Public Eye: Horse and Carriage (ITV 20 Dec 1972, with Tony Melody)

In Horse and Carriage it’s the festive season but Christmas isn’t really Frank Marker’s thing. Especially when his latest case sees him doing a lot of standing out on street corners keeping watch on Lil, a woman who is suspected of having an affair by her husband Harry.

Harry is insanely jealous of his wife but is it because he is hiding a secret of his own.

A nicely humorous script from Richard Harris, it very quickly becomes clear that Frank has worked for Harry many times before, and a catalogue of misunderstanding place this one firmly in comedy territory.

There lots of familiar TV faces popping up this episode too, besides the always excellent Tony Melody and Pat Heywood as Harry and Lil including Penny Spencer Roy Barraclough, Tony Selby and Michael Bates.

The end titles play out over a sitcom theme tune style Christmas Carol arrangement.

classic quote
“Harry. When I’m keeping an eye on your wife. Where are you?”

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 20 December 1972 at 9.00pm

Writer: Richard Harris / Production Design: Graham Guest / Director: Bill Bain

Series: Public Eye Season 6 Episode 6

cast
Alfred Burke as Frank Marker
Tony Melody as Harry
Pat Heywood as Lil
Anne Carroll as Joy
Michael Bates as George
Penny Spencer as Pauline
John Flint as Receptionist
Roy Barraclough as MC
John Normington as Sugden
Tony Selby as Police Constable
Freddie Foot as Carol singer
Oscar Peck as Carol singer