Van der Valk: One Herring’s Not Enough (ITV 13 Sep 1972, with Clifford Rose)

In One Herring’s Not Enough Detective Van der Valk of the Amsterdam Police has an intriguing case to deal with. College lecturer Boersma walks in off the street claiming to have murdered his wife and her lover. Van der Valk sends Kroon to investigate and their is no evidence to suggest any kind of wrong doing.

The more Van der Valk investigates the more he discovers that Boersma seems to stuck in some kind of five year old time-warp. With no evidence of a crime Van der Valk lets him go but sets up surveillance on him.

Clifford Rose takes the chief guest star role here, he was a familiar TV face throughout the decade before achieving fame as the despised Kessler in Secret Army. Michael Turner, who had the lead in series four of New Scotland Yard also makes an appearance.

A good series opener, Barry Foster is excellent as our hero. His ire increasing as he gets further through the day without food. With it’s very cool opening title sequence and groovy theme tune it’s easy to see why the series was an immediate hit.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 13 September 1972 at 9.00pm

Writer: Michael Chapman / Production Design: David Marshall / Director: Dennis Vance

Series: Van der Valk Season 1 Episode 1

cast
Barry Foster as Van der Valk
Michael Latimer as Kroon
Susan Travers as Arlette
Clifford Rose as Boersma
Colin McCormack as Sailor
Alain Haines as Brigadier Mertens
Dave Carter as Brigadier Stribos
Michael Turner as Dr Smeding