Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Shoestring

  • TV Series
  • 1979–19801979–1980
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
375
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Trevor Eve in Shoestring (1979)
  • Drama
Lighthearted detective series set in the West Country, about Eddie Shoestring, a radio-phone-in detectiveLighthearted detective series set in the West Country, about Eddie Shoestring, a radio-phone-in detectiveLighthearted detective series set in the West Country, about Eddie Shoestring, a radio-phone-in detective
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
375
YOUR RATING
  • Creators
    • Robert Banks Stewart
    • Richard Harris
  • Stars
    • Trevor Eve
    • Michael Medwin
    • Doran Godwin
Top credits
  • Creators
    • Robert Banks Stewart
    • Richard Harris
  • Stars
    • Trevor Eve
    • Michael Medwin
    • Doran Godwin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 12User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 3 nominations total

    Episodes21

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos131

    Nula Conwell and Trevor Eve in Shoestring (1979)
    Trevor Eve and Doran Godwin in Shoestring (1979)
    Michael Elphick, Trevor Eve, and Celia Imrie in Shoestring (1979)
    Trevor Eve and Hilary Ryan in Shoestring (1979)
    Trevor Eve in Shoestring (1979)
    Diana Dors and Trevor Eve in Shoestring (1979)
    Trevor Eve in Shoestring (1979)
    Trevor Eve and Julian Littman in Shoestring (1979)
    Trevor Eve and Julian Littman in Shoestring (1979)
    Trevor Eve in Shoestring (1979)
    Trevor Eve in Shoestring (1979)
    Trevor Eve and Julian Littman in Shoestring (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Trevor Eve
    Trevor Eve
    • Eddie Shoestringas Eddie Shoestring
    21 episodes21 eps • 1979–1980
    Michael Medwin
    Michael Medwin
    • Don Satchleyas Don Satchley
    21 episodes21 eps • 1979–1980
    Doran Godwin
    Doran Godwin
    • Erica Baylissas Erica Bayliss
    21 episodes21 eps • 1979–1980
    Liz Crowther
    • Soniaas Sonia
    21 episodes21 eps • 1979–1980
    Colin Maitland
    Colin Maitland
    • Sound Engineeras Sound Engineer…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1979–1980
    Jeanna L'Esty
    • Lizas Liz
    4 episodes4 eps • 1979–1980
    Julian Littman
    • Vincent Dinsdaleas Vincent Dinsdale…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1979–1980
    Stewart Bevan
    Stewart Bevan
    • DJas DJ…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1979
    John Vine
    • Disc Jockeyas Disc Jockey…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1979–1980
    John Cannon
    • Man in Betting Shopas Man in Betting Shop…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1979–1980
    Alan David
    Alan David
    • Dr. Ben Fischeras Dr. Ben Fischer
    2 episodes2 eps • 1979–1980
    Peter Dean
    • Jackas Jack…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1979
    Andy Bradford
    Andy Bradford
    • Philas Phil…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1979
    Geoffrey Bateman
    Geoffrey Bateman
    • DJas DJ…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1979–1980
    Nicholas Donnelly
    • Insp Adamsas Insp Adams…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1979–1980
    Pippa Sparkes
    • Phone-in Girlas Phone-in Girl
    2 episodes2 eps • 1979
    Sheila Dunn
    • Carolas Carol…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1979–1980
    Shirley Anne Field
    Shirley Anne Field
    • Barbara Knightas Barbara Knight
    1 episode1 ep • 1979
    • Creators
      • Robert Banks Stewart
      • Richard Harris
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    The Professionals
    8.0
    The Professionals
    Crown Court
    7.2
    Crown Court
    The New Avengers
    7.2
    The New Avengers
    Bergerac
    6.8
    Bergerac
    It Ain't Half Hot Mum
    7.1
    It Ain't Half Hot Mum
    Auf Wiedersehen, Pet
    8.5
    Auf Wiedersehen, Pet
    Artemis 81
    5.6
    Artemis 81
    The Baron
    7.3
    The Baron
    My Brother Jonathan
    7.5
    My Brother Jonathan
    Steptoe and Son
    7.8
    Steptoe and Son
    Porridge
    8.3
    Porridge
    Carry on at Your Convenience
    6.2
    Carry on at Your Convenience

    Storyline

    Edit
    Lighthearted detective series set in the West Country, about Eddie Shoestring, a radio-phone-in detective
    • character name as series title
    • one word series title
    • surname as series title
    • detective
    • mustache
    • 19 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The radio station was called Radio West. In 1981, shortly after the series had finished, a real-life radio station of the same name was launched in Bristol. It used a picture of Trevor Eve as Eddie Shoestring in the publicity information announcing its launch. The real-life Radio West was not very successful, but merged in 1985 with Wiltshire Radio to form the station "GWR". GWR became very successful, and has now grown into a large company whose portfolio includes stations such as CLASSIC FM
    • Connections
      Featured in The Cult of...: Shoestring (2008)

    User reviews12

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Excellent- deserves re-visiting
    Lasting only for 2 seasons in 1979-80, Shoestring follows the adventures of former computer programmer turned private eye, Eddie shoestring. Following a period in a mental institution after he had a breakdown and smashed up computer equipment, he gets recruited to "radio west" a fictional (at the time) local radio station to be a "private ear". People who need detective services call him up and he attempts to solve the case for them, using the story in his radio show. The show is in my opinion much greater than the sum of its parts- and its all due to the wonderful characterisation of Trevor Eve. He really developed Eddie Shoestring as a likable and flawed character, he deliberately isn't a "super cool" type of P.I. He wears pyjama tops instead of shirts, drives an ageing (even then) orange cortina estate (which he managed to get on his expenses from radio west after his own Hillman hunter was smashed up on a case early on in the series) and as a method of stress relief, makes very accurate caricatures of his adversaries in a little doodle pad he carries with him. when this isn't enough he takes time off to potter around on his boat which is permanently moored on dry land. he has an on-off sexual relationship with his landlady, who as a barrister, provides plenty of legal assistance with her many contacts. He is spontaneous, witty, intelligent and has a ready sense of humour. all this makes the show far superior to its successor, Bergerac- No offence to Mr Nettles, but you just didn't give two hoots about the character of Jim Bergerac, a man totally lacking in any charisma whatsoever. The programme is of its time, but this serves as a superb snapshot of late '70s west country locations, which if you are local, you will enjoy spotting. (weston super mare sea front, Aust ferry terminal at Beachley, the old severn bridge, severn beach, etc etc) Older viewers may recognise Michael Medwin from the 1950's show "the army game" who plays the Radio station boss who always seems to have a problem with Eddie, be it expense claims or legal issues, whilst the delectable Liz Crowther is the friendly,efficient and helpful receptionist who seems to be an invaluable character in the running of the station. This deserves to be released on DVD- its far more popular than people might think, so come on and release it!
    helpful•6
    1
    • herbertanchovy
    • May 14, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 30, 1979 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ring så spanar vi
    • Filming locations
      • Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Hendon, London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Robert Banks Stewart obituary
    Jan 15The Guardian - TV News
    UK television neglecting older writers, says 'Bergerac' creator
    Apr 17Digital Spy

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Trevor Eve in Shoestring (1979)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Shoestring (1979) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page
    Add episode

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:14
    The Most Anticipated Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.