Murder in Mind - Series 1, Episode 6 (Saturday 19 May 1973)

The story...

Shortly after a car accident Betty Drew staggers into a local police station and confesses to murdering another woman called Jill. She is very vague on the details and the police can find no evidence that any such crime has been committed - Jill is very much alive and well. Betty is the wife of crime novelist George Drew whose secretary is called Jill and it seems that these links and her confused state have led her to imagine the offence. However Detective Constable Tom Patterson is not so convinced that the crime is all in her imagination and he persists even in the face of opposition from Inspector Terson. Maybe Betty hasn't committed a crime but she has hit on something about to happen...

Review

As it currently stands this is the last episode shown on British TV when it closed Bravo's incomplete run on August 31st 1996. There was a fear at the time it might be the last we would see of Thriller but fortunately that was confounded by the DVD releases of 2004-2005. It is one of those episodes that attracts very little attention among fans, with few strong feelings in either direction about its quality. I find it though a rather impressive effort which, like the first series in general, tends to be somewhat under-rated.

The basic premise, of a woman confessing to an apparently non-existent murder, is a very good one. It is then well-developed. It may strike some viewers as rather slow and this may have been a factor in its very short running time - maybe Brian Clemens or the producers felt they could not extend it further without a further loss of pace. However the studied approach works fine in my view. The small cast also allows the story and characters to be carefully developed. The twist is a good if not an entirely surprising one. Zena Walker gives a strong performance as the hapless Betty who spends much of the story confused, upset and insecure and as a result finds it difficult to be taken seriously. Richard Johnson does a good job as her husband who struggles to make sense of her behaviour.

Trying times for Betty Drew (Zena Walker)

The focus on Detective Constable Tom Patterson is unusual in Thriller where the featured detectives were predominantly Inspectors or higher. As a low-ranking officer Tom has to accept being over-ruled and even being berated and hung out to dry by the aggressive Terson, who fits the Thriller detective bill more closely. Donald Gee and Ronald Radd are impressive in these respective parts. The issue of rank adds new dimensions and is very welcome. Tom is the only officer who takes Betty at all seriously but as a result he finds his own credibility at risk. Bravely he pursues the enquiry, even after being demoted back to the beat. He realises there is a real pattern to all the strange coincidences and trusts to intuition. Ultimately he is vindicated.

The amount of attention to police station scenes - in particular a small, otherwise incident-free station - is also unusual and refreshing. Sergeant Frost is a warm, jokey, avuncular figure rather different from the more abrasive, unsympathetic Thriller norm and Detective Patterson is also positively portrayed as a supportive and astute officer with Terson conforming more to the standard pattern. The sergeant acts as something of a buffer between the senior and junior detectives, getting along with both of them and offering good advice to his young colleague. It's also clear that despite his severe manner Terson does see promise in Patterson.

Sergeant Frost, Tom Patterson and Inspector Terson at the station

The final part of the programme as murder is being prepared is extremely atmospheric and very well performed and directed. The scenes in the house take place in near darkness and silence, with only a little whispered dialogue between those involved. One can really sense the fear. This is neatly interspersed with scenes of Tom Patterson putting together the pieces of his detective work.

Maybe elements of the climax are a little predictable, but of course it makes for great drama. The choice of murder weapon is odd for someone who has planned a crime and presumably wants to make a "clean kill" to reduce their chances of detection although it fits with the description given by Betty. The last scene is also a rather poignant one.

 All considered this is a very professional and capable offering. Music, design and direction are all of a high order. If it does prove to have been Thriller's British TV swansong it is a good finale and deserves further recognition.

Notes

Although only his surname appears on the end credits Dr. Sammers (played by Robert Dorning) is named Arthur on screen.

This episode - in its original ATV format - was due to be repeated by Thames TV on Monday 13th August 1979, the first sighting of the show since it concluded in May 1976. Sleepwalker was due to follow the following Monday suggesting a longer repeat run. However industrial action took the whole of ITV off-air from Friday 10th August and when programmes resumed in October Thriller was not rescheduled. A year later repeats of the show in its ITC movie format started to be shown with this episode ultimately broadcast in the London area on Friday 23rd October 1981 (London Weekend Television).