Review for Public Eye: The ABC Years

‘Public Eye’ is a British television series that ran from 1965 to 1975 – seven series in total and for 87 one hour episodes. It was produced by ABC Television for three series, and Thames Television for a further four series. Unfortunately, whilst later episodes have been issued, only 5 of the original 41 ABC series episodes are known to exist, and that’s what you’ll find on this set – some in remarkably fine fettle, whilst one or two are less than perfect.


The series features an unusually honest Private Eye with a highly developed moral compass, Frank Marker (Alfred Burke) an unmarried loner in early middle-age.


Created by writers Roger Marshall and Anthony Marriott this was an early attempt to move away from glamorous detectives in unlikely scenarios to the gritty reality of urban life in contemporary London. It arguably paved the way , via series like ‘Special Branch’ along the way to gritty series like ‘The Sweeney’ which followed almost a decade later.


Each episode was 60 minutes (minus ad breaks) so plenty of time to develop character and plot and the series followed a pattern enjoyed by many series today – of having a single narrative / case per episode, but running back stories underneath that straddled several episodes.


In the five episodes contained on this series, Marker is involved with big business shenanigans, prostitution rackets, and a host of gritty challenges all of which are met with the same hang-dog pragmatism that defined Marker’s style.
‘Nobody Kills Santa Claus’ the second episode of the first series (transmitted 30 January 1965), opens the set here and plays out like a rogue episode of ‘The Power Game’ with Marker seeming to take an almost secondary role. It’s a great episode though – and Doctor Who fans will be in TV heaven with Caroline Ford and Philp Madoc both appearing in it.


But the second episode ‘The Morning wasn’t so Hot’ (looking a little worse for wear with visible lines and moiré patterns and slightly fudgy audio) is far grittier and shows Marker at his steely best as he works against a series of pimps who prey on naïve young girls arriving in London to ‘chase the bright lights’. (Note: This episode was issued as an extra on the 1969 Thames series set – also from Network)


‘Don’t forget you’re mine’ (the second episode of the second series) was previously available on the 1971 set too so 99% of those likely to dip for this mop –up set will already have that.


In ‘Works with Chess, Not with Life’, a previously un-issued gem, sees Frank Marker working for a solicitor who represents a local hotel. A ‘Miss O’Hara’ has complained of contracting food poisoning and is threatening to sue and go to the press. But if her claim is untrue – then why? You’ll have to watch to find out!
The only surviving episode from series 3 (Episode 9), ‘The Bromsgrove Venus’ refers to a photographic exhibit at a local library which shows a nude woman whose face can be seen in a mirror. It appears to be the Librarian’s young wife. A tale of blackmail with more twists and turns than Hampton Court maze!


There are a couple of extras on the disc – though not the rumoured Network interview with Burke it would seem. These include a period interview with Burke on the set of the ABC series and a partly filmed (on a TV) ‘lost’ episode. ('It Must be the Architecture')


Though this is damn fine TV drama, I think it unlikely to appeal to many who have not already dipped into previously available colour Thames episodes (also available from Network).  They are still very entertaining, well penned and tightly directed pieces that stand the test of time extremely well.

Recommended.