Banner, what 's the best Professionals episode in your opinion, and why? I always thought the first series had a real edge to it as the actors felt their way into the characters whereas later on it seemed a bit samey-samey. Have watched a few on ITV 4 recently and some of the dialogue is extremely well written - perhaps overshadowing the series violent reputation.
@984rtgh I'd say the best episodes were The Rack, Close Quarters, Discovered In A Graveyard, The Ojuka Situation, Stirring Of Dust, Stopover, Runner, Kickback, Wild Justice and Man Without A Past. All of these were very well written. Series 1 was very good with a raw, hard feel, but I think the stories began to improve from series 2 onwards and Brian Clemens was easily the show's best writer.
@984rtgh From what I've seen and heard, it was poor. Had none of the grit or intelligence of the original series and the leads looked pretty weak, although at least the late Ed Woodward was in it. However, I think I'd check it out if it ever got a DVD release.
It sure is (lol)! I remember vaguely a BBC1 series called Nightmare Man starring Celia Imrie. This would have been back in 1981.
I'll give you links to ads for 2 of those shows when I get the chance. In 1990, there was another ITV crime show called YELLOTHREAD STREET, set in Hong Kong. A group of British/Aussie cops were stationed there to fight crime. Their leader was Ray Lonnen.
Blimey, I don't recall any of those three, Banner! Travellimg Man's main character - a former police detective - travelled by canal boat - that must be a one off!
I've definitely heard of all three of them. I believe Travelling Man was an '80s thriller series on ITV. By any chance, do you remember other ITV thriller shows like Floodtide (a 1987 series starring Philip Sayer), Saracen (about a special protection unit) and Confessional (a 1989 drama starring Robert Lindsay)? I hope these come out on DVD one day in the near future.
@984rtgh I remember Hunters Walk from around 1976, that was a great series. I can only recall one character by the name of Pooley as he looked like aFrench teacher we had at school.
@airscrew1 Welsh actor Ewan Hooper appeared as surly Det Sgt Smith and David Harries was his uniformed counterpart, Ridgeway. Pooley was played by Duncan Preston who has been in many dramas and shows (Victoria Wood on TV, for example) down the years. Hunter's Walk was set in the fictional Northamptonshire town of Broadstone.
@984rtgh Wow thanks for that info. I knew Duncan Preston was an established actor, I believe he was married to the gorgeous Susan Penhaligon. But I never knew he was in Hunters Walk. My memory is fading for all this tv nostalgia, but I remember Hunters Walk being in 1976 cos that was when Southend Pier burnt down. (The First Time)
@airscrew1 You're very welcome - caught Duncan Preston as a hitman in The Professionals the other week - sure Banner would know that one. Coming from Northampton I had to like Hunter's Walk! I remember Pooley and old sweat Harry talking wistfully of Northampton's rise from the Fourth to the First Division... and all the way back again! Oh, and if you're from Southend Billy Best is still a god!!
@984rtgh Yep I do. Dunc was in Not A Very Civil Civil Servant and he was 2 good fights with Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw. Speaking of Southend, Stan Collymore used to play for them before he joined Forest and Liverpool.
I have that one, too. Written by the excellent Trev Preston (THE SWEENEY) and produced by Barry Hanson (THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY), this was one of the best thriller series ever made for ITV.
Yes, The XYY Man, Stephen Yardley as Spider Scott. Another great serial from that time was Out, Tom Bell starring as a released con called Frank Ross out for revenge on those who put him away...
And his partner was Derek Willis, a Cockney Jack-The-Lad who was quick-witted, tough and resourceful, kinda like George Carter from THE SWEENEY, but not quite as aggressive.
Just before he died, Henderson wanted Strangers to be repeated, but nobody cared :(. However, Granada Plus did repeat THE XYY MAN.
Yep, Mower's still around. I've got a crime series called STRANGERS on DVD and in a two-part episode from 1982, he played an Irish criminal. It was basically a nastier version of the villain he played in THE SWEENEY, but he did really fine.
When I get time to watch all of series 4, I will defo get round to it. There were some real, action-packed crackers in this one from what I gather and they had a kind of proto-Professionals feel.
Banner, what 's the best Professionals episode in your opinion, and why? I always thought the first series had a real edge to it as the actors felt their way into the characters whereas later on it seemed a bit samey-samey. Have watched a few on ITV 4 recently and some of the dialogue is extremely well written - perhaps overshadowing the series violent reputation.
984rtgh 1 year ago
@984rtgh I'd say the best episodes were The Rack, Close Quarters, Discovered In A Graveyard, The Ojuka Situation, Stirring Of Dust, Stopover, Runner, Kickback, Wild Justice and Man Without A Past. All of these were very well written. Series 1 was very good with a raw, hard feel, but I think the stories began to improve from series 2 onwards and Brian Clemens was easily the show's best writer.
Banner1979 1 year ago
@Banner1979 Did you ever see The New Professionals with Edward Woodward? I never caught that.
984rtgh 1 year ago
@984rtgh From what I've seen and heard, it was poor. Had none of the grit or intelligence of the original series and the leads looked pretty weak, although at least the late Ed Woodward was in it. However, I think I'd check it out if it ever got a DVD release.
Banner1979 1 year ago
Many thanks for posting this - very much appreciated.
drpoxy 2 years ago
You're welcome. A very well-acted, well made episode featuring two future Sweeney players.
Banner1979 2 years ago
It sure is (lol)! I remember vaguely a BBC1 series called Nightmare Man starring Celia Imrie. This would have been back in 1981.
I'll give you links to ads for 2 of those shows when I get the chance. In 1990, there was another ITV crime show called YELLOTHREAD STREET, set in Hong Kong. A group of British/Aussie cops were stationed there to fight crime. Their leader was Ray Lonnen.
Banner1979 2 years ago
@Banner1979 Yellowthread Street - I remember the busty Catherine Nielson in that!
984rtgh 1 year ago
Blimey, I don't recall any of those three, Banner! Travellimg Man's main character - a former police detective - travelled by canal boat - that must be a one off!
984rtgh 2 years ago
I've definitely heard of all three of them. I believe Travelling Man was an '80s thriller series on ITV. By any chance, do you remember other ITV thriller shows like Floodtide (a 1987 series starring Philip Sayer), Saracen (about a special protection unit) and Confessional (a 1989 drama starring Robert Lindsay)? I hope these come out on DVD one day in the near future.
Banner1979 2 years ago
Do you recall Travelling Man, starring Leigh Lawson, Northants based 70's police series Hunter's Walk or Softly Softly, Banner?
984rtgh 2 years ago
@984rtgh I remember Hunters Walk from around 1976, that was a great series. I can only recall one character by the name of Pooley as he looked like aFrench teacher we had at school.
airscrew1 1 year ago
@airscrew1 Welsh actor Ewan Hooper appeared as surly Det Sgt Smith and David Harries was his uniformed counterpart, Ridgeway. Pooley was played by Duncan Preston who has been in many dramas and shows (Victoria Wood on TV, for example) down the years. Hunter's Walk was set in the fictional Northamptonshire town of Broadstone.
984rtgh 1 year ago
@984rtgh Wow thanks for that info. I knew Duncan Preston was an established actor, I believe he was married to the gorgeous Susan Penhaligon. But I never knew he was in Hunters Walk. My memory is fading for all this tv nostalgia, but I remember Hunters Walk being in 1976 cos that was when Southend Pier burnt down. (The First Time)
airscrew1 1 year ago
@airscrew1 You're very welcome - caught Duncan Preston as a hitman in The Professionals the other week - sure Banner would know that one. Coming from Northampton I had to like Hunter's Walk! I remember Pooley and old sweat Harry talking wistfully of Northampton's rise from the Fourth to the First Division... and all the way back again! Oh, and if you're from Southend Billy Best is still a god!!
984rtgh 1 year ago
@984rtgh Yep I do. Dunc was in Not A Very Civil Civil Servant and he was 2 good fights with Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw. Speaking of Southend, Stan Collymore used to play for them before he joined Forest and Liverpool.
Banner1979 1 year ago
I have that one, too. Written by the excellent Trev Preston (THE SWEENEY) and produced by Barry Hanson (THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY), this was one of the best thriller series ever made for ITV.
Banner1979 2 years ago
Yes, The XYY Man, Stephen Yardley as Spider Scott. Another great serial from that time was Out, Tom Bell starring as a released con called Frank Ross out for revenge on those who put him away...
984rtgh 2 years ago
And his partner was Derek Willis, a Cockney Jack-The-Lad who was quick-witted, tough and resourceful, kinda like George Carter from THE SWEENEY, but not quite as aggressive.
Just before he died, Henderson wanted Strangers to be repeated, but nobody cared :(. However, Granada Plus did repeat THE XYY MAN.
Banner1979 2 years ago
Yes, Strangers starring the late Don Henderson as Bulman - Shakespeare quoting, mitten wearing + carrier bag carrying detective!
984rtgh 2 years ago
Yep, Mower's still around. I've got a crime series called STRANGERS on DVD and in a two-part episode from 1982, he played an Irish criminal. It was basically a nastier version of the villain he played in THE SWEENEY, but he did really fine.
Banner1979 2 years ago
Thanks, Banner. George Sewell, Paul Eddington and Freddie Jaeger all passed on now though Patrick Mower's still wandering about Emmerdale!
984rtgh 2 years ago
When I get time to watch all of series 4, I will defo get round to it. There were some real, action-packed crackers in this one from what I gather and they had a kind of proto-Professionals feel.
Banner1979 2 years ago
Thanks for putting this up, Banner, used to love Special Branch all those years ago with Craven rowing with Strand! Any chance of posting more eps?
984rtgh 2 years ago
You're welcome, buddy. Thanks for watching. :)
Banner1979 2 years ago
brillant watched all 9 vids , 10/10 cheers ,
MrGGGGGGGGG 2 years ago