Strangers: Paying Guests (ITV 17 Jul 1978, Amanda Barrie)

In Paying Guests, the final episode of the first season, Bulman is living with Grafton Parker and his family who are under protection after Parker got his hands on a cache of stolen money and the villains who nicked it want it back.

Amanda Barrie is brilliant and unrecognisable as Parker’s wife who is distraught at the slob she considers Bulman to be. A young Julie Shipley plays the Parker’s daughter and John Tordoff is one of those actors who pops up in lots of late 70’s and early 80’s productions.

Nice bit of continuity with Sgt Briscoe (from episode five) turning up to give Bulman a hand and using his charms on young Marilyn in the process.

It’s quite a funny episode too as the Parker family start to go stir crazy.

The episode ends with the surreal moment of Bulman, Willis and Briscoe spotting a Charlie Chaplin lookalike climbing up a drainpipe in a possible break in attempt. Given that it’s Friday afternoon and they are all just about to knock off work they decide to leave him to it!!

Linda Doran doesn’t appear in this episode.

classic quote
“Do you put brilliantine on your hair or something Mr Bulman.”
“No it’s just naturally greasy.”

production details
UK / ITV – Granada / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Monday 17 July 1978 at 9.00pm

Writer: Leslie Duxbury / Production Design: Colin Rees / Director: Quentin Lawrence

Series: Strangers Season 1 Episode 7 (of 7)

cast
Don Henderson as Bulman
Dennis Blanch as Willis
Michael Byrne as Briscoe
Amanda Barrie as Mrs Parker
John Tordoff as Grafton Parker
Julie Shipley as Marilyn Parker
Teddy Turner as Jess Green
Mike Hayward as Bri Williams
Norman Comer as Dave Williams
Peter Lorenzelli as Milkman
Sam Sherry as Old man
Meg Johnson as Alice
Philip Pollitt as Wayne Dobson
Jo Beadle as Club receptionist