The Main Chance: The Walls of Jericho (ITV 12 Oct 1970)

In The Walls of Jericho Sarah is approached by a foreigner, Abdul Naji, who wants David’s help over a dead sea scroll that he believes was stolen and led to the death of his brother.

David knows that proving the theft would be impossible and suggests that Abdul should turn his extensive catalogue of info into a book and try and flush out the man responsible by libelling him which would force him to respond. This doesn’t turn out to be the best of ideas as the man who actually has the scroll is not the man Naji thinks has it.

There is a funny moment when Sarah reads about an upcoming auction of the scroll at “Christobys” auction house – not Christies or Sotheby’s you note – but Christobys.

Meanwhile whilst en route to Leeds David’s uninsured car is badly damaged when a truck loses it’s load. The truck company is claiming that the damage was not their fault, owing to a case of metal fatigue on one of the claps holding the load in place. David wants Margaret to issue a writ on his behalf but she thinks he doesn’t have a hope of winning.

Good to see the return of Henry in this episode, he has been mostly absent so far in this second season.

classic quote
“is that the judgement of a lawyer or a gambler.”

production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Monday 12 October 1970 at 8.30pm

Writer: Louis Marks / Production Design: Andrew Drummond / Director: Christopher Hodson

Series: The Main Chance Season 2 Episode 5

cast
John Stride as David Main
Anna Palk as Sarah Courtney
Margaret Ashcroft as Margaret Castleton
John Wentworth as Henry Castleton
Aly Ben Ayed as Abdul Naji
Freddie Jones as Professor Ian Allardyce
Cynthia Grenville as Mary Allardyce
John Forrest as Mr Twite
Peter Cellier as Braintree
Frank Tregear as Waiter