Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)

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For the 1960s series see Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased).
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)

Series title card.
Format Fantasy Action Drama Comedy Paranormal
Created by Dennis Spooner
Starring Vic Reeves
Bob Mortimer
Emilia Fox
Tom Baker
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 13
Broadcast
Original channel BBC One
Original run 2000 – 2001

Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) is a British television series, produced by Working Title Films for BBC One. It is a remake of the 1960s television series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and stars Vic Reeves as Hopkirk (once again in a white suit) and Bob Mortimer as Randall, Emilia Fox as Jeannie, and Tom Baker as Wyvern.

Contents

[edit] Background

Two series were made, the first in 2000 and the second the following year. 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.

Many episodes also included storylines that paid homage to the original show, as well as other 1960s shows - especially those made by ITC Entertainment, the original show's production company. 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. While interviewing Higson and Reeves for a 2000 feature in The Sunday Times heralding the first series, the British journalist Tony Barrell mentioned a comical anagram he had devised of the show's title: Real Plonker and Sad Dickhead. A slightly revised version of the anagram was used by Higson (with permission) in the fifth episode of the second series, Marshall & Snellgrove.

[edit] Technical aspects

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
Whilst working for a troubled artist, Marty is killed by the artist's apparently suicidal wife, but all is not as it seems and Marty is allowed one night to return and solve the mystery of his murder.
  • Mental Apparition Disorder
After revealing to Jeannie that he can talk to the ghost of Marty, Jeff finds himself spending a week at a psychiatric retreat. However, the doctor running the retreat has a terrible secret.
  • The Best Years of Your Death
After receiving a disturbing message from Jeannie's nephew, she and Jeff go undercover at the boy's new boarding school and discover a horrific secret.
  • Paranoia
Hired to protect a man who will shortly be presenting evidence of several politically damaging events, the duo find themselves protecting their client from assassins determined to obtain and sell the secrets themselves.
  • A Blast from the Past
When a retired policeman turns up asking for help to locate an old enemy, Marty finds himself on the run from the ghost of the criminals brother, who is seeking revenge for his death at the hands of Marty's father.
  • A Man of Substance.
Whilst investigating the disappearance of a businessman, the pair find themselves stuck in a mysterious village whose inhabitants are able to both see and hear Marty.

This DVD of the series also included a four minute music video, featuring Paul Whitehouse and Nina Persson (of The Cardigans), who sings a vocal version of the theme. The DVD also featured a 'Making Of' Documentary & Outtakes.

[edit] Series 2

  • Whatever Possessed You?
Jeff and Jeannie check into a remote hotel which has been the site of various murders going back almost 50 years. Marty returns to help and discovers a supernatural element to the mystery.
  • Revenge of the Bog People
Jeff runs into an old flame and agrees to re-open an old case in order to attempt to clear her father's name.
  • O Happy Isle
A young man is found dead on a small island. According to the local police it was a simple suicide, but when Jeff and Marty discover that the victim was gay, they begin to suspect the highly traditional locals.
  • Painkillers
Hired to investigate the death of an undercover agent, Jeff and Jeannie meet a mysterious man who is attempting to recreate a rainforest ecosystem in an underground facility, but why?
  • Marshall & Snellgrove
A case involving feuding twins and a large inheritance goes horribly wrong when one of a rival detective duo is seemingly killed by one of the twins. Rather than 'going up' the deceased detective begs Marty to help him solve his own murder.
  • The Glorious Butranekh
After receiving a call from their old secretary, the detectives travel to Latvia to solve the disappearance of their old friend's husband and baby son.
  • Two Can Play at That Game
Jeannie goes missing and whilst tracking her down Jeff finds himself trapped in an abandoned department store. Meanwhile, Marty and Jeff fall out and Marty finds himself in a part of the afterlife filled with other ghosts who fell out with their chosen ones, but they don't seem to want him to leave.

[edit] Quotes

"Afore the sun shall rise anew, each ghost unto his grave must go. Cursed be the ghost who dares to stay, and face the awful light of day. Ye shall not to your grave return, until your chosen one be gurn."

[edit] External links