Shoestring: An Uncertain Circle (BBC-1 21 Oct 1979 with Anna Nygh)

In An Uncertain Circle social worker Marion Cutler approaches Shoestring convinced that something has happened to Nick Forest. He has not been out of prison long and if she doesn’t find him he faces going back to jail having broken the terms of his parole. He is supposed to have been in the seaside resort of Chilton Dene trying to drum up trade for a possible new aerial photography business but seems to have completely disappeared.

Best episode yet, a convoluted plot that leading to Eddie discovering a possible smuggling operation. Of course Eddie being Eddie he does manage to get himself badly beaten and almost dies in a fire as well as suffering rope burn when he has to make a quick escape from a church bell tower. The abandoned fort out in the Bristol Channel that provides the climax for the episode also features in a first season episode of Lovejoy.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 21 October 1979

Writer: Robert Bennett / Production Design: John Hurst / Director: Mike Vardy

Series: Shoestring / Season 1 Episode 4

guest cast
ANNA NYGH as Marion Cutler
JOHN HARTLEY as Benny Sheldon
RICHARD DURDEN as Steve
ANNETTE EKBLOM as Jojo
PETER CARTWRIGHT as Jan Poestma
CRISPIN GILLBARD as Doctor Beaton
ANTHONY CARRICK as Butterfield
ANDREW BRADFORD as Phil
PETER HOLT as Ballard
WILLIAM ROURKE as Clark
ROYSTON TICKNER as Taxi Driver
JOHN VINE as Disc Jockey
COLIN MAITLAND as Studio Engineer