Within These Walls: A Lurking Doubt (ITV 18 Oct 1975, with Elizabeth Bennett)

In A Lurking Doubt Ruth Brown is admitted to Stone Park having been given a life sentence for being the getaway driver in an armed robbery in which a guard was killed. Ruth swears she is innocent and Faye actually thinks she might be.

Having read the transcript of the trial Faye persuades top lawyer Austin Jacobson to look into the case. It eventually turns out the none too bright Ruth actually has an alibi for the time the robbery took place – she was stealing a handbag from Harrods but her legal aid solicitor had dismissed it as unbelievable even though it was true.

There’s a funny scene at the end of the episode when, after having gained Ruth Brown’s freedom for her, Faye is inundated with requests to see the governor from inmates claiming their innocence.

Elizabeth Bennett turns in a nice performance as Ruth and there is a strong role for Carmen Silvera as an agitator whose petition about Ruth almost spoils things.

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Saturday 18 October 1975 at 9.00pm

Writer: Felicity Douglas / Production Design: Bryan Bagge, Roger Hall / Director: Mike Gibbon

Series: Within These Walls Season 3 Episode 7

cast
Googie Withers as Faye Boswell
Denys Hawthorne as Dr Mayes
Mona Bruce as Mrs Armitage
Sonia Graham as Martha Parrish
Beth Harris as Miss Clarke
Elizabeth Bennett as Ruth Brown
Elaine Wells as Officer Spencer
Carmen Silvera as Nan Havergill
Liz Moscrop as Judy Davies
Betty Romaine as Mrs Weeks
Raymond Adamson as Bill Boswell
Crispin Gillbard as Paul Boswell
Rod Beacha as George
John Franklyn-Robbins as Austin Jacobson