Strangler's Web

Those familiar with "The Mysteries Of Edgar Wallace" will find the usual plot twists and turns associated with this underrated TV series, however this one has a more "modern" feel to it, with mention of discotheques, allusions to (for the time) somewhat controversial subjects such as wife-beating and bigamy as well as a rather offbeat script. The story itself is quite standard - woman is killed, her common-law husband is accused but all is not as it seems. It's well played (at times almost tongue-in-cheek) by a familiar cast but the real gem here is finding the final credited appearance on screen of Pauline Boty, who died later that year from cancer at the age of 27 and who would, 30 years later, be "discovered" as one of the great "forgotten" pop-art creators of the age. Her demise is a very tragic story, one of sacrifice for her unborn child and makes viewing this episode (where she plays Nell Pretty...a lively, giggly Twiggy-type character whose driving is as wayward as her dancing!) all the more poignant. This episode also features Britain's most prolific actress - Marianne Stone - in a small but quite touching role as a battered wife who can take no more. I've always felt that, given a chance, she could have handled much tougher roles than she was ever given. Here is a short example of what she could bring to the screen. All in all, an excellent episode in an excellent series.

Former actress and showgirl Norma Brent is strangled on Clapham Common, arrested is her partner, John Vichelski, who vehemently denies involvement in her death.

As series five came to and series six got going, I think the show has reached something of a purple patch, and this is possibly the best of the lot.

I'm not sure about you, but I was put in mind of one of my favourite Agatha Christie novels, Nemesis, even the name Norma Brent, put me in mind of it, it's a very dark, bleak storyline.

There is so much going on here, so many twists and turns, so much content. I loved the scenes inside the nightclub, some of the extras really got into the swing of things, some perhaps not so.

You are made to wait to learn the identity of the killer, the pieces of the jigsaw fall so neatly into place, everything is of consequence.

Acting wise, everyone plays their part, I loved Gerald Harper's presence, brilliant actor, and I also loved Marianne Stone's small, but hugely effective role, I always think of her as one of the minor Carry on team, but she was so much more.

9/10.