In Shades of White Frank is asked by wealthy local businessman Allan Biddersloe to look into the activities of his young daughter who he thinks has got in with a bad crowd. The beautiful Lesley Anne Down plays Anne and she is something of a spoilt brat but it’s clear that Frank is being played not just by Biddersloe but also by Inspector Firbank who seems to be pushing Frank into investigating a series of burglaries that are linked to Anne’s friends Jeremy and Simon.
There is a nice bit of flirtation going on between Frank and the Biddersloe’s housekeeper Barbara too but there is a sting in the tale as it’s actually Barbara who is brains behind the robberies. Much to Frank’s disgust.
The young woman who plays the shop assistant at the start of the episode is better known as writer Adrienne Conway who penned the excellent 1980’s sitcom Streets Apart.
production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episodes / Broadcast Wednesday 22 September 1971 at 9.00pm
Writer: Robert Muller / Production Design: David Marshall / Director: Piers Haggard
Series: Public Eye Season 5 Episode 12
cast
Alfred Burke as Frank Marker
Ray Smith as Percy Firbank
Lesley Anne Down as Anne Biddersloe
John Collin as Allan Biddersloe
Michael Menaugh as Simon
Roy Herrick as Jeremy
Adrienne Conway as Shop Assistant
Sheila Allen as Barbara Lewson-Jones
Hilary Bamford as Representative
Helen Shingler as Eve Biddersloe