A four-part thriller in which the police are set on the trail of a ruthless professional killer.
When a stranger dies under his care, Doctor Michael Clayton (Glyn Owen) finds himself unwittingly entangled in a dangerous conspiracy. The death attracts the attention of Superintendent Blackthorne (John Loder), who quickly determines that foul play is involved. Clayton’s attempts to understand the situation draw him deeper into a world of espionage and murder, putting him and his family, Julie (Helen Lindsay) and Louise (Gillian Harrison), in the sights of a methodical professional killer. As the police investigation unfolds, the serial follows the parallel tracks of Blackthorne’s official inquiry and Clayton’s perilous amateur sleuthing, culminating in a final confrontation.
This four-part serial from ATV demonstrates the early influence of cinematic talent on television drama. Its primary creative force was the writer Jimmy Sangster, soon to be a formidable name in British film for his work on Hammer’s groundbreaking gothic horrors. Sangster brought his talent for constructing taut, economical thrillers to the small screen, creating a lean and suspenseful narrative stripped of unnecessary detail. Produced and directed by Leonard Brett, the serial unfolds as a compact game of cat and mouse, using the weekly format to build tension effectively. The casting of film veteran John Loder opposite the reliable television lead Glyn Owen gave the production a solid, professional anchor.
Broadcast: ITV – ATV, 4 Episodes, 7 June – 28 June 1958
Written by: Jimmy Sangster
Producer: Leonard Brett
Director: Leonard Brett
Main Cast: Glyn Owen (Doctor Michael Clayton), John Loder (Superintendent Blackthorne), Helen Lindsay (Julie Clayton), Gillian Harrison (Louise Clayton), Barry Shawzin (Kadar), Llewellyn Rees (Mr Lunt), Doreen Mantle (Hospital Sister), Peter Cellier (Doctor Peter Wingrove)
