Wilde Alliance: Question Of Research (ITV 17 Jan 1978, Donald Burton)

In Question of Research successful author Rupert Wilde and his artist wife Amy are more than a little surprised to find themselves targeted by the secret service. Their flat has been bugged and new maid Camilla seems more than a little too interested in going through Rupert’s personal papers than in keeping house. As the Wilde’s try to get to the bottom of what is going on the trail leads them to an army commander whom Rupert had been corresponding with over research details for his latest novel.

A great opener, setting out the excellent relationship between Amy and Rupert very well indeed. The duo have a nice line in bickering but with an underlying loving relationship clearly defined. The humour level is high and the mystery level is quite low, how the series is as a whole in fact. Rupert’s agent Christopher is also well to the fore here badgering Rupert to get on with his writing. We also learn that it is Amy who does the bulk of the work on Rupert’s novels. Patrick Newell makes the first of his occasional appearances as blue movie maker Bailey who lives in the flat below the Wildes. There is a good touch in fact about the Wilde’s flat in the opening scenes with Amy arriving back from shopping and riding her bike into the grounds of quite a prominent estate but it’s undergone a conversion and is now apartments!

classic quote
“You should work to rule.”
“Rupert made all the rules.”

production details
UK / ITV Network – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Tuesday 17 January 1978 @ 9.00pm

Writer: Ian Mackintosh / Production Design: Alan Pickford, Peter Caldwell / Director: Derek Bennett

Series: The Wilde Alliance Episode 1 of 13

guest cast
JEROME WILLIS as Ladbroke
DONALD BURTON as Platton
JUDY BUXTON as Camilla
PATRICK NEWELL as Bailey
ROBIN PARKINSON as Jack
ROBERT BLYTHE as Telephone Engineer
WILLIAM HUMBERT as Geoffrey
SEBASTIAN ABINERI as Corporal
RAYMOND ADAMSON as Vice-Chief
PAUL WILLIAMSON as Wing Commander