038. Christmas Bonus - Written by Leon Griffiths #4.0
Directed by Ian Toynton
First Broadcast in the UK: 26th December 1983
Cast: Dennis Waterman as Terry, George Cole as Arthur, Glynn Edwards as Dave
Appearances by: George Baker, John Bardon, John Benfield, Anthony Chin, Pamela Cundell, Anton Darby, Colin Edwynn, Derek Fowlds, Richard Griffiths, Brian Hall, Prentis Hancock, David Hargreaves, Russel Hunter, David Jackson, Roy Kinnear, George Layton, Phill McCal, Bridget McConnell, Lloyd Macguire, Clive Mantle, Jamila Massey, Adrian Mills, Warren O'Neil, Peter Postlethwaite, David Sibley, Gwyneth Strong, Royston Tickner, Anthony Valentine, Wanda Ventham, April Walker, Larrington Walker, Max Wall, Tony Westrope, Gary Whelan
Story: Arthur is having trouble as 'er indoors and the two kids head off on holiday for Christmas while Terry and Dave put the Christmas tree up in the Winchester. When Arthur brings the Christmas lights along he receives a phone call only to discover that little Cyril has sold him the wrong tickets for 'er indoors - she has actually received stand-by tickets and could be waiting for the next available space for a long time and is ringing the Winchester asking for Arthur. Meanwhile Terry finds out that the Christmas fairy lights don't work and when he finally thinks he has fixed them, they blow the power at the Winchester.
This is essentially a clips show with some new footage filmed only in the Winchester club. Clips from the first three series of the show are mixed with this new footage of Arthur, Terry and Dave all based in the Winchester Club.
Facts: In this episode we find out Arthur has two children. One very rare scene appears at the end of this episode where we see Arthur, Terry and Dave all smoking a cigar at the bar in the Winchester Club. Never repeated on television since its original transmission in 1983, this episode was finally released on DVD for the first time by Clearvision in 2002. Urban myth suggests that the original transmission contained a shot of 'er indoors at the airport, not featured on this DVD but as yet no one has been been able to officially confirm or deny this, but this seems very unlikely. This episode was also transmitted in Canada. This was the only episode of Minder transmitted in 1983.
Bloopers: Not strictly a blooper, but despite fixing the fairy lights Terry, Arthur and Dave are still sitting in candlelight when they sit at the bar towards the end of the episode despite the lights being on in the previous Winchester scene.
039. Rocky Eight & A Half - Written by Leon Griffiths #4.1
Directed by Ian Toynton
First Broadcast in the UK: 11th January 1984
Cast: George Innes as 'Dirty' Harry Lynch, Christine Kavanagh as Nicky, David Lodge as Soldier Atkins, Glynn Edwards as Dave, Peter Childs as Rycott, Ian McNeice as Eric Morgan, Anna Nygh as Brenda Wilson, Peter Cheevers as Jackie Wilson, Frank Gatliff as Darrow, Herbert Norville as Young Black, Peter Kosta as Chris, Doreen Keogh as Mrs Lynch, Donald Eccles as Medical Office, Alex Leppard as Cabby, John Fowler as Youth, Brian Calloway as Barman, Joseph Iles as Henry, Jonathan Burn as Boxing M.C., Bruce Wells as Boxing Referee
Story: At the start of this episode Arthur is seen watching an illegal fight with 'Dirty' Harry Lynch. Harry convinces Arthur that Terry may still have a future in the ring and that because as his wife has left him for a double glazing salesman, he would like to see his flat to Arthur. Harry takes Arthur to meet Eric Morgan, a local fight promoter who tells Arthur he can set up a fight between Terry and his old adversary, Jackie Wilson. Arthur approaches Terry with the offer of returning to the ring and although at first Terry seems reluctant, as work is quiet he decides to give it a go for old times sake and maybe settle a score with Wilson. With Terry on side and training hard, Arthur enlists the help of trainer Soldier Atkins. Terry soon discovers the last fight he had with Wilson was dodgy and Wilson's wife approaches Terry to tell him Wilson is now practically skint and that Terry should treat this new bout as a only a play fight. Meanwhile, Arthur has bought Harry flat and it decorating is underway.
On fight night during round one, Terry soon becomes aware that Wilson doesn't really want to fight him. In round two Wilson cons Terry into thinking he doesn't want to win the fight at and Terry decides to take it easy. Off his guard, Terry is knocked down only to realise that Wilson has conned him. After the bell goes, Terry gets back up and settles the score his own way. After the fight, Arthur decides to take a painting around to his newly renovated flat. When Harry's wife returns she informs him that the flat is actually belongs to the council and that Harry had no legal right to sell it to Arthur. Arthur soon realises that Harry has conned him.
Facts: This episode, written by Minder's creator Leon Griffiths is a story about both Arthur and Terry being conned both by different types of low life on the manor. This is the first episode to feature Arthur yellow Daimler Sovereign DYO979V and he is seen collecting this from a garage at the start of the episode where it is referred to as his new motor. In this episode, Terry refers to doing Arthur a favour seven years ago when he took a dive in a fight while having resin in his eye. Although the date is different, Terry taking a dive with resin in his eye is mentioned in Minder - A Novel By Leon Griffiths. There is a further indirect reference to Arthur having children in this episode when he mentions to Terry that "School fees have gone up and that 'er indoors Daley wants an arm and a leg". The name of the Eric Morgan's boxing organisation is N.A.F.F, The National Association of Fair Fighting. This episode also features the classic Arthur Daley quote "The world is your lobster", a phrase which George Cole claimed he first heard from his son and kept it especially for use in Minder.
Anna Nygh, who plays Brenda Wilson previously appeared with Dennis Waterman in the second Sweeney film as well as final Sweeney episode "Jack or Knave". Christine Kavanagh, who plays Nicky, job centre worker and Terry's girlfriend in this episode would work with Dennis Waterman again some 20 years later in an episode of New Tricks in 2004.
Bloopers: None found.
040. Senior Citizen Caine - Written by Andrew Payne #4.2
Directed by Robert Young
First Broadcast in the UK: 18th January 1984
Cast: Lionel Jeffries as Cecil Caine, Keith Barron as Johnny Caine, Angela Richards as Sheila Jones, Glynn Edwards as Dave, Susan Fleetwood as Sonia Caine, Fiona Curzon as Christine, John Carlin as Derek, James Cosmo as Jock McLeish, Griffith Davies as Drunk, Norman Lumsden as Vicar, enneth Keeling as Doctor Roberts, Stan Pretty as Eddie, Chris Webb as Bob, Anthony Hall as The V.A.T Man, Iain Rattray as Scotsman, Jonathan Barlow as Policeman, Gillian & Kim Taylforth as Girls In Pub
Story: An old friend of Arthur's, the eccentric Cecil Caine discovers his wife Violet has died in her sleep. Cecil sees the death of his wife as a way to start a new life away from his three children and at her funeral gathering turns to Arthur and Terry for help while he organises a long-term narrow boat trip around the industrial waterways of the past. At the gathering, Cecil rapidly escapes with a large sum of his hard earned cash that his children see as rightfully theirs. As a result Cecil places his trust in no one but Terry and his personal assistant, Angela Richards. In the meantime, Cecil's son, Johnny, who has recently sold Arthur a 76 Rolls Royce Corniche, along with Johnny's brother Derek, his wife Sonia and Johnny's ex-wife Christine, are all doing everything they possibly can to find out where Cecil is.
With Terry looking for Cecil, Arthur is to trying to offload Japanese whiskey as malt scotch whisky and offers some to Jock McLeish, who has recently caused a bit of damage at the Winchester Club.
Facts: Arthur purchases a 1976 Rolls Royce Corniche in this episode and claims that 'er indoors will be very happy because of the leg room. Sadly for Arthur by the end of the episode this car is back in the possession of the Johnny Caine, the guy who sold it to him. When Arthur boasts to Dave that it is a "Corniche", Dave tells Arthur he couldn't care if it is a Cornish Pasty and tells Arthur reminds that if he can afford to buy such a car, he can afford to pay his bar tab. There are some wonderful funny scenes in this episode when Arthur goes around to a "Jock's Club" trying to sell the Japanese Whiskey and then tries to drive home afterwards. Just for the record, in Ireland and the United States, the spelling of whiskey does include the letter 'e', where as in Scotland it is left out: whisky. This is the second episode in succession where Arthur has a new motor.
Gillian Taylforth and her sister Kim Taylforth appear in a brief scene at the pub in this episode. Gillian Taylforth is probably more recognisable from her role as Kathy Beale in the BBC soap 'Eastenders', a part which she played between 1985 and 2000 and Sgt. Nikki Wright in 'The Bill' until 2008. Following her role in Minder, Kim Taylforth took a break from acting to work in the Metropolitan Police.
Bloopers: At 43m20s when Arthur finally catches up with Cecil and Terry he has a quiet word with Terry at the stern end of Cecil's narrowboat. Watch closely at this point as you can see two children on the bridge above looking down, one of whom is even taking pictures of the event!
Name That Tune: The tune played by Cecil at his wife's funeral is George Gerswin's 'Rhapsody In Blue'.
041. High Drains Pilferer - Written by Dave Humphries #4.3
Directed by Robert Young
First Broadcast in the UK: 25th January 1984
Cast: David Calder as Mickey (the Fish) Metcalfe, Sheila Ruskin as Susie Blake, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Glynn Edwards as Dave, Chris Matthews as Eddie Venables, Paul Brooke as Hamster, Jeremy Child as Mandeville, Hugh Sullivan as Harbot, Michael Povey as D.C. Jones, Richard Caldicot as Ernie Kestle, Keith Smith as Morris, Amanda Kemp as Laura, Tayloe McAuley as Tucker, Thomas Baptiste as Mr Mikabwe
Story: Arthur is offering very dubious insurance policies via a friend he claims he has in Jersey and is being pestered by a Mr Mikabwe about a claim. Meanwhile, Terry is driving for local villain and hard-nut Mickey (The Fish) Metcalfe and the story begins when Terry drops Mickey off at Mickey's girlfriend Susie Blake. When Mickey asks Terry to drive around the block, Terry spots one of his old prison pals Eddie Venables, who has just robbed some of Suzie's jewellery. When Terry finds out that Mickey has been robbed, Terry informs Arthur of his suspicions regarding Eddie. With Arthur aware that Terry suspects Eddie, he sees a money making opportunity working as a middle man between Eddie, Terry and Mickey's insurance company for part of an insurance reward. Arthur approaches the Mandeville Singer company, an insurance broker in the city to find out if such a scheme is possible, although is promptly sent away when Mr Mandeville suspects Arthur is up to no good. Mandeville then contacts the police and informs Chisholm of Arthur's intentions.
With the value of the stolen jewellery totalling £30,000, Mickey is determined to track down those who have stolen from him. When Mr Harbot, the ex-policeman now working as the loss adjuster on Mickey's jewellery claim reminds Mickey of Terry's and Arthur's pasts, Mickey immediately becomes suspicious of Arthur and Terry. Chisholm catches up with Arthur and tells him he knows he is up to something and would be more than happy to inform Mickey about he reward plans. Meanwhile, loss adjuster, Mr Harbot is also pleased to tell Chisholm that he has discovered that Terry and Eddie once shared a cell together. When Terry finally meets up with Eddie at the snooker club to innocently inform him about returning the gear to Mickey, it is already too late - Mickey has turned up with his heavies and believes that Terry is part of it.A big scrap at the snooker club ensues followed by a lot of arrests!
In the meantime, Mr Mikabwe, who has still not been able to contact Arthur about his insurance problem, sees the only way to Arthur will listen is if he drives into the back of Arthur's car himself.
Facts: Mickey's lawyer Hamster played by Paul Brooke would later appear in 4 episodes of brand new Minder (series 11) as Archie Daley's lawyer and semi-regular character 'Dickie Mint'.
Bloopers: None found.
042. Sorry Pal, Wrong Number - Written by Leon Griffiths #4.4
Directed by Terry Green
First Broadcast in the UK: 1st February 1984
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, T.P. McKenna as J.J. Mooney, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Shaun Curry as Sprott, Jumoke Debayo as Petal, Timothy Bateson as Railwayman, Rosalind Lloyd as Fenella, Royce Mills as Andrew, Vivian Mann as Tony, Russel Wooton as Tax Inspector, Hugh Futcher as Mo, Caroline Gruber as Nurse, David Janes as Ernie Grahame, Angela Wynter as Sylvia, Lee Walker as Printer, Alan Thompson as Video Man, Alan Chuntz as Punter in betting shop, Barry Philips as Client One, Chuck Julian as Client Two, Richard Wilding as Car Driver
Story: When old crook and tipster J.J. Mooney approaches Arthur with a business proposition offering an 'advisory service' offering tips on the horses, Arthur sets himself up in business with J.J. Arthur and places Terry in charge of answering three public telephones. When Chisholm sees J.J. leaving the Winchester with Terry, he informs Arthur of Sprott, a ex-bent copper who had been trying to nick J.J. for years. When Sprott realises that J.J. has left him in the lurch and finds out the deal he has with Arthur he also had with him, he tracks Arthur down and demands his cut of the money. When J.J. ends up in hospital as a result of his 'dicky ticker', Arthur and Terry are left to fend for themselves, hindered by Sprott, Chisholm and and army of local kids who threaten to damage the telephone boxes. Meanwhile, it also transpires that Arthur hasn't paid VAT for 5 years and his accountant Andrew tells him he needs to explain himself to the inland revenue.
Facts: This is the first episode to feature Royce Mills as Arthur's accountant, Andrew - he would reappear in the series six episodes 'Life In The Fast Food ane', 'Arthur is Dead, Long Live Arthur' and in the final Dennis Waterman episode in series seven 'The Wrong Goodbye'.
Bloopers: Minor blooper in this one: when Arthur legs it from the Winchester with Sprott chasing after him, turns left from Portland Road into Hippodrome Place. When Sprott catches up with him just seconds later, they are still in fact on Portland Road and Arthur would have needed to turn right to get to the place where Sprott catches up with him. For more details, see our locations pages.
043. The Car Lot Baggers - Written by Trevor Preston #4.5
Directed by Francis Megahy
First Broadcast in the UK: 8th February 1984
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, June Whitefield as Mrs Murdoch, Jimmy Nail as Nathan Loveridge, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Harry Scott as Wally, James Faulkner as Apsimon, Colin Jeavons as Fribbins, Christopher Benjamin as Mr Rushmer, Artro Morris as De Ath, Ray Winstone as Arnie, Martin Anthony as Nelson, Gabriel Kern as Harry, Chloe Salaman as Ellen, Del Baker as Ikey, Jeffery Stewart as Mick, John Altman as Cabbie, Eddie Caswell as Landlord
Story: Fellow car dealer Wally West offers Arthur a business deal part of that includes Arthur buying and selling hurses for him and Terry minding his car lot as it has been vandalised. With a group of gypsies having just set up site nearby, Arthur is quick to point the finger. One of the gypsies, Nathan is determined that his group are not blamed and helps Terry track down those responsible for damaging Wally's car lot and together they uncover a property development scam and a corrupt local councillor.
Facts: This is the first episode to feature Ray Winstone as mechanic 'Arnie'. Jimmy Nail is better known for his roles as 'Oz' in Auf Wiedersehen Pet, 'Spender' and Jed Sheppard in 'Crocodile Shoes'. Jeffery Stewart is probably more recognisable as 'PC Reg Hollis' from the UK series 'The Bill'. Also keep an eye out for cabbie John Altman, who is better known to most as the rogue Nick Cotton in the long running BBC soap 'Eastenders'. The car driven by Jimmy Nail in this episode is a Jensen CV8.
Double Take: Harry Scott had previously appeared in #1.6 'Aces High and Sometimes Very Low' under his previous name Antony Scott. James Faulkner also appears in 'Minder On The Orient Express', Colin Jeavons appears in #9.4 'Looking for Mr Goodtime' and Del Baker would work as the stunt coordinator on series #8.10 'Too Many Crooks'.
Bloopers: None found.
044. If Money Be The Food Of Love, Play On - Written by Tony Hoare #4.6
Directed by Terry Green
First Broadcast in the UK: 15th February 1984
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Larry Lamb as Greg Collins, Penny Downie as Dee Rogers, Peter Childs as Rycott, Patrick Monckton as Carp, Barry Jackson as 'Mournful' Maurice, Keith Bell as Gary Mitchell, Julianne White as Sandra, Sally Tayler as Lisa, Howard Lew Lewis as Ronnie Aldridge, Christopher Driscoll as Freddy The Fly, Peter Quince as Keith, Christine Ellerbeck as Boutique Assistant, Bernie Searle as Bobby Finch, Laurence Harrington as Builder
Story: An attractive Australian girl, Dee Rogers, turns up at the Winchester looking for Gary Mitchell, who she claims is a very close old friend of hers. The only lead she has is that Gary was seen in a picture with Arthur and she asks Arthur and Terry to help out. Meanwhile, 'Mournful' Maurice has a two attractive Australian girls, Lisa and Sandra, shoplifting goods for him, which he is trying to offload on the manor. When Terry and Arthur finally track Gary down, they discover they have both been taken for ride by the lovely Dee, who had previously worked scams down under with Gary impersonating police officers.
Facts: This episode features an uncredited performance by Jimmy Fagg - the comedian and piano player in the pub that Terry takes Dee to visit. Fagg was a popular pub piano player and entertainer in London at this time and has appeared in several TV productions - one of the songs performed is "Leave It Out John". The pub in which he performs in this episode is believed to be the 'Queen's Head' pub, at 8 Flamborough Street, London, E14 7LS - it is this pub on which the 'Queen Vic' pub was based in the long running BBC Soap 'Eastenders' - thanks to yo-yo-pickles for this information. Penny Downie, who plays Dee, would appear alongside Dennis Waterman again in a 2008 episode of 'New Tricks'.
In this episode we see Rycott's first colleague, DC Carp, played by Patrick Monckton. He would be replaced with the regular DC Melish in the very next episode, the character played by Michael Troughton. Barry Jackson who plays Mournful, also appears in series 10's 'The Great Depression of 1994'. Peter Quince, who plays Keith also appears in #7.5 'Fiddler On The Hoof'. In this episode, both Terry and Arthur are taken for a ride.
Double Take: Christopher Driscoll later appears as a Fire Chief in #10.1 'A Fridge Too Far'.
Bloopers: None found.
045. A Star Is Gorn - Written by Tony Hoare #4.7
Directed by Ian Toynton
First Broadcast in the UK: 22nd February 1984
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Mel Smith as Cyril Ash, Primi Townsend as Sharon, Charles Kay as John Sutton, Peter Childs as Rycott, Michael Troughton as DC Melish, Michael Holoway as Zac Zolar/Albert Trout/Alan Trent, Jackie Smith-Wood as Jessica Trent, Billy Hamon as Lindsay Browne, Michael Deeks as Billy Cronin, Pearl Hackney as Maude Trout, Michael Wynne as Freddy King, Tim Healy as George, Carrie Jones as Sarah
Story: When Arthur comes into the possession of pop star Zac Zolar's final recordings before his reported death, he thinks he is quids in, especially as Zolar is currently climbing the charts. Zolar's ex-manager, Cyril Ash also sees a nice little earner with the tapes and finds out that Arthur has them and tracks him down. When Ash's minder discovers Zolar is still alive, Ash tries to persuade Zolar (who now calls himself Alan Trent) to come back and threatens to kill Zolar if he refuses telling him that no one would miss him as he is already thought to be dead. When Trent's partner offers Arthur a reward for getting Alan back.
Facts: Arthur refers to Rycott as "Ronnie Rycott" in this episode. This is the first time we see Michael Troughton appear as Rycott's sidekick, DC 'Don' Melish, his first name mentioned only once in the series by DC Jones in the series 7 episode 'It's A Sorry Lorry Morrie'. Michael Holoway (pictured here) who plays Zac Zolar had previously been a drummer and singer in the 1970s band "Flintlock" who had a top 30 hit in the 1970s called 'Dawn' - the video is available on YouTube. Tim Healy is probably more recognisable as Dennis in Auf Wiedersehen Pet.
Bloopers: None found.
Name That Tune: At 24m30s as Arthur leaves JoJo Records, the tune playing is 'Slave Driver' by Frank McDonald & Chris Rae. The Zac Zolar tune that is playing throughout this episode (name currently unknown) also features in #3.13 'In' where it is playing in a pub.
046. Willesden Suite - Written by Andrew Payne #4.8
Directed by Francis Megahy
First Broadcast in the UK: 29th February 1984
Cast: Toby Robins as Norma Bates, Bernard Kay as Charles Riding, Glynn Edwards as Dave, Sally Jane Jackson as Karen Bradly, William Simons as Pongo Harris, Susan Kyd as Sue, Michael Maloney as Father Andrew, John Michael as Father Michael, Frank Duncan as Philip Higgins, John Rowe as Chief Inspector Baxter, Valentine Palmer as Barry, Reece Dinsdale as Steve, Brian Hawksley as Mr Robinson, Peter Sproule as Sullivan
Story: At the start of this episode Arthur, Terry and Pongo Harris drop off some toilet paper at the Havern Lodge Hotel. In need of a temporary security officer, the hotel's manager Norma Bates enlists the help of Terry. The story itself is very well written and the first part of this episode seems to have many twists and turns happening all the time - two rogue vicars who seem intent on stealing items from the hotel guests, a dodgy jewel deal between Bates's associate Charles Riding and the exploitation of a young girl who has come to London to be a model.
Facts: There are some great lines in this episode, even though Terry has sort of a decent type job at the hotel, he soon learns to dislike it and seems far more interested in watching the telly and chatting to birds than really getting on with what he is supposed to. Were it not for his little training session, he really seems a bit lazy in this episode, fraternising with female company, watching TV and having cups of tea at the hotel.
Bloopers: Listen very carefully to Reece Dinsdale's character Steve in this episode - his voice is clearly dubbed. In a brief interview with Reece Dinsdale in June 2005 he confessed that when he appeared in Minder he was fresh out of drama school and that after shooting his scenes the production team were not happy with his voice because he didn't sound like a villain! As a result he growled the lines back again for a second time on tape. It did bring a smile to his face when he discovered he had been rumbled. Also, when Karen and Terry are in Karen's room and she shows him the photographs that her boyfriend has taken of her, she passes an envelope to to Terry. There is a close up shot of the envelope on which is clearly printed "Please Do Not Bend". This is obviously a different envelope to the shots just before and after and this has clearly been inserted.
047. Windows - Written by Geoffrey Case #4.9
Directed by Robert Young
First Broadcast in the UK: 7th March 1984
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Stephen Rea as Roddy Allen, Jenifer Landor as Laura Mancini Allan, Patrick Troughton as Joe Mancini, Tony Anholt as Johnny Petselli, Ruth Goring as Helena Mancini, Janet Fielding as Janice, Valerie Buchanan as Linda, Catherine Rabett as Louise, Alexander Morton as Alex, Billy Hartman as Billy, Robert Pereno as Marco Mancini, Eddie Mineo as Anthony Mancini, Mark Lewis as Rico, Lawrence Lambert as Derek, Judith Byfield as Ms. Knight, Jack Le White as Old Irishman, Sara Filek as Maria-Elaine Allan
Story: Arthur has a new business venture, a health club called "The Daley Workout" though its success it sadly short-lived when his business partner Roddy's wife disappears with their daughter. Roddy has organised a few fitness instructors for Arthur, who are in fact working as greeting staff at a casino. When Terry tries to sort Roddy's problems out, he becomes a victim of mistaken identity and wannabe gangster and dope grower Johnny Petselli mistakenly smashes up Terry's flat in revenge for Roddy's cousins breaking down his greenhouse with a digger. When Terry finds out that Petselli is illegally growing dope in one of his greenhouses, he decides to dish out his own form of justice and threatens to grass on Johnny if he doesn't pay up some compensation and expenses. Alongside The Daley Workout, Arthur is doing a nice line in answering machines.
Facts: This episode features the second Doctor Who, Patrick Troughton, who is the father of Michael Troughton, who plays Rycott's sidekick DC Melish. Janet Fielding, who plays fitness instructor Janice, was also a regular in Doctor Who between 1981 to 1984 and starred as Doctor Who's companion Tegan Jovanka.
Bloopers: None found.
048. Get Daley - Written by Andrew Payne #4.10
Directed by Ian Toynton
First Broadcast in the UK: 14th March 1984
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Maureen O'Farrell as Sandra, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Roger Hammond as Albert Wendell, Ian Bartholomew as Keith Wendell, Michael Povey as D.C. Jones, Kevin Lloyd as Dermott, Brian Peck as Vic Harrison, Brian Osborne as Joe Harrison, Harold Goodwin as Dunning, Gordon Kaye as Sammy, Frank Mills as Harry Martin, Peter Alexander as Tony Apsey, Miranda Forbes as Nurse, David Hanson as Dr. Hills, Richard Warner as Fowler, Janis Winters as Night Nurse
Story: While Arthur is visiting a business colleague Joe Harrison, Harrison gets an unexpected visit some heavies representing local high-interest bookie and agoraphobic Albert "Wendy" Wendel who Harrison owes money to. As a result, Harrison suffers a heart attack and dies. When Chisholm's snout overhears Terry and his friend Tony Apsey (Harrison's colleague) talking in the pub, Chisholm discovers Arthur'sinvolvement. As a result of Joe's death, Wendy believes that his brother Vic should now inherit the debt. When Terry gets a visit from Vic, he is able to discover the truth about Harrison's death. Meanwhile Arthur discovers that an operation he has had to remove an ingrown toe nail was not covered by his private insurance scheme.
Facts: Watch out for appearances in this episode by Gordon Kaye (aka René from the BBC comedy 'Allo Allo' and the late Kevin Lloyd (more famous for his role as DC Tosh Lines in 'The Bill'). Both on his dressing gown and pyjamas, Arthur has the letters "AED" embroidered, this of course stands for "Arthur Edward Daley". When a fellow patient Mr Dunning visits Arthur in his room he tells him the last time he was in, he had his varicose veins done, as well as his "Chalfonts" - this is rhyming slang for "Chalfont St Giles", a town in Buckinghamshire and means piles (haemorrhoids). It is clear from Arthur writing a letter to Terry in this one in the middle of the night, that he is indeed actually quite fond of Terry and values him as a friend. The word that Arthur is unable to find is "vicissitudes", which means "changes in fortune".
This episode sees the first of four appearances in Minder by Frank Mills, who plays Wendy's heavy Harry Martin - he would later appear twice as Arthur's barber Len in The Ray Daley Years and as incompetent doorman Eric in #11.5 "Thank Your Lucky Stars".
Bloopers: Watch carefully at around 13m50s when Arthur tells Terry what "PHATI" stands for - although what you hear is "Personal Health and Treatment Indemnity", George Cole is definitely not saying these words on screen.
049. A Well Fashioned Fit Up - Written by Barry Purchese #4.11
Directed by Jim Hill
First Broadcast in the UK: 21st March 1984
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Sara Sugarman as Zoe, Stanley Meadows as Ronnie Shyvers, Christopher Fulford as Billy, Gerard Murphy as Kevin O'Hara, Sean Lawlor as Eddie, Oengus MacNamara as Colin, Bunny Reed as 'Giant', Jack Chissick as Boutique Owner (Gerry), Richard Ireson as Market Stallholder (Laurie), Fleur Chandler as Fashion Buyer, Carole Harrison as Receptionist, Trevor Steedman as Nigel, Christopher Dunne as Irish Fiddler, George Little as Ted
Story: Work for Terry and Arthur is rather thin on the ground of late and when an old friend of Terry's asks him to mind his new Irish Boozer, Terry is only too willing to accept. Meanwhile, Arthur thinks he is in luck when two young villains Billy and Nigel offer him some cheap, but exclusive designer garments. Arthur approaches his fashion importer Ronald Shyvers in order to sell the gear on and expects Terry to mind some of Shyver's new designs. Unfortunately Terry is unable to be in two places at once and Arthur agrees that while Terry is minding the boozer, he will take the role of minding the new designs. Arthur soon realises that there is more to Shyvers than meets the eye, when he finds out that Billy and Nigel are also working for him!
Facts: At around 07m14s, watch out for an uncredited appearance as an extra by Graham Cole, best known for his long running part as PC Tony Stamp in "The Bill". There is a particularly good scene in this episode when a mass punch kicks off at the Irish Boozer, which Terry describes to Arthur as being a right 'bull and cow'.
Bloopers: None found.
Last updated : 16th January 2013 by jno
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