This episode tells the story of a case in 1950's London, Which the Police have nick-named 'Spaceman'. It starts off with a robbery by gunpoint, with the robber standing on the top of a removals lorry to rob an office's payroll through the first floor window. Then the robber escapes by hanging on the back of the lorry as it drives away, after their escape the robbers change their van for motorbikes. Maguire is then called in to investigate, he finds the lorry and continues his search for the gang. One of the trio of crooks is Sue, a woman (played by Jo Owen) while the two men in the gang are Kemp (played by Neil McCarthy) and Groves (Michael Ely). While checking for evidence around the stolen lorry Maguire notices some holes in the ground made by a woman's high heels. This is an okay series and at 25 minutes it races along, so there aren't any pregnant pauses. It was also filmed in black and white rather than videotaped, which gives it a kind of film noir look. It's also good for the total of location work, well directed by Robert Lynn. The end of the episode has Maguire finally catching them at the old Wembley Stadium by working out their M.O. as they try to do two jobs in one day. Outstanding.
2 Reviews
Top flight UK Police Drama
gordonl5623 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
"The Motorbike Bandits", is an episode from the 1958 UK Police series, Dial 999.
Robert Beatty plays a Canadian RCMP officer on loan to Scotland Yard. There have been a string of payroll office hold ups and Beatty is part of the Yard team out to stop them.
The holdups are always on the same day of the week. The gang includes two men, Micheal Ely, Neil McCarthy and a woman, Jo Owen. The woman cases the job and only picks places with a second floor window.
The two men then steal a moving van. They drive the van up to the window with one man on the van roof with a revolver. The gunman waves the piece and the office types hand over the cash. The two men then take off and dump the van in the nearest woods.
They then hand over the swag to the waiting Owen. She takes the loot and hot-foots it to the hideout. Ely and McCarthy then grab a pair of motorcycles they have hidden in the trees. Off they go to the weekly motor-cross races where they blend right in.
The Yard soon realize there is always a moving van stolen just before the robbery. They alert the local Police to immediately report any such thefts. A van is soon reported stolen and the chase is on.
Beatty and company hit the road and check all the likely spots where the truck might be dumped. They catch a break when they find and arrest Owen as she is waiting for the cash drop.
A little bit of third degree and the Police now know the crooks are on motorcycles. They tighten the cordon and shut off all the escape routes. The two are quickly ran to ground at Wembley Stadium. They refuse to come quietly and take several shots at the police before being overwhelmed and captured.
A quick and to the point police procedural that plays out like a UK version of Dragnet. The director was vet television helmsman, Robert Lynn. Robert Beatty, a real Canadian, had roles in the UK noir, ODD MAN OUT, APPOINTMENT WITH CRIME, THE GENTLE GUNMAN, TIMELOCK and POSTMARK FOR DANGER. (b/w)
Robert Beatty plays a Canadian RCMP officer on loan to Scotland Yard. There have been a string of payroll office hold ups and Beatty is part of the Yard team out to stop them.
The holdups are always on the same day of the week. The gang includes two men, Micheal Ely, Neil McCarthy and a woman, Jo Owen. The woman cases the job and only picks places with a second floor window.
The two men then steal a moving van. They drive the van up to the window with one man on the van roof with a revolver. The gunman waves the piece and the office types hand over the cash. The two men then take off and dump the van in the nearest woods.
They then hand over the swag to the waiting Owen. She takes the loot and hot-foots it to the hideout. Ely and McCarthy then grab a pair of motorcycles they have hidden in the trees. Off they go to the weekly motor-cross races where they blend right in.
The Yard soon realize there is always a moving van stolen just before the robbery. They alert the local Police to immediately report any such thefts. A van is soon reported stolen and the chase is on.
Beatty and company hit the road and check all the likely spots where the truck might be dumped. They catch a break when they find and arrest Owen as she is waiting for the cash drop.
A little bit of third degree and the Police now know the crooks are on motorcycles. They tighten the cordon and shut off all the escape routes. The two are quickly ran to ground at Wembley Stadium. They refuse to come quietly and take several shots at the police before being overwhelmed and captured.
A quick and to the point police procedural that plays out like a UK version of Dragnet. The director was vet television helmsman, Robert Lynn. Robert Beatty, a real Canadian, had roles in the UK noir, ODD MAN OUT, APPOINTMENT WITH CRIME, THE GENTLE GUNMAN, TIMELOCK and POSTMARK FOR DANGER. (b/w)
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