Bognor: Just Desserts (ITV, 9-23 Feb 1982, John Le Mesurier)

In Just Desserts what starts out as a simple investigation into how the Department of Trade can possibly help high end restaurants leads to a case of murder involving prominent chef Escoffier Savarin Smith. As Bognor digs deeper he discovers that “Scoff” as he was known may have been involved in international espionage. Things get even murkier when Bognor is warned off the case and a second murder, that of possible Russian spy Petrov, occurs.

Guest star, the fabulous John Le Mesurier, enlivens proceedings enormously every time he appears and it is actually his refined wine nose that gets to the bottom of the real mystery. Andrew Burt however, who we normally have a great deal of time for, over-acts terribly – but is it all an act? There is also a prominent role for Widows and Prime Suspect creator Lynda La Plante back when she was mostly working as an actress under the name Lynda Marchal.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 3×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 9 – 23 February 1982

Writer: T.R. Bowen / Novel: Tim Heald / Director: Robert Tronson

Series: Bognor Season 2 Story 1

cast
David Horovitch as Simon Bognor
Joanna McCallum as Monica
Ewan Roberts as Parkinson
John Le Mesurier as Blight-Purley
Andrew Burt as Pring
Giselle Wolf as Gabrielle
Tim Meats as Lingard
Lynda Marchal (aka Lynda La Plante) as Lady Aubergine
Jerry Harte as Ebertson
Edward De Souza as Pendennis
Tony Powell as Packard
Boris Isarov as Petrov
Ursula Mohan as Mrs Khan
Garry Cooper as Bazeley
Tony Powell as Packard