Within These Walls: Long Shadows (ITV 4 Oct 1975, with Cheryl Campbell)

In Long Shadows Susan Carpenter, serving a six year sentence for forgery, has for years been desperate to discover who her real parents are after being adopted as a baby. When she was eight her adoptive parents told her that her real parents were career criminals but when Miss Clarke looks into Susan’s background she discovers that her mother was unmarried and killed herself after giving up her baby. She was though, according to Miss Clarke, a decent person and certainly no criminal. Miss Clarke then traces Susan’s father and is shocked to discover he is prominent MP Donald Derwent QC.

Meanwhile Susan’s cellmate Helen Cheeseman is also having troubles. She is serving a two year sentence for drugs related offences. Her father is the very wealthy owner of a daily newspaper and she is carrying a huge amount of resentment towards him. When he pays her a rare visit she causes a major disturbance in the visiting room.

None too likeable inmate Rita is running something of a blackmail/betting/general scam, she has discovered the secrets of Susan’s parents and is even prepared to threaten Faye with being willing to spill the beans when she is released (which just happens to be shortly). Faye of course is having none of that.

Cheryl Campbell is a highlight as troubled Susan, in the end having met her father and feigned disinterest Faye knows that it’s all just an act.

classic quote
“You’re in here as well, nobody ever comes in here alone.”

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Saturday 4 October 1975 at 8.00pm

Writer: Stuart Douglass / Production Design: Bryan Bagge, Roger Hall / Director: Derrick Goodwin

Series: Within These Walls Season 3 Episode 5

cast
Googie Withers as Faye Boswell
Jerome Willis as Charles Radley
Beth Harris as Miss Clarke
Denys Hawthorne as Dr Mayes
Mona Bruce as Mrs Armitage
Sonia Graham as Martha Parrish
Jumoke Debayo as Officer Carto
Cheryl Campbell as Susan Carpenter
Gillian Hawser as Helen Cheeseman
Jo Warne as Rita
Joyce Rae as Sylvie
Heather Emmanuel as Sabena
Bernard Gallagher as Mr Cheeseman
Antony Carrick as Donald Derwent MP