Public Eye: Egg and Cress Sandwiches (ITV 7 Feb 1973, with Brian Blessed)

In Egg and Cress Sandwiches Frank gets caught up in a poison pen letter case when an unconventional new vicar, William Pratt, at Hoxbury Parish Church is accused of being an adulterer.

The fabulous Brian Blessed is William Pratt, he’s actually very laid back here. He thinks that his first wife, living in London (but now suffering mental problems) could probably be behind the campaign. However when a valuable picture belonging to the church goes missing it looks there might be a bigger mystery going on. As Marker investigates he learns that Pratt is not the only person getting letters.

The two cases turn out to be unconnected and only the one involving the picture is solved by Frank and Firbank. Although we the audience get to see hat it was in fact Pratt’s first wife sending the letters.

Ray Smith is excellent in this episode too, especially when Firbank is trying his best to act posh at afternoon tea.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 7 February 1973

Writer: Michael Chapman / Production Design: Robert Love / Director: Graham Evans

Series: Public Eye Season 6 Episode 12

cast
Alfred Burke as Frank Marker
Ray Smith as Percy Firbank
Brian Blessed as Rev William Pratt
Lynn Farleigh as Valerie Pratt
Robert Flemyng as Maj Gen Harcourt
Angus Mackay as Peter Palfrey
Pamela Vezey as Shirley Haines
John Welsh as Cobden Felcourt
Lala Lloyd as Housekeeper
Harriet Craig as Alice
Peter Madden as Stanton
Charles Rea as Harry Haines