Public Eye: Unlucky For Some (ITV 7 Apr 1975, with Julian Holloway)

In Unlucky For Some, the very last episode of Public Eye, Frank is asked by Ethel Waterfield, who runs a hotel with her son Keith, to look into the life of her new daughter-in-law Paula. She and Keith have only been married six months and when new guest Jeremy Fallows arrives Ethel is convinced that something is going on between him and Paula.

It’s clear there IS something going on but Frank is sure it’s more a case of blackmail than an affair. It turns out that Paula has been married before and her first husband died in mysterious circumstances – or did he?

There is a nice echo of earlier season 5 episode I Always Wanted A Swimming Pool when Frank, visiting an art gallery shop following up a lead, remarks that he is particularly interested in the works of Manton – this was the artist that was at the centre of that episode.

There was a small piece in the TV Times about it being the last episode of the series, it was clear that the intention at this point was to perhaps carry on. When asked if there were plans for any further episodes Alfred Burke said “No, but then there never are. They just happen.”

A good strong episode, classic Public Eye in fact, to end the series on and realistically after ten years it was probably the perfect time to end the series. As the decade moved into it’s second half it’s easy to imagine that times would have got even harder for Frank. Alfred Burke was superb as Frank!

Jennifer Daniel had appeared in Public Eye once before in season five opener A Mug Named Frank.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Monday 7 April 1975 at 9.00pm

Writer: Philip Broadley / Production Design: Norman Garwood / Director: Jonathan Alwyn

Series: Public Eye Season 7 Episode 13

cast
Alfred Burke as Frank Marker
Julian Holloway as Jeremy Fallows
Jennifer Daniel as Paula Waterfield
Joyce Heron as Ethel Waterfield
John Quayle as Keith Waterfield
Gwyneth Powell as Clare
Christine Pollon as Olive Dale
Barrie Cookson as Mr Boland