Public Eye - Frank Marker TV series 60s/70s

[mikemckv]

Alfred Burke, eh. Flawless.

[SuperBoogley]

what a fantastic show this was the old frank marker i remember

he went to the ritz and ordered lager and chips as all the toffs

looked on nothing these days comes anywhere near pure class like this

[biharandorissa]

very evocative...

[funkyalfonso]

As a kid, my dad introduced me to this jem that I have not forgotten. Marker and Callan, what actors.

[funkyalfonso]

So many tapes wiped. What were they thinking? 

[th4397]

wot?????

[biffthebass1]

Great series. Alfred Burke was a great actor. This was far better than some of the stuff we see these days.

[AntarcticaTelevision]

RIP Alfred Burke 1918-2011.

Another great loss of yet another very talented multi-talented actor.

[LaughingGravy73]

Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Alfred Burke. His performances in Public Eye are some of the finest pieces of character acting I've ever seen. My deepest condolences to his family and friends - his legacy will live on through Frank Marker for years to come.

[bradshawvincent]

@Marmiteums yes.just read his obituary in the paper.loved this as a kid.

[stingray4real]

RIP Alfred Burke !

[butiamthedoctor]

@Marmiteums Yes, unfortunately I only found out an hour ago that Alfred Burke died yesterday from a chest infection, he was 93.

[butiamthedoctor]

ABC and Rediffusion didn't merge to create Thames, the owners of ABC, who were ABPC and Rediffusion, who were AR, were forced to create Thames as a brand new company. ABC continued as a production company, they produced The Avengers for Thames for two more years, before they were bought by EMI, along with ABPC, while Rediffusion pulled out of television production altogether, eventually to become BET.

[butiamthedoctor]

@Marmiteums The only ABC episodes that exist are out on DVD, there's only one, Nobody Kills Santa Claus, which is an extra on the first Public Eye DVD set.

RIP Alfred Burke 1918-2011

[LaughingGravy73]

Tragically forgotton by the British public, Public Eye is one of the best shows ITV ever made. It's greatest strength being the magnificent performance of Alfred Burke as Frank Marker - a character who is just a normal guy struggling to make a living as an enquiry agent - a job which he invariably despises. The episode "The Man Who Said Sorry" remains one of the best pieces of TV I've ever seen.

[Coneheadedweasel]

@LaughingGravy73

Absolutely spot on! Superb series, one of the very best! Alfred Burke is a legend! It shows that there is no substitute for a good script and a strong cast. As for "The Man Who Said Sorry" its a stunning piece of TV, about 90% of the episode is carried just two actors and no special effects! A real lesson in how to make classic intelligent TV.

[blade0954]

great series uk gold showed some episodes from about 1971 a few years back

[newall7]

frank marker was the british columbo

what a star i loved that show i remember one episode when he was in a top london hotel and ordered chips and egg and half a larger much to the waiters dismay

tv now is full of puffs its ruined with those idiots

it was great in those fays

[newall7]

@newall7 or even DAYS

[colmalbar]

Public Eye is fantastic TV drama and I have all the available episodes on DVD. Like a lot of others who have commented here, I tend to watch DVD more that modern day television, so much of it is very poor stuff. I'm a great admirer of Alfred Burke and Marker in Public Eye is I thnk his best characterisation. I also have the boxset of Enemy at the Door which I would recommend to any of his fans, his Long John Silver in the 1977 BBC dramatisation of Treasure Island is brilliant, I have it on VHS.

[redtrev1]

I know some of these series are available on dvd.Well worth buying

[duckgeezer]

I used to watch this with my dad nearly 50 years ago.

Brilliant stuff, a million times better than the moron fodder TV of today.

[astrophonix]

It's so weird hearing that mournful theme tune again after 40 years. This used to depress the hell out of me but I always had to watch it, brilliant understated acting from Alfred Burke.

[astrophonix]

@astrophonix OMG, just realised that's Brighton, where I live! LOL

[Glitterbomb222]

wonder if we can get the series on dvd?

[fidomusic]

@Glitterbomb222 Yes, some of it is available on dvd.

[CaptainPugwash1000]

I loved the series and miss it dearly. Alfred Burke had 'presence' and was so memorable as Frank Marker. I would have liked to see him in more roles on TV since. I'm glad he's still around. I still remember the atmospheric theme. THIS is a programme I'd love to see repeated. Somebody release it as a DVD box set please

[Thatotherjim]

Hear, hear Padderborn! Spot-on assessment!

[Scampirat]

What can I say that hasn't already been said. This series is simply amazing, it lacks the stunts, the sets and the speed of todays TV, and thank god for that. It relies on great scripts, top class acting and actors that look like real people. The people weren't beautiful, the stories weren't fairlytale and the good guy wasn't always the winner, but that is what made it, Alfred Burke plays the character with power and frightening intensity. That so many episodes are lost is a national disgrace.

[MartinPadderborn]

You are right about the possibility that adverts may intrude further on You Tube, but without them YouTube wouldn't exist. The really great thing is that you can track down even fairly obscure things that are a part of your life. If the adverts become too pervasive, then you still have DVD or VHS to relive the worthwhile entertainment of the past.

[311cdiblue1]

is alfred burke still alive? i think he was a good actor. i hope the old chap is still around. i dont remember seeing him any other series of movies.

[banjochris]

Yes, he is -- he's 91, if memory serves, and was in Oedipus Rex last year on the London stage.

[adebarde1]

I agree with Martin Padderborn. There was little choice in the 60s and this was really atmospheric, kitchen sink drama. There were great shows then which actually had a storyline.And yes, I have the dvds.

[MartinPadderborn]

I have stopped watching television altogether in favour of You Tube. The appaling trash that has been the staple fare of TV for years is simply an insult to the intelligence. Alfred Burke was terrific in Public Eye; a complete natural who makes all those trashy American actors look like the amateurs they are. We couldn't possibly have known how bad TV was to get while we had shows like this but at least we can recapture the best days of television with DVD and You Tube.

[stemajad]

me likewise...nostalgia every day...reminiscing of days gone by ,never to return...where did the years go?

[MartinPadderborn]

Every generation has its "good old days". Yes we know that , but there really is a huge gap between what televison entertainment was then and the pathetic formulaic trash handed out nowadays. Alfred Burke was a bit part actor in films but, on the small screen, he was brilliant and there is nobody around today, except jumped-up nobodys, to replace him. With the exception of a very few programmes, the medium of TV has moved from entertainment to trash. Long live YouTube.

[amygurl63]

This was the opening titles from the brilliant 1969 series, better known as 'The Brighton series'. Sadly missed, Marker was the realistic face of the Private Eye (or Inquiry Agent) , and was as was in the 1960's.  A great series now fondly remembered.

[mikemckv]

Stirs great memories. What a great actor AB was. I also recall that this was the most popular programme by viewing figures on television in 1968. The theme tune is a killer.

[whatisitfawlty]

I couldn't agree more with you agreeing with me more! I have the DVD's as well. Great stuff. That theme tune has lived in my for over 30 years.

[whatisitfawlty]

Classic TV, makes you weep when you seen the crap on offer now, especially from ITV.

[karentv1]

Couldn't agrree more!. Got the 4 series on dvd & what a breath of fresh air from present day cr*p!

[pipendale]

A superb memory for me .. I watched this has a youngster growing up back in the 60s - Thanks for posting!

[madandbad1]

Very atmospheric.

[Baldyjohn1]

loved the series, loved the theme tune, THE best detective series, Alfred Burke brought gritty realism to his charcter that few have come close to since.Fantastic

[aussiness74]

if it helps there should be a new book out called The Messiah Complex about Marker by end of 2008.

Any chance of uploads of roginal series anyone?

[Keith2855]

I love this show so much I've just got all the surviving episodes on DVD, good theme tune too.

[dretety]

i treasure my hand written letter from Mr. Burke thanking me for my kind words about his acting.

[domeyhead1]

Agree with everyone. No producer today would have the courage to make a character so realistic. Superb.

[BEEFYBAYONET]

Superb. Alfred Burke is amazing in this series. Totally convincing characterisation.

Network DVD are selling the last two series boxsets exclusively on their website. Don't miss out, for your own good!

[midianholic]

Simply one of the best, if not THE best, TV Shows ever made.

[newquayman]

grounbreaking stuff....immaculately acted

shows todays crap up for what it isn`t.............

[lfctheone]

@newquayman

I agree! todays offerings fall way below this classic.

Great series though and i'm only on my first dvd set so many yet to watch hehe :)