is assistant.
Inspector Ross wants to know if Ambrose has discovered anything about Lady Grayden's missing pearl necklace. But Ambrose has no information to offer. He consults his mentor, Hector (Sam Kydd) who points him in the direction of the man in the mask, Feinster, a fence.
However this crook's home is "well wired." But Ambrose and Nicky find a way in via the roof tiles. After a search, behind a mirror, Ambrose locates the safe. Cracking it takes longer than it should due to interruptions in the form of a few kisses with his new wife. She retreats to watch quietly, but then nearly screams when a hand dangles in front of her face.
End of part one

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2
A corpse is sprawling above the four poster bed. Ambrose cuts away the awning so that it falls on to the bed, then he leaves a note in the dead man's hat.
Hello hello hello, a constable on the beat spots Ambrose's car parked outside, and nicks him and Nicky as they emerge from the house.
Inspector Marshall listens to their doubtful story, and they are put behind bars. But Ambrose sneaks out of his cell and enjoys a cuddle with his wife.
Raoul Feinster returns home and keeps the corpse away from police eyes. He claims nothing has been stolen. He then mysteriously corroborates Ambrose's fiction that he had been replacing a few loose roof tiles- what, at dead of night?
Charles checks up on Crozier, who has the pearls. This villain drives a large van from his weird shop, to deliver a large wooden crate...
Clearly, possibly, the corpse has something to do with the missing pearls. With the assistance of Hector, Ambrose works out that the dead man was Roger Curran, a known embezzler. Ambrose waits, for Feinster is bound to show up. But in his office, Charles discovers that a corpse has been delivered

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3
Charles swallows a tablet after finding the corpse in his office.
Hector offers Ambrose and Nicky a transmitter and receiver in the shape of a pen and lighter.
In a feeble scene, Amvrose is introduced for the first time to Nicky's dad at the French embassy. He is suffering a painful massage. "'e is my 'usband," she tells dad, which drives the man to drink. Ambrose relates his dubious family history.
Feinster phones Inspector Roth, advising him of the corpse in Ambrose's office. It isn't there. the policeman informs Ambrose that Feinster is moving out of his office.
The body proves to be that of an Armenian client of Charles. It was, so the story goes, there for Charles to arrange to have it embalmed.
Feinster now phones Cokey Brock, a crook for whom he acts as a fence. Subject: "a little job."
Ambrose poses as the Armenian's brother, requesting the embalmed body be delivered to Feinster's home at 1.30am. Of course it's "to give Mr Feinster another shaking." Ambrose disconnects Feinster's home alarm system so as to watch proceedings. But in his car, Nicky discovers another corpse...

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4

The 'corpse' is only Ambrose messing around. No, actually it's a ruse to lure the policeman guarding Feinster's home, away from there so Ambrose and Nicky can indulge in a spot of trickery inside the house.
At 1.30am promptly, as per instructions, Charles delivers the corpse to the property, amid funereal music. Naturally the noise awakens Feinster and he prowls round suspiciouasly with his gun. He finds Ambrose's written demand to return Lady Grayden's pearls, "a very curious business."
Other sidelines which may and may not be significant: Dominique encourages her dad in his desire for a new alliance, "voila!" The lady in question is Marian, who is very inhibited, but by what? Inspector Ross is angry because Ambrose had tricked that bobby. Hector provides Nicky with a useful tip. Then Charley is given another job by Feinster, who wants "the boot putting in" to Ambrose and his wife, anything short of actually killing them.
At a club, the couple listen to a song, and indulge in a slight disagreement over women. When they return home, Charley's men lie waiting... corpse...

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5
The masked men are startled in the car headlights. After a punchup, Ambrose knocks them both out of course. Nicky sketches the unmasked faces, enabling Hector to identify them as members of Cokey's mob. Ambrose beards him in his den. He gets his own back by setting light to Cokey's pride and joy which reduces the pathetic criminal utterly to tears.
Ambrose has been "casing" Feinster's joint, which is a set of the creeky variety. Next door Crozier is putting cash into an envelope.
Nicky watches from next door to Crozier's shop, but she is spotted, and packed away in a large trunk, a magic box in the shop. However Ambrose rescues her.
Crozier and Feinster are definitely in cahoots she tells Ambrose in her broken English.
Lady Grayden is grateful to receive back her pearls- from no less than Feinster! Happily, she kisses Dominique's dad- obviously the pair are an item. But he is unamused. Ambrose tells them these jewels are fake. "It's all very complicated."
Ambrose and Nicky renew surveillance of Feinster's office, Nicky by posing as a model in rooms opposite. After dressing up as December, she dresses down for July...

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6
Feinster calls at the room where Nicky is posing. It's to collect a passport photo of Alfred Crozier, who turns out to be his brother.
Nicky spies on Feinster in his office and sees Crozier enter via a cupboard. "We're going to pull out." After a disagreement over this, Alfred is shot dead.
Ambrose discusses his next move with Hector, who then confides in Nicky's dad, to the latter's advantage, over a painting Hector had once nicked. Magnanimously, Hector is going to return it, anonymously, to no less a place than the Louvre. Then he shows Ambrose how to rob Feinster's safe to recover the stolen pearls. (Why couldn't he have done this is episode 1?)
Feinster kidnaps Nicky at gunpoint. She's a hostage. Cornelia, the late Crozier's assistant, drives Ambrose in her Mini to the magic shop where is prepared the latest illusion- a guillotine. Naturally it is Nicky's head at the end of the chopper, and unless Ambrose returns the jewels and smuggles them out of the country for Feinster, she is for the chop! But of course Ambrose rescues her and Feinster is left trapped in the guillotine for Inspector Ross to collect.

This plot has so many holes and loose ends, that it is impossible to do any justice to a serial that seems to have been written on the back of old envelopes and strung together anyhow, as though the whole must make some wacky impact on the longsuffering viewer. Occasional moments of fun however are no tonic

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The Spies (1966)

starring Dinsdale Landen as agent Richard Cadell.
"Spies don't have friends, only enemies and lovers."

My abiding memory of the series, is an episode in which Dinsdale Landen, ever looking to score nice subtle comic touches, chats to a bandit leader in the Spanish mountains, who lives on what he describes as "Bake-ed Beans."

1 If He Runs, I Want You There (Jan 1st 1966)

15 I Didn't Even Volunteer (April 16th 1966)

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I Didn't Even Volunteer

The dread word 'Russia,' which has come up with "a new box of tricks." Some satellite system, which has crashed in a remote mountainous region. 1A1 priority, agent Richard Cadell is dropped by parachute "to take a few photographs," and may bring back a souvenir or two.
Of course, "others will be trying to reach the impact area." After dodging crossbow fire, he rescues a girl who is tied to a tree, Leila, who tags along with him, "she's probably a plant." Also lurking among the trees is Copic (Peter Arne) of the Russians, plus of course American CIA. And Cadell's superiors, Kelly and Hastings. So there is quite a crowd! But yet one more unseen enemy, watching their every move, the local boys.
Mortar shells are the next danger, then a punch up in a lake as the Russians show up.
At long last, the crash site is located, however the place is surrounded by gunmen and Cadell & Co are taken prisoner by local mercenaries. Their chief bargains with Copic. After a fight, Cadell & Co get away. Despite a lot of bullet dodging, Cadell grabs his souvenir

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Z Cars
The BBC's long running series ran from 1962 until 1978, a total of 799 stories! I'll be honest, I am no fan.
James Ellis as Lynch appeared in the most stories rising from the patrolman in episode one up to superintendent. Next most episodes are credited to John Slater as Detective Sergeant Stone. However, surely the best remembered detectives were that first pairing of Stratford Johns as Barlow and Frank Windsor as Watt. Many others made their names in the series, to name a few, Brian Blessed, an acquired taste, as PC Fancy Smith and Colin Welland as PC Graham.

Reviews of these surviving stories:
Series One. 1 "Four of a Kind" - (Jan 1962)
2 "Limping Rabbit"
3 "Handle With Care"
4 "Stab in the Dark"
5 "Big Catch"
6 "Friday Night" - (February 1962)
7 "Suspended"
14 "Found Abandoned"
15 "The Best Days"
16 "Invisible Enemy"
17 "Down and Out"
18 "Further Enquiries"
20 "People's Property"
21 "Hi-jack!"
22 "Incident Reported"
26 "Contraband"
28 "Appearance in Court"
Series Two. 72 "The Whizzers" (1963)
Series Three. 75 "Made for Each Other" - (September 1963)
76 "A La Carte"
87 "Tuesday Afternoon" - (December 1963)
102 "Happy Families" - (1964)
115 "A Place of Safety"
Series Four. 135: "I Love You Bonzo"(1965)
136 "Brotherly Love"
137 "A Matter of Give and Take"
Series Six. 519: "A Lot of Fuss for Fifteen Quid" (1970)
Series Seven. 656: "Relative Values" (1972)
660 "Breakage"
Series Eight. 667: "Damage"
668 "Day Trip"
Series Ten. 752: "Incitement" (1975)
Series Thirteen and last. 791 "A Woman's Place" (1978)

To Softly Softly (1966-1976)

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Four of a Kind (January 1962)
The formation of a picked band of patrolmen with such integrity that our police of today would surely envy. This is an absorbing opening story that starts at the grave of PC Reginald Furrow, "shot down in the execution of his duty." This murder might never have occurred if there had been a proper crime patrol, that's the view of Chief Inspector Barlow, and he asks Crime Prevention Officer John Watt to select the best men he can find to form this new unit. Since John's wife has just left him, he has the time!
Bob Steele and Herbert Lynch are the first possibilities to be considered, they are introduced via a scene with Bob's girl Janey. Lynch is the first man to be chosen, "not a copper, a con man," but his merit is "he can catch thieves."
Fancy Smith is the next up, "a ted in uniform," along with Jock Weir a rugby league player.
Having marked his men, Watt asks them to volunteer, Jock first, as he lies injured after a match. Lynch is second, he's on duty in the rain at the docks, seemingly more concerned about a bet he's laid than his job, though he's quick to pounce on a gang of tearaways. Yes, he'll join, "anything to get out of this rain." On duty outside a dance club, Fancy Smith is dancing about in the street, chatting up a few birds. "I like flat hats," he decides, he's in.
Only Bob Steele remains to be approached. In fact he's disappointed at not being asked. He's helping a mother find her missing son Rodney. He's gone potty, wielding a huge knife, but Bob persuades him to take his pills and he calms down. Tired, Bob returns home, where Watt and Lynch are waiting to greet him, with their invitation. "I won't say no."
"That's the four of them"

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2 Limping Rabbit
A dour seedy kitchen sink drama.
Child vandals smash a window on a rough modern estate. Janey Steele lives here, but she's told a more serious problem, anonymously, 14 year old Hilda is missing from home. PC Bob Steele looks round the miserable squalid place where she lives, not worthy of the name home. Someone knocks him out.
He comes to. A drunkard named Boyle, the girl's grandfather, lives here, unworthy to be in charge of any child, he claims Hilda has been taken by this man. This turns out to be Dennis Stegan (Harry Towb) who is living with Boyle's daughter. Lynch looks round their flat, Stegan objects and comes off worse, but Lynch fails to find the child.
Steele finds Hilda's granny, a hard case, she'd left Boyle recently after an abortive attempt to look after him and Hilda.
17 year old Tessa is also missing, she had been pally with Hilda. The likelihood seems they must have gone off together. We see Stegan who is arranging for the pair to go by ship to Australia, apparently for Hilda to be reunited with her father, though it is suggested the real motive is a child prostitution racket. But Hilda won't go until she has her toy rabbit, left behind at her grandfather's house.
Old Boyle gets out a few words to Lynch, about the rabbit that has been taken. 18 inches long, one of the legs off. Get the rabbit, get the girl. The man who has taken the rabbit for Stegan is followed by police on the way to the docks, where he hands the animal over for a pound. It is handed to Hilda. The long surveillance ends with consternation, for Lynch has craftily swapped rabbits, so that Hilda gets the wrong one. "That's not my rabbit." Hysterics, arrest, then Hilda is reunited with her own rabbit.
I have to admit to not enjoying this. I didn't watch Z Cars after this in 1962, and I didn't want to watch it again recently. The grim characters offered nothing at all to endear themselves, and grainy 16mm film mixed with the studio scenes were too dark for comfort; maybe at the time we didn't notice that sort of thing so much

To
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Handle With Care (January 16th 1962)

The time is about 2230, an eager couple are snogging in their car when there's an explosion in nearby Blackby Quarry. ZV2, Lynch and Bob Steele are first on the scene. En route, they have been discussing the merits or otherwise of married life. ZV1, Smith and Weir, have to cover their patch, their conversation is mostly on who'll win Saturday's match.
Tom is the man who had reported the crime, though Lynch seems more interested in his girl friend. Weir and Smith are more conscientious, finding an abandoned van VME 309, owner Jacob Ramsden (Arthur Lowe) a petty thief. As he's so wily a customer, Smith, suspecting he has just done a toy shop, drives the van back to outside Jakey's house, something PC George Dixon'd surely never ever do!
Here Jacob 'Dad' Ramsden is smashing up some of the evidence, going to sell the crushed toy cars only for scrap. But his sons Little Jakey (Michael Brennan) and Ritchie (Anthony Sagar) though chips off the old block, have bigger fish to fry.
The quarry explosion had been caused by unstable gelignite that the two Ramsdens had nicked. One 'sweating' stick had exploded, the rest is hidden in a tea caddy at home. But "if anybody knocks it or drops it, there she blows!"
As Jakey doesn't fall for Smith's ruse, he's made to open up the locked rear of his van where more toys are found. Under arrest he is, but the officers are offered a cuppa before leaving for the station. "It's jelly," notes Smith, as the caddy is opened, Carefully the sticks are lifted and placed in a bucket of earth and carried to the bottom of the garden. Bang! Noone is hurt.
But the bulk of the gelignite has been taken by Little Jakey and Richie to sell. At a local cafe, Danny hands them the cash and drives away with it in his lorry SKA896, picking up a tart for the ride.
Chief Insepctor Barlow questions Jakey and his wife who won't admit anything. But apprised of the danger, she does shop her sons and they are picked up at the cafe.
Now the hunt is on for Danny's lorry. The time is now 2310, amazingly quick police response time! ZV2 first sight SKA896 and stop it. Bob is happy to rescue the tart in his arms, "could you believe it?" Moments later the jelly goes up, Lynch emerges more like a comic, his face blackened.

A mundane tale only enlivened by Arthur Lowe's strong Midlands accent

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Stab in the Dark
On her own doorstep, Sadie is stabbed. She doesn't recognise her assailant.
Supt Robins (John Phillips) is in charge of the case. "It should have killed her," yet her thick clothing had afforded some protection. "'e just jumped on me." She's reluctant to concede to Robins that she even has a boy friend, but Robins just can't believe this and the scene of his semi-bullying interrogation of her becomes overlong. "We'll get him tonight," promises the superintendent, but with no description of the attacker, that's problematic.
Janey has her own problems with PC Bob Steele, he's always at work, never around, and now he's forgotten it's her birthday. Now he can't stay with her as he has to go to Sadie's house. Steele and Lynch are assigned the task of tracking down the attacker's knife, and Steele finally gets round to apologising, in a way, to Janey for being delayed. She's staying with Mary.
Jim is one local who supplies them with a possible name for the knife owner. A witness is of more use, she'd seen a man hanging round in the street, possibly his name is O'Connor. At a fish and chip shop, Steele learns his first name is Tom, and lives with his dad. For a short while he'd worked at the shop , filleting fish, using knives like the one used in Sadie's attack.
Lynch questions Tom's belligerent father, who admits he'd had an argument that evening with his son and thrown Tom out. Then Steele spots the pathetic lad hanging round outside his home, so he's taken to the station where Robins turns on his interrogating method once more.
"I don't have a knife," Tom insists. He threw his away, he says. He had kept a knife to protect himself from his father. At the psychological moment, Robins shows him the knife, and some tough probing elicits Tom's confession. He never knew Sadie, it was a motiveless atttack brought on by that argument with his father. "Diminished responsibilty" seems the most likely verdict

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Big Catch
Watt disputes with Barlow whether this plant is a gloxinia, but of course Barlow is as ever right.
More serious business, the Olympic Tracer, a Norwegian whaling ship is docking, and sailors will have plenty of cash. Already leaving Lime Street station are plenty of what Smith and Weir describe as "bombshells", out for their pickings. One is the professional Gloria, but another is not one of them, Maggie, out to solve her own financial problems. She sets her sights on Nils.
Toddy the local publican is expecting trouble. It's a vibrant scene, but too protracted, arrests are bound to come soon.
Nils, now drunk, books a room, number seven, "no ladies allowed." But Maggie slips in and soothes him sending him to sleep, She is now free to steal his pay and savings, £500.
But Weir sees her coming back down the stairs and questions her. There's another punchup with local "mustard" agitator Big Dez and Nils, who has awoken to find his money gone, is caught up in it as well.
Weir can't find the cash on Maggie. Barlow takes it up, in the pub, and even sings Maggie May, a song about a girl who takes everything belonging to a whaler. He forces her to tell the gist of the story's theme. It's another overlong scene, "why don't you shut up?" My thoughts entirely.
Look in the Gents, suggests the all wise Barlow. Weir finds the money in a cistern. "You've got no proof," says Maggie, she's wise to that. Thus, though she receives the beady eye from Barlow, there's no charge can be brought against her.
Noisy, unsatisfying, seedy, here is authentic contemporary kitchen sink, or at least pub sink drama

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Friday Night

"It's going to be one of those nights," prophesies Sgt Twentyman, and by gum, this story is a right mix of comedy that sits uneasily with the tragic, almost tasteless to my way of thinking.
Bob Steele is extra grumpy tonight, compounded after his ZV2 partner Lynch has signed, off and Bob has to be sent to the scene of a road accident at Castle Crossroads.
In the staff canteen, Sgt Watt tears Twentyman off a strip for sending out one of His crime patrol officers to a traffic incident. Not his job. But Steele is having a tough time, no ambulance on the scene, he has to comfort dying moorcyclist Jim, knocked down by a drunken car driver (Garfield Morgan). Jim asks for Mary, his pillion passenger. She is dead and soon Jim is also.
Back at the station, an irritating Irishman, Granpa they call him (JG Devlin) asks Sgt Twentyman to put him in jail! He's so talkative that you can't blame Twentyman for suggesting Granpa "rob a gas meter, or blow the gas company." Granpa takes him at his word, and leaves his dabs all over the shop, once he has broken in.
Steele has to break the bad news to Jim and Mary's mother, en route picking up George, drunk. More serious news, the Comber gang have stolen a blue van FEF 799, which PC Jenny Stacey follows, as it drives erratically. Poor continuity here as a different van is seen on film, which brakes suddenly to cause Jenny to crash. However she is only shaken, not injured.
ZV2 see a chance for glory as they know the gang hide out at Kelso's Garage. Chief Supt Robins ateps in to round up the crooks.
Granpa's job has hit a slight snag, he's no matches with which to blow the safe! In a nearby pub, there's a long aside before he gets what he wants. But this is only after a pub brawl in which a placating Twentyman gets punched. Once he's come to, he kindly gives a match to Granpa.
"Eee, what a night," police staff reflect in the canteen, "blood, alcohol, tears." A typical Friday night, reflective of real life. Comedy returns as there's a loud explosion and everyone dashes off to find a dazed Granpa at the scene of his crime. "he gave me the matches," he explains poointing at poor Sgt Twentyman

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Suspended

John Wilson (Derek Francis), owner of The Cedars is attacked and robbed. He phones the police from next door, but has not returned home before the prompt ZV1 are on the scene. PC Jock Weir looks round the grounds while PC Fancy Smith investigates the deserted house.
The irascible Wilson returns to provide a list of the items stolen.
The thieves are Walter and Cappy (Rex Garner) who sell the goods for a pittance to pawnbroker Tommy Thwaite.
But one item is not on this haul, Wilson's gold watch, which was not one of the things taken at the time. Wilson alleges that Smith has stolen it.
Barlow is obliged to suspend Smith, and Weir, and despite the distastefulness, their homes must be searched, "they've found nowt." An angry Smith storms out of his house, with Watt and Barlow, and even Weir uncertain if he's guilty or not. That's the best theme in this story, characters' reactions to his possible guilt.
Watt is soon on to Thwaite, but no gold watch in the haul. It looks bad for Smith.
Despite protests from his girl friend Nelly (Angela Douglas), Smith angrily goes to The Cedars to confront Wilson, but Lynch gets there ahead of him. Inside Wilson's home, they think they see him with his watch, but on closer inspection, sadly it's not the same watch.
Walter and Cappy are robbing Fabian Road Secondary Modern School, a motley collection of clocks, woodwork tools and cups, but an alert constable gives chase and ZV2 stop the pair, not without a bit of banter. More stolen property is found in their home, but still no sign of the watch.
Watt is now convinced of Smith's innocence, so could Wilson be lying? That seems the most likely possibility.
But the truth does emerge and the police are exonerated, with a good final scene as Barlow abruptly concludes, "that settles that then." That's all, no apology, "Smith reflects, "if he'd just said sorry." Aye, lad, this were t' blunt North

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Found Abandoned (April 3rd 1962)
This could be another potential Wednesday Play, the baby screaming starts to grate after a while. A lighter touch is the running quest by green PC Sweet to discover what a Doll Trick is.

On a windswept rainy evening, Annie is awoken by a crying baby outside in the cold. Despite protests from her boyfriend Enoch, she brings in the little girl. ZV1 pick her up and thus she arrives at Newtown police station in the arms of Fancy Smith.
Asking round the local hospitals at first brings no luck, but off duty, Smith is persuaded by Insp Dunn to try again. This time a day nurse remembers the girl whose father had taken her out of the hospital to be cared for by his sister. Name of Toddy Edgar, who claims when questioned that his wife Fran had retaken the baby, "she's on the game." But he seems a shifty fellow himself.
Another case takes ZV1 to a railway warehouse but the crooks elude capture though the stolen property is recovered including two giant cheeses that Smith takes as trophies to the police station.
Patsy and Jock Weir, Jeanne and Fancy have a laugh over the incident at a pub where Fran is reputed to hang out. Toddy is waiting for her here too, threatening to kill her.
An informer Mousey tells Insp Dunn where the railway thivees are hiding. ZV1 keep surveillance on the place and lo, Toddy turns up. Fancy tails him to his home where he also finds Fran, "it was his idea." A lecture from Fancy followeth. He also kindly informs Annie that the baby's safe and well now

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15 The Best Days

Lynch is offering Steele the chance to earn a bit of extra money, that is if he takes him as a lodger.
Nearby at Barry Wood Comprehensive, Ted's gang are breaking in to vandalise the school. Very unpleasant, even more so when they knock out the caretaker, Sawyer.
On his way home, one of the lads is stopped by ZV2. He gives the name Billy Walton. When questioned further he says he had been with Tommy Hesketh (David Cook) all evening. Of course he's not called Billy, though he does know Tommy as they go to the same school. The interest of the story lies in whether Tommy is part of the gang, even though he's the son of a policeman.
Tommy comes home after 11pm to a bit of a ticking off from mum who has been entertaining Mary Steele. Lynch is called to the school and calls for an ambulance. Inspector Barlow is soon there and asks the headmaster to check on missing property, which proves to be a tape recorder and record player. These the gang sell off to a dubious electrical shop owner Charlie Grove for a paltry £5.
Steele questions Tommy about Billy Walton, Tommy doesn't know him, he had spent the night at the Youth Centre, though Lynch later learns the boy hadn't been there. Tony's dad, PC Alan Hesketh, can't get anything out of his son. Barlow tries and fails too.
One of the gang, Jimmy, Ted's younger brother, is scared, and is off school. He's the lad who had given the name Billy. He has to join in the next break in, revenge on Mr Grove. Goods are nicked and Ted damages the premises.
But Grove doesn't dare complain to the police. Barlow has seen it all before and puts two and two together. He questions the boys at school, they use big words, the script not entirely convincing. Ted is taken to the police station. "Don't you ever work?" Barlow asks him scornfully.
This becomes a slightly interesting study in the policeman's son who has to mix at school with pupils with criminal tendencies. You do feel for him, is he one of the gang or not?
The breakthrough in this case is made by ZV2 when they see Jimmy alias Billy in the street. They also find Tommy who's had a nasty beating. Barlow now works his tricks on the gang, man against boys, only one winner. The younger betray them, "you stupid flaming nits," improbably cries Ted.
The story is rounded off with Tommy on the mend. "I'm putting in for a transfer," his dad admits wisely. Yet does he need to, Barlow asks perceptively.
Oh yes, we also note that Lynch is now happily staying with the Steeles

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16 Invisible Enemy (April 17th 1962)
Another dark night, this one's windy also. On the eleventh floor of a depressing modern block of flats, the lift not working, Smith and Weir brush past a noisy crowd muttering about tearaways to reach an old frightened lady, Mrs Crawford. Burglars, she's all worked up, worried they'll come back. Nothing stolen except a shilling from the meter, though the best tea set has been smashed. "What's it all about?" asks a puzzled Smith, but he can get little sense from the distressed woman or her dithering husband.
Weir finds no trace of any intruder, but learns of one suspect, not a gang but a loner, Jack Nichol, a moody youngster who likes to sit on the roof by himself.
Patiently Smith pores over the case with the Crawfords and their neighbours. It's very slow going piecing together the gossip, and an alleged vendetta against the couple. The witnesses verge on caricatures, too cliched to be convincing. For example, one's an old maid Miss Sullivan. All this gossip becomes very tedious, the plot submerged under the woffle.
Smith questions young Jack, whose depressed manner is connected with the death of his girl friend six months back. He claims he'd been paid ten bob "for a giggle," should you still be interested in proceedings at all.
There being not much doing at the police station, Barlow and Watt come out to the scene of the crime. Even though it's now 1am, the unfortunate Sgt Twentyman is ordered to take everyone's fingerprints. Smithers, the fingerprint man (Ken Jones) adds a ray of humour into the dull night as he loses the vital evidence over the railings.
Suddenly what truth there is, breaks out. Barlow puts his finger on the vital missing piece of information. Who was Jack's girlfriend? Ah, it turns out she'd been related to one of those fascinating neighbours. Barlow makes his arrest, you feel he'd been playing the whole thing for mini-laughs up until the moment the suspect bursts into tears. I'd been buried in tears myself long before this

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Down and Out ((24 April 1962)
The title honestly describes this dour tale set one rainy night.
"Recognise them two?" Charlie MacManus and Joan Nelson, on probation. Their story is intertwined with that of Douglas Tully (Patrick McAlinney) who's "strong as an ox," and has been drinking heavily, barricaded in his room.
Lynch and Steele take an age to break in, and idly chat about ducks until they disarm him. However he tricks them, and locks them in as he gets away.
Charlie and Joan have broken into a pet shop where she once worked. The owner keeps his cash in the cellar, they take an age to find it, "there's hundreds!" They share it out on the spot. They also take a swig or three of the alcohol, "this is heaven!"
ZV2 have got free and circulated Tully's description, and are now scouring the streets for him. He's running round in the downpour, inarticulate, depressingly pathetic. He so happens to find the door of the pet shop open, and is so pleased to meet some friends, he talks to the birds. The thieves are trapped, worse follows when they fracture a gas pipe attempting to get out another way.
Det Sgt Crawford has just been made detective this very day. With Inspector Dunn, his first case is to arrest a drunken Irishmen clutching a birdcage. ZV2 find Charlie and Joan almost gassed in the cellar, the stolen notes proof enough of their intentions. The improbable becomes even more far fetched when the thieves take Steele and Lynch hostage in their own car, "drive to the dock." A knife at his throat, Steele has to obey.
But the car is crashed into that of Inspector Dunn and more arrests follow. Paying for the damaged car is down to who?

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Further Enquiries

ZV1 stop a white sports car driving without lights. Young Margaret Carson is the driver and cannot produce her licence. One of her two passenger friends Mike, resents the police intrusion and proposes they rob a friend, Sally Spencer, just for kicks, "it'll be marvellous," leading the police a merry dance.
Smith and Weir have moved on to assist a sailor (Milo O'Shea) who says his suit is missing. It's an attempt at comedy that falls flat. Mulalley's the name, and he has "good money" in cash on his person. The sailor uniform had come from a deserter.
The youngsters break in via a rear door, "simple," Mike in the lead, Margaret doubtful like Barry Hume (Keith Barron). Their fears are realised when the family return home unexpectedly. They run off, but Barry is stranded after he falls downstairs in his panic. Sandy recognises him and perceives it's "a gag," but as Barry won't answer his questions, Dr Spencer phones the police. Smith and Weir take down the details and question Barry, son of a local solicitor.
Things take a more sinister turn when Sandy finds her valuable necklace has gone, though even Dr Spencer remarks, "I'm sure they meant to give it back."
At the station, Watt has to tread carefully, with a solicitor on the scene, and Margaret's father is a general! The army man phones Barlow who's back at his home, to complain! Barlow is not amused at having to come down to the station in the middle of the night.
The two parents are trying to sort out their delinquent offspring's mess, but the story that is concocted isn't pat when Barlow steps in. "What are you cooking up, this time of morning?" Barlow sorts Margaret and Barry out, sending them home with the news, new to them, of the missing necklace. As Barry has remained silent, even his solicitor father can't get him to betray his so-called friends, he's the only one to be charged, but Maragret can't stand by, specially as Mike must have stolen the necklace.
Mike is caught. In court Mulalley, if you remember him, is fined £10, Hume is committed. Just about an end

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People's Property
ZV1 are called to Brownson's warehouse, suspected break-in. Soon an army of police with dogs are swarming the building, and it is Watt who finally corners the intruders. They turn out to be two young lads, Jimmy Harris and Tommy Higgins.
The magistrate is unimpressed with the police overreaction, and places the pair on probation. Watt has to liaise with Mr Williamson, the boys' stern headmaster, who however is unable to prevent them taking unauthorised absence in the lunch break with their pals.
In Martin's Store, a customer is complaining her handbag containing £84 has been stolen. We see Tommy chucking it in the river, the cash being generously distributed in gifts to his friends.
ZV1 picks up Jimmy, and Watt questions him and he admits his guilt. Fancy and Jock feel some sympathy, recognising that they were a little like the tearaways when younger.
The pair are sent to a remand home, but all are full, so the lads have to be placed on bail. Instead of returning to school, they scarper. They steal a camera from one shop, then help themselves to a bike each. There's a long and somewhat tedious police search.
The pair are ejected from a bus bound for North Wales. They thumb a lift and alight in rural surroundings and climb a mountain. All this conveniently fills out the fifty minutes, at the end of which ZV1 catch up with them, "quite hopeless."
I'm not sure if this was supposed to be exciting, or a chance to show us some beautiful scenery, albeit on grainy 16mm film, but the juvenile's motives are never analysed, it's a sad commentary without a whiff of a solution

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21 Hi-Jack! (May 22nd 1962)
A running minor story is the upcoming big boxing match. Everyone has tickets, Lynch won a couple in a raffle, only poor Barlow is without, and he can't get one anywhere.

ZV2 are enjoying a break at a transport cafe, where Bob Steele bumps into an old Malayan army buddy Les Fielding (Glyn Houston), now driving lorries. It is police business, when his vehicle full of 21inch tvs is stolen from outside the cafe. While Barlow and Insp Dunn try and work out "the modus operandi," ZV2 gives chase in vain.
The tvs are being hidden by the thieves in an old barn near the cafe, the abandoned lorry found elsewhere, "clean as a whistle." PC Sweet spots motor cycle tyre tracks which is about the only clue the frustrated Barlow gets.
While other lorries are also knocked off, one with corsets, Les has to go off sick with all the worry. Lorna, his wife, looks after him in their flat, which has got £100 of new furniture, thanks to Les' small win on the pools. Bob Steele is assigned, reluctantly, to check Les out, and so goes to see his old pal with Janey his wife. They chat obliquely about not ruining the good jobs they now hold, "I don't like it," Janey says quietly to her husband, who wants her to phone Barlow to get Les tailed. For Les has gone out, enabling Lorna to come a little fresh with the policeman.
Les has returned to the cafe, to tell the gang that he is worried Bob is on to him. After a punch up, the thieves are roudned up. "So much for wartime friendships," as Bob has had to do his duty as a policeman at the expense of an old mate. A shocked Lorna screams at Bob when she learns her husband is under arrest, it's a sad if well done scene as she shouts off camera, which is trained on Bob, "you filthy stinking copper"

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Incident Reported
For me, the series was now running out of ideas, so how did it continue for so long?? Here's a tired old plot, in which most of the new characters never spring into life, perhaps there are just too many of them.
ZV1. Smith is bothered by sticky toffee paper, but more serious, Mrs King's complaint about rowdy neighbours the Carrons, a pram being thrown down the staircase in their flats.
Next port of call The Tabernacle pub, where Stan Carron is his usual belligerent self. Smith chucks him out and this nasty piece of work goes home in an evil frame of mind, and throws his wife's soup on the floor. He hits her and his grown up timid son Arthur, who runs away in a panic when Stan gets what he richly deserves. ZV1 size up the mess remarkably slowly, until Barlow and Watt take charge. Mrs Carron is in a daze, her husband dead.
Arthur has fled to the shop where his sister Vicky is working late. ZV1 find him hiding here while witnesses are interrogated by Barlow and Watt. The liveliest of these is Dad (Tony Quinn) whose vivid imagination is cut down to size by the brusque Barlow.
At the station, Barlow gets Arthur's version, "he was going to kill me," he had to stop his dad's fury. But Barlow isn't satisfied. He goes to the hospital and calmly informs Mrs Carron her husband is no more. "He'd've killed me," she responds weakly, and that's enough for Barlow. The truth is out.
Smith is depressed he hadn't arrested Carron in the pub, though perhaps he's not as depressed as us, since it is all so very depressing

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Contraband
Employees are emerging from the Sheer Stocking factory. As ZV1 admire the scenery, a lady cyclist is knocked over. Fancy Smith comforts the slightly injured Miss Stansfield (Helen Fraser), but Jock Weir notes a pile of new stockings in her handbag. Stolen. The manager of the factory would have pressed charges if ZV1 had not been so persuasive. She is getting married next week is no excuse, but the sack is sufficient punishment. Her sailor father is exceptionally grateful and promises to repay the policemen.
Another lady catches Smith's eye in a pub. She's called Pet, and her cousin offers Smith a £15 watch. But they get a tipoff from barman Terry who Smith is. And he's not so daft as he doesn't know they're working "some kind of racket." He's right, they are flogging off watches brought into the country for which no customs have been paid. Inspector Driver of the Customs is after this gang whose boss is Curry (Reginald Marsh), and Smith is able to point him, Barlow and Watt in the direction of this pub. But the tipoff has warned Pet away from here, and all the miffed Barlow can do is lean on the barman and confiscate his watch.
Smith is in the doghouse as his lead has failed, "I'll find 'em," he vows. He gets a break when a slightly inebriated Stansfield (Frederick Peisley) donates a bottle of whiskey to ZV1, plus a watch, "from a grateful father."
He says he bought it on board his ship, and ZV1 are instructed to keep surveillance on his ship the Forsythia. This seemingly thankless task is a kind of tit for tat from Barlow, but it proves a winner. Suspicious goings on, something taken from the ship and hidden in a recess. Bravely, Smith examines what has been concealed: tins full of watches. Stay put, orders Barlow, until the loot is collected.
An oarsman rows to the spot. He is caught red handed, though in the struggle both tip into the water, Poor Smith gets soaked. Barlow arrests the gang, but sadly Smith does not get the reward he was expecting
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Appearance in Court
The opening scene is really unrelated to the main story, except it introduces the magistrates court. Here William Ogilvie (Bill Simpson) is denying the charge brought by Bert Lynch, that he stole a bottle of milk from the dairy. "I put it back," he claims, defending himself. But with no witnesses, it is the policeman's word that is accepted.

Inspector Dunn investigates the theft of crates from Hardwick's lorries. Driver Ken Mannion is a suspect, even though his boss trusts him. We see that he is working a fiddle with Trevor Kiernan, who runs a "nice friendly shop," the description is PC Fancy Smith's. It sells at bargain prices.
He and Jock catch Ken removing the stolen crates from his shed, and tail him as he takes them to Kiernan. As Ken drives away, police give chase, but Ken eludes them. Later he is found dead in his shed, suicide.
Kiernan is caught and arrested in an unpleasant scene. In court his clever solicitor Garston ties poor Smith up in knots, with some clever-dick legal points, then turns on Weir, who is slyly accused of making "improper advances" to Mrs Kiernan. Unlike in the case we saw at the start, the police version is not accepted and the case is found "not proved."
Perhaps the inference is, the best legal brains can often wangle the case in your favour, it's not a very happy notion, and it is left to Inspector Dunn to offer a semi-reassuring epilogue

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The Whizzers
A filmed sequence depicts some dubious characters outside a wrestling venue. Inside, in the studio, we watch a team of pickpockets at work. Fingers (Rex Garner) has nicked £90 from Ralph, and shares it out with his two mates (Michael Brennan and Harry Locke).
Weir and Smith are moaning to each other about being placed by Watt on Saturday night duty, when they are alerted to the theft of Ralph's wallet. They get a good description of the thief who is driving a white Mercedes. At a roundabout they spot the speeding car, "he's travelling." The driver, not the crook, is apprehended and after a slanging match escorted to the police station, where he lays a complaint about Weir's bad language. However he's clearly not the wanted man.
With an official report filed against Weir, Barlow investigates, learning about Weir's disgruntlement over his duty roster and the fact that he had been selected to play for the county on Wednesday.
The pickpockets have now robbed first a lady, then a gentleman in the men's lavatory. Their method is, one man distracts their target, the boss picks his pocket and hands it to the third man who scarpers. The Chief Fire Officer is their next victim.
Description fits the trio, but proving theft is another matter. Some legwork, and Watt traces the correct white Merc to a posh hotel, The Alpine. It belongs to Mr Davis, alias Fingers. The thieves' next scene of operations will be tonight's dog racing meeting, but Watt anticipates this as their likely venue.
Weir's disciplinary hearing sees him represented by Det Sgt Watt with PC William Smith as a witness. Watt's questions elicit the truth, proving there were some mitigating circumstances in Weir's favour. Though he is found guilty, he receives only a reprimand. Fingers is tailed as he drives to the dog track with his girl and two accomplices. At the nearby Station Arms a suitable victim is sought, and they find someone, actually undercover Fancy Smith. A bit of barging and Smith's wallet is snatched. Watt chases the getaway thief round the railway sidings, a rugby tackle felling the crook. Barlow arrests Fingers.
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Made for Each Other
This almost has the elements of The Wednesday Play with a momentarily scintillating performance from a young Judi Dench, but writer John Hopkins decides that as this is not the WP, he'd better not explore her character, but rather opts for the stock situation, though there's an interesting reflection on PC Fancy Smith's motivation in trying to help her.

Is there someone in this large empty house in Derwent Avenue? Weir and Smith nose around nearly missing the teenager who topples downstairs as she bids to get away. This "spitfire" Elena taunts them as they have difficulty getting her to respond sensibly. Down at the station Watt tries also, "I don't have a home to go to," she admits pathetically but proudly. Yes, this is the old teenage angst stuff, she's left home and her parents have disowned her.
A second police 'customer' is Kenneth Harvey (Peter Woodthorpe), a cyncial character charged with loitering with intent. As Watt can't get him to admit his guilt, in court next day the magistrate hears his case. Then it's Elena's turn, she's remanded for a probationary officer's report.
The house in Derwent Avenue is burgled.
Off duty in a swinging coffee bar, Fancy bumps into Elena, who is sporting a black eye. She's in unsavoury company, that of Harvey who warns Smith off, Weir interrupting the imminent punchup. The two policeman have a well done heart to heart in the deserted high street. But the incensed Fancy goes to Elena's parents to find out why they care so little for their daughter, "I don't care," affirms the mother, a brick wall is what Smith encounters. It's the old generation gap drama.
Watt has to severely reprimand Smith- that's for his scene at the coffee bar. Watt hasn't heard about the visit to Elena's ex-family yet! Smith has another task now, find Elena who has skipped probation. Of course she's with Harvey, she's acting as lookout while he robs another house. Weir and Smith spot her loafing outside, she runs off, they give chase. When caught, she spits on them. She's brought into the station just as her dad is leaving, having registered his complaint against Smith. Harvey is also arrested and faces a possible jail sentence. A rather contrite Elena pleads guilty, but the writer cops out of offering any ray of hope
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A La Carte
Dave Graham and Herbert Lynch in ZV2 are checking out The Rose pub, but scarper when they see Barlow's Rover parked outside. Here's an upmarket pub, "no riff raff," run by Malcolm Wright (Leslie Dwyer) who treats his best customers to the cuisine of his chef Henry (Peter Sallis). Barlow asks to thank Henry personally, and recognises him, ex-Strangeways. Henry insists he is going straight, and their conversation, like much of the tale, is of the veiled typed, "don't underrate me, Mr Barlow." It is clear Barlow isn't only here for the food and drink.
Some "familiar faces" can be seen at The Rose, Barlow is suspicious of His Lordship, toff Peter Pennington, but his surveillance is exceptionally low key. Barlow leaves a message at the station to be collected at 11.15, since he is just slightly tiddly, nicely acted. ZV2 are given the unenviable job, but on the way to the pub stop Pennington for dangerous driving. Then Dave drives Barlow's vehicle, while Barlow is driven by Lynch in ZV2, via the outside of Pennington Hall, to his own home.
Newly promoted Jack Elliot (John Thaw) has checked on Pennington. idle rich he is. Elliot is assigned to sit and watch in the pub, nice work if you can get it.
Nobody knows, not even Watt, what Barlow is up to, recovering stolen goods seems the most likely guess.
At long last Barlow makes a move. He drops in on Pennington in his mansion, and is strongly rebuffed. The unpleasant cocky Pennington doesn't even believe Barlow is a copper. Exit Barlow, embarrassed, round one to His Lordship.
Elliot spots the same faces at The Rose next evening. PC Sweet who is with him, is sure he recognises one of them as a villain. He is driven to the station to look at the mugshots- he has to be driven as he's had five creme de menthes. Meantime, Henry tips Elliot off that one of them is a crook, Cecil Canfield. Barlow and Watt raid the pub. "Turn out your pockets." If Pennington refuses, he's made to show what he has. Stolen diamonds are in his possession. Game set and match to Barlow.
Poor Terry is seen leaving The Rose. He had to resign, but he's found another job at The Anchor
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Tuesday Afternoon
One of the better observed character studies by some distance.

"You expect to see women out shopping... but men...! You'd think they'd be working." Those were the days when full employment meant most men were never seen in towns in daylight hours during the week. In this script by Alan Plater, Eric Barker gives a fine bitter-sweet portrait of a man on the dole, with pride yet without money.
Shopkeeper Mrs Marshall has called in PC Fancy Smith as 3s 7d worth of gobstoppers have gone missing. He solves that one, no problem. A more serious complaint is from Mr Farmer, a builder, who has lost some bricks, three thousand of them.
Then there's that bowler hatted gent pushing a pram, Pawson, he's also a shoplifter. He nicks a small toy car as a present for his grandson, but is caught. "Don't go soft on him, John," the hard Barlow warns Watt. Pawson offers no excuse, it's just that he couldn't afford to buy the car as he has been made redundant. He's very honest about his fall from grace. Various of the police reflect on his sad case, and the rights and wrongs of it, "they're charging him."
A more nasty piece of work is the driver of a sports car, caught speeding, who rubs Fancy up the wrong way. This driver then knocks over a cyclist, Finch (Jimmy Gardner) an estate agent, "a funny feller."
These strands come together when we hear Pawson's daughter is buying a house on this estate that Farmer is building. Finch has sold her a house as part of a scam. For estate agent Davies explains the houses are priced at £5,000, but Finch is selling them cut price for a small deposit. Barlow and Watt have soon rounded him up and with Fancy getting his man too, the sports car driver, there's a busy day in court the following Tuesday

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102 Happy Families
Mrs Sargent (Betty McDowall) has locked her young son Reg in his room, because he has got hold of some pictures. She calls in the police, and PC Fancy Smith gently questions the timid lad who explains he was given them at school, and finally he gives a name, Tommy Shields. It's left to John Watt to "sort it out," though his mind is on sorting out his own marital problems. The result is that it is Smith and Weir who are sent to question Tommy about these "filthy" photos. He says he got them from Larry.
John Watt is, according to Smith at least, "chasing a bird," though it's actually his wife, who tired of being a police widow, had left him. "Will you come back?" he asks her. However he does admit he just cannot quit his job, "it's important." But, turning more into Wednesday Play verite, she admits she's pregnant and is going to leave him for good.
Now the police have caught up with Larry, who is much more amused by the whole affair than the other two lads. He counter claims that it was Tommy Shields who had been passing the photos round.
News comes that young Reg has run away friom home. The search begins. Barlow questions Tommy's rather creepy dad (Joss Ackland) in his home with his wife. They are entertaining a friend, Mrs Ann Guest (Catherine Woodville), whom Barlow recognises, yes she's the woman in the pictures. Smith and Weir are assigned to keep watch on her house.
Inside, realising the game is up, she is confessing all to her husband Alan. They'd taken these "good" photos of her, then got her to pose "with nothing on," Alan storms out before she can complete the saga.
John Watt's little chat is likewise interrupted by a call from Inspector Barlow. They question Ann, "it began as a joke," she confesses. The detectives return to the Shields' home, armed with a search warrant.
Tommy admits he had found these pictures and passed them round at school. The remainder he had hidden in the gang's den, and it is here that Reg is found by Weir and Smith. Reg has another heart to heart with Smith to round off the unhappy tale.
Alan smashes up all the photographic equipment at the Shields. A coda sees Watt admit to Barlow that he is getting divorced
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115 A Place of Safety
The opening depicts a rough block of flats where a man tumbles down a flight of battered stairs. He's a baliff, calling on a black man, who promptly barricades himself and his wife and two children in his room.
ZV1 are on patrol in this run down district. The injured man is being treated by ambulancemen as Fancy Smith questions the residents, all of whom have nothing to say. However it is learned that he was named Wallace and was delivering an order against a Mr Sadik (Johnny Sekka), in flat number 13, "he's in there."
Smith and Weir are about to break down his door, when Barlow barges in to take charge. His method is more subtle but rather smacks of the cunning of the serpent as he surrounds the place in the best tradition, then talks frankly through the closed door to Sadik. The frightened man, axe in hand, listens silently, Barlow convincing him he's alone. Cautiously Sadik opens his door and police jump on him.
He's taken off and Barlow accompanies Mrs Sadik to the station too. Here Watt questions the suspect, Sadik admitting he was in the wrong even though Wallace had taunted him. Now the story develops along familiar lines, exploring the racial implications. Mrs Sadik finds herself locked out of her flat while it is clear Wallace was a racial bigot, but are the police also?
The root of their problems had been Mrs Sadik buying too many items on the hp, but now she's on the pavement with her two children, where ZV1 find her being bullied by some unpleasant whites. Smith clears them off then attempts to persuade Sadik's landlady to let the family back in. But she stands up to him so the family are taken back to the station where Watt organises some lodgings. The children however have to be separated from their mother against her wishes.
Watt has had to harden his heart, and Barlow does likewise, so that noone, least of all the children are at all satisfied. The story ends with only realistic observations, no more, no less, indeed no hope

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135 I Love You Bonzo
A robbery at a supermarket, Super Shops. £350 stolen from the cash register, not a proper safe, "bit funny." The newly promoted Lynch investigates, Smith prompts him into sharing his belief that store manager Cassidy is the guilty party. As there seems no evidence of any break-in, Unsworth the general manager (Reginald Marsh) sacks Cassidy, even though Lynch has no evidence.
A down and out Brian (George A Cooper) guesses that his old partner in crime Arthur dunnit. At the Texas Club there's some rough stuff as Brian faces Arthur with, "how did you get in?" A fiver secures Brian's silence, but not for long as five pounds of drink loosens his tongue.
Sgt Blackitt questions the recovering drunk next morning and learns of Brian's suspicion. Lynch, who has arrested Cassidy despite the lack of proof, is tipped off and chats himself with Brian. Barlow wises Lynch up to the mistakes he has already made, and sends him back to the supermarket to check the premises more thoroughly. Smith this time finds that a door had been forced.
Arthur is on to his next job. After casing another shop, he pounces. he's some sort of weirdo, as he talks to a photo of his dog as he cracks the safe. This proves tougher than he expects and so tired is he after stealing the cash that he lies down on the job, literally in the shop, and improbably falls asleep. Hard to imagine that isn't it? Lynch is asleep too at the police station, worried about his treatment of poor Cassidy.
Arthur wakes up in the morning light, and the sight of a suspected criminal around at that time of morning is enough for Smith to arrest him

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Brotherly Love

This is the first time that Thomas Martin (Philip Latham) has been to a police station, and he's here to confess that he has stolen five pounds seventeen shillings and sixpence from St John's Church. "I've never done it before." He's a churchwarden, responsible for the collection, and he had given away the money to causes he deems worthy, all in protest against the vicar Rev Corbett (Francis Matthews). Is he trying to use the police in his religious dispute? Barlow leaves the case in Watt's hands, he, frustrated, interviews the vicar.
According to the mild mannered Corbett, Martin holds the old fashioned idea that it's sinful to have a good time, "he doesn't altogether approve of people enjoying themselves." Here are typical religious stereotypes so popular with writers of the era, with a basis in fact, but used too frequently to convince. The current modernist cleric and the old fuddy duddy. The vicar probes Martin's motives, Watt, more matter of fact, misses a vital thread.
Martin is given a conditional discharge by the court. And the religious theme largely and thankfully dies away as ZV2 investigate an obscene phone call. A Mr Reynolds has been on the receiving end, being labelled "a dirty old man." However it seems the caller had hung up when she realised she'd dialled the wrong number! As she'd called him vicar, and Corbett's number is almost identical, it's easy to guess the rest.
Corbett admits he has had several such calls, and he knows who it is, but won't give her away. Turning the other cheek is his noble motive and Barlow deals with the matter with unusual tact. But he must know the name. It's Mrs West (Carmel McSharry), ex-parishioner. ZV2 go to her house and take her down to the station.
She evades Barlow's questions and it takes all his skill to induce her admittance of guilt. By outlining a possible scenario on the basis of what Corbett reveals, we reach a not pretty denouement.
Oh dear, that Thomas Martin is back at the station, with more and more revelations, hard for us to swallow them all, but the bottom line is he's her estranged brother. It's none too interesting, and eminently frustrating. Amen, concludes Watt cornily, a rare off day for that fine writer Alan Plater

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A Matter of Give and Take
A grimy industrial canal is being dredged. Smith and Weir, ZV1, help a man with a twisted ankle, young vandals had caused him to trip in a pothole. Smith chases one of them and loses his hat in the water, leading to a running gag through the story.
Canal Superintendent Briggs (John Arnatt) complains to Sgt Watt about the persistent hooliganism in the vicinity of the canal. He demands police patrol the area more frequently.
That night, lock keeper Towser whose eyes are "like a hawk's," proves himself maybe a little too old for his job when he spots a thief at Ted Stone's barge, but can't catch him. ZV2 and Bert Lynch question him and he's so confused there's doubt if there even was any thief. "Don't you believe me?" The police are sceptical. It's a fine portrait of a muddled old man by that master actor Wilfrid Lawson.
Ted Stone claims nothing has been stolen, his barge only carries coal. Watt, under pressure from Briggs can make no progress, Lynch has a little more success, but the canal folk are so suspicious of strangers.
Fancy Smith gets a break when he sees the lad who caused his hat to tip in the canal and catches him. As he'd been playing with an air rifle, he is pressurised into giving a statement, he saw the theft, the thief is Tandy, a mate of Stone. It has all the hallmarks of smuggling, so watch is kept for the next time Stone comes through the lock.
Towser, who had been frightened off identifying Tandy, watches Stone's barge moor at the lock. Lynch is nearby. As is Watt and a customs officer, though Briggs is excluded much to his annoyance "by heck."
Towser is beaten up. But the consignment of cheap smuggled watches are confiscated, the gang apprehended, or rather, "you're nicked"

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A Lot of Fuss For Fifteen Quid
At a coach station, a woman with a young boy walks off with the contents of a passenger's handbag. Police trace a taxi driver who had dropped them off in the high street. The suspect is Sheila Ashton (Sheila Allen), who is seen the very next day in the vicinity with her nephew Ronnie. She catches a bus and PC Quilley follows her when she alights, to a property in Balaclava Road.
Sgt Tom Stone calls here and takes her off to the station, kicking and screaming because she's been separated from Ronnie.
By concentrating on her sad relationship with the lad, you have some sympathy for her impoverishment, "a nice handful."
A sub plot is "blue eyed boy" Quilley's possible promotion if he handles the case well. Inspector Goss questions Sheila. Quilley watches and listens, and learns. Ronnie is apparently actually her son, the father had run off, Ronnie placed in an orphanage while she went inside.
After a struggle of conscience, Mrs Doris Gibbs, the lady robbed of the £15, decides she cannot identify Sheila, "'twere only fifteen quid." Perhpas she is sorry for Sheila. But the police cannot be sentimental, so Goss and Stone persuade the lad to admit his mother is a thief. "He'll go into care," the disturbed Quilley is informed. It's a sad end, when Sheila is also told this

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Relative Values
Amid moaning about police pay, there's a suicide to be investigated in Larkspur Road, home of Mr and Mrs Martin. "Nobody's fault," a note indicates they were worried about their high electricity bill. Sgt Stone tears off the electricity company representative- the bill was "deliberately inflated"- or was it?
Another elderly couple are Alice and George (Bert Palmer). To solve their financial worries, he's decided to revert to the bad habits of his youth- he is breaking into the local post office, and bashing in the safe. Sgt Stone investigates the theft of £150, strangely more was in the safe, yet it was not taken. But that's all George requires to buy a big bouquet for Alice's birthday and a promise of a short honeymoon.
But his antiquated method of "treacle and brown paper" is a useful clue for the bemused Sgt Stone. While recently divorced Sgt Skinner wines and dines his girl, Alice and George hold a party for two, the contrast is a bit too manufactured. Skinner proposes, "I've never met anybody like you before." George also proposes, as they are 'living in sin.' It's all quite sad, nearly well done.
But when Alice learns the source of George's new found wealth, she escorts him to the police station, "he's come to confess." Stone speculates nicely with George on the possible penalty he will face

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Breakage
Wandering down a street is a semi-innocent Scotsman George T Wood (Fulton Mackay). "I've been robbed," he informs Jim who is watching a semi-riot in the aftermath of a wedding. Jim offers to take him to the station, but is delayed en route by a suspected intruder at a factory. However nothing suspicious, so Jim returns to the station to question George over his missing £37.40p.
The watchman at the factory phones again stating there really is an intruder. He is on the roof threatening to jump. Poor George has to be left unattended, and tired of waiting he leaves, "I don't blame him either." Nor do I.
Jim opens a dialogue with the man on the roof, a sad case. But meanwhile, George, ambling down the street is thought to be "acting suspiciously," and is brought in for questioning. After apologies to him, Det Sgt Miller takes up his complaint of theft. It's a simple job, for it happened at a doss house. It's run by Rupert and Miller orders him in a roundabout way to return George's cash. He does, case solved, never opened in fact.
At the factory there's a philosophy on suicide, and discussion whether he really intends to jump. After "a bit of a giggle" it turns serious and one copper falls and is badly injured in a rescue attempt, "it shouldn't have happened this way." Perhaps the writer was trying to make some point about police attitudes, but what happens to that man on the roof we never learn, for there's not enough time. Surprising really, since both parts of these 25 minute stories contain more than enough padding, an example of how to spin out a story to at least twice its real duration

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Damage (October 1972)
(Production number 497 on clapper, though it's 667)
A mysterious opening, as an intruder finds his hand trapped in a letter box as he attempts a break-in. Inside, a woman silently ties up his hand as he utters his protests. He promises to go away if she'll release him, "it was weird." The string which holds his hand, she sets light to. In pain he scuttles away at last.
He's Terry Moon, and the police spot him running along Davemport Road in the darkness. As he has a record, he's taken to the station, where Det Sgt Stone and Sgt Lynch can't get him to even explain the burns on his hand, "the sort of person who does this sort of thing worries me," admits Stone. It's good to see Stone pursue Case, like a dog after a bone.
Though it is 2am police knock up some locals in the area who are still burning a light. One sleepless lady had heard a man running along the road, but no more.
Terry does admit he had been trying to burgle a house but won't say where, for fear of prosecution. A doctor examines his injuries.
Patient detective work locates the house, 17 The Close. Several times, we have been shown the odd woman pacing noiselessly inside. Now, like a spider, she listens, as police search outside. Stone learns that Mr and Mrs Armstrong are the owners, but are on holiday. They have no children, for their only daughter emigrated twenty years ago. Back into Stone's memory comes the case of a young woman who about that time had tied up her still born child with string.
PCs Skinner and Yates effect an entry and try to communicate with her. She herself says nothing. "I don't like this." She is taken away, the whole sad story is related by her parents, not a happy conversation. Today the story would have moved at a much faster pace, expanded with graphic scenes and flashbacks, this is so low key

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Day Trip
Sgt Haggar gets a shock when he's told to move his car on, by "Dracula's mother-in-law," traffic warden Mary. We see snatches of her life and work intermixed with Haggar's surveillance of that important hub of Newtown, the bus station. A double decker terminates, and of the passengers disgorging, Haggar picks out Dilly Watson, a thief and "she's very good at it." Thanks to him, she'd done a two year stretch, but now he treats her to a cup of tea at the cafe with the warning, "don't do it." He sees her off on the 43 bus back to Seaport, but not unexpectedly we see her alight soon after to make for a block of flats and Rose.
The pair embark on a shoplifting spree, and after a successful morning Rose hides the stolen goods as Dilly goes off on her own. She wants to buy, not steal, a present for her child. But Geordie Joe spots her and tips Haggar who treats Dilly to another cuppa and politely searches her baggage. She's clean so she is allowed to go.
But fed up with his pestering, she resolves to pay him out. She picks a quiet suburban house, evidently empty, which she robs of jewellery and a couple of pink pillowslips which she likes the look of. However the owner returns, and Dilly has to think quickly, locking the owner in her bedroom before slipping away.
After bidding Rose farewell, Dilly bumps into Mary, an old pal and they enjoy a drink. Mary decides to shop her late friend and this time Haggar's search proves Dilly's downfall.
"Why pillow cases?" he asks. They were for her kid. A fine character study of a hardened petty thief

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Incitement (1975)
"She's got more angles than a distortin' mirror, that's the main character, "looker" Yvonne.
She's married to the laid back Dennis, a minor villain, but she's tired of him and wants to have it off with Johnny Pearson. Newtown police ponder her motive as she offers to shop her husband. She meets Geordie Skinner and Inspector Lynch at a pub, "it's going to be tonight." The target, a sub post office.
But Dennis is unfortunately having second thoughts. Maybe he can fathom his wife better than she thinks. He confides his doubts to his boss, who happens to be Johnny. He of course relays all this to her. They all do the soul searching bit, both villains and police for far too long.
The inevitable happens, Dennis is talked into doing the job. For their part, the police start grilling Yvonne what she doesn't know. it's too drawn out.
At last we get to the wretched robbery which turns out a complete damp squib. Johnny drops Dennis at the post office, "looks promising." However Dennis isn't as daft as he seems for while Johnny isn't looking he disables the car. "That's odd," from the police who are watching and waiting to pounce. Dennis moves to the shop entrance and as he breaks in Lynch strikes, the action's all over. For Johnny's cue is to zoom away but as he cannot, he is arrested too.
Now there iare some more tedious interviews with the criminals, some clever cross questioning makes Dennis and then Johnny realise they have done each other. As for Yvonne, she is informed of the double arrest, Inspector Lynch quite enjoys that task.
"Muggins" Dennis can't quite get it down that his own wife shopped him. She faces a charge of incitement. All rather C movie material

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A Woman's Place
Very typical for its time, the focus is on WPC Jane Beck, in her "black stockings." She asks Insp Lynch if she can further her career with less boring tasks, like going out on patrol. "It's too risky," is the response, but her persistence wins Lynch round, and she is given a one night trial alongside the less than enthusiastic Alec Quilley. Doing this on a Saturday night implies a lack of judgement somewhere!`
Jane has been counselling Mary, whose husband this night is involved in an attack on PC Fred Render at a bus station. At Mary's house, Jane has a few eye openers. Mary had been planning to leave her husband. The husband is found hiding in a bedroom and he makes her listen to "his side" of the story. Mary may not have revealed all the facts about her stress and depression, but he is outnumbered, "you women always stick together."
Police surround the house, a mini-siege, Lynch prepares for a stand-off. But there's a struggle inside, Jane is facing a terrible fate before Mary intervenes, and police swoop in to make their arrest

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Softly Softly (1966-1976)
A Z Cars spin-off, Barlow and Watt the big names to be transferred. When Barlow left for Thamesmead in 1969, the series was redesignated
Softly Softly Task Force. A total of 269 stories were made.
See also Barlow and Watt (1973):
Jack the Ripper

1.13 A to Z
2.5 Sleeping Dogs
2.7 Find the Lady
3.9 The Hunt
3.12 The Bombay Doctor
3.21 Unfinished Business
4.1 Theory
4.5 Take Them in Singles
4.6 Red Herring
4.7 Five Pair O' Hands
4.9 An Old Song
4.11 For a Rainy Day
4.12 Assistance
4.13 Equal Status
4.15 Going Quietly
4.16 On Christmas Day in the Morning
4.17 Departing
4.18 Cross Reference
4.19 Run for the Hills
4.20 Pressure
4.21 A Quantity of Gelignite
4.22 Critical Path
4.23 Persistence
4.24 Second Chance
4.25 How's the Wife, Then?
4.26 Right to Search
4.27 Proved Connection
5.1 Recovery
5.4 Error of Judgement
5.5 Dead Aboard

TASK FORCE: 1.1 Arrival
1.2 Exercise
1.3 Diversion
1.4 The Spoilt Ones
1.5 To Protect the Innocent
1.6 Any Other Night
1.7 The Aggro Boy
1.8 Standing Orders
1.9 Private Mischief
1.10 Open and Shut
1.11 Sprats and Mackerels
1.12 Like Any Other Friday
1.13 Power of the Press
1.14 Trust a Woman
1.15 The Hermit
1.16 Escort
2.1 Baptism
2.2 Sunday, Sweet Sunday
2.3 Safe in the Streets?
2.4 Good Listener
2.5 Time Expired
2.6 Lessons
2.7 Without Favour
2.8 Never Hit a Lady
2.9 Its Ugly Head
2.10 Who Wants Pride...?
2.11 Collation
2.12 Do Me a Favour
2.13 Sweet Are the Uses of Adversity
2.14 Bearings
2.15 A World Full of Rooms
2.16 The Lie Direct
2.17 Ground Level
2.18 Company Business
2.19 Kick Off
2.20 Final Score
2.21 Something Big
2.22 Games
2.23 In the Public Gaze
2.24 Held for Questioning
2.25 Black Equals White
2.26 Cash and Carry
5.3 A Quiet Man
5.4 No Way
5.6 27 Pieces of Porcelain
5.7 Night-Watch
5.8 Catch as Catch Can
5.10 Interrogation
5.12 Trial
5.13 Skipper's Walk
5.14 Cover
5.16 Trouble-Maker
5.17 The Raider
Click for my reviews
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"A to Z"
Has Barlow cracked up? He's muttering to himself. In fact he is trying to recall a face he'd seen last night. A villain from his days in Salford. Got it- Race, that's the name.
Race (Richard Carpenter) is tailed, "not quite sure what he's up to yet." You could say the script too takes a delight in keeping us guessing.
We meet Ben Snow (Peter Copley), a salesman, who before going home to his sickly wife, takes an hour's pleasure with a shady lady. She's part of Race's frame, for Race follows Snow after his fun as he drives to his respectable home. "Repent," Race advises Snow as he leaves, tongue in cheek.
As his time of passion has been tape recorded, Snow returns to find the machine, smashing up the woman's room. He makes such a row, police are summoned. Though they get there too late, his numberplate AWK843B has been noted.
Race phones Snow from Temple Meads station. He has the tape which he plays to his victim. "What do you want?" Simple, money.
But Snow is arrested for causing a disturbance, but he won't talk about anything to do with the blackmail. Race is arrested also, but is confident there's no evidence against him. However when the tape is found, it gets the truth from Snow, worried Mrs Snow might hear its contents

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Sleeping Dogs
Sunday afternoon, all is quiet. Discussion of the Villa match with the topical line, "footballers get paid too much!"
But on rural Pelham Rise there's heavy breathing. Robins is beaten up.
Monday morning, and Watt sends Det Constable Reg Dwyer to interview the victim. He's evasive, as is his protective wife. Dwyer notes he is Jewish. The policeman links this attack with the smashing of two shop windows, also belonging to Jews. Dwyer's motives seem not entirely related to his job, the issue of involvement of policemen is touched on, mixed in with banter at the station.
There are the usual soapbox speeches next Sunday at Pelham Rise. Dwyer watches on. Home Rule for Great Britain, urges Arthur Bannister (Ewan Hooper). Back at his home, he confides in Dwyer in a fairly serious discussion. "Words and actions," are his aims, "the movement's gaining in strength." His photos of Nazis tell their own tale, "we mustn't fail again."
Dwyer informs Watt. Entrapment is what Dwyer urges. But the wiser Watt can't contemplate making martyrs of these fascists. "The revolution is nearer than you think."
Yet Watt does have his own methods, in a final scene at Bannister's house. A warning. This interspersed with more heavy breathing at Pelham Rise, "it's warfare."
Far too laboured.

Note- Though the setting for this series was supposed to be the Bristol area, we see railway tracks that can only be from the Southern Railway, London area!
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Find the Lady
Release day for Frankie Amber (Victor Maddern). Once outside, he is met by Sadie Jarvis (Pauline Yates). That night he joins his mate Jim Kennedy, and his gang who had nicked £6,000, the job for which Frank had been convicted. They are soon busy cracking another safe, and then sharing out the proceeds. But Frank wants to know what came of his share of the previous robbery.
Barlow is not amused. He had detailed Hawkins to keep watch on Frank, who had missed it all. They pull in gang member Terry Fletcher for questioning. Once this villain is allowed to go, he is tailed. He drives straight to Sadie.
Frank finds it hard to believe Jim does not know what became of that £6,000. Sadie must have it! She is trying to get away, Fletcher however refuses to offer her any help. Frank and Jim find she has gone, and ransack her flat, wild with fury. Fletcher is found and beaten up, "where's the money... where's Sadie?"
A battered Fletcher goes to the station, asking to see Barlow. He knows what happened to the money.
Sadie is waiting for a train when Jim and Frank spot her at the station. But as they race to get her, Hawkins arrives. She is taken to Barlow. But she refuses to squeal. She is kept in police custody, but somehow is able to run off, no credit again to Hawkins. She returns to her flat where Frank is sure waiting for her. However Hawkins redeems himself by racing there in time to nick Frank

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The Hunt (December 6th 1967)

Wanted, James Robert Perkins, for questioning following the shooting of a commissionaire at a jewellers. There's a tip off from a phone box- he's still in the district, "he's got connections."
He had been lodging in a remote farm, taking advantage of the very simple family, specially their wayward daughter Ethel, who had run away from home.
Barlow deploys a helicopter to keep surveillance on the farm, only annoyed he's prevented by the pilot from going up himself. Into the farmhouse burst the police, to find no sign of Perkins.
Barlow questions Ethel, even giving her a fag, which prompts her to tell him about the cave in The Gorge where Jim used to take her younger sister, the very impressionable Annie.
Barlow at last gets himself airborne, as the net closes in on the cave. But it's empty too, though there are signs of occupation. An increasingly airsick Barlow moves his force in to capture Perkins. The long filmed sequences all look like an excuse to pay for the helicopter hire

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The Bombay Doctor

What is George Milton (George Sewell) doing at the house of fifteen year old Janice, who is alone at home? The answer is he's brought Christmas presents for her and her mother, who he has never got round to marrying him. Some stilted dialogue introduces this background, then he kisses the young girl. That's the unfortunate moment her mother returns, but she seems not to notice.
He meets up with Janice later in the street, and asks her to wait while he gets some cash. He's an informer and gives the lowdown on Gentleman Jim Cassidy who is planning a robbery.
When informed, Barlow is dressed as Santa Claus and orders surveillance on Cassidy, waiting for the tip off as to when the crime will take place.
The cash is of course for ex-prisoner George who is seen going off with Janice by a neighbour. She tells Janice's mother, who tells the police. They seem struck by seasonal blindness and do not understand that the normally reliable George has been spinning a story to get the money.
It is Christmas Day. The couple have booked into a Weston hotel as father and daughter. There's a lot of talk and their actions are not father and daughter, this is not smutty exactly, but not salubrious either.
At least George is an informer with a conscience, and his tip off seems good. After more inconsequential dialogue twixt George and Janice, he leaves her behind at the hotel, and tells police where she is.
It's now Boxing Day and Cassidy is tailed by Watts and his men as he goes out on his job- with his wife. Down the A38 in a hire car. The police take a long time to cotton on. Cassidy is at the airport when he is cornered. He's flying to Paris.
"Job's off." If it were ever on.
Janice is back home. "I love George" she cries in her hysterics. "He's left you," is the hard reply. All very unChristmassy and leaves a bad taste, Christmas kitchen sink with all the leftovers swilling in the bottom of the bowl.
But the ending contains a touch of class. Barlow quotes from the good book, the bit about King Herod's nasty part in the Christmas tale. Yes, that was appropriate

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Unfinished Business

Barlow has arrived by train at Garstang, "like coming home." Only he can clear up the case of Miss Mary Bradshaw found dead in a layby when Barlow was on the force here.
The case was not solved at the time since the dead woman's scarf and handbag were never found. But years later they have turned up at a house called Elmersdale, where she had last been seen alive. But witnesses had testified that she had left with these items.
Barlow talks with the only policeman still there who had been on the case, Alec Pringle (John Stone), who drives Barlow to the places in the case. Sergeant Hawkins is asked to join on the case and check the witness statements for evidence of possible collusion.
Next they call on Alfred Briant, owner of Elmersdale and Miss Bradshaw's employer. He goes over his original statement and repeats that he had paid Mary £40 as also attested by George Coke and Miss Simmons. Mary did not come back. He had later sold Elmersdale and knows nothing of the find of Mary's things. If he had killed her, wouldn't he have removed the missing items before moving out?
Coke has been warned by Briant of Barlow's inquiry. But as Barlow questions Coke and Hawkins talks to Miss Simmons, now Coke's wife, it becomes clear that Briant has not told them of the new found evidence. In an absorbing story, Barlow is able to show only one witness has been lying, and the story ends dramatically when his chief suspect dies of natural causes

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Theory

Watt is having a moan about soft modern policing, he's "not getting any younger." He is half taken with Jim Cook's theory, if it is even that, about three pairs of robberies all of which have taken place on Thursday afternoons. Though Barlow is unimpressed, Gilbert gives the go ahead for surveillance. Watt soon discovers that his team know little about walking the beat, "I'll be walking meself this afternoon."
In a pretty village, he spots a Hillman Minx, belonging to a hire firm, connected with known villain George Gregory. A local village shop is identified as one possible target for the thieves, and is watched. So is the garage, where Box spots a mini van. He is torn off a strip by Watt for not being discreet when radioing the data back to hq. The mini is found outside a home of another criminal, Arthur Crichton.
'Uncle' Barlow takes charge of the control room on the afternoon of the possible robbery. The Hillman draws up outside the shop, a window is smashed and the cash register nicked. A customer and a copper are sprayed with acid as the car drives away. Bowler gives chase. The usual second robbery is aborted.
The Hillman is observed returning to the garage. Barlow shows up in a Jag and "barges" in, very tongue in cheek, getting the Minx checked for fingerprints. Arrests are quickly made, then a final sour note to finish

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Red Herring

Why should anyone want to break into Crakewell Linings? Nothing stolen. As the place includes a research section, maybe that's the motive.
Watt is required to investigate, "not our cup o' tea." He thinks politics might be behind it, Gilbert disagrees, believing sabotage might be being planned.
Watt interviews the officious nightwatchman Jim Henderson, who had once been part of the research team, but failing eyesight meant he is reduced to this work. Ken Jones places the bitter Commie with a touch of humour.
Next night a second hole is made in the perimeter fencing. Watt summons reinforcements and a dog, while Henderson calls Dodds, the securitty officer at the firm. The dog snoops round, and tackles poor Henderson!
Watt's idea that the firm also employ a watchdog is rejected by Henderson. Gilbert suggests the man ought to be replaced.
Next night, another hole! Henderson takes "a nasty knock" and is unable to describe the intruders at all well, "a very incoherent story." Watt has to issue "a formal caution," after Henderson threatens him. Sgt Box comes out with the obvious question, why did you do it- to Henderson. "I deny it." His motives are clear. "How do you always know?" groans the Commie.
In the end, this is a molehill not a mountain, but an entertaining little molehill

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Five Pair O' Hands

A pedestrian story, no scenes at the police station. Some of the filmed sequences have intrusive background sounds.
Edward (Tommy Godfrey) runs a shoplifting racket with his wife Betty, and daughter Eva, along with his other daughter Rita and her man Harry. Out shopping, they create a simple diversion, and walk off with a £750 mink coat. The coat is sold for £200.
Barlow spots a pattern to these thefts from large stores, the same place is never robbed twice. He sends two detectives, Allin and Gigby, to interview store detectives, while he noses around, learning the gang dispose of their loot in London.
One store assistant describes the two women in the gang, who are now casing their next shop. Barlow works out that his likeliest suspects are Betty and her family, for she has a history of shoplifting. But she is nowhere to be found. Actually the whole gang are living in some style in a hotel.
The store is robbed. Edward nicks jewellery when a distraction is created. Eva grabs a coat.
In his Jag, Barlow swoops on the store. Too late of course. The gang are planning a nice holiday when Barlow shows up at the hotel, after Digby spots Harry in the restaurant.
"Get lost," Harry snaps at Barlow, as well as "get stuffed." He's apprehended, the rest of the gang try and do a runner. But police are waiting, although Edward zooms off in his Rover, only to crash fatally

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For a Rainy Day

Trouble at Margo's Club, Abel Jackson and his heavies muscle in, putting the frighteners on. Joe Breem, the elderly owner, had taught Jackson and his boss Tommy Ford all they know, none of it very salubrious.
Watt and Harry Hawkins are keeping a watching brief on their civil war, though the less experienced Harry would like to pull them in now.
Abel is run down. Two eyewitnesses identify Joe as the driver, though he denies it of course. He gets six years.
Tommy is pursuing Margo, with a view to running the club with her, but she is loyal to old Joe. She goes to a bank, and opens an envelope containing Joe's sealed instructions. She finds them amusing. She fixes a deal with Tommy.
Watts receives a shock when a Mr Gibbs informs him that he had nicked Joe's car that night, and it was he who had run down Abel accidentally. The eyewitness are confused when they attend another ID parade. "It's a fix," declares wise old Watt.
Of course he is right, but Joe has to be released. He knows where to find Tommy, at the club chatting up Margo, and while he is there, Joe's men nick the considerbale cash Tommy has stashed away in his safe at his home. Tommy is nicked, but so too Joe is renicked as it were. The Fraud Squad have caught up with his shady dealings. Not a likeable villain in sight

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Assistance
Not a satisfying storyline. It seems likely that Barlow will be having a go at being in charge, since his boss Gilbert (John Barron) is likely to be called away to investigate a suspect neighbouring Chief Constable. The two have a long talk about Barlow's "elevation," in other words his ambitions.
Drafted in to help in Gilbert's absence is Arthur Jones (Glyn Houston), not an ideal choice, since John Watt might have been considered. But two of Watt's DCs have recently messed up one of Jones' cases.
Gilbert returns from the Home Office to confirm he will shortly be required to undertake the invidious investigation, "a wretched business." Barlow treats Gilbert to a slap up meal he has thoughtfully provided, as the pair enjoy a genteel and civilised musing, very slow and all.
Now Barlow is in charge, Jones and Watt clash with him over priorities. Jones' attitude is to "sort 'em out." Barlow is more subtle than that. Their first case is the murder of Millie. The story focuses on the politics of their helping the Wyvern County investigation. Watt's two unfortunate DCs do a lot of the groundwork, door to door questioning. As luck has it, they happen on Bernie, an old lag, and bring him in.
The trouble is the scene has not enough dramatic tension with what has gone before. Barlow and Watt explain their modus operandi to the sceptical Jones

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Going Quietly

The two main characters are introduced slowly. Ben Box is a detective, good at his job in his slow way: we see him sitting on a lonely railway station at night. After a fruitless wait, he leaves for home. His wife Janet has been waiting restless for his return.
Next morning, Ben fails to keep a routine appointment, he says he has been busy, but is very uncommunciative to Harry Hawkins about what he is up to. Next night, he is back at the station waiting. Ditto Janet.
Barlow and Watt are concerned about two unsolved post office jobs, is that what Ben is on to?
"I don't like mysterious errands," Watt wisely states.
Janet turns to Hawkins for advice, though he is unable to resassure her, as he is unaware of what Ben is investigating. However he does follow Ben when he drives next evening to the station. The pair chat on the platform. Though reticent, Ben claims he is hoping for a lead from someone called Jack, related to the post office jobs? It is evident Ben is suffering from low professional esteem, and after listening sympathetically for a while, Hawkins goes home, can't blame him, as for Ben he ought to have tried for The Wednesday Play. As it is, he consults a shrink, while Watt and Barlow discuss Ben's future, if any. All very sad, as Barbara from the Force is despatched to visit Ben, resting at home. After a long chat, Ben sees his way to packing it all in, the police job that is. He is happier and so is Janet

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On Christmas Day in the Morning (1968)
It is Christmas Eve in the police station, Watt has the uneviable task of being the officer on duty, "very quiet," and he toasts himself a drop of festive cheer.
Earlier he had been at a do with his colleagues at a posh hotel, and during the dance thieves are now at work, removing stolen goods in a Rover.
Since Watt is "technically available," he has to investigate, "Christmas of all times!" He makes himself at home in the manager's office, and learns that £11,000 worth of fur coats and jewellery has been nicked, "they came upon a midnight clear."
The usual police routine work follows. Watt chats to the receptionist, and looks round the building. DCI Morgan has joined the team, and assists Watt. A pattern of similar robberies around the country each Christmas is uncovered.
By dawn, Watt is questioning the staff. None have police records. One hard up waitress brings Watt some grub.
Charles and Marian Weston were two guests who left the premises. The reason was that she felt faint, or so they say. We saw them earlier on the job.
Arthur Jones cheers Watt's day up a little by bringing a bottle. Watt has spotted a connection between the other festive crimes, that links them with the Westons. Charles proves to have a police record. Watt joins them as they take their evening meal, dropping some heavy hints. Their car is found with the loot inside. When they make a run for it, they are caught.
Barlow drops in for a chat with Watt. They have actually failed to catch the Weston's inside contact, and ironically Watt offers this waitress a tip, "I'm right out of frankincense"

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Departing
Det Supt Gilbert is returning (see 4.12) so Barlow is back to his old duties. In fact he needs a break, says Gilbert, and is ordered to take some leave.
On Watts' orders, "young Digby" (Shay Gorman) is working undercover at a motorway construction site, where machinery has been going missing. He has made a mate of Paddy and in a cafe they chat up "a bint," actually Sgt Allin undercover also. She passes info on to Sgt Harry Hawkins.
Watt is on Gilbert's carpet for arranging the operation without the knowledge of Arthur Jones. The team must work together. Accordingly Jones briefs the team, or more correctly Watt does. Digby has been invited to help remove three bulldozers this weekend, so the team are deployed on watch. During this briefing, news comes that the plane on which Barlow was flying has gone missing. Thus the rest of the operation contains much speculation on who might succeed Barlow, as well as reflections on his character, "I didn't like him much."
A transporter is seen driving to the motorway site. One dozer is loaded, and driven off towards Wyvern. The destination is a plant hire company. The transporter returns for a second cargo, but unfortunately Harry Hawkins is spotted as he watches from a lorry. Digby feels he has to shout a warning to Harry and the operation is blown. "A real fight" is joined by the "bint" and the thieves are arrested. However the top men elude the police. Reflection on whether Digby was right to call out or not.
Good news, to finish. Barlow is safe. I think it was good news

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Cross Reference
A Travellers Cheque racket, cashed in many countries, "difficult to trace."
Charlie Barlow has now returned from leave, "back in one piece," but Gilbert places Watt in charge of this case.
At the airport multi stoey car park, Joey Jenkins is in charge at night. Also at nights, he oversees a car engine changing racket. "Why steal just an engine?" Sgt Allin arranges for "bait" in the form of a car, which Henry her boyfriend drives to this multi storey.
Now it transpires that Jenkins is Watts' informer in the cheques case. He tells Watt that the man in charge, Mackenna, is sadistic.
Barlow is not in on any of this and dresses Allin down for wasting public money and involving a private individual, Henry, in police matters. His car is returned, and taken to forensics. But police pick poor Henry up.
Lack of communication! Barlow and Watt row over the position Jenkins has been put in, "I don't know a dicky bird." Watt passes on his anger to his junior Jim Cook. Then Barlow has a confrontation with Gilbert, which ends with a drink and disagreement.
Jenkins tells Watt he is scared. With good reason. "Get the CID off," he begs, "and I'll tell you more." But CID won't play ball, "hell of a mess." Gilbert tells Watt he must lie to Jenkins. But then he takes the reluctant Watt off the case, and stoolpiegoen Harry Hawkins has to finish off this case and make arrests. But Jenkins has disappeared, actually he is in hospital

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Pressure
Barlow inspects the duty register in an operations room early one morning. Ten days have been devoted to the current investigation, without success. Watt drifts in, "bloody slack if you ask me." Barlow is to take charge, "a second wind."
DC Morgan shows up, seven minutes in arrears, Digby even later. Barlow is not impressed. He is briefed on the case. Deceased was bus driver Jack Cameron, corpse found in a canal, he had been dead for several days. Motive? best guesses are sex, or a revulsion of sex, or money.
Barlow does find something to laugh about, as Watt is dating Helen, the pathologist on this case. The slack workers have to step up inquiries.
Edward Collins is one questioned, "an acquaintance of Cameron." He is a vegetarian butcher. Police get "a feeling" he is hiding something. Collins signs a statement, then Barlow questions him subtly. "Let's talk about you."
Collins does open up saying that Cameron was "funny peculiar." Probes Barlow, "are you peculiar?"
Watt has attended a concert with Helen. Having discussed the case with her, he returns late at night, worried about Collins. Barlow is leaning on the suspect, though after four hours Collins is getting "soft and even softer." Barlow allows Collins to return to his home, "we'll have a chat in the morning."
Barlow speculates on what happened the night Cameron died. He can't be certain, but what Watt is certain of, is that Collins is cracking up.
Watt turns up at Collins' room next morning. Helen is already there. Cameron has killed himself. He has left a note confessing to the murder

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A Quantity of Gelignite

Cameras follow a man in an ill lit area of town. He enters a "stinking" room. Arthur Stanley Mellish is here to meet Johnny, "I can pay." He has £200 for some gelignite.
Dickie, an old tramp and something of an Albert Steptoe clone, informs Watt about this meeting. Johnny denies selling the man anything, for he was offering over the odds. For his trouble, Dickie is duffed up.
Sgt Allin tails Mellish and has his house watched. The man appears outwardly respectable, with a steady job. What does he want jelly for? Posing as a researcher, she interviews the timid Mrs Mellish, asking questions about her viewing habits. She says they watch BBC and ITV equally. Allin learns that Mellish is frequently away from home on overtime.
Johnny has fixed up with a mate to supply Mellish with the jelly. A case is seen to be taken into the Mellish house. Allin continues to tail Mellish, and sees him in a park talking to a young girl. Later Allin chats to her. She reckons the jelly must be for "one of his experiments."
Mrs Mellish is going away for a few days to Ireland. Her husband drives her to the airport. With the plot now transparent, just as he bids his wife goodbye, Mellish panics, and decides he will not go through with his plan. But Watt & Co have caught up with him and he is arrested. The bomb is made safe, "I couldn't do it," he admits patheticly.
Actually, as it happened, no harm would have been done, so he was a trifle unfortunate the police were so vigilant

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Critical Path
Barlow has been handed a diagram, but what is it of? Some plan of a crime, but what crime? It came from a club of which Barlow is a member, run by Christopher Courtney, a suspected villain.
Annoyingly, for Barlow, Gilbert himself knows what the diagram is, and after some teasing, reveals triumphantly that it is a work study. It contains numbered steps to indicate each stage of preparation for some big event. It's up to Barlow to discover to what exactly it refers.
Gilbert goes to the club and actually wins a small amount at roulette. He also works out that the author of the document is the croupier Arthur (Trevor Bannister). He is the one who given it to Barlow.
Surveillance reveals that a girl has been regularly winning at the club and she is friendly with Arthur! Under pressure, Arthur admits to Barlow that he had drawn up the plan, but "I don't know what it means." But he breaks down under Barlow's pressure: B on the plan stands for Courtney. It is a plan to rob a safe of a jeweller in Holland Place.
Barlow moves in for the arrests in his own way, not Gilbert's. The gang has already tunnelled in to the jewellers, it's all very familiar for us viewers, nothing much original, indeed slow moving. The safecracker brought in to blow the safe is arrested at the train station, while in triumph Barlow pounces in the tunnel

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Persistence
Dr Jean Morrow disturbs a thief who is in her bedroom. £5 has been nicked. As Watt knows her well, of course, he phones to see if she is all right.
There have been a string of similar minor thefts recently. Suspicions falls on the inmates of the approved school. The prickly headmaster Mr Carter assures Watt that the boys are locked in at night.
Barlow questions Jean, "I've heard you're a bit of a bastard." John Watt and Barbara Allin join in the questioning, but Jean had hardly caught a glimpse of the intruder. Whoever it is, he is at it again the next night. £200 stolen. Watt is quickly on the scene and finds a footprint. It's from the type of shoe they use at the school, but of a type widely in circulation. Reluctantly, Gilbert phones Carter.
Mr Nettleton is one master at this school. He is at odds with Carter over the use of corporal punishment. He admits that the pupils do occasionally sneak out at night. Barbara's intuition is that he is involved in some way. Gilbert however is against further inquiries until stronger proof is forthcoming.
Barlow suspects another theft will take place tonight. There is. Barbara catches the thief, but is knocked unsconscious. Gilbert somehow still refuses to concede that someone from the school is guilty.
But Barlow marches off to see Carter, and Gilbert accompanies him. One lad is questioned, Ellis. Barlow soon gets at the fact that Ellis is afraid of being "carved up," and solves the case. A sorry tale emerges

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Second Chance
8am outside the prison. Michael Madden is released on parole. He returns to his mum. He is under her thumb.
"I know Madden," says Barlow, and has him watched. Barlow believes he is a murderer, even though a jury reduced the charge to manslaughter.
Gilbert is angry because his view is that "Madden is free and should not be hounded." Barlow's justification is "public protection."
Hawkins, Digby and Allin share the surveillance, a tedious task. On Saturday night, Michael joins some mates at the Apollo, the plan is to get him boozed. He takes Rose home, but discovers his mum has locked him out.
The police shadowers can see nothing dangerous in what Madden is doing and persuade Barlow to call off the job. But Barlow's intuition tells him to keep watch. He decides to call on Mrs Madden on Sunday afternoon. But Michael has already gone out. When Barlow learns that Madden had just purchased a mask, he urgently steps up his search for the parolee.
We see Madden about to pounce on his victim. A frantic house to house search in the vicinity produces a result, but just too late. The message seems to be a warning to parole boards

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How's The Wife, Then?
Watt is considering marriage to Jean.
He's got a tip off about the rogue Ted Fisher, but "is it too good to be true?"
In a pub, he bumps into an old colleague, Barnet, who'd left the force to give himself more time with his family.
Barnet happens to be tailing Reggie Milner, who is probably one of Fisher's partners in crime. Barnet is employed by Mrs Milner, who erroneously believes her husband is seeing another woman.
Police work out it's to be a wages snatch, they can guess the night, but don't know where. However they are sure Fisher will be flying abroad from a small airfield. We watch the crooks' elaborate plans.
This is to be Fisher's proverbial last job. But at the airstrip he is surrounded and caught and Barnet prevents Milner from eluding justice, "b***** ex-copper."

In between the action, there are minor insights into the problem's of married copper's private lives

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Right to Search
According to Interpol, forged fivers might be tracable to production on Barlow's patch. Despite the vague tip off, Barlow sets Sgt Allin to search for a rather vague description of "a typical Enghlishwoman" who works with two men.
She checks via a hair stylist, a travel agent, and a printer, on any possible women who travel abroad frequently.
An informer offers Allin information if he is well paid for it. Name of Timson. It is discovered that he had worked for one suspect, Mrs Myra Peto, who lives in a posh house. She had sacked him.
Despite some misgivings, a JP issues a search warrant, and the tension in the story is now about whether anything will be found thanks to Allin's slightly dubious tip off.
"This is preposterous," declares Mrs Peto as Sgt Allin shows her the warrant. Hawkins organises a search of the large property. But no sign of any bulky printing equipment or any forged notes, despite the discovery of a large metal trunk in the basement, and some burnt papers down there. The search looks like being fruitless until Allin finds some foreign currency, more than allowed under regulations. It's only "a small offence," however.
James Russell, a friend of Mrs Peto knocks at the door. Hawkins pounces on his briefcase. Nothing. Mrs Peto tells James about the long search, which by now is becoming a desperate one.
Tidying up has already commenced when Barlow swoops in, in his Jag. He is not amused. He offers apologies all round. Russell had driven his Humber to Mrs Peto's and this is searched. Another case in it. It is crammed with forged fivers

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Proved Connection

"Waste of time"- a surveillance job on a stolen van which police have found full of tools that a criminal might use.
But when a man looks inside the van, he is chased by Morgan and arrested. Barlow interrogates the man, name of Anderson. "What did they want the van for?" Barlow eggs on Anderson to reveal all, but is only guessing that a security van is the target. But Anderson does confess that the job is tomorrow afternoon.
Watt finds this information "too pat," even if a likely security van is identified. The villains do strike much later however, at an armed van carrying prisoners from court. One of the sentenced men, safebreaker Bill Edwards, is released. Slater, the man in charge of the operation warns the other six prisoners to remain quiet, and he will release them in three hours! The time is 6pm when the gang do their job, a safe is opened containing cash, though less than the £25,000 they had expected.
Allin talks to Mrs Edwards to see if she knows anything about her husband. He has fallen out with Slater, who kills him. Then as promised he releases the other prisoners. One gives himself up, enabling police to catch the rest, except Edwards. His corpse is later discovered. Allin tells the widow, who immediately rats on Slater. But whether the police catch up with him, we never find out...

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Recovery

Paintings in a museum are being examined by several men. Furtive looks. It's the force who are checking, having been warned of a serious art robbery. Morgan had received a tip off, but no idea of the target. Actually the robbery takes place at a home not on their radar, that of old Mrs Abbott (Aimee Delamain) who is knocked out and her priceless paintings removed.
"He knew what to select," the old lady shakily informs Sgt Allin. The window cleaner is the guilty man, a regular visitor though on this occasion Mrs Abbott had never seen this cleaner before.
Hawkins tracks Morgan's informer, who has a long record. Where did his information come from? He offers only "very flimsy" data. George Kenton is an art expert with a record also. He eludes a roadblock but is caught and questioned by Barlow, "I'm not admitting anything." Mrs Abbott does not pick him out at the identity parade. The van used is traced, it is used by cleaner Joseph Hamilton. He had lent his van, he says.
The insurance loss adjuster traces the informer and offers a reward, their negotiation interrupted by Watt. The loot is in a churchyard. The stolen property is recovered and returned to a grateful old lady

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Error of Judgement
A sparse storyline, shot entirely on film, which may account for liberties taken- a curiosity, but never more than that. Harry Owen is a second rate pilot, short of cash.
Barlow and Watt are at the races, shadowing Sammy Finn, dodgy car dealer, and also a snout. Gilbert is also on the scene, with the Chief Constable, stylishly dining al fresco. He authorises a payment of £200 to Finn, in return of information on a passenger that Owen is bringing from France, an armed robber whom Barlow let slip through his hands a while ago.
This Friday is the date of the flight, though Finn does not know where Owen will drop off the crook. Barlow tries to work out the location, a deserted airfield is the most likely place.
Sgt Allin gets picked up by Harry Owen, and she is taken by him up for a test flight, in which he is clearly reconnoitring a place to land on Friday.
Bad weather is a problem on the day. Police wait anxiously at the likely drop off point. A car drives up at the remote location. Police move in. But it is very difficult to land in these conditions, and the plane ought to be diverted. That's the bit of excitement we are offered: will Barlow risk the plane crashing, or allow it to fly away and lose his quarry?
The plane does attempt a landing, "he'll hit the hill... he'll be killed."
Barlow watches impassively. The plane fails to land. The plane has to turn back. Whether he has enough fuel to reach France is uncertain, but that's all there is, an utter non event

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Dead Aboard

Marilyn Edwards has been missing for a week. Her friend Carol tells Sgt Allin.
Hawkins is checking out an illegal immigrant racket at the docks, when he is on hand as a corpse is found in a boat. His phone call interrupts a birthday celebration for Sgt Allin. Here, Watt seems very uneasy with Barlow.
She identifies the body as that of the missing girl. Bob Mason, skipper of the boat, explains to Barlow how he found the body. He had loaded cargo from two ships, one The Moonraker. Bob's brother Jim, a drunkard, seems to recognise Marilyn.
Carol does a bunk.
Marilyn had been given a pass on board The Moonraker by Captain Donaldson. His Second officer denies knowing the girl, but the captain admits he had given her the pass, and had seen her off the ship. "I didn't kill her."
With Sgt Allin's assistance, Barlow reconstructs what Marilyn did after leaving this ship. The scene is too well lit for any killing.
After a belated glass of champagne for Allin's birthday, it is agreed where the murder had taken place. Carol is found, she is very scared of Marilyn's "steady." This man proves to be the killer, and after a struggle is arrested

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Arrival
Proudly puffing his cigar, Charles Barlow with a smile settles into a posh new antique office. But he is just as ascerbic as of old, and he needs to be with the slackness he finds all around. Over a cosy drink with his Chief Supt Cullen, it's agreed "his task is to "lick this crummy force into shape."
Nine year old Alfie was reported missing at 20.31. But when Inspector Harry Hawkins of F Division commences duty at 10pm, he's dismayed and angered to find noone has acted on the case.
He despatches "dishy" WPC Donald to interview Alfie's mum, "where is he?" Last seen at 4.45pm, when his mum had given him sixpence to buy a comic, Inky, the dog, with PC Snow, is set sniffing his trail. Robert, Alfie's dad, knows Veale, the newsagent has a reputation with young boys, Sgt Evans is sent to head him off. Veale's shop is given the all clear, though Inky does find some cannabis.
"What the hell have you been doing till now?" Barlow demands of Hawkins, who has wisely woken Barlow from his beauty sleep. After filling in Cullen on the failings to date, Barlow questions Donald, and a picture is built up of this "impressionable" lad.
A proper search commences with daylight, "as many men as we can muster." But slack interrogation by some constables on the ground infuriates Barlow.
Donald offers her theory, the comic Alfie had bought contained an article about express trains. Sgt Evans knows of a "nutter" named Finch who lives nearby and loves trains. WPC Donald calls on him, "he's upstairs, we had a splendid evening."
But the boy has been strangled.
"There's a world of things we should have done." An impressive opener, even if it has a sad ending
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Exercise
This second story imitates the first, but doesn't offer the same dramatic impact.
First part- Chief Super Cullen muses with Barlow over the appointment of Task Force Commander for No 1 district. John Watt- "if he'll have it." Is this The Power Game? Not quite, Watt has an unorthodox interview and he's in, depsite his fractious past relationship with Charlie Barlow. Harry Hawkins is to be his number two.
"How do we start?" Watt sets up a test "exercise" to discover the force's efficiency of mobilisation. First on the scene is Sgt Bob Evans, "never been done faster." Slowest is PC Snow, but his excuse is valid, for Inky the police dog gets carsick if they travel too fast!
In part two, it's the real thing. At 31 Ulysses Street a stabbing is reported. It's Jane, who eventually dies. Ambulanceman Peter Anderson tells Hawkins that Jane had said, "it's the boyfriend." Eyewitnesses describe a man seen running from the house, and neighbours build up a picture of this "flighty" woman and a man named Jack who drives a Triumph 2000.
Her husband Arnold, however, is satisfied that Jack and several other men were merely her dancing partners. It's all too "obvious," Watt and Barlow agree, as is this script. But they are without a real clue.
WPC Donald has chatted with Arnold and her impression of him gets our two detectives leaping from their chairs. They have a deeper chat with him that leads them to his friend Bill. He does a runner, that's when Inky proves his worth

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Diversion

Like a "Sermon From the Mount," Watt briefs his force of fifteen about a series of petty burglaries in an area of terraced houses. Likely suspects are pointed out and a watch of the area is set up, "bit heavy isn't it?" queries Barlow, wisely, who has a watching brief. Everyone expects this to be "a quiet one."
But forces have to be redeployed when there's an armed robbery at Haynam Timber Company. Inspector Hawkins investigates and learns there had been two robbers, one had fired a gun, but only as a warning. A third crook drove the getaway van. Roadblocks are immediately set up.
However, as might be expected, the van is ditched, and the men board the X10 coach. Hawkins is soon on to the van, and learns from a newsagent that they caught "the coast bus." Because of possible danger to other passengers, it is not stopped at the road block.
Barlow questions Watt's decision, in view of the gun. The bus holds six other passengers who might be in danger. At a lonely bus stop (as this is a limited stop service to Southend, the location seems highly improbable), Hawkins and WC Donald board the service. It's tense.
At the next stop, Sgt Evans adds his presence, and the gang are surprised and overpowered. "That was quick work."
So quick that Watt decides there is still time to complete their original assignment

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The Spoilt Ones
This is Wednesday Play sluttery, but with caricatures of impoverished characters, this is no masterpiece, impoverished script, depressing realism.
Sid and his wife Jennie are having one of their usual arguments over money, all £3 of it. Their two young kids "spoilt," to use their words, deprived according to a more sober analysis. The usual problem here, the two youngsters Molly and Mickey are not convincing actors.
Task Force are still in pursuit of the petty burglar from the last story, 32 break-ins involving small sums. Watt and his team "merge" into the landscape, and the local, here they witness the unpleasant scene of Jennie beating her children for interrupting her in the pub.
Watt's experienced eyes light on Sid, a likely villain. He has a record, though we know that though he is a wastrel, he is trying very hard not to return to stealing, even though he's spending those three quids in the betting shop. WPC Donald is deputed to pal up with Jennie, who is making her three pounds a time on the game. But while the couple are watched, the house of a Mr Rix is burgled. So is Watt's hunch wrong?
PC Snow, on the beat, sees the two waifs and surmises that they are the thieves. Having apprised Watt, there is an ugly scene at Sid's house. The two battered kids are thinking of running away as Watt questions them gently, "we was hungry." Thankfully, they are removed from their appalling parents, and Watt, having restrained himself, exits offering said parents a solid piece of his mind

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To Protect the Innocent
Barlow is required to stand in for the Chief Constable at a Christmas concert by inmates of the prison. The choir's soloist is Jack Gregory, "a vicious thief," six years inside. He asks for a word with Barlow.
His concern is for his wife Mary who left their digs four weeks ago. Can Barlow find her, and more importantly her baby Tim? A deal is agreed and Jack grasses on a job planned on a local pub- Bill is to snatch the Christmas takings.
It is an easy arrest. Bill knows who squealed on him, "she" did. Barlow picks up the word in his quest for the news of the baby. The truth emerges, Mary is "shacked up" with Bill.
Watt goes to the arrested Bill's room, and questions Mary. Tim is in hospital, fell out of his high chair, "poor little mite." It's too melodramatic.
It's very evident Tim has been neglected at the least, and Barlow loses his temper with an obstructive defensive hospital doctor. Jack is informed the baby is safe, and he reveals his true character and the motives behind his deal.
There's not much Christmas spirit here at all. Watt and Barlow muse on the efficacy of prison for these culprits, but the point is sadly laboured. One seasonal concluding scene is more appropriate, Barlow patching it up with the doctor

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Any Other Night

The Chief Constable is preparing his annual report for 1969- more crime, more police expenditure. He sees New Year's Eve as the opportunity to patch up old differences, and under the genial influence of a few drinks with the Chief Superintendents, Barlow and Chris 'Snooty' Marshall mellow. A few more drinks and they are all gently pissed, though the mood passes when crime strikes.
A bobby on night patrol finds that thieves have had the nerve to break into the police workshop. £800 of heavy duty tyres nicked. Barlow questions the laxness of security, responsibility of Marshall, near end of beautiful new friendship. At a lower level, routine police work has isolated some likely suspects. We know that one of them Frederick Chapman (Victor Maddern) is responsible. with his mate Jim, he is having some difficulty locating Tommy Sleath, garage owner, who had promised to buy the tyres. At last he is found in a pub. Tom hands Fred his keys.
Car TF7 has already been deputed to watch Sleath's premises, and much patient waiting is rewarded when Chapman's van drives up.
"I think we made it," cries Chapman with a sigh of relief, but I think not

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The Aggro Boy
This would have been better in the Wednesday Play's grim slot, very depressing and inspiriting. It's an attempted study in the malaise of football hooliganism, shallow observation masking for dialogue that pretends to analyse the issue. These were the days when too many so called fans were merely troublemakers.

Dixie is a 16 year old who has a troubled relationship with his self centred parents. He's a sad comment on some of the youth of the day. It's match day, and as staff prepare for the local derby, he and a mate prepare their own idea of fun.
Police are on "special measures," but their scattergun approach is never likely to prove adequate.
Barlow himself mingles, "he needs doing," says Dixie. Numerous minor scuffles, "they started it," yobbos not here for the soccer. Barlow questions Dixie as the match goes on, searching for answers as to his motives, hardly convincing and hardly likely to elicit a meaningful response. Of course Barlow makes no headway and comes across as the failed Gestapo type.
Match over, The Two Bells is the next potential trouble spot, but the police presence ensures peace there. Barlow & Co even travel on the train home, which time we are subjected to more superficial police observation on the problem and possible solutions. However Watt does come up with the idea of all seater grounds.
But the threat of violence isn't even over once the train reaches its destination. On the way home Barlow is too late to prevent Dixie getting injured by a rival gang, it's amazing Barlow even cares

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Standing Orders
Closed shop- workers out on strike. Simpson the manager is stopped at the gates. Later a brick is chucked at his car.
Inspector Hawkins, with Betty and 2 pcs, are despatched to maintain a presence and chat informally to both sides, Simpson and the workers' representative Butler, impartially, that's Hawkins' byword.
A trouble maker Elliott confesses to brick throwing, seeking to be a martyr, but he's not the only one. It's a workmanlike study of industrial relations at differing levels, though I found the political points too laboured.
On tv, Chief Supt Barlow is interviewed. He provides confidently some diplomatic answers, but he had not been briefed about a late development, Hawkins' refusal to take sides and give police protection to delivery lorries. Hawkins had seen this as taking sides, and definitely against standing orders. But Barlow is clearly thrown.
The point of principle is well made, Hawkins defends his end in the face of combined pressure from Barlow and Watt. "What is the police for?"
Hawkins gets his backing. However the strike goes on

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Private Mischief
There are some fine lines and thought provoking moments in this.

Watt is enjoying a very late lunch break at The Talbot Arms, where the landlord 'Charlie' tells him the police have been harrassing him. Name of DC Scot... "an imposter," it transpires. What's the motive? Watt questions Charlie, "it's a right puzzle."
After inquiries, police are led to a former "overzealous" policeman named Scotland (Vincent Ball). Barlow is against prosecuting him, for the sake of the image of the force. However surveillance is kept on him, and it is soon discovered he runs an organisation with six others, posing as policemen or other officials, bent on some unspecified swindles.
Sgt Jackson is caught spying on them by Scotland and his associate Fowler and they duff the real policeman up. Sgt Jackson arrests them for assault.
For once, Watt takes control from Barlow and charges the two men with impersonating police officers. It's very unfortunate that after being released on bail at 3am, Scotland, walking home, is beaten up badly. Jackson had been on the carpet and had taken a long slow walk home, thus having no alibi. Here's a well developed drama, "there's going to be a lot of muck flying about," as we wonder who dunnit.
"Did you do it?" Barlow interrogates his sergeant face to face, literally. No, says Jackson calmly. Barlow believes him and almost enjoys himself questioning Scotland's solicitor

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Open and Shut Case
The eternal triangle, if on a very low level, Tom and Jerry (!) have a "barney" over Betty, a seedy tart. The former is done in with a hammer, This looks like an open and shut case to Inspector Harry Hawkins. It is very "straightforward."
"She 'it 'im with the 'ammer," explains Jerry. A dazed Betty seems to concur.
However Chief Supt Barlow wants to probe deeper, to get a 'feel' for the crime. Local police admit Betty doesn't seem the type to kill. Barlow asks officers who had been at the scene for their impressions, while at the station, Hawkins coaxes a confession of sorts from his suspect. But she actually says nothing.
Barlow however has the skill to open her up, via Billy, who is, you guessed, her beloved poodle. "I never killed him."
So Barlow interrogates Jerry. Which of them is telling the truth? That's the intriguing part of this story.
For once even Barlow is floundering, perhaps due to his lack of local knowledge. Watt tries his hand.
Unfortunately, though it's a valid ending, having posed the questions, the script by Allan Prior doesn't answer them, which is, to my mind, cheating the viewers. We needed to see more clever detective skills at work to come up with more of a sniff of an answer

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Sprats and Mackerels
There's a whisper, only a whisper, that there may be illegal immigrants at the docks. That was enough in them days to set the police scudding down to mount a covert investigation.
WPC Donald dons leathers to chat to Len in his cafe. He bars "coloureds," but he does slightly admit that he had been offered twenty quid once to put some up.
She joins Sgt Evans to look into a "domestic" at a nearby caravan site. George Ashley has been fighting with girl friend Susan, who has run off. It transpires she is taking shelter in an empty caravan she cleans, owner Mr Reeder is often away as he's chief steward on the tanker the Barbella.
Evans does trace her there, though it is evident her cleaning skills are not put to much use. So Sgt Jackson is sent incognito to hire a caravan at the park, and keep watch. The surmise is that Reeder is running the racket using the caravan as a hideout and to transport the immigrants away.
In between the action, Supt Watt is attempting to date Dr Morrow, but he has to stand her up. However they do finally meet, and it's as well she is on hand. For George has accosted Reeder, who is home on leave, and the steward ends up in hospital. Too late Watt works out that Reeder is running a one man operation, hiding immigrants in an empty tank in the tanker- no light or air. As they have been incarcerated there, it's Dr Morrow's awful duty to certify many of them dead.

Although this case depicts painstaking detective skills, there are a lot of loose ends, like WPC Donald acting the loose woman, PC Snow sniffing out suspicions with his dog Inky, that are not followed through, making for a story that's never completely dramatically satisfying. Authentic police work it may be, and at least we don't actually see the grisly finish
To the
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Like Any Other Friday...
A housekeeper named Miss Mathieson reports a burglary at the home of her employer, Mr Hartley, who is away on holiday. Mt Watkins, the only servant, is not very communicative. He had been batman to Major Watkins in the war, and both have a keen interest in world war two memorabilia, including guns.
Watt learns from Miss Mathieson that despite the strict rule on the matter, Watkins had entertained a friend recently in the house. After much stalling, Watkins admits it was an old colleague, Patterson, a known criminal.
Police are particularly concerned that some unregistered guns may have been stolen. Interrogation fails to elicit any concrete information, this is far too protracted to be dramatically satisfying, but it confirms the police view that stolen weapons are shortly likely to be used in some wages snatch.
Intensive search fails to find any hidden weapons however, so the gang, working on a building site are kept under close observation. It's a complex task with a final reward, as the gang are caught, literally, in the spotlights. Four stolen guns are recovered.
Barlow has a final surprise, Watt's going home as he has just got married
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Trust a Woman
Chris Conner, garage owner and big time crook, is setting up another job- that's the whisper that WPC Betty Donald has picked up during a routine search for a missing Swedish au pair, Greta. In a pub Donald had met Molly Carson, an Irish girl who is Conner's girl friend. "She wants to get away from Conner."
It is Watt's decision whether Donald should accept Molly's invitation to go to Conner's flat, where she has been promised she will be given more details about the planned robbery. Though Watt is suspicious of women informers, Donald is given the go ahead.
Molly does provide the names of Conner's four accomplices and information about a van and Rover car they are planning to steal. The job is on Saturday night. But Watt worries Molly is up to no good.
With Greta traced, all seems to be going well. Molly's information all checks out. Police surveillance confirms Chris Conner's plan is proceeding smoothly.
Molly makes one attempt to talk her boyfriend out of the job, but, even though he doesn't need the money, he needs more and can't call it off. It is tense as Watt and Hawkins wait for the burglars to crack the safe. It's a simple arrest, though Conner puts up a desperate fight.
Molly leaves for home in Ireland, having helped herself to the complete contents of Conner's safe
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The Hermit
A bunch of smooth talking villains are robbing lonely old people in their homes. First today is Miss Dobson. Posing as men from the gas board, without her noticing, they get away with an antique ormolu clock.
"I hate these b******," cries John Watt, Barlow his boss however is more sanguine, and won't agree to providing extra manpower to track the gang down.
After more jobs, there is the usual last one before they move on. They have identified James Partland (Andreas Malandrinos), and call at his house to check the gas. He has lots of valuable silver, but it is in a padlocked cupboard. They say they'll have to come back another day to sort out his dodgy pipes.
To frighten off the villains, Watt distributes pamphlets warning about letting officials in, with the result that Partland phones the police. Barlow, as well as Watt, go to talk to him. The silver objects are all presents he had given to his late wife.
Barlow proposes that police allow the robbery to go ahead so they can get at the clearing house where the boss must work. This places a big demand on the old man, but he was once a soldier, and promises to try and carry it off.
Inky with PC Snow waits upstairs in case they are needed, a bevy of policemen disguised around the vicinity. This is well constructed, you feel sorry for the vulnerable old man having to play act as the crooks enter his home and steal his goods. "You did wonderful."
There's a nice touch of comic relief as police swoop on the watch out member of the gang- WPC Donald deserts her empty pram which goes careering downhill, toppling over. Then the serious stuff, the gang are tailed and most are rounded up, though the "top man" slips away. There is even more sadness when we return to Partland's home
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Escort

An American senator (Alan Gifford) is to visit his ancestor's church. A death threat means the Task Force's "Heavenly Twins" have to instigate security checks, including meeting the vicar who is leading the welcoming party.
In charge of the senator's security is O'Hara, who discusses the difficulties with Chief Constable Cullen and Barlow. The whole force is on high alert, the senator getting "the full treatment."
A parade of five cars drive from the station to the church. Inside, swelled by a horde of security men, the vicar offers his dull speech. Eyes peeled. Thankfully WPC Donald escorts one suspicious visitor outside. He runs off, and shots can be heard by those inside the church. Inky the police dog is wounded.
Visitors are dispersed safely, the lunatic named Arnold is holed up in a hut with his gun. Barlow oversees the siege with stern words to his men. However PC Snow, so furious at Inky's shooting, storms the hut and ends the siege simply if against all Barlow's strict orders

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Sunday, Sweet Sunday

Cullen and Watt brief Task Force about "a sizeable invasion" of skinheads expected today. By train! The filmed location is Margate, even though posters are advertising Torbay, and the station announcer calls the place Oversands. In fact the story seems an excuse for the cast (except Barlow) to enjoy a day filming by the sea, with Christopher Beeny and Windsor Davies added temporarily to the fold. The beach is sometimes very crowded, sometimes almost empty, but never mind. Certainly at the start of the day it is all very peaceful with locals preparing quietly for a busy day ahead. Trains arrive, closely watched by police. No sign of any trouble. Or any yobbos at all.
The Force are reduced to searching around for any minor villains. Watt chats with a shopkeeper who is wanting to form a group of vigilantes to eject some long haired layabouts. Some minor infractions of the law are pounced upon, a dodgy bingo racket, plus a swindling photographer, though Mr Green selling racehorses is not found out. In Dreamland Joe is spotted- he had absconded from Borstal. This gives the cue for a chase round the sights, across the busy beach, before the lad is cornered. The dodgy photographer is also caught.
The day ends, all is quiet. This a rambling Alan Plater story, occasionally quite pleasant. However you do wonder if the huge police presence could have been justified. Cullen claims it was "a good day's work," though maybe he ought to have got his team to investigate the Case of The Disappearing Skinheads

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Safe In The Streets?

An uninspiring Allan Prior meandering story. At night, yobs corner a young man, unpleasantly putting "the boot in." He is a Pakistani and suffers two broken ribs.
Barlow and his gang are in the area out to nail Nasim Khan (Marne Maitland), who is believed to be helping illegal immigants enter the country. Barlow confronts the leader of the yobs, in a cafe. It's slightly laughable, as he attempts to understand the yob's racial prejudices, a conversation highly improbable. Then Barlow chats with Watt in a launderette of all places, setting the world to rights. They are waiting to pounce.
Nasim refuses to help a local Pakistani who is scared of the yobs. When Nasim goes out at night to greet another illegal Pakistani, he is beaten up by the yobs. In overly dramatic fashion, police round up the yobs. I didn't find it at all convincing.

Note: Vicki Michelle makes her tv debut, as the yob leader's bit of skirt

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Time Expired
Jim Ingram, just out of prison, is spotted in a boatyard. With his mate Alec Thomson, he'd been jailed for the theft of ten boxes of gold, value £50,000, never recovered. Another mate Charlie Bruton had died while they were inside, but his son Peter lives on the boat that is moored here.
Ingram puzzles with his boss Maitland over the whereabouts of the boxes in a scene that drags. Too much padding is always a danger in 50 minute stories.
Ingram quizzes Peter, who seems to know nothing of any boxes. Peter takes the ex-con to the mudflats to search a pill box where Charlie used to sleep sometimes.
Thomson and Ingram find nothing, but check out one other possible hiding place, a dilapidated barge that Charlie owned. All this time Hawkins and Donald have been keeping the villains under surveillance, and now Barlow joins in. It's a little odd that Ingram and Thomson had not suspected they might be watched.
Barlow makes his move, questioning Peter, who seems genuinely innocent of knowledge of the crime.
At the old barge, eureka! The boxes are carried to the crooks' car, and off they drive, only to be intercepted by Hawkins, and arrested by Barlow

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Lessons (shot entirely on film on location)

Barlow is lecturing how to investigate a murder, using a pretend corpse. He gives the inexperienced Sgt Jackson a sharp lesson. Bob Evans gives some assistance in the task Barlow has set poor Jackson.
On the beach is discovered a real corpse. Barlow takes charge, setting up base in the local ballroom. 14 year old Myra Vernon is the dead girl, her father (Glyn Edwards) identifies her. She had stayed out late, he does not know who with.
Before the tide can come in, the beach is hastily searched, and Watt offers Barlow a little joke about Canute.
Susan (Sally Thomsett), a pupil at Myra's school, reveals that Myra had met this window cleaner in the high street, and they had fixed a date for that night.
Evans and Jackson are detailed to watch Myra's home. Hawkins tracks down Dale, the window cleaner, who immediately does a bunk. Donald stops his escape. Barlow and Watts question the suspect, Dave claiming that Myra had never turned up for their date. But Barlow can tell that he is lying. The lad is scared and finally admits that he had gone to wait for Myra outside her house. He had seen Mrs Vernon go out, and though he waited, Myra never came out. He had left disappointed.
Jackson uses his initiative and discovers the truth at the Vernon house. Barlow is hardly thankful to him!

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Without Favour
Snow and Evans have driven to a run down district. The latter enters a derelict looking property where Jack Marlow lives. He is away in Lancashire, according to his wife, but he has been going straight. Evans is appalled by the dreadful housing she lives in and when he learns that the place is owned by Christopher Spence, he decides to tackle this dubious character.
Six years ago, Evans had had Spence in court, but after a witness changed his story, the case collapsed. Spence runs an amusement arcade, and here Evans confronts him. This key scene becomes too long, drowning in its moralizing.
Spence complains, Watt is deputed to listen to him. The pair "chat, like," with Spence claiming that Evans had threatened him. But when Watt insists that Spence make a written statement, Spence declines.
Cullen and Watt interview Evans, who is on the carpet. "There are no witnesses," Evans claims naively. Cullen is not amused, leaving it to Watt to tear a strip off Evans. The correct procedure is to search for evidence against Spence, not to put him on guard. Police should not have feelings. Mind you, Watt privately concedes to Cullen afterwards, that he does what Evans did also!
Watt continues his duties by delivering a speech to the Rotary Club about the role of the Task Force. As for Evans, he returns to Mrs Marlow to start collecting his evidence against Spence

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Never Hit A Lady
In a drive-in cafe, Glasgow lorry driver Mick Harrigan (Neil McCallum) picks up a girl, but then refuses to give her a lift. Perhaps he senses she is from the law, actually she is Policewoman Donald. She is keeping tabs on Harrigan, suspected of nicking a cargo of whisky. Indeed, we watch him transferring a few boxes of the stuff, to his own van.
Next day at the cafe, Donald gives Harrigan the come on, but he goes off with regular Peg. PC Snow, watching Donald, is surprised, as are us viewers, "taking that poor slag." Later, Peg is found beside the dual carriageway, badly injured. Donald talks to her in hospital, but Peg says nothing. There is no actual proof against Harrigan, so Donald persists, and next time, he does give her a lift. Snow tails, and sees Harrigan lock up his lorry and drive off with Donald in his old van. They drive to a pub, enjoy a drink, and then make for his digs. Snow is joined by Hawkins as they tail them. They debate whether now is the time to intervene. They miss seeing Mick's lorry being nicked.
In Harrigan's room, Donald asks if he had attacked Peg. Things are getting very rough when Hawkins and Snow respond. Donald is badly hurt.
Questioning Harrigan becomes fractious. All Barlow can do is have Harrigan done for assault

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Its Ugly Head
Snow and Miss Donald mull over the role of women policemen in the light of the previous story in which Donald tarted herself up. She has a difficult interview with Cullen, admitting she is no longer unshockable. There is some issue of "butch advances" by Inspector Reynolds which is never resolved. Watt listens considerately to Donald's concerns.
Even more difficult is the issue of one yob, Bernard Pinks.
Barlow and Watt had earlier been called into Cullen's presence for "something nasty in the woodshed." The pair are slanged for failing to deal with two villains, Grant and Wallace, who, Cullen argues, have not been properly pursued.
Harry Hawkins is interviewing Pinks who has been arrested by PC Snow during a demo. "You lot bug me," the belligerent Pinks tells Hawkins and PC Evans.
A solicitor (Michael Goodliffe) approaches Cullen "informally." He complains about Hawkins' treatment of his client Pinks. Barlow has to deal with a case of alleged homosexual assault. Pinks will reveal this in court, unless, though this is not stated, charges are withdrawn.
Barlow has the distasteful job of finding out the facts. PC Evans relates how Hawkins had dealt with the annoying Pinks, they had been alone for only a couple of minutes. At this time, Hawkins had helped Pinks tidy up the mess from broken eggs in his pocket, clearly intended for use in the demo.
Then Barlow interviews Hawkins, who when told of the allegation, is angry that he is being accused without any formal complaint. A diplomatic Watt sends Hawkins off with PC Donald to keep watch on Grant. Unofficially Watt undertakes his own surveillance on Pinks.
Before the case, Barlow has arranged another meeting with the solictor. He feels he will have to drop the charges. But other charges, thanks to Watt's inquiries, are to be brought in, relating to Pinks' offensive weapons. As Pinks wants to emigrate to America, he is unable to pursue his complaint against Hawkins, for fear of landing himself with a criminal record

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Who Wants Pride...?
Hawkins interviews a man who has found an abandoned security van with a hole blown in its side. However it had been empty. Col Banks claims the explosive used must have come via the army. But why? "It was meant to impress somebody," though it seems strange that the crooks left such evidence lying about. For it enables police to scour the area in search of the gang. We meet the three of them planning the real job, at the home of Betty, with her boyfriend Jimmy, an army sergeant.
Barlow watches a demo of the explosive, quick and effective. But at the same time, the robbery is under way. £12,000 cash stolen from a van. It's not quite the haul the criminals had expected, "money's never enough," and Jimmy needs more, to get married and return to Ireland. So a second job must be done.
Jimmy panics when MPs spot the missing explosives, and he scarpers, hiding in Betty's home. Search is made for him, but carefully, for he has also borrowed a machine gun, and "he gets a kick out of danger." The focus on the crooks becomes a little too drawn out as they plan the job. PC Donald has found out where Jimmy is hiding as the story becomes very plodding, maybe like real police work.
The next van to be hijacked is carrying a goodly amount of cash from a racecourse, but the whole crime is doomed from the start. Jimmy is nicked as soon as he leaves Betty's, and Watt rounds up the rest of the gang, all an anticlimax

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Collation
Breakfast at the Watts- the missus can't find her watch.
Sgt Evans is at Mrs Russell's shop: one of her lighters has gone missing.
At the station, Jackson shows Watts an odd pattern of minor thefts mixed with major robberies.
Mrs Watts has also found a pate and a bottle of gin missing.
Tim is a precocious lad who last night had spotted a police car outside Mrs Russell's shop. But this blue Cortina can't have been a Task Force car since Tim noticed it had a radio aerial. A check is made on all local cars of this type, and one is traced to a garage that hires a Cortina.
A Mr Marsh regularly uses the vehicle. The address he has given the garage is a false one. So the car is fitted with a hidden radio and kept under surveillance.
Marsh with an accomplice is followed by Evans, who is joined by Barlow issuing the orders. They realise the crooks' car is tuned to a police radio. So Watts makes them believe that watch on them has been called off.
Marsh dons a police uniform and breaks into a large house. Then he makes for the same shop he has already burgled. Here, improbably, he is interrupted by Tim of all people: "I'm not sure you're a police officer."
Barlow shows up in time to prevent harm happening to the child, in fact it is Marsh who is battered

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Do Me A Favour
Shot entirely on film.

A smattering of snow on the ground as Barlow and Watts drive along a dual carriageway, watched by other Task Force vehicles. A security officer has received a tip off that one lorry is to be hijacked. But nothing happens.
Frank (Victor Maddern) hires a shed from Kerr, a poor farmer, to store his goods, Victoriana so he says. Task Force spots the farm as a possible site for hiding the lorry. Hawkins explains to Kerr what might be happening, possible reward of £10,000. Mrs Kerr however is scared, though Barlow persuades her with an offer of men to help out on the farm.
Thus Snow with Radar, and Evans, do odd jobs around the place, keeping watch.
The robbery finally takes place. In a layby, a lorry stops, to help someone who has allegedly been injured in an accident. The two drivers are taken prisoner and driven away. The lorry is taken to the farm and hidden in a large barn, the contents unloaded.
Police rescue the lorry drivers and at the farm, police also swoop, the crooks rounded up one by one. You fear something might go wrong, but no, in fact it is "a smooth job"

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Sweet Are The Uses Of Adversity
In temporary charge of the Task Force is Harry Hawkins. His first case is that of Vera, a woman of the street, who has been knocked unconscious and robbed. She won't say who did it, not that she knows clients' names anyway. "He's not local," is all she can offer.
In fact police had been keeping surveillance on her house. The villain strikes again, attacking a woman guest in a hotel. His muddy shoes are left behind, some sort of clue. Next night he strikes again, but a woman screams and he runs off. Finding an empty house, he helps himself to fags and booze, and settles down for a rest. Police search the area with no success. The burglar is still there next morning, making himself a cup of tea. A milkman he attacks, to grab his takings.
The Chief has a word with Hawkins, offering some sage words of advice. A desperate Hawkins decides to fingerprint any man in the vicinity who resembles the descriptions of the villain, who is now spending the night with a mate of Vera's. Next morning he robs and hits her.
Still at large, next night, the villain robs an off licence. Hawkins briefs the press showing them a photo of an unusual pipe the crook has nicked. It's a striking picture of Hawkins smoking said pipe.
Chummy sees it and hastily gets rid of his loot. A lorry driver finds it, and a clue leads police to a construction site where Chummy is the night watchman. (How he could do this job when he has been away for both the last two nights, who knows?) Radar soon tracks him down, "woof!" The crook's motives are never explained, the story not at all satisfying, maybe it's intended to reflect Hawkins' greenness in his first taste of real authority

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A World Full of Rooms
Like the world weary Sgt Foster, this is a kitchen sink story which tries to be The Wednesday Play, making observations on two contrasting lifestyles, and it plods its dreary way to a sudden finish.
A creepy man calls at the room of Sylvie, a tart who nervously understands what he is going to do.
Later Watt is called here and finds Sgt Foster of the Vice Squad examining things, "a professional job." Sylvie has been taken to hospital, beaten up, and Sgt Donald is ordered to stay by her bedside.
Watt meets lodger Jake, who lives with young John, and they relate how they had found Sylvie injured. She had asked Jake to protect her as "she was tied up with some very funny people." A man named Tommy actually protected her, but he had left a week ago.
Foster reckons that behind Tommy is someone- but who? Eventually, after much irritating deliberation, he comes up with the name Jackie. Now he is in prison.
"Who did it?" Sgt Donald asks Sylvie who has come round. No answer. The two women are poles apart, sad converations ensue.
The Task Force question local prostitutes, meeting only silence. Watt goes to jail to interview Jackie. "The feller you want is Tommy," suggests the prisoner. Where is he? Jackie doesn't know, he says- though he does really.
Watt knows Jake and John are hiding something. The truth comes out, the two men are scared, but John can identify the attacker, and gives a description.
He is Mad Charley, who works for Jackie, and, surprise, Charley is found with Jackie's sister Mollie.
Watt works out that this woman was keeping back for herself, some of the cash collected by Tommy, not handing it over to her brother. Watt persuades Sylvie to snitch on them in this unsalubrious story
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The Lie Direct
PC Snow spots an abandoned car at night in a lonely spot. His dog starts to bark, for inside is discovered a corpse.
Jean Watt declares the elderly woman had been dead for about three days. She was a widow, Alice Forrester, who had been on her way to meet her sister Elsie, who identifies the body.
Watt is put in charge. Sgt Donald interviews James Colley, Alice's lodger. "I think he did it," she warns Watt. But Watt isn't for jumping to conclusions, and gets Harry Hawkins to obtain a voluntary statement from Colley, "I'm only the lodger."
Elsie is surprised when she visits her sister's home, to see she had recently purchased a brand new cooker. She says Alice never came to see her, nor was she intending to do so. She gives her statement to Sgt Donald.
Colley gives a shock revelation, "we was married a whole month ago." It is difficult to believe whatever Colley says, so Watt seeks advice from Barlow. He reviews the case with the team, then invites Colley to chat with him and Snow. Colley is ultra confident and admits he lied in his statement. He changes his story. He says he had rowed with Alice about money, "I know things look black for me." Then he admits he killed her, "this time I'm telling the truth."
Yet Watt is still "wondering," and Barlow is sceptical after so many lies. However Colley is charged, that makes him break down into tears. He now claims that he is protecting a farmer named Nicholson, who was Alice's lover. Barlow goes to the farm and finds "a right mess."
Colley explains what had happened. "You're not ashamed of killing two people?" asks Watt angrily. "I enjoyed that"
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Ground Level
John Watt is away, his wife asks Barlow to deal with a persistent salesman who wanted to repair her front path at an exorbitant price. Name of Wheeler. It is discovered that he works at a building site for Masters.
It happens that a woman had reported seeing a man loading bricks into his van late at night. Her description is hardly lucid.
The building site is "a den of thieves," several builders working on plots of land here. Barlow decides to go back to his roots, and pose as a customer interested in purchasing a new home.
Evans questions one of the builders named Laker, whose bricks appear to have been nicked. But Laker knows nothing of any theft, he isn't bothered anyway. A foreman (Glyn Owen) shows Barlow round a half completed house- notice that nobody wore hard hats in those days.
Alan Plater's script gets far too bogged down in repetitive conversations with these two characters. Barlow learns how builders can possibly cook their books.
That night, PC Snow goes to Wheeler's workshop finding the man hard at work. Wheeler admits loading the bricks into his van, and calmly produces a receipt from Laker for the same.
Barlow briefs Watt's wife, "it's a waiting game." Waiting for Godot, I reckon. Maybe there were no other crimes worthy of investigation.
That night, Snow catches Wheeler loading his van once again. Wheeler produces his receipt. All Snow can do is book him for not insuring his vehicle
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Company Business
Three lots of platinum have disappeared over a period of time from a fertiliser factory. It is never explained why the police are only called in several months later.
Sgt Jackson is despatched to quietly investigate, posing as a time and motion man. Fisher, the boss, briefs him, and Bates, in charge of security, shows Jackson round. Fisher's able deputy Bill Caldwell, who had been passed over for promotion when Fisher came in, invites Jackson to a staff do. He shows the policeman his posh boat.
Betty Donald acts as Jackson's girlfriend, passing on information to the Task Force. Jackson believes it an inside job. Bill is "the cuckoo in the nest." However suspicion is not proof, "Mr Watt'll go spare!" Donald tells him.
Jackson asks to examine the employee files, and with some hesitation, Fisher agrees. Fisher's secretary offers some welcome assistance. Jackson goes to his next assignment with Donald, only to find that it is Watt there, "what are you playing at, son?" Jackson shows the evidence he has uncovered, but Watt has little time for police intuition.
That night, there is a fourth theft. Jackson is hauled before an angry Watt. "I know who took it, "Jackson calmly announces. Yet where is his evidence? The stolen property will be found on Bill Caldwell's boat, and Watt goes to search it while Jackson keeps Caldwell chatting in his posh home. The interest is in whether Jackson's hunch will be correct

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Kick Off
Police are in attendance at a football match, checking for yobbos- those were the bad old days. Inspector Armstrong of the local police reprimands Sgt Evans of Task Force for watching the game, rather than the crowd. That causes Armstrong to brush with Barlow, who is here on unspecified business. It's old school policing too, as Barlow unpleasantly clashes with Armstrong, whom he regards as an "academic" cop.
Only 17 arrests- apparently that counts as a "good" day. But in the crowd leaving the game, Hawkins tails a villain Task Force are shadowing. Tommy Nunn soon gets lost in the crowd, and takes his chance to break into Khan's jewellery shop. He opens the safe and steals several choice items. Once outside, he quickly passes the stolen items to female accomplice Elsie. Thus when police pick him up, no evidence can prove he is the thief. Now Elsie is the cleaner at Khan's shop, supplying the key for the robbery.
Sgt Jackson has been promoted, and will soon leave, once his replacement, Armstrong is shown the ropes. Armstrong is less than enthusiastic about working with Barlow, "he and I don't hit it off." Watt, equally antagonistic, advises him to "unbend a bit." Jackson briefs Armstrong on why Task Force were at the football. Barlow makes a blunder when he assumes that Elsie is not involved, but maybe that's down to Jackson not being on the ball and spotting her likely involvement.
Khan is blackmailed by Tommy: those stolen jewels were already stolen, for Khan is a fence. Khan employs a private detective to trace who is blackmailing him. Sgt Donald is also watching, following the cleaner. When his private detective informs him, Khan realises that Elsie was in on the theft. Donald and Hawkins watch her house, as does the detective. She leaves, destination the railway station. She purchases a ticket, and so she doesn't get away, she has to be arrested. But the evidence against Tommy is non existent.
This story ends here.
For the continuation

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Final Score
Elsie Young has been arrested, Barlow finds in her case a "large sum of money" as well as jewels value at least £10,000. But she has "nothing to say."
Armstrong tails the private detective who turns out to be a petty criminal, Jack Tait. Hawkins takes Khan to identify the jewels, which he claims were "never in my possession," apart from a few that he had told police had been stolen. Barlow toys with the fence, getting him very anxious about not revealing any secrets
Watt goes to an inn where Elsie's accomplice Tommy Nunn works as a second chef. Tait is staying here, in company with Edward Jordan and a fast Jag. Watt informs Tommy about Elsie's arrest, and Tommy has to admit to robbing Khan, who he confirms is a fence. He signs a statement exonerating Elsie, and then learns that she had been ditching him. Not that this matters, since Elsie has hanged herself in custody, a terrible police blunder.
A search of Khan's premises reveals more stolen jewels, and Khan finally comes clean, telling what he knows of Tait, some of which may be made up. But he reveals how the robberies are undertaken by Tait and Jordan, taking advantage of crowds.
Thus at next Saturday's football match, the crooks are observed to leave their places during the game, and break into the strongroom where the day's takings are kept. But Radar the dog is waiting and the gang, after a struggle, are captured, "operation successful"

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Something Big
Daniel McBride and Benjamin Halton are two villains visiting the patch, and Regional Crime Squad want to know what they are up to. A frenzied search of local contacts makes slow progress, but eventually a waiter at The Royal named Jim, is able to say that he recognised Halton who had been meeting a local man named Peter Thornley. A girl was with them. Thornley's father had been a rich businessman, and bought numerous art treasures with his wealth.
In his Jag, Halton has driven with McBride to Granton House, home of Thornley. It's an ideal location he declares.
Task Force work with Inspector Allan (John Woodvine) of the Crime Squad, surmising that the large house is to be used for Big Time Gaming. Likely to attend is "a much wanted villain." Later we find out that is no less than Jim Randall himself. Whoever he is.
Routine police work follows, as police prepare for whenever this gambling session will take place.
All is ready. The police wait the moment to pounce. Randall turns up, eager to enjoy the betting. All that is missing from the scene is an exotic girl and The Saint. As it is, the story may be very autherntic, but lacks any real tension.
Unfortunately Halton, taking a breath of fresh air outside, spots the police. He runs hastily away. But the full force of the law enters the premises with a search warrant, which Watt officiously reads out. Randall attempts to sneak away but is promptly arrested. End of a successful police raid

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Games
Sgt Evans has rounded up Tim Lee, a tramp, and questions him not too plesantly. It's in connection with an assualt on schoolgirl Emma Jones that morning, reported by neighbour Mrs Lacey. The girl has described a tramp. Insp Hawkins is in charge, though Supt Watt is hovering, ostensibly on a check of station security.
The local sergeant reckons Hawkins is "barking up the wrong tree," since Tim is an old customer, and the tramp is soon discharged. Other tramps are brought in.
To "two brass bands and an elephant," as it were, Emma is carefully ushered in to the police station, Sgt Donald takes her statement. Inspector Armstrong reckons she is a bit naive, but Hawkins keeps on interviewing suspect tramps.
He does ask Watt to chat with Mrs Lacey, maybe needing some of the older detective's wisdom. She tells of Emma's home situation, separated parents, mother spending today with a married man. Watt persuades her to phone and inform the mother, he carefully noting the number that she dials.
Now he has his foot in, Watt barges in to Hawkins, who has interviewed David, a schoolboy witness to the attack. The boy is very self confident and it's very evident to us and Watt how things stand. "Pack of lies," Watt tells the lad. He admits that, in a confusing way trying to justify his action.
Watt shows Emma David's statement, "what an imagination!" She admits the whole thing had been faked, all related to her problems at home. All very sad, but a bit of wisdom from Supt Watt has cut through the layers of futile investigation. "Give 'em a good talking to," is his advice to Hawkins, who is naturally furious at how police time has been wasted. Watt however lets the two go, "we're detectives, not child minders"

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In the Public Gaze
A tense story as EHM14J, Chief Constable Arthur Cullen's Jag, is being chauffeur driven home after a do. On the way, Cullen has the car stopped, when he sees a policeman being attacked by two thugs. A crowd stares on, as Cullen separates the combatants and roughly treats the villains. The pair are taken to the nearest police station, in charge is Chief Supt Leech (Reginald Marsh). One of the pair, Robert Wilson has a reputation as a trouble maker, so needs "handling with care." Not that Cullen didn't rough him up in breaking up the fracas. Though Barlow is against it, Wilson and his mate William Dawson are bailed.
In court next day, Wilson accuses PC Pugh of hitting them- that's what began the fight. Pugh denies this, and explains how an officer had rescued him, banging the villains' heads together. Cullen is called, but the prim magistrate adjourns the case since he is known personally to her. In fact she has a record of being criticised by the Chief Constable. "Waste of a morning."
Armstrong suggests that it might be better to drop the case to avoid further publicity. However events overtake them, when news comes that Dawson has "dropped dead" in a pub. The inquest shows that he died of an aneurism, a congential condition. But it is a tense time for police.
Cullen gives the coroner his version of events, admitting he had bumped the heads of Dawson and Wilson. The pair had been medically examined at the time, and no negative effects were noted. Verdict: death from natural causes. Wilson protests noisily.
Letters stir up feelings. Cunning old Barlow knows how to end Wilson's "prodding with lies and innuendos." He gets PC Snow and Radar to watch Wilson, allegedly to "protect" him. Though Wilson objects, he becomes worried when he learns that Dawson's two brothers, one just out of Parkhurst Prison, are after him. Wilson quietly withdraws his accusations

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Cash and Carry
PC Snow spots suspicious activity at night at the Cash and Carry. Inside we see two men stacking boxes and removing them to a van. Outside Snow and Radar the dog watch. Reinforcements turn up, plus Mr Lodge (Peter Sallis) the owner. But nothing is found, it appears to be a false alarm, so everyone leaves.
"They didn't check the roof," observes Inspector Armstrong the next morning. "It should have been checked," chips in Hawkins. What's missing? Tins of corned beef etc etc, value £600. It's worked out that the thieves hid in the store all night, further that two employees James and Fox are the men.
Surveillance is kept on them and the store. Barlow works out that the real big job that the men are planning is theft of the weekly takings which is banked on Thursdays.
It's a risk," comments Cullen, since the public are around and he wants Barlow to "scare off" the gang, rather than catch them as Barlow desires.
"Tonight's the night." The team are briefed. The Cash and Carry van delivers its goods, at the second restaurant, James and Fox are nicked. Barlow interrogaes Fox, watched by Armstrong, as he tries to get details of the planned raid at the Cash and Carry. "If I tell you..."
Barlow explains the risks to Mr Lodge about the raid planned for Thursday evening. Cullen offers his own advice on why they should not go ahead. After all, the gang will be armed. But Lodge reluctantly agrees, and Watt briefs the team. Sgt Donald becomes an extra cashier, Armstong looks like a smart store detective, and Watt, well he is the stacker!
Tension as the gang show up, pretending to be customers. "Any minute now!" At the checkout, an unseemly punch up as a voice advises, "there's no cause for alarm"

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A Quiet Man

When Jack Hodder opens his garage door, a bomb explodes, injuring him. Chief Inspector Hawkins isn't convinced by Hodder's bland belief that the bomber must have got the wrong person. Chief Superintendent Watt picks up on the fact that Hodder is hardly shocked by the incident, and that he won't say anything. A seemingly quiet man, who runs a construction company, he was an expert in demolition, and isn't liked by his workers.
Hodder pursues his own inquiries, contacting an old mate George who suggests the bomber might be David Miller (Alun Armstrong), who works for the company. It appears that George and Jack had been partners in a previous business evidently crooked, and that their partner is now inside, wanting his share.
Watt catches up with Miller before his car blows up. A shaken Miller admits he was after a share of the cash from Hodder's crooked past. Hodder is arrested, attempting to make a break for it with his money

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No Way
Returning from their last job, Watt & Co are caught up in the tail end of an armed bank robbery. A bystander is shot and Hawkins wounds one of the crooks. Watt is taken hostage in the getaway car TKX614J.
Soon the gang has transferred into a second vehicle, but Watt switches on his walkie talkie, enabling their whereabouts to be traced. Narrowly avoiding a road block, the leader Bertie orders the car to reverse, and they seek refuge up a quiet driveway.
They take refuge in an isolated private house, with one occupant, Susan Marshall. It becomes a siege. Familiar motifs are here, wounded Joey is deteriorating, Mrs Jean Watt is worrying about her husband, Chief Constable Cullen addresses the villains through a megaphone.
Watt tries to divide the gang. Then there's an odd slightly philosophical conversation, before Bertie talks to Cullen offering his deal. "Noone gets hurt" if the gang are allowed to leave unmolested. The gang promise to dump their two hostages once they are clear. They want to take Joey with them, but he is now dead.
It all happens as agreed. We never discover if the crooks are caught

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Twenty-Seven Pieces of Porcelain

There's a robbery at the enormous mansion of Sir John Mallin (Basil Dignam). His son, an MP, leans on the police to make a special effort to recover the stolen property, a valuable collection of exquisite porcelain, worth £30,000.
The posh young thieves are Archie and Clive who now fall out over Archie's girlfriend Dolly.
Watt and Hawkins make slow progress in their investigation, indeed the whole tale moves at a sedate pace, until a link is made with one of the MP's friends, Archie, who had visited the house. (I found this confusing, since it was Clive we saw!)
The trail leads our detectives to a free trip to France, and with the aid of a French inspector (surprise, he's played by Andre Maranne!), they track down Clive and Dolly in a posh chateau near Deauville.
Clive is interrogated, but Dolly has sneaked off. Somehow Clive is persuaded to sell out Archie and our detectives rush to Clive's boat where Dolly is about to dispose of the evidence, dumping it out at sea. Though the evidence is recovered, she has already smashed it all up

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Night Watch
Two unrelated crimes are interwoven in this.
1. A big haul of 1,500 watches from a van parked overnight in the factory yard. A bookie named Tommy Jarvis is identified as a likely fence for the goods, and this is indeed correct. However Jarvis hadn't told his two men to steal such a large haul, and they fall out over the amount the watches are worth. The two thieves dream of riches, and believe they can find another buyer. No luck, so they are forced to cut their losses, and they actually dump the watches. The police never quite catch up with them.

2.Sgt Jack Stirling (Warren Clarke) reports that a tart named Greta came to him because she believed two lads she had met in a club were about "to do" a filling station that night. But as no such crime occurs, Sgt Evans questions her. She thinks there may be some revenge killing also!
Watt guesses the crime may actually be for this next night, so watch is kept on the local all night petrol stations. But police are too late.
Alfred Sutton, a cashier, is badly wounded. Cash is stolen. A Mrs Harrison visits Sutton's hospital bed, and it becomes clear her ex-husband, a sailor, is the wanted man

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Catch As Catch Can
A straightford, detailed portrayal of a police swoop.

David Marshall is chased and arrested by Sgt Stirling. In his possession is a large amount of Swiss francs. He demands to see his solicitor, Edward Turnbull (Donald Pickering). Which is odd, as Marshall doesn't know the man.
Watt leans on Marshall to reveal where he got "the foreign lolly. The facts come out, the money was in an envelope given to him by a council employee, Eric Purley. Turnbull's name happened to be printed on the envelope.
Now Purley happens to be the chief witness in a case of council corruption being built up by Harry Hawkins. He is planning Operation Ratcatcher, to simultaneously arrest a group of corrupt officials, to which Purley is now added.
67 police are on standby to swoop, once all the necessary permissions and documentation are obtained. At the chosen hour, the raids begin. At Ramsgate Hoverport, the smooth Turnbull, on the verge of skipping the country, is apprehended. So are the others, though Purley eludes arrest by killing himself

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Interrogation
A very detailed study of a police interrogation- would never get done like this these days, it's too long and drawn out, but very well observed.

Two armed robbers at a jewellers- safe emptied. But the driver of their getaway car is boxed in, and in a panic they scatter on foot. The job has some of the hallmarks of another three months previously.
Thomas Ross is questioned by PC Snow, then by Watt, "I don't believe you." It's a matter of wearing him down. In the end, Ross points to Billy Meacham, who produces an alibi- he was in Eastbourne. The police booked him for parking!
"There's something funny going on," mutters Watt as he tries to coax a confession from them. Find the driver, that's the urgent task.
Worn down, Meacham admits to organising the first robbery, but is insistent he didn't do the second botched job. He wouldn't work with Tom again as he had panicked and brought a gun.
PC Snow brings in the driver, a David Stevens, along with his mate Alfred Kelly. The frightened Stevens admits he had stolen the car, and had run off when he saw their car was blocked in. It was Ross who had led the second robbery, using Meacham's plan. The incompetent Ross had tried to plan it himself, but hadn't the brains
To
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Trial
Chief Inspector Hawkins and PC Snow are in court after arresting Andrews, a professional criminal, for robbery at Jones & Co. The defence case is not known, but the prosecution barrister warns the policemen that it is likely to be in the form of attack.
After a jury is selected, forensic evidence is brought to support the prosecution case. However, Dodge, the aptly named defence lawyer, questions how this material had been collected. The judge decides to make the jury withdraw, while Hawkins is questioned. Dodge is skilfully belligerent, questioning Hawkins' credentials, motives, and methodology. Hawkins tries to give as good as he gets, but the central evidence is that Andrews denies that the clothing is his, on which the forensic evidence is based. Hawkins made the fatal error of assuming the clothing was that of Andrews, even if it obviously was.
Court is adjourned for the night. Chief Constable Cullen deplores "the shambles" but intervenes so far as to persuade the prosecution barrister, despite his misgivings, to give the case "a whirl" to enable the evidence case a chance to be substantiated. A flurry of police activity, questioning local tailors. PC Snow hits the jackpot, and is able to establish that Andrews had indeed purchased these clothes. As he had paid by credit card, this detail is decisive.
The case against Andrews is proven. Dodge, for all his aspirations as Perry Mason, has not emulated the master

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Skipper's Walk
Hawkins is taking his dog Skipper for a late night walk, when he bumps into old lag Walter Dale, who has some nasty allegations concerning Det Sgt Jack Stirling. Dale had spent time inside with Tony Buxton, and according to Dale, Stirling has been having it off with Tony's wife Jean.
Watt decides on a discreet inquiry, "not exactly by the book." He and Hawkins call on Jack's wife wife to very bluntly inform her of the suggestion that her husband might be bent. She doesn't seem to live in the lap of luxury, the well constructed scene with her three young children amid the household chores has a pathetic quality.
Next interview is with Jean who runs a hairdressing salon, "you're asking me to shop him." In fact she denies Stirling has ever met Tony, whom she has divorced, as the story turns more soap opera than crime.
The critical interview is with Sgt Stirling, "I've done nothing... I've been stupid."
The aftermath. Back home he rows with Mary, with the result that she phones the police to admit her husband is bent. That brings on a violent row, well acted, this is true soap with an appropriately very very very unhappy ending

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Cover
"Three hundred years up in smoke"- a derelict old barn is destroyed, but arson is suspected. The owner Roy Jarman (William Marlowe) immediately sets about rebuilding it. But why?
Sgt Bob Evans is taken on as a casual labourer in this project, and he is well paid. Some rubble he sends for police analysis and it later is confirmed as badly burned remnants of a recent robbery. The arrival in the nearby farmhouse of wanted criminal Johnny Drew (Mike Pratt) suggests something fishy is going on.
The seductive Maggie Jarman (Vivien Merchant) is fairly sure Evans isn't what he seems, enigmatically checking up on him but then offering him a job as a lorry driver. Johnny confirms the offer, but Evans pretends he hasn't got a driving licence-as though that would stop the villains!
Johnny and Roy's hijacking of a security van with foreign currency takes place that night. Evans informs Watt of events before being discovered by Johnny. It looks like curtains until police swoop, for once not too late

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The Trouble Maker

As Watt and his wife listen peacefully to Mozart, the Task Force are keeping surveillance on a "dump." It's a midnight raid, and some drugs are found, but there follow complaints about police harrassment from innocent residents, co-ordinated by a lawyer named Fordyce (Cy Grant).
Watt is ordered to conduct an internal police inquiry, as there are overtones of a racial nature. Alan Plater's script needs a fresh slant, but for once, this fine author doesn't deliver, instead throwing in hints of mixed marriage, student demos, rather than tackling the difficult issue.
Inspector Hawkins had headed the raid, PC Nesbitt's attitude is the main cause of anger. Watt gives each in turn an unofficial "kick up the backside," they can redeem themselves somewhat, in police eyes, if they succeed in their next assignment.
Nesbitt has been to a pub after a tipoff about Kidson, who uses his boat for illegal purposes. As Watt muses it all over with his wife and listens to Bach, the Task Force wait and wait by the shore for the boat which is to bring in illegal immigrants. At last their waiting is rewarded. Finish.

An ending that sums up the whole tale
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The Raider
An armed robbery of a Post Office van, police give chase as far as a large estate. A karate chop fells one crook, Darby, despite his gun.
Watt's unsubtle interrogation of Darby is shown at length, such methods would not be permitted these days, though hardly on the Sweeney level. The script seems designed to try and evoke sympathy for the hounded villain, and we can also start to feel sorry for the organiser of the crime, Jackie Warren, whom we see hiding out with a girl called Marge.
Eventually Darby is bludgeoned into confessing that Jackie had planned the job, and we learn for the first time that Warren is a wanted and dangerous criminal, escaped from prison some time back. Now his unpleasantry toward even Marge who seems to love him make us lose sympathy for him. He's bored hiding in her flat, she's all for getting away.
More prolonged questioning reveals that Jackie is with some woman. Watt, in a flurry of publicity, calls on Jackie's old girl who runs a place in Soho.
"They want us to start running." But there's no need, all the tension so well built up, evaporates as though the director suddenly noticed they had run out of time. Police swoop on Marge's flat, and despite his gun, he tamely is carted off to jail, believing Marge has shipped him. We are told who it really was, but there's no escaping the fact that this ending is an awful let down

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CRANE
Taped Crime Programmes Menu
This was one of the replacement series while No Hiding Place was being given a breather, running for three series from 1963-1965. Jordan Lawrence was the producer. Patrick Alexander script editor. 16mm film sequences were directed by Christopher Hodson and Peter Moffatt.
Crane had been a successful city businessman, who has traded in his old suburban home for the excitement of a new life as an importer and exporter in Morocco. Patrick Allen was a natural for the part. Explained writer Patrick Alexander "he looks like a real smuggler!" It seems shooting the series was fun too. Patrick explained he played many dangerous scenes, but usually came through without a scratch. But the night before he was flying back to England, in a hotel bar someone got off a stool and knocked it over on to Patrick's foot, with a broken toe for his troubles! Another near mishap occured during filming for #1.8 Three Days To Die. The three stars were rowing to Crane's yacht, when a strong wind caused the yacht to pull anchor and the rowing boat was nearly crushed. "I've never rowed so hard before," said Patrick Allen. Director Chris Hodson added, "I thought we had lost our principals in one fell swoop."
Other cast regulars in each story were Sam Kydd as Orlando O'Connor and Gerald Flood as Mahmoud, and Laya Raki as Halima. Orlando went on to star successfully in his own sequel.

My reviews of 1.3 The Cannabi Syndicate , 3.10 A Cargo of Cornflour

1.1 A Death of No Importance (Tuesday April 2nd 1963 8pm)
1.2 Bad Company (April 9th 1963)
Script: Eric Allen. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Peter Moffatt.
Orlando said 'pick up a strange woman and you pick up trouble.' But neither he nor Crane knew a dead man was involved.
Remainder of cast: Arthur White (Pirelli- he recurs in series three in 3.2, 3.6 and 3.11), Desmond Jordan (Insp Slimene), Katharine Blake (Sonia Dajos), Graham Suter (Police doctor), Charles Tingwell (Albert Ringwood), David Nettheim (Chavez).
1.3 The Cannabi Syndicate (April 16th 1963) with Peter Reynolds
1.4 My Deadly Friend (April 23rd 1963)
Script: Patrick Alexander. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson.
Someone is very anxious for the Moroccan police to catch Crane. To find out who, Crane sets a trap.
Remainder of cast: Bruce Montague (Insp Larbi- also in some other stories), Geoffrey Colville (Aubrey Feltham), Anthony Steel (Gil), Thalia Kouri (Rosamaria), Arnold Yarrow (Louis Barreto), Richard Davies (Willie Jones), Richard Montez (Omar), Guy Deghy (Primo), Henry Soskin (Arab guide), Peter Allenby (Ali).
1.5 The Executioners (April 30th 1963)
1.6 Yesterday's Woman (May 7th 1963)
Script: Bruno Christian. Designer: John Emery. Director: Geoffrey Hughes.
By the time Madeleine Tissot returns to Casablanca, someone has devised an ingenious plan for murder.
Cast also includes: Donald Morley (Georges Latour), Madi Hedd (Madeleine Tissot), Bruce Montague (Insp Larbi), Rex Garner (Sgt Fazil), Joe Enrika (Ali), Horace James (Tommy), Ian Gardiner (Krim), Terry Bale (First policeman), Louis Raynes (Second policeman), John Atkinson (Sam Bennett).
1.7 The Price of Friendship (May 14th 1963)
Script: Leo Lehman. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Peter Moffatt.
When Haufman's boat docks at Casablanca, the police are inquisitive. They are looking for two thieves- one a murderer.
Remainder of cast: Dermot Walsh (Haufman), Desmond Newling (Roberts), Louis Raynor (Arab boy - in a few other stories also), Bruce Montague, Mellan Mitchell (First customer), Sally Nesbitt (Jacqueline), Edmund Bailey (Fatim), Frank Singuineau (Second customer).
1.8 Three Days to Die (May 21st 1963)
Script: Max Marquis. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson.
The man in the condemned cell maintains his innocence, but all the evidence supports the verdict of the courts.
Remainder of cast: Charles Carson (Jean Collard), Margot van der Burgh (Maitre Zem), Peter Bowles (Nikkola Drax), Bruce Montague, Barbara Assoon (Raya Drax), Jose Berlinka (Fourth guard), Reginald Barratt (Insp Misrai), Michael Peake (Brun), Gertan Klauber (Habbas), Margaret Denyer (Therese Severin), Edward Cast (First guard), Brian Cant (Kramm).
1.9 My Brother's Keeper (May 28th 1963)
Script: Max Marquis. Designer: Frank Gillman. Director: Richard Doubleday.
Somewhere in Casablanca a callous murderer is in hiding. But the police are faced with the traditional loyalties of the Foreign Legion.
Remainder of cast: Maitland Moss (Priest), Barry Keegan (Ferenc Szabo), Bruce Montague, Andreas Malandrinos (Patriarch), Bernard Rebel (Bishop)< Alec Mango (Dr Abbib), Frank Tregear (Taxi driver), Richard Marner (Alexis), Maria Andipa (Lise), Roy Patrick (Ludwig).
1.10 The Unwanted (June 4th 1963)
Script: Phyllis and Robert White. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Geoffrey Hughes.
Crane decides to look after a homeless, hungry little boy, and he unwittingly puts himself and Orlando in grave danger.
Others in cast: Peter Newton (Abba), Dalia Penn (Lakita), John Hollis (Hamid), Christopher Carlos (Imam Alhaj Ali), James Wellman (Midge), Steve Plytas (Krussos), Paul Gillard (Policeman), Lloyd Reckord (Feisan), Bill Hepper (Ahmul).
1.11 Return of a Hero (June 11th 1963)
Script: Alan Plater. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Peter Moffatt.
A man is running from a danger in the darkness and Crane discovers the menace of a yellow rabbit.
Others in cast:
Louis Raynor (Arab boy), Edgar Wreford (Matthews), Bruce Montague, Tony Cyrus (Barman), Arthur Hewlett (Colonel), John Rumney (Mickey the Greek), Tom Gill (Bertie).
1.12 The Golden Attraction (June 18th 1963)
Script: David Cumming. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Richard Doubleday.
A corpse is found in a palm grove, and Crane has reasons of his own for refusing to be involved.
Also in this cast: Nicholas Evans (Boy), Bruce Montague, Jacqueline Ellis (Alison Harrington), Alan Tilvern (Paul Harrington), Peter Arne (Michael Harrington), Nadja Regin (Maria Cortez), Richard Gatehouse (Griffiths), Nisar Husen (Policeman).
1.13 A Case of Dolls (June 25th 1963)
Script: Frank Harbourne. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson.
When Crane and Orlando find a box floating in the sea, its contents form the first of a number of surprises.
Others in cast: Bruce Montague, John Bennett (Smith), George Coulouris (Dr Jackson), Alec Mango (Chatterji), Gautam Mukerjee (Boy), Dallas Cavell (Customs official), John Quayle (First policeman), Ray Roberts (Second policeman), Michael Mellinger (Hotel receptionist).

Second series: principals as for the first series.
2.1 The Death of Marie Vetier (Monday January 13th 1964 8pm)
Script: Patrick Tilley. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Richard Doubleday.
Crane meets a desperate woman.
Remainder of this cast: Patricia Haines (Marie Vetier), Louis Rayner (Abdul, also in series one), Michael Hawkins, Martin, Gertan Klauber (Darius), Leonard Trolley (Shaab- in many other stories), Peter Vaughan (Max Godard).
2.2 Epitaph for a Fat Woman (January 20th 1964)
2.3 Dead Reckoning (January 27th 1964)
Script: Bruno Christian and Reed de Rouen. Filmed sequences: Richard Doubleday. Director: Christopher Hodson.
The man in Tallal prison is a storm centre. One attempt to rescue him ends in death. Crane has no wish to be involved but nearly gets killed himself.
Rest of cast: Edward Higgins (Chief warder), Louis Raynes (Warder), Bartlett Mullins (Governor), Leonard Trolley (Shaab), Richard Vernon (Wolsey), Diana Chappell (Solange), Brandon Brady (Russian sailor), Alfred Edwards (Russian musician), Terry Gilbert (Russian dancer), Sheila Keith (Mrs Ambrose), Edward Harvey (Fuentes), Chinks Barucha (Tamir), Colin Gordon (Lang), Jan Waters (Liz), Brian Cant (Man), Richard Davies (Willie Jones).
2.4 Picture of My Brother (February 3rd 1964)
2.5 Two Rings for Danger (February 10th 1964)
Script: Raymond Bowers. Director: Richard Doubleday
Crane was one of the last people to see the murdered man alive. Mahmoud is curious, and so is the victim's brother.
Also with Job Stewart (Alphonse), Geoffrey Alexander (Hasso), Julian Sherrier (Dr Sul), Saadoon Al-Ubaydi (Policeman), Sydney Bromley (Slotz), David Futcher (waiter), Annette Andre (Petra), Brenda Kaye (Clarice), Ian Curry (Edgar), Anthony Morton (Mewkic), Dudley Foster (Charles) and David Ellison (Albert)
2.6 Death Is a Black Camel (February 17th 1964)
Script: Gerald Wilson. Designer: John Emery. Director: Ronald Marriott.
Crane keeps a rendezvous with death- and Mahmoud solves a baffling case.
Rest of cast: Philip Latham (Salbiere), Ric Hutton (Vanel), Lee Richardson (Corto), Jon Rumney (Sgt Zartar), Reg Lye (Stanley), Allen Helder (Police sergeant), Gabor Baraker (Fat policeman), Mel Fahri (Young policeman), Patrick Godfrey (Dr Launay), Ian MacNaughton (Mackenzie), Leonard Trolley (Shaab), Helen Lindsay (Christine Vanel), Robert Crewdson (Doctor Ramesh).
2.7 The Secret Assassin (February 24th 1964)
2.8 A Mouthful of Ashes (March 2nd 1964)
Script: Gerald Wilson. Director: Michael Currer-Briggs.
When Crane gave Orlando a ticket for a theatre he never thought it would be a free pass to death
Also with Maxine Audley (Freda Lang), Anthony Newlands (Aviram Stark), Martin Sterndale (Becker), Anthony Viccars (Manager), Arthur White (Pirelli), Tim Hardy (Clerk) and Leonard Trolley.
2.9 Recoil (March 9th 1964)
2.10 Gypsy's Warning (March 16th 1964)
Script: Alan Plater. Director: Richard Doubleday.
Philippe plans revenge on a police informer, but Gypsy sees violence in the cards and the shadow of death falls on Crane's cafe.
Rest of cast: John Woodvine (Philippe), Howard Goorney (Gypsy), Anthony Blackshaw (Warder), Harold Innocent (Jacko), Leonard Trolley (Shaab), Len Russell (Shop proprietor), Frank Singuineau (Ali), Jose Berlinka (Customer), Olga Lowe (Woman).
2.11 Knife in the Dark (March 23rd 1964)
Script: Phyllis and Robert White. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Ian Fordyce.
Orlando goes out into the night, and the morning finds him with blood on his hands.
Rest of cast: Rex Rashley (Samaka), Thalia Kouri (Rosamaria), Raymond Miller (Emile Brillon), Derek Sydney (Arif), Stephanie Bidmead (Annette Brillon), John Bonney (Charles Cabet), Michael Mellinger (Aboul), Leonard Trolley, Zoe Zephyr (Mokahl), John G Heller (Bartender), John de Marco (Waiter).
2.12 Murder Is Waiting (March 30th 1964)
Because somewhere in Casablanca there is a ruthless killer, Crane receives an unexpected invitation.
Also in this cast: Basil Dignam (Raswani).
2.13 Man Without a Past (Monday June 15th 1964 8pm)
Script: Carl Nystrom. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Peter Croft.
The only way to stop Crane helping a thief is by killing him.
Rest of cast: Patrick Troughton (Hugo Krantz), Joby Blanshard (Rahman), Antony Baird (Sgt Miraz), Leonard Trolley, Alan Wheatley (Michaud), Lucille Soong (Yasuma), Malya Nappi (Auntie), Hal Dyer (Hostess), Royston Tickner (Sgt Khatib), Michael Allaby (Doctor).

Third series- same principals as before.
3.1 Death Is a Closed Door (Monday October 26th 1964, 8pm)
Script: Max Marquis. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson.
Murder can be prevented if a door can be opened. Crane is in no position to help.
Rest of cast: Valerie Sarruf (Zena Fahmy), Camilla Hasse (Raya), Sandor Eles (Shafik), Leonard Trolley (Shaab, in several stories), Dean Francis/ Jeffrey Isaacs (Policemen), Russell Waters (Doctor), Robin Chapman (Sr Maher), Eric Francis (Undertaker), Aleksander Browne (Sgt Mansour), Beverley Cohen (Sgt Hamdi), Harcourt Curacao (PC Karam).
3.2 T.N.T. (November 2nd 1964)
Script: Anthony Scott Veitch. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Marc Miller.
Crane handles dynamite.
Rest of cast: Edwin Richfield (Steve Hanna), Henry Soskin (Mogista), Leonard Trolley, Peter Bayliess (John Arrowsmith), Arthur White (Pirelli), Delphi Lawrence (Lisa Martens), Barry Lineham (Harvey Troop).
3.3 The Third Bullet (November 9th 1964)
Script: Gerald Wilson. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson.
When Crane receives a telephone call from an unknown woman, the first bullet is aimed at him.
Rest of cast: Margaret Whiting (Tina Mondrego), Philip Gilbert (Official), Felix Felton (Major Calvao), Leonard Trolley, Laurence Hardy (Dr Jorge Salas), Peter Halliday (Eladio), Paul Danquah (Faro), Peter Birrel (First guard), Bruce Wightman (Second guard), Brian Badcoe (Raoul).
November 16th 1963 - no programme.
3.4 A Danger to Others (November 23rd 1964)
Script: Guy Morgan and Doreen Montgomery. Designer: Fred Pusey. Director: James Ormerod.
Julie disappears into the night- and the most likely consequence is murder.
Rest of cast: Sally Home (Julie Lamotte), Leonard Trolley, John Bryans (Dr Mustapha), Eric Pohlmann (Dr Knudsen), Zoe Starr (Yasmin- also in 3.12 and 3.13), Golda Casimir (Concierge), Diane Lambert (Francine Lebon), George Mcgrath (Smith), Michael Godfrey (Perez), Liam Gaffney (Captain O'Hallorhan).
3.5 Death Walks Beside Me (November 30th 1964)
Script: Gerald Wilson. Designer: John Emery. Director: Ian Fordyce.
Johnny is desperate. Crane is prepared to help but what Johnny asks is impossible.
Rest of cast: Edward Harvey (Doomsday Man), John Nicholas (Harry), Christopher Carlos (Jericho), Gabor Baraker (Cairo), John Bonney (Johnny), Leonard Trolley, Peter Honeywell (Doctor), Victor Baring (Sgt Hidis), John Cazabon (Perrichon), Dallia Penn (Dr Djamila), Monique Lewis (Girl), Reginald Barratt (Public Prosecutor), Beaufoy Milton (Judge), Virginia Dignam (Hilda), Conrad Monk (Guard).
3.6 The Man with the Big Feet (December 7th 1964)
Script: Ludovic Peters from a story by Donald Giltinan. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson.
The Master may possess strange powers but when he prophesies death, Crane is not the only sceptic.
Rest of cast: Bruno Barnabe (The Master), Campbell Singer (George Lewis), Vanda Godsell (Ida Lewis), Zakes Mokae (Achmet), Leonard Trolley, Lloyd Lamble (Denning), Arthur White (Pirelli), Peter Laird (Halima's cousin), Philip Ridgeway (Landlord).
3.7 In Trust Find Treason (December 14th 1964)
Script: Max Marquis. Designer: Frank Gillman. Director: Richard Doubleday.
When Crane hears the news about Mahmoud, his first reaction is to laugh.
3.8 The Painted Lady (December 21st 1964)
Script: Ludovic Peters from a story by David Ellis. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Richard Doubleday.
Crane meets Louise by chance, but what happens later is cold-blooded and deliberate.
Rest of cast: George Pravda (Carl Hassler), Richard Carpenter (Laurent Barjou), Harvey Hall (Otto), Moira Redmond (Louise Gerard), Maxine Holden (Maxine Duret), Leonard Trolley, Steven Morris (Boy).
3.9 Moving Target (December 28th 1964)
3.10 A Cargo of Cornflower (January 4th 1965)
Script: Denis Butler. Designer: Barbara Bates. Director: Ian Fordyce.
The job is too simple and Crane is suspicious.
Rest of cast: David Nettheim (Aziz), Terence Soall (Frem), Leonard Trolley, Peter Bowles (Vincent Moro), Edina Ronay (Carmena), John Hollis (Djiba), Robert Lanen (Jussef), Mark Kingston (John Florio).
3.11 A Violent Animal (January 11th 1965)
Script: Arthur Swinson. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Marc Miller.
Crane meets a trained killer.
Rest of cast: Keith Barron (Rene Leclerc), Suzanne Neve (Hilary Grantley), Arthur White (Pirelli), Peter Dyneley (Peter Garvey), Leonard Trolley, Michael Mellinger (Achmet), Michael Allaby (Policeman), Kenneth Nash (Eton Boy), John Cater (Afiz), Jolyon Booth (Gibbah), Rick Jones (Mogat), Arthur Blake (Sgt Zahaz).
3.12 The Death of Karaloff (January 18th 1965)
Script: Ludovic Peters. Designer: Barbara Bates. Director: Marc Miller.
Crane is involved in an attempt to keep Karaloff alive.
Rest of cast: Denys Graham (Karaloff), Tony Steedman (Brig Harris), Danvers Walker (Perlington), Robert Gillespie (Ames), John Garvin (Doctor), Philip Stone (Boris), Brian Cobby (Lev), Frank Tregear (Sir Pelham Forster), Leonard Trolley, Zoe Starr (Yasmin), Artro Morris (Prof Ikbal), Aubrey Morris (Mustafa), Hazel Terry (Lady Julia).
3.13 The Man in the Gold Waistcoat (January 25th 1965, last ever story, though Orlando returned with his own series in April that year)
Script: James Mitchell. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodsony.
The murder in the desert would not have involved Crane at all if it had not been for the waistcoat.
Rest of cast: Leonard Trolley (a regular in this series), Steve Plytas (Franz Bauer), Frank Singuineau (Ali), Nicholas Chagrin (Selim), William Devlin (Sheik Gamal), Annette Carell (Giulia Bauer), Alan MacNaughton (The Major), Ayton Medas (Didi), Zoe Starr (Yasmin), Alan Wheatley (Dr Hilfe).

Taped Crime Programmes Menu

The Cannabi Syndicate
Agricultural adviser Austin Crispin (Peter Reynolds) offers his old school pal Crane cash, but what exactly for? Crane never finds out, for while he is dabbling in contraband whiskey, he notices Crispin dying in the street, muttering the words, "cannabi syndicate." Crane can't help him, in the midst of his dealings, but when he has time, when he returns to Crispin, he finds he has gone.
The body is found on the beach. Osman witnessed a white American car on the beach.
Col Mahmoud as well as Crane, who feels honour bound to help an old friend, investigate the murder. Primo, who holds a file on "everything crooked," says he has no information on any Cannabi Syndicate.
Sharif is "a greasy little witness" to the murder. He says Crane dunnit. Even Mahmoud doesn't believe that. Sharif even offers privately to Crane that, for a consideration, he will change his story. Then he is found dead.
To evade the Colonel, Crane hires a car and makes for Jacob Ben Hassan, who owns an American car. He lives in the very town where Crispin had been working. Jacob is dead, Crane is informed, but it seems Crispin had stayed with the wealthy Rodriguez (Raymond Young).
Crane poses as the replacement Agricultural adviser to call on Rodriguez, whom he finds relaxing, listening to Vivaldi. He takes to Crane, invites him to dinner, "a delightful evening." But Crane's demise has been planned, his car tampered with. However Col Mahmoud arrives at the mansion to arrest the villain. He had found in Crispin's strong box, photos of plants growing in a field. They were evidently being used as blackmail. With the site located, Mahmoud swoops, and after a fight, Crane saves the Colonel. Rodriguez gets away, and in the best tradition, hastes away in the nobbled vehicle.
"He was far too sensitive for his own health," epitaph on the suave drugs baron. Apparently Crispin's dying words had actually been "cannabis indica." Seemed obvious to me
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A Cargo of Cornflour
To make ice cream over in Italy, this cornflour needs to be shipped there. Crane is asked by a man called Aziz to do the job, but he is naturally suspicious that he might be transporting drugs. He gets poor Orlando to inspect "every sack," to check it out. Orlando is already the worse for drink, and adds a touch of humour in his search, "nothing but damn cornflour."
Crane sets off with his cargo, sure "something smells." He is right for Aziz is actually Inspector Aziz, working with Col Mahmoud. The complications start when the police stop his ship. However this is merely a ruse to get on board, it's not the police at all, and the cargo is hijacked, the work of Vincent Moro (Peter Bowles), suave dealer behind the local drugs scene.
He is worried a rival gang might be muscling in on his territory. He is surprised when he discovers the cornflour is really cornflour. "It is cornflour."
Aziz is scared, lying low in his hotel room. With good reason, for thugs beat him up. Vincent then pays his informer to bring Crane to him. At point of a gun, Crane is grabbed. However an American named Florio, a guest at the same hotel as Aziz, rescues Crane.
Col Mahmoud finds Crane in Aziz's room. Aziz is dead. The pair strike a bargain. He wants to find Aziz's murderer, in return for which he will overlook the "cornflour" episode. In fact, Crane has found the boat used to hijack him, it is owned by Djiba, who works for Vincent. Crane makes it known he is transporting another two tons of cornflour, knowing the crooks will probably intercept him.
As we can guess, Florio is in league with Vincent. Crane however doesn't realise it. Florio persuades Crane to protect his cargo by the simple means of a machine gun that Florio can supply. However the gun is turned on Crane and the cargo snatched. But not quite, for Mahmoud is lying in wait and rounds up the gang
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Riviera Police
"A crime series set on the French Riviera- and there are exotic crimes to match an exotic region. Out to catch the criminals are three young police officers seconded to the Surete in France, who are all working under a French officer." In the overall TV Ratings for 1965, this Rediffusion series came fourth, ahead even of No Hiding Place. Surprising another series wasn't produced, in view of its popularity, and only 13 stories were ever made.
The main characters were: Inspector Legrand (Brian Spink), the only character to appear in all stories. The other three stars rotated their appearances, and were: Lt-Col Constant Sorel, a 28 year old Canadian bachelor (Frank Lieberman), Supt Adam Hunter, a Londoner seconded to the Riviera Police (Geoffrey Frederick), and Supt Bernie Johnson, a languid Aussie (Noel Trevarthen).
The theme music was written by Laurie Johnson and titled Latin Quarter.

Rediffusion publicity: "All the filming has been done on the French Riviera... each week actors were flown out to take part in location sequences before rehearsing in London. Producer Jordan Lawrence says, 'whereas in previous Rediffusion shows only the principal actors have appeared on location, now all the main characters are seen in the French setting. This gives the series all the glamour and picturesque quality of the Riviera and at the same time releases it from the limiting factors of the studio.'" (What he didn't add is that as the filming was on 16mm film rather than 35mm, the filmed sequences always look rather murky.) "'The object of the series is primarily to entertain, and all the possibilities of the setting, the smart rich living, the sunshine and the beautiful scenery will contribute much to each episode. A special attraction are the beautiful girls who appear... they are in every episode, and often in bikinis.' Glamorous Italian actress Crista Nelli, a green-eyed brunette appears in the first story, the setting is Cannes during the Film Festival."

Trivia: Noel Trevarthen returned from France after filming Duet for Two Guns with a broken foot: "we were filming in the hills above Venice, and I was doing a chase sequence down a tricky slope, firing a tommy gun as I ran."
1
Who can catch a Falling Star?
3 The Lucky One Was the Snake
4 And The Company She Keeps
5 Duet for Two Guns
7 Take it Sideways and Pray
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1 "Who can catch a Falling Star?" (Aug 2nd 1965)-
with Supt Adam Hunter and Inspector Legrand
(Supt Johnson and Lt-Col Sorel also appear, but only on film).

Anna Corelli, "Italy's newest star," is cavorting on the Riviera. These opening scenes on 16mm film are disjointed, but the gist is clear enough: to a Callan-like theme, she's arguing with her boyfriend Tony (Anthony Valentine) over the attentions of a rival, Craig. He throws her over the cliff, but Joan Mayer (Katharine Blake) happens to see him.
Joan's "made some great pictures in her time," but now she's "a drunken lush", with her husband Eric (Alan Gifford) an old-style movie director, "a couple of old has-beens." Eric decides that what Joan knows could be of use to them.
Tony's father, Jerry (Ronald Radd), is one of the biggest European film producers. "Joan's going to make a comeback," Eric tells Jerry in the old story of blackmail.
Supt Hunter with Inspector Legrand question the influential guests at the party where the "limited" actress had been murdered. "We all loved her," is the typical showbiz response, but Douglas is more helpful, he remembers seeing Joan Mayer near where Tony and Anna were arguing.
Hunter also discovers Tony has had several other similar scrapes, though his dad insists "nothing's ever been proved against Tony." Possibly because Jerry puts pressure on the police, Hunter is similarly put under pressure from his superior to go easy. Tony's "a natural killer" insists Hunter, and indeed he's correct.
For Tony is arranging for Joan to be warned off "permanently." High up in the hills, she's happily preparing for her starring role. The assassins shoot Eric and chase after her, as the police arrive. A gunfight and Joan gets away. "We've got to find her," before Tony can finish her off. Jerry is persuaded to cooperate with the police and Hunter goes to where Joan is making a Personal Appearance. Tony is lurking there too. Joan, rather the worse for drink arrives, a shot rings out, a fight and Tony is dragged away. "I'm still a great star," wails Joan, to more Callan-like music
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3 The Lucky One Was the Snake (August 16th 1965)
with Lt Col Sorel and Insp Legrand.

On a mountain road, a marksman shoots at car 138EU06 causing it to career off the road. Nearby a girl is watching.
Canadian Mr Frederick W Mitchell was the driver. He had been making for Paradise in Nice, the Villa Paradise to be precise. The luxury place is owned by Gaston Baghouelle (Harold Innocent), and wild parties are held here. Lt Sorel joins a kind of safari hunt at the mansion, with ladies dressed as animals. "I scratch men to death," warns the scantily clad Marguerite (Wanda Ventham). Sorel claims he's a friend of Mitchell's, and is taken to be a courier. Has he brought "the real thing?" Whatever that means.
Next stop for Sorel is the mortuary, where he is knocked unconscious. Some of Mitchell's effects have been stolen, but nothnig of any significance for most had been burned in the crash. It seems he had stolen some kind of secret back in Canada for he's wanted by police over there. But where is this secret "thing" now?
Sorel returns to the luxury villa to resume his bluff with Baghouelle. $25,000 is the price agreed for the thing. Sorel realises Lisa (Nadja Regin) was behind Mitchell's death, she is after the thing too, and offers $35,000 if he will deliver it to her partner Jeff at an airfield.
From Canada, Sorel is informed that the secret was a lightweight plastic that could withstand high temperatures. A sample was Mitchell's pen, which unbeknowns to the crooks as to its significance, had been stolen from the mortuary. Sorel knows where the pen is- Jeff has, rather strangely, kept all the charred items and there it is. However Baghouelle had been warned of Lisa's doublecross, and claims the pen, only to be shot by Jeff, Lisa and he quickly running off. Sorel gives chase only to be forced to join her and Jeff in their flight by air. A police car vainly chases them down the runway, but Sorel sprays a fire extinguisher in the pilot's cabin and take-off has to be aborted.
"She tried to steal my pen," Sorel playfully informs the police.

There are several way out scenes at the party, and one great visual one with Wanda Ventham in a bikini sunbathing on a grand piano with champagne by the shores of the Med. I am informed that this is how the other half lives. Wanda flew to Nice on July 14th 1965 to film these scenes

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But The Company She Keeps

We're going to dance all night," thus two Americans, Pete and Steve, chatting up two girls in a club, Amina and Miss Helen Marvell, who is wanted by Supt Adam Hunter, on the subject of her friend Connie who had hanged herself. He sees her back to her hotel, where he meets the redoutable Lady Marvell. She rows with her daughter who insists, "I want to be myself." Lady Marvell dances at a small club, but is upset by Tomasso, who is later found shot dead. His brother Otello claims that she had murdered Tomasso- apparently they had once been married.
On the beach, Adam talks with Amina, in a case of serious bimbo acting.
Lady Marvell wants Helen to return to England with her, but she won't leave Pete and Steve. Adam chips in and tells them, "you're persona non grata."
Otello reveals some nasty home truths about Lady Marvell- as he sees it. It is true that in 1938 she had been married to Tomasso. For revenge, Otello decides to eliminate her ladyship. So she is kidnapped, a knife hits her, dramatic dying words.
Otello has a good alibi, and Adam tries to discover via Amina where the two Americans hide out. Ponderously, he gets to the place, where Helen has already found out that the Americans are no good. Nor is this dreadful script by Anthony Skene.
After a punch up, an arrest. Helen is reunited with Amina, who thanks Adam, "I would have likd to know you better!" The finish is thankfully complete, when Lady Marvell's killer is arrested

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5 "Duet for Two Guns" (Aug 30th 1965)
with Supt Johnson and Inspector "Legs" Legrand.

There's a 90 second sequence to start, on grainy 16mm film showing prisoner Harry Borden (Fredric Abbott) leaping from a 200 foot cliff and swimming to freedom. He has "to talk to" the man who shopped him, "respected citizen" the crooked La Salle (John Turner), who still has the gold bullion from their joint robbery "hidden away somewhere." Borden's old acquaintance Supt Barney Johnson is assigned to recapture this "tricky customer," who eludes police by jumping a lorry and sneaks into Nice during a carnival by donning a clown's costume.
La Salle's villa is near here! But the crook is confident his mansion is well guarded by his 'secretaries,' Mike and Jack and he rejects Johnson's rather reluctant offer of protection.
Nearby, with his pal Guido, Harry is planning his attack, whilst safe inside his fortress La Salle plans his reception for Harry. Johnson has to keep a watching brief outside the giant gates that guard La Salle's property. At the point of a gun Johnson is forced by Harry to join him enter La Salle's. "It's a trap," insists Barney Johnson as they easily walk in through the front door. "The best way to beat a gambit," retorts Harry calmly," is to accept it."
"This isn't chess," is Johnson's profound conclusion. But La Salle's trap is beaten, Mike and Jack silenced. No sign of La Salle, he's flown. Jack is forced to reveal where.
Inspector Legrand is tracking all their moves by helicopter: "they're slowing down... a no through road... a cottage." There digging up the garden is La Salle, but not for horticultural reasons, but for the stolen gold. He's shot dead by Harry who ironically ends with "I told you you'd dig your own grave!"
But the police swoop and Harry has to run for it, and Johnson shoots him dead too.

Footnote: Noel Trevarthen broke his foot while shooting this episode. He said, "In the hills above Vence, I was doing a chase sequence down a tricky slope, firing a tommy gun as I ran. Suddenly I was on the ground!

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7 "Take it Sideways and Pray" (Sept 13th 1965) -
with Supt Johnson and Inspector Legrand.

The Monaco Grand Prix. Lew Scarsdale (John Meillon) crashed at the Nurburgring a year ago. He still has nightmares about the crash in which a fellow driver died. "I thought I was finished," he tells Jenny, his wife.
But now he's on the Riviera, "lapping faster than Jim Clark," to try and persuade his old boss Jack (David Burke) to let him drive again. "I can win Monte Carlo for you!" But Jack's had enough of Lew's bravado, calling him a "suicide pilot." Against rival Harvey Brooks it'd be like "High Noon, with cars for guns." For Lew blames Harvey for that crash.
But after arson at Jack's garage, Lew's lighter is found nearby by Peter, Lew's best mate. Supt Johnson accepts Lew's alibi, but "someone's trying to get at Jack Dyson," but who or why is a mystery. Then a man in a skeleton mask kidnaps Jack's driver and suddenly Lew is needed to race. Johnson rounds up the kidnapper just as the race is starting.
Lew starts badly, but in those days overtaking wasn't any great shakes as "Lew always comes in with a late run." "What a race this is!"- as Harvey and Lew battle it out. Lew is forced off-line as Harvey regains the lead. Wheel to wheel racing (on sound commentary with some film), "they're going to crash! Someone's in the water." So taking the chequered flag is........ Lew.
Maybe the kidnapper will be forgiven, as he was only trying to help Lew get a seat and Jack to win the race
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Boyd QC
The stories starred Michael Denison as Richard Boyd.

More on the series in the Boyd QC Research Section.

My reviews of some surviving stories.

2.3 The Shropshire Lass (April 23rd 1958)

2.4 The Balance of the Mind

2.5 The Not So Civil Servant (May 7th 1958)

3.9 In Camera (February 24th 1959)

3.10 Escape (March 3rd 1959)

5.7 Findings Keepings (July 6th 1961)

5.9 Sunday's Child (July 20th 1961) -pictured

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The Shropshire Lass
"The most beautiful girl you ever saw," that's Elizabeth Oliver (June Laverick) who has pleaded Not Guilty to Robbery, though her friend Kenneth Morris has pleaded Guilty.
We see her with her friend, model Kay (Jill Melford), the pair of them go to The Mushroom Club where she first meets Ken Morris. Film of them around London as she falls for him. But Kay knows he is only intending to use her, as he has done before with other girls. However he has that corny line, "this time it's different."
Elizabeth goes to live with him in Highgate, but the contents of their flat have been stolen, "I knew nothing about this," she informs Boyd, who can only comment, "the evidence against you is overwhelmingly strong."
The judge clashes with Moss, the prosecuting counsel, before Det Insp Henry Briggs states that Miss Oliver was "taken aback" when told of the charges against her, she was "infatuated" with Morris, who does also say that she knew nothing of his illegal activities.
Elizabeth takes the stand and recounts her sheltered upbringing, daughter of a vicar in Shropshire. But Moss jibes, "you're not nearly so dumb as you'd have us believe." She breaks down and the judge gives his verdict

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The Not So Civil Servant

Shopkeeper Luigi faces prosecution and a fine of 20 pounds (gulp) for the technical infringement of driving his goods van without a C licence.
However Richard Good, an officious ministry inspector (Peter Vaughan), asks "How about 7 pounds and I'll forget about it?" But Luigi tells a policeman (Stratford Johns), and seven pound notes are marked enabling Good to be caught in the very act.
Boyd has to defend Good. Is he a "nasty piece of work"? "If he's honest, he's a fool!" Prosecuting Counsel Mostyn (Terence Alexander) looks confident. Boyd pounces on the fact that Luigi wears a hearing aid and significantly wasn't wearing it that day. Is it going to be Perry Mason all over again? Certainly Good's version of events contains no reference to any bribe. However this is one case that Perry, sorry Boyd isn't going to win.
"Tight as a lord, bragging he was going to get off," Good slips up and Boyd has to withdraw as on Good's own admission he is guilty. Sentence: Two months in prison for the unfortunately named Good

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In Camera (February 24th 1959)

540 insurance stamps, a cigarette lighter and a compact are all items Elizabeth Wayne (Brenda Hogan) is accused of stealing from her employer. Bolton (John Welsh) of Security at Alison Engineering Company, on the instructions of her boss Mr Morley (Peter Bull) had installed a camera in an office from where items had been going missing, and "nice kind" Miss Wayne had been snapped with her hands in the till.
A Mr Tickle (pronounced Tickell, he insists- Charles Gray) of Histon Newspapers takes up this minor case, which thus promotes it to front page news. The only way out seems to be "Quis custodiet, ipso custodes." What else?!
As narrator Jack (Charles Leno) tells us: Boyd "revelled" in this trial, though frankly it doesn't require even Boyd's brainpower to work out the truth.
A long cross examination of the ailing Bolton leads to "a slice of luck" when Bolton is taken ill under Boyd's questioning. He's taken to his bed, and in his home the stolen cigarette lighter is discovered

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Escape

Boyd is a judge at Hasleford Assizes.
Having escaped from Hungary after the uprising, 52 year old Mrs Eva Kristof and her daughter Olga, a qualified chemist, find "life was good" in England. But then a compatriot started trying to persuade them to return to Budapest. The threat by the communists to harm Eva's nieces produces unbearable pressures, but for them, "the answer does not lie in Communism."
On 18th January 1958 they attempt to gas themselves. Insp Ireland had found them unconscious in bed

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Findings Keepings
Jack (Charles Leno) asks us, "do you remember Jimmy?" Twice already Boyd had got James Burris (Leslie Dwyer) off- the last time was #4.12 The Dog With a Bad Name, and previously he had been accused of receiving stolen teddy bears (#3.4 A Question of Talking Turkey).
"You again," exclaims Miss Manners, secretary to Mr Prendergast (Eric Chitty). After Jimmy chats her up, offering her a posy, she is persuaded to allow him to see her boss, "a dried up prune with glasses"- that's according to Jimmy.
"I'm skint," Jimmy admits, so his old QC Boyd is not going to take on a legal aid case, though Boyd does have "a soft spot" for Jimmy, and takes the case on trust. Jimmy explains that he has "seen the light" and become an honest car trader. Well, last Monday he had come across this second hand Rolls, though other potential buyers were swarming over the vehicle. It was then that Jimmy had spotted a £5 note under the car. With so many people, it was impossible to know who might have dropped it.
In the pub, amid celebrations, Jimmy paying for brandy with his fiver, he's challenged, "where did you get that?" Billy Hilder wants to know. A constable breaks up the scuffle and arrests Jimmy.
The case begins as the prosecution concludes its case. Boyd questions Hilder, nicknamed Billy Fiver, and accuses him of The Lever or Monkey Wrench trick. For the judge's beneift. and ours, Jimmy explains the terminology, though his slang is mildly incomprehensible to his lordship. Boyd's contention is that Hilder planted the banknote for Jimmy to find.
Prosecution cross questions as to why Jimmy has kept the money. But Boyd points to a similar case of Blythe, who was found Not Guilty. The jury find Jimmy Not Guilty

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No Hiding Place starring Raymond Francis as Tom Lockhart
CRIME SHEET: CS4
The Superintendent Hedges a Bet CS17 Lockhart Finds a Note

My reviews of:
1:17 Victim of the Dark
3.6 The Widower
3.12 Told By a Dead Man
3.26 Dead Ringer
4.8 Car in Flames
4.12 Inquest on an Idol
4.27 Contents Noted
4.32 The Front Man
4:34 Death on the Doorstep
4.37 Beware of Weepers
4.38 A Pocketful of Bones
4.40 Operation Tiptoe
4.44 A Bird to Watch the Marbles
5.8 Expert wth Salt
7.1 Whoever's Right Sweeney's Wrong
7.12 Music for Murder
7.14 Smokey
9.2 Ask Me If I Killed Her
9.14 A Home Posting
Associated Rediffusion's flagship crime series ran for ten series. Raymond Francis had previously appeared in Murder Bag and Crime Sheet, but A-R went to some trouble to build on his character for this new hour long series. Max Ehrlich was brought in from America, "it's a question of speed," he explained. Added script editor Guy Morgan: "I feel that in the past Lockhart, as head of the Big Five, has been called in on a lot of crimes that were not important enough for an officer of his status. In future he will only deal with that type of the case that would make headlines in the national press." Publicity stated "viewers will see more of Lockhart the man," at home with his wife Mary and teenage daughter Jill. However stories they were actually in were few! Mary (Barbara Lott) appears in 1.4 A Genuine Sale of Murder and The Man Who Left His Coat, but anyone know if Jill was ever seen?
Before the second series in the summer of 1960, Guy Morgan told TV Times: "I don't want it to appear that crime detection is easy and that all cases are solved by one man....the plots will not solely concentrate on murder, they include a prison escape, a case of alleged police perjury and a bomb scare in a newspaper office." Ray Dicks (executive producer) tells about the addition of Deputy Commander Hutchins: "by showing that even Lockhart can have someone breathing down his neck." More outdoor filming was included to put the stories on authentic backgrounds.

Raymond Francis became a huge star through No Hiding Place, and wrote in 1964- "It's tough going, long hours and all that, but it's very enjoyable. Of course almost everyone calls me Lockhart and when my wife goes shopping at home in Eastbourne, she is always called Mrs Lockhart by shopkeepers!"
In a 1967 TV Times interview Raymond Francis declared- "When Lockhart began, it was a little too early to worry about being typecast. And by the time I woke up to that danger, it was too late." And asked about the future- "well of course I hope it goes on. If it does end for any reason, I think I could take it philosophically." Prophetic words for what was just around the corner- this series only finally came to an end because Rediffusion's contract was not renewed.

In July 1965 according to a TV Times article at the end of series 7, Lockhart had been "in 277 stories." Rediffusion had planned to axe the series at this point, but "viewer demand" brought it back! It's not entirely clear if this reference includes a few stories in which Lockhart's deputy appeared. However this reference suggests that there were 341 stories altogether (imdb lists 338), but how many are still in existence? One Crime Sheet is at the BFI, there's a clip of the titles on YouTube, and another issued by Network dvd. In the 1990's, the owners of the Rediffusion archive advertised only nine stories available for tv stations to buy, and it seems about 20+ survive, but where are the other 300 stories?

Some synopses from NHP series 5, from NHP series 9. Series 6 Schedules, Series 8 Schedules, Series 9 Schedules, Series 10 details. Echo Four-Two, a 1961 spin off with Eric Lander
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No Hiding Place
had made an inauspicious start in 1957 with 57 live half hour stories titled
Murder Bag- click for outline details of some of this series.
Advance publicity stated the series was about "how Scotland Yard goes to work from the moment it discovers a murder has been committed." It was said Ray Francis prepared for the part "by visiting police stations and courts and talking to policemen." Originally it had been scheduled for a mere six programmes!

In 1959 the title was changed to Crime Sheet.
Guy Taylor wrote- "Wondering why A-R has so much faith in Chief Supt Lockhart, I looked in on Wednesday August 5th 1959. Remembering the earlier Murder Bag programmes I will admit that the overall production has improved and the series is better for being on film (perhaps he means the linking scenes?), but the storylines still remain corny and just a little too obvious. The characters are black and white. They are not shaded to any degree of reality. The crooks are as crooked as you make them, and the police are just a little too staid and slick. Lockhart is devoid of any warmth or real character."
Despite the critics, after 23 episodes of Crime Sheet, in Autumn 1959 stories were lengthened to one hour, and No Hiding Place was born

To No Hiding Place

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Series One
Opening - a policeman's hand indicates STOP to allow police car 892FPC to leave the Yard and proceed along Whitehall in a northerly direction and on to other London streets. Dt Chief Supt Lockhart is assisted by Sgt Baxter (Eric Lander)

1.17 "Victim of the Dark" (Jan 1960)
There's a cosy little introduction by Raymond Francis telling us about the remoteness even today of some country districts.
Then a film clip of a large property that would have been worthy of the later Avengers. Margaret (Marjorie Stewart) is returning home after a long spell away, spent in a mental home as we learn later. There's joy on the faces of her daughters Angela and Catherine, but her ex-husband Alfie (Peter Vaughan) is distinctly less welcoming. He'd been the cause of her breakdown, and now he's even married the 'other woman' Jean (Anna Turner) who has borne him two children, young Johnny, "the apple of his father's eye," and six month old Susan. But strangely it's Jean who had invited Margaret to stay. Perhaps it's partly because her marriage is now also on the rocks, because Alfred has been having an affair with their maid Gerte. "I never knew anyone could be so selfish," Jean tells her husband. She finds a sympathetic ear in Margaret, who despite her illness is now more rounded and understanding. But of course "cold-blooded" Alfred resents Margaret's presence. "Don't forget, if anything happens, you're responsible," he warns his wife.
Indeed something does happen. The introduction of these characters has taken up the whole of the first act and is a trifle out of proportion to what follows. Very surprisingly when there's a murder, it's little Johnny who's the victim.
Splashing through the puddles in their car 894FPC, Lockhart and Baxter come to investigate. The child had been killed with a knife in a shed at about 1am. First task is to locate the weapon and any blood stained clothing.
Whilst the search commences Lockhart orders the family to stay in their rooms so he can question them individually. Alfred blames Margaret as "she's been in an asylum." But he's rather suspicious too, as he has a bad cut, got whilst shaving he claims. Viewers must have hoped he's the killer, but he has no obvious motive.
Jean is of course very upset and blames herself. To hurt Alfred, she had made up a story that Johnny wasn't his son.
Gerte admits threatening Alfred after he'd broken a promise to marry her.
With the characters thus well developed, the ending comes too abruptly. As Lockhart questions Marjorie, a torn nightdress is discovered stuffed up a chimney. "Why did you do it?" the police superintendent asks the killer
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Series Three
The opening sequence showed a policeman holding up his hand authoritatively to allow through a police car (the familiar 892FPC). Whilst this is the same as the series one opening, the pictures then differ. Dt Chief Supt Lockhart is assisted by Dt Sgt Baxter (Eric Lander)

3.6 "The Widower" (Mar 1961)
Here's a gem of a part for Griffith Jones.

Mr Slade-Jones (Griffith Jones) is grief stricken over the death of his wife Amelia, died 26th October 1960. Only been married 3 months, she died of a heart attack. According to his landlady Mrs Nuggett (Gwen Nelson) he has taken a ring promised to her. Furthermore, she believes he poisoned her! But where is he now? Noone seems to be able to give a precise description except Mrs Nuggett who says he had "horns, cloven hooves and a big blue beard." Quips Lockhart who's frustrated by his disappearance: "at least that's something definite!" Meanwhile,"impeccably dressed" Henry has returned home to his real wife, after months of "secret service work." In his specially locked room he keeps the jewellery he's inherited from his deceased 'wife' as well as lots of plants and scientific apparatus. He has to go off to work again, however, and a Mr Fraser-Smith is now wooing another wealthy widow Edith Sudbury (Georgina Cookson). He asks his wife to check her credentials: "Henry, I do hope you know what you're doing," his wife innocently tells him. He does, they're soon married, and shortly the new wife's heart is having "a wee flutter."
Dt Sally Jordan (Rowena Gregory) gets a lucky break when she spots the disputed ring on a woman in a Knightsbridge hotel. Her action leads Lockhart to Henry Potter, a lab assistant who had been convicted of theft back in 1949. A constable recognises the photo leading Lockhart and Baxter to Henry's real home where his wife of course, cannot discuss his top secret work, which is "of a highly confidential and important nature." But a look round his secret room convinces the police that "Mr Potter is preparing the way for his next victim." Indeed he is, waiting like a spider to adminster a fatal dose of nicotine. But in burst the police. Poetic justic ends this Case

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Told By A Dead Man
Not a dramatic tale, Raymond Francis is clearly suffering with a cold and Eric Lander is away, allegedly at a police conference, so Lockhart is assisted by Sgt Blake, who spends most of his time looking blank, trying to appear interested in proceedings.

Leaving a barber's, a man travels by underground but is then run down by a car. He is taken to the morgue, and identified as Alfred Robinson. The strange thing is, that on his person is a ransom note: who was it intended for? It refers to a child, but who?
Lockhart explores Robinson's lodgings. He finds a gun. He talks with Morris Walker, once a mate of Robinson.
The child's parents are very worried, since they have not heard from the kidnapper for a day. Mrs Newman phones the police. Jane, their daughter, is a model, she will come into a lot of money soon, when she is 21. Mr Newman is angry that police have been informed, and doesn't take to the policewoman assigned to stay with them.
Lockhart questions the photographer who employed Jane, he knows more than he is telling.
After the papers publish the story, Newman is phoned, ordering him to take £50 to a phone box. When a man collects the cash, he is arrested. He had wanted to get even with Newman.
Sgt Watkins traces Jennings, the barber who had cut Robinson's hair. Lockhart chats with Insp George Buchan (Kevin Stoney) about a previous case (not one featured in the series), before talking to Jennings.
They go to Warwick Mews and Jane is found in a garage, just about alive

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3.26 "Dead Ringer" (Aug 1961)

George Berrington (Jack Rodney), a 'painter' (ie a fixer) of horses is wanted for murdering an Epsom stable lad, but the only witness has just been killed in a motoring accident.
His boss, Joe Mulvaney (Peter Vaughan) who's in cahoots with trainer Frank (John Horsley), now finds a dead ringer for the dud Frzser D who's running at Alford Park. Berrington has to make it look like Frazer D. A police expert explains to Lockhart "they switch a good animal to represent an indifferent one, and when the substitute wins they have to produce the genuine horse..." Lockhart completes the horrible sequence "... and so they destroy a good one." Mulvaney starts betting on the outsider, but the odds fall too quickly when Madge, Berrington's wife, places a £3,000 bet on FD. "You ain't 'alf started something." Yes Frazer D wins, but as joint favourite at 4-1 noone makes a packet. Mrs Berrington is questioned why she's chartered a flight from Gatwick to Paris, paid, no doubt, out of her winnings.
The buried animal is found, Berrington lying dead alongside. "I'm going to call my solicitor," snarls Joe Mulvaney when he and Frank are accused of murder. They only admit that they ordered Berrington to kill the horse. "And then," jokes Lockhart, "he committed suicide, fell into the hole and buried himself." But they are cleared as it's finally proved who really did it.
A quick moving story with a flowing plot and characters that gel. This, the final programme of the series, ends with assistant Harry promoted to Detective Inspector Baxter

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Series Four
The brief opening depicted Dt Chief Supt Lockhart and Dt Insp Baxter being driven in Humber 408CXW.

Car in Flames
(Difficult to report on this episode aright, since the surviving copy has at least ten minutes edited out.)

Oh! The opening film is later used in the film Smokescreen- car hurtling over the cliff near Beachy Head.
Housekeeper Maria is returning to Italy, following the death of Tony Farina. But Lockhart is suspicious, since the corpse is unrecognisable. And anyway, it is found to contain two bullets.
Fiancee Sharron Webb stands to gain financially, she seems now to be with a Colin Turner. Lockhart and Baxter call on cousin Vince Farina who is now running the garage business. He had argued with Tony about money Tony was siphoning out of the business. Chief mechanic Dearing had also argued with him, over not paying him enough. We see Vince paying Dearing an unspecified sum.
From Tony, Sharron receives a letter posted in Italy. He isn't dead at all. Fingerprints prove that the dead man is actually Paddy Ryan, the garage nightwatchman. Lockhart questions Dearing and other garage workers, while Baxter talks to Sharron and Tony, who seem scared.
Lockhart chats to Vince, who assumes that Tony must have killed Paddy. However he gives himself away, apparently he did kill Tony, "his body's still in the garage." You puzzle why police didn't search the place!

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Death on the Doorstep

Two pickpockets return home with their loot, amongst which is a wallet with a blackmail note, initials of owner CG. Monty hates blackmailers and resolves to trace the villain.
His corpse is found aside Lockhart's front door. The detective examines the blackmail note, and despatches Baxter to interview one possible victim, actress Joanna Church. He goes with her to a party, where he meets Charles Gordon, yes the initials fit! He is a theatrical 'angel,' divorced from the bitchy Gloria, her reputation in the trade is that she is bleeding her ex dry.
Baxter meets this Gloria, the worse for drink. Gordon tells him that he has made seven payments of £100 each to the blackmailer, his next payment to be made at Kensington Library. Baxter keeps surveillance here, and sees Joanna entering the premises.
Gloria is found murdered in her flat, by Charles. Envelopes are found here, identical with those in which the blackmail notes had been sent. Is she the blackmailer? However, according to actress Elaine, Gloria was herself being blackmailed! Elaine says she is another victim. Joanna admits she had gone to the library, but her purpose was to make another blackmail payment.
Naturally, Lockhart sifts out the red herrings, and deducs the identity of the killer and blackmailer, and makes his efficient arrest

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Inquest on an Idol
A bitty story with too many unnecessary scenes that ruin a good storyline. A taxi driver draws up in a wide town street. Alighting is Miles Webber (Warren Mitchell), entering a posh house, where he finds a corpse lying on the couch. "Mr Fleming is dead." Poisoned. Webber, the film star's secretary, has just returned from a trip to Edinburgh.
Connery Fleming's latest wife, Anya (Lisa Daniely) flies back from Italy where she has been filming. She's considerably younger than the dead man. She is accompanied by Phil Street (Ronald Leigh-Hunt), who was hoping Fleming could make a star of him.
Webber appears on a special tv tribute show, clips shown of some of his old films, "everybody loved him." But in the ensuing discussion Webber contradicts director Kraft's appraisal of Fleming, and even accuses him of murder!
Baxter talks to Street's friend Vicky (Angela Douglas) and to Street, who has no alibi.
Anya discovers all her jewellery is missing, value £20,000. Was this a motive for murder? Lockhart interviews those who had visited the house on the fateful morning. Tim the paper boy called at 7.30, and says the lights were on. Morgan, a grumpy milkman, had delivered the milk at 7.05. But Tim says that the milk had been taken in by the time he was there. A postman confirms this, but says the lights were off when he called.
The jewellery is found, stolen by Webber. But he did not kill Fleming, he claims. Lockhart knows that, because it was suicide, and he forces Webber to produce the note, "a question of loyalty." His motive is revealed

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Contents Noted
A conference of senior CID officers on the subject of the spate of stolen vehicles in the suburbs outside railway stations.
Film of a Southern Region station car park, where a thief narrowly fails in his work, since the driver returns in the nick of time. Joe (John Junkin) the thief runs off to his boss Tony (Peter Vaughan). That failure means Joe has to be ditched, "get out." The two men part on the worst of terms. But Joe had left his raincoat in that car.
Greg wants to marry Tony's ex-girl Moira- over Tony's dead body of course. Tony replaces Joe with an experienced villain, Jordan, a Geordie (Bryan Pringle).
Lockhart has traced Joe and allows him to be released on bail, so that he can be tailed.
Tony, Moira and Greg, travel to Andorra to sell a stolen Jag. Joe naturally finds Tony is out, when he visits Tony's flat. But that alerts Lockhart. Tony returns and pays off his gang. However Greg has foolishly tried to make some money on the side, by selling off the stolen Jag's old numberplate, PJ3. By a stroke of good fortune he had met a Percy Judge, who naturally wanted PJ3. Percy must be silenced!
The ending is fairly brief, but Moira and Tony fall out as police swoop, "rather public in 'ere." Judge's killer is arrested, as are the whole bunch of villains

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The Front Man
Dan Hollins (Eddie Byrne) runs a smooth operation, stealing from banks. But on this occasion his calculations are upset by chance: his gang has attacked a bank courier, and one of them, Eric Hodges, calmly walks into the Westway Bank to collect a firm's payroll, over £28,000. But leaving the bank, he is knocked down by a car and dies.
Lockhart and Baxter search Hodges' flat, but find little of use, except his bank book which shows he paid in regularly large amounts of cash. The bank manager says he had been told the money came from gambling. But coincidentally the paying in dates were always a few days after a bank job, though only a third of the takings.
Hollins has found a replacement in Johnny (Jess Conrad), whom we meet after a lengthy sing song in a club. Though Johnny has his doubts, the lure of so much money persuades him. He drives a taxi, which is hailed by a bank courier. Once inside, the man is robbed by Johnny's mate, Ben.
Dan distributes the proceeds, and Johnny invests in some smart new clothes. He poses as a rich gambler, supplied with some fake chips made by Dan. After losing at chemin de fer, he manages to exchange all the fake chips for cash, £6,000.
Johnny had dropped his cap in the stolen taxi, and this is meticulously traced to a dealer, Mr Little, who, with Baxter's aid, builds up an identikit picture of the purchaser. This was Terry, Dan's daughter (Anna Cropper) who has fallen for Johnny.
When this picture is published in the papers, Dan decides Terry had better leave the country. In disguise, with Johnny, she reaches London Airport, but here Baxter swoops, "this passport's wrong."
Lockhart picks up Dan, explaining how he has been traced

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4.37 "Beware of Weepers" (Jan 1963)
Out of the snow in a hut, tramps Mort (Reg Lye) and Joss (Duncan Lewis) spot some gelignite. "There's a fortune in this stuff!"
Baxter is just off to watch Fulham ("you ought to be in mourning," jokes Lockhart) when they are called in to investigate the theft of "weepers," unstable pieces of gelignite. "Don't get yourself blown up," Lockhart still in jocular mood warns Baxter, "your intray's still full."
The tramps break into a factory to crack a safe. It's when the jelly explodes prematurely that they discover it's unsafe, and they scarper double quick. Mort ropes in Joe Macclesfield (Danny Green) "a real criminal" to help his next job, robbing a music hall. Another failure! Joe is picked up, in tatters. "All time booby prize" Lockhart awards him, convincing Joe the weepers need to be traced urgently. However, by now Mort and Joss are approaching "one of the big boys" (Harry Fowler) who won't buy, warning them it's too dangerous.
An inebriate woman breaks into the tramps' ramshackle home under a railway arch. She overhears them discussing their problem: "no need to lose our heads!" A sewer on the Brighton Road is where they decide to bury it, but with the woman's info Lockhart and Baxter race to catch them up. The jelly has already been chucked down a manhole: "you need a gas mask for this job, sir." Rashly Baxter radios for help which triggers the explosives. One rather battered explosives expert (Ewan Roberts) glares out of the sewer. A trace of a smile creeps over Lockhart's face.
That perhaps sums up this story in which writer Bill Strutton can't quite decide whether to make a tense drama or a comedy out of a potentially explosive situation
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A Pocketful of Bones
In the snow, Lockhart is seen entering the Public Prosecutions office. He is seeking advice on whether to proceed with a case.
It had begun with the discovery of a heap of bones down a well. The dead man was about 28, 5 ft 9, and probably worked on ladders. He had been stabbed in the back about ten years ago.
About this same time, a foreign girl had also been murdered, the killer never found. Another girl who had survived an attack was Lucy Smith and she is questioned along with her father Harry, who seems to be hiding a guilty secret of some sort. "He had this big hook," Lucy recalls. Later, Lucy comes to Baxter and admits, "I thought it were all right to kill him." But her confession is clearly inaccurate, probably she is trying to protect her dad.
Michael Kennedy was one suspect, but he is nowhere to be found. His wife was called Paula (Jean Kent), and Baxter is ordered to trace which of seventeen known women of that name, is the one who was Michael's wife. The right one is identified, she had separated from her husband, but is not known at the address given. However her daughter Catherine (Patricia Brake) is remembered, Paula had remarried and is now Mrs Hudson. Lockhart and Baxter go to the cottage, The Seasons, where she resides.
She says she thought her ex husband might well have attacked girls, and Smith might well have killed him for revenge. But she knows he didn't, as she confesses that she did.
It is a difficult case, and that is why Lockhart is seeking advice. "Are you a policeman," she had asked Lockhart, "or a human being?" The Director of Public Prosecutions is mindful of proceeding with the case, but thinks, "she won't go to prison."
The ending, like so many in this series, is a lot more wordy than my description, no action at all, but nevertheless, a well written story
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4.40 "Operation Tiptoe" (Feb 1963)

"Thank you Tiptoes" is how a stylish thief has signed his calling card at no less than 47 robberies in the past two years four months. As the investigating officer is retiring, Baxter is briefed: none of the stolen jewellery has been recovered.
Job 48 is in Kensington, a £1,100 necklace, only recently purchased from Frazer of Knightsbridge. A footprint shows the thief wore crepe soled shoes, and these are eventually traced to a Mr Freelove.
Infidelity proves to be the downfall of the crook. We meet Eddie Frazer (Ian Shand) with his secretary Jennifer. Her husband suspects her and her "fancy pants." We also meet impresario Mendelssohn-Jones who has given a £3,500 necklace to his "baby doll" Michelle Duval. But is his "French oo-la-la" two-timing him? A detective, Guppy Watson is assigned to watch her.
Thus Job 49 proves Frazer's downfall. At Mme Duval's flat Guppy watches Frazer drive up in the snow and climb up to her balcony. Lockhart and Baxter catch up with Frazer alias Freelove, but it's too late- he's dead. Who killed him? Jennifer or her husband, who admits following Frazer, or Guppy or his paymasters? A final scene is at Mendelssohn-Jones' office where the killer stupidly gives himself away.

Well defined characters in this story, though it doesn't quite capture the swagger of the gentleman thief

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"A Bird to Watch the Marbles"

The family funeral of Joe Stanley, a crook whom Lockhart had only once caught, "nobody's perfect."
Louise wants to marry Dave, Joe's son, but her dad absolutely refuses, "there's plenty of other fish."
Clive Dudley (Derek Francis) is the manager of actress Miss Vanessa Purchase (Delphi Lawrence). He is seeing her off on The Golden Arrow when her case containing her jewels is stolen. The thief is Dave, the value £80,000.
Lockhart is brought in. He wonders if the case is all about her "instinct for publicity." But he pops round to Joe's old house and Dave is persuaded to hand over the jewels he has hidden up the chimney. However not all of them. He says that is all he nicked. But the most valuable pearls have gone.
The insurance company receive a tipoff from Marlowe, an informer, who stands to get a big reward. But next day he is found dead. His dying words were, "a bird to watch the marbles." A comic named Like had threatened Marlowe with a mallet only the day previously. His alibi is that he had been with Joe's daughter, Marge.
Worried that his sister Marge will get beaten up, Dave tells the police where the pearls are. However they have disappeared from this place.
After arresting the villain, Lockhart has some nasty news for Vanessa

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Series Five

5.8 "Expert with Salt" (Aug 1963)
The opening scenes at a Wimbledon tennis party are far too complex, unsuccessfully attempting to introduce too many characters.
Stockbroker Arnold Gracie (Ronald Leigh-Hunt) "owns one of the biggest broking houses in the City." Together with Derek (Ronald Allen), a scam is planned on Charles Milner, currently staying at the Belvedere Hotel. They have concoted an assay report on a valuable gold mine which Derek, accidentally on purpose, has left behind in a taxi he's been sharing with Milner: "the fish is hooked."
However blonde Gloria, a model friend of Arnold's, and who can't act, get's pally with Australian Sadler (Alan White) who's a con artist himself. He's been brought to this country by Nesta who works for Justine (Naomi Chance) and together they plan to diddle her of "thousands and thousands." But Sadler, an expert himself in the old dodge of "salting" mines to make them appear to contain a genuine seam of gold, gets greedy and tries to muscle in on Arnold and Derek's scam. He breaks into Derek's home and finds a phoney gold mine report. Thus he realises it is indeed a "squeeze" and that Milner is "being taken for a ride." He approaches the swindlers demanding an equal cut. They "kid him along," playing for time.
Keeping a watching brief is Lockhart's team. Non-intervention is their current attitude: "people who are being conned don't appreciate advice- not until it's too late."
In her posh Regent's Park house, Justine receives a report, this is part of Sadler and Nesta's blackmail plan. It purports to be in her late husband's handwriting, implicating him in a gold mine scam. Arnold and Derek's shakedown of Milner is complete, as he hands over £22,400 believing he's investing in shares in a real mine.
Finally Lockhart moves. Sadler's plan is to "retire for life" which indirectly comes true, as he is found murdered in his flat, his pockets cleaned out. Murder weapon seems to be a yellow metallic figure. Odd that Milner claims he saw this figure in Arnold's office. Arnold is about to do a runner when Inspector Baxter catches up with him and he's arrested.
But who killed Sadler? Nesta is questioned and provides, says Lockhart, a pack of lies. However her conviction that Sadler should have had plenty of cash on him rings true. Then Justine is interrogated. Lockhart has discovered it was Sadler who had worked with her late husband to fake a gold mine. More lies. Finally the truth
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Series Seven
Opening sequence with a camera closing in on the Yard. Lockhart on the phone answers "Lockhart here." Then a picture of the Houses of Parliament with our chief superintendent riding past. His car then picks up his two assistants.
Whoever's Right, Sweeney's Wrong
A safe job at night. Easy to open, nick the cash inside, then a problem, the nightwatchman needs to be silenced.
He is a hospital case. Lockhart orders the Flying Squad to pick up four likely suspects, one who is proved guilty from his dental records of all things, is Dyson (Nigel Green). But he refuses squeal on his mates.
Tom Sweeney (John Dearth) is a loser, in and out of jail. Kind Mr Brome (Peter Dyneley), partly on Sgt Russell's recommendation, is able to secure Sweeney's release on probation, if the criminal will reside at Sydney House. It's a chance of rehabilitation, though I wrongly presumed that as Peter Dyneley usually plays crooks, there was some illegal scheme on.
Surprisingly, that is left to Lockhart, who seems tougher than the norm, he plans to use poor Sweeney, who is "thrown into the sea like a piece of live bait." Lockhart's ruthlessness is partly explained by the fact that the poor nightwatchman has died. But the story is skilfully written so that you sympathise with the weak Sweeney.
In Sydney House, he shares a room with old Fred, gambling is his Achilles Heel. Sweeney has been given a message from the incarcerated Dyson which he takes to a betting shop, but when he learns that it is a case of murder, he gets cold feet. One of the gang meets him at the shop and forcibly takes him away. Fred notices them.
The gang is worried that Dyson might grass on them. "You're in trouble," poor Sweeney is told.
"Sweeney may be in very great danger," Lockhart admits to Brome, who pointedly tells Lockhart how despicably he has used Sweeney. Fred is able to identify "the hard looking nut" who had accosted his mate. The gang are duffing Sweeney up when police swoop and after a punch up arrest the gang. As for Sweeney, he runs off, scared. He is not seen again. Sgt Russell believes it is all Lockhart's fault. A sad conclusion
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Music for Murder

Stendhal is a composer, he is involved in a car pile up, he is ok but will be late for the concert he is travelling to. The performance is at a school, Dr Lyndon is conducting the opening piece. He is really a scientist, only a part time conductor. Such is talent! But as Stendhal is delayed, Lyndon has time on his hands to wander around, looking for his daughter Norma, who is in love with harpist Julian. "Stay away from her," Lyndon had warned him.
Julian's arm has just been injured so he cannot play tonight. Norma consequently doesn't attend the concert. While searching for her, Lyndon tips over a balcony rail, to his death.
It had been tampered with, later a piece of rail is discovered in Stendahl's car. He reveals that Lyndon was his brother. Local police suspect Julian, so first of all Lockhart questions him. He says he had been alone all evening. However Norma claims she had been with him! The old lipstick on a cigraette in Julian's room, proves that some woman had been with him, but Lockhart doubts if it were Norma. Mrs Anthea Cross, wife of Gerald, knows Julian is innocent. She admits to her husband that she had been with the harpist that night. So he is questioned once more. Jennifer Gibbons, Cross' secretary, confuses the stories by saying that Mrs Cross was with her husband that evening. A tape recording proves who is lying and how the crime was committed.
Perhaps the set of the historic school is the best part of this plot which has too many loose strands

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7.14 "Smokey" (Apr 1965)
A potential Derby winner is "the pin-up of the greyhound world." His minder Jerry Dempsey (Donal Donnelly) is in financial difficulties and seeks help from "tough nut" Harry Lavey (Glyn Houston). It's forthcoming to the tune of £300, as long as Jerry fixes the dog. Jerry's girl has "problems of me own" including her unemployed father Smokey Flynn (Liam Redmond) who used to be one of the best greyhound trainers.
Smokey gets wind of what Jerry is planning and tips off the dog's owner Joe Briggs who dashes off to the race meeting where the betting scam is going on and ends up with his head bashed in. The dog that has won the race, The Thief of Bagdad had conveniently broken a hock and had to be destroyed. So when Lockhart arrives on the scene, he finds it difficult to prove any scam has taken place. Nor can he find Smokey who has been hidden away by Jerry, since he knows it was The Queen of Fiji that had actually run in the race. Although a prisoner, Smokey is still able to lecture Jerry, warning him that he doesn't want to end up the same way as he, old Smokey, has gone.
Lavey realises that as Smokey is wise to the scam, he will inevitably talk eventually. So he and his mob decide to arrange for Smokey's 'suicide:' "he's like a dog that can't run any more." Luckily the police arrive in time. Jerry has admitted he killed Briggs as he was on to the scam.
Whilst this is a mainly sympathetic portrayal of the greyhound world, the characters don't come over as entirely convincing and so the story really never quite comes alive

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Series Nine
The opening sequence showed a window being smashed followed by various other crimes. Dt Chief Supt Lockhart is assisted by Dt Sgt Russell (Johnny Briggs) and Dt Sgt Perryman (Michael McStay).

"Ask me If I killed Her" (May 11th 1966)
A filmed scene at a post office introduces author Duncan Myers (Derek Godfrey) who is asking if any letters have arrived for him. We follow him back to his work at Stafford Road Secretarial College where his wife (Yootha Joyce) is the principal. She realises he is disturbed by the fact that his affair with Anne seems to be over and warns him "don't make a fool of yourself."
Now we meet Anne (wonderfully played by Mary Miller), walking along a street, watched by Duncan. He finally makes up his mind and joins Anne in her digs. She is ecstatic. A sour Mrs Myers goes to the police to inform them that "the last time this happened, he murdered a girl." He strangled Janet Ainley three years ago in 1963 in a holiday camp, and she is worried he's going to kill again! As Lockhart is busy in court, Dt Sgt Perryman is told to check out her claim, but Lockhart warns him "Peter Treble killed her, you can take my word for that."
So, with Lockhart's doubts ringing in his ears, Perryman interviews Mrs Myers wanting first of all to know why she has taken three years before coming forward. "I think it's possible we've made a mistake," Perryman, after some reflection, suggests to his boss. Lockhart is not amused: "what do you know?" he asks pointedly, with the emphasis on the 'know.' It's true Myers had had an affair with Janet but even though Treble wasn't convicted of the crime, Lockhart is sure in his own mind he was guilty.
Publicity seeking Myers' whereabouts comes to Anne's attention so she suggests he call at a police station just to reassure them he's OK and that he's not returning to his wife. But Myers, perhaps fearing something else, refuses to go.
Another filmed interlude as Anne drives her Mini, discussing her situation with a friend (Shirley Cain), rationalising her thoughts in favour of Duncan. A nagging voice urges her to contact the police, which she does, just to let them know Duncan is fine. The police speed to see the couple but they've run off together to his secret hideaway, "they won't find us here."
Anne and Duncan are discussing his past. His attitude to his late ex-girl friend is very ambivalent, making for some tension. He's getting rather drunk. Is Anne worried he did kill Janet? Yes, he did see her the night she died, but like tonight, he was too drunk to recall what happened. He forces her to express her view, Anne screaming "I think you killed her!"
Lockhart can now spare the time to join in the hunt. He has deduced that they must be near water, and make for a canal boathouse. Arrival of Lockhart to comfort a hysterical girl, "he tried to kill me," she cries.
Myers is questioned, but the evidence proves he is not guilty. Lockhart breaks the news to Anne who is free to do what she wants...
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"A Home Posting"

The 1st Devonshire Duty officer has better things than stay in the Armoury, he leaves Smithy in charge, who is killed when two intruders steal twelve machine guns and a pistol. Cpt Holly (Alan Macnaughtan) brings in Lockhart who questions the duty officer Corporal Johns. He blames Mrs Betty Black (Patricia Haines) who'd enticed him away. Sgt Black (Derek Newark) and Lt Morrison (David Lander) had then entered the armoury, though the brains behind the robbery is Mrs Sheila Morrison (Jane Downs). Ten of the guns are recovered, and the motive for the robbery is unclear. The missing pistol is found in a search of Black's quarters and he is arrested. That driving force, Mrs Morrison, goes ahead with her plans, Mrs Black standing in for her husband. Their target- an army pay truck. Success eludes them when the box with the payroll is too heavy to carry and after opening it with machine gun fire, Betty Black is accidentally killed by a ricochet. "A bunch of right amateurs." Expecting her nervy husband to bluff it out is another mistake by Mrs Morrison. Sgt Black, distrssed by his wife's death, comes clean and the too simple case is easily closed, but at least you can admire the good acting in this story

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Crime Sheet #4 (April 29th 1959)

The Superintendent Hedges a Bet
with Gerald Case (replacing Raymond Francis) as Chief Supt. Carr.

Rev George Maclean's widow Hilda unwisely invests her money with Major Arthur Lucas and Mr Hector Grey. "I can't believe the major would do this deliberately." But she had been tricked into buying stocks and shares, and lost £20,000.
Lucas is caught, but Mrs Maclean refuses to prosecute, and then takes an overdose of sleeping tablets. The major has to be set free, though the superintendent makes a bet with him that he'll get him within the year.
Inspector Nick Clarke keeps surveillance on their man and reckons next victim is likely to be American actress Carol, a dizzy blonde. Carr kindly warns her, but she's not that dumb, and knows they're tricksters. So she co-operates, and a trap is set, and the pair and their accomplice are arrested

Note: At the zoo, Clarke asks Carr when Lockhart will be back. Reply: "he's getting better. He'll be back in about a couple of weeks."
Copy can be viewed at BFI

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Lockhart Finds a Note
available in the "ITV60" dvd release
Crime Sheet story 17 (July 29th 1959)

A case about crooks who steal letters in order to remove cheques and alter the value. Lockhart briefs his four assistants.
Three crooks are behind the racket, Harry, his girl Linda, and Danny. They have come into possession of one letter from shipping magnate Everton McDonough made out for £9 10/-, this is altered to £940 10/-. The crooks' associate, Mark, obtains hotel notepaper from where McDonough is staying, and Danny then takes the forged cheque with a covering letter to the bank.
Linda also goes to the bank to keep an eye on the cash. Then the gang share out the cash. With such a good haul, they decide it is time to take a holiday. Harry and Linda plan to go to Spain.
The fly in the ointment is that Linda has fallen for Danny. She intends to ditch Harry and fly to Ireland with Danny.
The chief bank clerk alerts Scotland Yard to the fraud, and Sgt Melvin takes down the serial numbers of the banknotes. One of the banknotes is handed in at Curzon Court. That leads Melvin to Jacobs.
Files at the Yard suggest Harry Dane is the likely forger, and Lockhart calls at his home. He breaks down the front door, nearly wrecking the studio wall, which rattles alarmingly! Harry has flown the nest.
At London Airport police are in time to Danny and Linda. Harry has also been found and is being questioned, and Linda's farewell note to him is entertainingly damning evidence. It's a good twist to finish

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Echo Four-Two (1961, A-R)
A spin-off from No Hiding Place starring Eric Lander as Detective-Inspector Baxter, in charge of the Q-Car Divison, and with Geoffrey Russell as Det-Sgt York.
Music by Laurie Johnson, issued on the reverse of the recording of Sucu Sucu, on Pye N15383.

1 First Day Out (Thurs Aug 24th 1961, 8-8.30pm)
2 The Dummies (Aug 31st 1961)
Script: Bill Strutton. Director: James Ormerod.
Also in this cast: Barry Steele (Snelling), Matthew Vaughan (Sligo), Nelson Adams (Charlie), Raymond Hodge (PC Proudlove), Jill Melford (Joanna Chance), Julie Paul (Elsie), George Pastell (Joseph Marks, Doel Luscombe (Joiner), and Michael Harrison (Fred).
A safe in full view from a neon-lit shop window, is stolen without any suspicion beng aroused. The cleverness of the theft is a challenge to the police.
3 Bag and Baggage (Sept 7th 1961)
Script: Leonard Fincham. Director: Geoffrey Hughes.
Also in this cast: Dermot Kelly (George Kelly), Neil McCarthy (Birdie Martin), Gerald Turner (Railway police constable), Peter Glaze (Doctor), John Scott (Railway police sergeant), and Brenda Dunrch (Landlady). Travel Light would appear as good a motto for baggage thieves as for their victims.
4 Innocent Informer (Wed Sept 13th 1961, 8.55pm)
Script: John Roddick. Director: James Ormerod.
Also in this cast: Geoffrey Chater (Acting Supt Dean), Olive Lucius (Carla Perigo), Bartlett Mullins (Tulio Salvatri), Christopher Guinee (Bennie Finch), Tony Bronte (Mickie Darrow), Jeane Franks (Ellie), Margaret St Barbe West (Dolly Seymour), Hamlyn Benson (Hugh Lawford), Mercy Haystead (Shirley Winston), and Maureen Beck (Jill Elland).
Baxter and York conduct two separate enquiries, meeting with everything including the kitchen sink!
5 Hot Money (Sept 20th 1961)
Script: Leslie Watkins. Director: Geoffrey Hughes.
Also in the cast: Fiona Duncan (Angela Maxwell), Margaret Gordon (Catherine Morley), Peter Thomas (Mr Matthews), John Moore (John Peterson), Philip Latham (Sid Fensome), Kevin Stoney (Owen Shelby), and Gawn Grainger (Reginald Haydon).
Baxter finds out how money makes money in a rather unusual way.
6 Opportunity Taken (Sept 27th 1961)
Script: Peter Yeldham. Director: Wilfred Eades.
Also in this cast: Donald Morley (Sam Norman), Yolande Turner (Angela Russell), George Mikell (Julio Anvers), Peter Elliott (Barman Frank Delany), Jeremy Longhurst (Driver PC Bird- recurring character), Yvonne Ball (Kitty Haynes), and Anthony Harrison (Georgie Starr).
On duty, Baxter and York visit a night club, and don't get home until morning.
7 Break Out (Oct 4th 1961)
8 Frozen Fire (Oct 11th 1961)
9 There She Blows (Oct 18th 1961)
Script: Frederic Gold. Director: Geoffrey Hughes.
Also in this cast:Jeremy Longhurst (PC Bird), Fred McNaughton (Staff manager), Hermione Gregory (Secretary), Jack Smethurst (Jack Sprawling), Diane Hart (Marie Perry), Anthony Sagar (Frank Perry), David Gregory (Lennie Meadows), Russell Waters (Tom Dark), Martin Miller (Hymie), and Margot Lister (Sadie).
Careless talk about a payroll causes overtime for Q Cars.
10 The Kite Dropper (Oct 25th 1961)- final story

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The Rat Catchers
For
brief outlines of the stories. My review of #1.3.
Welcome to the 1960's favourite world, espionage and secret agents!
Gerald Flood starred as Peregrine Pascale Smith, MD of Transworld Electronics. He travels in his Rolls Royce, driven by his chauffeur Miniver. Utterly callous. Susceptible to beautiful women, inclined to conceit.
With Glyn Owen as Ex-Supt Richard William Hurst, security officer at Transworld. Efficient but lacking finesse ie not a gentleman, uncouth even. He shows pedantic attention to detail, still following the police manual which guided him when a detective at Scotland Yard.
Also starring was Philip Stone as Brigadier H St J Davidson, adviser to a government committee on exports and imports. Head of the ultimate-secret unit of British Intelligence. Declared his publicity, 'his only indulgence is feeding his unsmiling face with cream cakes.'
The music for the Rat Catchers was composed by Johnny Pearson. Cyril Coke edited and produced the series.

Surviving fragments, nearly all on film of
1.7 The Umbrella - Ronald Howard is seen in the finale, Hurst follows his man to the very top of the statue in Rio
2.10 The Heel of Achilles (February 23rd 1967) - Peregrine follows a girl to the top of the Acropolis. A trap, he's shot at. Another trap- Hurst follows the girl. She waves to him across a lake. He is nearly shot by a waiting assassin
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The Unwitting Courier
I can't pretend that I have grasped what subtleties there might be in this story.
The Brigadier is worried that Smith and Hurst's cover has been blown. One courier has already been beaten up, another killed, and vital information must be got through to Madrid. He plans to use Mrs Jane Hope-Blossom as his unwitting courier.
Peregrine Smith knows this American, but apparently not that well, since she is with the FBI. He meets her at the airport when she flies in, but she turns down his invitation to dinner, since she already has one with Harry, a millionaire. The Brigadier has this American checked out, then is accosted by Mrs Hope-Blossom in his office. She aggressively suggests he'll be out of a job unless he reveal his intentions towards their common enemy Alpha.
She and Harry dine at a Chinese restaurant where they are kept under surveillance. She is moaning about his botched efforts, "I can't carry out my orders."
Peregrine has a heart to heart with Harry about why he is being tailed, and advises he chuck out the woman he wants to marry. Smith artfully plants a photo of Alpha in her room for him to find, Harry comes off second best, She leaves for Puerto Rico. Hurst is to be the new Madrid courier

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The Rat Catchers: STORY OUTLINE DETAILS
1:1 Ticket to Madrid (Monday January 31st 1966 London regin, 8pm, some regions February 2nd 1966, 8pm)
Script: Raymond Bowers. The director was James Ormerod.
With Jan Waters as Miss Larks.
Hurst is suspicious when he meets a girl whose photograph he had previously been instructed to memorise. Instead of reporting his findings, he follows the girl and is surprised to discover that she is acquainted with a fellow agent
1:2 The Captain Morales Way (February 7th 1966)
Script: Raymond Bowers. Director: James Ormerod.
With Edward de Souza as Captain Morales.
Hurst is sent to Madrid with orders to kill Miss Larks, but is relieved to hear that Peregrine Smith and Captain Morales have already devised a clever plan to dispose of her
1:3 The Unwitting Courier (February 14th 1966) - this episode survives
Script: Raymond Bowers. Director: James Ormerod.
With David Bauer as Harry Beschman, Jeanne Moody as Jane Hope-Dawson, Tsai Chin as Chinese girl.
Brigadier Davidson's attempts new tactics after two unsuccessful efforts to get important information through to Madrid. Instead of using an agent he selects the unsuspecting Mrs Jane Hope-Dawson
1:4 Madrid Delivery (February 21st 1966)
Script: Raymond Bowers. Director: James Ormerod.
With Patricia English as Betty and Edward de Souza as Captain Morales.
Brigadier Davidson must see that the most important information in existence is delivered to Madrid so he uses both Peregrine Smith and Richard Hurst, one as a decoy, the other as the courier
1:5 The Missing Agent (February 28th 1966)
Richard Hurst is sent to Stockholm to locate Dorothy Hansen, a half English, half Swedish agent who escaped from Russia after trying to secure diagrams of a new advance missile computer
1:6 The Baited Hook (March 7th 1966)
Script: Paul Lee. Director: Bill Hitchcock.
With Wanda Ventham as Gerde, Sandor Eles as Nils.
Hurst gains entry into a nuclear physicist's home only to discover that the professor, his housekeeper and a young student have disappeared
1:7 The Umbrella (March 14th 1966)
Script: Jeremy Paul. Director: Don Gale.
With Ronald Howard as Charles Lysaght (also in 1:7, 1:8), Robert Raglan, Jonathan Elsom, Tenniel Evans.
it's called the Umbrella Project. Once it is in operation, our whole nation will be protected from all aerial attack. But the project is threatened by a vital breach of security. Where and who is the leak> Time is short. Action is vital.
1:8 Thieves' Market (March 21st 1966)
Script: Jeremy Paul. Director: Don Gale.
With Ronald Howard, and Edward Underdown.
Davidson sends Hurst to Newcastle, where a factory hand has admitted selling photographs of components for Britain's defence project Lisbon holds the key.
1:9 Return of Evil (March 28th 1966)
Script: Jeremy Paul. Director: Don Gale.
With Madeleine Mills, Ronald Howard, John Gabriel, John Abineri, and Geoffrey Palmer as tv interviewer.
As Smith and Hurst follow the trail of a possible traitor, there comes a threat from the past- the return of one man whose shadow could envelop all Europe. The danger point is Lisbon.
1:10 The Edge of Disaster (April 6th 1966)
Script: Paul Lee. Director: Bill Hitchcock.
With Reginald Marsh as Barlow, and Geoffrey Palmer (Washington TV reporter).
It hangs in the air around us, it is invisible and yet pointed with deadly accuracy. As a nation we are threatened. How can it be found, isolated, and destroyed?
1:11 Operation Lost Souls (April 13th 1966)
Script: Victor Canning. Director: Bill Hitchcock.
With Bernard Kay, Eugene Deckers, Patricia Haines (these all in 1:12 and 1:13 also), and Liz Gebhardt as Receptionist.
Traitors for sale- but by whom? The trail leads Smith and Hurst to Geneva and find the headquarters of the people behind the brain drain in Ireland
1:12 Operation Irish Triangle (April 20th 1966)
Script: Victor Canning. Director: Bill Hitchcock.
Also with Alan Gifford and Rachel Gurney (who are both also in 1:13).
A strange operation seems to be brewing in Ireland. It has the earmarks of being vital and dangerous. What's in the mysterious parcel? Why does Irving Caldwell (John Mackin) arrive from America? And whose side is the beautiful Arlette Maylam (P Haines) really on? (Location shooting for this story was done at Dromoland Castle.)
1:13 Operation Big Finish (April 27th 1966)
Script: Victor Canning. Director: Bill Hitchcock.
Everything is getting set for the kill. But what exactly is the operation? And where will it take place? A strange operation seems to be brewing in Ireland with the appearance of a mystery parcel, and Irving Caldwell's arrival from America. Can the Brigadier's little lot prevent what would be one of history's most spectacular crimes?
2:1 Rendezvous- Vienna (Monday December 12th 1966, 9.10pm, some regions: December 15th 1966)
Script: Jeremy Paul. Director: Bill Hitchcock.
With Geoffrey Palmer as Timothy Hoylake, Zulema Dene as Henrietta Hoylake.
When bachelor Timothy Hoylake disappears after booking on a flight to Vienna, Brigadier Davidson learns that a Swedish scientist disappeared in a similar fashion and suspects that a plan has been devised to kidnap selected men and transport them to an Iron Curtain country
2.2 Showdown Vienna
The prescence of Leopold Donner complicates Brigadier Davidson's orders
2:3 Mission to Madeira (December 19th 1966)
The prescence of Leopold Donner complicates Brigadier Davidson's orders
2:4 Death in Madeira (Wednesday January 4th 1967 8pm, Tuesday January 10th 1967 9.10pm)
Script: Victor Canning. Director: Don Gale.
With Frederick Treves, Hannah Gordon, John Abineri and Richard Warner.
Hurst wants to resign for personal reasons. The Brigadier's plan to prevent this results in violence of a most unpleasant variety.
2:6 Midnight Over Madeira (January 11th/17th 1967)
Script: Victor Canning. Director: Don Gale.
With Frederick Treves, John Abineri, Richard Warner and Jerry Stovin.
The death of one particular man would send the worl'd stock markets crashing and make a gigantic fortune for the Midas Consortium. Is there a way to prevent it? There is little time.
2:6 Wednesday in Dubrovnik (January 18th 1967) 2:7 Murder in Mostar (January 25th/31st 1967)
Script: Raymond Bowers. Director: James Ormerod.
With Reginald Marsh, Derren Nesbitt, and Jacqueline Ellis as Miss Larks (different to 1:1).
Murder- an unpleasant murder. The Brigadier's miscalculation puts Smith and Hurst in a state of revolt.
2:8 Dead-End - Dubrovnik (February 1st/7th 1967)
Dinley suspects that Alpha is going to ally himself with the Brigadier to eliminate Dent and himself
2:9 Big Grab - Amsterdam (February 8th/14th 1967)
Script: Raymond Bowers. Director: James Ormerod.
With Jacqueline Ellis as Miss Larks, Cyril Shaps, Raymond Huntley.
When Peregrine Smith is in Amsterdam selling electronic equipment, he is surprised to learn that even though the equipment was still secret, a dockyard knew about it through Alpha
2:10 Retribution Amsterdam (February 15th/21st 1967)
Script: Jeremy Paul. Director: James Ormerod.
With Jacqueline Ellis, Cyril Shaps, Raymond Huntley.
A hidden prisoner, and an acute brain matched against the Brigadier's. The only way out will depend on the Brigadier's orders being followed to the letter, orders that could produce horrifying results.
2:11 The Heel of Achilles (February 22nd/28th 1967)
When a Foreign Office official, John Casimir, returning from China with vital information, goes missing, Smith and Hurst try to find out if he defected
2:12 The Seven Pillars of Hercules (March 1st/7th 1967)
Script: Stanley Miller. Director: Don Gale.
With Dora Reisser as Gerde and Yanni Voglis as John Casimir (both also in 2:13). Also with Anthony Marlowe, Catherine Lacey, Esmond Knight, Ralph Michael.
In Athens, knowing that a great friend of Sir John Miles is now a priest, Hurst makes enquiries, and as a result, he, Smith and Gerde go to Meteora, where there a number of monasteries perched high on almost inacessible rocks
2:13 The Mask of Agamemnon (March 8th/14th 1967 -final story)
Now that his father is dead, John Casimir is once again the only person in possession of secret information concerning China's plans for the next 10 years in the Middle East
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Redcap with John Thaw as Sgt Mann

Perhaps I shouldn't write it, but this is one series that it wouldn't have mattered if it had been junked, though all surviving stories are available on dvd.
Rehearsals began on Monday July 6th 1964.

1 "It's What Comes After" -Excellent story by William Emms. Why has exemplary Cpt Lynne (Keith Barron) suddenly become a bundle of nerves? (Exterior scenes shot at Maer Hall Staffs, programme recorded July 22nd-24th 1964)
2 "A Town Called Love" -Local girl Magda "puts the squeeze" on Army personnel, forcing them to steal to order or be reported for pilfering. Pendlebury (Michael Robbins) is the latest victim, but when Magda is found "carved up" Pendlebury "goes over the wall." Unofficially, Mann also goes to East Germany to bring him home, but he's rumbled by the Commies and an exchange has to be arranged, but not before Mann has given Pendlebury the route how to escape back to the West. Somehow he makes it, without even Simon Templar to help him. Maybe in those days, scriptwriters didn't realise you couldn't just 'pop over' the border.
3 "Epitaph for a Sweat" - In a "god forsaken unit" in Aden, Sgt Rolfe (Leonard Rossiter, appearing to out-Hartnell William) works over a native "wog" who naturally complains. An overlong story of army bullies and political expedience that could still, sadly, apply today
4 "Misfire"
5 "Corporal McKann's Private War"
6 "The Orderly Officer"
7 "Night Watch" - Sgt Graham (Brian Wilde) is "in a mess." He's been busted to private after a court martial in Burma. But his whole platoon under Major Stokely (Allan Cuthertson) are at rock bottom morale, about to "burst and the pus come flying out." Me, I just nodded off
8 "The Boys of B Company" -Strict discipline in a company of cadets, Duffy (Richard O'Sullivan) one shining example. But "nutcase" Bellamy attempts suicide and Pickering kicks over the traces. Sgt Mann, with a few cheap bribes of fags, uncovers an all too familiar tale of sadistic bullying and blind eyes among the senior officers. This is a fine portrait of a young lad promoted without an understanding of the proper use of power. A kind of updated Tom Brown's Schooldays, in which "kiss my boots" can hardly be "horseplay," for it brings its own revenge
9 "A Regiment of the Line" -"The Queen's Own Scottish are back" in Germany long after the war, "one forgets so easily." But old bitternesses end in a riot, then worse when Hughie Scanlan (Colin Blakely) provokes a brawl in a cafe, killing the German bartender. His colonel (James Grout), with his own bitter war memories, is rather obstructive when Sgt Mann investigates, but when Scanlan's mate Tolley absconds it almost seems the Case should be closed. An impressive stand off rounds off the story
11 "A Question of Initiative" - A German civvy is run over by soldiers who'd stolen a car on a tough initiative test. As we know the guilty pair, the interest is seeing how Sgt Mann solves the Case and deals with the delicate political implications. The final Act nearly does a fine job of fleshing these out
12 "A Place of Refuge" -By gad sir, Major Trust is blowing his brains out. Perhaps it's no coincidence but money has been borrowed from regimental funds. When Sgt Mann isn't "dead careful" interrogating civilian Wendy, the major's girl friend, he's withdrawn from the Case, but he still finds enough evidence that she's involved in drug trafficking. The story provides an interesting role for Barbara Jefford as the ambivalent Wendy, "you're not a woman, you're a psychopath."
13 "The Patrol" - Sgt Mann lands in the jungle to get statements from a patrol commanded by two "eccentrics" (Graham Crowden, Robin Bailey). Much crawling round the studio jungle before Mann sees some Action. Truly Awful

14 "Crime Passionel" - A respected sergeant is shot dead in a crowded canteen. Why is the truth being covered up?
15 "Pride of the Regiment" - A simple investigation into a pub brawl leads Sgt Mann to the sad story of 'What Price the Hero Now,' Fred Barratt VC. Mann teaches him some home truths about living on past glory. George Sewell gives a strong portrayal of the tarnished hero in Arden Winch's excellent drama
16 "The Killer" - Old friend O'Keefe (Garfield Morgan), the 'Blue Angel of Bolton,' is a sergeant in the "toughest mob" in the army. He wants Mann to uncover a killer he believes is in his unit, so Mann joins them on an exercise. Nevertheless he fails to prevent O'Keefe from ending up with his throat slit. But does Mann then arrest the wrong man? He doesn't exactly cover himself with glory
17 "Buckingham Palace" - At a snowy Cyprus relay signal station, a gambling craze leads to murder. No1 suspect is Cpl Cowell, though Sgt Buckett (William Lucas) knows a Greek called Butros (Peter Bowles) is the guilty man. Sgt Mann plays poker to prove there's been a security leak
18 "Rough Justice" - Impressive script about laxness in an upper crust crack regiment, under its colonel (Terence Longdon), where new recruit Richardson (Edward Fox) is tarred and feathered by his fellow officers, juvenile squirts all of them. Richardson disappears just before Sgt Mann inspects the books, which Richardson had been blackmailed into fiddling
21 "Paterson's Private Army" - A sub machine gun has gone missing from a Jungle Warfare Training School. It had been in the care of Cpl Donald (Colin Campbell) who is a genuine Scot, but some of the cast struggle bravely with their Scots accents, notably Pte Ogilvie (Geoffrey Whitehead), Sgt Burns (John Junkin) and Major Cleghorn (John Horsley). Sgt Mann meets the bitter members of Donald's platoon and the case seems "far too obvious" though I would have called it plain uninteresting. "I'm a bit fogged," admits Sgt Burns, and he isn't the only one. Even Mann has to conclude "it doesn't make any sense at all"
22 "Stag Party" - Terrorists at a Greek base? Or an inside job? A grenade during a strip poker game seems to be an act of jealousy- "it's pretty obvious, if you think about it." Ann Lynn enlivens a dull story, whilst Harold Goodwin as a Greek policeman delivers an odd Anglo-Greek accent
24 "Time Alibi" - AWOL, Cpl Harkness is identified at an ID parade as a robber. Mann has to find out why this "model soldier" has gone "off the rails" in a plot and guest star, Keith Barron, somewhat akin to the first story of the first series. This time it's a girl (surprise!- "I met this girl...") and when the cash is found in Harkness' room it looks pretty conclusive. To prove his innocence, all Mann has to do is break down a naval officer's alibi
25 "The Proper Charlie" - Who beat up Charlie Ringwold, a shy recruit with 2 left feet?
26 "Information Received"- MP Sgt Bamber (James Grout) is accused anonymously of nicking petrol. But Harry Bamber is an old colleague of Sgt Mann who can't believe such a straightforward chap be guilty. The right thief is found and he admits writing the accusation. But, this, Mann's last case, is only now beginning....

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POLICE SURGEON (1960)
Ian Hendry starred as Dr Geoffrey Brent, a young ideallistic police surgeon in London. The next year Hendry returned as Dr David Keel in, of course, The Avengers. But there is no connection between the two series apart from this, and the fact that ABC made both.
Appearing alongside Hendry in some stories was John Warwick as Inspector Landon, based at Bayswater police station. Ingrid Hafner as Dr Brent's receptionist was another semi-regular. Julian Bond produced the first four stories, the rest were in the hands of Leonard White.The theme music was entitled The Big Knife.
13 stories were announced though only twelve stories were transmitted. Indeed Police Surgeon was panned by critics, one (LM) complaining that the first story was "amateurish, long-winded and unrealistic... it was just too much to swallow!" He concluded, "if this exaggerated series wins any plaudits at all- well, I'd be surprised."

1 "Easy Money" (September 10th 1960, 7pm)
Script: Julian Bond. Director: John Knight. Just out of Borstal, Jim Clark (Michael Crawford) is arrested when he's found standing by a cigarette machine that has been knocked off, with twenty half crowns on his person. Inspector Bryant (Robin Wentworth) questions the lad, who claims he won the money at the dogs.
Kindly Dr Brent is at the nick to examine Murphy, charged with being drunk. That's over in a moment, and Keel is asked if he can talk with Jim, who claims he is going to be framed. But his story of how he won the cash is easily disproved by Brent when he checks the winners in his evening paper. But that enables Jim to answer Bryant quite easily about which dogs had won that evening at The White City! Bryant is not convinced, but has no choice but to release Jim.
Brent has "a little talk" afterwards with Jim at Ray's Cafe: "what you going to do about that money you stole?"
The doctor is unamused by Jim's youthful bravado in calling the incident "a right giggle," showing up the baffled inspector.
"No sermons please," Jim has had enough questioning. But it's uncanny how Brent can perceive why Jim had stolen that money. Brent urges Jim to earn his money as they argue over morals. Jim sticks to his philosophy, "you don't get nothing from noone these days, not unless you take it."
But when some teddy boys enter the cafe and rile an old man, Jim intervenes, that proves he's not all bad. "You've got to draw the line somewhere." Maybe he will try and get a proper job, though that idea is quashed when the police rearrest him.
Yet the programme offers no solution to what is after all insoluble. These days would the police bat an eyelid at such petty crime and would a high and mighty doctor have any time for such a delinquent?

This is the only surviving story. Other episodes included Bernard Archard in #2 Under the Influence, about a drunken driver, Harry H Corbett in #3 Lag on the Run as a man who beats up a club hostess, and Jean Anderson who appeared in #8 Sunday Morning Story about a refugee girl's suicide.
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The Protectors (1964, ABC)


all 14 stories on dvd:
1 Landscape with Bandits
2 The Bottle Shop
3 Happy Is the Loser
4 No Forwarding Address
5 The Loop Men
6 The Stamp Collection
7 It Could Happen Here
8 Freedom
9 The Pirate
10 The Deadly Chameleon
11 Who Kidnapped Lazoryck?
12 Channel Crossing
13 Cargo for Corinth
14 The Reluctant Thief

Rehearsals begam on February 28th 1964, and the first programme went out on Saturday March 28th that year.
"The criminals and us- we're all in the same business. The difference is, our clients pay us to keep one jump ahead of the criminal mind. Diagnosis? Call the Police. Prognosis? Call WELbeck 3269."
The firm of Souter and Shoesmith Ltd is a specialist in security.
From offices in Marylebone, secretary cum Girl Friday Heather Keys (Ann Morrish) is also an expert in art forgery. Ian Souter (Andrew Faulds) went to school, like Prince Charles, at Gordonstoun and served at the end of the war in The Black Watch.
His partner is Robert Shoesmith (Michael Atkinson), formerly of the CID, who said of his character, "he playes hunches, he's a creature of instinct."
The producer was Michael Chapman.

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Sergeant Cork (1963-6) with John Barrie

1.1 The Case of the Reluctant Widow
1.2 The Case of The Girl Upstairs
1.3 The Case of Two Drowned Men
1.4 The Case of the Knotted Scarf
1.5 The Case of the Stagedoor Johnnie
1.6 The Case of the Respectable Suicide
1.7 The Case of the Slithy Tove
1.8 The Case of the Persistent Assassin
1.9 The Case of the Sleeping Coachman
1.10 The Case of the Soldier's Rifle
1.11 The Case of the Public Paragon
1.12 The Case of Ella Barnes
1.13 The Case of the Gold Salesman
2.1 The Case of the Fenian Men
2.2 The Case of the Fourth Visitor
2.3 The Case of the Ormsby Diamonds
2.4 The Case of the Hangman's Noose
2.5 The Case of the Bristol Mail
2.6 The Case of the Silent Suffragette
2.7 The Case of The Self Made Man
2.8 The Case of the Stricken Surgeon
3.1 The Case of the Two Poisons
3.2 The Case of the Six Suspects
3.3 The Case of Big Ben Lewis
3.4 The Case of the Amateur Spy
3.5 The Case of the Elegant Mistress
3.6 The Case of the Medicine Man
3.7 The Case of the Dumb Witness
3.8 The Case of the Monk's Hood Murder
3.9 The Case of the Penny Plains
3.10 The Case of the Hero's Return
3.11 The Case of the Great Pearl Robbery
3.12 The Case of the Killer's Mark
4.1 The Case of the Vengeful Garnet
4.2 The Case of the Wounded Warder
4.3 The Case of the African Murder
4.4 The Case of the Dutiful Murderer
4.5 The Case of the Pious Patriarch
4.6 The Case of the Merry Widower
5.1 The Case of the Fellowship Murder
5.2 The Case of the Wayward Wife
5.3 The Case of the Missing Cabinet Maker
5.4 The Case of Horseless Carriage
5.5 The Case of the Prominent Thespian
5.6 The Case of the Dutiful Bride
5.7 The Case of William Huckerby, Platelayer
5.8 The Case of The Notorious Nun
5.9 The Case of the Rogue Regiment
5.10 The Case of the Travelling Texan
5.11 The Case of a Lady's Good Name
5.12 The Case of Albert Watson VC
5.13 The Case of Vanishing Victim
5.14 The Case of the Threatened Rajah
5.15 The Case of Devil's Daughter
5.16 The Case of the Unpopular Judge
5.17 The Case of the Painted Boat
5.18 The Case of the Strolling Players
5.19 The Case of the Chelford Changeling
5.20 The Case of the Silent Bell
5.21 The Case of the French Mademoiselle
5.22 The Case of the Simple Savage
5.23 The Case of the Fallen Family
5.24 The Case of the Crystal Ball
5.25 The Case of the Silent Policeman
5.26 The Case of the Hooded Students

This series had originally been mooted for the summer 1961 schedules, when The Casebook For Sergeant Cork would have been a filmed series.
"The idea came to me," creator Ted Willis claimed, "when I was reading about the history of the CID." He describes Sergeant Cork thus- a bachelor in his 40's living in lodgings in Bayswater. The jokey name that workers on the series used for it was "H-Cabs" (ie hansom cabs).
"Playing Cork has undoubtedly been one of the happiest periods of my life," later claimed Barrie. "We're an extremely contented team. My only ill-comfort as Cork is the clothes I wear- heavy tweed coats. Under those hot studio lights they can be very uncomfortable." But one thing he really had baulked at was having a moustache, until producer Jack Williams told him it was "essential."
66 stories were made from 1963 up until the final series in 1966. However this last series was not networked, and was not premiered in some ITV regions until as late as 1968- proof that it existed on videotape. Now, for better or worse, it has resurfaced on excellent quality dvds.
Each story was strung out to an hour, with John Barrie stolid but uninspiring as the 1890's policeman. His assistant, played by William Gaunt was simply stodgy. Cork's boss, Supt Rodway, turns up in the later stories, played by Charles Morgan.

For my
research on transmission times
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Shadow Squad
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2.3 Race Against Time 2.8 The Missing Cheese
If you wanted a really tough quiz question, it might be this- which TV series was originally made in London (by A-R) but then continued its existence in the Manchester Studios (of Granada)?
Shadow Squad would be the correct answer, a serial story, normally in two parts that began on 17th June 1957. For the early stories, Rex Garner starred as Vic Steele 'the Man with a Mission'. It was a typical studio bound series of the era, producer Barry Baker claiming the aim was to get "as near to theatre presentation as possible." This summed up A-R's general approach to programme making: "I won't be using a foot of film in the whole series... it holds up the action. I'm intending to shoot the majority of the scenes in close-up. The stories will be told on the actors' faces." Baker went on to write and direct a new series in the autumn of 1957, Murder Bag, which developed into the celebrated No Hiding Place.
On 7th October 1957, from the North now, it amazingly returned after only the shortest of short breaks. Peter Williams had already taken over the starring role as Inspector Don Carter. Other regulars in both series were George Moon as the perky Ginger Smart, who appeared in over 150 of the programmes, and then continued this role in Granada's Skyport which began in July 1959, John Horsley who played Supt John Whitelaw and Kathleen Boutall as landlady Mrs Moggs. Though now made in Manchester, interestingly Don Carter's address is given as 7 Mill Bank Mews, London SW1.
In June 1958, Don Carter finished this long series by going to Montreal to crack a big case. A new series began on 15th September 1958 as Don and Ginger solve some trouble on the liner home. The final story, Swan Song, was on 24th June 1959. However, a report in Television Today stated that this last story was cancelled because George Moon had "eye trouble."
It seems that though the programme was originally made live, Granada must have recorded series three on to videotape as some of this series was repeated in their local late night slot during 1959. But it's most probable that after these showings the tapes were then wiped....

In all there were 93 stories, making up a total of 179 half hour programmes.
Information on other actors in the series- unfortunately TV Times rarely provided cast lists. Margaret Morris, head of Granada's casting department built up a nucleus of local talent of over 100 who were used, sadly not recorded for posterity. However Raymond Francis said he did appear in a Shadow Squad story as a blackmailer (possibly 1.10). Jimmy Hanley also appeared in an unknown story, playing a "tough type of detective." Others who stated they appeared in Shadow Squad, though I have been unable to trace in which story, are: John Barron, Maureen Beck, Richard Burrell, Fanny Carby, Sandra Caron, Stephen Cartwright, Rupert Davies, Ina de la Haye, Shelagh Fraser, Arthur Goullett (series 2 or 3), Melvyn Hayes ("guest lead"), Jack Howarth, Jill Ireland, Maurice Kaufmann, Ronald Leigh-Hunt, Alfie Maron, Bernadette Milnes, Newell Palmer, Ambrosine Phillpotts, Sheila Raynor, Rachel Roberts (series 2 or 3), John Ross, Cyril Shaps, Jennifer Jayne, and Michael Ward. One who made his tv break was John Barrie who appeared in about 10 stories between the end of 1957 and May 1958.
The theme tune was Soho Serenade, written by Steve Race.

Here's a protracted contemporary moan by WA in December 1958: "...transmitted by Granada for an indeterminate time, this, far from being any tribute to the series, is its tragedy. For no live series can possibly maintain its early momentum, sharp objective and vitality month after month without perceptibly staling. Even a change of writers, alternative directors, and different supporting casts cannot break the tedium and monotony of this most zipless sleuthing series on tv. A series only slighhtly credible and professional, slightly villainous, slightly funny- and totally dull. Why then do Granada persevere with it? Granada of all people, whose loathing of the moronic, the shoddy and the uninspired is well known and to their credit. I did think of a number of reasons... the series may have involved considerable financial outlay... they may feel it offers a new slant... or they may have come round to the view that because it enjoys a mass appeal, it must be good. What is Granada's explanation? Simply No Comment... But I will pass on to them comments made to me..:
A tv writer- it is a shockingly lifeless and pointless series which ought to have been taken off months ago. There can be no question about it being one of the worst series on television.
Average Boy of 11- I used to watch it regularly, but not any more. Most of the stories are silly. It's a wishy-washy series.
Average Viewing Couple under 40- Peter Williams is very smooth and the stories are very corny. But I think George Moon is quite funny, and the people in it week by week are usually good.
Actors' Agent- It's a run-of-the-mill series. It may have cost Granada a lot of money...it's slightly dull but I would have said the contribution of Peter Williams (as Don Carter) and George Moon (as Ginger) is original.
Fellow Critic DA- it's an indeteminedly slow series. Sleuths are expected to be mentally alert. Movement should be brisker and tempo faster. Is it necessary to proclaim the next move so much in advance?

The first series, made by A-R in London, up to story 1.13 starred Rex Garner as Vic Steele.
1.1 First Blood (17th and 20th June 1957, 7.30pm). The story of an unsolved murder mystery. Ginger joins the Bendix Gang. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Also with Kenneth Thornett (Steve Moray), Max Brimmel (Ferdy Black), Charles Farrell (Gus Gore), Elizabeth 'Liz' Fraser (Gilda). In the second part Frederick Schiller (Monty Judge) also appeared. Produced and directed by Barry Baker
1.2 Boomerang (24 and 27th June 1957). A visitor from Australia inolves Vic in an old feud with a new twist. What is the secret of Owls Holt, and who is trying to kill Bill Linton (Alex Scott)? Also with Neil Hallett (Phillip Buckland), June Thorburn (Janet Falconbridge), Harold Lang (Edwin Reece), Hal Osmond (Foxy Drake), Leslie Weston (George Thorpe), George Hirste (Gaffer Green) and Neil Wilson (Fred Armstrong). Produced by Barry Baker, directed by Bill Hitchcock.
Derek Hoddinott described these two opening stories as "a disaster to say the least." He lays the blame with "the scriptwriter who remains apparently anonymous. His dialogue has to be heard to be believed and how the actors managed to speak their lines, and some of them convincingly, I shall never know." But this critic had winkled out the better news that producer Barry Baker was taking over the editing of the stories and from #1.5 would be writing the stories himself, "assisted by Bert Chapman."
1.3 Soho Serenade (1st and 4th July 1957). Dan Cutler is out of jail and out for revenge on the woman who shopped him. With George Moon, also: Sidney James (Spinner Burke), Michael Golden (Dan Cutler), Patricia Burke (Goldy Finch), Roberta Woolley (Bonny Finch), Edwin Richfield (Joe Tracey), Neil McCallum (Link White), Charles Rolfe (Sgt Dean), Maggie McGrath (Elsie). Produced and edited by Barry Baker, directed by Jean Hamilton.
1.4 Murder in Mink (8 and 11th July 1957). A beautiful girl is threatened with murder, and then seems to commit suicide. With John Horsley, also: Leslie Weston (Harry Hoxton), Anthony Nicholls (Randolph Condor), Geoffrey Dunne (Adrian Curling), Vanda Godsell (Stella Curtis), Lewis Wilson (Sgt Hope), Michael Corcoran (Salty), Arnold Bell (Hotel manager), Barbara Archer (Receptionist), Penny Morell (Isobelle Hughes, 2nd episode only). Produced and edited by Barry Baker, directed by Bill Hitchcock.
1.5 Safe Bet (15 and 18th July 1957). A young man is betting heavily and Vic is called in to untangle him from crooked bookmakers. With Geroge Moon. Also with Arthur Lawrence (Richard Cross), Michael Meacham (Ronald Barnham), Brenda Hogan (Dulcie Martin), Richard Waring (Peter Sinclair), James Thomason (Monty Rix), Jack Melford (Fretwell), Harry Lane (Big Lew), and Charles Stanley (Barman). In first part only: John Dunbar (Estate Agent), Tony Cook (Race Commentator). In part 2 only: June Wyndham (Audrey). Director: Jean Hamilton
1.6 The Switch Trick (22nd and 25th July 1957).
1.7 Dead Letter (29th July and 1st Aug 1957). There are strange people in the village of Molton, and Vic Steele learns many secrets as he tries to find out who has written poison pen letters. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Jean Hamilton.
1.8 The Reverend Marcus Field (5 and 8th August 1957). Vic deals with a man who is not breaking the law, and yet his every activity is against the public interest. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Bill Hitchcock.
1.9 The Rent Racket (12 and 15th August 1957). Shadow Squad deals with a Rent Racketeer. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Bertie Chapman. Edited and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Jean Hamilton.
1.10 A Case of Blackmail (19th and 22nd August 1957). Vic unearths the identity of a blackmailer, but the dilemma is, will the revelation destroy his victim? He poses as an old lag to square accounts for the victim. With George Moon and John Horsley. Written by Bertie Chapman. Edited and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Bill Hitchcock.
1.11 The Happy Holiday (26 and 29th August 1957).
1.12 Smart Work (2nd and 5th September 1957). A burglary brings Vic's toughest case to date. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and directed by Bill Hitchcock. Produced by Barry Baker.
1.13 Marry in Haste (9 and 12th September 1957). Bitterness and misery not to mention financial ruin in a marriage. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Bob Kellett. Produced by Barry Baker, directed by Hugh Munro.
Note: Rex Garner as Vic Steele left the series, we were told he was sent off to America on a mission for the Prime Minister.
1.14 Judge Without Jury (16th, 19th and 23rd September 1957) -in three parts. The death of Frank Bennett is neither sudden nor unexpected, but only Vic Steele supects he's been murdered. A perfect crime? But murderers usually make a slip. Now starring Peter Williams as Don Carter. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and produced by Barry Baker. Director: Herbert Wise.
1.15 Robbery Without Violence (26 and 30th September 1957). When valuable furs are stolen, the insurance company calls in Don Carter. But desperate men fight hard for this sort of money, and danger lies ahead. With Peter Williams. Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and produced by Barry Baker. Director: Herbert Wise. A-R's final story before the showed moved north.

Series 2 now made in Granada's Manchester studios, all stories starring Peter Williams as Insp Don Carter.
2.1 Pearls of Great Price (7, 10 and 14th October 1957- in three parts). A valuable pearl necklace is stolen and when Don Carter investigates, he finds a body. To recover the pearls he enlists Ginger's help to set a trap. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Herbert Wise.
2.2 It's in the Bag (17th and 21st October 1957). June, a beautiful young model, has been kidnapped by agents of a smuggling ring. Don Carter searches for her mysterious chauffeur Jock. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley.
2.3 Race Against Time (24 and 28th October 1957). One man wins a great deal of money when an outsider wins a race. Don knows the race was fixed and has to turn the tables on the criminals, with Ginger coming in handy again. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon and John Horsley. Written by Barry Baker. Directed by Herbert Wise.
2.4 Vicious Circle (31st October and 4th November 1957) The police are baffled by a series of daring robberies in tailors' shops. Don plans a trap for the crooks, using Ginger as bait. Harry Gordon looks and sounds remarkably like The Boss. With Kathleen Boutall (in part 1, her final appearance is about this time), George Moon and John Horsley. Written by Barry Baker (part 1) and Henry Patrick (part 2). Directed by Claude Whatham.
2.5 Needle in a Haystack (7 and 11 November 1957). A representative of a refugee organisation, Hugo Reiner, asks Don to trace Franz Neumann, who fled to England and then disappeared. What is the secret linking these two men, and why is Special Branch so interested? With George Moon and John Horsley. Written by Bill Hitchcock. Directed by Herbert Wise.
2.6 Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (14 and 18th November 1957)
2.7 Lost in a Shuffle (21st and 25th November 1957). In this game of chance the stakes are high. But as always the Shadow Squad holds an ace. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Alan Cooper, directed by Claude Whatham.
2.8 The Missing Cheese (28th Nov and 2nd December 1957). A broken window, a smashed tumbler, a piece of cracked plaster- little enough evidence to go on, but for Don and Supt Whitelaw it was the start of the trail. The petty theft of cheese from a saloon bar, provides a clue to a long series of unsolved robberies. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Lloyd Barclay, directed by James Ormerod.
2.9 The Mortimer Millions (5 and 9th December 1957). Don Carter has to discover who is the rightful heir to a fortune worth five million pounds. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Barry Baker, directed by Claude Whatham.
2.10 Double and Quits (12 and 16th December 1957).
2.11 There's No Place Like ... (19th and 23rd December 1957). Crooks have devised the perfect scheme for robbing a bank, but they overlook the element of chance. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Alan Cooper, designed by Stanley Mills, directed by Herbert Wise.
2.12 Double Exposure (26 and 30th December 1957). With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Lloyd Barclay, directed by Claude Whatham.
2.13 The Big Steal (6 and 9th January 1958). Small parcels of goods are disappearing from Hutchinson's, a big organisation of shipping agents. Don Carter tries to foil the Havelock Gang who are after bigger fry- gold bullion. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by James Ormerod.
2.14 Without a Trace (13 and 16th January 1958). A wealthy woman named Judith Lawson disappears from a London hotel. Her nephew is the one to benefit from her will, yet he asks Don Carter for help! In a dilapidated building in Richmond, Ginger Smart stumbles on the truth. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Herbert Wise.
2.15 The Female of the Species (20th and 23rd January 1958). A new carburettor will halve the costs of motoring! Only two men know the secret, but a rival firm abroad also have the formula. Don Carter's attentions turn on the only woman in the men's office. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Lloyd Barclay, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Claude Whatham.
2.16 Safe Conduct (27 and 30th January 1958). Ginger Smart's intimate knowledge of the underworld helps him tracks down the brains behind a series of safe robberies, Ricky Monahan, but Ginger is cunningly trapped by a mystery woman. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Alan Cooper, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
2.17 Vital Statistics (3rd and 6th February 1958). Whitehall asks Don Carter to stop the leak of secret information concerning ballistic missiles. Among the characters he interrogates are two pretty girls with heads for figures and a country parson who is sympathetic towards the plight of displaced persons. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Lloyd Barclay, designed by John Dilly, directed by James Ormerod.
2.18 Positive Proof (10 and 13th February 1958). Warren R Low, millionaire rubber king, has flown from America to London and immediately finds himself being blackmailed. Don Carter has to give up his long awaited holiday to solve this case. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Edward Dryhurst, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by David Main.
2.19 The Search for Linda Morgan (17 and 20th February 1958). A glamorous vaudeville dancer disappears, and is later found murdered. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Stanley Mills, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
2.20 A Trick Worth Two (24 and 27th February 1958)
2.21 The Man Who Wasn't There (3rd and 6th March 1958). Mysterious noises from an empty room terrify Betty Wilson in her boarding house. Ginger moves into the house and finds "the man who wasn't there" seems to have committed a murder! With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by David Carr, designed by Stanley Mills, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
2.22 The Artistic Touch (10 and 13th March 1958). Dud cheques flood into banks across London. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by John Dilly, directed by Herbert Wise.
Under the Counter (17 and 20th March 1958). With George Moon, and John Horsley (who left the series this month). Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Claude Whatham.
2.24 Clown for a Day (24 and 27th March 1958). Don and Ginger delve behind the glamour of the circus and discover sabotage in the Big Top. They have to hunt a killer to save Brady's tent show. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Maurice Askew, directed by David Main.
2.25 Where There's a Will (31st March and 3rd April 1958). Don and Ginger engage a secretary named Janet Beattie. But the correspondence is soon forgotten when Janet is charged with robbery, and perhaps murder. The evidence against her is overwhelming, but Don investigates, only hoping he can get back to his letters again. Written by Edward Dryhurst from a story by Glyn Davies, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Max Morgan Witts
2.26 Black Angel (7 and 10th April 1958). Ginger and Don are called abroad after mysterious outbreaks of sabotage in Germany. They are quickly involved with former Nazi wartime crooks, and The Black Angel. Don keeps his appointment with The Black Angel, but this is not the end of the case. Written by Dan Douglas, designed by John Dilly, directed by David Main
2.27 Gift Horse (14 and 17th April 1958)
2.28 The Profit Motive (21st and 24th April 1958). A "near van Gogh" painting is bought by Andrew Murray. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by John Dilly, directed by David Main.
2.29 Illegal Entry (28th April and 1st May 1958)
2.30 The Man on Top (5 and 8th May 1958). A big cosmetics firm finds that its trade secrets are leaking to their competitors. They call in a couple of efficiency experts to track down the spy. Behind the scenes, Don and Ginger witness a fierce struggle for control, with a little help, their side wins. Script: Philip Grenville Mann. Director: David Main.
2.31 Double Trouble (12 and 15th May 1958). Don and Ginger piece together a spilt glass of beer, a busybodying friend, a box of matches and an anonymous telephone call. Paul Fletcher is arrested for attacking someone and when Don is attacked also, Fletcher's blamed for this also, but Don isn't convinced. With George Moon. Written by George E Pepper, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
2.32 Pillar of Society (19th and 22nd May 1958). First part: Wealthy Alan Thomas dies from an overdose of sleeping pills. The coroner's verdict is Misadventure. But Thomas's solicitor tells Don Carter that the dead man "never touched a pill in his life." Second part: Don and Ginger have found several cracks in their pillar of society which weaken the verdict of Misadventure. With George Moon. Written by Julian Bond, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by David Main.
2.33 Trouble in the Sun (26 and 29th May 1958). First part: Ginger is staying in a hotel on the Italian Riviera. It seems everyone is interested in "the little English detective" including a journalist and a lovely girl called Francesca. In this episode, though billed in TV Times, Don Carter does not appear. However he does so for part two, in which Ginger, having got into trouble, has to summon "his assistant," ie Don. What Don unearths is a flourishing counterfeit racket. The journalist disappears, then Francesca... Written by Peter Yeldham. Designed by Darrell Lass. Directed by Max Morgan Witts.
2.34 Mark of the Mantis (2nd and 5th June 1958) - Peter Williams not in this story which starred George Moon.
2.35 Lost and Found (9 and 12th June 1958) - this story marked the hundredth appearance of Ginger Smart. When young Bridie Muldoon lands at Liverpool, she has no friends and only one ambition- to be a nurse. But as she is too young, she has to work for a while as a maid. All goes well until an envelope containing money, which she is given to post, does not reach its destination. Accused of stealing, she runs away, Don and Ginger search for her. Written by HV Kershaw. Designed by Darrell Lass. Directed by James Ormerod. In the cast on June 12th was Malcolm Knight
2.36 Road to Nowhere (16 and 19th June 1958)
2.37 From Natural Causes (23rd and 26th June 1958). When Alfred Cole comes to London from Manchester, he first visits Scotland Yard and then Don Carter. Alfred Cole is not on a spree, nor on business. Jane Cole, his glamorous niece has disappeared. In their hurried search for her, Don and Ginger find proof that she is not lost but dead. But why does the one person who would like to see her dead swear that Jane is still alive, and that he has seen her? With George Moon. Script: Peter Yeldham, designed by Darrell Lass. Director: Max Morgan-Witts.
Note: in this script, Don and Ginger finish the series by leaving for Canada.
(Max Morgan-Witts said that both Peter Williams and George Moon were piano players, and pestered him into letting them play on the programme. "Maybe we can fix something.")
Note: this episode scheduled for Monday June 23rd 1958 was postponed, as George Moon had "eye trouble," which turned out to be due to his daughter poking him in the eye.
On the Wednesday, the programme was delayed, swapping places with Spot the Tune, for the same reason. A report says that Sam Kydd had taken over Moon's lead role, writer Peter Yeldham rearranging the script accordingly.

Series 3- all stories starring Peter Williams as Insp Don Carter.
3.1 Return Passage (15 and 18th September 1958). On the ship back from Canada, there are an odd assortment of passengers, plus a couple of racehorses, one of which is poisoned. The body of a small time crook is discovered in the hold. Questioned by the captain (central photo), Ginger is unable to explain his movements, and is suspected of murder. Don (lower photo) steps in to prove Ginger innocent. With George Moon. Also with John Allen as the ship's captain. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by David Main.
3.2 Sweet Poison (22nd and 25th September 1958). A young woman called Yvonne Seagrave is suspected by Don of having sent a box of chocolates filled with pepper to Marion, the matron of a small hospital. The matron feels she will hear no more from this "practical joker." However the unrepentant Yvonne plans to send her a bottle of poisoned wine. With George Moon. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Stuart Latham.
3.3 Beside the Seaside (29th Sept and 2nd October 1958). A party of friends are making their annual visit to a seaside boarding house, but this year jealousy and suspicion mar the atmosphere. and there's an 'accident.' A second accident causes Don and Ginger to try and find out who is attempting to murder Mary Dodds, and why. With George Moon. Written by George E Pepper, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
3.4 No Way Out (6 and 9th October 1958, rpt: Aug 25 and 26th 1959). Connie Sutton is anxious her teenage sister is getting in with the wrong crowd and asks Don and Ginger to help.They find a disillusioned daughter who wants revenge, as they uncover the brain behind a gang of teenage thieves. With George Moon. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Robert Tronson.
3.5 Rainbow's End (13 and 16th October 1958, rpt: 18 and 19th Aug 1959). £40,000 had been embezzled from a client of the American Insurance Company. Harry Pearce, the thief, had been convicted, and is now being released from prison after serving his four year sentence. The company asks Don and Ginger to trace the missing money. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
3.6 The Doll Merchant (20th and 23rd October 1958, rpt: 27 and 28th Aug 1959). As well as George Moon the cast included Leonard Sachs as Van Mers.
Diamonds, hidden in a child's teddy bear are smuggled through customs by Karl van Mers (top photo) who has brought his wife and young daughter from Amsterdam to London on a business trip. His family happen to move into the flat above the office occupied by Don and Ginger, who quickly become friendly with the bear, unaware that this teddy is a diamond's best friend! The little girl runs away on the night they arrive, taking her teddy bear. Don and Ginger search for her, little guessing that her teddy is filled with smuggled diamonds. It's a doll merchant who finds her and takes her home. While repairing the teddy he finds three diamonds... Written by John Warwick, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by David Main.
3.7 Double Shuffle (27 and 30th October 1958, rpt: 1st and 2nd Sept 1959). Lucy Sparling and a cousin from South Africa, whom she has never met, inherit a fortune. But Lucy claims the man claiming to be her cousin Jonathan West is a fraud. However a court upholds Jonathan's claim to a stake in the fortune and Lucy persuades Don and Ginger to continue their investigation. The man's wife provides a clue which leads to a team of confidence tricksters. With George Moon. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
3.8 Streets of Gold (3rd and 6th November 1958, rpt: 3rd and 4th Sept 1959). Shirley Gardiner is seventeen, with a steady job, living at home with her family. But she's restless and unhappy, and leaves home, disappearing in the middle of London. She has little money and does not want to work. Don and Ginger are hired by the girl's family to find her. With George Moon. Written by Tony Warren, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by David Main.
3.9 The Kovacs Affair (10 and 13th November 1958) Don receives a call for help from Philip Martin, a journalist in the south of France. When Carter arrives, he finds that Martin has apparently committed suicide. Anton Kovacs and Henry Mills his manager are involved in Martin's death, but what information had he uncovered to make him dangerous? Script by Peter Yeldham, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Max Morgan-Witts
3.10 Brought to Book (17 and 20th November 1958, rpt: 20th and 21st Aug 1959). Sylvester Lane, noted authority on old books, thinks he has found a priceless volume. He seems to have found a wealthy American buyer, but Don Carter suspects the book is a fake. With George Moon. Written by Basil Francis, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by David Main.
3.11 The Little Rebel (24 and 27th November 1958, rpt: 10 and 11th Sept 1959). An alsatian, the mascot of the SS van Druton, escapes as the ship docks in the Thames. The dog has rabies. Dick and Ginger try to track it down. But a kind old lady has befriended it... With George Moon. Written by John Warwick, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
3.12 Blind Corner (1st and 4th December 1958). The day Don Peterson returns from reform school, an ex-accomplice Eddie Wright, is beaten up. Peterson is accused, though Ginger Moon believes him innocent. Ginger listens to Ron's story (centre photo) and decides to tackle the case on his own. It is a visit to Eddie in hospital (bottom photo) which puts him on the right trail. Cast included: Robert Petters as Ron Peterson, and John Briggs as Eddie Wright. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by David Main.
3.13 Method in Her Madness (8 and 11th December 1958, rpt: 15 and 16th Sept 1959). With George Moon. Written by Victor Gordon, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by David Main.
Don Carter's young cousin asks him to find out who has been sending her anonymous letters at her dramatic school. His investigation leads him into a far more sinister mystery. Episode 2- Ginger gets into serious trouble when helping Don investigate some mysterious happenings at the drama school. Valerie finds herself in great danger. In fact these anonymous letters to Valerie were penned by herself, a discovery Don Carter made within minutes of listening to his cousin...it is part of her tension-ridden solution for getting right into the part- method acting she explains- which she hopes to play in a school production. The more sinister mystery revolves around a teacher at the drama school, and the rather obviously shady character of the props room, both of whom are trafficking in stolen jewellery using the props room as a convenient store. This is a typical story outline. Is it plausible or real? ... Nor is there any more reality about our investigator and his ADC. There may be something in this combination of the sedately series and smoothly self deprecating Don Carter ("this mad detective business seems to run in the famil,"), and the mild matter-of-fact humour and excessive mannerisms of Ginger Smart. But I can't think of any fictitious detectives quite as unreal and unconvincing. Nor of any cases quite so banal or languidly investigated. If only they contained a fraction of the believability of a Simenon or Conan Doyle, or of true cases, if only the principal actors had a little of the deductive powers of a Holmes, the dash of Inspector Maigret, or the urgency of a Mark Saber. It is time Granada dropped this tired and unsleuth-like sleuthing series, or handed it over to the children's programmes and provide more adult fare for adult audiences."
3.14 The Painting (15 and 18th December 1958, rpt: 17 and 18th Sept 1959). A thief steals a valuable painting in a country house robbery. Pavement artist buys it, neither of them realising its true value. Don and Ginger race with a mysterious stranger to retrieve it first. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Francis Coleman.
3.15 A Song for Christmas (22nd and 7pm on 26th December 1958) In Pentecost Road there lives a Scrooge, and the Young People's Association teach him the spirit of Christmas. With George Moon. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by James Ormerod.
3.16 You Can't Win All the Time (29th Dec 1958 and 1st January 1959, rpt: 22nd and 23rd Sept 1959). Bookie Brad Foster loses heavily, and resorts to blackmail in order to pay his clients. A scared ex-crook later walks into Don's office with a £1,000 diamond necklace. Trying to trace the owner, Don tangles with the blackmailer, while Ginger finds his old trade as a cracksman very useful. With George Moon. Written by Bevis Winter and Peter Cagney, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by David Main.
3.17 Lost, Stolen or Strayed (5 and 8th January 1959, rpt: 24 and 25th Sept 1959). Nicholas Boaz loses his umbrella and asks Don to find it. What a waste of time, thinks Ginger. But two shady characters are also after it. With George Moon. Written by Geoffrey Bellman and John Whitney, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
3.18 Cry Wolf (12 and 15th January 1959, rpt: 29 and 30th Sept 1959). A hysterical young blonde asks Don "Find out who I am!" The only clue to her identity is a business card, which leads Don to a frightened merchant named Seeler and an old friend Wolf. A packet of diamonds deposited by the girl in a left luggage office turns out to be the vital clue. With George Moon. Written by Keith Dewhurst, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Herbert Wise.
3.19 The Refugees (19th and 22nd January 1959, rpt: 1st and 2nd Oct 1959). Don and Ginger grapple with an organisation smuggling refugees into Britain With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Stuart Latham.
3.20 Car for Sale (26 and 29th January 1959, rpt: 7 and 9th Oct 1959). Don and Ginger are hired to prove the innocence of Tom Swinbourne, accused of stealing a car. Ginger puts his safecracking skills to use again, and Don meets a frightened man. With George Moon. Written by Jim Brown, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Max Morgan Witts.
3.21 The Smiler (2nd and 5th February 1959). Some members of the Pasco Street Social Club are distinctly anti-social, and policeman Sam Grogan fears for the safety of Rita, his girl friend, who works among them. He asks Don and Ginger to keep an eye on things, and they soon discover Sam's fears are justified when Rita disappears. Don and Ginger find that she has been in touch with The Smiler, a dangerous criminal. But who is he? Sam Grogan provides the clue. With George Moon. Written by John Witney and Geoffrey Bellman, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Michael Scott.
3.22 The Fatal Trap (9 and 12th February 1959, rpt: 13 and 14th Oct 1959). It looks suspicious when Ginger disappears after a crime. But the real crook Carter is finally cornered. With George Moon. Written by John Warwick, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Stuart Latham.
3.23 The Travelling Lady (16 and 19th February 1959, rpt: 15 and 16th Oct 1959). A firm of solicitors asks Don to find a lady who has been bequeathed a large sum of money. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by James Ormerod.
3.24 Solo for Ginger (23rd and 26th February 1959, rpt: 20th and 21st Oct 1959). Don is away and learns of these two "private detectives" who are doing him out of a job- their names are Don Carter and Ginger Smart! This makes the case of the blackmailed lady even more difficult to solve, especially when too many suspects spoil the broth. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Michael Scott.
3.25 The Dark Stranger (2nd and 5th March 1959, rpt: 22nd and 23rd Oct 1959). Van Blankenberg is so terrified when he sees The Dark Stranger that his daughter Elsa appeals to Don Carter for help. With George Moon. Written by Henry Marshall, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Stuart Latham.
3.26 One White Lie (9 and 12th March 1959, rpt: 27 and 28th Oct 1959). A white lie threatens Henry Adams with a heavy prison sentence. Don Carter is called in to be confronted by a tangle of evidence. Why are so many people supporting what he knows to be a lie? Can find he the one man in London who can break the lie? With George Moon. Written by John Warwick, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Claude Whatham.
3.27 The Directors' Dilemma (16 and 18th March 1959, rpt: 29th and 30th Oct 1959- the last story to be repeated). The theft of sugar begins a case which ends with attempted murder, ruining a good bottle of whisky with poison. With George Moon. Written by Victor Gordon, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Michael Scott.
3.28 The Last Letter (23rd and 26 March 1959)
3.29 The Silent Witness (30th March and 2nd April 1959). The death of company director Charles Corcoran poses an unusual problem. There are three suspects, but only one sitness, who must remain silent. Carter finds conclusive evidence that will unmask the murderer, but none of it is admissable in a court of law. Written by Ivor Dean, designed by Denis Parkin. Director: Michael Scott.
3.30 The Amateurs (6 and 9th April 1959). Don Carter's first meeting with his client brings him face to face with violence- the man has been coshed. Inquiries take Don to Spain for a big tennis tournament. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Claude Whatham
3.31 The Blind Gunner (13 and 16th April 1959). Don Carter and one other man know the secret which could wreck the marriage of Jack Parks, a blind VC. The other man threatens exposure, so Don is faced with a difficult choice- to play a waiting game, or reveal the secret himself. Eventually he shows that it is best to trust a loving wife. Written by Lewis Davidson, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Warren Jenkins
3.32 Hero on the Run (20th and 23rd April 1959). With Don on holiday, Ginger tries to discover how secret plans are reaching foreign countries. His inquiries take him to germany, where he has a close call with a knife thrower. Then he is locked in a safe, can he crack it from the inside? Script by John Warwick, designed by Paul Bernard. Director: Claude whatham.
3.33 The Reckless Motorist (27th April 1959)- remaining stories only one part.
3.34 Out of the Blue (4th May 1959). Is the painting Girl In A Market Place genuine, or a brilliant forgery? The artist, Christopher Hawthorne, is dead. But Don Carter, checking the picture's authenticity, uncovers a strange story. Script by Tony Wareen, designed by Denis Parkin. Director: Claude Whatham.
3.35 The Dark Years (11th May 1959). Hans Ribot recovers his memory, only to remember things that he would rather forget. Don Carter investigates his memories of The Dark Years. Script: Phillip Grenville Main. Designed by Denis Parkin. Director: Warren Jenkins.
3.36 The Amazing Mr Shane (18th May 1959). Carter matches his wits against a confidence man and, for once, is always a jump behind. Even when he catches up with his adversary, his problem is- how to bring him to book. With George Moon. Script: Peter Yeldham. Designed by Denis Parkin. Director: Herbert Wise.
3.37 The Wedding Dress (25th May 1959). There's a suspected case of witchcraft in an exclusive fashion house. With George Moon. Written by Geoffrey Bellman and John Whitney, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Graham Evans.
3.38 The Family Affair (3rd June 1959)
3.39 One Step to Murder (10th June 1959). To prove his point, Carter makes the criminal take one step too many. With George Moon, Written by Lewis Davidson, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Graham Evans.
3.40 The Kick-Back (17th June 1959). Don Carter catches a thief who cannot describe what he has stolen. With George Moon. Script: Lewis Davidson, designed by Paul Bernard. Director Adrian Brown.
3.41 Swan Song (24th June 1959) - final story.

Details of George Moon in Skyport which started the following week on July 2nd 1959.

To Taped Series Menu

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2.3 Race Against Time (First part)
Stevens has taken over a bookmaker's business with a view to swindling fellow bookies and punters alike. The racket centres round the fact that he has found a ringer for a feeble horse called Mr Kelly, and his double, Hotpoint, is a real "flyer." In the Park Handicap, Hotpoint is going to be switched with the dud Mr Kelly and win the race. With noone betting on the outsider, Stevens gets the phone lines to the course to be cut to prevent any late bets reducing the odds, once he has placed his own. He'll be "the slowest horse to win any race," and Stevens anticipates raking in £20,000.
Don Carter's regular Saturday date is at the races. Ginger Smart and landlady Mrs Moggs have had a bet on Paradise Lost, "'e can't lose," though of course he does. Larry Hoyle, Stevens assistant, places lots of bets with different bookies on Mr Kelly, odds of 100-8 or 10-1. Stevens phones other colleagues, saying he wants to lay off bets on Mr Kelly.
Though Red Rose is the favourite, it's Mr Kelly, or rather Hotpoint, who wins easily, "somebody's made a fortune." Though there is no evidence of doping, Don is suspicious, sensing rather than being able to prove that a switch had been made.
However Vaughan (Richard Caldicot), one bookie who has lost a packet, is surprisingly phlegmatic. Don however is sure, and checks with Riley, Mr Kelly's owner, only to meet a brick wall. Don needs proof.
The racket works a second time, this time in reverse as it were. Mr Kelly is not switched, so the real horse is bound not to win, though punters bet on him after his last great victory. "Nice little racket, you when when he wins, you win when he loses." Poor Ginger is one of those benighted losers, against Don's advice, he'd placed a bet on Mr Kelly.
Perils of Live TV: Peter Williams forgets one line, Brian Oulton muffs several, but covers so well.
To my review of part two of this story.

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Race Against Time (second and final part)

Watching eagerly the big race on tv are Don, Ginger and Mrs Moggs. Stevens happily listens to it on his radio. Mrs Moggs is pleased as she's a winner, but Ginger's bet lets him down again. The result convinces Don that a switch must have been made last time out, and the only way to prove it is find Mr Kelly's double. Ginger is volunteered to become a stable lad at Riley's stables.
Thus Ginger Cardew, ace Australian jockey, under a shadow down under, is offered a job by Lofty, Riley's chief trainer. He's placed in charge of "a brute of a horse," named The Maniac. Ginger hastily finds an excuse for not riding him.
Don talks more with Vaughan, the bookie who had lost a lot on Mr Kelly, but he is still sure of Stevens' bona fides. Not so Don!
At the stables, Ginger is asked to ride Mr Kelly, but the excuse of a bad back gets him out of that. Mr Kelly is to be switched again. "How are you going to stop them?" Mrs Moggs asks. It should be easy, for Ginger has now found Mr Kelly's double. He is ordered to get to know both horses as well as possible.
Stevens "stands to make a fortune" with this new switch, as long as Hotpoint, alias Mr Kelly wins. "I don't think he'll win this time," Don confidently informs Vaughan, for he is working his own switch, Ginger is going to switch the two horses back.
Stevens places his bets once again with other bookies, including £1,000 with Vaughan, who agrees to take the bet on, having faith in Don Carter's plan. The old cutting of the telephone lines is worked again, but this backfires on Stevens for at the course just before the race Lofty spots that Mr Kelly really is Mr Kelly," we're racing the wrong horse." His hurried phone call to warn Stevens can't get through.
Desperate, Lofty tells Riley who places a £1,000 bet on tick on Singing Cowboy the favourite, to cover some of the losses.
The race starts and by some miracle Mr Kelly makes good running, but as expected fades leaving Mastermind the winner. "A very tired Mr Kelly fourth." End of the swindle
There is some grainy film of horse races, but the story is mostly told via the characters in the studio sets, leaving viewers to imagine, as in a radio story

To Shadow Squad

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The Missing Cheese - part 1
During a gale, a thief breaks into a house in Richmond. Col Winter, ex-Indian army, had been watching The Army Game at three minutes to ten, but when the programme ended, Mrs Winter had noticed the theft of their jewellery. (Strange that Granada didn't reflect their own tv schedules properly. The Army Game at this time started at 8.30.) Sup John Whitelaw sends Sgt Telfer (Robert Cawdron) to investigate.
At The Cheddar Cheese in Lensbury, an inebriated Harry (Robert Raikes) is admiring his new girlfriend Annette's diamond, before they drive off together to Brighton, where else? Don Carter happens to have been retained by the landlord of this pub, Mears, to track down a petty pilferer. Ginger has been assigned the job of barman.
Harry's car crashes, Annette killed. On her is found Mrs Winter's stolen diamond necklace, though this good lady takes ages to identify it, much to Sup Whitelaw's frustration. Harry doesn't know much about Annette but thinks she bought it off an elderly married man at the pub.
Police have worked out that the thief, who has committed several such robberies, must be based in the Lensbury area, as he uses a bicycle to make his getaway. One suspect is a customer at the pub, Meadows, who says he did know Harry and Annette, but can't recall seeing her wearing the necklace.
There's yet another robbery, and this time a clue. A passer by, Mr Wilson, had been knocked down by a cyclist, whose rear light had unusually been on the near side. Wilson had angrily exchanged blows with the cyclist and thrown his walking stick into the nearby river. Oddly, it sank, like iron
To review of part 2

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Missing Cheese (part 2, and last)
"Getting anywhere?" Don inquires of Ginger. Not as yet, he's trying to outsmart local policeman Wills at the present. Wills' suspicions centre on Meredith (Trevor Reid) a bookie who walks with a decided limp.
Inspector Smith has found no evidence at the scene of the latest robbery, indeed no sign of a break-in at all. But a clue is finally discovered after the nearby river is dragged. It's a cane, an unusual cane with a special contraption that can transform it into a ladder.
At the pub, we watch Henry Dixon Meredith nick a cheese at Ginger's bar, right under his nose too. Don later questions Meadows, who promptly shows Don the door. But this is a diversion to enable Ginger to insepct Meadows' bicycle, "the one we're looking for all right."
At a cleaners, an assistant hands Det Constable Wills a clue, some glass found in the turnup of a pair of trousers, and the owner is Meredith! The glass comes from some broken during a break-in. At a whist drive we see Mrs Meadows and Mrs Meredith win first prize, this establishes a link between the two families.
Sgt Telfer questions Meredith who denies everything. But it can be proved that the stick belongs to Meredith and when Mrs Scott identifies her stolen property the two crooks are under arrest. But why did Meredith steal the cheese? It turns out he's a kleptomaniac.
Ginger terminates his employment at the pub, his leaving present some none too welcome cheese
Back to Shadow Squad

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Detective (BBC)
An anthology series, series 1 shown in 1964, then two further seasons in 1968 and 1969. Rupert Davies in his Maigret character introduced the first stories. Thames recycled the idea in the 1970s with detectives of the Victorian/Edwardian era, in The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes.
1.4 Glyn Houston as Nigel Strangeways
End Of Chapter
1.6 Christopher Banks as Dr Cordmaker Dishonoured Bones
1.8 Douglas Wilmer as Sherlock Holmes The Speckled Band
1.9 Frank Lieberman as Bob Race The Night of the Horns
1.10 Mark Eden as Peter Bradfield Subject: Murder
1.11 Joss Ackland as Jasper Garnette Death In Ecstasy
1.12 Richard Bird as Seth Crabtree A Connoisseur’s Case
1.13 Patrick Troughton as Jasper Shrig The Loring Mystery
1.14 Peter Barkworth as Dt Insp Smith The Hungry Spider
1.15 Peter Copley as Dr Thorndyke The Case of Oscar Brodski
1.16 Michael Brennan The Speaking Eye
1.17 William Abney Death Of A Fellow Traveller
2.2 Paul Dawkins as Chief Insp Dover - Dover and The Poison Pen Letters
2.3 John Welsh as Insp Rason A Man And His Mother-In-Law
2.5 Denholm Elliott The German Song
2.6 Bernard Horsfall as Nigel Strangeways The Beast Must Die
2.7 John Carson as Roger Sheringham The Avenging Chance
2.9 Roland Culver in The Unquiet Sleep
2.10 Colin Blakely as Jasper Shrig The High Adventre
2.12 Brian Smith as Albert Campion The Case Of The Late Pig
2.13 Penelope Horner as Eve The Golden Dart
2.16 Derek Godfrey as Commissionaire Bignon Death on the Champs Elysees
3.1 Lee Montague as Police Chef Fellows A Prisoner's Plea
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End of Chapter
Under a railway bridge, Nigel Strangeways (Glyn Houston) is treating his sinus with Clare (Jennifer Jayne). They are late for a party, which is a book launch by Arthur Geraldine (Ralph Michael). A shock awaits those gathered, for the published edition contains references that were supposed to have been deleted, to Lord Chatterley causing the death of 47 soldiers. Editor Stephen (Geoffrey Bayldon) ought to have ensured the offending passages were removed, but he claims somebody else could have re-inserted them. "You can't possibly suspect me." There are many others to choose from, "a detective suspects everyone."
Miss Millicent Miles, authoress, is done in, weapon an open razor. Investigating is Inspector Rance. Her wastrel son Cyprian admits, "my mother's no loss to me." He had been trying to get her to give him more money. According to Miss Miles' maid, she had spent the previous night with her latest lover Basil (Richard Carpenter).
So "who killed her?" Answer: "anyone who read her books!" The charm of this story is witty dialogue and a developing rapport between Strangeways and his girl, who helps in questioning some suspects. Strangeways establishes that Arthur was being blackmailed by Miss Miles. Basil is cracking up, but it is Cyprian who is arrested.
Strangeways' sinus bottle is doctored, with murderous intent. But as all the suspects watch on, the detective proves how Miss Miles had been killed and why her typescript had been altered. A chase ends at the bridge where it had started
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The Night of the Horns with Frank Lieberman as Bob Race.
A curious attempt at recreating a Raymond Chandler type story within the severe limitations of the studio. Lots of close ups and the action is mostly in the imagination.
Rupert Davies sets the scene, as he sits next to a tart and introduces Bob Race, a San Francisco lawyer.
The narration is pure Bogey-cum-Dick-Powell. Bob is working late at the office when racketeer Kresnick phones demanding Bob do a job for him. "He does nothing illegal through me."
Meeting at a low joint, Kresnick proves to be the awfully insistent type. $500 is Bob's if he merely collects a package. Though he's sure there might be something a mite fishy, Bob has no choice since Kresnick is leaning on him. Something about providing a witness who can bust Bob's recent defence in court of student Tony Fontaine.
In the bar Bob chats with an old girl friend, Ginny. Then Eve his wife (Barbara Shelley) joins him, she is accompanied by young Tony. In the best film noir style, Bob tells us he's worried about Tony.
11.30pm is the time for the pick up. Bob grabs the case and is promptly knocked out. He narrowly escapes when his car nearly tips over a cliff, in the studio. Not very convincing. They stole the suitcase, Bob tells Kresnick. A million was in it! Bob is beaten up for his pains, and faces worse, only Ginny the moll aids his getaway.
The truth dawns on Bob. Eve was the only one who knew about the pick up, she and Tony have nicked the money.
He traces them to Mexico, where he curiously wins $28,000 in a casino. He phones Eve and slags her off. Then he is grabbed at gunpoint. "What is going on?" he demands, very aptly. After gunplay, he gets away and goes to see his wife. He finds her, dead, and he is the one wanted for her murder. He dashes back to Ginny, to elude the murder rap.
Bob wants a showdown with Kresnick, "let me come with you," cries Ginny in the best noir style. She knows, "he'll kill you." He sure don't of course. 'Cos he's dead himself. Bob tracks down The Big Man. More death and mayhem
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Subject Murder
with Mark Eden as Det Con Peter Bradfield.

During an air raid, Corporal Bradfield is ordered to place his friend Johnny Fieldhouse under arrest for attacking a superior officer. This man is Sgt Major Yule (Michael Peake): "he went for me like a mad dog." Johnny isn't the only person to dislike Yule, who has "a hold" over Fay, blackmail, "he knows I hate him." Certainly, plenty would be happy to see Yule dead.
The inevitable happens, after half of the overlong scene setting. Walking home at night, Yule is beaten up, "he's dead." He had been dragged around a field by a horse, a rope attached between him and the animal. The key issue is, who obtained this rope from the army stores?
Inspector Charlton (Basil Dignam) investigates, though Bradfield, previously Charlton's assistant in peace time, is roped in. He does all the legwork, finding no direct evidence aginst his friend Johnny. Bradfield demonstrates to his superior how the lock of the army store was bypassed. The whole denouement is as laboured as the opening half. "What are you talking about?" Though all is explained, unsatisfactorily, my sentiments were with the inspector, "I'm sorry, I still don't see"

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Death in Ecstasy
Journalist Nigel (Keith Barron) is investigating The House of The Sacred Flame, "go away," the doorkeeper (Nigel Hawthorne) warns. Somehow Nigel sneaks inside to join the throng. Enter the chief priest Father Garnette (Joss Ackland) amid invocations. A young woman, Miss Cara Crane joyously yields to her fate to drink of the cup of ecstasy. She collapses and dies.
Chief Inspector Alleyn investigates this case of cyanide poisoning. With Nigel, he questions those present, commencing with Garnette, who believes "an unseen hand cut her down." Mumbo jumbo, is Alleyn's verdict on him.
Others who handled the sacred vessel are questioned, including Mrs Candour, who was jealous of Cara for usurping her pre-eminence with Garnette. Weak link is Pringle, on dope, allegedly supplied by Garnette. Samuel J Ogden had helped set up the cult. Frenchman De Revigne says that Cara's riches will be inherited by Garnette. Old Miss Wade claims Cara had been unhappy as well as unpopular with the other members, offering some pertinent observations.
Nigel believes that Garnette is the obvious suspect. All of them are gathered in traditional fashion. Bonds worth £5,000 are missing from the safe, these and other revelations follow. All familiar fare, with Alleyn not given much scope to stamp his mark on the story.
The final revelation of who stole the bonds and supplied the drugs causes the murderer to attempt an escape. Arrests follow, as Alleyn reveals how he had spotted the killer. "Let's get out of this beastly place." No further ceremonies will take place here

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The Loring Mystery
With Patrick Troughton as Jasper Shrig.

Jasper Shrig of the Bow Street Runners owes his very life to a man who is covered with scratches, who cannot recall how he came to be in such a state.
The evil Sir Nevil Loring rules his Sussex estate with a rod of iron, and has deliberately brought up his red headed ward Anteclea (Katy Wild) to be "wild, savage, untamed." His brother Humphrey had been heir to the property but had been mysteriously throttled. Humphrey's son David is now technically heir, but he has not been found. However David now turns up, though he has no documents to prove his claim. In fact he is Shrig's saviour.
Anticlea arranges an assignation with him at sunset at a mill. "It's a trap," Shrig warns him. A gunshot! Who is on the spot? Sir Nevil of course, though he is doomed to disappointment since he finds no corpse. David, angry at his treatment, storms off to Loring Chase to have it out with Sir Nevil. But he finds him already dead.
Shrig helpfully outlines who are the suspects. 1 Mrs Belinda, Sir Nevil's long time housekeeper- surely not her! Oh as the most improbable one, surely it is her! 2 Miss Anteclea. 3 Marlborough, "quietly desperate," in love with Anteclea. 4 Thomas Yaxley, bastard son of Sir Nevil. 5 David, obviously.
The ghost of Sir Nevil seems to be haunting the house. Shrig devises a plan to catch same. A secret tunnel leads to the discovery of a new will by Sir Nevil, which would consign everything to Yaxley. That dark night, Shrig confronts the ghost and gets his confession, "I killed him because I loved him." The ghost is arrested also
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The Case of Oscar Brodski
With Peter Copley as Doctor Thorndyke

Thorndyke and Dr Jervis are on the Harwich train, and have to share a compartment with Boscovitch (Warren Mitchell), an old acquaintance. To pass the time, Thorndyke shows him his 'box' full of his scientific instruments.
Boscovitch is a diamond dealer, and is meeting up with his partner Oscar Brodski en route at Artlebury. However just before they reach this station, the train judders to a halt. A man was on the track. Suicide is the obvious conclusion. Dr Thorndyke assists Det Sgt Dickens with his inquiries taking some samples as the bemused policeman watches impassively.
"This was not an accident," declares Thorndyke, he had been suffocated. Material between his teeth is proof of this. Further examination shows he has recently eaten an oatmeal biscuit.
The search leads to a house near the railway tracks. In fact we had seen Brodski here earlier. He had come to inspect a diamond offered to him by a man named Hickler. It had obviously been stolen. Brodski was not interested. But as he now knows Hickler's identity, and because he is rashly carrying diamonds, Hickler had silenced him.
Now the place is empty, though plenty of clues are strewn around for Thorndyke to be certain that murder had recently been committed here. Hickler is skulking in the coal cellar and takes his chance and runs off. Straight into another train. That's poetic justice.
A very straightforward story, well performed but bland
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Dover and the Poison Pen Letters
With Paul Dawkins as Chief Inspector Dover,

One of "the best detectives" is required by Dame Alice to investigate a poison pen writer, but instead, assigned is "fat stupid swine" Dover, with his sidekick Sgt Macgregor. "I'll find her for you," says the policeman, positive the author is female.
He interviews one recipient, "not an innocent virgin." She suspects Dame Alice. Another recipient, Poppy, commits suicide, "she's not dead," the incompetent aged doctor (Erik Chitty) pronounces. She'd even confessed to writing "these sexy letters," but Dover sees this as a cheap claim for notoriety.
Dame Alice summons him into her presence, lecturing him on all the likely suspects, boring him to tears. Then he goes to tea with Arthur Tomkins, but his house smells of gas. Mrs Tomkins has killed herself. The old doctor isn't at all lucid about how she had died. However Sgt Macgregor, a bit more on the ball, discovers she had withdrawn £300 from the bank. The daily help spills the dirt on her wanting a baby. At the time she died, Arthur had been taking "French lessons," a fact that Dover learns is the truth at first hand.
The story starts promisingly as a comedy thriller, with Dover offering a nice line in studied incompetence, but it becomes just too zany as Dover listens to a phone call from Freda, who had only been paid £150 for the baby- Rita Webb offers a nice filmed cameo. Our two detectives race to intercept Freda who is dashing to Dame Alice. In her bath, Dame Alice screams- only because the detectives have seen her. Dover's whole approach to the case has been clouded by a sychophantic admiration for Tomkins, who had won the pools. The "brilliant plan" of the blackmailer is explained by the killer himself, who thanks Dover for missing all the clues, "I knew I could rely on you"
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The Beast Must Die
with Bernard Horsfall as Nigel Strangeways.

George (Francis Matthews) is in a bad mood, quarrelling with his family. He goes out on the river in his yacht and argues with Frank aka Felix who is sailing it. George is sure Frank is trying to kill him.
Back in the house he rows with his wife over their son's education and with his sister-in-law with whom he has had an affair. No wonder he collapses and dies, poisoned.
Since he is a prime suspect, Frank calls in Nigel Strangeways (he lives up to his name). Frank is open about the fact that his young son had been run down and killed by a motorist. Moving heaven and earth, he had traced the driver, it was George.
Inspector Blount is convinced George did not kill himself. Phil, George's "highly strung" son, passes a key to Frank, so he can escape, the lad likes Frank and is sure he is the murderer. However his dour grandmother thinks it was Phil who killed his dad.
It turns out George had another mistress, wife of his business partner, and it is Blount who states the obvious, "there are far too many suspects."
Phil produces the bottle of strychnine that he had been asked to hide. He had been afraid that it would secure Frank's conviction.
In an unconvincing scene, someone attempts to bash Strangeways on the head with a golf club. Phil writes his confession then runs away.
After interviewing an army friend of Frank, Strangeways is able to solve the case. The trouble with this story is that the characters are not at all sympathetic, despite the fact the George had been an absolute "bounder." At the end the killer tries to kill Strangeways, but then gives him a written confession. Strangeways tears it up
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The Avenging Chance
John Carson as Roger Sheringham
Presentation is admittedly unusual, though this somehow just misses the period atmosphere it seeks to convey.
A montage of flash photos of a spear thrown, badly, at Sir William Anstruther, then more such photos to the tune Yes Sir That's My Baby, as Sir William enters The Curzon Club and meets Sheringham. Sir William seems unconcerned about the incident, though Bryce is more interested: Delilah his wife was having an affair with Anstruther. Lady Anstruther is informed of this affair, but since it is only one of many, she doesn't react.
More flash photos of Sir William, as another spear misses. Then photos of Mr and Mrs Bryce, the whole effect becomes too disorientating.
A parcel for Sir William, "I wonder what it can be?" In the presence of his friend Beresford, he opens it, to discover chocolates. As Sir William doesn't like these, he passes them to his friend. Joan Beresford tastes a few, and he tries one also, "they are strong." Very quickly she collapses and dies, and he becomes very ill.
Sheringham explores the case with Inspector Moreby, their chief suspect being Lady Anstruther. Sheringham conducts a pleasant interview with her, nicely done, but it reveals little. More photo montages and interviews with Mrs Bryce, Sir William and the recovering Beresford.
Sheringham gets to the truth and after another batch of photos, gathers the suspects in customary style. "The crime was carefully planned"
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The Unquiet Sleep

with Ronald Culver as George Russell, of some shadowy police department. He is entirely wasted, most of his lines delivered seated in his office. His 'legs' are Sarah Lawson as Rachel, who boasts a curious foreign accent, but a slight sparkle too. This is a tedious, uninspiring story, with little detection, a cross if you like between The Power Game and Yes Minister- though without any laughs.

Mecron is The Executives' Friend, a drug to enhance performance. But reports indicate it is "dangerous and habit forming" also, so it is withdrawn from sale. However illegal stocks are still being sold. Russell tasks Rachel with tracing the pushers. It's complicated by the fact that Rachel was once engaged to Henry Leggatt, who had worked for the manufacturers before becoming a junior government minister. Russell interviews his senior, Seneschel (Richard Caldicot) while Sarah pokes around, breaking in to the home of Dr Latta who is preparing a report on this drug. However he is done in.
Patricia, Leggatt's wife, has sold some of the drug that her husband had carelessly left in his office, to her lover Dick Asher. He tries to blackmail Asher into obtaining more supplies. One death later, Rachel tries to persuade Patricia that Asher is working for a gang pedalling the drug. To get him to obtain more supplies, Leggatt is kidnapped, but police swoop and the gang are arrested
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The Case of the Late Pig
Brian Smith as Albert Campion, George Craven as Lugg.

"Everyone has such marvellous alibis."
The case begins when Campion attends the funeral of his nemesis 'Pig' Peters. Months later, Campion is in the village which is being ruined by one man, locals want him horsewhipped, and "it looks as though somebody has!" Campion recognises the corpse as that of the late Peters, though allegedly it is a cook named Harris. He'd fallen off a parapet.
By phone, then by letter, Campion is warned off the case. Dr Nigel Kingston (Geoffrey Bayldon) tells Campion what he knows: that Harris was really Peters. This new corpse then disappears from the mortuary, "that's very odd."
The vicar is only one under suspicion, he is played, much against type, by James Beck. Campion meets birdwatcher Hayhoe by the river. He mulls over the case, with visions of all the key moments.
The body of Peters is found in the river. Hayhoe is next to be eliminated, "he knew too much." Peters' original coffin is dug up. Campion is drugged, his death will appear like suicide. But Campion knew this murder attempt was coming, and only feigns being drugged, as he fights the killer in a life and death struggle. Lugg is also saved as Campion explains how Peters/ Harris had died
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The Golden Dart
Penelope Horner as Eve Gill.

A gigantic muddle of a complex story. Eve has found a suicide note left by two men. It is written by Louise, and her ex-boyfriend Jonathan advises her to tell the police. But since she is worried her dad Rupert (John Laurie) might be involved, she turns instead to private investigator George. Louise had every reason to kill herself, since her husband has gone mad.
Extremely rich James Belsin (John Stride) has decided that Eve will be his perfect wife. But Eve is unsure, especially as she thinks his chauffeur Hooker is one of the two suspect men. But on her birthday, Jones, Belsin's right hand man, delivers a brand new Aston Martin for Eve. Jones tries to quiz her about what she knows about Louise.
Eve checks out the dead woman's home, a phone number she finds, she asks George to check out.
James shows Eve around his magnificent factory. He tells her that Louise did kill herself. But he admits that if the truth did come out, his reputation would be tarnished. It seems Louise blamed Belsin for her husband's state.
George has traced Gonzales, who is an old enemy of Eve's dad. Somehow the two make it up. As a result Eve perceives that Louise did not kill herself, "she loved too much."
James forces a situation where their engagement is announced. Warns Jonathan, "he's the wrong man for you." But she finds her ex-boyfriend with a knife in his back, nearby is Jones who accuses her of the murder. She knocks him out!
James must have had Louise and Jonathan killed. Before her dad, Gonzales and George, she forces a confession out of Belsin, who responds with a £200,000 bribe. Eve however creates her own justice
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Death on the Champs Elysees
A fast moving well constructed drama, with well drawn characters, though too much talking.
Death in the King Henry Hotel of Russian criminal Gail. Monsieur Jean, hotel manager is flustered in the extreme- a nice little cameo from Peter Elliott, who is somehow also at one point a suspect. Investigating is Commissaire Bignon (Derek Godfrey)- clearly an attempt to revive the Maigret tradition. He does it well, questioning guests, including Jennifer (Elizabeth Shepherd) who had changed her room to be next door to the murdered man. Ugo (George A Cooper) is an arms dealer, evidently trading with Gail. Like Jennifer, he claims Gail had had a woman in his room. Another guest is world famous pianist Mischa Kuprin, from Russia, like Gail.
It is discovered that Jennifer had divorced Gail, "a sadist and pervert." Her American dialogue sometimes echoes hollowly. Bignon's assistant Mervans (George Layton) finds film star Valerie was the woman in Gail's room. She claims Gail was waiting to meet a client that night. Bignon questions Marie, Kuprin's Canadian born wife, who says the pianist had fled Russia with Gail, and now the gangster is blackmnailing him about his past life in Odessa. He admits killing Gail.
"But he's not told us everything," observes Bignon pertinently, "he thought he killed him." But someone else finished Gail off. Marie admits she had visited Gail after this, and had removed the evidence relating to her husband. An unknown person had entered the room, and while she was hiding, Gail was killed.
In his office, Bignon gathers the suspects. He sums the case up, and in flashback we see what happened. But the killer strikes again, in a sad finish, it's a bit of an anticlimax since the guilty man has not previously been in the story! Some cheer in the final scene, when, over a drink, Bignon chats up Jennifer
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Prisoner's Plea
Lee Montague as Police Chief Fellows.
You know this is set in the USA by the accents, and the fact that Montague chews continuously. Maybe too the spelling on a placard 'Developements' is American? The video street scenes look nearly American, even with one US auto.
Prisoner Ernest Jackson (Philip Madoc) has 17 days left before his execution. Three years ago he had killed his wife of fifteen years, Sheila, but claims he is innocent. Fellows listens to his story: he had gone to the chess club as usual, during the time his wife was killed. He admits to jealous rages, but says his wife was never unfaithful.
Fellows investigates, and outside Jackson's home, meets Rafael Jones, a private eye, who sort of joins forces with him. He believes a lover did it. Neighbour Mrs Baxter explains that Sheila was "cooped up" in the house, she believes Jackson guilty. At the trial she had told how she saw him arguing with bachelor George Walker, when he had tried to dance with the dead woman. But Mrs Baxter had never seen any sign of any lover.
Walker denies being Sheila's lover, though he reckons she'd have been keen enough to take up with anyone. Sherwood Spencer (Alan Tilvern) is Jones' number one suspect, since he moved away from the district. But Spencer guesses that Walker was her lover. Spencer's son is also suspicious, but his alibi that he had been with Olive is proved.
The local police chief (Barry Keegan) loudly asserts his faith in Jackson's conviction. After a surreal sequence with Jackson and huge chess pieces, suspicion moves back to Walker. However his alibi was that he had been in Pittsburgh, though Fellows is able to show he could still have done it. He does confess he was Sheila's lover, however he had taken up with another girl, "you've got the wrong guy."
A lead pipe is found in his yard, the murder weapon. But Fellows is astute enough to finally get at the truth
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The Corridor People

In 1966 the brilliant Edward ('Eddie') Boyd wrote this regrettably short series, one of several offbeat dramas he created for Granada. A stylish, self-confident programme, full of enigmatic characters. Eddie once said "it's the characters, not me, who decide what happens. Quite often they run away with the story. It's one long improvisation, almost." Yet it panned out jolly well!
The host of inventive and eccentric characters included:
John Sharp as Kronk, head of Dept K at the Ministry of Defence, "you think you're God's older brother." Then there is Miss Dunner (June Watson), his nervous but eager secretary... until she is done in. His yes men are Inspector Blood and Sergeant Hound (Alan Curtis and William Maxwell), a double act, two minds that beat as one, as they enter and exit Kronk's office to do his bidding, "blooming messenger boys, that is all we are."
On the other side is Elizabeth Shepherd as an enemy agent, "the most promiscuous woman in Europe," the seductive Syrie van Epp, "I do everything very well." She really exults in her role as a scheming alluring female, wearing a plethora of flowing dresses. "I have only one committment- to money... I manipulate the moment." Maybe she gives a hint of how she improvised her role in the aborted Avengers episode that was scrapped. Whatever her failings there, she makes this series. "Business with pleasure, that's my motto."
Acting as one of Kronk's agents, though he's not averse to money from Syrie, is private eye Scrotty (Gary Cockrell), as dingy as his name, in a backstreet office dominated by a giant poster of Humphrey Bogart. Some of his fine lines often reflect the Master too. "Do you believe in anything? he is asked. Reply: "Nope!"
The sets were deliberately, if also conveniently, sparse, making for a theatrical mood, but also acting as a contrast to Elizabeth Shepherd's exotic wardrobe. Derek Hilton provided a fine jazzy score. It's a shame only four stories were made, as this series was certainly as way-out as the imminent The Prisoner, without any of that programme's obscure irritations. Offbeat this is, but it is performed with a gusto that proves everyone enjoyed making it and having a laugh at themselves, and at this level, this was, in retrospect, Granada's high spot, along with The Odd Man, in original drama.

Very sadly, these are the only stories made, but at least they are available on dvd.
1
Victim as Birdwatcher
2 Victim as Whitebait
3 Victim as Red
4 Victim as Black

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Victim as Birdwatcher (25th/26th August 1966)

Capture of a birdwatcher (Tim Barrett). He had been studying the "greater crested train robber," when a glorious white vision had dawned on his binoculars and he had been knocked unconscious.
Syrie van Epp, now in black, has imprisoned this Christopher Vaughan. He owns a crucial share in Templar Cosmetics. "You have something I need," she explains to him. His answer is no.
Sir Wilfred Templar (Clive Morton) commissions Phil Scrotty to find his godson Vaughan, the son of his old cricketing partner. As Scrotty is working for both sides, he gets Sir Wilfred to talk to Syrie's prisoner, though his visit is not much comfort, "bite the bullet" he advises in his vest stiff upper lip style. But the singleminded Christopher resists everything Syrie and her henchman Weedy throw at him, so Syrie resorts to the ultimate. Next scene, Syrie half naked. Now she's in a long shimmering white gown, and we hear he is eager to get married...
Kronk of Dept K has had his minions searching for Vaughan, they are Sullavan (Windsor Davies) as well as the obedient Insp Blood and Sgt Hound. The reason for this fine attention to Christopher Vaughan is revealed by the flighty Candy, the girl friend of research chemist Pym, who had accidentally discovered a scent "that turned her into an imbecile for 24 hours." Mind you, she still seems pretty dim, and though the effects wear off, it seems Candy is always like that. Pym has destroyed all his files, and the bottles of the scent, though of course he might still fall into enemty hands...
Kronk has a job for his doting secretary Miss Dunner- shoot the double dealing Scrotty. She enjoys that enormously.
With the Templar share now due to Syrie on their marriage, Vaughan is freed. Yet now he falls into the hands of Kronk who demands that share "in the national interest." Vaughan is blinded by love and cannot accept Kronk's portrayal of his beloved as a future merry widow. "My fiancee has more to offer than you!"
So Vaughan is put on trial, charged with being "a wilful and contumacious enemy of the realm." Guilty, "shocking bad show." Bang! Thus the state inherits his share.
Syrie has had her own problems too. Her faithful Weedy is not so faithful, he's a stiff upper crust type, working for the other side. But Kronk still ain't got the drug and look, Syrie is now ravishing Pym. "I am wearing this--- that nightgown, in his memory," she tells him. Will he reveal his formula...?

To Corridor People episode details

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Victim as Whitebait (recorded 24 August 1966 for transmission the following week)

Hounds are baying, mist swirling as Elizabeth Shepherd, in silk dress and black cape, camps it up on Graveyard Patrol at the empty grave of detective Phil Scrotty. Not that he was ever dead, an "elaborate hoax." Miss Dunner who had shot him, is hauled over the coals by Kronk her boss, though it wasn't her fault- she'd been given blanks by Major Ironside, on the orders of... Scrotty.
"Can you bring people back from the dead?" Drunken "pet scientist" of Syrie's, Robag (Aubrey Morris at his maddest), has hit on this desirable scientific secret of bringing the dead back to life. It's "something to do with fish." That must be Whitebait, one genuinely dead body who has just been brought back to life, though it's unfortunate his young wife Abigail has wanted him dead... so she can be ravished by Phil Scrotty.
"My dead husband just walked in the door!" Mrs Abigail Whitebait ("high income bracket, low on IQ") tells Scrotty. He's the living proof of Robag's brilliant discovery. But Robag's not going to share his secret with anyone, for Syrie's henchman shoots him. Miss Dunner is another of their unfortunate victims, failing in her latest mission for Kronk.
"Why aren't you dead?" Kronk greets Scrotty, who is assigned his next job, to unearth recluse accountant Samson Whitby who can prove Syrie van Epp's employer de Farge is a swindler, doctoring the books to the tune of three million.
Syrie, wearing a large ruffle, fixes with Scrotty to silence Whitby, only snag being that Scrotty is playing for everyone, but mostly himself.
In a memorable scene in the park, Syrie, now sporting a nurse's uniform, pushes a pram containing the biggest baby you ever did see. A cigarette smoker to boot. For a toy, read machine gun. She aims to silence Whitby but "the poet of double dealing," Scrotty himself has the last laugh for it's Whitebait who has been lured to the park bench, who is shot dead for a second time, and all on account of the desirable Abigail. Ditto for Samson, and thus de Farge is immune from prosecution.
Kronk lapses into uncontrollable hysterics over the inspired treachery of Scrotty, who is far too busy walking into the sunset with Abigail

OK, so the plot is a gigantic hoax of loose ends, but oh those characters, they really do make up for it all!

To Corridor People

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Victim as Red
"A nut, a real nut" Scrotty tells us of his client who has been searching for his brother these past seven years. There is this manuscript, the blueprint for a fictional robbery that later took place. A train robbery (topical eh?), "how very very strange."
The author, missile expert Col Hugo Leeming (John Woodnut) has now allegedly lost his memory, but he once was in charge of a missile testing station, but disappeared seven years ago, and was presumed to have defected. He was even alleged to have been spotted in a Russian shop buying a gramophone record.
In fact he had been kept a prisoner in a seedy boarding house guarded by his landlady, one Mrs Winkle. But he's now escaped, and he has taken shelter in the ancient Rolls of Syrie van Epp, in flowing white robes. She is keen to "look after" him ("business with pleasure") in a quest for the stolen two million quid.
But Kronk wants him and the cash too, since Mrs Beryl Kempsford, her "show business career in pieces" (Betty McDowall) was the colonel's first wife and she is also on the trail. Her second husband, the late Abel Kempsford, had been one of the train robbers.
Scrotty is also engaged by her to find her first husband. Who will succeed?
Well it has to be Syrie, in shimmering dress! She succeeds in unlocking Leeming's amnesia by dancing with him to record after record, until Please Be Kind reminds him of his ex-wife's big hit.
It is Kronk of course who gets his man betrayed by Syrie, "some people are unlucky at cards, some with women and others with horses. But you, colonel, have been unlucky with gramophone records!" A new character is briefly introduced, the eccentric Blinky, with a pronounced nervous blink, who allegedly leaned on people for Abel Kempsford, though actually he is being impersonated by one of Kronk's men. Of course.
In this Cold War story, there is of course plenty of double dealing, but Scrotty and Syrie finally corner "The Big Man." Betty has to admit to Kronk that "the party knows best."
Scrotty gets £5,000 for his troubles plus an ioption on Syrie. he takes that.

Although the script tails off slightly in the final act, it is more zany than the first episodes and sparkles with the cast hamming it up with relish

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Victim as Black
"Shoplifter extraordinary" the Queen Mother Helena of Morphalia is back in town, incognito, "a pioneer of self service." Syrie van Epp is preening her peacock (literally) when the queen calls on her to ask her to help trace her "half-witted" son King Ferdinand XVIII who is chasing some girl called Pearl (Nina Baden-Semper). She's a black girl, and Phil Scrotty has also been retained by the king to find her- his only clue: one Cinderella-like slipper. when she is found the king wants to marry her. How nice.
Also after her is Theobald Abu who offers to pay Scotty NOT to find her! To reinforce his point, his two henchmen beat up this "white rubbish." Scrotty winds up in hospital where Syrie, with giant earringa and a giant fan hat, comforts him, well at least she's more comfort than Inspector Blood. "We'll spend April in Paris," she promises.
From his sick bed, Scrotty persuades Syrie's maid (Pauline Collins) to conduct his search, but it so happens she is an old work colleague of Pearl's, they both were usherettes in a cinema. She tells Syrie where Pearl is, for more money, who tells Abu.
"I'm not just a pretty face," the searched-for Pearl confides to us viewers in a mysterious monologue on racial tolerance.
Meanwhile of course, Kronk has been watching all of 'em. His department has an absurd machine which can analyse the data and summarise the plot: "The machine speaks... Abu is after Black World Domination with a European Base." I should have guessed. So the solution is "Keep Morphalia White!" "This is ridiculous," cries Kronk, echoing our own thoughts- has the machine been wrongly programmed? Or has this programme?
For the first time Syrie and Kronk meet as they agree on how to resolve the situation, to Syrie's financial advantage. There's a final not entirely succesful sequence as the characters explain their roles:
Syrie in an exotic dress is first of course. Abu tells us "the white man is yesterday." He explains he abhors mixed marriages. Kronk summons the Duty Assassin, to finish Pearl off. King Ferdinand enthuses at his return to his country, "they're even going to give me my own bomb!" A puppet you feel. Rejoicing at this news is the queen. Now she can go shoplifting in her own country. Scrotty has lost his mojo, lying on his bed of pain, "who's losing, who's winning?" he raves. The last scene belongs to Pearl, a gun trained at her head, in this oddball finish. But I end with a line that sums up this fascinating series, "there are no mad like the sane mad"
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The Dark Number

Eddie Boyd (1916-1989) made his name as the creator of some eccentric drama series shown by Granada Television, firstly The Odd Man (1960-1963), then The Corridor People (1966).
The BBC prised him away from Granada's clutches at the end of this year, to write this five part series, a tv version of his radio serial The Same River Twice. The star was Patrick Allen who played Johnny Maxen, a typical 1960s world weary character, who is summed up in his line, "if I had two watches, I wouldn't tell a policeman the time."
Location scenes were filmed in Glasgow, and at Loch Ard.

Part 1 (Dec 31st 1966)

Part 2 (Jan 7th 1967)

Part 3 (Jan 14th 1967)

Part 4 (Jan 21st 1967)

Part 5 (Jan 28th 1967)

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Part 1

I like the noir opening in rainswept Glasgow, as the London train pulls in one night, and off steps Johnny (Patrick Allen). Why's he here? "I wish I knew," he remarks to Ellen, when he has made his way to Ellen's home. But he wants to help her, if he can.
She tells him that Julia, his estranged wife has been missing for three months. Even though mum herself admits the girl is "a trollop," she wants Johnny, who now lives and works in Paris, to find her. He agrees to help, only for Ellen's sake.
First call is on his former best friends, Bill and Rachel. After a warm welcome, they part unhappily, for the couple won't say anything about Julia. In a pub, Johnny meets the poet Tor (Archie Duncan) who saw her leave this pub three months ago on July 23rd "to meet a gentleman."
Reaching Julia's apartment, Johnny is confronted by the landlady who says the rent has been unpaid. She says Julia has not been there for twelve weeks. Johnny pays up, but when he goes in, he discovers a corpse. "Who are you?"
The cynical police Inspector Wardlaw (Roddy McMillan) interrogates him. One thing Johnny spots, is that a photo on the wall of the country cottage Julia used has been slashed. He returns to Ellen to find out if she knew this dead girl. Ellen is silent. Johnny refuses to help any more, unless she reveals to him what has happened to Sarah, his dead daughter

To The Dark Number part 2 or return to the start

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Part 2

Puffing his fag, Johnny peers over a bridge in the dark night, before grabbing a drink. A down and out lawyer confronts him, his advice is worth a small gift- from Inspector Wardlaw. With the rain pouring down, he reveals that the dead girl was called Sandra Bailey. Has Johnny heard of The Dark Number? These are criminal acts that never come to the attention of the police.
Returning to Julia's flat, Johnny is surprised to find a couple kissing. They are Jo-jo and Meg, who don't know where Julia is, she's "a gasser." But they do know that her latest boyfriend had been Tom Armstrong.
Two heavies call. They are looking for Tom, keen to duff him up. They have been sent by Dodds who believes "Armstrong killed her."
The inspector reveals quite a bit to Johnny about his daughter's death some years back. She had drowned, after going sailing in "a wee boat." Too many passengers, and it had capsized, and she and a boy named Walter had been drowned. Also in the boat were Armstrong, Sandra, Julia, and a girl named Louise Blake.
Ebenezer Armstrng is an old contact of Johnny's, he worshipped Julia once. He had last met her on July 23rd. Where had she gone after seeing him? He doesn't know, but reckons that if Johnny could trace the strange Louise, a man hater, there Julia will be. "You're on the hook for murder," Johnny warns Ebenezer.
Perhaps too many characters and complications to make an entirely satisfying drama. You know roughly what's going on, or think you do. Some memorable film noir type scenes cover the deficiencies

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Part 3

"Julia never mentioned her," Ellen tells Johnny, of Sandra the dead girl.
Armstrong has been duffed up, and his secretary identified Johnny as having threatened him. "He was everything I despised," Johnny tells Inspector Wardlaw.
In a laundrette, Johnny meets up with yet another old pal, Dorothy. Once they had been close and make a date for that evening.
Then he asks a shrink who had treated Julia for some information about his wife. She had had guilty feelings about their daughter Sarah's accident. She was suffering persecution mania. She claimed it was Johnny who was causing this. The shrink last saw her on Friday July 23rd, when she said she had proof of Johnn's persecution. She had been receiving unpleasant letters. Wardlaw shows Johnny a few of them. "I'm being got at," Johnny realises.
At last "the truth," that's what Dorothy gives him. The accident had been Julia's fault. "She's sick, Johnny." With a promise of another date, they part.
Still looking for the elusive Louise, Johnny meets a Miss Stevens at Louise's art studio. She has not seen Louise for months, rumour has it she is in a nursing home. The funny thing is that she had been commissioned by a man named Johnny Maxen to paint Drowned Girl.
Very early next morning, Wardlaw phones saying he thinks he has found Julia

The Dark Number part 4 or return to the start

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Part 4

Off in a police car to a lonely cottage. Is it Julia's body? It had evidently been in the loch some months. Odd, since she was a good swimmer. However it turns out she had been strangled.
David Williams, reporter, has received a tip off about events on Friday July 23rd. In return for an exclusive, he tells Johnny his source is Bunty, a poacher.
Dorothy drives Johnny to Julia's cottage. On the journey, as they chat she perceives that he has not exorcised Julia's ghost. Once inside, they find the Drowned Girl painting. Johnny is furious when Dorothy credits him with commissioning such a sick picture. Their row is not entirely convincing, or comfortable, as she offers him some truths. "You can't go mad on purpose," he reflects philosophically.
Inspector Wardlaw interrupts their fun, and he is curious also as to who paid for the painting. "It's part of the persecution pattern" of Julia.
Then Wardlaw says he had found Johnny's passport here in the cottage- is this a second passport of his?
At Loch Darrock Hotel, Johnny talks with Bunty. He says he had seen Julia at midnight with another woman enter the cottage. A cry of "Johnny," then a scream. "You murdered her"

To The Dark Number part 5 or return to the start

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Part 5

Ellen turns up at Julia's flat worried about all the deaths. Even though she had asked for Johnny's assistance, she has always believed Julia dead, and that Johnny was responsible.
Down another dark deserted street, Johnny strolls, meditating. He is being followed. It is Inspector Wardlaw, who still has unanswered questions. Who was the other woman with Julia that fateful night?
Dorothy works out that Bunty must have been the man who collected the painting. Johnny leans on him. Tom Armstrong had paid him. Johnny loses his temper and beats Bunty up, Dorothy prevents him from causing serious injury.
At last, Johnny traces Louise Blake: she is in a mental hospital. She had been found at Loch Darrock some months ago, identity unknown. "Hello Julia," is Johnny's greeting. She however claims she is called Louise, a sad pathetic figure. Who are you, she inquires of Johnny. She rambles on, clutching a doll as the picture becomes somewhat clear as to what happened the night of the drowning.
Inspector Wardlaw apologises for ever suspecting Johnny. Perhaps missing is Ellen's reaction to it all. The final shot is of Johnny on a bridge, holding Dorothy's hand

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The Man in Room 17

Network dvd have issued all of these:
1.1. Tell the Truth
1.2 Hello Lazarus
1.3 The Years of Glory
1.4 Confidential Report
1.5 The Millions of Muzafariyah
1.6 The Seat of Power
1.7 Safe Conduct
1.8 A Minor Operation
1.9 Find the Lady

2.1 How to Rob a Bank and Get Away with It

2.2 Vendetta
2.3 The Black Witch
2.4 First Steal Six Eggs
2.5 The Catacombs
2.6 Where There's a Will
2.7 The Fissile Missile Makers
2.8 Goddess of Love
2.9 Undue Influence
2.10 Lady Luck's No Gentleman
2.11 The Standard
2.12 Saints Are Safer Dead
2.13 Never Fall Down
3.1 Arson
3.2&3 Inside Out (in 2 parts)
3.4 Wherein Justice Lies
3.5 The Golden Goose
3.6 Spindoe's Move
3.7 A Snatch in Time
3.8 The Domestic Diplomat
3.9 Final Demand
3.10 No Cage for this Bird
3.11 Violence
3.12 The Straight Way
3.13 The Solicitor
Room 17 was Somewhere in Whitehall, a secret centre handling cases that baffle the security services. This 13 part Granada series started on 11th June 1965 with Richard Vernon starring as Edwin Graham Oldenshaw ('EGO') an "ex-Oxford type with a superior IQ," and Michael Aldridge as Ian Dimmock ('ID'), "Oldenshaw's red-brick equal." Another regular in the first series was Willoughby Goddard as Assistant Commissioner Sir Geoffrey Norton. 'The Man' of the title was actually Oldenshaw, an immodest ex-Oxford type with a superior IQ. His partner red-brick-type Dimmock was more direct.
Director-producer Dick Everitt claimed the series was a mix of comedy thriller and pure adventure, "what it definitely is not, is neurotic or kinky." This perhaps to counterbalance some of Granada's other excellently individualistic Friday night dramas. Unusually, two teams of backroom staff made the series, one group for scenes outside The Room, and one for The Room, from which Dimmock and Oldenshaw never stray.
After 13 stories in 1965, 13 more followed in 1966. This time Oldenshaw was joined by Defraits (Denholm Elliott). Also Amber Kammer as Tracy Peverill invaded the all male Room 17 in selected stories.
A third series in 1967 now in the new location of a Cambridge college, was retitled The Fellows (Late of Room 17). Dimmock from series 1 returned in place of Defraits. He and Oldenshaw became Cambridge Fellows appointed by the Home Secretary to All Saints College. Also appearing in each story was Mrs Hollinczech who looks after their research data. Jill Booty, wife of the producer of this series Robin Chapman, played this part. James Ottaway as Thomas Anthem was another semi-regular character. Roy McAnally, Roy Marsden and Allan Cuthbertson appeared in a sequence of stories which gradually become more surreal, almost 'kinky,' despite those original claims. For sure, they were now far too over the top to be viewable, the sequences with The two grumpy Fellows remote from the action, attempting an uncomfortable intellectualism.
I only wonder what a fourth series might have contained- perhaps Dimmock has disappeared again (no doubt with Mrs H) leaving an ageing Oldenshaw working in his broom cupboard, sorting out what on earth could be the plans of fiendish worldwide spies
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It's Dark Outside

Fresh from The Odd Man, William Mervyn as Chief Inspector Charles Rose, teamed up again with Keith Barron as Det Sgt Swift. Other regulars in series one were the ever watchable John Carson as solicitor Anthony Brand and June Tobin as Brand's independent wife, on whom Swift has a crush. John Stratton has some great lines in his role of a jaded journalist.
This was stark Granada, simple sets, made on the cheap, but a televisual film noir, a genre entirely Granada's own, at its best brilliant!

Surviving stories on dvd:
1.1 The Grim World of the Brothers Tulk (Jan 1964)
1.2 One Man's Right
1.3 Speak Ill of the Living
1.4 More Ways of Killing a Cat
1.5 Wake the Dead
1.6 A Room with No View
1.7 A Case for Identification
1.8 You Play the Red and the Black Comes Up
2.1 The Guilty World of Hosea Pitt (Feb 1965)
2.5 A Slight Case of Matrimony
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Mr Rose (1967/8)
It is said that Cecil Bernstein "coveted" William Mervyn. His role as Charles Rose first came to our screens in
The Odd Man in 1963, then starred the following year in It's Dark Outside. He continued as a popular character in Granada's Friday night viewing in these 1967/8 series, though the character created by Eddie Boyd had retired from the police force, becoming considerably less acerbic. Producer Philip Mackie stated, "Inspector Rose was becoming too hard, ruthless, so I retired him. " Nevertheless the series still oozed style, thanks to Mervyn's polished performance. He enjoyed the high life in his classy Rolls Royce, 4267PP, for ever about to write his memoirs. These are to be typed by his secretary in series one, Drusilla Lamb (Gillian Lewis). His 'man' John Halifax (Donald Webster) is a reformed criminal. His memoirs finally published, in series 2 Mr Rose moves into a swish town flat, and oddly now chauffeur John drives his new Mini ETE328F. He is still working on more memoirs, typed by a succession of unreliable secretaries. Even John has deserted him in series 3, which introduces a new assistant, Robert Trent.


1.1 The Bright Bomber (February 17th 1967)
1.2 The Naked Emperor
1.3 The Noble Roman
1.4 The Black Beast
1.5 The Jolly Swagman
1.6 The Unquiet Ghost
1.7 The Tin God
1.8 The Bad Halfpenny
1.9 The Honest Villain
1.10 The Deadly Doll
1.11 The Avenging Angel
1.12 The One Woman
1.13 The Good Loser
2.1 The Frozen Swede (May 31st 1958)
2.2 The Fifth Estate
2.3 The Golden Frame
2.4 The Unlucky Dip
2.5 The Dead Commercial
2.6 The Heralds of Death

3.1 The Less-Than-Iron-Duke
3.2 The Bogeyman
3.3 The Missing Chapter
3.4 The Jolly Good Fellow
3.5 Free and Easy


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Sherlock Holmes (1951)
starring John Longden as the immortal detective and Campbell Singer as Dr Watson

(For
the 1954 Sherlock Holmes series starring Ronald Howard . . For the 1960s BBC series . . For the 1979 Geoffrey Whitehead series)

The Case of The Man Who Disappeared
Based on the Conan Doyle story The Man with the Twisted Lip
Neville St Clair (Hector Ross), a patient of Dr Watson, has disappeared. A "very old friend" Marie had come to his home one day and insisted he obeys orders, or else.......
Kate his wife (Ninka Dolega), seeks SH's help. She doesn't know who the woman was, but she has found out her husband's alleged place of work does not exist.
SH examines the area around this address, and follows a mysterious match seller through a graveyard and on to Redmead Lane near Tower Bridge. Kate is brought there and spots her husband through a window. In rushes SH to find St Clair dead in the room. When the police arrive the corpse has of course disappeared from the match seller's room. But there is some clothing that belongs to St Clair, and his coat is found underneath the window on the bank of the Thames. The house is a shady opium den owned by Luzatto (Walter Gotell).
Against all this evidence, Kate still believes her husband is alive. "I ought to be kicked from here to Baker Street," jokes SH as he concurs with her. The key is in the bathroom of the house, he adds cryptically.
Kate's intuition seems to be substantiated when she receives an anonymous letter in printed letters cut from a magazine stating Neville is alive. SH of course can deduce much from this missive. It's from a woman.
He breaks into the property of this lady, Doreen alias Marie, at the opium den belonging to Luzatto, to ask her why she'd sent the note. Answer: "Neville told me to." Luzatto had been blackmailing Neville St Clair because he thought he had killed Doreen's husband. Neville had feigned death when SH had found his corpse earlier- incredible that SH was so taken in! Nevertheless, SH persuades her to set a trap.
The crooks break into Baker Street and capture SH. At least they think it's SH, though it's actually DrW. He's taken to Luzatto, who realising the error, orders DrW to write a note to SH ordering him to come to the den. But in breaks SH and there's a fight, during which, with typical sneakiness Luzatto creeps away.
When the fisticuffs are over, the match seller is shown to be Neville, who'd been a virtual prisoner of the evil Luzatto. He's exonerated of the crime he thought he was guilty of, so they all live happily etc etc

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Jonnie and Me
A 1960 pilot made by Revue, filmed in Mexico. and starring
Richard Greene as Jonnie, and Robert Strauss as "me" (Hank)
with, in this story Hazel Court,
also Fernando Wagner, Jerome Cowan, Elsa Gardenas.
Teleplay: Danny Armold and Roland Kibbee. Directed by Danny Armold. Producer: Richard Irving.

This pilot was made but no series ever materialised from it. It introduces the main character, Jonnie, a wealthy playboy but secretly working for the US government, and his rival "me" aka Hank.They enjoy an uneasy relationship trying to spy out secrets and obtain the best price possible for them. This adventure has the added bonus of an appearance by Hazel Court.

It starts in Acapulco where Jonnie, relaxing on his luxury yacht with his latest conquest, rescues survivors from a stricken destroyer. The mystery is how it could have been sunk by a torpedo.
Jonnie stumbles on a note which shows that a millionaire named Karnak had had his ship fitted up with just such a torpedo. Jonnie invites himself to an exclusive party on this vessel.
A beautiful guest, Victoria, catches him taking photos so he chats her up and dances with her. Then he goes below to try and locate the torpedo and bumps into Hank. Behind a bulkhead he finds what he is looking for. He photographs the torpedo but they are discovered and dragged into the presence of Karnak. "You may die," he tells them. They are chucked overboard, which seems hardly murderous intent as the pair swim ashore.
Now Hank wants to share the vital photos, but Jonnie has to concede he hasn't got them. When he was searched he had handed them to Vicky.
When she comes ashore, she coldly informs Jonnie and Hank she has sold them to a higher bidder, ie Karnak. But later, at the airport, she kindly hands them to Jonnie alone, for a kiss or two. Hank however is wise to that and butts in to grab his share.
All very tongue in cheek, anticipating the mood of the 1960s spy genre, if this had been made a few years later it would surely have caught on. It's a very slight story, but interesting to watch Richard Greene attempting to throw off the shackles of his Robin Hood, alas, that was just impossible with the series ever being repeated

Crime Menu . . . Pilots' Menu

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Boyd QC
starring Michael Denison in the title role, a well-respected, highly professional man-about-the courts. Richard Boyd QC is in demand by all kinds of clients. Some of his cases include murder, fraud, forgery, blackmail and poison pen letters.
One of A-R's big successes, the series ran from late 1956 until 1964, with time off, of course, for good behaviour. 83 stories were made.
Writer of all the stories was Jack Roffey. Introducing each story, and acting as narrator was Charles Leno as Boyd's clerk. However John Glyn-Jones played Boyd's clerk George in the first series only. Executive Producer series 1: Caryl Doncaster.
The set was an adaptation of Courts Three and Four at the Old Bailey, though this was never actually referred to, in the stories. Publicity claimed the programme's success was down to 1 authenticity coupled with suspense and excitement, 2 the court theme and 3 its authoritarian approach to the question of right and wrong in law. "The treatment of all cases is tough and realistic."

Note on actors in the series.
In addition to those listed below, the following have also stated they appeared in this series, though the actual story is not at present known:
Douglas Blackwell (series 1 or 2), Jane Downs (either series 1 or 2 or 3- she played a nurse), Jeremy Geidt, David Blake Kelly, Doreen Keogh (series 1), Paul Massie, Jill Melford, George Mikell, Jean 'Jill' Moore, Peter Stephens, June Thorburn, Susan Travers, Selma vaz Dias, Mavis Villiers, Lockwood West. John Horsley also made at least one appearance in Boyd QC before that listed in #4:1.

Series 1 ran for 13 weekly stories, commencing Christmas Eve 1956. All except 1:1, 1:2, 1:6 and 1:10 were being advertised for sale to other tv stations in the 1960s, so must have been filmed.
1:1 Her Father's Daughter
Designed by George Haslam. Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs.
Synopsis: what was the secret of Ruth Martin that turned the case for James Lavers?
The first ever episode.

1:2 The Greenstreet Girl
December 31st 1956.
Designed by George Haslam. Directed by Cliff Owen.
Synopsis: Judy Greenstreet, a secretary, endeavours to evade the amorous advances of her boss. The situation which ensues involves her in a charge of arson.
Cast includes Jane Downs

1:3 The Case of Casanova Jones
Monday 7th January 1957
Directed by Ronald Marriott
Cast includes: Junia Crawford... Ruby Wheeler.
To quote Boyd himself- "When is a bigamist not a bigamist?" The results of the marital adventures of a soldier, Pte Jones.
"There are four complete answers to a bigamy charge... proven absence of the marriage partner for seven years coupled with a genuine belief of death; dissolution of the first marriage and nullity of the first marriage. There is also a fifth which is not laid down by law, but which is equally effective. We meet it when Boyd QC defends a certain Private Jones, Casanova Jones as he became known in this case."

1:4 The Ordinary-Looking Man
Monday 14th January 1957
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs.
"Richard Boyd is by no means invincible nor is he intended to be a 'clever dick.' There comes a time when his client is not quite so fortunate- when evidence is stacked too strongly against him. As Boyd's clerk, George, points out, 'You can't build bricks with straw.'... In this episode the case against Hatton Garden's diamond merchant Rosenstiel is black indeed, innocent as he would appear to be. This is a story of diamond smuggling that starts when an Irish runner is apprehended at the airport and refuses to divulge the names of his accomplices. Police investigation leads to the diamond merchant who by a circumstantial twist of fate finds himself in the dock."

1.5 Final Night Alibi
January 21st 1957, 8pm.
Director: Cliff Owen.
TV Times synopsis: "A ring at the door... a night watchman answers it- and the next moment he lies battered and bleeding on the floor. The defence of those accused of the crime was an alibi, but to be effective an alibi must be unshakeable"
Rediffusion synopsis: "Boyd's clerk George quotes Mr Weller's advice on how to conduct the case of Bardell v Pickwick- 'Stick to the alleybi' says Mr Weller, 'a alleybi's the thing to get him off!' George ends the programme some 27 minutes later, 'An alibi is like a chain. The more links in it the longer it gets... the difficulty lies only in finding its weakest link.' Finding that weak link is Boyd's task. He is confronted with the seemingly cast iron alibi of two crooks plaintively protesting their innocence to a charge of breaking and entering an office and stealing jewellery and silver to the tune of several thousand pounds."
Cast includes Michael Medwin

1:6 The Light Tackle Job
Monday 28th January 1957
Directed by Ronald Marriott.
A violent criminal on the run can be gentle enough with the woman who loves him, but to the public at large he is a potential killer.

1.7 The £10,000 Wash Out
February 4th 1957
Director: Michael Currer Briggs.
Cast includes:
Raymond Francis... Col Barlow
Margo Johns... Mrs Barlow
Noel Coleman... Mr Eastley, Defending Counsel
James Raglan... Judge ("once again")
Of nearly 4,000 cases of forgery known to British police in a year, two thirds are cheque forgeries and of the few odd ones, one would certainly have been the falsely time-stamped betting letter. Colonel Barlow, assisted by his wife perpetrates a simple but effective method of putting this fraud into operation. A £10 treble win placed on three outsiders would win the Barlows a five figure fortune. All the runners had of course come in first but Barlow's bookmaker smells a rat. So does the Post Office, so do the police; and so the colonel finds himself in the dock. It seems fairly obvious that he has engineered a betting swindle but it is going to be difficult to prove, and Boyd as Prosecuting Counsel begins to feel that the defendant is going to get away with it. But Col Barlow did not keep up to date with his racing and it turned out to be all a matter of time and a horse called Crumpet that unseated him

1:8 The Open and Shut Case
February 11th 1957
Director: Michael Currer Briggs.
Cast includes:
Richard Gatehouse... Blackmailer
Gladys Boot... Housekeeper
Honor Blackman
An American woman in her mid thirties is accused of murdering her aged husband. Blackmail by an old American friend of hers enters the plot... Jealousy by her husband's housekeeper complicates the issue. The accused pleads not guilty.

1:9 Both Sides of the Story
Monday February 18th 1957
Directed by Ronald Marriott.
'The Stage' reported the following were part of this cast:
Betty McDowall... Jill Harris (Defence Counsel)
Christine Pollon... Helen Porter
Boyd's clerk says, "A mean cowardly sort of crime, and quite rightly the courts come down on it hard. All the same there are always two sides to every story." This robbery takes place in a railway carriage and the young man, Peter Hayman, is arrested on the charge in which he is alleged to have been armed with an offensive weapon, a revolver, and robbed Helen Porter of a necklace. The accused pleads not guilty, and Boyd QC is briefed to prosecute.
Additional details: "... This time the hitherto invincible paragon of the law courts takes a beating from the defending counsel who has 'the face of an angel and a mind like a needle.'"

1:10 The Light That Was Dark
February 25th 1957, 8pm
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs
Synopsis: Hate and blackmail provide important elements in this case, where Richard Boyd defends a fascinating and sophisticated woman who is accused of murder.

1.11 Hit and Run
March 4th 1957
Director: Cliff Owen.
Cast includes:
William Franklyn... Jack Main
Barry Keegan... Police Inspector Roberts
Frank Shelley... Mr Donkin, Prosecuting Counsel
The charges concerns a road accident. The case in question is an up to date one from the point of view that causing death by dangerous driving is a new offence in Great Britain created by the Road Traffic Act of 1956. Replacing the charge of manslaughter which hitherto covered the same cirumstances, death by dangerous driving is no longer a felony punishable by life imprisonment, but a misdemeanour carrying a maximum sentence of five years. However, when a man's car kills a cyclist one night, police find him intoxicated at home. Boyd QC defends. But even he finds this a tough nut to crack.

1.12 The Key of the Door
March 11th 1957
Directed by Ronald Marriott
Cast includes:
Philip Dale... Mr Black, Prosecuting Counsel
Meier Tzelniker
Jeffrey Segal
Delia Paton
Synopsis: Minks and sables, beautiful furs worth thousands of pounds are stolen on a Sunday afternoon. Only one person could have done it- according to the prosecution.

1.13 The Third Stroke
March 18th 1957 (note- this story is definitely still in existence)
Cast includes:
Victor Maddern... Lee Blake.
Synopsis: Lee Blake, the safebreaker is standing in the dock. This case, the last in this series, is one of breaking and entering. A safe is blown open so expertly that it points to only one man. Eventually arrested, he stands in the dock, but Boyd finds his alibi as tough to crack as the Bank of England vaults. However, even good witnesses are persuaded that the timings of a defendant's alibi can be wrong, even by ten seconds.
Boyd's clerk ends the series with these words, "The Guvnor is going to France for a holiday with his eyes looking like roulette wheels."

Series 2 with 12 stories started in April 1958.
2.1 The Up-and-Coming Man
Wednesday April 9th 1958, 7.30pm
Director: Michael Currer-Briggs.
Synopsis: A girl decides to end her relationship with a married man. He takes the decision badly and threatens her life. One night she is razor slashed by an assailant, and she accuses her ex-lover. Nevertheless, arrested and charged, his case seems certain to be dismissed. Boyd, as prosecuting counsel, has to work hard against strong evidence to get a conviction.

2.2 Mustapha- King of Reefers
April 16th 1958
In the second edition of Boyd QC, Richard Boyd acts as prosecuting counsel in a case of drug trafficking. An Indian, Mustapha, is caught in possesion of hemp.

2.3 The Shropshire Lass
Wednesday 23rd April 1958 7.30pm
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs.
Synopsis: Ken Morris pleads guilty to a charge of receiving stolen goods. Did his beautiful girl friend who is charged with him know the truth?
Cast:
June Laverick... Elizabeth Oliver
Barrie Cookson... Kenneth Morris
Russell Waters... Albert
Cyril Renison... Mr Bodkin
David Garth... Mr Moss
Fred Johnson... Judge
Weyman McKay... Clerk of court
Owen Berry... Usher
Ian Ainsley... Inspector Briggs
Jill Melford... Kay Steers
Laurie Main... Sonder Struniewski
Robin Lloyd... Walter
Hilary Crane... Rita

2.4 The Balance of her Mind
April 30th 1958
Says Boyd's clerk Albert, 'By the MacNaughton rules of 1843, no person can be convicted of any crime if it can be shown that at the time he committed it the balance of the mind was so disturbed that he didn't know what he was doing was wrong. And it is up to the defence to prove this...' The story opens with the murder of a middle aged lady by her twin sister, an epileptic. A next door neighbour hears the sounds of the killing and calls the police.

2.5 The Not-So-Civil-Servant
May 7th 1958
Director: Michael Currer-Briggs
Boyd QC finds himself defending an unpleasant character charged under the Prevention of Corruptiion Act. Richard Coote, a Licence Enforcement Officer, threatens a small Soho cafe proprietor with a traffic offence and suggests the matter could be glossed over for a small consideration. The cafe owner reports the matter to the police and Coote is arrested.

2.6 Two Wrongs
May 14th 1958
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn.
Synopsis: Armed robbery is a serious offence in the eyes of the law. In this episode, the Court's work is made difficult through a case of mistaken identity.
Storyline: Charles Woodman, a young tough is in the dock charged with robbing a jeweller at pistol point. Woodman pleads Not Guilty and Boyd takes on his defence though the evidence is strongly stacked against the accused.

2.7 The Other Half
May 21st 1958
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs.
"A young mother, Mrs Pearson, is in the dock after attempted suicide by gas poisoning. She is charged on an indictment containing two counts- attempting to murder her baby and attempting to commit suicide. Boyd defends."
Cast included Carmel McSharry as Mrs Pearson.

2.8 Subaltern Red
May 28th 1958
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn.
Although every possible detail is carefully checked by police, it does sometimes happen that the vital clue remains stubbornly elusive. In such a case the work of counsel is rendered doubly hard.
"Synopsis: A young woman is found strangled in an East End coalyard and her husband Edward Dixon is charged with her murder. Prosecuting counsel produces damning evidence of Dixon's guilt and Boyd has to use all his powers of defence." (Sounds like Perry Mason all over again!)

2.9 A Question of Type
June 4th 1958
"Did old Mr Maitland write the libellous letters to discredit his son or was Dr Tom Maitland's cunning responsible for his father's appearance in court? That is the question posed in this edition of Boyd QC. Boyd is briefed to prosecute Mr Maitland on a charge of publishing a defamatory libel. Opposing him across the court is defence counsel Emrys Williams. The libel takes the form of anonymous letters which allege that popular Dr Tom committed an illegal operation on a young girl. This the doctor heatedly denies. By some careful police work and a little bit of luck the machine on which the letters were typed is traced to Maitland's own house- to his father's room. But in court Counsel Williams insists it was planted there by the doctor, eager to gain long-awaited revenge on his father for something which happened in the past

2.10 Last Train Home
June 12th 1958
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn.
"Marjorie Nelson is a wilful spoiled girl, accustomed to getting her own way, and living in an atmosphere of Only The Best Will Do.
Her association with young Frank Atkins, eager to please her every whim but financially prevented from doing so, seems headed for unhappiness.
In this tenth story of series two the story has gone a step further, from unhappiness to tragedy. Frank is in the dock accused of Marjorie's murder. Returning home on the last train after an expensive night out, the problem of money again causes an argument. Marjorie becomes hysterical, threatens to kill herself and opens the door of the carriage. Frank attempts to save her but the girl slips and falls from the moving train. An obvious accident, but in a dying declaration, Marjorie accuses Frank of pushing her. At the trial Boyd defends Atkins."
TV Times add the explanation that the evidence of a deceased person can only be admitted if the judge is satisfied the deceased was aware of their impending death.

2.11 The £12,000 Fiddle
June 18th 1958
"Three men, Quentin, Martin and Milne, are charged with conspiring together to obtain £12,000 from an insurance company by false pretences. The first two plead Not Guilty, but Milne anxious to return to the path of honesty he has followed for nine years admits the crime and offers evidence to the Crown against his former accomplices. Upon Boyd falls the responsibility of proving that Quentin and Martin are indeed guilty of fraud. All he has is Milne's uncorroborated statement, nothing at all in writing to connect two seemingly innocent men with the crime. And Milne is a former criminal whose last conviction was for a similar offence to the one with which he has now pleaded guilty."

2.12 The Family Affair
June 25th 1958, 7.30pm
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn.
TV Times synopsis: "Richard Boyd plans to spend a weekend in Kent with his family, but soon finds that it is not as quiet as he had imagined."
A-R synopsis: "Richard Boyd finds himself in court defending a member of his household, German maid Putzi Weigel. Putzi faces a charge of child stealing and another of causing the baby grievous bodily harm. When the baby, bruised and beaten, is found in the wardrobe of her bedroom, Putzi at first denies hysterically all knowledge of it. Later she admits taking the child from its pram but vehemently denies cruelty, alleging that the baby's mother is to blame. She is brought to court where Boyd finds himself in the strange position of cross-examining not only Putzi, but his own father and sister, Joanna.
This is the first time Boyd's family have appeared in the series."

Series 3 ran for 16 weekly episodes from 30 December 1958.

3.1 A Couple of Macs
December 30th 1958, 10.15pm
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs.
"Two Scots go out on a pub crawl on New Year's Eve and become involved in a fight. They are charged with assault and causing an affray. Boyd is asked by an old friend to represent them under the Poor Prisoners Defence Act, does so, securing their release under two points of law. The results are highly amusing although based on actual law and authentic legal procedure."

3.2 Nylon Spells Murder
Tuesday January 6th 1959, 10.15pm
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn.
Synopsis: When a man has been killed and the case is being considered, a most important factor is time- that is, the time in which the intention to kill was formed. Without that intention, a killing is not murder; it may not even be manslaughter.

3.3 Old Tom
January 13th 1959
"Old Tom Brown, on the brink of receiving a life pension and £1,000 gratuity after 40 years with the post office, is charged with stealing three postal orders from a letter."

3.4 A Question of Talking Turkey
Tuesday January 20th 1959
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs
Synopsis: Three weeks after Christmas is the harvest time for a bumper crop of Christmas crimes. Why did Boyd take this case? Was John Wainwright really involved in the turkey racket?

3.5 Cheap Ticket
January 27th 1959
Directed by Tania Lieven
"A good alibi is a cheap ticket to an acquittal any day of the week- and the alibi Bill Minto cooked up was the cleverest in many a long day."

3.6 Confession of Murder
February 3rd 1959
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs.
"Was Pollard's confession voluntary, or made under pressure? How does a barrister reconcile his conscience to defending a man he believes to be guilty?"

3.7 An Inside Job
February 10th 1959
"Like many burglars, Harry believed in working with inside help, and, like many burglars, he was caught. It seemed an open an shut case. But Boyd was warned that Harry might still have a trick up his sleeve."

3.8 The Samurai Killing
February 17th 1959
Murder for gain and murder for revenge. Most cases of killing fall into one of these two categories, but murder for jealousy is not so common, and poses more difficult problems.

3:9 In Camera
February 24th 1959
Directed by Geoffrey Hughes
It is said the camera cannot lie. But when a photograph proved Elizabeth Wayne guilty of theft, there were some who thought the camera had made a mistake.
For my review
Cast:
John Welsh... Sgt Bolton
Peter Bull... Morley
Brenda Hogan... Elizabeth Wayne
William Abney... Robert Welsh
Charles Gray... Tickle
Also in cast:
Ronald Leigh-Hunt... Braber
Ronald Cardew... Judge
Graham Leaman... Clerk of the Court
Malcolm Watson...Usher (recurring)

3.10 Escape
March 3rd 1959
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn.
It is not generally known that a Queen's Counsel can sit in a judiciary capacity as well as continuing his normal work. In this episode, Boyd, as Commisioner of Hasleford Assizes, is confronted with the tragic case of Olga and Eva Kristof (my review).

3.11 Rope's End
Tuesday March 10th 1959
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs.
Murder on the high seas. Cragg always picked on Gaston Ledoux, until one day he went too far.

3.12 The Crooked Path
Tues March 17th 1959 10.15pm
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn.
Synopsis: 'It worked in the film so it must work in real life' is an attitude encountered in the courts all too frequently.
This week, Boyd defends a case of attempted murder- a case which need never have happened if Bill Whelan had faced up to life's problems.

3.13 In A Manner Dangerous
Tuesday March 24th 1959
A famous French actress was injured in a car crash and a pedestrian killed. Was Yvonne la Fayette guilty of driving 'in a manner dangerous'?

3.14 Flat to Let
Tuesday March 31st 1959
This story deals with a phoney estate agent who induces people to pay registration fees as a condition of obtaining particulars of available flats. In fact he has no list of flats, but keeps his clients dangling until the fee expires.

3.15 Matrimony Wanted
Tuesday April 7th 1959
In this final episode of the series, Peter Donovan, a confidence trickster, tries to defraud Valerie Frinton of her life's savings with an illegal marriage certificate.

Series 4 started in June 1960 and ran for 13 stories.
4:1 A Case of M'Shimba
Wed 29th June 1960 8pm
"Martha, an African girl, intends to marry a coloured American GI. Odapi, to whom she had been betrothed by a tribal custom, comes to England to take Martha back. A row develops, a policeman is called and Odapi attacks him with a knife. Odapi is arrested. In defending him, Boyd explains that Odapi believed the policeman to be a 'blue devil' sent by a witch doctor to punish him. (Odapi had been chosen as a vehicle for a dead chief's spirit, a belief known as M'Shimba, and had broken tribal custom by leaving his village.) The High Court Judge believes Odapi and orders the jury to acquit him."
Cast:
Dan Jackson... George Albert Memorial Odapi
Barbara Assoon... Martha Shimboko
Millard Williams... Tom Bates
Malcolm Keen... Judge
John Horsley... Mr Fraser
Lawrence James... PC Shaw
Edward Harvey... Mr Hornham
Malcolm Watson...Usher
Weyman MacKay... Clerk of the court
Corinne Skinner/Zoe Adams... African girls
Benny Nightingale/ Slim Harris... African men

4:2 Hell Hath No Fury
Wed 6th July 1960 8pm
Synopsis: Take two women, one man, a pinch of jealousy, a blade of malice- but do not stir these ingredients or you will have a first-class explosion.
"Helen Laird, Paul Soames' secretary and mistress, is charged with blackmailing him. She employs Boyd to defend her and convinces him she has been framed by Soames' wife. Mr Waring, the Prosecuting Counsel, has a strong case. However Boyd finds irrefutable evidence which convinces the court that Helen Laird is not guilty, and that she has been the victim of Mrs Soames' jealousy"
Cast:
Gwen Cherrell... Helen Laird
Alfred Burke... Prosecuting counsel
Noel Johnson... Paul Soames
Annette Kerr... Mrs Soames
John Dunbar... Mr Howarth
Peter Collingwood... Mr Moate
Geoffrey Denys... The Judge
Weyman MacKay... Clerk of the court
Owen Berry... Usher

4:3 The Hard Way
Wed 13th July 1960
"De Viani, a notorious confidence trickster, is in prison awaiting his trial. He decides to employ Boyd to defend him and to this end he commissions Green, a representative of Chetty and Winthrop to employ Boyd in his defence. Green denies all knowledge of De Viani and his request. De Viani claims that he told Green to collect a suitcase containing £250 so that there would be enough money to cover the brief. Green is charged with stealing the money and Baird, another employee of Chetty and Winthrop, is accused of receiving stolen goods. Boyd's prosecution reveals that Baird had disguised himself as Green, had visited De Viani in jail and had subsequently stolen Case and money. Green was acquitted"

4:4 One for the Road
Wed 20th July 1960 8pm
Directed by Pat Baker
TV Times Synopsis: A car in the hands of a drunk can be a lethal weapon and 'one of the road' can lead to sudden death as quickly and surely as the hangman's rope.
A-R Synopsis: A young pop singer, Peter Dalton, is arrested and charged with unlawful killing of a woman while being drunk in charge of a car. His manager, Lewis Gorman, is the only witness who can enlighten the court about Peter Dalton's condition on the night in question. He testifies that Dalton was extremely drunk and that his driving was dangerous on the journey home. In Dalton's defence, Boyd cross-examines Gorman and casts doubt on his version of the story. Further questioning proves Gorman to have been the culprit and shows that he deliberately framed Dalton so as to avoid a prison sentence.
Cast:
Bill Kerr... Lewis Gorman
Leonard Sachs... Prosecuting Counsel
Peter Rosser... Harry Bennett
Glyn Houston... Det-Insp Brown
Jeffrey Segal... Dr Martin
Peter Fraser... Peter Dalton
Ronald Cardew... The Judge
Claude Jones... Knowles
Trevor Maskell... Det-Sgt Smithers
Arthur Lawrence... Grindley
Weyman Mackay... Clerk of the Court
Owen Berry... Usher

4:5 Jellied Eeels They're Luv'ly
Wed 27th July 1960 8pm.
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs
Storyline in TV Times- Rosie's eels and pies are 'doing very nicely,' but her ambitions grow too large against the better judgement of her crafty accomplice Willie.
A-R Synopsis: "Rosie Gould runs a cut price meat stall. Willie provided 'cheap' meat for Rosie, who then made meat pies which she sold on her stall. The meat used had been stolen from local farms by Willie. Eventually they were caught, but, however, this possibility had been foreseen and they had provided themselves with an alibi. Lottie Machin, who was known to be scrupulously honest, staunchily upheld their alibi. She said that they could not be responsible for the paricular theft in question because she was with them at the time having her picture taken; in the background of the photo was a clock showing the time and date which apparently 'verified' what they said. At the last minute, Boyd for the prosecution, finds a flaw in the alibi and the case is proven against Rosie and Willie."
Cast-
Megan Latimer... Rosie Gould
George Tovey... Willie Walters
Sheila Ballantine... Lottie Machin
Molly Lumley... Old woman
Geoffrey Hibbert... Alf Parker
Patrick Newell... Bert
Geoffrey Denys... Judge (in several of this series)
Donald Eccles... Mr Limpkin
Anthony Sagar... Dt-Insp Douglas
Owen Berry... Usher (also in other stories)
Betty Cardno... Mrs Painter
Mignon O'Doherty... Mrs Toogood
Louise Stafford... Mrs Noakes

4:6 The Decoy Chick:
Wednesday 3rd August 1960 8pm
directed by Pat Baker.
The Homicide Act of 1957 divides murder into two categories: 'capital' murder- punishable by death; and 'non-capital' murder- punishable by life imprisonment.
Sometimes as a result, a man's life depends on nothing but a pure technicality. Jim Lyons is a case in point.
A-R Synopsis: "Helen Mackenzie is murdered. Her fiance James Lyons discovers that Helen had somehow been mixed up with a gang of criminals; she had wanted to leave the gang but the boss, Benjamin Turley, threatened to kill her if she did. Helen left them and Turley shot her. In a blind rage, Lyons goes to Turley's flat, shoots him once, and stabs him twice, then gives himself up to the police. In defending him, Boyd points out to the court that it is not known whether Turley died from the bullet wound or the stab wounds, and on this fact would depend whether Lyons was to be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. Dr Lifford, who examined the body, could not say from which wound Turley had died. This doubt over a technical point, caused the judge to sentence Lyons to life imprisonment."
Cast:
Bryan Coleman... Prosecuting counsel
Barry Warren... James Lyons
John Barrie... Det-Supt Knott
Diane Clare... Helen Mackenzie
George Howe... Dr Lifford
Harold Goodwin... Stent
Gordon Whiting... Benjamin Turley
Brian McDermott... Snaith
Reginald Smith... The Judge
Lionel Gamlin... Mr Lermitt
Ian Clark... Standish
Michael Oxley... Webster
Anthony Dawes... Mann
Weyman MacKay... Clerk of the court
Owen Berry... Usher

4:7 Uncle George
August 10th 1960 8pm
The story: Every so often someone will try to pervert the true course of justice, and such was the case when Boyd was sitting as Special Commissioner at Springfield Assizes.
A-R Synopsis: "Joanna Harriden, Jonathan Courtenay and Caroline Swinden have an argument. A fight develops and Caroline is accidentally killed. In desperation, Joanna turns to her uncle, George Pack, who agrees to help. Pack decides that in return for a sum of money, he will accept responsibility for the accident. At the Assizes, Pack is charged with manslaughter. Boyd, who is sitting as Special Commissioner and Judge, decides that Pack's story is inconsistent and suggests to the police a further search for another witness. This is successful and important evidence comes to light which causes Pack to confess to the court the full story. The Case is dismissed and Pack, Joanne and Jonathan are imprisoned for perjury."
William Squire... Mr Corby
Redmond Phillips... George Pack
Leslie Weston... Mr Martin
Mary Watson... Joanna Harriden
Barrie Cookson... Jonathan Courtenay
John Kidd... Dr Sullivan
Colin Tapley... Det-Inspector Fuller
Edna Petrie... Miss Ralton
Frank Pemberton... Usher
John Boddington... Clerk

4.8 Fiddlers Two
Director: Michael Currer-Briggs.
August 17th 1960
Synopsis: Every now and then a case has the fascination of a jigsaw. No violent passions, no banner headlines, but, all the same, a fiddle that has been worked on the public by clever rogues.
A-R Synopsis: "Kenneth Martin and Gordon Nicholls are charged with defrauding the public by selling a useless hair tonic, and with rigging a competition which is part of their sales campaign. However Nicholss' true identity is revealed by Biron, a blind man, and subsequent examination by Boyd proves that the setup is a 'fraudulent device.'"
Colin Keith Johnson... Henry Stevens
Lucy Griffiths... Mrs Austin
Douglas Ives... Mr Austin
Ronald Fraser... Kenneth Martin
David Nettheim... Gordon Nicholls
Charles Morgan... Supt Latham
Philip Leaver... Mr Borland
Arthur Lowe... Mr Biron
James Raglan... Judge
Weyman Mackay... Clerk of Court
Owen Berry... Usher

4.9 The Little Man
Director: Michael Currer-Briggs.
August 24th 1960
Synopsis: Boyd is entrusted with the defence of John Parsons, but Parsons has confessed that he killed his wife. Boyd seems faced by an impossible task.
A-R Synopsis: "John Parsons is accused of strangling his wife Connie. He had intended to ask her for a divorce so that he could marry Florence Twiss, the woman he really loved. He and his wife had quarrelled, and in a scuffle Connie is killed. When he hears that the police are looking for him, Parsons gives himself up and admits to the killing. Boyd defends Parsons, and his thorough investigations reveal the true facts of the case. Boyd shows the court that Dr Attard, who conducted the postmortem, was inexperienced with death by strangulation and had inadvertently but wrongly diagnosed the cause of death. The correct diagnosis is given by Boyd's surprise witness Dr Burton. The jury returns a verdict of Accidental Death and John Parsons is acquitted."
Mervyn Johns... John Parsons
Ann Wilton... Florence Twiss
Doris Yorke... Connie Parsons
Edwin Brown... Milkman
Denis Holmes... Dr Foote
David Phethean... Supt Smith
Ronald Masters... Simpson
Martin Lawton... Det Sgt North
Ian Parsons... Prison Officer
Bryan Pringle... PC Nutting
Leonard Osborn... Mr Blackerler
Jessica Dickinson... Buffet Attendant
Richard Vernon... Mr Trottman
James Raglan... Judge
Michael Bates... Dr Attard
Robert Sansom... Dr Burton
Weyman Mackay... Clerk of Court
Owen Berry... Usher

4.10 New Lamps for Old
August 31st 1960
A-R Synopsis: "Aristotle Loukis is charged with the forging of hallmarks on antique silver, and also with intent to defraud Arnold P Kriebel of £5,000. In defending Loukis, Boyd explains that the antique silver had been left in the shop safe since before the war. He also explains how a set of modern hallmark punches came to be left in the safe. Boyd's defence appears strong, and it seems the case will be quickly wound up. However Mr Burton, the prosecuting counsel, produces further evidence which convinces the judge and jury that Loukis is guilty."

4.11 The Time of Day
Director: Pat Baker
September 7th 1960
Synopsis: Family loyalty and the love of a father for his son have been two essential elements of social behaviour. Unfortunately these very same qualities sometimes become warped, and that means trouble for everyone, especially the police.
A-R Synopsis: "James Sprott is accused of murdering his ex-girl friend. Boyd, the prosecuting counsel, establishes the approximate time of the murder at around 3pm to 4pm. Casement for the Defence calls as a witness a Mr Lewis who swears that the girl was alive between 3.30 and 4pm on the day of the murder. Casement also proves that Sprott was at the local hospital from 3.15 until 7.45pm. Boyd is convinced Sprott is guilty. Investigation proves that Lewis had perjured himself in order to repay Sprott's father for saving his (Lewis') son's life a year before. Boyd presents this new evidence to the court. Lewis confesses that he had not seen the murdered girl on that day. This fact along with the police evidence of fingerprints and bloodstains convinces the judge and jury of Sprott's guilt. He is sentenced to life imprisonment."
Robert Flemyng... Defending Counsel
Michael Brennan... Lewis
Joyce Barbour... Mrs Rumbold
Norman Bird... Mr West
John Wentworth... Dr Spiller
Reginald Smith... Judge
Mona Bruce ... Miss Nelson
Douglas Muir... Mr Sprott
Raymond Mason... Detective
John Dunbar... Mr Howarth
Weyman Mackay... Clerk of Court
Owen Berry... Usher

4:12 The Dog with a Bad Name (this was to have been the last of this series)
Director: Michael Currer-Briggs.
September 14th 1960 8pm
A-R Synopsis:
"James Burriss, an old lag, is charged with breaking and entering a garage and stealing tools. He pleads not guilty, and is defended by Boyd. His defence is that his car broke down and that, as he was close to a friend's garage, he thought he would borrow the necessary tools. However he did not know that the garage had changed hands and he swears that he got in through an open window. The garage owner, Arthur Todd, insists that all the windows and doors were locked. Evidence substantiating Burris' story is revealed when Todd's daughter is found to have been secretly courting and had used the open window in question as an exit. The window had stuck and she left it open all night. His case is proved not guilty, and Burriss is discharged."
Weyman Mackay... Clerk of Court
Leslie Dwyer... Jimmy Burriss
Margaret Bull... Miss Manners
George Bishop... Mr Huckle
Reginald Smith... Judge
Peter Vaughan... Sgt Curtis
Peter Howell... Mr Borford
Michael Harrison... PC Moss
Bert Platt... Charlie Barker
Cameron Hall... Arthur Todd
Leon Garcia... Ernie Etchingham
Owen Berry... Usher

4.13 Ada's Daughter
September 21st 1960
Director: Michael Currer-Briggs.
A-R Synopsis: "Ethel Courtenay, the daughter of Boyd's sister's housekeeper Ada, is arrested and charged with sending poison pen letters to people in her village. Vera, the wife of Dr Ticehurst, who is Ethel's employer, tells the police that she found a bundle of the letters in Ethel's room. Boyd defends Ethel and almost proves to that court that Dr Ticehurst was responsible for the libel. However Vera stands up, stops the case, and admits to having written all the letters"
James Raglan... Judge
Maureen Pryor... Ethel Courtenay
Helen Jessop... Penelope Boyd
Joan Young... Ada Courtenay
Oliver Johnston... Dr Ticehurst
Nora Nicholson... Vera Ticehurst
Margot Bryant... Mrs Cooper
Geoffrey Denton... Inspector Halpin
Martin Wyldeck... Mr Shoreham
Weyman Mackay... Clerk of Court
Owen Berry... Usher

Series 5 ran for 13 episodes, commencing 24 May 1961.
5:1 The Needle Match
Wed 24 May 1961 8pm
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn
David Spencer, international football star, is accused of killing an opposing player by deliberately dangerous play during a needle match.
Pete Murray... David Spencer
Maureen Connell... Ruth Hanson
Sheila Raynor... Mrs Spencer
Wensley Pithey... Mr Wodhurst
John Miller... Judge
Richard Wakeley... Lewis
Peter Welch... Monro
Kent Walton... Commentator
Ronald Mayer... Mr Straker

5:2 The Old Flame
Wed 31 May 1961 8pm
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn
Boyd defends a young doctor who is brought before the General Medical Council accused of improper conduct with a woman patient.
Cast:
Barrie Cookson... Dr Matthews
Hal Dyer... Mr Matthews
Fred Hugh... Mr Stunt
Owen Holder... Mr Hakin
Christine Finn... Marion Shaw
Ralph Nossek... Geoffrey Shaw
Alan MacNaughtan... Mr Walton
Langley Howard... President

5:3 Treasure Trove
Wednesday 7th June 1961 8.55pm
Directed by Richard Gilbert
Synopsis: The finding of buried treasure at Staddon Hall involves Boyd in the defence of its owners, the Carpenters.
Cast:
Charles Carson... Oswald Carpenter
Barbara Leake... Phyllis Carpenter
Peter Elliott... Peter Day
Edward Higgins... Dt-Supt Brooks
Ronald Ibbs... Edward Rickard
Leslie Weston... Sam White
Robert Webber... Mr Clark
Horace Sequeira... Judge
Terence Woodfield... Richard's junior

5:4 Out of the Frying Pan
Wed 14 June 1961 8.55pm (this had originally been announced as the first of this series)
Directed by Richard Gilbert
Synopsis: Boyd QC, acting as Commissioner at the County Assizes, gives a young junior a chance to act for the defence in a case of bigamy.
Cast:
Gillian Raine... Miss Robins, barrister
Noel Howlett... Mr Corby QC
Carl Lacey... Clerk
Pearl Nunez... Emmeline Davis
Dan Jackson... Johnson
Lionel Ngakane... Davis
Donald Hoath... Dt-Sgt Roper
William Douglas... Prison officer

5:5 Family Business
Wed 21 June 1961 8.55pm
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs
Synopsis: Boyd's father is sued for breach of contract over the sale of a collection of jade.
Cast:
Austin Trevor... Brig. Boyd
Phyllida Law... Susan Boyd
Campbell Singer... Col Berringer
Bay White... Mrs Berringer
Donald Stewart... Steinbeck
Moira Kaye... Secretary
Avril Elgar... Valerie Hodges
Nigel Davenport... Meadows QC
Noel Dryden... Solictor
Brian Hayes... Judge
Colin Rix... Court attendant
Malcolm Watson... Associate
Roger Williams... Usher

5:6 Messing about in Boats
Thursday 29 June 1961 8pm
Directed by Richard Gilbert
Synopsis- Steven Blackford and Alexandra Haydon are sentenced to life imprisonment. To Boyd QC something appears wrong with the case and he finds grounds to bring them before the Court of Criminal Appeal.
Cast- Gillian Raine... Miss Robins
Henry McGee... Parker
John Wyse... President
John Boyd Brent... Mr Baker
Richard Clarke... Steven Blackford
Julie Paul... Alexandra Haydon
Ann Tirard... Harriet Haydon
David Evans... Paul Haydon
Frank Seton... Barman
Keith Pyott... Simpson
Jeremy Geldt... Dr Bassett
Pamela Hewes... Miss Trevor

5:7 Findings Keepings
Thursday July 6th 1961 8pm
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs
Synopsis: Once more Jimmy Burris is in trouble- and once more Boyd agrees to defend him. But this time there is a ten year sentence hanging over Jimmy's head if the jury finds him guilty. Note: unusually in this tale, the accused confessed in court to previous convictions.
Leslie Dwyer... Jimmy Burris
Margaret Bull... Miss Manners
Erik Chitty... Mr Prendergast
Jean Conroy... Barmaid
Chris Carlsen... Reg Carpenter
Manning Wilson... Billy Hilder
Edmond Bennett... First henchman
Max Miradio... Second henchman
Edward Dentith... Police sergeant
Allman Hall... Mr Gregory
Reginald Smith... Judge
Weyman MacKay... Clerk (recurring)
Owen Berry... Usher (recurring)

5:8 The Runabout
Thur 13 July 1961 8pm
Directed by Richard Gilbert
Synopsis: A pretty girl is 'had up' for speeding- a twist of fate finds Boyd defending her at the Old Bailey on a far more serious charge.
Cast:
Penelope Horner... Kathleen Ewen
Ivor Salter... Dt Insp Courtenay
John Wentworth... Mr Ewen
Weyman MacKay... Clerk (recurring)
Barry Sinclair... Mr Fleet QC
William Kendall... Mr Blake
Michael Bangerter... Jonathan Blake
Brian Hayes... Judge (recurring)
Owen Berry... Usher (recurring)

5.9 Sunday's Child
Thursday 20th July 1961 8pm
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn
An elderly couple are charged with abandoning a baby in a country church. There is no doubt that they are guilty but the problem is- whose child is it?
Eileen Devlin... Mrs Douglas
Elsie Wagstaff... Mrs Davis
Oliver Johnston... Mr Davis
Bryan Coleman... Insp Burton
Daniel Thorndike... Mr Barclay
Eric Elliott... Clerk of the court
Anthony Bate... Desmond Francis
Virginia Maskell... May Davis

5.10 Roast Chicken
Thursday 27th July 1961 8pm
Directed by Sheila Gregg
Boyd goes to the country for a weekend's golf- but finds himself helping some friends involved in a case of arson.
Cast:
Ronald Leigh-Hunt... Tom Venning
Annabel Maule... Hilda Venning
Jack Carlton... Martin Vale
John Woodvine... Mr Clovier QC
Reginald Marsh... Dt Insp Holland
Charles Houston... Peter Dunn
Frank Gatliff... Magee
Brian Hayes... Judge (recurring)
Norman Atkyns... Barman

5:11 Death on Tap
Thur 3 Aug 1961 8pm
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn
Synopsis: James Wilson is committed for trial on a charge of murdering his wife. Richard Boyd is briefed to defend him.
Cast:
Laurence Hardy... James Wilson
Patsy Smart... Mrs Wilson
Ann Lynn... Betty
Catherine Woodville... Susan
William Devlin... Mr Stanley QC
Tony van Bridge... Inspector Dalston
Geoffrey Denys... Judge
Laidlaw Dalling... Bob Craddock
Sydney Wolf... Usher
Ronald Meyer... Mr Fry

5:12 The Headmistress
Thur 10 Aug 1961 8pm
Directed by Richard Gilbert
Synopsis: To the world, Marion Westbury, headmistress of a school for handicapped children, is a deeply religious and dedicated woman.
When Boyd QC defends her on a serious charge, he soon realises that it is going to be difficult.
The cast:
Gladys Boot... Marion Westbury
Aimee Delamain... Gladys Westbury
Bruce Wightman... Marriott
Dannis Handby... Lever
Ronald Adam... Mr Noel
Reginald Jessop... Inspector Rae
Trevor Baxter... Mr Austin QC
Donald Bissett... Judge
Carl Lacey... Judge's clerk
Billy Milton... Clerk
Hedger Wallace... Customs man
Lionel Wheeler... Prison officer

5:13 The Season of the Year
Thur 17 August 1961 8pm
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn
Synopsis: General Braithwaite cannot resist the temptation to poach salmon on his neighbour's estate. But his weakness leads him into deeper water than he bargained for.
Cast:
Roger Livesey... General Braithwaite
Austin Trevor... Brigadier Boyd (recurring)
Michael O'Halloran... McBean
Norman Bird... Police sergeant
Derek Tansley... Mr Draper QC
Brian Hayes... Judge (recurring)
Norman Shelley... De Silva
Harry Littlewood... First poacher
Frank Pendlebury... Second poacher
Owen Berry... Usher (recurring)
Weyman MacKay... Clerk of Assize (recurring)
John Waite... Jury foreman
Alan Tucker... Keeper

The final series 6 had been taped starting in December 1962. Originally it was scheduled for a network release for the following spring, but for reasons unknown, this never happened and A-R showed it to parts of the network from autumn 1963. Where known, the dates planned for the original video tape recordings are shown.
It seems to have run for 16 stories, announced by Associated Rediffusion as: 1 Fishy Story, 2 A Conspiracy of Silence, 3 Parlez-vous, 4 What the Eye Doesn't See (see 6.3 below), 5 Pictures in the Fire (see 6.9), 6 By Gas That's Murder, 7 The Fourteen Hundred Dollar Question, 8 Thread of Evidence (see 6.7 below), 9 No Hoper (6.14), 10 A Little Learning, 11 Square Peg (see 6.13 below), 12 The Reluctant Persecutor (sic- see 6.15 below), 13 The Case of the Lazy Eye (see 6.16 below), 14 The Hurricane, 15 The Simple Question, 16 End of Term (see 6.10).
Some 'leading actors' announced to appear in this series were Dulcie Gray, Edgar Wreford (see 6.13), Guy Deghy, Kenneth Connor (see 6.3), Leslie Dwyer and Carl Bernard (6.9).
TV Times stated that in 1963 Boyd QC was screened in six countries abroad, and that included Australia, where according to Michael Denison it was "immensely popular."

6.1 The Hurricane
Taped December 24th 1962. Original transmission date had been scheduled for June 4th 1963, but only shown on
Friday October 18th 1963, 10.15pm.
Director: Richard Gilbert.
The sinking of the SS Loveday in a hurricane 150 miles off the coast of San Moy means a journey for Boyd to Hong Kong and his appearance at the Queen's Bench on behalf of an insurance company.
Mark Dignam... Captain Adams
Andrew Crawford... Captain O'Reilly
Hugh Latimer... Mr Quentin
Robert James... Lucas
Tom Bowman... Petersen
John Boxer... Saunders
Yolande Firmin... Receptionist
Wemay Mackay... Judge
James Goei... Barman
Leslie Weston... Old Seaman
Joe Ritchie... Insurance Broker
Ronald Falk... Naval officer
Jimmy Gardner... Waterfront Man

Fishy Story
Taped January 14th 1963. Original transmission date had been scheduled for March 5th 1963, thus this would have been the first of the series.

6:3 What the Eye Doesn't See
Friday 8 November 1963 10.5pm
Directed by Pat Baker
The story- As Chairman of the Appeals Committee at Springfield Magistrates Court, Boyd patiently hears Case of Bajendra Singh who was found guilty of serving Dins Dog Food in his Indian curry.
Cast: Kenneth Connor... Bajendra Singh
Roy Dotrice... Mr Jacobs
Jeffrey Segal... Mr Victor
John Woodnutt... Mr Jackson
Patrick Newell... Mr Pyecroft

A Conspiracy of Silence
Taped January 21st 1963. Original transmission date had been scheduled for March 12th 1963.

Parlez-vous
Taped January 28th 1963. Original transmission date had been scheduled for March 19th 1963.

6.6 By Gas That's Murder
Probaly taped on February 11th 1963. Shown on November 22nd 1963

6:7 Thread of Evidence
Taped on March 4th 1963. Original transmission date had been scheduled for April 23rd 1963, but only shown on
Friday 6 December 1963 10.5pm
Directed by Pat Baker
In the Civil Court, Boyd has a hard task defending a young couple, until his Junior comes to his assistance with her superior knowledge- not as a barrister, but as a woman.
Robert Brown... Adrian Marshall
Howard Douglas... Stationmaster
Bill Treacher... Arnold
Frank Littlewood... Clerk
Richard Bebb... Mr Eadey
Mary Yeomans... Mary Dunnett
Richard Thorp... Tom Dunnett
Joy Shelton... Ann Marshall
Kenneth Henry... Judge
Gilliane Raine... Sheila Robins
John Citroen... Douglas Aldwyn

The Fourteen Hundred Dollar Question
Taped on February 25th 1963. Original transmission date had been scheduled for April 16th 1963.

6:9 Pictures in the Fire
Taped March 18th 1963, the second on this day. Shown on
Friday 20 December 1963
Directed by Richard Gilbert
A fire at the countess's London art salon, and Boyd finds himself defending her in court.
Isa Miranda... Contessa Anna Maria Villaresi
Carl Bernard... Tarquin Eley QC
Windsor Davies... Mr Wood
Brian Badcoe... Mr Price
Keith Pyott... Judge
Frank Seton... Shopkeeper
William Job... Adrian Marley
Martin Cookson... Usher

6:10 End of Term
Taped: January 7th 1963. Original transmission date scheduled June 18th 1963 as last of series, but finally shown on
Friday 27 December 1963
Directed by Pat Baker
Boyd accepts a dock brief from Bessie Mann, accused of stealing nine cage birds.
Clifford Mollison... Judge
Leonard Trolley... Clerk
Margot Boyd... Bessie Mann
Walter Sparrow... Prison Officer
Patricia Hayes... Miss Twiss
Peter Gale... Policeman
Ernest Clark... Mr Hinson
Owen Berry... Usher (recurring)
Barbara Bruce... Florrie Moss
Robert Hunter... Joshua Ireland

A Little Learning
Taped March 18th 1963. Original transmission date had been scheduled for May 7th 1963.

6:13 The Square Peg
Taped March 25th 1963. Original transmission date had been scheduled for May 14th 1963, but only shown on
16th January 1964
Directed by Richard Gilbert
Boyd has recollections of his army days when he finds himself Defending Counsel at a district court martial.
Richard Warner... Sir Hugh Adair
Edgar Wreford... Major Alsop
George Tovey... Smudger Smith
Cavan Kendall... Private Adair
Patrick Connor... CSM Frazer
Hugh Morton... Mr McDermott
Stuart Nichol... President of Court Martial
Edward Phillips... Judge advocate's rep
John Maynard... First Recruit
Martin Appleby... Second Recruit
Clive Marshall... Third Recruit
Shane Rogers... Fourth Recruit
Martin Cort... Fifth Recruit

The three final programmes had originally been announced for series six, but evidently there had not been time to screen them, and they were shown to fill in odd slots.
6.14 The No-Hoper
Director: Richard Gilbert.
Taped on March 4th 1963 (2nd on this day). Shown on
March 5th 1964.
Synopsis: Joy Tyson, a successful model, pleads guilty to a serious crime and comes before Boyd QC who is Recorder at Springfield Assizes. Her refusal to talk puzzles him, but Boyd discovers the reason for her silence.
Rest of cast:
Ian Macnaughton (Det Insp Burtenshaw),
Walter Brown (Peter Blandford),
Daniel Thorndike (Mr Pitcairn),
Janine Grey (Joy Tyson alias Alice Springer),
John Flint (George Ireland),
Hamish Roughead (Clerk) and
Peter Hutton (Usher).

6.15 The Reluctant Prosecutor
Directed by Richard Gilbert.
Taped December 3rd 1962. Original transmission date had been scheduled for May 21st 1963, but only shown on
16th September 1964
Synopsis: Boyd defends an American driven to crime by his hobby
Natalie Kent... Bessie White
Frederick Leister... Major General Boyd
Charles Carson... Toby Bailey
Terence de Marney... Hiram P Gruber
Derek Nimmo... Mr Barden
Donald Bisset... Magistrate
Cyril Wheeler... Magistrate's clerk
Fred Ferris... Sgt Wilkes
Christopher Wray... Court police officer

6.16 The Case of the Lazy Eye
Taped December 17th 1962. Original transmission date had been intended to be May 28th 1963, but only shown on
23 September 1964.
Directed by Raymond Menmuir.
In the last ever story, Boyd finds himself defending Halfern's Holiday Camps Ltd in a damage claim against them. As he thinks the company is clearly in the wrong it seems an open and shut case - until one witness makes a slip.
Cast:
Jack Melford... Mr Caston
Ernest Hare... Judge
Bert Brownshill... Mr Halfern
Leslie Sarony... Mr Grogan
Eric Dodson... Mr Ormeroyd
Derek Martinus... Mr Cox
Lavender Sansom... Nurse
Joe Gibbons... Mr Western
Anne Pichon... Mrs Western
Sarah O'Connor... Ann Western
Richard Longman... Mr Beresford
Richard Wilding... Usher
Derek Jones... Boy
---

To Boyd QC

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Murder Bag
Brief details of some of these live stories:

1.1 CASE 1: SEPTEMBER 16.
Monday September 16th 1957 9pm
Written and produced by Barry Baker
Directed by Jean Hamilton
When a Scotland Yard detective sets out to solve a murder, he takes with him a 'Murder Bag.' This exciting new series will show viewers how the contents of the bag are used to trap a murderer. The bag contains rubber gloves, small boxes of various sizes and shapes for holding clues like hair, cigarette ends, dust etc, a small but powerful magnifying glass, pliers, tweezers- everything the detective needs for his first survey of the crime.

CASE 2: SEPTEMBER 23
September 23rd 1957
Written and produced by Barry Baker
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn
Viewers will see how the whole force of the law can be brought to bear on one case.

CASE 4: OCTOBER 7
October 7th 1957
Written and produced by Barry Baker
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn
When investigating a murder, things are not always what they seem, and an innocent face does not guarantee an innocent person.

CASE 6: OCTOBER 21
October 21st 1957
Written and produced by Barry Baker
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn
Murder by poisoning can be a very difficult
crime both to trace and to prove,
but it's harder to escape the evidence which
can be provided by using the Murder Bag.

CASE 7: OCTOBER 28
October 28th 1957
Written and produced by Barry Baker
Directed by Jean Hamilton
Supt Lockhart is faced with the most difficult type of case to prove- one in which the body of the victim cannot be discovered.

CASE 8: NOVEMBER 4
November 4th 1957
Written by Barry Baker.
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn
When the police are called to investigate what appears to be suicide, they are careful to see there has been no foul play

CASE 11: NOVEMBER 25
November 25th 1957
Written by Peter Ling, based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by Jean Hamilton.
There are more ways than one of telling a story, but when Supt Lockhart investigates a murder, he has to find the truth behind the story.

CASE 12: DECEMBER 2
December 2nd 1957
Written by Peter Ling, based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn.
According to the local police,
this is an open and shut case,
but when Supt Lockhart arrives on
the scene, he thinks differently.

CASE 15: DECEMBER 23
December 23rd 1957
Written by Peter Ling, based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by David Boisseau.
Supt Lockhart investigates the theft of some turkeys. It's always happening at Christmas- but this time a man is killed.

CASE 17: JANUARY 6
January 6th 1958
Written by Barry Baker, based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by David Boisseau.
In a quiet country village, a man has been murdered. There are plenty of clues for Supt Lockhart to work on, but it is village gossip which gives him a definite lead.

CASE 18: JANUARY 13
Jan 13th 1958
Written by Barry Baker, based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by John Moxey.
Supt Lockhart uses the records department as well as the Murder Bag to track down a killer.

CASE 19: JANUARY 20
January 20th 1958
Written by Barry Baker, based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Fredric Pusey.
Directed by David Boisseau.
Colonel Boulton is found murdered. The obvious supect is an escaped convict named Lofty Potter. But Supt Lockhart knows Lofty of old, and does not want to prefer a charge just yet.

CASE 20: JANUARY 27
January 27th 1958
Written by Peter Ling, based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by John Moxey.
A murderer of unusual cunning matches his wits against the combined forces of Supt Lockhart and the Murder Bag.

CASE 21: FEBRUARY 3
February 3rd 1958
Written by Peter Ling, based on a story by Glyn Davies. Designed by Fredric Pusey.
Directed by David Boisseau.
Amy Carslake, American heiress, is found drowned in her bath. The bathroom door is locked, and it looks like a case of death by misadventure. But a photograph gets publicity, and the affair takes a different turn.

CASE 22: FEBRUARY 10
February 10th 1958
Written by Barry Baker, based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by Jean Hamilton.
Even the rich can be involved in murder. Supt Lockhart- with the Murder Bag is called in to solve an unusual case.

CASE 23: FEBRUARY 17
February 17th 1958, now at 9.30pm
Written by Peter Ling, based on a story by Glyn Davies. Designed by Fredric Pusey. Directed by David Boisseau.
A night watchman is attacked, and a valuable consignment of nickel stolen. During the investigation, a case of robbery with violence becomes a double murder.

CASE 24
February 24th 1958
Written by Barry Baker
based on a Story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by Jean Hamilton.
To a tramp, two crossed arrows means 'go anywhere away from here,' but to Lockhart they can point the way to a murderer.

CASE 25: MARCH 3
March 3rd 1958
Written by Peter Ling based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman.
Directed by David Boisseau.
An old bicycle pump and the obduracy of a Swiss shipwright, seem to be the only clues in what Scotland Yard calls The Stolen Anchor Case.

CASE 26: MARCH 10
March 10th 1958
Written by Peter Ling
based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by John Clements.
Directed by Jean Hamilton.
Somebody in the gang talked too much, and the police are able to make a swift arrest. This adds up to a motive for murder. But as Supt Lockhart discovers, things are not always what they seem.

CASE 27: MARCH 17
March 17th 1958
Written by Peter Ling based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Henry Federer.
Directed by John Moxey.
In the grim atmosphere of a prison, murder is committed. Supt Lockhart is presented with many suspects among the convicts.

CASE 28: March 24th 1958
Written by Glyn Davies
Designed by Frank Gillman
Directed by Jean Hamilton.
When Supt Lockhart encounters the dread of all police officers, the 'sticky' murder inquiry, he meets also an old police trick put to a new use- by the murderer.

CASE 30: MARCH 31
March 31st 1958
Written by Glyn Davies
Designed by Michael Yates
Directed by Jean Hamilton.
Jeslousy, greed, love- these three emotions mixed with plain water equal the hardest case of Lockhart's career.
Note: this plot is advertised in TV Times for the above date, though the case number should be no 29, and it is possible this programme went out as Case 30 the followuing week (ie April 7th)

2.1 CASE 31: LOCKHART CASTS A NET
June 30th 1958 8pm
Written by Barry Baker based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by George Haslam.
Directed by Cyril Coke.
Faced with a particularly complicated case of murder, Supt Lockhart
proves that the behaviour of the human mind can sometimes provide a vital clue

2.2 CASE 32 LOCKHART BUYS A BROOCH
July 7th 1958 8pm
Written by Barry Baker based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Nerini.
Directed by Cyril Coke.
Unpremeditated and senseless killing is one of the most difficult types of murder to solve.

2.6 LOCKHART SETS A TRAP
August 4th 1958 8pm
Written by Barry Baker from a story by Glyn Davies
Designed by Frank Gillman
Directed by Cyril Coke.
There are no two people exactly alike; no two people do anything exactly alike, from tying a shoelace to committing a murder. Watch Lockhart follow this line of thinking in an unusually difficult case

2.7 LOCKHART COUNTS THE SHOTS
August 11th 1958
Written by Barry Baker based on a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Fred Pusey. Directed by Cyril Butcher.
A man is shot dead on an upper floor of a block of flats. How did the murderer enter and leave without being seen?

2.8 LOCKHART FINDS A NEEDLE
August 18th 1958
Written by Barry Baker from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman. Directed by Cyril Coke.
Usually in a case of murder, the victim at least is known. But what if a body has been in the river for six months? How can its identity be established?

2.10 LOCKHART LISTENS TO THE BIRDS
September 1st 1958 8pm
Written by Barry Baker from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman.
Directed by Jonathan Alwyn.
When criminals play for stakes high enough to make it worthwhile to take any risk, they are dangerous. For Supt Lockhart, it becomes another case of murder

2.13 LOCKHART WATCHES THE CLOCK
September 24th 1958 7pm
Written by Barry Baker from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman.
Directed by Daphne Shadwell.
Three people could not see the railway station clock which caused their death

2.16 LOCKHART PICKS A WINNER
Wednesday October 15th 1958
Written by Barry Baker, from a Story by Glyn Davies
Designed by Henry Federer
Directed by Roger Jenkins
The prospect of easy gains on the race track has often led men to back more heavily than they can afford. But when luck is against them their despair may lead them to violence, perhaps even suicide.

2.17 LOCKHART PROBES THE PAST
October 29th 1958 7:30 pm
Written by Barry Baker, from a Story by Glyn Davies. Directed by Roger Jenkins, designed by Henry Federer.
In the eyes of the law, there are few motives which extenuate murder. In the eyes of the public however, a distinction may be made between some cases, which seem more deserving of the maximum penalty, than others where the motive is revenge

2.19 LOCKHART PLAYS WITH FIRE
Wednesday 5th November 1958
Written by Barry Baker, from the Story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman.
Directed by Daphne Shadwell.
Please to remember the Fifth of November, Gunpowder Treason and Plot. The plot is untangled by Supt Lockhart, who has occasion to remember a particular Guy Fawkes night when the guy was not made of straw.

2.20 LOCKHART MISSES THE PLANE
Wednesday November 12th 1958 7.30pm
Written by Barry Baker from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Henry Federer.
Directed by Roger Jenkins.
Did she fall, or was she pushed? A stock question in murder mysteries perhaps, but when a body is found beneath a balcony, it is the question Lockhart has to answer

2.21 LOCKHART PULLS THE TRIGGER
Wednesday November 19th 1958 7.30pm
Written by Peter Ling from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman.
Directed by Daphne Shadwell.
There is always something sinister about an anonymous letter. In this case, a tip off had a quick reply- one that the writer certainly did not expect.

2.22 LOCKHART READS A MAP
November 26th 1958 7.30pm
Written by Peter Ling from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Henry Federer. Directed by Roger Jenkins.
Supt McWeaver's irritability has grown worse during the two years he has been trying to catch Stockingfoot, a successful sneak thief. In this case, Stockingfoot is tracked down, but hardly to McWeaver's satisfaction

2.23 LOCKHART CALLS THE TUNE
December 3rd 1958 7.30pm
Written by Peter Ling from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman.
Directed by Daphne Shadwell.
Joe Coote 'sings' to the police, but the tune doesn't seem to please some of the boys. Lockhart visits their favourite night club and makes them face some unexpected music

2.25 LOCKHART MEASURES A MILE
December 17th 1958 7.30pm
Written by Peter Ling from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman.
Directed by Peter Robinson.
A suburban council estate, a boxer's training camp and a nylon stocking make up the pattern formed by Supt Lockhart's investigations

2.26 LOCKHART COINS A PHRASE
December 24th 1958 (not fully networked)
Written by Peter Ling from the story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by Roger Jenkins.
"Boodle of queer and snide" - the jargon of making counterfeit money has a suitably odd ring about it. But, even at Christmas, passing dud florins may lead to murder.

2.27 LOCKHART FINDS A GUN
Thursday January 1st 1959 10.15pm
Script: Peter Ling from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Sylva Nadolny.
Directed by Daphne Shadwell.
The case begins in a timber yard, where a man is killed. There is no weapon, but when Supt Lockhart has collected all the clues, he finds the murder weapon in his hands

2.28 LOCKHART FOLLOWS A DOG
Thursday January 8th 1959 10.15pm
Written by Peter Ling from the story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by William Brodie.
Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs.
A torso on the river bank, a wet blanket, and the hairs of a dog are the main factors in Supt Lockhart's murder investigation.

2.29 LOCKHART FINDS A FLAW
January 15th 1959
A team of country house breakers plan a robbery, but murder intervenes.

2.30 LOCKHART FITS THE SHOE
January 22nd 1959
Written by Bill Hitchcock Directed by Daphne Shadwell
In the early hours of the morning Supt Lockhart is called in to solve a murder.

2.31 LOCKHART BREAKS EVEN
January 29th 1959
Written by Bill Hitchcock From the Story by Glyn Davies Directed by Jonathan Alwyn Designed by Frank Nerini
A prisoner escapes, £20,000 is stolen and Lockhart finds himself with a double murder on his hands.

2.32 LOCKHART VISITS A HOSPITAL
February 26th 1959 10.15pm
Written by Peter Ling from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Henry Federer. Directed by Graham Watts.
When the nurses in Ward Four go off duty, one of them makes a date- with murder.

2.35 LOCKHART SEES THE PM
February 26th 1959 10.15pm
Written by Peter Ling from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Henry Federer.
Directed by Daphne Shadwell.
PM here means Post Mortem! When Supt Lockhart is called on official business to the village of Clinton Priory, his visit is a matter of life and death

2.36 LOCKHART MISSES A CLUE
March 5th 1959
Written by Barry Baker from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Michael Wield.
Directed by Graham Watts.
A literary agent is getting his clients' manuscripts published in his own pen name, and when murder is committed, Lockhart has a wide field of possible suspects

2.37 LOCKHART WATCHES A FILM
March 12th 1959 Written by Peter Ling From the Story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Michael Wield.
Directed by Daphne Shadwell. An arrest is made; the murderer is charged; and another of Supt Lockhart's cases comes to an end. But when does a murder case begin?

2.38 LOCKHART SEEKS A DRIVER
Wednesday 18th March 10.15pm
Written by Peter Yeldham from the story by Glyn Davies.
Directed by Graham Watts.
Albert Fox is out on bail. Within 24 hours he is dead. Was it murder or suicide?

2.40 LOCKHART MAKES A TALLY April 1st 1959 10:15 pm
Written by Peter Ling From the Story by Glyn Davies
Designed by Frank Gillman Directed by Penny Wootton
Rose's Cafe means cheap food and a night's lodging for long distance lorry drivers. But for one man, it means ... death.

Crime Sheet starring Raymond Francis as Chief Det-Supt. Lockhart.
The title was changed from Murder Bag so that cases other than murder could be investigated by Tom Lockhart.
Introduction read by Redvers Kyle: "Crimes like these can happen at any hour of any day. Crimes against you, the citizen. The Crime Sheet is the official police record of all crimes as they are reported. The first step in bringing criminals to justice. This is London, a city of ten million people in 750 square miles. Metropolitan Police District 5, the area under Chief Supt Lockhart, 150 square miles of streets in which any crime can happen now."

2 LOCKHART FOLLOWS A LINE
April 15th 1959, 10.15pm
Written by Peter Yeldham.
Director: Penny Wootton.
To many people the theatre means excitement and glamour, but for those working behind the scenes it is often a different story

3 LOCKHART PLAYS SAFE
April 22nd 1959, 10.15pm.
Written by Peter Yeldham from the Story by Glyn Davies
Designed by Bernard Goodwin, Directed by Roger Jenkins.
A skilful gang will organises a safe cracking job witht he meticulousness of a military operation. But the unexpected always happens, in this case, a few blood stains provide Lockhart with the esential clue.
Note-this may be the first story in which Gerald Case replaced Raymond Francis- see below.

4 THE SUPERINTENDENT HEDGES A BET starring Gerald Case as Chief Supt. Carr.
April 29th 1959 (Raymond Francis had gone down with mumps, so Gerald Case replaced him for this and a few other stories.)
Script: Peter Ling from the Story by Glyn Davies
Director: Penny Wootton.
Also in this cast:
Ronald Leigh-Hunt... Insp Nick Clarke
Helen Shingler... Hilda Maclean
Dorinda Stevens... Carol Betterton
William Kendall... Major Lucas
Shay Gorman... Hector Grey
Frank Hawkins... Waites, receptionist
Philip Leaver... Mr Abercrombie
Brian McDermott... PC Gittings
Victor Charrington... PC Harris
Clive Chapman... Page boy
John Nicholson... Waiter
Brenda Haydn... Barmaid

5 THE SUPERINTENDENT FINDS THE ANGLES
May 6th 1959, 10.27pm
starring Gerald Case.
Written by Peter Ling From the Story by Glyn Davies
Designed by Frank Nerini, Directed by Roger Jenkins
The police are baffled when they find that the man they believe responsible for an assault is lying in the hospital bed next to the victim.

6 THE SUPERINTENENT DRAWS A DOUBLE BLANK
May 13th 1959
Script: Barry Baker from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Henry Federer.
Directed by Penny Wootton.
In a game of dominoes, the Superintendent draws a double blank,
and hopes this is not an ill omen for his investigations into the Jenner case

7 LOCKHART CHOOSES A WEAPON
Raymond Francis definitely returns to the series.
20th May 1959 10.15pm
Written by William Hitchcock from the story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Henry Federer.
Directed by Roger Jenkins.
For the law to be upheld, citizens must be prepared to give evidence against an accused person. In this case, the accused seeks revenge.

8 LOCKHART FITS A UNIFORM
Wednesday 27th May 1959 10.15pm
Written by Peter Yeldham from the story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Michael Weald.
Directed by Daphne Shadwell.
When the postman arrives with a special delivery for George Spennet on his early closing day, he finds himself involved in a crime of robbery with violence

10 LOCKHART GOES BACKSTAGE
Tuesday 9th June 1959
Written by Peter Yeldham from the story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Michael Wield.
Directed by Daphne Shadwell.
The scene is set, the actors know their cues. But when Lockhart walks on stage, it is not for applause

11 LOCKHART VISITS A PAWNSHOP
Tuesday 16th June 1959 10.15pm
Written by Peter Yeldham from the story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by John Emery.
Directed by Roger Jenkins.
A hooligan breaks into a shop, carrying a knife, with overwhelming consequences

13 LOCKHART MISSES THE POINT
Wed July 1st 1959, 8pm
written by Peter Ling.
Director: Roger Jenlins.
A police investigation of a minor offence sometimes sets off a major crime. In this case, when a postman reports a letter addressed in pencil, he little suspects that this will end with a man lying dead in an alleyway

14 LOCKHART SEARCHES THE RECORDS
Wednesday 8th July 1959, 8pm
Script: Peter Yeldham from a story by Glyn Davies.
Director: Daphne Shadwell.

16 LOCKHART LOSES A WITNESS
Wednesday 22nd July 1959
Script: Peter Yeldham from a story by Glyn Davies. Director: Daphne Shadwell.
A confidence trickster has to win the friendship of his victim- but in this case friendship is repaid by death.

17 LOCKHART FINDS A NOTE
July 29th 1959
Rest of Cast:
Brian Worth...Sgt Melvin
Carl Bernard... Harry Dane
Lawrence James... Danny Wilson
Jane Hylton... Linda Allen
Raymond Young... Mark Jacobs
Frank Hawkins... Manager of messenger Office
Frank Pemberton... Messenger
Leslie Heritage... Teller
Peter Swanwick... Chief Bank Clerk
John Wentworth... Bank manager
John Falconer... Waiter
Script by Peter Yeldham from an idea by Glyn Davies
Designer: Roy Walker
Director: Penny Wootton

20 LOCKHART VISITS A LAUNDRY
August 19th 1959 9.30pm
Written by Peter Yeldham from the story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Bernard Goodwin.
Directed by Penny Wootton. A girl is murdered in a night club. Lockhart has a small clue- a laundry mark.

21 LOCKHART KEEPS AN APPOINTMENT
August 26th 1959 8pm
Written by Edward Dryhurst from a story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman.
Directed by Geoffrey Hughes.
An old man dies from natural causes. But then the will is read, and Chief Supt Lockhart is in the thick of it again.

22 LOCKHART MEETS A ROMEO
September 2nd 1959
Written by Peter Yeldham from the story by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Frank Gillman.
Directed by Graham Watts.
'A nice friendly pub' it seems to Chief Det-Supt Lockhart, but just what is the connection between it, the Romeo and the poison pen letters?

23 LOCKHART CLOSES A DOOR
September 9th 1959
Written by Glyn Davies.
Designed by Bernard Goodwin.
Directed by Ian Fprdyce.
Lockhart sets out to find an escaped prisoner, but instead finds a murderer.

24 THE SUPERINTENDENT TAKES A TRIP
Interesting, this was shown on November 8th 1961. Possibly it was one of the episodes made during spring 1959 when Raymond Francis was ill- it was screened over two years later. Script: Raymond Marshall. Director: Daphne Shadwell.
Gerald Case... Chief Supt Carr
Reginald Marsh... Insp Nicholson
Paddy Joyce... Teddy
Victor Charrington... Desk Sergeant
Charles Gray... Jimmy Bellamy
Maureen Pryor... Maureen Morley
Ewen Solon... 'Dreamy' Daniels
Warren Mitchell... Bob Green
George Tovey... Sam
Keith Faulkner/ Tony Ford... Police Constables
When a chief superintendent meets a sandwich board man, he finds that more than sandwiches are at stake

Notes: Ian Hendry was in three Murder Bag stories, as well as one Crime Sheet.
Bill Fraser was in a story of Murder Bag series 1.
Sarah Lawson was in one Murder Bag in Jan or Feb 1958.
Douglas Blackwell appeared in one Murder Bag.
Richard Thorp also appeared in Murder Bag, in an unknown story.
Others who have stated they appeared in unknown editions of Murder Bag: John Blythe, Angela Browne, Tom Chatto, Harriet Johns, Noel Johnson, Duncan Lamont, Ronald Leigh-Hunt, Myrtle Reed, Sally Ann Shaw, and Peggy Thorpe-Bates.
Others who have stated they appeared in Crime Sheet: Robert Henderson, Harriet Johns, and Vic Wise.
Roger Jenkins stated he directed fifteen stories in Murder Bag/ Crime Sheet.
Hugh Munro stated he had also directed Murder Bag.

To No Hiding Place

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No Hiding Place - A-R synposes of some series 5 stories:

5.1 Alibis Are Fixed (July 2nd 1963)
Ben Jordan (Patrick Jordan), international thief, is brought from Paris by Robbie Robinson (Ferdy Mayne). Police notice his arrival, and he is kept under observation. After arranging an alibi, Jordan with the aid of associate Archie Martin, eludes police by slipping out of a taxi. During the robbery, Martin, who is looking after the getaway driver, decamps.The robbery is unsuccessful, and Jordan and George Kean hurry after Martin.
It is discovered that a woman named Patricia Dunn had gone away with Martin. Because nitroglycerine in a certain form had been used, the trademark of Ben Jordan is recognised, and Baxter is sent after him. In Patricia's flat, Jordan is found, but he has an alibi.
Martin is murdered, and police connect him with the robbery. Lockhart learns that a light coloured shooting brake was seen near where the body was found. He has a tyre imprint photographed.
George Kean, armed with a false passport, joins his wife. Both are taken to the Yard, where they learn that the passport had been supplied by Robinson. This crook however denies knowing Kean or Martin. But Baxter finds a blood stained towel, Kean claims he had cut himself shaving off his moustache. Lockhart taxes Robinson with the towel and the tyre imprint. Robinson tries to tell the truth, thus breaking Jordan's alibi by saying that Pat Dunn was with him

5.6 Alexander's Ragtime Girl
Alexander Alexander, a shy young graduate training to be a barrister, takes Jennifer Buckley, the girl he wants to marry, home to meet his mother. Mrs Alexander (Pauline Letts) is shocked and tries to dissuade them. At a party Jennifer gets into an argument with Gary Benson, Pete Gonzales (Gerald Harper) and Ricky about her forthcoming marriage. There is a scene when Mrs Alexander breaks in, she leaves, then Alexander with jennifer. Next morning Jennifer is found murdered.
Time of death is established at 2.30am, and it is also found that she was two months pregnant. Lockhart and Baxter break the news to Jennifer's father Dr Buckley, who is shocked. Mrs Alexander is upbraiding her son as Lockhart and Baxter turn up to inform them of Jennifer's death. Alex says they left each other at midnight, but cannot account for his movements afterwards. Baxter interviews those at the party, and learns that Pete left soon after Alex and Jennifer.
A wooden chair leg, the murder weapon, is found. Lockhart and Baxter discard the idea of the murderer being one of the party guests, since they all seem to have alibis. Therefore they return to the Alexander house. Alex admits that Jennifer did go out with other men, but he doesn't know about that particular night. As he is obviously under suspicion, his mother comes forward to admit killing Jennifer

5.7 Pay as You Earn
"Tregunter, Clarke and Palmer plan to steal a safe from the office of a building firm. They spray a yellow van with grey paint, cover the number plate with mud, cut the lock at the rear of the premises and substitute a new padlock. While Tregunter keeps watch outside the office, the others, using a battery operated fork lift truck, steal the safe. The only clues are the marks of the truck and the substituted padlock. The grey van is seen leaving the scene of the crime and a general call is put out, but by this time the thieves have reached Palmer's garage, washed off the grey paint, and managed to get away through the road blocks. Lockhart returns to his office with the padlock which was issued by a government department, but which department? Had he seen Clarke and Tregunter at that moment, he would have known the answer, as they were returning to prison, being parolees on a rehabilitation course.
Baxter and Lockhart get a lead on Tregunter and depart for the prison, but by the time they arrive, Tregunter and Clarke have been released. However a prisoner tells the governor that he heard Joe Dean, Palmer and Clarke discussing a burglary using a fork lift truck. The police go to Palmer's garage, but when they arrive they find the body of Palmer beside the empty safe.
Clarke is found, and detained on a charge of stealing the money, which he admits. Tregunter is found at the house of a girl called Frances, a secretary at the building company. The police find the proceeds of the robbery there, so Tregunter is taxed with the murder of Palmer, but he proves that he was not there at the time of the killing. Attention is then focussed on the girl, who admits that she killed Palmer to prevent him getting away with all the money"

5.9 Peggy
"Anne Cassett is assaulted by John Clint. He is charged, found guilty and sent to Northmoor Mental Hospital, but escapes one year later. Baxter visits the hospital and finds the walls of Clint's cell covered with drawings of cats, panthers and lions, and is given samples of poems written by Clint to someone named Peggy.
Clint gets to London and telephones an attractive model Joanna Simpson (Catherine Woodville). She anwers the phone, but he does not speak. The same night, Clint attacks a motorist near Joanna's address in Chelsea. Lockhart sees the injured man in hospital, who identifies Clint.
Baxter visits Clint's mother, but the only information he gets from her is that Clint had been employed in a gown shop, and that he had loaned an amount of money he had won on the pools to one of the girls. That night Joanna returns home with her fiancee, and after he leaves she goes into the kitchen to call her cat. Clint is there.
Following the information that Clint had worked in a gown shop where models were employed, special attention is given to models called Peggy. Eventually a girl named Peggy Dawson is found, but although she knew John Clint, she denies receiving money from him, and names Joanna as the person who did. It is then discovered that Joanna had previously occupied the same address as Anne Cassett.
Joanna, alone in her flat with Clint, has succeeded in convincing him that she had intended to marry him and had kept his money for this purpose, but a telephone call from her fiancee changes the situation and Clint rounds on her. The police arrive and Clint, in attempting to run away down the fire escape, falls to his death.
Baxter picks up Joanna's cat, on the collar is the name Peggy. John Clint, in his mental illness, had thought that the cat had come between him and Joanna"

5.10 Statement to the Press
When Baxter is told by an informer that Alan Klein, a wireless engineer, is going to be 'sprung' from Dartmoor, Lockhart plants Benson, of the Special Branch, in the cell with Klein. Benson talks Klein into taking him with him on the breakout. They escape safely and drive to a derelict flour mill owned by John Pentelow. Here they are met by Lee Gilbert and Lofty Rogers (Jack Watson), who need Klein for a crime their boss has planned. Benson receives a cool reception, it is made plain that he is not to be trusted. Lee Gilbert goes to see Mr Big, Bryan Fellows (Hugh Manning) in his office, to complain about Benson's introduction. Gilbert returns to the mill and after being bested in a row with Benson, says that Klein will be responsible if Benson comes with them on the job.
Benson works on Klein, who finally tries to phone his wife because he is worried about her, but he is stopped by Rogers. Baxter tries to trace the call, but is unsuccessful. Meanwhile Rogers is given the briefing for the job, a raid on a security van. Fellows takes a plane to Paris with his secretary Wendy. The raid now takes place, and is successful.
The van used by the raiders is found, and inside is a piece of plaster with a phone number, left by Benson. The number is that of Lee's girlfriend. Baxter sees her and by playing on her greed for money by mentioning the large reward, is given Fellows' phone number. Lockhart connects flour found on Gilbert's trousers with the miller's van which had gone through a road block earlier. The van is traced to John Pentelow and searched.
Benson contacts police, but in so doing, is found out. The gang are about to deal with him, when Lockhart and the police burst in to arrest them

5.11 Scaremonger (Sept 10th 1963)
Ben Morland (Barry Keegan), just released from prison, has a message for his cell mate's widow, Jane Hobbs. But when he visits her, she won't listen to him.
Lockhart receives a call to tell him that there is a bomb at Paddington Station, and another in a pillar box in Pimlico. Both bombs are found, but neither has a fuse, and Lockhart suspects that it is the work of a hoaxer, and forbids any publicity.
Next morning, the lab reports on the newspaper wrapping around the bombs. Cut into the second page of one, there is the number 21, followed by the letters C and L. An article appears in the Evening Citizen, which denigrates police, and Lockhart in particular.
After inquiries, Lockhart interviews Harvey, Wand and Morland. Another bomb is found in a library, and Lockhart finds another, this one with a fuse, on the back seat of his car.
Police keep watch on Morland, and he is followed to Jane's house. Baxter enters, finding Morland unconscious.
Lockhart keeps a rendezvous with the Bomb Man in a mews garage, arriving early to find Jane Hobbs with her brother in law and a dummy wearing an old raincoat. The message Morland was to have given Jane was to tell her to disperse a load of gelignite. She has found this and tries to kill Lockhart, whom she blames for her husband's death

5.16 Two Dreams in a Fire
Pearce uses an ingenious method of fraud, and has had success with it for some time, but police are almost on to him. He decides to run away with the week's takings, approximately £700, planning to go abroad, abandoning his girl friend Nell Burroughs. Five miles from Dover, he passes a garage run by Sean McMurdoch (Eddie Byrne), but then gets a puncture.
Sean is called out to repair it. He drives there in his little van, and notices a bag with the stolen money. He strikes Pearce on the head, puts him in the van, drives it down a steep slope and sets fire to it.
Bowman and Baxter, who are on to Pearce's crimes, have obtained information about his car and the amount of money stolen. Next morning Lockhart is told about the body in the burnt out van, and travels to Dover. He quickly establishes that the body is not that of Sean, and it is identified as that of Pearce. On the car radio, while he is near Liverpool, McMurdoch hears a broadcast calling attention to the car he is driving. He abandons it, and sets off for the docks, carrying the stolen bag of money.
A letter found in McMurdoch's house intimates that he might go to a pub in Belfast, so the quest moves to Northern Ireland. The publican, apprehensive of his position because it is murder, reveals that McMurdoch has left for the border. Just short of here, McMurdoch's car breaks down. he spots the police car in the distance, and attempts to rush across the border, but is felled by Baxter, and arrested for murder

5.17 An Eye on the Kings
Berry who is planning a jewel robbery, employs 'Petty' Smith to recruit assistants. With Harry Matters (John Junkin), Petty engages two men, Wills and Petrie, and together with ex GPO man Swallow, they plan the job. Lockhart is informed of the plan, so a watch is kept on Berry. The raid is carried out, and a broken window sets off an alarm in the security office. It is arranged that security men meet up with police at the jeweller's, these men are Petrie and Wills.
The plan works- the security van arrives and the guards are deceived. Matters, also in uniform, sits out of sight, monitoring police radio calls. When the guards open the vault, they are attacked and their keys stolen. A quarter of a million pounds worth of jewellery is stolen.
Seen by Baxter in his home, Berry explains where he has been, and blames Godfrey for the job. Continuing his pressure, Lockhart instals Det Sgt Bowman outside the door of Berry's house, and has Berry's phone tapped. The stolen jewels are hidden in Wills' room. But Berry is unable to move the stolen property. He is nervous, and gets angry when Petty Smith calls at his home. There is a row and Baxter is waiting with a car when Berry emerges from the house.
Lockhart interviews Godfrey, and is given an account of his movements, then purposely lets Godfrey know what Berry has alleged about him. He pinpoints in this allegation that the information could have started at a billiards hall owned by Berry, and frequented by Petty Smith. Godfrey swallows the bait, and sends his right hand man Wally to see Petty. After some intimidation, Petty talks. Wills becomes nervous, and after talking with Petrie, phones Berry. This call is traced so Lockhart obtains the address of the hideout. Wally and a strong arm man get there first. Wills is beaten up, the jewels taken. But police arrive and they are all arrested. Berry is picked up later

5.18 Requiem on a Typewriter
Archie MacLaren, an ex police officer turned private investigator, is shot dead in his office. Lockhart, an old colleague of Maclaren, is called in. With Baxter, he investigates the scene of the crime, and finds a piece of torn off paper stuck on the typewriter, indicating that something had been typed has been pulled from the machine. The only thing the police have to work on are MacLaren's address book, and his bank statement, and they find his three most recent clients were a Mr Littleton, Westbrook and Sons, and a Mrs Anstruther.
Baxter sees Mrs Anstruther (Dandy Nichols), who employed Maclaren to get divorce evidence against her husband, a womaniser and a violent man. Baxter obtains a photograph of Anstruther from a newspaper, which is circulated to the police and the press. Det Sgt Tandy investigates Littleton, and establishes that he could not possibly have been to MacLaren's office.
Lockhart starts on the third client, Westbrook and Sons, and finds this company had not used MacLaren for over two years. It is decided to see the person who drew MacLaren's cheque, a Mr Oliver Westbrook, at his private address in Sussex.
Anstruther, located at a hotel with a woman known as Mrs Anstruther, is taken to Scotland Yard, coincidental with the arrival of his real wife, who produces a letter from MacLaren returning her documents, thereby clearing her husband of all suspicion. However as a result of Lockhart's investigations, Anstruther is arrested for bigamy and fraud.
This leaves one remaining suspect- Oliver Westbrook, but when Baxter arrives at his Sussex home, he is informed that Westbrook has died during the night. Baxter goes back to Lockhart with the news, and he applies to the Home office for a post mortem.
Lockhart examines the clues on the typewriter revealed by Forensics, as a result of which Westbrook's nephew Julian is accused of murder

5.19 A Hole in the Head
Joey Beeble (Aubrey Morris), a tramp, finds a human skeleton in the Epping Forest. The man had been shot. Dr Penton finds some granite dust and gunpowder on the clothes and in the hair of the skeleton. Graham Crowley (Andrew Faulds), a sculptor, is called in to reconstruct the man's features, and a photograph is taken and circulated. Through this the police are led to a stonemason's yard, where a man named Begg works. His wife screams when she sees the photo- she knows the dead man.
Lockhart and Baxter visit Mrs Grace Begg at her home. She tells them that the dead man's name is Rinaldo Sarto. He was an Italian and used to work at the yard. She had become friendly with him, but her husband disapproved. A report on the gunpowder is received: it is known as black powder. Lockhart thinks Rinaldo might have blown a safe just before he was murdered, and checks on recent safe blowings using this method. A result soon comes, and Sgt Plimmer of the Essex police, provides the information. A man named Redding, with an address in King's Cross, has been arrested in a stolen car containing some of the proceeds from the safe blowing. Also found in the car: a cartridge case, and some blood stains. Baxter returns to the office- he had been to an address in King's Cross where Sarto lived, along with another man who answers to the description of Redding.
Redding is sent to prison for five years. When he is faced with a possible charge of murder, he blames Joe Rezkowski. Joe's premises are searched, and police find odds and ends of jewellery settings, and an automatic pistol. The settings are identical with some stolen in the safe blowing, though the gems have been removed. Ballistic tests show that the rifling on the bullet was different to that on this gun barrel, but a further test shows that the impression on the discharged shell case was the same. Rezkowski is arrested for murder

5.20 The Gamblers
The story opens in the Crucible Club, where a chemin-de-fer game is in progress. There are seven players, fashion model Raine Smith (Gabriella Licudi), Harvey Hale (Gerald Campion), Nigel Carpenter (Terence Longdon), Arnold Hurst, Johnnie Lightman, Frank Drover, and the owner of the club Suzie Dart (Petra Davies). The game ends when Carpenter, who has won £500, leaves.
Next morning Carpenter is found dead. News of the murder appears in the morning papers. At Carpenter's flat, Lockhart and Baxter find that a sum of money has been stolen, and they also find a £5 gambling chip with the name Crucible on it.
Lightman's girl friend Claire, reads the report of the murder and rings Lockhart's office. She also speaks to Frank Drover who works with him. When Lightman comes into the office, he is told about the phone call. He denies that he killed Carpenter, though Frank says, 'what exactly do you want Arnold and me to say?'
Lockhart and Baxter meet Suzie Dart at the Crucible, where they learn about the game and all those who played it. They all seem to have some sort of alibi, icluding the croupier, who implies that he had been with Suzie. That night, Drover walks into the flat of Raine, and asks for a false alibi. He is refused. Arnold Hurst tries a similar thing with the croupier, and he also is refused.
A reconstruction of the previous night's game, with everyone except Carpenter present, takes place. Following this, all the people except Drover, Lightman and Hurst, establish concrete alibis, but the latter three alibi each other. Drover and Lightman's stories do not tally, and Lockhart decides to see Hurst, the third man in the alibi. They find him at The Crucible, and after Lockhart has asked several questions, a flaw is found in his story. Hurst admits murder

5.21 No Previous Convictions
Frank Evans, Harold Slessor and Stanley Bridges, all men with clean records, are enlisted by Bill Warren to rob a wages car. They net a quarter of a million.
After the share-out, Bridges drives to London and on the way is involved in a motor accident and is killed. When police find the money, Lockhart and Baxter are called in. They examine with fingerprint expert Fellows, the unusual mark on Bridges' hands. The marks were caused by playing golf. His photo is circulated to golf courses, and three days later Bridges is identified by a professional in Gloucester. Lockhart and Baxter see him, and he names two associates in golf, Evans and Slessor. The following Saturday, the pair visit the course, and are followed by Baxter and Hodgkins. Later two cases of money are discovered in a railway station. Observation is kept here.
Barbara Green, Bill Warren's mistress, has a boyfriend, an ex-con named Alfred Jackson. After the raid, she tells him what has happened, and that Bill plans to cross the Channel to France in a cabin cruiser. Warren gives Barbara the name of the mooring place and of the vessel, and as soon as he has left, she phones Jackson.
A car park attendant who saw Warren at the races, identifies a photo of him, this concentrates the search on the Brighton area. A policeman stops Warren, accompanied by Barbara, and he produces a false driving licence.
A box of tablets marked Bethnal Green has been issued to her, and she pretends she has lost them to delay Bill's departure. He finds these tablets she has hidden, and realises that she has deceived him. He takes his money and leaves. Barbara, unable to get any of her tablets, collapses. Semi conscious, she phones the police. She is brought out of a coma and informs on Warren and Jackson. The police dash after them and find the vessel Fair Maid stranded with the two men on board. It had missed the tide

5.22 Always a Copper
Charlie Gibbons (Leslie Dwyer) has a stepdaughter April who works at the Emerald Club. Derek Patterson, owner of this club, is infatuated with her, so for this reason she keeps her friendship quiet with Colin Hartley.
Ex Det Sgt Leyland is employed by Colin's dad to watch whom he meets. Lockhart, on a routine visit to the club, sees Leyland outside. When Colin arrives at April's flat, Leyland reports the infornation to Colin's dad. Later he challenges Colin about his relationship with April, Colin's response to to say that he is going to marry her because she is pregnant.
Next evening April does not show up at the club, and Patterson is told she is leaving to get married. He leaves the club hurriedly.
Lockhart and Baxter are called to April's flat. Murgatroyd the porter had found her body. He gives information about Patterson and Hartley. Lockhart finds Colin at the Emerald Club. He has an alibi, but Lockhart breaks it. He then admits he went to see April at her flat, at her request, but he had found her already dead.
Patterson also admits going to her flat, but says that on seeing Colin's car, he had driven away. He had gone to a bar and drunk steadily.
Lockhart then talks to Charlie Gibbons, who says he knew about the baby, because she had written to him about it. However it is established that he cannot read, and eventually he admits to murder

5.23 Death of Samantha
Samantha Grey (Hariette Johns) runs a photographic studio with her partner and lover Simon McCowen. The story opens with a photo session in progress, which Samantha is directing. She sees model Vicky West (Nyree Dawn Porter) and orders her to leave the studio. In her office she has a row with Simon, and slams the door, and makes for home. But that night she is found murdered.
Lockhart finds her place has been expertly burgled. He obtains a list of property stolen, mainly jewellery, and has it circulated.
Tony Harris, a burglar, gives his girlfriend Marcia a watch. She sells it to a jeweller who takes it to Scotland Yard. Opening the back, Lockhart finds an inscription, To Samantha All My Love S.
The Method Index at the Yard turns up several thieves using the special technique of burglary, one being Tony Harris. Baxter finds Marcia in a pub, but she is called to the phone. When she runs off, Baxter goes to her address to resume his questions. Tony shows up and is detained.
He claims he bought the watch from a man in a cafe. Lockhart sends for Simon McCowen.
McCowen is married, and the burglar Jimmy Humphries tells his wife of her husband's affair with Samantha, after Humnphries falls out with McCowen. Lockhart forces Humphries to admit to a charge of burglary, and later finds Simon at the opened safe in Samantha's house. Simon gives himself away and is arrested

5.24 Solomon Dancey's Luck
Solomon Dancey (Harry Locke) is released from prison just before Christmas, and having no money, steals a handbag. But the contents are worthless so he throws it away. The owner of the bag refuses to prosecute him, and he then attempts to obtain a loan from bookmaker Charlie Monkton (Sydney Tafler). He is ordered out of Monkton's house, on the way he steals their Christmas tree.
He returns home carrying the tree to find that his wife Sheba (Liz Fraser) has not only been given a turkey, but their lodger Alexander Mudgeon (Bob Grant) has produced whiskey and a necklace for her.
A parcel arrives from prison, from an old associate of Dancey's who has died and left him clothes, a banjo and the lease of a house, which has only ten days to run. This annoys Sheba, who throws it all into the dustbin. In a temper she picks up the stolen tree, and crashes it to the floor. The pot breaks and they find £3,000 inside.
Thus they look forward to a merry Christmas, buying new clothes, and Solomon purchases an identical tree which they return when Charlie and his muscle man Alfred (Danny Green) call for it. After they go, Solomon, worried what they will do when they find the money gone, reveals the source of his wealth to Mudgeon. When Solomon goes off to play bridge, Mudgeon phones Lockhart.
The bookmaker discovers his loss, and is on the point of searching for Dancey when Lockhart turns up to question him. Charlie denies any loss of money. Then Solomon asks Lockhart for protection, his story is that he found a lot of money in the garden of the house left to him. Lockhart wants to examine it, and they find a note from Sheba saying she has got the money and has run away with the lodger.
Without the money, it is not possible to prosecute Solomon. When the police have left, Solomon finds Sheba locked up in a cupboard, Smudgeon had done it and taken the cash. They know he is on his way to London Airport, so Sheba informs Charlie what has happened, and he and his wife settle down to the turkey provided by Mudgeon

5.25 Formula for Death
Lockhart and Baxter, investigating a wages snatch, have only one lead, a grey saloon car.
Ginger Smith (Howard Pays), who organised the snatch, is now planning another at the North Wickham government research station. A second group are watching the station: Adrian Melius, Peter Westbury, and Eugene Milo, but they are only waiting for the delivery of a certain advanced isotope formula. In fact they are watching the station when Ginger with two men and a woman start their raid. As they are taking the money from a security van, Melius sees through his binoculars, that they have got the canisters containing the new formula. They send Milo after the car on his motor bike, but he crashes and is killed.
Lockhart visits the research station and learning about the isotope, arranges for a warning to be put out.
Back home, Ginger has managed to open one of the canisters, only to find a slug of metal. When he hears the police warning, he goes straight to hospital. The doctor phones the police who search Smith's house where they find the canisters and the money.
Police believe Milo to be connected with the crime, but they also need the names of the others involved, so Ginger's name and address appears in the press report as the one mixed up in the raid. This gets the gang to swallow the bait and all are arrested

5.26 A Car Is Stolen
The Assistant Commissioner of New Scotland Yard's car is stolen. Though Lockhart is on the case, it is Sgt York of Bow Street who arrests the thief, Charles Newell. Bail is opposed, but a surety from Janet Nelson, wife of Harry Nelson (Alan Tilvern) enables Newell to be remanded on bail. Lockhart sets Baxter and York to make further inquiries, after examining a marked map found in the stolen car.
Newell realises this map must have been found by police, and skips bail, going off with a Charlotte Ryan. But when he switches on the ignition of the car, it blows up and he is killed.
With York and Baxter and Inspector Morrison, Lockhart goes to the scene of the murder. Saunders and Owen admit lending Newell money, but deny trying to kill him. Joseph Ryan had threatened Newell because he knew his daughter intended to run away with Newell. But though he intended to thrash him, Ryan says he had changed his mind. However he has no alibi.
Examining the shattered car, Morrison finds evidence to identify Nelson as the killer. But in the office of Nelson's automart, police find him dead. Time of death is established at between midnight and one o'clock. Joseph Ryan admits that he murdered Harry Nelson, because they had argued about money. On the murder weapon are found traces of a face powder which matches that found in Charlotte Ryan's handbag

To No Hiding Place

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some Series 6 Schedules
Note titles filmed by director Adrian Cooper on Feb 19th 1964. He also produced the filmed inserts.
6.1 Play on Letters: rehearsals Mar 11th-14th/16th-21st 1964, taped Mar 24th, screened April 6th 1964
6.2 Who Takes the Blame?: rehearsals Mar 25th-28th/31st-Apr 4th 1964, taped Apr 7th, screened April 13th 1964 (Note- orignally to be titled The Scapegoat)
6.3 The By Boys: rehearsals Apr 1st-4th/6th-11th 1964, taped Apr 14th, screened April 20th 1964
6.4 My Father Is My Brother: rehearsals Apr 8th-11th/13th-18th 1964, taped Apr 21st, screened April 27th 1964
6.5 Line Of Fire: rehearsals Apr 15th-18th/21st-25th 1964, taped Apr 28th, screened May 4th 1964
6.6 The Write-Off: rehearsals Apr 22nd-25th/27th- May 2nd 1964, taped May 5th, screened May 11th 1964
6.7 An Eye for an Eye: rehearsals Apr 29th-May 2nd/4th- 9th 1964, taped May 12th, screened May 18th 1964
6.8 Red Roses for Emma: rehearsals May 6th-9th/11th- 16th 1964, taped May 19th, screened May 25th 1964
6.9 Death of a Breadwinner: rehearsals May 13th-16th/18th-23rd 1964, taped May 26th, screened June 1st 1964
6.10 Greeting from a 12-Bore: rehearsals May 20th-23rd/25th-30th 1964, taped June 2nd, screened June 8th