Van der Valk: Elected Silence (ITV 4 Oct 1972, with Michael Sheard)

In Elected Silence well to do publisher Paul Harkemer is receiving strange threats (including one involving a death threat pinned to a hearse outside his office) – his daughter has also been missing for 12 days. Harkemer thinks she may have been kidnapped but elected not to inform the police. Van der Valk is sure he is hiding something and takes him into custody. Van der Valk visits Harkemer’s wife Beryl.

A kidnap demand is received via a message recorded onto cassette but unfortunately the girl then turns up dead. Harkemer’s daughter had become involved with drink and drugs as well as with a local pop group, the leader of which, Felix Alkmaar, she had also become involved with. In the shake down it turns out that the dead girl and Alkmaar may both be the offspring of Paul Harkemer.

Another hard hitting episode that doesn’t pull it’s punches, as always though with shows of the early seventies whenever a hippy appears they are always somewhat caricatured. 1970’s example of a caricatured hippy.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 4 October 1972 at 9.00pm

Writer: Geoffrey Gilbert / Production Design: Tony Borer / Director: Douglas Camfield

Series: Van der Valk Season 1 Episode 4

cast
Barry Foster as Van der Valk
Michael Latimer as Kroon
Susan Travers as Arlette
Alain Haines as Mertens
Martin Wyldeck as Samson
Michael Sheard as Paul Harkemer
Lillias Walker as Beryl Harkemer
Miranda Hampton as Bar manageress
Michael Lees as Dr Roest
Maria O’Brien as Pauline Eindhovern
Dave Carter as Stribos
Damien Thomas as Felix Alkmaar