1965, Film: Rotten to the Core

The British comedy film "Rotten to the Core" premiered on 14 July 1965. It was directed and written by John Boulting, with co-writing credits going to his brother, Roy Boulting. The music was composed by Michael Dress. The leading roles were played by Anton Rodgers, Charlotte Rampling, Eric Sykes, Ian Bannen, Thorley Walters, Peter Vaughan, and Dudley Sutton.

Anton Rodgers as the Duke

Charlotte Rampling as Sara Capell

Synopsis
Rogues Jelly Knight (Dudley Sutton), Scapa Flood (James Beckett), and Lennie the Dip (Kenneth Griffith) are released from prison expecting their boss, the Duke (Anton Rodgers), to have their share of the loot ready. Instead, they are met by the Duke’s girl, Sara (Charlotte Rampling), who informs them that the Duke is dead and that the money was spent on nursing care. However, they soon discover that the Duke is very much alive and running the Hope Springs Nature Clinic…

Kenneth Griffith as Lenny the Dip, James Beckett as Scapa Flood and
Dudley Sutton as Jelly Knight

Ian Bannen as Lt. Percy Vine

Main cast

• Anton Rodgers as the Duke
• Charlotte Rampling as Sara Capell
• Eric Sykes as William Hunt
• Ian Bannen as Lt. Percy Vine
• Thorley Walters as Chief Constable Preston
• Peter Vaughan as Sir Henry Capell
• Dudley Sutton as Jelly Knight
• Kenneth Griffith as Lenny the Dip
• James Beckett as Scapa Flood
• Victor Maddern as Anxious O'Toole
• Avis Bunnage as Countess de Wett
• Frank Jarvis as Moby
• Raymond Huntley as prison governor
• Dandy Nichols as woman in cemetery

Eric Sykes as William Hunt

Thorley Walters as Chief Constable Preston

Trivia

• It was Charlotte Rampling’s first credited role. Prior to this, she had appeared uncredited in "A Hard Day’s Night" (1964) and "The Knack... and How to Get It" (1965).
• The film received a BAFTA nomination for production design, credited to Alex Vetchinsky.

Peter Vaughan as Sir Henry Capell

Charlotte Rampling as Sara Capell

1974, Television: "Zodiac"

The British crime series "Zodiac" premiered on 25 February 1974 on ITV. The series, produced by Jacqueline Davis and Kim Mills for Thames Television, ran only for six episodes. Creator Roger Marshall also wrote three episodes. The main stars are Anton Rodgers as the unusual policeman David Gradley and Anouska Hempel as the astrologer Esther Jones, together they solve crimes that are more or less related to the signs of the Zodiac.

Anton Rodgers as David Gradley and Anouska Hempel as Esther Jones

Anouska Hempel as Esther Jones

Episode 1: Death of a Crab
Directed by Raymond Menmuir and written by Roger Marshall
Guest Stars:
John Rhys-Davies, Frances Cuka, Michael Lees, Margaret Flint, John Hughes, Peter Childs   Peter Childs  
Synopsis:
The Policeman David Gradley meets the astrologer Esther Jones, at first he suspects her of murder, then he finds her skills useful in clearing up an intriguing case...

Anton Rodgers as David Gradley and Anouska Hempel as Esther Jones

Episode 2: The Cool Aquarian
Directed by Don Leaver and written by Roger Marshall
Guest Stars:
Michael Gambon, George Baker, Bill Maynard, Betty Alberge, Trevor Baxter, Alison Griffin, Deborah Fairfax, Bruce Boa
Synopsis:
When a young woman is kidnapped Gradley and Esther team up with help of Neville the butler…

Anouska Hempel as Esther Jones and Anton Rodgers as David Gradley

Episode 3: The Strength of Gemini
Directed by James Ferman and written by Philip Broadley
Guest Stars:
Norman Eshley, Deborah Norton, Jenny Hanley, Charles Lloyd Pack, John Slavid
Synopsis:
Paul Derring, a smooth-talking conman, targets beautiful young women. His latest victim is Elizabeth Charmont. She has never met him before but he seems to know everything about her…

Anton Rodgers as David Gradley and Anouska Hempel as Esther Jones

Episode 4: Saturn's Rewards
Directed by Don Leaver and written by Pat Hoddinott
Guest Stars:
Peter Vaughan, Dinah Sheridan, Ian Ogilvy, Joanna David, Jill Damas, David Lyell, Maureen Flanagan
Synopsis:
Richard Meade sees from his bedroom window a man attacking a woman…

Anouska Hempel as Esther Jones

Episode 5: Sting Sting Scorpio
Directed by Piers Haggard and written by Roger Marshall
Guest Stars:
Robert Powell, Susie Blake, Jeananne Crowley, Wensley Pithey, Frank Gatliff, Anne Dyson, Bob Sherman
Synopsis:
Esther takes the place of a murdered Brighton astrologer and clairvoyant in order to find out who killed her…

Anton Rodgers as David Gradley and Anouska Hempel as Esther Jones

Episode 6: The Horns of the Moon
Directed by Joe McGrath and written by Peter Yeldham
Guest Stars:
Peter Egan, Michele Dotrice, Graham Crowden, Peter Jones, Gillian Raine, Norman Chappell, Roland MacLeod, Keith Smith
Synopsis:
General Weston the chairman of a small bank wishes to merger with another bank. His fellow directors and his son Tony don’t agree…

Anouska Hempel as Esther Jones and Anton Rodgers as David Gradley

Opening and Closing Credits