Gideon's Way - The Complete Series

The hard-hitting ITC crime drama GIDEON’S WAY (based on books by John Creasey) ran across British TV-screens from 1964 to 1966 and was a hugely popular series at the time, clocking up 26 episodes. The title character is Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard who, together with his assistant Detective Chief Inspector David Keen, often finds himself confronted with the most hair-raising cases and with a running time of 50 minutes per episode fast paced tension was guaranteed. The series, restored in HD for this exclusive 6-disc Blu-ray release (courtesy of Network on Air), featured many then popular guest stars including John Hurt, Derren Nesbitt, George Cole, Jean Marsh, Jo Rowbottom and many more.

The (back then) much-loved actor John Gregson aptly portrayed Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard whilst Alexander Davion took on the part of Inspector Keen – a man with an eye for the ladies (one of his many girlfriends is portrayed by Jean Marsh – ‘Rose Buck’ in UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS). Other regulars included Gideon’s wife Kate (a rather unsatisfactory role for Daphne Anderson who saw herself pretty much reduced to a devoted housewife) plus the couples’ three kids: youngest son Malcolm (Giles Watling), elder son Matthew (Richard James) who has a steady stream of new girlfriends, and their almost grown-up daughter Pru (Andrea Allan). Although Gideon is a proud family man (they all live in an expensive detached house in Tufnell Park) his work commitments more often than not put his domestic plans into jeopardy – much to the frustration of his long-suffering wife Kate! On the work front, both Gideon and Keen are supported by Det. Superintendent ‘Lemmy’ (Reginald Jessup), Detective Chief Superintendent Joe Bell (Ian Rossiter) and Commissioner Scott-Marle (Basil Dignam).

Made at Elstree Studios around the same time as THE SAINT (produced by the same team) and THE AVENGERS it would be true to say isn't quite in the same league but then what was? GIDEON’S WAY is far more down to earth and as a result tends rather to show it's age. With six discs and 26 episodes it goes without saying that obviously we cannot mention every single one in detail, however, the ones discussed here should give a good enough impression about the series.

Disc 1 starts with ‘The Tin God' although it was not the first Gideon episode to be made. It features Derren Nesbitt as psychopathic gangster John Benson and John Hurt as his accomplice Freddy Tisdale – both have managed to escape from a maximum security prison and are now holed up in a Wapping warehouse. Whereas Tisdale simply wishes to ‘vanish’ Benson has but one agenda: to take revenge on his wife who grassed him up to the police and in order to achieve his revenge he will stop at nothing, even if its means kidnapping his son who idolises his dad. Nesbitt is very much the tin god in question and gives a convincing performance and you don't have to look too closely to see a star in the making in young John Hurt. However, it's Nesbitt's bravura piece as a man on a mission to get even with his two timing wife… no prices for guessing that Gideon and Co. will put a serious spanner in the works! The episode was directed by John Gilling, who was an old hand when it came to maintaining suspense!
Also on Disc 1 is the particularly tense ‘The Rhyme and the Reason’ (also directed by John Gilling). Here we see a young couple enjoying themselves during an outing in a quiet woodland glade. They are Bill Rose (Alan Rothwell), a ‘Mod’ and his love interest Winifred Norton (Carol White), a snooty and provocative lass with a troubled domestic background who makes no secret of the fact that she adores biker gangs and rockers, in particular gang leader Rod (Clive Colin Bowler). When Winifred’s lifeless body is found some time later the fingers point to Bill straight away but Commissioner Gideon is not so sure and neither is Bill’s older sister Mary (Jo Rowbottom) who finds herself in mortal danger when she discovers the real culprit…

One of the highlights on Disc 2 is ‘The Firebug’ and here we have a tortured and penetrating performance from George Cole as a psychotic pyromaniac but of course there’s a reason for his behaviour. Another winner is the nicely constructed ‘Big Fish, Little Fish’ – here we see Carmel McSharry as cruel and impoverished single mother Mrs. Wray living in a pigsty who forces her little boy to steal and locks the poor little fella in the cupboard under the stairs when he incurs her wrath. She needs a fence to get rid of the stolen goods and is the 'little fish' in question. Higher up on the scale is everyone's favourite wideboy Sydney Tafler as Gabriel Lyon and Angela Baddeley (‘Mrs. Bridges’ in UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS) as Mrs. Clark. She gives a chilling picture as a hard as nails all round bad lot. This is directed by busy TV director Cyril Frankel from a script by Alun Falconer and is by far one of the nastier episodes.

If anyone thought the series was getting a little too dark we are supplied with the ideal panacea in 'How to Retire Without Really Working' on Disc 3. This is a Norman Hudis script (he wrote most of the early 'Carry On's) and is directed by George Pollack (who directed the Miss Marple films). This episode is ostensibly a light comedy featuring two very amusing performances from 'Carry On' veteran Eric Barker and Joyce Grant as devoted and classical music-loving couple Robert and Margaret Gresham…who just happen to be a pair of relatively successful 'smash and grab' jewel thieves wanting to do one last job before retiring/emigrating. Even Commander Gideon takes a liking to this incorrigible pair of delightful old rogues.

'Gang War' (Disc 4) was adapted by American David Chantler and gives us Ray ('love that quiff') Brooks and Ronald Lacey as Frank Romano and Jerry Blake, the leaders of two rival protection racket gangs. As the Krays were then in their heyday it would certainly have been topical. Ray's girlfriend Lollo (Jane Merrow) wants Frank to move into bigger things and supplies the perfect opportunity, even going so far as to prostitute herself. Obviously there will be double crossing along the line. These men appear to have little foresight in view of what they are supposed to be. Both Brooks and Lacey are/ were highly competent actors but are not really convincing in these roles - if only we'd had someone like Danny Dyer and Ray Winstone. It is nevertheless amusing for the wrong reasons. As for the love-smitten bank employee Henry Waldo (Frederick Bartman) who can only be described as Mr. Squaresville - was anyone ever THAT thick? Well, yes unfortunately and he deserves what’s coming to him, if only for believing every word ushered by Lollo.
Equally engaging is ‘The Wall’ (Disc 4) with a near insane John Barrie as Will Rikker - a murdering slob of a down at heel landlord (contrasting his earlier TV-lead as Victorian detective SERGEANT CORK).

‘The Prowler’ (Disc 5) is rather on the creepy side it must be said, starring David Collings as the deeply disturbed Alan Campbell-Gore – a young man who can’t get over the death of his beloved and feels the compulsion to attack young brunettes wearing a rubber mask, if only to collect a lock of hair from each victim. His arrogant and overbearing mother (Fanny Rowe) does little to restore Alan’s emotional balance.
Finally on Disc 6, Donald Sutherland crops up in a support role in 'The Millionaire's Daughter' concerning the kidnapping of a wealthy young American lady whose apparent boyfriend masterminds the outrage. Say no more as to plot - you can see it coming a mile off, but not the gullible millionaire and his wife (played by David Bauer and Lois ‘Miss Moneypenny’ Maxwell). Some of the episodes are so ludicrously contrived they are verging on the absurd! To take one in particular, namely 'A Perfect Crime' (final episode on Disc 6) starring the former king of voice-overs: lantern jawed Patrick Allen, here playing a Jekyll and Hyde character as successful city businessman Spender Todd who just happens to be a serious and vicious burglar on the side (this he does presumably out of boredom). No sooner do he and his accomplice steal a car than it is spotted by a passing Bobby. Btw, Bobbies are seen forever on the beat and appear round every corner - what happened?
Despite certain flaws and the amount of seemingly ridiculous coincidences the series is still eminently watchable. If only more policemen were like Commander Gideon the world would be infinitely better and safer place.

This Limited Edition Blu-ray set (available exclusively via www.networkonair.com) provides an inexpensive and excellent Christmas stocking filler for the elders and for interested younger parties. Bonus material consists of interview with Giles Watling, UK titles, US titles, Ad bumpers, image gallery and brand-new paperback book.