Armchair Mystery Theatre was a summer season anthology series, a companion to the long running Armchair Theatre series, with the emphasis on mystery. The plays were introduced by Donald Pleasence (he also appeared in a couple) and the productions ranged from straightforward whodunnits through suspense and psychological thrillers.
After the first season in 1960, the second season didn’t appear until 1964.
Actor Leslie Sands wrote the first play, Eye Witness and other writers included Royston Morley, James Mitchell, Philip Levene, John Hopkins, Richard Harris, Elaine Morgan and Allan Prior. Actress Gwen Cherrell also contributed one episode (The Madam).
Actors appearing included Billie Whitelaw, Patrick Barr, Roger Livesey, John Gregson, Maurice Denham, Jack Hedley, Sylvia Kay, Clifford Evans, John Le Mesurier, Richard Johnson, Jeremy Kemp and Nyree Dawn Porter.
production details
UK / ITV – ABC / 35×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 5 June 1960 – 11 December 1960 and 19 July 1964 – 26 September 1965
Producer: Leonard White
THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE 5 June – 11 December 1960
1. EYE WITNESS (5 Jun 1960)
2. THE BIG WHEEL (12 Jun 1960)
3. THE CASE OF PAUL DANEK (19 Jun 1960)
4. FLAG FALL (26 Jun 1960)
5. TOFF AND FINGERS (3 Jul 1960)
6. FLIGHT FROM TREASON (10 Jul 1960)
7. MADELEINE (17 Jul 1960)
8. WEB OF DECEIT (24 Jul 1960)
9. FALSE WITNESS (7 Aug 1960)
10. MACHINAL (14 Aug 1960)
11. THE MAN WITH A FEATHER IN HIS HAT (21 Aug 1960)
12. CUL DE SAC (28 Aug 1960)
13. THE DUMMY (4 Sep 1960)
14. THE CUPBOARD (11 Dec 1960 – This episode was due to be broadcast on 12 June 1960, when it did air it was broadcast under the Armchair Theatre banner.)
SEASON TWO 19 July – 6 September 1964
1. TIME OUT OF MIND (19 Jul 1964)
2. THE BLACKMAILING OF MR S (26 Jul 1964)
3. THE LONELY CRIME (9 Aug 1964)
4. THE LAST COACH (16 Aug 1964)
5. ADMIRER AT NUMBER 8 (30 Aug 1964)
6. YOU MUST BE VIRGINIA (6 Sep 1964)
SEASON THREE 9 May – 26 September 1965
1. THE LAST REUNION (9 May 1965)
2. LICENCE TO MURDER (16 May 1965)
3. THE HUNTER (6 Jun 1965)
4. MAN AND MIRROR (13 Jun 1965)
5. TIME AND MR. MADINGLEY (27 Jun 1965)
6. THE WELCOME (4 Jul 1965)
7. THE FINISHING TOUCH (18 Jul 1965)
8. THE LODGER (25 Jul 1965)
9. THE MADAM (8 Aug 1965)
10. THE CHALLENGE (15 Aug 1965)
11. WAKE A STRANGER (29 Aug 1965)
12. CHARLIE NEVER WARNED US…WHAT A WILD NIGHT THIS WOULD BE! (5 Sep 1965)
13. ASKY ANY NEIGHBOUR (19 Sep 1965)
14. THE STAIRWAY (26 Sep 1965)
15. AMBROSE (26 Sep 1965)
