Crane (ITV 1963-1965, Patrick Allen, Sam Kydd)

1960’s adventure series that notched up 39 episodes as it followed Richard Crane who gave up the rat race to open up a beachfront bar in Morocco (which of course looked suspiciously like a studio backlot) where naturally he found mystery and intrigue at every turn. Crane was not an overly good guy though and was not averse to the odd bit of smuggling to make ends meet.

Patrick Allen (he of the numerous 1970’s advertising voice overs) starred as Crane, Sam Kydd in a rare high profile role played Crane’s side kick Orlando and Gerald Flood was as Colonel Mahmood.

The Orlando chartacter, who was something of a criminal, gained his own spin off series (called Orlando funnily enough) but aimed more at the younger audience.

Writers on the series included cult names such as Terence Feely and When The Boat Comes In creator James Mitchell as well as Alan Plater. Guest stars included Bruce Montague, Patrick Troughton, Peter Bowles, Ingrid Hafner, Roger Delgado and Tony Steedman.

production details
UK / ITV – Associated Rediffusion / 39×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 2 April 1963 – 25 January 1965

Producer: Jordan Lawrence / Script Editor: Patrick Alexander

cast
Patrick Allen as Crane
Sam Kydd as Orlando O’Connor
Gerald Flood as Mahmoud
Laya Raki as Halima

THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE 2 April – 25 June 1963
1. A DEATH OF NO IMPORTANCE (2 Apr 63)
2. BAD COMPANY (9 Apr 63)
3. THE CANNIBI SYNDICATE (16 Apr 63)
4. MY DEADLY FRIEND (23 Apr 63)
5. THE EXECUTIONERS (30 Apr 63)
6. YESTERDAY’S WOMAN (7 May 63)
7. THE PRICE OF FRIENDSHIP (14 May 63)
8. THREE DAYS TO DIE (21 May 63)
9. MY BROTHER’S KEEPER (28 May 63)
10. THE UNWANTED (4 Jun 63)
11. RETURN OF A HERO (11 Jun 63)
12. THE GOLDEN ATTRACTION (18 Jun 63)
13. A CASE OF DOLLS (25 Jun 63)

SEASON TWO 13 January – 15 June 1964
1. THE DEATH OF MARIE VETIER (13 Jan 64)
2. EPITAPH FOR A FAT WOMAN (20 Jan 64)
3. DEAD RECKONING (27 Jan 64)
4. PICTURE OF MY BROTHER (3 Feb 64)
5. TWO RINGS FOR DANGER (10 Feb 64)
6. DEATH IS A BLACK CAMEL (17 Feb 64)
7. THE SECRET ASSASSIN (24 Feb 64)
8. A MOUTHFUL OF ASHES (2 Mar 64)
9. RECOIL (9 Mar 64)
10. GYPSY’S WARNING (16 Mar 64)
11. KNIFE IN THE DARK (23 Mar 64)
12. MURDER IS WAITING (30 mar 64)
13. MAN WITHOUT A PAST (15 Jun 64)

SEASON THREE 26 October 1964 – 25 January 1965
1. DEATH IS A CLOSED DOOR (26 Oct 64)
2. T.N.T. (2 Nov 64)
3. THE THIRD BULLET (9 Nov 64)
4. A DANGER TO OTHERS (23 Nov 64)
5. DEATH WALKS BESIDE ME (30 Nov 64)
6. THE MAN WITH BIG FEET (7 Dec 64)
7. IN TRUST FIND TREASON (14 Dec 64)
8. THE PAINTED LADY (21 Dec 64)
9. MOVING TARGET (28 Dec 64)
10. A CARGO OF CORNFLOUR (4 Jan 65)
11. A VIOLENT ANIMAL (11 Jan 65)
12. THE DEATH OF KARALOFF (18 Jan 65)
13. THE MAN IN THE GOLD WAISTCOAT (25 Jan 65)