059. Give Us This Day Arthur Daley's Bread - Written by Tony Hoare #6.1
Directed by Francis Megahy
First Broadcast in the UK: 4th September 1985
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, James Booth as Godfrey, Sylvia Kay as Mrs. Hurst, Norman Eshley as Rev. Redwood, Michael Povey as D.C.Jones, David Jackson as Marion, Nat Jackley as Paper, Eric Francis as Glue, David Jessiman as Vincent, Geraldine Alexander as Fiona, Avril Elgar as Mrs. Bickerton-Jones, Ellis Dale as Mr. Howlett, Patsy Smart as Mrs. Foskitt, Paul Cooper as Ron, Roger Tallon as 1st Policeman, David Landberg as 2nd Policeman
Story: When Arthur is offered a portable TV from ex-convict Godfrey, he and Terry soon discover it has been stolen from Reverend Redwood. The Reverend has been running a social club with the aim of providing rehabilitation for ex-convicts including Godfrey himself. Arthur offers to hire some of the ex-convicts as landscape gardeners for Mrs. Hurst, to whom Arthur has recently sold a car. While Mrs. Hurst's neighbours are on holiday, Arthur's team decide to burgle them and stash the goods at the local church. Meanwhile, Chisholm is hot on the heels of some local burglars and strongly believes Arthur is somehow involved.
Facts: It was at this point in the series that the scripts tended to include more comedy and less rough stuff and minding. In series six, both 'Glynn Edwards As Dave' and 'Patrick Malahide as Chisholm' can be seen as a regular credit for the first time in the opening titles.
Double Take: James Booth who plays Godfrey (shown in picture) also appears as Toby in #9.6 'Gone With The Winchester'. David Jackson (also shown in picture) who plays Marion in this episode also played the character of 'Big Stan' in #1.3 'The Smaller They Are' and would later appear again in #8.3 'Three Cons Make A Mountain'. Ellis Dale who played disapproving church-goer Mr. Howlett also appeared as a magistrate in the #2.13 'Caught In The Act, Fact'. This episode is the first of three appearances in this series by Winchester regular Ron, played by Paul Cooper - he had would later appear in #6.3 'The Return of The Invincible Man' and #6.4 'Arthur Is Dead, Long Live Arthur'.
Bloopers: None found.
060. Life In The Fast Food Lane - Written by Alistair Beaton #6.2
Directed by Terry Green
First Broadcast in the UK: 11th September 1985
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Jan Francis as Sarah Bates, Timothy Carlton as Granger, David Daker as Sir Ronald Bates, Michael Povey as D.C. Jones, Peter Capaldi as Ozzie, Jake D'Arcy as McTaggart, Debbie Arnold as Julie, Benjamin Whitrow as Doctor, Annee Blott as 1st Prostitute, Cate Fowler as 2nd Prostitute, Royce Mills as Andrew, James Griffiths as Marketing Man, Melanie Hughes as Shop Assistant, James Duggan as Cedric, Howard Attfield as Private Detective, Bernard Taylor as Hotel Detective, Emma Shaw as Sir Ronald's Secretary, Peter Brayham as Heavy
Story: Terry begins dating Sarah Bates, the daughter of the millionaire tycoon Sir Ronald Bates who has made his fortune in the fast food industry. When a car phone deal with McTaggart goes wrong for Arthur, he finds himself in need of some cash and approaches Ronald Bates promising to end Terry and Sarah's romance for a £10,000. Arthur approaches Sarah and informs her that Terry is terminally ill. When Terry and Sarah seem to be staying together Arthur hires the service of a prostitute to pretend to be Terry's girlfriend, waiting in his flat when Terry and Sarah return. Whereas Terry seems keen on a longer term relationship with Sarah, she tells Terry she would prefer a more open relationship.
Facts: This is the second time in the series that Arthur stoops to the very low level of telling someone that Terry is ill in order to keep him away from someone - the first being in #3.8 'The Son Also Rises'. In this case, he tells Sarah that Terry has "Spotter's Syndrome". In this episode Arthur refers to his membership of PHATI (Personal Health and Treatment Indemnity - pronounced 'farty') which he had previously referred to back in episode #4.10 'Get Daley' where he is admitted to hospital to have an in-growing toe nail removed. This is one of the few times in the series where Terry ends up worse off a result of a fight, when he is attacked in his own flat by Sir Ronald Bates's heavies to try an warn him off his daughter Sarah. At around 40 minutes into this episode Arthur finds Terry in the Embassy Cafe, which had previously featured in #5.6 'The Long Ride Back To Scratchwood'.
Double Take: This is second time Royce Mills appears as Arthur's accountant Andrew, whom Arthur meets unexpectedly while trying to organise a prostitute to pretend to be Terry's girlfriend. David Daker had previously appeared as Alex Brompton in #2.1 'Whose Wife Is It Anyway?' - Debbie Arnold would later appear in 'Minder On The Orient Express'. Benjamin Whitrow who plays the doctor Arthur visits looking for the name of a disease that Terry might have, also appeared in alongside Dennis Waterman in the final series of 'The Sweeney'. Jan Francis would later star along Dennis Waterman in 'Stay Lucky' in 1989.
Bloopers: A minor continuity blooper at 16m46s - watch carefully as Arthur tells Granger his mark-up on the phones is 'very modest' - at this point he is turning left into The Avenue, W13. A split second later his car is further back on Bradley Gardens and he arrives at the end of the street and then turns left again.
061. The Return Of The Invincible Man - Written By Leon Griffiths #6.3
Directed by Roy Ward Baker
First Broadcast in the UK: 18th September 1985
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Phil McCall as Scotch Harry, Anne Kristen as Margaret Stuart, John Bluthal as Solly Salmon, Michael Povey as D.C. Jones, Michael Sarne as Billy Beesley, David Shawyer as Benny Beesley, Anna Savva as Angie, Shevaun Briars as Nurse, David Shaughnessy as Doctor, Cleo Sylvestre as Ward Sister, Pat Roach as Painter, Paul Cooper as Ron
Story: Arthur visits tailor Solly Salmon, whose staff have been made redundant and are striking in dispute over wages and redundancy money. Solly looks to Arthur to find someone to break into his factory and stage a burglary, blowing the safe so that Solly can say the redundancy money has been stolen. When Terry hears this he is not at all impressed and returns to the Winchester, telling Arthur he is not interested and wants nothing to do with it. Arthur tracks down the Beesley brothers, who together with Scotch Harry attempt to blow the safe. When the break-in goes wrong, Scotch Harry is injured and the Beesley brothers dump him on Arthur and Terry at the Winchester Club.
When Arthur and Terry take Scotch Harry to the hospital, one of the nurses recognises Terry. Scotch Harry is keen that someone informs his wife, which Terry duly does. When Terry arrives his wife informs him that she is has not seen him for eight years and Harry owes her £10,000 in maintenance payments. The next day, the Beesley brothers confront Arthur telling him they still expect some sort of payment for the botched burglary. On the trail of the burglars, at the hospital Chisholm And Jones visit the Scotch Harry but are unable to identify him or take his finger prints because of the bandages he is wrapped in, which also cover his face. After being recognised by the nurse, Terry is questioned by Chisholm but Terry reminds Chisholm that he has the perfect alibi, drinking at the Winchester with Chisholm until very late. In order to keep themselves safe, Arthur and Terry decide to spring Scotch Harry from the hospital before his bandages are removed and return him to his wife.
Facts: There is a rare scene in this episode where Chisholm is seen drunk at The Winchester Club, complaining about his job and the people he has to deal with as a policeman. This is the first time we see Arthur lend Chisholm money - the only other time this would happen would be in 'Minder On The Orient Express'. There is a brief appearance in this episode by Pat Roach, former wrestler and more recognisable from his role as Bomber in the series 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet'.
Double Take: A second appearance in the series by Phil McCall as Scotch Harry, he had previously appeared in the #1.3 'The Smaller They Are'. There is also a second brief appearance by Winchester regular Ron, who informs Arthur the painter has fallen off the ladder - he had previously appeared in #6.1 'Give Us This Day Arthur Daley's Bread' and would also appear in the next episode #6.4 'Arthur Is Dead, Long Live Arthur'.
Bloopers: None found.
062. Arthur Is Dead, Long Live Arthur - Written by Tony Hoare #6.4
Directed by Terry Green
First Broadcast in the UK: 25th September 1985
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Penny Morrell as Daphne Mount, Mark Farmer as Justin James, Royce Mills as Andrew, Michael Povey as D.C. Jones, John Alkin as John Beadle, Jonathan Elsom as Mr. Muir, Timothy Kightley as Undertaker, Jon Laurimore as Newspaper Editor, Ben Howard as Second Hand Sid, Robert Austin as Freddy The Fly, Johnny Wade as Albert, Paul Cooper as Ron, Barry Ewart as 1st Reporter, John Livesey as 2nd Reporter
Story: When Arthur is ordered to pay £20,000 to the inland revenue and when his creditors Second Hand Sid and Freddy The Fly ask him to pay up what he owes them, Arthur decides the only way out of his predicament is to commit suicide, eventually deciding to jump from a bridge. Although no body is found, a suicide note is discovered by newspaper reporter John Beadle. Believing the story is in the public interest, Beadle decides the story of Arthur's demise should be published in the local newspaper. However, with a lack of a body, Chisholm soon becomes suspicious of the whole situation. Meanwhile, Justin has started a memorial fund for Arthur.
Fooling everyone, Arthur soon contacts Terry under the guise of author Mr. Black, who has checked in, incognito, to a local B&B. Through Terry, Arthur attempts to continue some business activity but soon discovers 'er indoors has decided to sell the car lot. Things get worse for Arthur as 'er indoors makes plans to sell the lockup and the Daley home and at the same time B&B owner Mrs. Mount discovers the real identity of Mr. Black. When Arthur's creditors don't believe he is really dead they decide to reclaim what is owed to them by turning over his lockup, soon discovering through a mistake Terry has made, that he is still alive and his whereabouts as Mr. Black. With the odds stacked against him Terry convinces Arthur the only way out of the situation is to claim amnesia and to bribe Mrs. Mount into saying he simply walked in off the street with no identity and she was duty bound to look after him.
Facts: At the start of this episode we catch a brief glimpse of where Arthur lives. This episode features George Cole's wife Penny Morrell as B&B owner Daphne Mount.
Double Take: This is the second time that Mark Farmer appears as Justin James, the only time that Justin appears in series six. He would return for three further episodes in series seven. This is the third and last episode to feature Winchester regular Ron, played by Paul Cooper who had appeared in the previous episode in this series #6.3 'The Return Of The Invincible Man' and #6.1 'Give Us This Day Arthur Daley's Bread'. John Alkin, who played newspaper reporter John Beadle, previously starred alongside Dennis Waterman as the semi-regular character Tom Daniels in 'The Sweeney'.
Bloopers: There is a very minor continuation blooper in this one, watch carefully when Arthur and Terry meet for the second time and sit together in the white Ford Granada. The first time we see them the front wheels are completely straight, the second time we see them the wheels have moved despite the car being in exactly the same location.
063. From Fulham With Love - Written by Tony Hoare #6.5
Directed by Francis Megahy
First Broadcast in the UK: 2nd October 1985
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Rula Lenska as Natasha, Joe Melia as Ernie, Michael Gothard as Sergei, Michael Povey as D.C. Jones, Jonathan Warren as Nigel, Tony Caunter as Chief Insp. Norton, Czeslaw Grocholski as Russian Captain, Alexei Jawdokimov as Vladimir, Mitzi Mueller as Lubov, Paul Haley as Police Sergeant, Richard Piper as Micky Coyne, Bill Thomas as Ronnie, April Walker as Bank Teller, Claire Davenport as Nigel's Mum, Peter Majer as 1st Russian Crewman, David Marrick as 2nd Russian Crewman
Story: Arthur is reluctantly forced to give 'er indoors nephew Nigel a job, a scruffy punk who has a swastika tattooed on his forehead and is seemingly hopeless at everything he does - apart from sewing which he learnt at detention centre. Arthur is also approached by Ernie, who has to got to know some of the Russian seaman currently docked in London. Ernie's new business partner, Russian sailor Sergei, is very keen on buying plenty of goods from Arthur in order to resell them back in Russia to turn a profit for himself. Arthur gets Nigel to start sewing some motifs on the gear he wants to sell Sergei.
All seems to go to plan until Arthur is paid in roubles, which he soon discovers he is unable to exchange at the bank. When Sergei decides to take a day out up west with Ernie, the attractive Natasha, the Russians ship's bosun and political officer, tracks down Arthur and Terry as she believes that Sergei is about to defect. Worried that not helping may lead to difficulties with KGB, Arthur agrees to do his best to track down Sergei. Meanwhile Chisholm, who has arrested Arthur’s nephew Nigel, finally catches up with Arthur, Terry and the Russians arresting them all on the spot. As soon as they have been arrested, they are quickly released under the instruction of DCI Norton, who wants to avoid a possible diplomatic incident.
Facts: Claire Davenport who appears very briefly as Nigel's mum is probably more recognisable from her role as the argumentative Mrs. Wilson from the Fawlty Towers episode 'The Germans'. Long before Ray Daley ever appeared, this is the first mention of Arthur having a nephew, albeit from 'er indoors side of the family.
Double Take: This is the second of three appearances in the series by Rula Lenska - playing a different character each time. She had previously appeared in #3.7 'The Birdman Of Wormwood Scrubs' and would later appear in #7.4 'The Last Video Show'. Tony Caunter, who plays DCI Norton has previously appeared as the same character in the 1985 special 'Around The Corner'. The Bank Teller at the start of this episode (at the same counter which would feature in the next episode in the series #6.6 'Waiting For Goddard') was played by April Walker, who had previously appeared as a juror in the #3.11 Poetic Justice Innit and would later appear in #7.5 'Fiddler On The Hoof'. David Marrick who plays the 2nd Russian Crewman would later reappear as Henri in #8.10 'Too Many Crooks'.
Bloopers: None found.
064. Waiting For Goddard - Written by Leon Griffiths #6.6
Directed by Roy Ward Baker
First Broadcast in the UK: 9th October 1985
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Ronald Fraser as Albert Goddard, Mel Martin as Caroline Selby, Kenneth Cope as Scooter, Michael Povey as D.C. Jones, Donald Douglas as Mr. Prosser, Dimitri Andreas as Georgie the Cypriot, Hilary Gish as Bank Teller, Douglas Milvain as Bank Manager, Sean Barrett as Mugger, Christopher Whitehouse as Irishman
Story: Albert Goddard, an eccentric tramp, recluse and astrologist may have come into a large sum of money and private detective Mel Martin believes Arthur is the key to finding him. When Arthur is mugged while leaving the leaving the bank and with Terry not around at the time, Arthur strongly believes Terry should have been there to protect him. As a result, Arthur and Terry have a falling out. When Arthur realises that Terry is the one who knows where Albert is, he attempts to win Terry over and Terry eventually gives in to Arthur's demands and the pair finally track down Albert. While Arthur and Terry are visiting Albert, Arthur seems perturbed by Albert's astrological predictions of his character. Nevertheless, as always Arthur sees a money-making opportunity and persuades Albert to move into one of his rental properties and write down his life story while Arthur deals with the solicitor side of things - attempting to act as an intermediary on Albert's behalf.
Meanwhile Chisholm receives a report that Albert has been kidnapped. When Arthur wilfully takes Chisholm to see Albert, Arthur discovers only Terry and Mel at the flat and that Albert has already left and gone to collect around £200,000. Discovering the substantial amount involved, Arthur comes to the conclusion that Terry has cost him a lot of money and walks away from Terry to leave Chisholm somewhat dumbfounded. Later on Terry goes around to see Arthur in an attempt to try and patch things up and give Arthur his finder's fee - but Arthur is still holding a grudge against Terry. When Terry walks away, the viewer is left to think that maybe Arthur does regret what he has said to Terry. Arthur then offers Terry a measly half of the finder's fee, as always thinking he is doing Terry a big favour. Terry is quite obviously upset and the episode and the series both end with the pair at loggerheads with one another. There is no conclusion.
Facts: This episode ends with an ambiguous and somewhat emotional scene where Terry walks away from Arthur, with Terry thinking that this time Arthur really has gone too far. Initially, it was intended that this be the end of the series, or at least after 'Minder On The Orient Express' which would follow. This is series creator Leon Griffiths' final script of the entire series.
At several times in this episode Arthur seems very aggressive towards Terry, believing that whatever he might say or do, Terry will always come back to him - which is mentioned throughout. In this episode, we also hear Dave mention that he has known Arthur for 17 years and this is the only time in the entire Terry McCann years that we get to catch a glimpse of the toilets at the Winchester Club. The bank counter at the bank at which Arthur is mugged also features in the previous episode #6.5 'From Fulham With Love'.
Double Take: This is the second episode to feature Kenneth Cope as Scooter - he had previously appeared in #1.2 'Bury My Half At Waltham Green' and would later appear in the penultimate episode of The Ray Daley Years #10.9 'Bring Me The Head Of Arthur Daley'. Ronald Fraser would later appear as the fantastic 'Self Inflicted Sid' in #7.1 'It's A Sorry Lorry, Morrie'. Dimitri Andreas who plays tailor Georgie The Cypriot (who Scooter has stolen the cloth from), had previously appeared in #1.6 'Aces High And Sometimes Very Low' and would later appear in #8.2 'A Bouquet of Barbed Wine'.
Bloopers: Watch very carefully at the end of this episode at 48m09s, when Caroline asks Terry, "Do you want a job?" - this line clearly looks over dubbed. There is also very minor blooper only available on the Australian Umbrella DVD release of this episode. When the episode is introduced by Kenneth Cope he tells viewers about Scooter and states that "he actually did two" episodes of Minder when actually he appeared in three - he had obviously forgotten about #10.9 'Bring Me The Head Of Arthur Daley'.
064a. Minder On The Orient Express - Written by Andrew Payne #6.7
Directed by Roy Ward Baker
First Broadcast in the UK: 25th December 1985
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Peter Childs as Rycott, Patrick Malahide as Chisholm, Ralph Bates as François LeBlanc, Robert Beatty as the Judge, Honor Blackman as Helen Spender, James Coombes as Mark Graves, Maurice Denham as Meredith Gascoyne, Adam Faith as James Crane, James Faulkner as Ted Moore, Ronald Lacey as Harry Ridler, Amanda Pays as Nikki South, Manning Redwood as Angelo Cappelloni, John Hartley as Jack South, Alexandra Avery as Young Nikki, Katherine Schofield as Deborah South, Arthur Whybrow as 'Bozz' Boswell, Karl Howman as Browning, Jesse Birdsall as Pope, Linal Haft as Brian Gamage, Jonathan Kydd as Van Driver, Linda Hayden as Annie, Frank Duncan as Bank Official, Dennis Edwards as Mr. Dryden, Patrick Field as Barry Hart, Michael Povey as DC Jones, Michael Troughton as DC Melish, Milton Cadman as Police Constable, Garfield Morgan as Superintendent Mason, David Beale as Car Customer, Richard Linford as Hooray Henry, Hans Meyer as Kurt Wengler, Katja Kersten as Karen Wengler, Virginia Wetherell as Debbie Moore, Debbie Arnold as Angelo's Girlfriend, Roger Tallon as English Waiter, Helen Horton as Judge's Wife, John Serret as Chef de Train, John Moreno as Claude, Colin Vancao as French Waiter, Daniel Rovai as French Chef
Story: When gangster Jack South passes away, he leaves his young daughter Nikki with some ambiguous clues about the location of his ill-gotten gains hidden away in a Swiss bank. Coming of age, Nikki is legally able to discover the remaining clues to where the money is actually stored away, with Jack South's ex-wife (Nikki's stepmother) and a string of former business partners hot on Nikki's heels all believing they are entitled to a piece of Jack South's fortune. As Nikki is attending her birthday party at the 'Roseberry's' club at which Terry is working, she is mugged by those looking for the information she holds and Terry bravely interrupts the mugging to help her out. Meanwhile, while Arthur was delivering a microwave to 'Bozz' Boswell, he bore witness to intimidation as part of a protection racket from local gangster Brian Gamage, known locally as 'Brain Damage' due to his violent tendencies. When Rycott and Chisholm discover Arthur was there during the incident, Arthur is subpoenaed in order to give evidence against Gamage, which he tries to avoid at all costs, especially as Gamage has found out about the subpoena and has sent his heavies around to warn Arthur it could be very bad for his health.
Realising that Terry is someone she can trust, she offers Terry and his girlfriend Annie two tickets to a trip to Switzerland on the Orient Express, with Terry completely unaware of Nikki's real intentions for wanting him on board. With Arthur now keeping a very low profile and doing his best to avoid the subpoena and Gamage's men, he realises that a trip away on the Orient Express with Terry might be the solution to his current dilemma. Arthur lies to Annie and tells her that Terry's wife and children have returned and as a result swindles his way on board the train, much to Terry's disgust as he was expecting a nice trip away with Annie. While on the train, Nikki tells Terry the real reason why she gave him the tickets and Arthur, Terry and Nikki soon discover there is no one on the train they can really trust as they all have some connection with Jack South or his legacy of crime - the only partial exception to this being Chisholm who has ended up on board by pure accident, seconded to work with Interpol for a limited period as an observer. Chisholm has his own problems on board as he realises Arthur and Terry could seriously compromise his position as he finds himself out of pocket with the expensive prices on board the Orient Express.
Facts: This is the second time in the series we see Arthur lending money to Chisholm, the first time in #6.3 'The Return Of The Invincible Man'. This is the first of two episodes where we see Arthur wearing a cream coloured hat - the only other time would feature in the anti-drugs special for school, episode 065a 'A Little Bit Of Give & Take'. This is the second of three episodes to feature all the four main police officers: Chisholm, Jones, Rycott & Melish - seen previously in #5.9 'Around The Corner' and the final time would be in the series 7 special opener 'An Officer & A Car Salesman'.
Double Take: Many of the performers in this special appeared elsewhere in the series - Maurice Denham (Meredith Gascoyne) also appeared as Billings in #3.7 'The Birdman of Wormwood Scrubs', James Faulkner (Ted Moore) also appeared as Apsimon in #4.5 'The Car Lot Baggers', John Hartley (Jack South-only seen at the start of this episode) also appeared as Bernie in #3.6 'Another Bride Another Groom', Arthur Whybrow ('Bozz' Boswell) also appeared in #5.9 'Around The Corner' as Paddy Hurley and later as a Landlord in #8.6 'The Last Temptation Of Daley', Karl Howman (Gamage's heavy 'Browning') previously appeared as Danny Varrow in #2.12 'All About Scoring Innit?', Jesse Birdsall (Gamage's heavy Pope) previously appeared in an uncredited role in #2.4 'Don't Tell Them Will Boy Was Here', Linal Haft (Brian Gamage) also appeared in #3.13 'In', #10.1 'A Fridge Too Far' and #11.6 'Till Debt Do Us Part', Jonathan Kydd (the van driver) previously appeared in #3.10 'Broken Arrow' and #5.3 'A Number Of Old Wives Tales', Frank Duncan (Bank Official) previously appeared in #4.8 'Willesden Suite', Milton Cadman (Police Constable) previously appeared in #3.12 'Back In Good Old England', David Beale (the Car Customer) previously appeared in #5.6 'The Long Ride Back To Scratchwood', Richard Linford (Hooray Henry at Nikki South's party) would later play a Car Salesman in #7.6 'The Wrong Goodbye', Hans Meyer (Kurt Wengler) previously appeared in #1.3 'The Smaller They Are', Debbie Arnold (Angelo's girlfriend) appeared in #6.2 'Life In The Fast Food Lane', Roger Tallon (English Waiter) previously appeared in #6.1 'Give Us This Day Arthur Daley's Bread' and Garfield Morgan (Superintendent Mason) would appear in three episodes in series 7.
Bloopers: At 18m18s, when Terry is going to collect Mr. Roseberry's car, his girlfriend Annie asks the club's visitors if they are with Miss West's party. At 20m30s, the same two visitors are then seen sitting beside Nikki South at her birthday party table, so the name West was obviously confused with South somewhere in the script.
064b. A Little Bit Of Give & Take - Written by Richard Smith #6.8
Directed by Chris Menaul
Running Time: 28 minutes
First Broadcast in the UK: Available on video for schools only. First released in 2006: Series 6 Umbrella DVD box set in Australia.
Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Christopher Routh as Shaun, Adam Armstrong as Tim, Lee Martin Gotch as Lee, Elaine Lourdan as Sharon, Martin Tempest as Darren
Story: While former antique dealer Charlie Barker is in prison, his son Shaun Barker shows up looking for temporary accommodation with his aunt and uncle. When he is turned down by his cousin Tim, Shaun turns to Arthur as his father had told to look Arthur up if all else fails. As Arthur is about to leave for two weeks holiday in Jesolo, Arthur has no option but to lump Shaun on to Terry. After Terry takes Shaun to a party, Shaun realises his cousin Tim and one of his mates are into taking drugs and seems to be playing with the idea of doing it himself. When Terry brings some antiques back to his flat for Arthur, where Shaun is now staying, Shaun informs Terry that he has seen them before. Terry quickly reaches the conclusion that the antiques are stolen and are fuelling Tim's drug habit. After he has returned from his holiday, Terry calls Arthur at the Winchester to inform him that he might want to think twice about who he does business with.
Facts: This is a public information film, intended to be shown in schools to warn them of the dangers of drugs. As this was not intended to be shown on television, it is never counted as part of the 108 episodes of Minder. Due to the availability of George Cole and Dennis Waterman for this episode, they are only seen together very briefly in one shot where Arthur dumps Shaun on to Terry. For this one-off production, Terry's flat location is different and Arthur's yellow Daimler and Terry's Capri are not the standard cars featured in the series - a fact confirmed by actor Chris Routh when he was interviewed by minder.org in 2004.
During the episode, Arthur mentions to Dave that he is off for two weeks in Jesolo 'oyster of the Adriatic', - a very similar line that featured in 'Minder On The Orient Express' when Honor Blackman's character refers to Venice as the 'Pearl of the Adriatic'. This is the second of two times that we see Arthur wearing a cream coloured hat, previously seen in 'Minder On The Orient Express'. Former child actor Leigh Gotch, who plays one of the youngsters 'Lee' in this episode told minder.org in 2012 that he had no idea when filming this episode that it was indeed intended as an episode of 'Minder' and that he was only aware that this was intended to be an anti-drugs film. Following the release of this video to schools, a book evaluating the effectiveness of this episode and the 'Double Take' video package it was part of, was released in 1988. For more information on this and the episode itself visit our A Little Bit of Give & Take page, a page dedicated to this one off episode.
Double Take: Elaine Lourdan would later appear again as a different character Trish in #9.3 'Uneasy Rider'.
Bloopers: Two big bloopers in the opening titles of this one-off episode - Glynn Edwards' name is misspelt with one "n" instead of two. Also 'Lee Martin Gotch As Lee' is another misspelling, his real name having always been spelt 'Leigh Martin Gotch'.
064c. Number - Written by Clive Graham-Ranger #6.9
Directed by Chris Gabrin
Running Time: 15 minutes
First Broadcast in the UK: Never. First released in 2006: Series 6 Umbrella DVD box set in Australia.
Cast: Dennis Waterman as Terry, Glynn Edwards as Dave, Rula Lenska as Rula, Ernie as Himself
Story: Dave believes his wife Doris is having an affair with another bloke called Ernie from Blackpool. Terry tells Dave he has a cousin up in Blackpool who he can ask to check Ernie out. Terry's cousin organises a meet with Ernie and Terry and Dave travel up to Blackpool to meet him. When they arrive they meet Rula, who informs them that Ernie is a computer and explains the intricacies of how Ernie generates a random number in order to ensure the system is completely fair and how prizes are allocated for each draw. When Terry's number comes up on the Premium Bonds, he ends up buying the Winchester Club off Dave.
Facts: This is a commercial film, produced for The Department for National Savings with the purpose of advertising Premium Bonds - Ernie was the name of the computer that generates the random numbers. As this was not intended to be shown on television, it is never counted as part of the 108 episodes of Minder. As nobody really remembers seeing this film, it seems likely that it was produced for the overseas market, possibly for Colonies or Armed Forces.
This is the only piece of Minder film that does not feature George Cole as Arthur Daley, although Arthur Daley is mentioned by Terry and Dave at various point in the episode and Arthur's voice is heard on the phone speaking to Terry at the end - quite clearly not the voice of George Cole. As part of his payment for filming this commercial, Glynn Edwards was offered part payment in Premium Bonds, for which he has never won a thing. Glynn Edwards has also told minder.org that he has no idea why George Cole was not involved in this episode and is probably because he was simply not available at the time. This episode was filmed on location at the Ernie Theatre Lytham St Anne's and at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool, although there is very minimal outdoor location shooting for the viewer to see.
Bloopers: In this advertisement, which was clearly produced outside the realms of Euston Films (it was actually produced by 'East London Films'), Rula refers to Dave as 'Mr. Edwards' and until this point in the series Dave's surname had never been mentioned. His wife's name is also mentioned, Doris. These names would later be contradicted in the regular series episode #7.2 'Days Of Fines & Closures' when we discover Dave's real surname is Harris and his wife's name is Lucy. The interior of the Winchester Club is also not the same set that would feature in the regular series, with Terry mentioning at the start that he likes the 'new interior'.
Last updated : 9th February 2013 by jno
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