Public Eye: Cross That Palm When We Come To It (ITV 13 Apr 1968, with Tony Steedman)

Cross That Palm When We Come To It is the final episode of the third season and the final episode of the ABC years. When the series returned for a fourth season it would be made by new franchise holder Thames. Sadly it’s no longer in existence, like so many of the ABC episodes but it’s an important episode in the genesis of Frank Marker.

The story sees Frank getting involved in the recovery of some jewels, the intention being for the thieves to hand them back to claim the reward. Frank is caught in the middle, found in possession of the jewels he is accused of receiving stolen goods and sent to prison.

A major shake up for Frank, the first episode of season four sees him still in prison and struggling to cope with it’s aftermath for the rest of that run of episodes. It’s the catalyst for him moving to Brighton to start again and meeting Helen Mortimer who was a regular for the rest of the season and would make the odd occasional appearance throughout the rest of the show’s run.

If you can track down a copy there was a TV-Tie In novel that was also called Cross That Palm When I Come To It, adapted by Audley Southcott and using this episode and the opening episodes of season four for it’s material.

production details
UK / ITV – ABC / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Saturday 13 April 1968 at 9.10pm

Writer: Roger Marshall / Production Design: Michael Knight / Director: Peter Duguid

Series: Public Eye Season 3 Episode 13

cast
Alfred Burke as Frank Marker
Arthur Cox as Pratt
Simon Brent as Jordan
John Bailey as Inspector Robertson
Michael David as Solicitor
Tony Steedman as Wheldon
Fay Sparks as Mrs Dayton
Trevor Bannister as Briers
Geraldine Sherman as Fay
Geoffrey Lewis as Bank Manager
Dan Jackson as Joe Carew
Rudi Patterson as Gerry Carew
Wallace Campbell as Muirie