ACTION TV ONLINE EPISODE GUIDE
EPISODE GUIDE INDEX
Campion
BBC Television and WGBH Boston 1989 - 1990
SEASON ONE
Look To The Lady (Part 1)
TX : 22nd January 1989
Script : Alan Plater
Director : Martyn Friend

Cast : Gordon Jackson (Professor Gardner Cairey), Barbara Jefford (Mrs Shannon), Mike Hayward (Police Constable Baker), Robin Lermite (Val Gyrth), Barbara Pusey (Lady Diana Pethwick), Paul Heasman (The Taxi Driver), Michael Plaister (The Waiter), Mona Bruce (Mrs Bullock), Sarah Finch (Penny Gyrth), Fiona Lawrence (Beth Cairey), Hilary Mason (Mrs Munsey), John Horsley (Colonel Gyrth), Roy Evans (Branch), Dinny Powell (Major King), Ian Jentle (Horace Putnam), Alan Cody (Natty Johnson), Terry Medicott (Fingers Hawkins), Andrew Dunford (Ernie Walker) and Martin Benson (Isaac Melchizadek).

Synopsis : The first of a new series based on Margery Allingham's novels set in the 1930s about an enigmatic detective - Albert Campion. "Albert Campion, born 20 May 1900. Name know to be a pseudonym. Edcuation privileged. Embarked on adventurous career 1929. Justice neatly executed … specialist in fairy stories".

Notes : The series was transmitted 8:35pm to 9:30pm on BBC 1.

Look To The Lady (Part 2)
TX : 29th January 1989
Script : Alan Plater
Director : Martyn Friend

Cast : Andrew Burt (Inspector Oates), Gordon Jackson (Professor Gardner Cairey), Barbara Jefford (Mrs Shannon), Robin Lermite (Val Gyrth), Andrew Dunford (Ernie Walker), Sarah Finch (Penny Gyrth), Roy Evans (Branch), John Gill (Old Mr Peck), Paul Ridley (Percy Peck), Hilary Mason (Mrs Munsey), Peter Waddington (Sammy Munsey), Ned Vukovic (Jacob), Anna Tzelniker (Mrs Sarah), Fiona Lawrence (Beth Cairney), Alan Cody (Natty Johnson), Dinny Powell (Major King), Ian Jentle (Horace Putnam), Terry Medlicott (Fingers Hawkins), Wayne Jackman (Joey), Garard Green (The Stranger) and John Horsley (Colonel Gyrth).

Synopsis : "Forgive my asking, it's my natural curiosity and prejudice. Are you thinking of killing me? This is Suffolk, you know. They take a dim view of corpses. They call the police. They give evidence". In the second and final part of the mystery, Look To The Lady, amateur sleuth Campion discovers the identity of the person hired to steal the chalice.
Police At The Funeral (Part 1)
TX : 5th February 1989
Script : Jeremy Paul
Director : Ronald Wilson

Cast : Mary Morris (Caroline Faraday), Timothy West (William Faraday), Andrew Burt (Inspector Oates), Carol Gillies (Alice), Suzanne Burden (Joyce Blount), Avril Elgar (Kitty Berry), John Franklyn-Robbins (Andrew Seeley), Gillian Martell (Julia Faraday), Tim Wylton (The Stranger), John Harding (Marcus Featherstone) and Kulvinder Ghir (Cheetoo).

Synopsis : "I've had a letter from an old Cambridge friend. His fiancée has lost an uncle and I'm supposed to find him …". Albert Campion becomes involved in a series of murders that threaten to wipe out an entire family.

Police At The Funeral (Part 2)
TX : 12th February 1989
Script : Jeremy Paul
Director : Ronald Wilson

Cast : Mary Morris (Caroline Faraday), Timothy West (William Faraday), Andrew Burt (Inspector Oates), Suzanne Burden (Joyce), John Harding (Marcus), Avril Elgar (Kitty Berry), Robert Austin (Inspector Bowditch), Pat Keen (Mrs Finch), John Franklyn-Robbins (Andrew Seeley), Gillian Martell (Julia), Tim Wylton (George Faraday) and Brian Coburn (Beveridge).

Synopsis : "I've got you all just where I want you. You're all going to sit up and dance while I call the tune … Unless you want a murder trial in this family". The second and final part of Police At The Funeral and Campion is convinced that the murderer is part of the Faraday household.

The Case Of The Late Pig (Part 1)
TX : 19th February 1989
Script : Jill Hyem
Director : Robert Chetwyn

Cast : John Fortune (Doctor Brian Kingston), Michael Gough (Hayhoe), Dilys Laye (Poppy Burridge), Moray Watson (Sir Leo Pursuivant), John Rogan (Parson), Robin Hart (Young Royle), Claire Williamson (Effie Rowlandson), Rob Edwards (Gilbert Whippet), Amanda Elwes (Janet Pursuivant), Peter Tuddenham (Pepper / Poppy Burridge), Sarah Crowden (Sadie), Philip Bird (Philip Barthwick) and Robert Hamilton (Inspector Pussey).

Synopsis : "I suppose it's all in a day's work for you, Campion. Murder". The first of a two-part mystery in which Albert Campion investigates a murder of a man whose funeral he thought he attended three months earlier.

The Case Of The Late Pig (Part 2)
TX : 26th February 1989
Script : Jill Hyem
Director : Robert Chetwyn

Cast : John Fortune (Doctor Brian Kingston), Michael Gough (Hayhoe), Dilys Laye (Poppy Burridge), Moray Watson (Sir Leo Pursuivant), Amanda Elwes (Janet Pursuivant), Elisabeth Choice (The Feathers' Landlady), Peter Tuddenham (Pepper), Rob Edwards (Gilbert Whippet), Robert Hamilton (Inspector Pussey), Sam Miller (Police Constable Brimble), Georgine Anderson (Mrs Turner), Claire Williamson (Effie Rowlandson), Philip Bird (Philip Bathwick), Robert Eddison (Robert Skinn), Richard Wordsworth (Professor Farringdon) and Robin Hart (Young Royle).
Death Of A Ghost (Part 1)
TX : 5th March 1989
Script : Elaine Morgan
Director : Michael Owen Morris

Cast : Jean Anderson (Belle Lafcadio), Andrew Burt (Inspector Oates), Shaughan Seymour (Max Fustian), Isabel Dean (Donna Beatrice), Rosalie Crutchley (Lisa), Milton Johns (William Potter), Elizabeth Chambers (Claire Potter), Amanda Harris (Linda), Patrick Bailey (Tom Dacre), John Burgess (Doctor Fettes), Carole Ruggier (Rosa), Adrian Luis (Matt D'Urfey) and Mark Rogers (Mr Green).

Synopsis : "Did you see him? Is he really dead? This is terrible - it's like a nightmare …". What have Donna and Max seen? Episode one of a two-part mystery which begins when there is a murder at an exhibition of works by a now-dead painter.

Death Of A Ghost (Part 2)
TX : 12th March 1989
Script : Elaine Morgan
Director : Michael Owen Morris

Cast : Jean Anderson (Belle Lafcadio), Andrew Burt (Inspector Oates), Shaughan Seymour (Max Fustian), Isabel Dean (Donna Beatrice), Rosalie Crutchley (Lisa), John Burgess (Doctor Fettes), Milton Johns (William Potter), Elizabeth Chambers (Claire Potter), Mark Rogers (Mr Green), Amanda Harris (Linda), Adrian Luis (Matt D'Urfey), Carole Ruggier (Rosa), Ian McCurrach (Adrian Fielding), Claude Le Sache (Joseph) and Tom Lucy (The Policeman).

Synopsis : "Two deaths already! Don't you find that sinister, Inspector? Don't you believe these things go in threes?". The second and final part of Death Of A Ghost and the inquest reveals that Claire died from nicotine poisoning.

SEASON TWO
Sweet Danger (Part 1)
TX : 19th January 1990
Script : Jill Hyem
Director : Robert Tronson

Cast : With Lysette Anthony (Amanda Fitton), Iain Cuthbertson (Brett Savanake), David Haig (Guffy Randall), Richard Pearson (Doctor Galley), Sally Spencer-Harris (Mary Fitton), Christopher Haley (Hal Fitton), John Heal (Aunt Hatt), Valentine Pelka (Eager-Wright), Frank Mills (Scatty Williams), Paul Brooke (Mr Parrott), Michael Beint (The Landlord), Maureen O'Reilly (The Landlord's Wife), John Crocker (The Chemist), Daphne Goddard (The Secretary) and Barry Summerford (Peaky Doyle).

Synopsis : The first of four two-part dramas adapted from Margery Allingham's novels about the private detective. "I say - it's a sort of treasure hunt, really". In this episode, Campion is asked to find documents which prove that the Frittons are the rightful owners of a tiny Dalmatian state where oil has been discovered.

Sweet Danger (Part 2)
TX : 26th January 1990
Script : Jill Hyem
Director : Robert Tronson

Cast : Iain Cuthbertson (Brett Savanake), Richard Pearson (Doctor Galley), Lysette Anthony (Amanda Fitton), Sally Spencer-Harris (Mary Fitton), Christopher Haley (Hal Fitton), John Heal (Aunt Hatt), David Haig (Guffy Randall), Valentine Pelka (Eager-Wright), Frank Mills (Scatty Williams), Paul Brooke (Mr Parrott), Arthur Blake (The Museum Curator), Michael Beint (The Landlord) and Barry Summerford (Peaky).

Synopsis : "Thrice must the mighty bell be toll'd, and then thrice more the truth t'unfold". In the last episode of the two-part serial, private-eye Campion makes a disguised return to Pontisbright in order to track down Savanke, which culminates a duel of interests at the mill.

Dancers In Mourning (Part 1)
TX : 9th February 1990
Script : Jeremy Paul
Director : Christopher Hodson

Cast : Ian Ogilvy (Jimmy Sutane), Pippa Guard (Linda Sutane), Nina Marc (Eve Sutane), Nicholas Chagrin ("Squire" Mercer), Michael Melia ("Sock" Petrie), Patricia Brake (Chloe Pye), Philip Dupuy (Benny Konrad), Gabrielle Lloyd ("Finny"), Nikki Belsher ("Slippers" Bellwe), Carole Boyd (Mrs Pole), Hilda Braid (Renee Roper), Andrew Burt (Chief Inspector Oates), Tony Steedman (Doctor Bouverie), Frank Pendlebury (Hughes), Arthur Wilman (Henry) and Paddy Joyce (The Stage Doorman).

Synopsis : . "I thought it might be something you'd enjoy, Albert. Vie de boheme, smell of grease paint and so on". Episode one of a two-part mystery in which private investigator Campion is hired to discover the perpetrator of practical jokes against a popular and successful star of musical comedy that take a more sinister turn. Campion's investigations lead to the star's Sussex home where events take on a serious complexion after the death of an actress guest.

Dancers In Mourning (Part )
TX : 16th February 1990
Script : Jeremy Paul
Director : Christopher Hodson

Cast : Ian Ogilvy (Jimmy Sutane), Pippa Guard (Linda Sutane), Nina Marc (Eve Sutane), Nicholas Chagrin ("Squire" Mercer), Michael Melia ("Sock" Petrie), Hugh Paddick ("Beaut" Siegfried), Philip Dupuy (Benny Konrad), Nikki Belsher ("Slippers" Bellwe), Gabrielle Lloyd ("Finny"), Andrew Burt (Chief Inspector Oates), Graham Weston (Chief Inspector Cooling), Stephen Churchett (Major Bloom), Tony Steedman (Doctor Bouverie), Altan R Koraltan (Kummer) and John Watts (Understudy).

Synopsis : "It's a murder - gone horribly wrong". Influenced by his feelings for Linda Sutane, Campion refuses to believe the evidence against her husband and continues trying to clear his name. But when another murder occurs, Sutane's innocence becomes impossible to sustain.

Flowers For The Judge (Part 1)
TX : 23rd February 1990
Script : Brian Thompson
Director : Michael Owen Morris

Cast : Robert Lang (John Barnabas), Barrie Ingham (Ritchie Barnabas), Neil Daglish (Michael Barnabas), Amanda Royle (Gina Brande), Terence Beesley (Paul Brande), Philippa Urquhart (Miss Curley), Francesca Hall (Miss Netley), Susan Bovell (Miss Marchant), Jonathan Moore (Riggett), Christopher Benjamin (The Coroner), Michael Godley (Doctor Roe), John Bardon (Inspector Tanner), David Angus (Detective Sergeant Pillow), Trevor T Smith (The Author), Patricia Maynard (The Lady At The Coroner's Court), Roy Spencer (The Jury Foreman) and Harry Drewry (Mr Scruby).

Synopsis : "Murder! That's what we're good at, or should be! Anything else is an irrelevance". Campion is drawn into the family feuds besetting the Golden Quill publishing business. One of the Barnabas family, which owns the company, is found dead - which leaves Campion's friend, Mike, as chief suspect.

Flowers For The Judge (Part 2)
TX : 2nd March 1990
Script : Brian Thompson
Director : Michael Owen Morris

Cast : Robert Lang (John Barnabas), Barrie Ingham (Ritchie Barnabas), Neil Daglish (Michael Barnabas), Amanda Royle (Gina Brande), Terence Beesley (Paul Brande), Philippa Urquhart (Miss Curley), Francesca Hall (Miss Netley), Susan Bovell (Miss Marchant), Jonathan Moore (Riggett), Christopher Benjamin (The Coroner), Michael Godley (Doctor Roe), John Bardon (Inspector Tanner), David Angus (Detective Sergeant Pillow), Trevor T Smith (The Author), Patricia Maynard (The Lady At The Coroner's Court), Roy Spencer (The Jury Foreman) and Harry Drewry (Mr Scruby).

Synopsis : Campion is determined to prove the innocence of his friend Mike Barnabas, arrested for the murder of Paul Brande but, in trying to do so, he puts his own life in jeopardy.

Mystery Mile (Part 1)
TX : 9th March 1990
Script : John Hawkesworth
Director : Ken Hannan

Cast : Brian Greene (Judge Lobbett), Gary Parker (Marlow Lobbett), Lisa Orgolini (Isopel Lobbett), Andrew Castell (Sir Giles Pagett), Elinor Morrison (Biddy Pagett), Robert Robinson (Alistair Barber), Geoffrey Bayldon (The Reverend Swithin Cush), Miles Anderson (Anthony Datchett), Edward Kelsey (George Willsmore), Maryann Turner (Alice Willsmore), Roger Hammond (Mr Kettle), Barbara Bolton (Cuddy), Simon Williamson (The Ship's Officer), Samir Gupta (The Illusionist) and Christine Crowshaw (The Pianist).

Synopsis : "That's Judge Lobbett … he's a marked man, you know? Four murders in the household within the past month and each time he's miraculously escaped". The first of a two-part murder mystery in which Margery Allingham's celebrated sleuth investigates multiple murders in a judge's house.

Mystery Mile (Part 2)
TX : 16th March 1990
Script : John Hawkesworth
Director : Ken Hannan

Cast : Brian Greene (Judge Lobbett), Gary Parker (Marlow Lobbett), Lisa Orgolini (Isopel Lobbett), Andrew Castell (Sir Giles Pagett), Elinor Morrison (Biddy Pagett), Robert Robinson (Alistair Barber), Miles Anderson (Anthony Datchett), Edward Kelsey (George Willsmore), Roger Hammond (Mr Kettle), John Tordoff (Thomas Knapp), Iona Banks (Mrs Knapp), Barbara Bolton (Cuddy) and David Cann (Ropey).

Synopsis : "Look, I've come to warn you: you're ignorant compared to me. They're a nasty lot: leave 'em alone". Judge Lobbett mysteriously disappears, Biddy Pagett is kidnapped and Lugg tries to warn Campion off the Simister mob investigation, but he refuses to give in.


Peter Davison and Ian Ogilivy in The Dancers In The Mourning.

Opinion is divided between those who appreciate the literary efforts of Margery Allingham and those who consider her work to be of a second-rate nature (accompanied by such writers as Gladys Mitchell and the like as twentieth-century B-grade detective fiction writers). However, BBC Television has always had a special affinity with Allingham and her detective-turned-spy character Albert Campion.


Peter Davison and Gordon Jackson in Look To The Lady.

Bernard Horsfall had been the network's first Campion, appearing in two adaptations in 1959 and 1960, and the character had made a notable appearance in the highly-popular anthology series Detective in July 1968 with Brian Smith portraying Campion alongside George Sewell as his companion, Magersfontein Lugg. It would take twenty-one years and a capital injection from WGBH Boston before what is considered the definitive version reached British screens in January 1989.


Peter Davison and Lysette Anthony in Sweet Danger.

Peter Davison, having been etched into the hearts and minds of the British viewership as Tristan Farnon in All Creatures Great And Small and The Fifth Doctor in Doctor Who, had recently reprised his role in the former as a means of distancing himself from the latter, but was keen to pursue further roles to break away from the Who mould. His casting as Albert Campion was inspired, as the role had always afforded actors the opportunity to add a touch of class to the role, something Davison has in abundance.


Peter Davison and Pippa Guard in Dancers In The Mourning.

Donning spectacles and a variety of smart suits, he appeared in the adaptation of eight Allingham stories, presented in two fifty-five-minute episodes over two series. Partnered with Davison was character actor Brian Glover as Lugg, somewhat more hard-bitten than his previous televisual incarnations and more in-keeping with Allingham's original concept for the character.

The series was afforded high praise by critics and audiences alike in terms of its attention to period detail, high production values, excellent principal and supporting cast and a budget which could sustain the successful presentation of Britain in the 1930s (although Granada Television's collaboration with Carnival Films to produce Agatha Christie's Poirot, set in the same period, was far more of a visual spectacle and attracted higher praise and a clutch of awards for its troubles). Campion's seemingly unassuming, almost "buffer-ish" exterior put the criminal fraternity at ease, yet his dogged persistence in the pursuit of those responsible for a range of thefts, murders, blackmail plots and the like ensured that, to coin a clichéd phrase, "he always got his man".

Delightfully entertaining, Campion afforded the opportunity for Ken Riddington and Jonathan Alwyn (as producers) and Martyn Friend, Ronald Wilson, Robert Chetwyn, Michael Owen Morris, Robert Tronson, Christopher Hodson and Ken Hannam (as directors) the opportunity to realise Allingham's material in a far more rich and stylised manner than was previously available to the network, with script contributions from Alan Plater, Jeremy Paul, Jill Hyem, Elaine Morgan, Brian Thompson and John Hawkesworth handling the adaptations faultlessly.

Notable supporting performances came from the likes of Gordon Jackson, Timothy West, John Fortune, Michael Gough, Jean Anderson, Lysette Anthony, Iain Cuthbertson, Richard Pearson, Ian Ogilvy and Pippa Guard. The series was globally exported, and has recently enjoyed a commercial release in DVD and VHS formats on both sides of the Atlantic, courtesy of Acorn Media and BBC America.

Text © Matthew Lee, 2005.

Characters
Portrayed By
Albert Campion
Peter Davison
Magersfontein Lugg
Brian Glover

The series was based on the characters created by and novels written by Margery Allingham. Season one was produced by Ken Riddington and season two by Joanathan Alwyn. The series was Script Edited by Devora Pope. Music for the series was composed and conducted by Nigel Hess.