Episodes
Public Eye: Many A Slip (ITV 29 Nov 1972, Michael Culver)
In Many a Slip Frank is asked by a hire purchase company to look into the credit worthiness of five people in the Windsor. It should be a straight forward job but one of the five, the wife of Percy Firbank’s doctor Pembroke may be hiding something.
As Frank digs deeper he discovers that Pembroke’s first wife died and the doctor had a large insurance payout soon after. Frank thinks he may have deliberately killed his first wife but the answer is far from that. In fact she is still alive, having refused to divorce him – once the truth is out, Pembroke, devastated that his career is in ruins, kills himself.
The unnamed Insurance Investigator who gives Frank the job in the first place is a real berk and gives Frank a pretty hard time – mind you Frank is used to people not being overly pleasant towards him so it’s pretty much a case of water off a duck’s back.
Legendary Doctor Who companion Elisabeth Sladen has a small role as a policewoman.
classic quote
“coppers can’t afford friends Frank, it never pays…”
production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 29 November 1972 at 9.00pm
Writer: John Kershaw / Production Design: Norman Garwood / Director: David Wickes
Series: Public Eye Season 6 Episode 3
cast
Alfred Burke as Frank Marker
Ray Smith as Percy Firbank
Michael Culver as Dr Pembroke
Ann Curthoys as Felicity
Beryl Cooke as Optician’s Assistant
Travor Adams as Farmer
Elisabeth Sladen as Policewoman
Esmond Knight as Dr Stowe
David Ellison as Freezer man
Ronald Govey as Insurance investigator