The Main Chance: Payment By Result (ITV 9 May 1975)

In Payment By Result now that David has been struck off the roll of solicitors he is forced to close down his business, he has to legally destroy all his dead case files and he is selling his practice to Peter Findon who used to work for Main but left under something of a cloud.

It’s a surprise to see David selling his company to Findon, he was a regular during season two and Main had very little time for him – still needs must when the devil drives. Findon does a little smug when he offers to employ Main as a clerk though – obviously David is not impressed.

This episode also sees the arrival of another major character for the season in the shape of Laura Granton, she is in a business deal with Lord Arkwright and shady American businessman Allan Hartmann. David gets involved when Arkwright becomes concerned about Hartmann’s motives. Hartmann is played by 1960’s cult star Stuart Damon from The Champions.

Main also finds time to help Margaret help widowed Mrs Tindell who is being accused by the supplementary benefit department of co-habiting with a man who is actually her uncle.

We get to see David and Clegg setting up his Main’s groovy new apartment (which is costing him £6,000 a year in rent) which will also serve as Main’s headquarters. There’s a nice moment when Inge turns up and takes over making it plain that she will still be Main’s secretary despite supposedly still working for Findon.

classic quote
“I find myself asking what would David do.”

production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 9 May 1975 at 9.00pm

Writer: Edmund Ward / Production Design: Malcolm Middleton / Director: Derek Bennett

Series: The Main Chance Season 4 Episode 4

cast
John Stride as David Main
Glynn Edwards as Walter Clegg
Sharon Mughan as Inge Lindstrom
Denis Lill as Stephen Howard
John Wentworth as Henry Castleton
Margaret Ashcroft as Margaret Castleton
Cyril Cross as Removal foreman
Ronald Radd as Lord Arkwright
Philip Bond as Peter Findon
Madge Hindle as Mrs Winifred Tindell
Ingrid Hafner as Laura Granton
Stuart Damon as Allan Hartmann
Barrie Cookson as Executive officer
Ivan Beavis as Percy Griffin
Ian Thompson as Presenting officer