Small House of Everything

Small House of Everything

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

FORGOTTEN TELEVISION: GIDEON, C.I. D.

John Creasey, the British writing machine, produced over 600 books under 29 names, most of which were mystery, detective, and thriller novels.  With such a large output it is safe to assume that much of his work was formulaic.  Be that as it may be, I have enjoyed all of the Creasey novels that I have read (more than fifty of them) and, of his many series characters, probably the best realized was Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard, followed by Inspector Roger West.  The Gideon books were written under the pseudonym "J. J. Marric."  His 1961 novel Gideon's Fire won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1962.

Gideon, C.I.D. was a British television airing from 1965 to 1966 for 26 episodes, with John Gregson in the title role.  Gregson was a poular stage, television. and film actor in England, perhaps best kown for his comedic roles.  The series was filmed at Eltree Studios in London at the same the television show The Saint was being filmed and Gregson appeared in one episode of that show -- but not as Geroge Gideon.

Gideon, C.I.D., also known as Gideon's Way, was unusal for a police drama.  If focused heavily on Gideon's family while also while also providing crime lovers with strong stories and fast-paced action.  Daphne Anderson played Gideon's wife and his children were played by Giles Watling, Richard James, and Andrea Allan (as Gideon spawn Malcolm, Matthew, and Pru, respectively).

Episode 1 of the series, "State Visit," was based on a storyline in Gideon's March in which a chemist who suffered Nazi atrocities is upset at a visit from the German President.  Armed with ten ounces of nitrogylycerin, he plans to kill the visiting dignitary -- and possibly hundreds of others -- during a parade at Whitehall, a parade that Gideon's wife and children are attending.  The episode was directed by John Moxey from a script by Jiom O'Connolly.  It first aired on March 18, 1965.

Enjoy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFTwKD3uA8I

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