THRILLER
Episode 8: FILE IT UNDER FEAR
Written by Brian Clemens
Produced by John Sichel
Directed by Bill Hays
(tx date June 2, 1973)
fr: Jeunes filles en péril
Young women who have some connection to the local library are murdered. Superintendent Cramer faces a wide range of suspects.
Einprägsame Figuren (Liz, Stubbs), ein shock ending, ein prima setting und viele Verdächtige - eine weitere Glanzleistung der 1. Saison.
It may well be possible that the very strong climax and ending make you think you got more than you actually saw.
As I outlined elsewhere it moves slowly, and there are also some throwaway lines on the nature of womanhood, particularly by Grout's character. Clemens introduces a woman who is in charge of an institution – a female boss! Quite inevitably this leads to trouble, although it must be stressed that Liz Morris' opponent is a little psychopath.
Of course women can't have two things at once, so Liz, declared non-attractive by some quarters (look at the shot below and you'll see how ingenuously this episode was cast), gets her punishment: she lives with her mother and a private life, not to mention self-confidence and personal satisfaction, is non-existent.
Again, I partially row back here: the whole thing is very cleverly structured and of course it's all part of the universe and point of view of principal character Liz.
The acting is very strong in the scene in which Liz and George quarrel, and another in which Liz makes an important discovery is simply awesome – almost an Aristotelian moment of recognition!
Credit for the terrific library set goes to Michael Eve. Watch out for a great exploring pan in the last part.
Actually there's a lot of chatting in this library. If you permit me a personal statement it brought back less fond memories of the English department of the University of Cologne ...
Rating: ****+
Cast:
Maureen Lipman (Liz Morris), Richard O'Callaghan (George Bailey), James Grout (Superintendent Cramer), John Lemesurier (Stubbs), Colin Fisher (Sergeant Truscott), Rose Hill (Mother), Richard Pendrey (Gerry Masters), John Nightingale (Steve Kerroway), Jan Francis (Gillie Randall), Jenny Quayle (Betty), Georgina Melville (Jackie), Sue Bond (Karen).
Crew*:
Wardrobe Supervisor Kaye Conry-Halley Make-up Supervisor Sheila Mann Operator Alf Hicks Film Editor Mike Nunn Photography Dai Higgon Sound Director Ted Scott Senior Vision Control (uncredited) VTR Editor John Hawkins Music Supervisor Paul Clay Music Laurie Johnson Lighting Director Phil Hawkes Designer Michael Eve Floor Managers Pat Napper Brian True-May Anne Clark Vision Mixer (uncredited) Administrator (uncredited) Production Secretary (uncredited) Assistant Art Director Jane Mullard Executive Producer (uncredited).
*re-assembled from available on-screen credits
