The Sweeney: Hearts and Minds (ITV 23 Nov 1978, with Morecambe and Wise)

In Hearts and Minds Regan and Carter find themselves out of their depth when they get caught up in a case involving the British Secret Service, the KGB and Morecambe and Wise!

What begins as a normal robbery investigation turns into something much more lethal. A scientist called Busby has gone missing, he has just made a major breakthrough with his research. The British government had previously decided to close down his lab but have now changed their mind – the Americans and the Russians would also like to get their hands on his work.

Busby’s mistress just happens to be working with Morecambe and Wise in a nightclub spot they are doing.

John Thaw and Dennis Waterman had appeared on the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show a couple of years earlier but had only agreed on the promise that the comedy duo returned the favour.

There’s quite the knockabout vibe to proceedings, especially in the scenes involving Morecambe and Wise, the final sequence sees them involved in a car chase with pretty much everybody on their tail. They are in a fresh fish delivery pick up truck which cues some dodgy stuntman work as Eric climbs into the back of the truck to throw cartons of fish at their pursuers.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Thursday 23 November 1978 at 9.00pm

Writers: Donald Churchill, Ted Childs / Director: Mike Vardy

Series: The Sweeney Season 4 Episode 11

cast
John Thaw as Jack Regan
Dennis Waterman as George Carter
Garfield Morgan as Frank Haskins
Eric Morecambe as Himself
Ernie Wise as Himself
Edward Hardwicke as Bellcourt
Edward De Souza as Busby
George Mikell as Danilov
Caroline Blakiston as Hildegarde
Jenny Quayle as Wendy
Miles Anderson as Hawkins
Jack Klaff as Al Krim
John Moreno as Doad
Joseph Charles as Ulysses
Nicholas McArdle as Tridgwell
Paul Freeman as First detective
James Winston as Sid
Alan Bodenham as Henry
George Irving as Second detective
Jean Boht as Woman neighbour
Ronald Forfar as Police Observer
Garry McDermott as Police driver
Martyn Whitby as Special patrol group inspector
Anthony Smee as Lieutentant
Simon Browne as Gene
Barbara Grant as Neighbour
John Fielding as Reporter