Flower of Evil (BBC 1961, William Lucas, Betty McDowell)

Crime drama serial Flower of Evil saw holidaying Detective Inspector Mitchell caught up in a murder case whilst in Austria with his wife.

Original Radio Times publicity… Detective Inspector Mitchell and his wife Ann, on holiday in Austria, become involved with the mysterious Narcissus organization run by a Doctor Mylanos and his assistant Erika. Lovers of the thriller serial Flower Of Evil know by now that the holiday Scotland Yard Inspector Mitchell and his wife Ann sought in a little Austrian mountain village has turned into a nightmare. Rmours of Nazi treasure hidden in the area, then an out-of-season flower found floating in a bath beside the body of a murdered man. Co-opted into the investigation by patient Inspector Weidig of the Austrian police, Mitchell has hit on the fact that the “nature camp” is actually the headquarters of a neo-Nazi organization which has the narcissus as its emblem. Meanwhile, Chick, the breezy Welshman staying at the Mitchells’ hotel, has revealed himself as a British agent. So what is the goal of the naricissus gang? The treaure – or something far more sinister? All Mitchell and his allies know is that events are moving towards a desperate climax.

In tonight’s episode, the fifth of the six, you can see Meredith Edwards as that dogged philosopher, Inspector Weidig. Edwards has toned down his familiar Welsh characterization and accent for his part in this Edward Mason-Ted Willis story, but his countryman David Davies is perfectly at home as the Welshman Chick.

production details
UK / BBC / 6×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 11 October – 15 November 1961

Writers: Ted Willis, Edward J. Mason / Music: Bruce Campbell / Producer and Director: Harry Carlisle / Film sequences Director: Robin Nash

cast
William Lucas as Detective Inspector Mitchell
Betty McDowall as Ann Mitchell
Anthony Newlands as Doctor Mylanos
David Davies as Chick Moore
Patricia Haines as Erika
Aubrey Morris as Otto
Marshall Jones as Voelckers
Felicity Young as Greta
Lane Meddick as Kramer
Meredith Edwards as Bezirkinspektor Weidig

THE EPISODES
1. THE TREASURE OF THE LAKE
2. THE CAMP IN THE MOUNTAINS
3. THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY
4. DEATH WARRANTS FOR SIX
5. THE ULTIMATUM
6. TWELVE HOURS TO ZERO