Under The Hammer (ITV 1994, Jan Francis, Richard Wilson)

Drama series Under The Hammer followed the work of Ben Glazier and Maggie Perowne working for prestigious Auction House Klinskys with the pair having to deal with everything from possible fake paintings of renaissance classics to trouble with modern artists, undiscovered manuscripts and even at one stage a murder investigation. Ben carries something of a torch for Maggie who is involved in an on-off relationship with highly unreliable Nick Roper the wine expert at Klinskys. Other characters included head of Klinskys Lord Holloway and Camilla Mounsey the assistant he was having an affair with.

Written and created by John Mortimer Under The Hammer is very similar in tone to his much loved Rumpole of the Bailey but unlike that long runner it only lasted a single season. It was well written and well cast but lacked that certain spark to lift to greatness. Guest stars were very high profile and included the likes of Sir John Gielgud, Ian Carmichael, David De Keyser, Alfred Burke, Susan Woolridge, Judy Cornwell, a young Emily (daughter of John) Mortimer, Keith Barron, Martin Clunes and Thora Hird.

production details
UK / ITV – Meridian – New Penny / 7×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 10 January – 21 February 1994

CREATOR: John Mortimer | PRODUCERS: Jonathan Alwyn, Jacqueline Davis

cast
RICHARD WILSON as Ben Glazier
JAN FRANCIS as Maggie Perowne
MICHAEL SIBERRY as Nick Roper
MARSHA FITZALAN as Camilla Mounsey
ROBERT LANG as Lord Holloway
STEPHEN BOXER as Keith Shrimsley
ROSE KEEGAN as Lucy Starr
SUSAN ENGEL as Lady Holloway

THE EPISODES
1. THE FATAL ATTRIBUTION (10 Jan 1994)
2. WONDERS IN THE DEEP (17 Jan 1994)
3. THE VIRGIN OF VITEBSK (24 Jan 1994)
4. THE JOLLY JOKER (7 Feb 1994)
5. AFTER TITIAN (14 Feb 1994)
6. THE SPECTRE AT THE FEAST
7. TREASURE TROVE (21 Feb 1994)