Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
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(Carlton Video, 2002)
Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) was a late-1960s British TV show about two private detectives. One is killed in the line of duty but returns as a ghost to both haunt and help his former partner; the series was remade in 2000-2001.
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[edit] Original version
The series was originally created by Dennis Spooner and produced by Monty Berman. Mike Pratt starred as Jeff Randall, Kenneth Cope as Marty Hopkirk and Annette Andre as Marty's widow Jeannie. Hopkirk in his ghostly incarnation appeared in a white suit throughout.
In the pilot episode Marty is killed during an investigation and returns as a ghost whom only Jeff (and the occasional psychic) can see, to help Jeff solve his murder. But Marty stays out of his grave for too long and is cursed to walk the Earth for 100 years. Having nothing better to do, Marty stays as an invisible partner in the detective agency. Marty gives Jeff whatever help he can (which is limited, since he can't touch anything, and is still learning his ghostly powers) but is jealous of the fact that Jeff and Jeannie seem to be developing an attraction for each other.
Hopkirk's appearances were achieved by the simplest and cheapest of means which had been in use since the earliest days of cinema. While the camera remained static, the other actors would freeze, Kenneth Cope would enter the scene and the other actors would unfreeze. Cutting out the extraneous footage between the freezing and unfreezing was all that was necessary. Disappearances used the same method in reverse. Then expensive and time consuming, optical effects were largely avoided although there was the very occasional superimposition or bluescreen travelling matte shot. In at least one scene the victorian theatrical illusion Pepper's Ghost was used.
The final episode to be filmed contained extended flashbacks of Hopkirk alone solving a case before his death. This was necessitated by Mike Pratt being injured in a fall which rendered him bedridden for the episode.
26 episodes were made by ITC Entertainment in 1969 - 1970 on 35mm colour film. They were screened on ITV in the UK. In the US they appeared in syndication, usually retitled My Partner The Ghost because audience research suggested that Americans would not understand the word "deceased".
The theme music, like that of The Baron, Danger Man, The Saint, and Department S, was composed by Edwin Astley.
Except for some brief exterior scenes in the pilot episode and original opening titles, most of the scenes featuring the principal cast were shot in the studio. Exterior scenes were usually either simulated using blue screen, shot using body doubles or made use of the Associated British Elstree Studios lot. Unusually for an ITC series however, one episode had a significant amount of location shooting with principal cast members - at Woburn Abbey.
Although Marty is not supposed to have a physical presence, beds and armchairs can sometimes be seen sagging under his weight, and in one episode he actually pushes aside a bead curtain.
Two versions of the show's opening titles were made for the British version. The original version includes a brief scene at the graveside in which Marty explains that only Jeff can see him. In later screenings this was replaced by a version without the scene. The US version is identical to the original, except for the title change.
The series was released on seven Region 2 DVDs in 2000 - 2002, which were then issued as a box set. Volume 2 includes the original opening title as an extra.
[edit] Episodes
- My Late Lamented Friend and Partner (pilot)
- A Disturbing Case
- All Work and No Pay
- Never Trust a Ghost
- That's How Murder Snowballs
- Just for the Record
- Murder Ain't What it Used to Be
- Whoever Heard of a Ghost Dying?
- The House on Haunted Hill
- When did You Start to Stop Seeing Things?
- The Ghost who Saved the Bank at Monte Carlo
- For the Girl who Has Everything
- "But What a Sweet Little Room"
- Who Killed Cock Robin?
- The Man from Nowhere
- When the Spirit Moves You
- Somebody Just Walked Over My Grave
- Could You Recognise That Man Again?
- A Sentimental Journey
- Money to Burn
- The Ghost Talks
- It's Supposed to be Thicker than Water
- The Trouble with Women
- Vendetta for a Dead Man
- You Can Always Find a Fall Guy
- The Smile Behind the Veil
[edit] The remake
(VVL, 2002)
(VVL, 2001)
In 2000 - 2001 the series was remade by Working Title Films for the BBC with a more elaborate storyline, starring Vic Reeves as Hopkirk (once again in a white suit) and Bob Mortimer as Randall, with Emilia Fox as Jeannie. Two series were made. The entire first series was written and produced by Charlie Higson, who also directed some episodes. The second series employed some other writers, including Gareth Roberts, Mark Gatiss and Jeremy Dyson. The basic situation was the same, but the circumstances of Hopkirk's death were changed. Another change was the introduction of Wyvern (Tom Baker), a kind of heavenly mentor for Marty.
Many episodes also included storylines that paid homage to the original show, as well as other 1960s shows - especially those made by ITC. In the fifth episode of series one, a clip of Mike Pratt (who had died before the new series was produced), from the original series episode "The Smile Behind the Veil", was included. Marty encounters him in Limbo. Place names also paid homage to the original show: Spooner Drive - named after Dennis Spooner - is used in the first episode of series one; and Cope House - named after Kenneth Cope - is the name of the building where the duo's office is. Marshall & Snellgrove - the name of the rival detective agency - was originally the name of an actual department store that was operating in the 1960s.
The series was shot in 16:9 widescreen. However, for reasons unknown, the Region 2 & 4 DVD of Series 1 was released in a pan and scan 4:3 format. The Series 2 DVD is coded for Regions 2 - 6 and is in the original aspect ratio.
The first print of the cover of the Series 1 VHS and DVD uses lenticular printing so that when the viewing angle is changed Marty's image appears and disappears.
[edit] Episodes
[edit] Series 1
- Drop Dead
- Mental Apparition Disorder
- The Best Years of Your Death
- Paranoia
- A Blast from the Past
- A Man of Substance
Also a four minute Music Video was made. This music video has a definite storyline, and includes guest actor Paul Whitehouse, as well as Nina Pearson, who sings a vocal version of the theme. This video was released with the DVD of Series One.
[edit] Series 2
- Whatever Possessed You?
- Revenge of the Bog People
- O Happy Isle
- Painkillers
- Marshall & Snellgrove
- The Glorious Butranekh
- Two can Play at That Game
[edit] External links
- MSN Group - Fan Site
- www.mike-pratt.co.uk - Guide to the series
- randallandhopkirk.com—covers both series
- Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)—1969 series at the Internet Movie Database
- Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)—2000 series at the Internet Movie Database
- British Film Institute Screen Online (60's series)
