Doombolt Chase, The (ITV 1978, Donald Burton, Simon MacCorkindale)

In runaround adventure The Doombolt Chase young Richard Wheeler and his two best friends Lucy and Peter have to save the reputation of Richard’s ship commander father after he is accused of treason. The action starts when Commander Wheeler is accused of deliberately ramming a small sailing boat but will not give any reason why he did it.

Imprisoned whilst awaiting court martial Commander Wheeler is shocked to learn his teenage son Richard has gone missing determined to clear his name. Richard and his two friends discover that a mad professor called Bayard has taken control of an advanced Naval missile device, which uses ultra sonic sound to create huge explosions. Bayard and his gang are planning to test the device in British waters to show off its capabilities before selling it to the highest bidder.

Great fun, Doombolt is a real boys own adventure style story with lots of classic chase action and pretty witty dialogue between the three young leads. The grown up cast is actually pretty heavyweight including the likes of Donald Burton, Peter Vaughan and Simon MacCorkindale. It’s all shot on film too so has a nice glossy feel and at times the incidental music is very similar in style to that used in the BBC series The Changes. The opening theme music is ever so slightly over the top though!

production details
UK / ITV Network – HTV – Wagner-Hallig – RPTP / 6×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 12 March – 16 April 1978

Title Music: Eve King / Sung by Gibbs’ Band / Production Design: Ken Jones / Camera: Bob Edwards / Executive Producer: Patrick Dromgoole / Producer: Peter Graham Scott / Director: Robert Fuest

cast
DONALD BURTON as Commander Wheeler
PETER VAUGHAN as Captain Hatfield
FREDERICK JAEGAR as Commander Vallance
SIMON MacCORKINDALE as Lt. Commander Maddox
EWEN SALON as Admiral Lupin
ANDREW ASHBY as Richard
SHELLEY CROWHURST as Lucy
RICHARD WILLIS as Peter
JUNE BARRIE as Mrs Edgar
GORDON SALKILLD as Petty Officer Parker
HUBERT TUCKER as Lt Commander Cook
KIT THACKER as Radar Operator
PETER BIRCH as Telegraphist
REX HOLDSWORTH as Publican
JOHN WOODNUTT as Spencer
HOWARD GOORNEY as Garble
GEORGE COLOURIS as Bayard
ERIC YOUNG as Statesman
CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE as Sentry

THE EPISODES
1. COURT OF SHAME
2. ESCAPE TO DANGER
3. DEATH BEACON
4. ALARM AT GARETH’S PEAK
5. THE DEVIL’S JAWS
6. ASSAULT ON CRAGFEST