Aweful Mr Goodall, The (ITV 1974, Robert Urquhart, Donald Burton)

Spy drama series The Aweful Mr Goodall saw former Lieutenant Colonel in MI5 Jack Goodall now retired but being drafted back into service despite the fact that he would rather be tending his garden at home in Eastbourne.

Goodall was useful because he seemed to have an innate sense of just what was going on in any case. Goodall answered to head of section Milbrook.

Guest stars included the likes of Eleanor Bron, Peter Jeffrey, Margaret Ashcroft, Ian McCulloch, Frank Mills, Jacqueline Pearce and Stephen Grief.

The extra E in aweful was deliberate, a way of making known Goodall’s skills.

Producer Richard Bates said in the TV Times (30 March 1974) that the series favoured motivation over action “Goodall’s very much a non-spying spy series. It’s more about people than espionage.”

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / Broadcast 5 April – 10 May 1974

Theme music: Albert Elms / Producer: Richard Bates

cast
Robert Urquhart as Mr Jack Goodall
Isabel Dean as Alexandra Winfield
Donald Burton as Millbrook

THE EPISODES
1. A GOOD ENGLISH BREAKFAST (5 Apr 74)
2. INDISCRETION (12 Apr 74)
3. CLARA (19 Apr 74)
4. LOYALTY IS MY HONOUR (26 Apr 74)
5. A DAY TO REMEMBER (3 May 74)
6. THE GOOD SAMARITAN (10 May 74)