The Odd Man
Encyclopedia
The Odd Man was the first of a trilogy of police series produced in the 1960s by Granada TV, linked by the presence of pompous but increasingly genial police Chief Inspector Charles Rose (William Mervyn
). It originally dealt with the investigations of theatrical-agent-cum-detective Steve Gardiner (Edwin Richfield
) (The "odd man" of the series' title), and his encounters with the police in the form of Chief Inspector Gordon (Moultrie Kelsall
) and DS Swift (Keith Barron
). By the second season, Gordon had been replaced by Rose.
The characters of Rose and Swift were then given their own series, It's Dark Outside, which ran for two seasons, with Barron being replaced in the second series by Anthony Ainley
as DS Hunter.
The third and final series in the trilogy, Mr Rose, saw Rose in retirement in Eastbourne
, attempting to write his memoirs, but instead being drawn into private detection. The theme tune for this series was by Roy Budd
and was issued as a single on the Pye Records
label in 1967.
William Mervyn
William Mervyn was an English actor best known for his portrayal of the Bishop in the clerical comedy All Gas and Gaiters.-Life and career:...
). It originally dealt with the investigations of theatrical-agent-cum-detective Steve Gardiner (Edwin Richfield
Edwin Richfield
Edwin Richfield was an English actor.His film credits include: X the Unknown, Quatermass 2, The Camp on Blood Island, The Face of Fu Manchu and Quatermass and the Pit....
) (The "odd man" of the series' title), and his encounters with the police in the form of Chief Inspector Gordon (Moultrie Kelsall
Moultrie Kelsall
Moultrie Rowe Kelsall was a Scottish film and television character actor, who began his career in the industry as a radio station director and television producer...
) and DS Swift (Keith Barron
Keith Barron
Keith Barron is an English actor and television presenter, well-known from numerous roles on British television from the 1960s to the present day.-Career:...
). By the second season, Gordon had been replaced by Rose.
The characters of Rose and Swift were then given their own series, It's Dark Outside, which ran for two seasons, with Barron being replaced in the second series by Anthony Ainley
Anthony Ainley
Anthony Ainley was an English actor best known for his work on British television and particularly for his role as the third Master in Doctor Who. He was the fourth actor to play the role of the Master, and the first actor to portray the Master as a recurring role after the death of Roger Delgado...
as DS Hunter.
The third and final series in the trilogy, Mr Rose, saw Rose in retirement in Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
, attempting to write his memoirs, but instead being drawn into private detection. The theme tune for this series was by Roy Budd
Roy Budd
Roy Frederick Budd , was a British jazz musician and composer, known for his film scores.Born in Mitcham, Surrey, Budd became interested in music from an early age and had built up a vast musical repertoire by the age of eight...
and was issued as a single on the Pye Records
Pye Records
Pye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man...
label in 1967.