Home » Episodes » Shoestring: Private Ear (BBC-1 30 Sep 1979, William Russell, Stacy Dorning)

Episodes

Shoestring: Private Ear (BBC-1 30 Sep 1979, William Russell, Stacy Dorning)

Published

7 years ago

July 24, 2016

In Private Ear we are in Bristol where former computer specialist turned Private Detective Eddie Shoestring (who is also recovering from a severe bout of depression and a spell in a mental institution) is asked by the boss of Radio West to investigate the death of a call girl when it looks like their star DJ, David Carn, might be implicated. After successfully solving the case Eddie is hired by the station to be their new Private Ear of the airwaves.

Fabulous opening episode, Eve is very smooth and there is a great moment where he explains just why he is now a private detective and no longer in the computer business. The general low key, quite melancholic vibe of both the show and Shoestring himself is set in this first episode too.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 30 September 1979

Writer: Robert Banks Stewart / Costumes: Ian Adley / Production Design: Humphrey Jaegar / Director: Douglas Camfield

Series: Shoestring Season 1 Episode 1

guest cast
WILLIAM RUSSELL as David Carn
STACY DORNING as Sarah Marshall
KENNETH GILBERT as RICHARD NOLAN
SALLY SANDERS as Grace Nolan
SEAN ARNOLD as Tony Hendry
BRIAN MILLER as Willis
TONY HAYGARTH as Len Tilley
MICHAEL CRANE as Bouncer
JENNA LESTY as Liz
STEWART BEVAN as Presenter
PATRICK DURKIN as Laurie
CARRIE JONES as Diana Stapleton
CHRISTOPHER COLL as Detective Inspector Brinkley
BRIAN HAWKSLEY as Coroner
RICHARD DOMFE as Barry
WILLOW WIPP as Girl at Sauna
PIPPA SPARKES as Phone in Girl
COLIN MAITLAND as Studio Assistant
JULIA WATSON as Girl at Disco
MARALYN SARRINGTON as Girl at Sports Club