An episode of the fondly remembered I.T.V. show, all about a detective agency with a difference - one is a ghost!
Marty's dotty aunt Clara Faringham ( Mary Merrall ) claims to have developed an infallible system for winning at roulette. After testing it out on London casinos, she decides to head for Monte Carlo. Jeff Randall ( Mike Pratt ) is hired as her bodyguard. He thinks the old lady is nuts, but goes along anyway, taking along Jeannie ( Annette Andre ). He forbids Marty's ghost ( Kenneth Cope ) from going, but then spots him sitting on the wing of the plane! Also flying out are three crooks who have observed Clara's roulette system in action, and are determined to get their hands on it...
The only 'Randall & Hopkirk' episode set outside Britain. Though as was the norm with I.T.C. shows no actual location shooting was done. It was written by Tony Williamson, one of the best television writers around then. Sadly, after an initially promising start, the episode gets rather confusing. In addition to the gang headed by Jim Lawsey ( Brian Blessed ), there is another headed by John Sharp ( who was 'Number 2' in 'The Prisoner' episode 'A Change Of Mind' ) and the whole thing just becomes crooks rushing around a hotel and fighting.
By his usual standards, Blessed gives a remarkably restrained performance, and for 'Dr.Who' fans there is the sight of Nicholas Courtney and Roger Delgado together, a year before the latter became the original ( and best ) Master. Mary Merrall steals every scene she is in. When Clara turns up at the agency office, she does not know that her nephew has passed away. Marty's ghost appears, and tells Jeff: "Ask her why she was not at my funeral!".
Marty's dotty aunt Clara Faringham ( Mary Merrall ) claims to have developed an infallible system for winning at roulette. After testing it out on London casinos, she decides to head for Monte Carlo. Jeff Randall ( Mike Pratt ) is hired as her bodyguard. He thinks the old lady is nuts, but goes along anyway, taking along Jeannie ( Annette Andre ). He forbids Marty's ghost ( Kenneth Cope ) from going, but then spots him sitting on the wing of the plane! Also flying out are three crooks who have observed Clara's roulette system in action, and are determined to get their hands on it...
The only 'Randall & Hopkirk' episode set outside Britain. Though as was the norm with I.T.C. shows no actual location shooting was done. It was written by Tony Williamson, one of the best television writers around then. Sadly, after an initially promising start, the episode gets rather confusing. In addition to the gang headed by Jim Lawsey ( Brian Blessed ), there is another headed by John Sharp ( who was 'Number 2' in 'The Prisoner' episode 'A Change Of Mind' ) and the whole thing just becomes crooks rushing around a hotel and fighting.
By his usual standards, Blessed gives a remarkably restrained performance, and for 'Dr.Who' fans there is the sight of Nicholas Courtney and Roger Delgado together, a year before the latter became the original ( and best ) Master. Mary Merrall steals every scene she is in. When Clara turns up at the agency office, she does not know that her nephew has passed away. Marty's ghost appears, and tells Jeff: "Ask her why she was not at my funeral!".
