Connect with us


Episodes

Special Branch: Catherine the Great (ITV 21 Feb 1974, with Jacqueline Pearce)

Published

on

Special Branch Catherine the Great

In Catherine the Great Craven is at the docks attempting to stop a noted German assassin, Helmut Rehfuss, getting into the country. Rehfuss, though, slips off ship disguised as a woman.

Craven knows that Rehfuss is in the country to peform a hit. The problem is he doesn’t know what Rehfuss looks like or who is intended target is. However Strand has more than a little clue who the target is – a Caribbean despot who is paying a visit to the UK.

Haggerty isn’t in this episode but North is and he is now an Inspector in the CID. He and Craven have to work together – Craven was the man who got North kicked out of Special Branch. At the time Craven felt North didn’t have the killer instinct and in fact that turned out to be case when he was unable to fire on a suspect. It naturally has repercussions for the episode and it is in fact North who brings down Rehfuss with a shot to the chest.

Special Branch Catherine the Great

Michael Sheard plays antique shop owner Adrian Penfold who has a thing for Rehfuss. It ends with Penfold dead.

Genre favourites making an appearance include Jacqueline Pearce as the girlfriend of hitman Rehfuss and Michael Sheard playing homosexual antiques dealer Adrian Penfold with the hots for Rehfuss and who helps him get the weapon he needs.

There was rather a lot of screen time (and we are talking several minutes worth) given over to Rehfuss’s drag alter ego Catherine the Great’s dance routine on stage at “Dragsters” club.

Advertisement

There was also  little piece in the TV Times about how guest star Tony Beckley broke his ankle whilst filming on location but being a proper trouper he continued until the scene was over.

Special Branch Catherine the Great Roger Rowland

Series 3 regular Sgt North makes a guest appearance – he’s now a CiD man and has been promoted to Inspector.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Thursday 21 February 1974 at 8.30pm

Writer: John Brason / Director: Douglas Camfield

Series: Special Branch Season 4 Episode 2

cast
George Sewell as Craven
Paul Eddington as Strand
Frederick Jaeger as Cmdr Fletcher
Roger Rowland as Inspector Bill North
Jacqueline Pearce as Helga Moritz
Tony Beckley as Helmut Rehfuss
Claire Nielson as Det Sgt Isobel Ross
Michael Sheard as Adrian Penfold
Tommy Eytle as General Yqueras
Neville Barber as Stanley Mace
Tommy Osborne as Drag compere

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

American Masters American Masters
News41 mins ago

Daniel Patrick Moynihan, American Masters, March 29th, 202, PBS

PBS’s American Masters explores the lives and artistic legacies of notable figures in the history of American culture. The series...

RuPaul's Drag Race RuPaul's Drag Race
News42 mins ago

RuPaul’s Drag Race, March 29, 2024, MTV, “Drag Race Vegas LIVE! Makeovers”

Get ready for a dazzling display of drag queen magic as RuPaul’s Drag Race presents the thirteenth episode of its...

Triple D Nation Triple D Nation
News44 mins ago

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, March 29, 2024, Food Network, “From Spicy to Sticky”

Get ready for a sensory journey through the diverse culinary landscape of the United States with Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins,...

House Hunters International House Hunters International
News45 mins ago

House Hunters, March 29, 2024, HGTV, “A Permanent Home in Atlanta”

This episode of House Hunters, “A Permanent Home in Atlanta”, airing on HGTV on March 29, 2024 at 10.00pm examines...

Graveyard Carz Graveyard Carz
News47 mins ago

Graveyard Carz, March 29, 2024, MotorTrend, “J-E-F-F That Spells Geoff”

This action-packed episode, titled “J-E-F-F That Spells Geoff,” and airing at 10.00pm on Friday March 29, 2024 on MotorTrend, follows...

Penn & Teller: Fool Us Penn & Teller: Fool Us
News48 mins ago

Penn & Teller: Fool Us, March 29, 2024, The CW, “It Takes Balls to be a Magician”

Each episode of Penn & Teller: Fool Us sees aspiring magicians given the challenge of performing their best trick with...

The UnXplained Special Presentation The UnXplained Special Presentation
News1 hour ago

The UnXplained Special Presentation, March 29, 2024, HISTORY, “Glimpses of the Future”

Are premonitions real, or merely lucky guesses? The fascinating episode “Glimpses of the Future,” from the series The UnXplained Special...

Mama June: From Not to Hot Mama June: From Not to Hot
News1 hour ago

Mama June: Family Crisis: Mama Dearest, March 29, 2024, WE tv, “Going Away Drama”

Mama June: Family Crisis: Mama Dearest takes a dramatic turn in the episode titled “Going Away Drama“. Alana’s departure prompts...

ITV1 Title Card ITV1 Title Card
News3 hours ago

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen, 30 March 2024, ITV1

Set in her beautiful Cotswolds home, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen sees the legendary cook share her favourite recipes, as well...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News5 hours ago

Bargain Hunt, 1 April 2024, BBC One, “Asian Special”

In a special Asian-focused episode of Bargain Hunt, presenter Roo Irvine delves into some of the program’s most remarkable finds...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News1 day ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News1 day ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News1 day ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News1 day ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Popular