Thick As Thieves (ITV 1974, Bob Hoskins, John Thaw)

In sitcom Thick As Thieves, when George Dobbs is released from prison he is amazed to find his wife now living with fellow ex-con Stan. The three end up living together.

The theme tune is a very similar spin on the Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads theme tune, same instrumentation (and McGuinness Flint vibe) and the urban decay of the wholesale demolition of terraced houses that were happening all over the UK at the time. It’s excellent but not quite as catchy – something you could say about the series as a whole really.

In fact the second and final season of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads had only just finished on BBC-1 (a couple of months prior at the beginning of April) when Thick as Thieves began and there are more than a few similarities between the two shows – not least the enduring friendship between the two leads.

Bob Hoskins is typically fantastic as Dobbsy of course and John Thaw is equally good. Pat Ashton as Annie scores strongly too. A capable player during the 1970’s who is not as well remembered as she should be.

There would possibly have been more than one season but for the fact that John Thaw had committed himself to The Sweeney, this also gave the writers the opportunity to concentrate on their classic show Porridge.

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 8×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 1 June – 20 July 1974 Saturdays 8.30pm

Writers: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais / Producer: Derrick Goodwin

cast
BOB HOSKINS as George
JOHN THAW as Stan
PAT ASHTON as Annie
NELL CURRAN as Daphne
TREVOR PEACOCK asTommy Hollister
MICHAEL ROBBINS as Sgt Black
JOHNNY BRIGGS as Spiggy

THE EPISODES 1 June – 20 July 1974
1. The Homecoming (1 Jun 74)
2. Happy Release (8 Jun 74)
3. Good Conduct (15 Jun 74)
4. Two Men In My Life (22 Jun 74)
5. The Trouble With Tommy (29 Jun 74)
6. Three Into Two Won’t Go (6 Jul 74)
7. Home And Away (13 Jul 74)
8. Holy Deadlock (20 Jul 74)