Gideon's Way

Gideon's Way
Format Crime Drama
Created by John Creasey
Starring John Gregson
Alexander Davion
Theme music composer Edwin Astley
Composer(s) Edwin Astley
Country of origin United Kingdom
Language(s) English
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 26 (List of episodes)
Production
Producer(s) Robert S. Baker
Monty Berman
Running time 50 min.
Production company(s) New World Production
Distributor ITC Entertainment
Broadcast
Original channel ITV
Picture format Film 35mm 4:3 B/W
Audio format Mono
Original run 18 March 1965 – 10 May 1966

Gideon's Way is a British television crime series made by ITC Entertainment in 1964/65, based on the novels by John Creasey (as J. J. Marric). The series was made at Elstree in twin production with The Saint TV series. It starred Liverpudlian John Gregson in the title role as Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard, with Alexander Davion as his assistant, Detective Chief Inspector David Keen, Reginald Jessup as Det. Superintendent LeMaitre (nicknamed Lemmy), Ian Rossiter as Detective Chief Superintendent Joe Bell and Basil Dignam as Commissioner Scott-Marle. The show did not acknowledge any help from Scotland Yard, any other police force or advisor.

Daphne Anderson starred as his wife, Kate with Giles Watling as young son, Malcolm, Richard James as older son, Matthew who seemed to have a lot of new girlfriends and Andrea Allan as daughter, Pru. Unusually for police stories, Gideon was shown as a family man at home though urgent phone calls from his bosses tend to disrupt family plans too often. However, he did admit in "State Visit" that his wife had walked out on him for a while years ago when he put the job first and her second. They live in an expensive detached house in Chelsea.

Contents

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Production notes

There was extensive location shooting in early sixties London, with fast-paced action and strong story lines which made the series very popular in its day. The show was broadcast in the U.S. under the title Gideon CID. There were different starting titles for the American series, showing incidents of violent crime while the British titles just introduced the characters. The distinctive theme music was composed by Edwin Astley and some of the music in dramatic moments in the series were the same as that used in The Saint TV series which Astley was scoring at the same time

Unlike many shows then and later, there was much location filming and the show gave an authentic view of London in 1964/65: whole streets with just 2-3 parked cars, children playing in the street and police walking their beats. In "The Rhyme and the Reason", there is a chase across a bomb site, an area of destruction left from WWII aerial bombing raids. A door key on a string which can be reached through a letter box. Many characters smoked in the shows, including the stars.

Many well-known British actors appear in guest roles, including Keith Baxter, George Cole, Gordon Jackson, Ronald Lacey, Anton Rogers, Rosemary Leach and John Hurt. There was an early role for Donald Sutherland in the episode The Millionaire's Daughter.

The series was released on Region 2 DVD by Network Video.

Episode list

Filmed June 1964 - May 1965 on location and at Elstree Studios.

Airdate[1] is for ATV Midlands. ITV[2] regions varied date and order.

Episode # Prod # Title Directed by Written by Original airdate Filmed
1 106 "State Visit" John Moxey Jim O'Connolly 18 March 1965 Aug/Sept 1964
Based on a storyline in Gideon's March. Alfie Bass portrays an elderly German Jew who has suffered at the hands of the Nazis in WWII. There is a state visit by the German President and, as a chemist, he gets his hands on 10 oz of nitro-glycerine. Enough to kill his target and possibly hundreds more at the parade in Whitehall where Gideon's wife and son are also watching. Also features Gerald Flood as Deputy Commissioner Rae Cox, David Lodge as Morris and Julian Holloway as Jim Richards. 
2 102 "The 'V' Men" Cyril Frankel Alan Falconer 25 March 1965 July 1964
Mirroring the anti-fascist marches of the time and based on a storyline in Gideon's Vote, this features Sir Arthur Vane's fascist V-Party who are opposed by the anything but peaceful Peace Party. Someone is trying to kill Vane (Roland Culver). Also features Christine Finn as Marjorie Bennett, Bryan Marshall as Braithwaite, Peter Russell as John Hamilton and Inigo Jackson as Leo Samson. 
3 107 "The Firebug" Roy Ward Baker David Chantler 1 April 1965 Sept 1964
Based on a storyline in Gideon's Fire. George Cole plays a man whose wife and young daughter died in a house fire. He starts setting fires to make people take notice of the danger of fire but after killing 4 people (including a PC), he goes onto bigger fires, setting fire to a paint warehouse. He then gets hold of four sticks of dynamite. Also features Edward Dentith as Det. Insp. Dillon, Aubrey Richards as Det. Sgt. Steve Brady, Joby Blanshard as Bill White and Martin Boddey as Chief Officer Carmichael. 
4 109 "The Big Fix" James Hill Jack Whittingham 8 April 1965 Sept. 1964
Based on a storyline in Gideon's Risk. Gamblers pay big money to people to dope horses so they lose, and kill them if the horse wins. After a favourite has lost, Gideon tries to stop it happening again. Stars Michael Ripper as Joe Short, Penelope Horner as Janet Middleton, Maurice Hedley as Col. Alec Middleton, Robert Brown as Bill Campbell and Griffith Davies as Jimmy. 
5 112 "The Housekeeper" Leslie Norman David Chantler 15 April 1965 Oct. 1964
Based on storyline in Gideon's Month. A housekeeper (Kay Walsh) looks after old men and murders them for their money. She has her new victim lined up after electrician and ex-con (Harry Fowler) finds her previous victim. Also features John Dearth as Det. Supt. Warr and Richard Davies as Postman. 
6 108 "The Ladykiller" Leslie Norman David Chantler 22 April 1965 Sept. 1964
Based on a storyline in Gideon's Month. A man marries rich women who die apparently accidentally soon afterwards, so C.I. David Keen investigates. Gideon takes a back seat in this story. Stars Ray Barrett as Robert Carne, Rosemary Leach as Marion Grove, Timothy Bateson as Parker, Howard Lang as Sgt. Fowler and John Tate as Bert Macey. 
7 103 "To Catch a Tiger" Leslie Norman Iain MacCormck 29 April 1965 July 1964
Based on a storyline in Gideon's Risk. An employee's theft gives Gideon a chance to reopen an old murder case but he finds himself up against a formidable lawyer, Sir Percy Richmond (Raymond Huntley). Also features Norman Bird as Supt. Fred Lee, Glyn Houston as Det. Sgt. Carmichael and Patsy Smart as Mrs. Samuels. 
8 111 "Big Fish, Little Fish" Cyril Frankel Alan Falconer 6 May 1965 Oct. 1964
Based on storyline in Gideon's Month. This story is about petty theft and children taught to steal by mothers from hell. Mark 'Frisky' Lee (Maxwell Shaw) is seen to be the head of organised crime around the Petticoat Lane area of London and makes enemies easier than friends. When he is murdered, Gideon and local cop, Superintendent Bill Hemmingway uncover thieves, a fence and a murderer. Also stars Sydney Tafler as Gabriel Lyon, Angela Baddeley as Mrs. Clark and Harry Towb as Ted Cowan. 
9 105 "The White Rat" Roy Ward Baker Harry W. Junkin 13 May 1965 Aug. 1964
Based on a storyline in Gideon's Staff. Something of a love story. Sgt Sid Taylor who walked a beat with Gideon when they were PCs and taught him a lot is after an albino criminal (Ray McAnally) and his gang. A number of things go wrong and the criminal is cornered on a ship but threatens a massive explosion if they try to take him. Also starred Dermot Kelly as Fingers and Richard Beale as Capt. Vanner. 
10 115 "How to Retire without Really Working" George Pollock Norman Hudis 20 May 1965 Nov-Dec. 1964
Based on storyline in Gideon's Lot. Gideon defuses a gun siege where a small time crook went out of his league in the hope of a big robbery before retiring. Meanwhile, a couple in their fifties (Eric Barker and Joyce Grant) who have lived a life of petty crime try to do the same thing with a big wages snatch but Gideon has his eye on them. Gideon portrays the friendly cop in this episode, trying to help criminals who are obviously on the downwards path. Also starred William Mervyn as Mr. Pater, Charles Lloyd Pack as Mr. Hunter and Henry McGee as Mark Martinson. 
11 117 "Subway to Revenge" Roy Ward Baker Norman Hudis 27 May 1965 Jan, 1965
Based on storyline in Gideon's Ride. On a crowded platform, Bryan Pringle tries to push Donald Churchill in front of a train but he is saved by co-worker Anne Lawson. He wants nothing to do with it but she takes it to the police. Another attempt is made to push him in front of a bus. Again he does not seem to be interested that someone is trying to murder him and though she is obviously in love with him, he gets angry with her over it and wants nothing to do with her. Then suddenly they are in love. Pringle it turns out lost a fiancée when she tried to steal £5,000 from a company and when caught, committed suicide by jumping in front of an Underground train so he is now busy killing those responsible. There is a background story about a wages snatch. Also features Esmond Knight as Robson and Don McKillop as Foreman. 
12 122 "The Great Plane Robbery" Leslie Norman Alan Falconer 3 June 1965 Mar-Apr 1965
New Storyline. £1,000,000 worth of gold is stolen from a Russian Aeroflot plane at a small airfield. The brains behind it, Barley (George Baker) has an alibi which is just too good. There are complications when the driver of a decoy van is picked up and is obviously in on it. It all begins to fall apart when one of the men, Dobson (Edwin Richfield) is burned by molten gold being recast. Lured by the £100,000 reward, a bent doctor treating him phones the police who follow Barley and others to Tilbury where he plans to escape by boat. Also features George Murcell as Kautsky and Reg Lye as Dr. Hill. 
13 118 "Gang War" Quentin Lawrence David Chantler 10 June 1965 Jan-Feb. 1965
Based on storyline in Gideon's Night. Jerry Blake (Ronald Lacey) is moving in on Frank Romano's (Ray Brooks) small business protection racket. Both are leaders of gangs of young men and trouble is brewing. But Romano's wife, Lollo (Jane Merrow) is unhappy with their lifestyle and uses an old boyfriend to arrange the snatch of over £400,000 of old money meant for burning. Romano joins up with Blake to do the robbery while their gangs do a fake rumble to lure the police elsewhere. Also features Donald Morley as Supt. Browning and Will Stampe as Tony Mazzo. 
14 101 "The Tin God" John Gilling Harry W.Junkin 17 June 1965 Jun-Jul. 1964
Based on storyline in Gideon's Week. Derren Nesbitt plays a violent gangster who has escaped from jail and who is idolised by his son, but hates his wife, Ruby (Jennifer Wilson), for putting him in jail. Before he escapes the country, Nesbitt's character wants to kill Ruby. Also features John Hurt as his accomplice and Michael Cashman as Syd Benson. 
15 119 "The Alibi Men" Cyril Frankel Iain MacCormick 24 June 1965 Feb. 1965
Based on storyline in Gideon's March. Famous racing driver Jack Hedley has been fiddling the books and is caught by his accountant Geoffrey Palmer, who he kills to keep him quiet. Mechanic James Culliford gives him an alibi because he owes his life to him. Gideon investigates and Hedley's mistress needs to die too. A rare case where the murderer gets away with it. Also features Michael Collins as Det. Supt. Brown, Keith Anderson as Det. Insp. Elmhurst and Jennifer Daniel as Marjorie Bellman. 
16 116 "The Wall" Leslie Norman David Chantler 16 September 1965 Jan. 1965
From storyline in Gideon's Night. A number of stories but the main one is that greedy John Barrie accidentally kills Richard Carpenter and hides the body so he can steal his pools win. Carpenter's young wife (Ann Bell) is made to believe he has left her. Also stars Megs Jenkins as Liz Rikker and Philip Ray as Langley. 
17 121 "The Thin Red Line" Cyril Frankel Iain MacCormick 3 February 1966 March 1965
New storyline. The famous Balaclava regimental silver is going missing pieces at a time from the Highlanders London HQ with fakes being put in their place. Gideon is called in by the elderly General (Finlay Currie) to find out who is doing it but comes up against regimental pride and secrecy. Keen goes to Amsterdam and Paris (library shots used) to find out where the silver is being copied and sold off. The result is a shock to Gideon. Also starred Allan Cuthbertson as Major Donald Ross, Gordon Jackson as Sgt. McKinnon and Donald Pickering as Bookie Barton-Smith. 
18 126 "A Perfect Crime" Leslie Norman Alan Falconer 10 February 1966 May 1965
Based on storyline in Gideon's Fire. Patrick Allen plays someone who socially mixes with rich people and finds out when they are away so he and his accomplice (Patrick Bedford) can steal their jewels. Bedford is caught when a cop on a bike sees a car at a rich place where the owners have told him to keep a watch on it as they are away. His wife (Jean Marsh) tries to blackmail Allen so he kills her which leads to Gideon being publicly accused on attacking Bedford by a very nasty lawyer as they close in on Allen who is ready to flee the country. Also starred Ann Lynn as Ann Beaumont, Alec Mango as Hartz, Richard Davies as Taxi Driver. 
19 124 "The Millionaire's Daughter" Cyril Frankel Norman Hudis 17 February 1966 April 1965
Based on storyline in Gideon's Lot. A con man, Alan Blake (Don Borisenko), arrives on a ship from America with the millionaire Hendersons (David Bauer and Lois Maxwell) and their daughter who with confederates he kidnaps in London and they hold her for a million dollar ransom. The newspapers get hold of the story and Blake decides to get out while he can, tricking Mrs Henderson out of $500,000 worth of jewellery. This means that the daughter is now left with the homicidal Philip Guest (Donald Sutherland) who wants to kill her as she has seen their faces. Also starred Harold Goodwin and Alec Ross as Frank Simmons. 
20 110 "Morna" Cyril Frankel Alan Falconer 24 February 1966 Oct. 1964
New storyline. Morna Copthorne's (Angela Douglas) body is found by a lake. Gideon is asked to go to the small village of Wendley (this case unusually did not feature London) to sort the matter out as her father is a big name at the M.O.D. She is the girl everyone loved so how did she die? As Gideon and Keen interview witnesses about her past, a new picture emerges of a young rich girl out of control. Norman Bowler plays a black man in this and reflected the racial tensions of the time. Also stars Kay Walsh as Harriet Bright and Shelagh Fraser as Lady Copthorne. 
21 125 "Boy With Gun" Jeremy Summers Iain MacCormick 3 March 1966 May 1965
New storyline. A tale of boys gone wrong. Chris Kirk (Howard Knight) has been mothered too much but has an overbearing father, Police Surgeon, Doctor Kirk (Anthony Bate). Cornered by 3 leather coated, knife wielding yobs who want to steal the shotgun his father bought him, he shoots one. Believing he has murdered him, he goes on the run and meets a boy who has escaped from Borstal. They go to his brother's place so he can arrange their escape from the country but the shot boy's father (George Sewell) finds out and wants to kill the kid who shot his son. A powerful story filmed mainly around London's East End. Also features Michael Craze as Vince Kelly, Michael Standing as Chaz Kelly and Royston Tickner as Charlie Berry. 
22 114 "Fall High, Fall Hard" Leslie Norman Malcolm Hulke 15 April 1966 Nov 1964
Based on storyline in Gideon's Fire. A big construction company is owned by two men. Honest Donald Houston finds out his crooked partner Victor Maddern has hired men to intimidate and kill people to further their business. Houston wants to do something about it so they decide to kill him. Also stars Glyn Houston as Det. Sgt. Carmichael, Mike Pratt as Jenson, Gordon Gostelow as Thompson, Clifford Earl as Sgt. Bailey and Michael Robbins as Smith. 
23 120 "The Prowler" Robert Tronson Harry W.Junkin 22 April 1966 March 1965
Based on storyline in Gideon's Night. This occurs in the thick fogs of the time, due to most people using coal fires to keep warm, and the episode tries for a creepy atmosphere. The girlfriend of a young man (David Collings) has committed suicide causing him to become mentally unbalanced and he now attacks girls at night and cuts off some of their hair as a souvenir. One girl fights back and scratches him and as the police close in, he visits an unsuspecting girlfriend to hide at her place. 
24 123 "The Reluctant Witness" Jeremy Summers Norman Hudis 26 April 1966 April 1965
Based on storyline in Gideon's Risk. Red Carter (Mike Pratt) and brother Syd (David Gregory) buy wrecked cars then steal new cars of the same make and swap details and after a respray, sell them for lots of money. Tiny Bray who spent 4 years in prison because of them tries to get evidence of this but is seen and is beaten by Syd and dies, but there is a witness (Audrey Nicholson). The police trick Syd into confessing but then the harder job begins of getting brother Red who is trying to kill the witness. Trevor Bannister plays the constable who is assigned to keep her alive for the trial. The climax of the show is when the villains are cornered and pull guns, and the police are unarmed. Gideon says that the average burglary nets only £71 whereas a car theft (2,484 stolen one month in 1965) gets £500. Also features Gretchen Franklin as Martha Bray and Jolyon Booth as Radio Man. 
25 104 "The Rhyme and the Reason" John Gilling Jack Whittingham 3 May 1966 Aug. 1964
Based on a storyline in Gideon's Week. A young couple row and the girl is later found dead. All the evidence points to her biker boyfriend. Gideon, as a friend of his sister, is asked to investigate. Stars Duncan Lamont as Divisional Supt. Smedd, Jo Rowbottom as Mary Rose and Edward Evans as Fred Norton. 
26 113 "The Nightlifers" John Moxey Iain MacCormick 10 May 1966 Nov. 1964
New storyline. Four teens are led into a life of violence by Anton Rodgers who has upper class pretensions and lives on a Chelsea houseboat with parties every night. Rodgers plays a contemptuous sadist whose idea of fun is hurting people, mirroring teen crime at the time. This was the last show and the series ended on a high note. Also starred Derek Fowlds as Tim Coles, Annette Andre as Sue Young, Jean Marsh as Elspeth McRae, Harry Locke as Joe Moss, Roddy McMillan as Det. Insp. Caldwell and Richard Hurndall as Mr. King. 

References

  1. ^ Dates from ITC Episode guide issued with the Network DVD
  2. ^ Before 1968 ATV transmitted weedays in the Midlands and weekends in London. See History of ITV

External links