THE LONG ARM
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EPISODES: 19.
LENGTH: 60 mins.
FORMAT: Mono, Film.
PRODUCTION: 1970 ATV-0 / Ansett Television Films Production.
ORIGINAL SCREENING: 1970.
RUNNING ORDER: Official.
NETWORK: 0-Ten.

CAST:
Insp. Dallas Buchanan.......ROBERT BRUNING
Det. Const. Kim Riverton.......SANDY HARBUTT
Trish Towns.......LYNDAL MOOR
Veleen Towns.......BARBARA MASON
Support:
Sgt. Ted Driscoll.......KEN GOODLET
Insp. Mike Hammond.......TONY WARD

CREW:
Executive Producer.......RON BECK
Devised by.......RON BECK & GRAHAM FORD
Original music by.......RICHARD BOWDEN
Music conducted by.......GEOFF HALES

EPISODE TITLES
1. The Lion Was First To Know
2. I'd Trust Him With My Life
3. The Harder They Fall
4. Whispers In The Mike
5. Dealer In Dolls
6. The Flight Of The Chicken
7. Love, Honour And Obey
8. The Big Circle
9. Wrongway
10. The End Of A Bullet
11. Terror In Tranquilitie
12. It Was Twilight
13. The Christmas Break
14. The Broken Moment
15. Donovan
16. Dog On A Hot Line
17. The Line Between Is So Thin
18. Only A Wave Away
19. The Enforcer

 

1. The Lion Was First To Know

Insp. Mike Hammond.......Tony Ward
Det. Sgt. Les Lee.......Bill Hunter
Sgt. Ted Driscoll.......Ken Goodlet
John Stevens.......Tim Eliott
Det. Emerson.......Gary Day
Mrs. Burton.......Noeline Brown
Det. Sgt. Bill Wild.......John Trenaman
Helen.......Bethany Lee
Mrs. Stevens.......Ruth Cracknell
Zoo ticket-seller.......Neva Carr-Glyn
Zoo keeper.......Ron Shand
Tony.......Jeff Kevin
Victim.......Sue Costin
Small girl.......Sally Tayler

Script.......Ron Beck
Director.......David Eastman

Synopsis: Veleen Towns is about to be assaulted in her Toorak home by sex maniac John Stevens, who has travelled down from Sydney after seeing a pictorial article about her in a magazine. He is disturbed by the timely arrival home of Veleen's daughter Trish and flees, heading back to Sydney. The investigation by Inspector Buchanan uncovers clues that lead to Sydney, where a similar attack and a murder have taken place. Also in Sydney, Trish Towns is found by police at a 'pot party' during a Kings Cross drug raid.

Notes: Segments filmed in Sydney.

Airdate: Melbourne 13/4/70, Sydney 27/4/70, Adelaide 13/4/71

Ep. 1: Gary Day and John Trenaman

2. I'd Trust Him With My Life

Miss Bream.......Barbara Stephens
Frank Tingley.......Redmond Philips
John Fleming.......Kenric Hudson
Mrs. Fleming.......Marion Edward
Basso.......Alan Easther
Yeomans.......Jeffrey Hodgson
Lenny.......John Ewart
.......John Russell
.......Brian Muir

Script.......Brian Wright
Director.......David Eastman

Synopsis: Two close friends successfully operate a law practice for many years - until a missing case of money and a chance meeting at the races leads to a police investigation into embezzlement of trust funds.

Airdate: Melbourne 20/4/70, Sydney 4/5/70

3. The Harder They Fall

Harvey Taunton-Neal.......Ron Randell
Marguerite.......Wendy Gilmore
Syd.......Gus Mercurio
Gilbert Armstrong.......Arthur Barradell-Smith
Tony.......Bruce Kilpatrick
Jules.......Earl Francis
Mrs. Veal.......Mary Marschall
.......Geraldine Morrow
.......Barbara Hewitt
.......Tony Ponder
.......Boyd McKenzie
.......John Benton
.......Bruce Willey

Script.......Rosamund Waring
Director.......David Eastman

Synopsis: Veleen Towns becomes romantically involved with Harvey Taunton-Neal, a wealthy American visiting Australia to raise money for a big financial deal. Taunton-Neal doesn't ring true with Insp. Buchanan, and he and Det. Riverton commence an investigation as to who he is, or more to the point, what he was and where he comes from.

Notes: Ron Randell, who had recently moved to America, was brought back to Australia by ATV-0 especially for a guest role in this episode.

Airdate: Melbourne 27/4/70, Sydney 11/5/70

4. Whispers In The Mike

'Whispers' Angell.......Harry Lawrence
Detective.......Brian Muir
Det. Sgt. Gerry Towns.......Mark Albiston
Rev. Barclay Temple.......Telford Jackson
Lady on stairs.......Vi Greenhalf
Landlady.......Val Jellay
Girl in car.......Valerie Blake
Bloke in car.......Ron Pinnell
Sgt. Ted Driscoll.......Ken Goodlet
Pop group.......'Nova Express'
.......Harry Scaif
.......Arnold Riches
.......Ron Richardson
.......John Cadwallader

Script.......James Workman
Director.......Colin Eggleston
First Assistant Director.......Simon Wincer
Second Unit Director.......Rob Weekes

Synopsis: What at first seems a joke turns into terror for Veleen Towns when the voice of her late husband, dead for more than five years, plagues her day and night demanding that she never marry again.

Airdate: Melbourne 4/5/70, Sydney 18/5/70, Adelaide 4/5/71, Canberra 20/3/71

5. Dealer In Dolls

Johnny Logan.......John Roddick
Del.......Julie Day
Molly Marker.......Marion Edward
Con Panakos.......Ron Beck
'Quickfeet'.......Ken Weaver
Roger Willard.......Patrick Edgeworth
Helen.......Bethany Lee
Prostitute.......Roz De Winter
Pool player.......Norman Sharp
Sgt. Ted Driscoll.......Ken Goodlet
Sybil Duckworth.......Anne Charleston
Elke Holspien.......Alice Gaglioni
.......Valerie Blake
.......Jennifer Craig
.......Neville Stonehouse
.......Max Reed
.......Peter Felmingham
.......Kent Owen-Bush
.......Jason Darnel

Script.......Andrew Coles
Director.......Colin Eggleston

Synopsis: Johnny Logan was born bad and stayed that way. His ambition to control a big Melbourne crime syndicate, currently run by the mighty Con Panakos, is achieved by cunningly worming his way into the affections of the syndicate's manageress Mollie Marker, promising her the world when he becomes the 'big boss'.

Notes: Producer Ron Beck plays the role of Con Panakos, and proves himself an over-the-top ham as an actor.

Airdate: Melbourne 11/5/70, Canberra 22/5/71, Orange NSW 15/1/71

6. The Flight Of The Chicken

Insp. Mike Hammond.......Tony Ward
.......Graham Rouse
.......Jon Finlayson
.......Sandra McGregor

Synopsis: Det. Riverton has just received his solo pilot's licence, and takes Trish Towns for a flight as his first passenger. Circumstances force them to fly to Sydney, where they land right in the middle of an escape attempt by a counterfeiter, who, finding his own plane impounded by the police, steals Riverton's with Trish aboard as a hostage.

Airdate: Melbourne 15/5/70

7. Love, Honour And Obey

Dr. Scarlo.......Owen Weingott
Alberto Romani.......Tom Farley
Marie Romani.......Vivien San-Paulla
Paulo Romani.......Nicholas Mont
Luigi Scarlo.......Alberto Villa
Bill Doyle.......Paul Young
.......Kurt Ludescher

Script.......Rosamund Waring

Synopsis: Bill Doyle is murdered on the day of his wedding to Maria Romani. The marriage was bitterly opposed by Maria's Italian parents, and investigations bring Insp. Buchanan up against the dreaded Ndrangeta, a Mafia-like organisation. The only help police receive comes from Paulo Romani, a young brother of the family, who helps them to break the silence of the Italian community.

Airdate: Melbourne 25/5/70

8. The Big Circle

Paul Klevensky.......Eric Reiman
Kurt Ansov.......Neil Fitzpatrick
Sgt. Ted Driscoll.......Ken Goodlet
Bergstadt.......Kurt Beimel
Nurse.......Lesley Baker
Erica Grundt.......Ann Mulliner
Alex Possian.......Charles McCallum
.......Derek Booth
.......Gavin Arden
.......Richard Webb
.......Les James
.......Bob Harding
.......Jim Gleeson

Script.......James Workman
Director.......Colin Eggleston
First Assistant Director.......Simon Wincer

Synopsis: Two men meet an appointment with death, and a third is threatened. Insp. Buchanan and Det. Riverton work against time to prevent the third death, which leads them to a Nazi war criminal hiding in Melbourne.

Notes: The film leader has the title 'Circle Of Death', although 'The Big Circle' is the title used on the episode itself.

Airdate: Melbourne & Brisbane 1/6/70

9. Wrongway

'Honey' Fredericks.......Colin McEwan
Sen. Const. Harry 'Wrongway' Ramsay.......Ramsey McLean
Jimmy Gordon.......Tony Shepp
Cherie.......Di O'Connor
Jeff.......Mike Jackopson
Bill.......Ron Pinnell
Hotel receptionist.......Joanne Dowling
.......Jack Budden
.......Peter Lacy
.......Harold Rogers
.......Albert Muir
.......Noel O'Connor
.......Merv King
.......Wally Pratt
.......David Hill
.......Edward Moran
.......David Marshall
.......Pat Ramsay

Script.......Tony Morphett
Director.......David Eastman
First Assistant Director.......Simon Wincer

Synopsis: Sen. Const. Harry 'Wrongway' Ramsay has been in the police force for 15 years, has a record for bravery, a police medal and is completely unpromotable. When he is transferred to Insp. Buchanan's department, he joins in the search for a petty criminal who is responsible, either directly or indirectly, for the deaths of four men. 'Wrongway' goes the wrong way once too often.

Notes: Lyndal Moor does not appear in this episode.

Airdate: Melbourne 8/6/70

10. The End Of A Bullet

Gloria.......Audine Leith
Ian.......Derek Booth
Trevor.......Alan Rowe
Car salesman.......Lionel Yorke
.......Dennis Pryor
.......Malcolm Phillips

Synopsis: The escape of a criminal from jail leads to the discovery of a skeleton in an old cave. His identity is established by the reconstruction of his features by an expert sculptor, and Buchanan and Riverton investigate a murder and a jewel robbery - both linked to an unfaithful wife.

Airdate: Melbourne 15/6/70, Adelaide 5/9/70

11. Terror In Tranquilitie

Karen Hennessy.......Tina Grenville
Betty Saunders.......Alison Bird
Bundy.......Patrick Edgeworth
Ted Stanton.......Peter Reynolds
Guy Rowlands.......Mike Bellinger
Thug.......Max Fairchild
Constable.......Gavin Arden
.......Miriam Davies
.......Raymond O'Reilly
.......Ralph Mentiplay
.......John Anderson
.......Peter Orsick
.......Edward Moran
.......Ron Little
.......Nancy Sharp

Script.......James Workman
Director.......Colin Eggleston
Second Unit Director.......Simon Wincer

Synopsis: The search for two people who have been in contact with a suspected typhoid carrier during a flight from the United States turns into a major investigation for Insp. Buchanan and Det. Riverton when it is discovered that both have a connection with Tranquilitie, a near ghost town.

Airdate: Melbourne 22/6/70, Sydney 29/6/70

12. It Was Twilight

Candy Johnson.......Vicki Raymond
Wally Mills.......Stewart Ginn
Barbara Stanton.......Alexandra Hynes
Larry Ford.......Martin Phelan
Lillian Parish.......Lyn Flanagan
Barmaid.......Brenda Beddison
Det. Sgt. Page.......John Basset
Jason Ferrier-Blake.......Lloyd Cunnington
Liz Ogden.......Rosalind Seagrave
Charlie Thompson.......Gordon Malcolm
Garage attendant.......Roy Day
Const. Ted.......Max Reid
Doctor.......George Claymore
Sgt. Ted Driscoll.......Ken Goodlet

Script.......Kerry Hamilton
Director.......David Eastman

Synopsis: Det. Riverton's quiet water ski-ing weekend ends suddenly with the murder of veterinarian Wally Mills, and a startling revelation about his son Barry.

Notes: Lyndal Moor and Barbara Mason do not appear in this episode.

Airdate: Melbourne 29/6/70

13. The Christmas Break

Monica Marshall.......Julie Day
Insp. Mike Hammond.......Tony Ward
Bob Fitch.......Vincent Gil
Ted Baird.......Kevin Leslie
Gary Sutton.......Maurie Fields
Const. Brenda Davis.......Lesley Baker
Superintendent.......Carl Bleazby
Marshall.......Tom Lake
Dawn.......Pat Weisman
.......Bill White
.......Stephen Overall
.......Mike Jackopsen
.......Brian Wenzel
.......Rita Beha
.......John Russell
.......Ken Snodgrass
.......Barbara Wilding
.......Angela Irvine

Script.......Gregory Martin
Director.......Colin Eggleston
Second Unit Director.......Simon Wincer

Synopsis: Two dangerous criminals escape from Pentridge jail, killing a warder and a truck driver. A bank is robbed and a third man killed before the pair flee to Sydney.

Notes: Based on the Ryan-Walker case (as was Homicide ep. 211 'I, Mick O'Byrne'). Segments filmed in Sydney. Lyndal Moor does not appear in this episode.

Airdate: Melbourne 6/7/70

14. The Broken Moment

Sir Adrian Fitzroy.......Ray Taylor
Sgt. Ted Driscoll.......Ken Goodlet
Bud Weiser.......Gus Mercurio
Lady Amelia Fitzroy.......Joan Letch
Juan Dalbert.......Earl Francis
Karl Stillman.......Dennis Clinton
Meagher.......Al Thomas
Det. Everingham.......Clive Hearne
Secretary.......Alison Bird
.......Jim Malcolm
.......Christine Calcutt
.......Wendy Bulley
.......Arthur Roberts
.......Barry Brown

Script.......Ron Beck
Director.......David Eastman
Second Unit Director.......Rob Weekes

Synopsis: Insp. Buchanan and Det. Riverton are investigating a huge extortion racket on the stock market, and Trish Towns finds herself playing a vital and dangerous role in the discovery of the blackmailer's identity.

Airdate: Melbourne 13/7/70, Sydney 6/8/70

15. Donovan

Harry Moss.......Don Crosby
Donovan Richards.......Matthew Crosby
.......Terry Gill
.......Hu Pryce
.......Ken Webb
.......Judy Jack
.......Margo Reid
.......Patrick Donovan
.......Daphne Miller

Synopsis: 10-year-old Donovan Richards is an unhappy little boy whose major joy in life is to paint. He makes friends with Harry Moss, a harmless mental patient who often takes unofficial leave from the hospital, and becomes unwittingly involved in the theft of a valuable Gainsborough original.

Airdate: Melbourne 20/7/70, Orange NSW 26/3/71

16. Dog On A Hot Line

'Stubby' Bottle.......Gordon McDougall
Det. Sgt. Nick Cavelli.......Mark Albiston
Barbara Tayne.......Cindy Wright
Joe Leech.......Sean McEuan
Henry Walter.......Kenric Hudson
Carl Crawley.......Ivor Bromley
Gladys.......Valerie Blake
Det. Sgt. Harry Bishop.......George Cunningham
Det. Harris.......Ian Sprake

Script.......James Workman
Director.......David Eastman
Producer.......Michael Pate

Synopsis: When a night watchman dies in a warehouse fire, murder is suspected, and Insp. Buchanan and Det. Riverton find themselves up against two very clever arsonists, who are not averse to a bit of blackmail and murder on the side.

Notes: Lyndal Moor and Barbara Mason do not appear in this episode.

Airdate: Melbourne 1/8/70

17. The Line Between Is So Thin

David Martin.......Michael Pate
Naomi.......Patsy King
Neville Martin.......Serge Lazareff
Vince O'Neill.......John Waterman
Kitto.......Max Murray
Hippie painter.......Ollie Ven Skevics
.......Sally Robins

Synopsis: A soldier in Vietnam, Neville Martin, falls in love with a native girl. During a battle, the soldier sees the girl and her family die. He becomes deranged, and is discharged as medically unfit. He suffers delusions that he is surrounded by Viet Cong, and on a walk in a Melbourne park he imagines Viet Cong faces on the people, and goes wild with a rifle. The aftermath - six dead, one injured. For Buchanan, there is little to go on - a rifle with fingerprints, but no record of them, and the only witness - a five year old girl who is too terrified to help.

Notes: Originally intended as Episode 8, scheduled for 1/6/70. ATV-0 considered some scenes too violent, and they were re-filmed for screening at a later date.

Airdate: Screened during repeat run.

18. Only A Wave Away

Roy Mason.......Michael Laurence
Charlie Hall.......Max Osbiston
Miss Bacon.......Pat McDonald
Sgt. Ted Driscoll.......Ken Goodlet
Detective.......Hu Pryce
Joey Peters.......Damien Parker
Surf shop worker 1.......Les James
Surf shop worker 2.......Peter Cavanagh
Nick.......Michael Long
Harry.......Malcolm Phillips
Helen.......Bethany Lee
Nurse.......Helen O'Grady
Tony Hogarth.......David John
‘Lumpy’.......Peter Gilbert
Ambulance man.......Burt Cooper

Script.......Andrew James
Director.......David Eastman

Synopsis: Three young surfers become involved in an ingenious scheme to convert stolen white opals into highly valuable black opals, and smuggle them to the USA where they can command an astronomical price.

Airdate: Melbourne 22/8/70

19. The Enforcer

Christine Martin.......Barbara Stephens
Insp. Mike Hammond.......Tony Ward
Don Fraser.......Noel Trevarthen
Margot Hudson.......Margaret Cruickshank
Gregory Watson.......Paul Karo
Bernie Chapman.......Terry O'Neill
Wayne Hudson.......Reg Gillam
Ann Marlow.......Jennifer Claire
George Nethercott.......John Unicomb
Johnny Granger.......Noel Browne
Ballet dancer 1.......Miriam Davies
Ballet dancer 2.......Barbi Pasini

Script.......Tony Morphett
Director.......Colin Eggleston

Synopsis: For years George Nethercott has had a monopoly on the baccarat game in Melbourne. When night club owner Wayne Hudson decides to set up in opposition, he becomes involved with a financier, and a chain of violence is unleashed where neither party is the winner.

Notes: Tony Morphett requested his name be removed from the script credit due to substantial changes having been made to the point where he could no longer regard it as his own work. Lyndal Moor and Barbara Mason do not appear in this episode.

Airdate: Melbourne 25/7/70, Orange NSW 2/4/71