Hadleigh: The Caper (ITV 17 Aug 1973, with James Maxwell)

In The Caper James has an opportunity to make an extremely amount of money in a nickel mine located in the Australian Outback. He needs to raise a substantial line of credit though to develop the mine. The consortium he belongs to agrees to allow him keep a million pounds worth of bearer bonds at his bank to establish the credit line.

Meanwhile after Sutton receives an enigmatic telephone call from an old friend (a conversation which just happens to be overheard by Jennifer) he begins acting rather strangely. The man, Peter Kane, has just been released from prison. Sutton was involved in a shady scheme with Kane several years before when at the time Sutton was running his own antiques business. Stolen property was involved and Kane is blackmailing Sutton.

Kane then turns up for dinner (and is staying for a couple of days) posing as a author who is writing a book on the architect who designed Melford (amongst many other prominent buildings in the area). Jennifer has her suspicions about him. She recognises him as the voice on the telephone speaking to Sutton. She and James then search Kane’s room and discover a sheet of paper with lots of attempts to forge James’ signature on it. James tells Jennifer that he was introduced to Kane at a reception given by John Simpson, the man who has set up the bearer bonds deal. It’s clear that foul play is afoot and James and Jennifer lay a trap…

Quite a strong episode for Sutton, he’s always appeared too good to be true of course so it’s good to get some background on him and discover he’s not quite so perfect after all. He’s not a villain though. Kane used him before (and cost him his business in the process) and he’s using him again here.

classic quote
“His kind don’t mind sticking to the rules, because they made them…”

production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 17 August 1973 at 9.00pm

Writer: David Ambrose / Production Design: Andrew Drummond / Director: Tony Wharmby

Series: Hadleigh Season 3 Episode 9

cast
Gerald Harper as James Hadleigh
Hilary Dwyer as Jennifer Hadleigh
Peter Dennis as Sutton
Hugh Sullivan as John Simpson
James Maxwell as Peter Kane
Ambrosine Phillpotts as Aunt Helen
Hugh Martin as Herr Hahne
Charles Rea as Superintendent Hart