Shoestring: Nine Tenths Of The Law (BBC-1 4 Nov 1979 with Harry H. Corbett)

In Nine Tenths of the Law Eddie finds himself caught up in a custody battle when a young girl is kidnapped by her estranged father who wants to take her back to Australia with him, her grandfather, Tom, though will stop at nothing to ensure that he gets her back.

Very creepy opening with the camera following the young schoolgirls that makes you think something sinister is going on until you realise that it’s the girls father. It’s a strong central story though with things not painted in shades of black and white, Geraldine James plays the mother Mary Phillips and although she wants her daughter back it quickly becomes apparant to Eddie that she is more than fond of a drink or two and the girl might in fact be better off with her father.

Harry H. Corbett gets star billing too in a rare TV guest appearance as the tough granddad Tom even if the scene where he drives his van (he is a security guard) through a wood chasing after Eddie is a little surreal.

UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 4 November 1979

Writer: Peter Miller / Production Design: Humphrey Jaeger / Director: Marek Kanievska

Series: Shoestring / Season 1 Episode 6

guest cast
HARRY H. CORBETT as Tom
GERALDINE JAMES as Mary Phillips
NELL CAMPBELL as Joanna Lomas
KARL JOHNSON as Dennis Philips
FIONA SCOTT as June Philips
ROBERT WALKER as Alan Bridgeman
JOHN BARDON as Ralph
PAUL RATTEE as Mr Halliday
JULIAN LITTMAN as Vincent Dinsdale
PEGGY SINCLAIR as Landlady
PETER DEAN as Jack
GERALD MOON as Gerald
ANDY HO as Captain
JACQUELINE DUFF as June’s Friend
JAN YOUNGER as Woman With Pram