Avengers in Time: Television

Showing posts with label Television. Show all posts

Tuesday, 13 October 2026

1972, Television: Alcock and Gander

On 5 June 1972, the first episode of the British comedy television series "Alcock and Gander" was broadcast on the ITV network. The series was directed and produced by Alan Tarrant and written by Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke. The starring roles were played by Beryl Reid, Richard O'Sullivan and John Cater. The opening theme, "Rollin' Easy", was composed by Peter Milray. The series ran for one season, comprising six episodes.

Norman Chappell as Mr. Entwhistle in "The Safe Breaker"

Edwin Richfield as Sweeney, John Cater as Ernest
and Beryl Reid as Mrs Marigold Alcock in "Husband in a Hurry"

Julie Martin as Collette, Richard O'Sullivan as Richard Gander
and Beryl Reid as Mrs Marigold Alcock in "Soho Is Too Small"

John Cater as Ernest in "Pontoon"

Beryl Reid as Mrs Marigold Alcock, Patrick Newell as Luigi
and Richard O'Sullivan as Richard Gander in "Pontoon"

Synopsis
When Marigold Alcock (Beryl Reid) is widowed following the death of her shady husband, she inherits his decidedly dubious business empire, the Alcock Group of Companies. The business operates from a cramped, shabby two-room office, complete with an executive lavatory, in London's Soho district, directly above a strip club. The company comprises a motley collection of questionable enterprises, including Alcock's Marriage Bureau, Flybynight Tours and Alcock's Detective Agency. It also sells an assortment of obscure products, such as "Tom O'Thimble" lucky gnomes and "Alcock Swiss Elixir".…

Beryl Reid as Mrs Marigold Alcock in "The Strip Club"

Patrick Newell as Luigi in "The Strip Club"

Richard O'Sullivan as Richard Gander in "The Strip Club"

Brenda Kempner as Gladys in "Artistic Books, Soho, Ltd"

Main Cast

Beryl Reid as Mrs. Marigold Alcock
Richard O'Sullivan as Richard Gander
John Cater as Ernest
Patrick Newell as Luigi
Larry Martyn as First Workman

Opening and Closing Credits

Friday, 25 September 2026

1963, Television: Sergeant Cork

The first episode of the British detective series "Sergeant Cork" was broadcast on the ITV network on 29 June 1963. The series was created by Ted Willis and starred John Barrie as Sergeant Cork and William Gaunt as Bob Marriott. Set in Victorian London, the series ran from 1963 to 1968. Over the course of six seasons, a total of 66 episodes were broadcast.

William Gaunt as Bob Marriott and John Barrie as Sergeant Cork
in The Case of the Girl Upstairs

Philip Latham as Arthur J. Lowman MD and John Barrie as Sergeant Cork
in The Case of the Girl Upstairs

John Barrie as Sergeant Cork and Isa Miranda as Magda Brandel
in The Case of Ella Barnes

Edward Woodward as Austen Carew in The Case of the Ormsby Diamonds

Diane Clare as Kate Carstairs an John Barrie as Sergeant Cork
in The Case of the Ormsby Diamonds

Synopsis
In 1890s London, Sergeant Cork (John Barrie) serves in Scotland Yard’s newly established Criminal Investigation Department, enthusiastically embracing the pioneering techniques of the emerging science of forensic investigation as he tackles crimes born of poverty and deprivation, passion, vengeance and greed. Ably assisted by the young detective Bob Marriott (William Gaunt), Cork is astute and meticulous, a man years ahead of his time. He knows that even the most convincing evidence can all too easily prove deceptive.

William Gaunt as Bob Marriott and Anna Palk as Virginia Palmer
in The Case of the Hangman's Noose

George A. Cooper as Mr. Bellamy in The Case of the Self Made Man

Annette Andre as Mary Briggs in The Case of the Two Poisons

Trevor Bannister as Clem Butley and John Phillips as Big Ben Lewis
in The Case of Big Ben Lewis

Katherine Woodville as Vera Chatterton in The Case of the Pious Patriarch

Main Cast

John Barrie as Sergeant Cork
William Gaunt as Bob Marriott
Charles Morgan as Superintendent Rodway
Freddie Fowler as Chalky White
Edward Ogden as Sergeant Gardner

Jennie Linden as Julia Bell in The Case of the Merry Widower

William Gaunt as Bob Marriott and Patricia English as Georgia Slocumb
in The Case of the Travelling Texan

William Gaunt as Bob Marriott and Josephine Tewson as Martha St. Clair
in The Case of the Devil's Daughter

Charles Morgan as Superintendent Rodway and John Barrie as Sergeant Cork
in The Case of the Unpopular Judge

Angela Douglas as Lucy Rogers and William Gaunt as Bob Marriott
in The Case of the Strolling Players

John Barrie as Sergeant Cork and Freddie Fowler as Chalky White
in The Case of the Fallen Family

Sunday, 16 August 2026

1962, Television: Man of the World

On 29 September 1962, ITV premiered "Death of a Conference", the first broadcast episode of the British crime series "Man of the World". The series was produced by Harry Fine for ITC Entertainment and starred Craig Stevens, with Tracy Reed appearing throughout the first series. Although "Death of a Conference" was the first episode to be transmitted, the pilot episode, "Masquerade in Spain", was broadcast second. It was the only episode filmed in colour, while the remaining 19 episodes were produced in black and white. "Man of the World" was created by Leslie Harris, with its memorable theme music composed by Henry Mancini.

Tracy Reed as Maggie Warren and Craig Stevens as Michael Strait in "Death of a Conference"

John Carson as Said in "Death of a Conference"

Warren Mitchell as Alex in "Death of a Conference"

Erica Rogers as Joanne Van Kempson and Craig Stevens as Michael Strait in "The Runaways"

Craig Stevens as Michael Strait and Burt Kwouk as Liu in "The Frontier"

Shirley Eaton as Lee in "The Sentimental Agent"

Synopsis
Michael Strait (Craig Stevens) is a professional photo-journalist and a real Man of the World. His business takes him to every corner of the world and every corner of society and with his eye for trouble it proves to be an irresistible combination…

Tracy Reed as Maggie Warren in "The Sentimental Agent"

John Laurie as The MacGillie in "The Highland Story"

Juliet Mills as Carla in "The Mindreader"

Derren Nesbitt as Polikoff in "Specialist for the Kill"

Craig Stevens as Michael Strait and Suzanne Neve as Linda in "Shadow of the Wall"

Anthony Quayle as Dr. Moretti in "The Enemy"

Cast
Guest stars include amongst others Warren Mitchell, John Carson, Erica Rogers, Burt Kwouk, Shirley Eaton, John Laurie, Juliet Mills, Derren Nesbitt, Suzanne Neve, Anthony Quayle, ...

Opening and Closing Credits "The Highland Story"

Sunday, 12 July 2026

1964, Television: Rocambole

On 18 April 1964, the first episode of the French television series "Rocambole" was broadcast on RTF Télévision 2. Directed by Jean-Pierre Decourt, the series was based on Pierre Ponson du Terrail's 1858 serial novel "Les Exploits de Rocambole". A total of 78 episodes, each lasting 13 minutes, were produced across three stories: "L'Héritage mystérieux", "Les Étrangleurs", and "La Belle Jardinière". The series was broadcast from 18 April 1964 until 10 May 1965.

Pierre Vernier as Rocambole

Marianne Girard as Baccarat and Jean Topart as Andréa de Felipone

Cécile Vassort as Cerise

Jacqueline Corot as Jeanne de Balder

Marie-France Boyer as Hermine de Beaupréau

Michel Beaune as Armand de Kergaz

Synopsis
Rocambole (Pierre Vernier), whose real name is Joseph Fipart, begins life as nothing more than a petty thief operating in the back streets of Paris on behalf of Sir Williams (Jean Topart). As a member of the "Valets de Cœurs Club", he eventually decides to change sides, reinventing himself as a fearless champion of justice whose ingenuity and resourcefulness are unmatched. He soon becomes a hero to the common people, his growing reputation eventually leading him to believe himself invincible...

Cast "L'Héritage mystérieux"