Dangerous Davies (ITV Crime, Bernard Cribbins)

Dangerous Davies is based on the comic novel by Leslie Thomas (who also collaborated with legendary director Val Guest on the screenplay). The production, made for ATV and carrying with it a huge period charm sees Bernard Cribbens play Detective Constable Dangerous Davies the last detective (so called because he tends to be the last copper called upon for any given case).

The plot sees him digging into a 15 year old murder case. As he gets further involved he is soon stirring up a hornets nest of long buried trouble.

Made on a budget of 325,000 pounds and shot on location over five weeks in North West London, Dangerous Davies is chock a block full of such great English TV characters like Bill Maynard (as Dangerouss oppo Mod), Maureen Lipman, Joss Ackland, singer John Leyton, Colin Baker, Bernard Lee, the always excellent Ken Jones and Pam St Clement.

It’s great actually, funny (well it is a Leslie Thomas production) but also with an air of melancholy and with great location footage of early 1980s London. Dangerous Davies is also a genuine mystery, worthy of A Touch of Frost or a Midsomer Murders.

Cast: Bernard Cribbins as Dangerous Davies; Bill Maynard as Mod Lewis; Joss Ackland as Chief Inspector Yardbird; Bernard Lee as Sergeant Ben; Frank Windsor as Fred Fennell; John Leyton as Dave Boot; Maureen Lipman as Ena Lind; Cindy O’Callaghan as Josie Norris; Derek Bond as Detective Superintendent Carter; Patsy Rowlands as Madame Tarantella; Colin Baker as William Lind; Avril Angers as Mrs Fulljames; Ken Jones as Mr Norris; Jeremy Sinden as Detective Sergeant Green; Peter Bland as George Tilth; Lucy Aston as Celia Norris; Pam St. Clement as Mrs Norris; Eric Francis as Albert; Sam Dastor as Doctor Longton; Diana King as Mrs Fennell; Betty Romaine as Marie; David Auker as Tarquin; Richard Hunter as Police Constable Westerman; Marianne Stone as Venus; Charles Pemberton as Detective Constable Evans; John Rogan as Father Harvey; Pauline Delany as Doris Davies; Babar Bhatti as Patel; Mike Savage as Sergeant; Pearl Hackney as Landlady; Norman Chappell as Parsons; Joe Ritchie as Workman; Bob Sutherland as Local Inspector; Lucy Griffiths as Dulcie; Sydney Bromley as Harkness; Gordon Rollings as Chrust; Roy Stewart as Pomeroy; Andrew Bradford as Squad Driver; Frank Jarvis as Farm Heavy

Writer and Director: Val Guest / Novel: Leslie Thomas / Executive Producer: Francis Essex / Producers: Val Guest, Greg Smith

UK / ITV – ATV – Maidenhead Films / 1×105 minute episode / Broadcast 4 January 1981