The Rat Catchers
Encyclopedia
The Rat Catchers is a 1960s British television series about a top secret British Intelligence Unit who receive orders from the Prime Minister and without questions battles enemy spies, saboteurs, and other criminals in order to protect the security of Great Britain and the Western Alliance. The show centred around three major characters: Peregrine Pascale Smith (portrayed by Gerald Flood
), the Oxford University-educated managing director with 12 years experience under his belt, Brigadier H. St. J. Davidson (portrayed by Philip Stone
), the emotionless analytical brains behind the group, and newly-recruited Richard William Hurst (portrayed by Glyn Owen
), formerly a superintendent at Scotland Yard
who though he was said to have gone by the book in the police force, seems to have some problems with authority now. Part of the problem is that the Brigadier refuses to tell him more than the minimum that he needs to know about the organisation. Officially he works for Smith's company: Transworld Electronics and in episode 3, he is not sure whether Smith or the Brigadier is his boss.
The organisation was based at Whitehall but officially didn't exist, being denied at the highest level as they worked with the greatest secrecy. The show began with the arrival of Hurst who is out of step with the other two. Raymond Francis
was originally picked for the Hurst role but changed his mind at the last minute. Many of the stories were continued, sometimes with cliff-hanger endings.
The show aired from February 2, 1966 to April 27, 1966 and December 15, 1966 to March 9, 1967 and comprised 25 60-minute episodes. It was a Rediffusion
TV Network Production. Producer Cyril Coke. It was in the Monday 8 pm slot. Theme music composed and arranged by Johnny Pearson
. Directed by James Ormerod and produced by Cyril Coke.
It is believed that the only copies of episodes which have survived is 'Ticket to Madrid' and 'The Unwitting Courier'. Two books were released at the time to accompany the series 'All in a Days's Work' and 'The End of the Fourth Reich' by David Ray.
Gerald Flood
Gerald Flood was a British actor of stage and television.Born in Portsmouth, Hampshire but lived for most of his life in Farnham, Surrey, where he regularly appeared on stage at the Castle Theatre...
), the Oxford University-educated managing director with 12 years experience under his belt, Brigadier H. St. J. Davidson (portrayed by Philip Stone
Philip Stone
Philip Stone was an English actor.He was born Philip Stones in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Stone appeared in three successive Stanley Kubrick films: playing the central character's "Dad" in A Clockwork Orange , "Graham" in Barry Lyndon and as "Delbert Grady," the original caretaker in The Shining...
), the emotionless analytical brains behind the group, and newly-recruited Richard William Hurst (portrayed by Glyn Owen
Glyn Owen
Glyn Griffith Owen was a British stage, television and film actor, probably best known to British TV viewers for two roles: that of Dr...
), formerly a superintendent at Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard is a metonym for the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service of London, UK. It derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard. The Scotland Yard entrance became...
who though he was said to have gone by the book in the police force, seems to have some problems with authority now. Part of the problem is that the Brigadier refuses to tell him more than the minimum that he needs to know about the organisation. Officially he works for Smith's company: Transworld Electronics and in episode 3, he is not sure whether Smith or the Brigadier is his boss.
The organisation was based at Whitehall but officially didn't exist, being denied at the highest level as they worked with the greatest secrecy. The show began with the arrival of Hurst who is out of step with the other two. Raymond Francis
Raymond Francis
Raymond Francis was an English actor best known for his role as Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart in the Associated-Rediffusion detective series Murder Bag, Crime Sheet and No Hiding Place...
was originally picked for the Hurst role but changed his mind at the last minute. Many of the stories were continued, sometimes with cliff-hanger endings.
The show aired from February 2, 1966 to April 27, 1966 and December 15, 1966 to March 9, 1967 and comprised 25 60-minute episodes. It was a Rediffusion
Associated-Rediffusion
Associated-Rediffusion, later Rediffusion, London, was the British ITV contractor for London and parts of the surrounding counties, on weekdays between 1954 and 29 July 1968. Transmissions started on 22 September 1955.-Formation:...
TV Network Production. Producer Cyril Coke. It was in the Monday 8 pm slot. Theme music composed and arranged by Johnny Pearson
Johnny Pearson
John Valmore Pearson known as Johnny Pearson, was a British composer, orchestra leader and pianist...
. Directed by James Ormerod and produced by Cyril Coke.
- Writers:
- Raymond Bowers = 1-4, 18-21.
- Paul Lee = 5, 6, 10.
- Jeremy Paul = 7-9, 14, 22.
- Victor Canning = 11-13, 15-17.
- Stanley Miller = 23-25.
It is believed that the only copies of episodes which have survived is 'Ticket to Madrid' and 'The Unwitting Courier'. Two books were released at the time to accompany the series 'All in a Days's Work' and 'The End of the Fourth Reich' by David Ray.
Season one
- 1. Ticket to Madrid: Ex-cop Hurst arrives and is sent on a mission. In Madrid, he and the beautiful Miss Larks (Jan WatersJan WatersJan Waters is an English actress of the theatre, television, and film. She was particularly active in the London theatre scene during the 1960s and 1970s, notably appearing in the original West End productions of Jule Styne's Do Re Mi and Noel Coward's High Spirits...
) come up against the cold horror of the world of espionage and deception. Also stars Norman Scace and Jeffrey Gardiner. One of two surviving complete episodes.
- 2. The Captain Morales Story: In Madrid, Hurst comes face to face with the violence of his new job. Also stars Edward de SouzaEdward de SouzaEdward James de Souza is a British character actor and graduate of RADA with ethnic Portuguese Indian and English origins.-Early life:...
, James Kerry and Peter DennisPeter DennisPeter Dennis was a Screen Actors Guild Award and Drama-Logue Award winning English film, television, theatre, and voice actor. His extensive career spanned both sides of the Atlantic with projects ranging from Sideways to The Avengers. He was perhaps best known for his more than three decades...
.
- 3. The Unwitting Courier: A beautiful FBI agent causes the Brigadier trouble sending a secret document to his Madrid contact. She is after the Alpha Crowd who the Brigadier sees as neither friend nor foe. He sets Hurst to following an American couple played by: Jeanne Moody and David BauerDavid Bauer (actor)David Bauer was an American actor, a Chicagoan, who was based primarily in Britain. He was chosen as the most promising actor at Washington University and his professional career began immediately after graduating...
. Also stars James Kerry as Alpha, Victor Platt and Tsai ChinTsai Chin (actress)Tsai Chin , also known as Irene Chow, is a Chinese-born actress living in England.-Early life, family & education:Chin was born to Peking Opera actor Zhou Xinfang in 1936. She spent her early life in Shanghai. She had two short marriages which both ended in divorce. Her brother is Michael...
. The other surviving complete episode.
- 4. Madrid Delivery: With the vital information passed on, Hurst is ready to go home but finds himself in trouble and needing the Brigadier's help. Also stars: Tom GillTom Gill (actor)-Selected filmography:* Midshipman Easy * The High Command * Mister Drake's Duck * The Happy Family * Jumping for Joy * Behind the Headlines * Carry on Admiral...
, Patricia English and Alex ScottAlex Scott (actor)Alex Scott is an Australian–British television actor best known for his appearances in British television productions of the 1960s, including The Avengers, Danger Man, The Saint and the final episode of Randall and Hopkirk .He made over 60 appearances on British TV between 1955 and the 1990s but...
.
- 5. The Missing Agent: Hurst and Smith search for missing agent Dorothy Hansen (Pamela Sholto) in Stockholm but others don't want her found. Also stars Anne Dyson and Wanda VenthamWanda VenthamWanda Ventham is an English actress, mainly on television. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama....
.
- 6. The Baited Hook: With danger closing in on them, Hurst and Smith search for Hansen and meet a student with a gun, ready to use it. Also stars Sandor ElesSandor ElèsSandor Elès was a Hungarian-born actor....
, Stella Courtnay and Jayne Sofiano.
- 7. The Umbrella: The Umbrella Project when in operation will safeguard Britain from aerial attack but Hurst and Smith have to find a hidden saboteur who threatens to breach security. Also stars Robert RaglanRobert RaglanRobert Raglan was a British actor best known for his semi-regular role in Dad's Army, as Colonel Pritchard. He also starred in a number of other television series and films such as Fabian of the Yard and The Haunted House of Horror...
, Ronald HowardRonald Howard (British actor)Ronald Howard was an English actor and writer best known in the U.S. for starring in a weekly Sherlock Holmes television series in 1954. He was the son of actor Leslie Howard.- Life and work :...
and Tenniel EvansTenniel Evans-Family:Walter Tenniel Evans was born in Nairobi, Kenya. His middle name derived from the illustrator Sir John Tenniel, a distant relation. His daughter, Serena Evans, is an actress, and his son, Matthew, is a television director....
.
- 8. Thieves' Market: Hurst travels to Lisbon to uncover a traitor while Smith tries to find a connection between a Nazi General's memoirs and a golf bag flown to Lisbon. Also stars Wendy Gifford, Edward UnderdownEdward UnderdownEdward Underdown was an english theatre, cinema and television actor. He was born in London.Early theatre credits include: Words and Music, Nymph Errant, Stop Press and Streamline ....
and Max Kirby.
- 9. Return of Evil: Still searching for the traitor, the trail leads to the threat of the return of a man from the past who still looms large and could destroy Europe. Also stars Monica Grey, Carmilla Brockman and Frederick Schrecker.
- 10. The Edge of Disaster: It hangs in the air around us. It is invisible and yet pointed with deadly accuracy. Can Hurst and Smith save the nation? Also stars Reginald MarshReginald Marsh (actor)Reginald Marsh was an English actor who is best remembered for starring in many British sitcoms from the 1970s onwards.-Early life and career:...
, Sylvia KaySylvia KaySylvia Kay, is an English character actress, who has had many roles in British television programmes, most notably as Daphne Warrender in the BBC Sitcom Just Good Friends...
and Basil MossBasil MossBasil Moss is a British character actor, who featured regularly on television in the 1960s and on radio in the 1970s.-Early life:He was educated at St Paul's School, which he followed with actor's training.-Acting career:...
.
- 11. Operation Lost Souls: Following a trail of traitors to Geneva, Hurst and Smith find the HQ of the people behind the brain drain is in Ireland. Also stars Patricia HainesPatricia HainesPatricia Haines was an English actress.Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Haines is best known for her television work...
, Bernard KayBernard KayBernard Kay is a British actor with an extensive theatre, television and film repertoire.Kay began his working life as a reporter on Bolton Evening News, and a stringer for The Manchester Guardian. He was conscripted in 1946 and started acting in the army...
and Tom WatsonTom Watson (actor)Tom Watson was a Scottish-born stage, television and film actor.- Early life :Thomas Welsh Watson was born on the 21 March 1932 at Auchinleck, Ayrshire, Scotland. His family subsequently moving to Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, he attended the Hamilton Academy school where he excelled in amateur dramatics...
.
- 12. Operation Irish Triangle: The operation in Ireland looks to be nothing but trouble and they get more than they bargained for when Arlette Maylam (Patricia HainesPatricia HainesPatricia Haines was an English actress.Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Haines is best known for her television work...
) shows her true colours. Also stars John Macklin, Alan GiffordAlan Gifford-Selected filmography:* The Kangaroo Kid * A Yank in Ermine * The Flying Scot * Visa to Canton * Town Without Pity * Carry on Cowboy * Only When I Larf * Phase Four...
and Eugene DeckersEugene DeckersEugene Deckers was a Belgian stage actor who relocated to England when his Nazi-held homeland was liberated by the Allies. Re-establishing himself on the British stage, Deckers made his first English language film appearance in 1946. Formerly a romantic lead, he specialized in "continental"...
.
- 13. Operation Big Fish: Everything is set for the big kill but Hurst and Smith are still in the dark over it. Can they stop one of history's most spectacular crimes? Also stars Rachel GurneyRachel GurneyRachel Gurney was an English actress. She began her career in the theatre towards the end of World War II and then expanded into television and film in the 1950s. She remained active mostly in television and theatre work through the early 1990s...
, Edward Palmer and P.G. Stephens.
Season two
- 14. Showdown Vienna: Hurst and Smith are on a find and destroy mission but run up against the dangerous Leopold Donner (Frank Gatliff). Also stars Lucy FlemingLucy FlemingLucy Fleming is a British actress.She is the daughter of the actress Celia Johnson and writer Peter Fleming, as well as the niece of James Bond author Ian Fleming...
and Vernon DobtcheffVernon DobtcheffVernon Dobtcheff is a French and British actor.Dobtcheff was born in Nîmes, France, to a family of Russian descent. He attended Ascham Preparatory School in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, in the 1940s, where he won the Acting Cup...
.
- 15. Mission to Madeira: Working undercover, Hurst infiltrates the dangerous Midas Consortium but can he trust the lovely Lea (Hannah GordonHannah GordonHannah Cambell Grant Gordon is a Scottish actress who is well known in the United Kingdom for her television work, including Upstairs, Downstairs, Telford's Change, My Wife Next Door, Joint Account and an appearance in the final episode of One Foot in the Grave.-Early life:Gordon was born in...
)? Also stars Richard Warner and John AbineriJohn AbineriJohn Abineri was an English actor.Born in London, he attended the Old Vic drama school and described himself as "Well educated from the age of five to eighteen"...
.
- 16. Death in Madeira: Hurst seems to have fallen for Lea and wants to resign but the Brigadier has other plans with unpleasant results. Also stars Frederick TrevesFrederick Treves (actor)Frederick William Treves BEM, is an English character actor with an extensive repertoire, specialising in avuncular military and titled types....
and Susan EngelSusan EngelSusan Engel is a British actress.-Theatre:Engel's work in theatre includes: Angels in America , Richard III, King Lear , The Good Person of Sezuan, Watch on the Rhine , Spring Awakening, The Hour We Knew Nothing Of Each Other and Her Naked Skin at the National Theatre, London; Women...
.
- 17. Midnight Over Madeira: Hurst and the Brigadier clash as The Midas Consortium plan the death of a man, which will send the world's stock markets crashing and make them a huge fortune. Also stars Kevin StoneyKevin StoneyKevin Stoney was an English actor, best known for his television roles.During World War II, Stoney served with the Royal Air Force....
, Jerry Stovin and John AbineriJohn AbineriJohn Abineri was an English actor.Born in London, he attended the Old Vic drama school and described himself as "Well educated from the age of five to eighteen"...
.
- 18. Wednesday in Dubrovnik: Faces from the past threaten Britain's Secret Service including the Brigadier's group. Also stars James Kerry, Jeffrey Gardiner and Jacqueline Ellis.
- 19. Murder in Mostar: A very unpleasant murder and Hurst and Smith are in revolt as the Brigadier orders them to eliminate a public figure. Also stars Reginald MarshReginald Marsh (actor)Reginald Marsh was an English actor who is best remembered for starring in many British sitcoms from the 1970s onwards.-Early life and career:...
, Derren NesbittDerren NesbittDerren Nesbitt is an English actor. Possibly his best known role was as SS Major von Hapen in Where Eagles Dare.In 2008 he was writing a book on "biblical myths and falsehoods".-Acting career:...
and Michael Peake.
- 20. Dead-End - Dubrovnik: The Brigadier forms a strange alliance to get rid of a common enemy but the outcome is violence of the worst kind as death stalks the streets. Also stars James Kerry, Reginald MarshReginald Marsh (actor)Reginald Marsh was an English actor who is best remembered for starring in many British sitcoms from the 1970s onwards.-Early life and career:...
and Derren NesbittDerren NesbittDerren Nesbitt is an English actor. Possibly his best known role was as SS Major von Hapen in Where Eagles Dare.In 2008 he was writing a book on "biblical myths and falsehoods".-Acting career:...
.
- 21. Big Grab - Amsterdam: An American secret agent carrying vital information in his head vanishes. America presses for action but the Brigadier seems unconcerned. Who is the mysterious Vol (Cyril ShapsCyril Shaps-Biography:Shaps was born in Highbury, London; he was of Polish ancestry and his father was a tailor.He was a child broadcaster, providing voices for radio commercials at the age of 12. After grammar school and Army service he trained at RADA and then worked for two years as an announcer, producer...
)? Also stars Raymond HuntleyRaymond HuntleyRaymond Huntley was an English actor who appeared in dozens of British films from the 1930s through to the 1970s...
and James Kerry.
- 22. Retribution Amsterdam: An American spy as a hostage held by an enemy agent as brilliant as the Brigadier. Hurst and Smith must follow strict orders to prevent the worst happening. Also stars Cyril ShapsCyril Shaps-Biography:Shaps was born in Highbury, London; he was of Polish ancestry and his father was a tailor.He was a child broadcaster, providing voices for radio commercials at the age of 12. After grammar school and Army service he trained at RADA and then worked for two years as an announcer, producer...
, Hugh McDermottHugh McDermott (actor)Hugh McDermott was a British actor who made a number of film and television appearances between 1936 and 1972. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1908 and made his screen debut in Well Done, Henry and followed it up with an appearance as HM Stanley in David Livingstone...
and Toke TownleyToke TownleyToke Antony Townley, born 6 November 1912 in Great Dunmow, died 27 September 1984 in Leeds, was an English actor.-Biography:His father was a vicar and he was christened John Townley, but his first name was then changed by his parents to the surname of an ancestor. After he left school he worked as...
.
- 23. The Heel of Achilles: Hurst and Smith find violence in Athens as helped by a turncoat spy (Dora Reisser), they seek the man behind an international espionage ring to stop the beaches of Corfu running red with blood. Also stars Wolfe MorrisWolfe MorrisWolfe Morris was a British film and television actor.He played character roles on stage, television and in feature films from the 1950s until the 1990s. He made his film debut in Ill Met by Moonlight. His grandparents were from Kiev and escaped the Russian pogroms, arriving in London in about 1890....
, Ralph MichaelRalph MichaelRalph Michael was an English actor. He was born in London, United Kingdom.His film appearances include: A Night to Remember, Children of the Damned, Khartoum, Grand Prix, The Assassination Bureau, and Empire of the Sun.Television credits include: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Dixon of Dock Green,...
, Anthony Marlowe and Hilary TindallHilary TindallHilary Tindall was an English stage and television actress. She is best remembered for the role of Ann Hammond in the BBC television series The Brothers....
. Just poor copies of the action sequences survive of this episode.
- 24. The Seven Pillars of Hercules: Hurst and Smith are after a man hiding in the mountains of Greece but so is Madame Achmet (Catherine LaceyCatherine LaceyCatherine Lacey was an English actress who made her film debut in 1938 as the secretive nun who wears high heels in the Alfred Hitchcock film The Lady Vanishes . She was an established stage character player before she was 30...
) who is a very dangerous woman. Also stars: Wolfe MorrisWolfe MorrisWolfe Morris was a British film and television actor.He played character roles on stage, television and in feature films from the 1950s until the 1990s. He made his film debut in Ill Met by Moonlight. His grandparents were from Kiev and escaped the Russian pogroms, arriving in London in about 1890....
and Paul Tann.
- 25. The Mask of Agamemnon: Hurst and Smith must decide whether to try and rescue the man held on Madame Achmet's yacht, knowing the Brigadier wants him dead. Death and destruction follow. Also stars Wolfe MorrisWolfe MorrisWolfe Morris was a British film and television actor.He played character roles on stage, television and in feature films from the 1950s until the 1990s. He made his film debut in Ill Met by Moonlight. His grandparents were from Kiev and escaped the Russian pogroms, arriving in London in about 1890....
and James Kerry.
External links
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpLOX5LRBfU The Unwitting Courier - Opening Theme