Place To Hide, A (ITV 1976, Hilary Crane, Arthur White)

Family action adventure serial A Place To Hide focused on ex-illusionist Bruno Valenta who is now running an isolated guest house with his wife and two kids, little do they know that the three guest who have just arrived are on the run from the police and have £100,000 stolen from a bank on them.

production details
UK / ITV Network – ATV / 6×30 minute episodes / 4 January – 8 February 1976 / Sundays @ 4.50pm or 5.35pm

Writer: Roy Russell / Designer: Stanley Mills / Producer: Shaun O’Riordan

cast
Hilary Crane as Laura Valenta
Arthur White as Mr Smith
Terry Duggan as Bruno Valenta
Frances Tomelty as Ann Smith
Brian Capron as Derry Smith
June Page as Madeleine Valenta
David Nunn as Mark Valenta

THE EPISODES
1. THE HIDEOUT (Broadcast: Sunday 4 Jan 1976 @ 4:50pm)
Former magician Bruno Valenta is concerned by the arrival of three new guests at the remote guest he runs with his wife and two children, they definitely seem to be hiding something.

2. THE SECRET PLACE (Broadcast: Sunday 11 Jan 1976 @ 4:50pm)
The Smith’s, who are staying at the Valenta’s guest house, have £100,000 stolen in a bank raid, and they need to find a safe spot to bury their haul.

3. THE GIVEAWAY (Broadcast: Sunday 18 Jan 1976 @ 4:50pm)
Bruno is shocked when he learns Bill Smith has a gun but then Bruno’s son Mark goes one step further and uncover the disguises used by the Smith family in their robbery.

4. THE CONTACT (Broadcast: Sunday 25 Jan 1976 @ 4:50pm)
The Smiths have decided to make sure that the Valenta’s are shut off from the outside world but their plan goes awry – first with the arrival of a policeman and then Madelaine develops a bad toothache.

guest cast
Lloyd McGuire as P C Brockhurst / Kate Saunders as Receptionist

5. THE TRICK (Broadcast: Sunday 1 Feb 1976 @ 4:50pm)
Thanks to some crafty magic from one of the their old routines the Valentas manage to pull off a double cross on The Smith family.

guest cast
Lloyd McGuire as P C Brockhurst

6. THE ILLUSION (Broadcast: Sunday 8 Feb 1976 @ 4:50pm)
The Smiths are convinced that Mark has got his hands on “their” money and with Bill Smith threatening serious violence P.C. Brockhurst suggest becoming a hostage in order to ensure the Valenta’s safety.

guest cast
Lloyd McGuire as P C Brockhurst

The serial had a repeat run between 16 December 1977 and 20 Jan 1978 shown Fridays @ 4:15pm.