Fraud Squad: The Martin Kessel File (ITV 19 Sep 1970, with Rupert Davies)

In season two opener The Martin Kessel File Gamble has been after a forger for years, when he gets his hands on some fake American bonds it leads him to a printer called Martin Kessel. When Gamble tries to get a search warrant Proud tells him that the Kessel file is closed. For some reason some one is trying to protect Kessel and Gamble is determined to find out why.

To further complicate matters Gamble’s ex-wife Helen is a regular customer of Kessel’s, they are both involved with a left-wing group and Kessel prints all the pamphlets and flyers for the group.

A new opening title sequence for the second season but same groovy theme tune. Detective Constable Roberts is a new arrival in this episode, he has clearly been involved with the Squad for a little while as he knows what Gamble’s ex-wife Helen looks like.

The action quotient is ramped up quite a bit in this first episode, there is even a car chase as well as a bout of fisticuffs.

classic quote
“You lost him because you got caught for speeding in the Inspector’s car…”

production details
UK / ITV – ATV / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Saturday 19 September 1970 at 9.00pm

Writer: Basil Dawson / Production Design: Anthony Waller / Director: Paul Annett

Series: Fraud Squad Season 2 Episode 1

cast
Patrick O’Connell as Gamble
Joanna Van Gyseghem as Vicky Hicks
Ralph Nossek as Proud
Timothy Carlton as Peter Hughes
Rupert Davies as Martin Kessell
Kenneth Camroux as Alvin Lee
Anton Darby as Detective Constable Roberts
Elizabeth Weaver as Helen Gamble
Bert Simms as Caxton
Noel Johnson as Gilbey
Tom Macauley as Colonel Gudgeon