Gideon C.I.D. (TV Series) How to Retire Without Really Working (1965) User Reviews

Eric Barker more at home in comedy

[howardmorley · 6/10 · 19 October 2016]

I am gradually working my way through all the uploaded episodes of "Gideon's Way" the Scotland Yard series from the mid 1960s which youtube.com have recently uploaded.In this episode Eric Barker and his stage wife, small time jewel thieves, wish to pull off their biggest job, a wages robbery for £57000, so that they can retire in comfort and listen to classical music, a joint passion of theirs.Really, Eric Barker was miscast as I thought that Norman Wisdom would turn up soon and I felt the joint producers also had their tongues firmly in their cheeks all through this episode.Sharp witted film fans may also have noticed that Luigi Boccherini's famous minuet was used as part of the incidental music here as used in the classic Ealing film comedy, "The Ladykillers" (1953).

This series is always enjoyable and I prefer it to many modern programmes transmitted today.I rate most of "Gideon's Way" episodes 6/10 or 7/10 for that reason, besides, I like to view actors familiar to me in my 20s as I am now 70.

Not what I was expecting, but watchable.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 2 March 2023]

Gideon is trying to nab Robert and Margaret Gresham, a middle aged and respectable couple, who have made crime pay, only with Gideon on their case, they're planning one final, big job.

Compared to every other episode I've seen, this one is completely different, you could almost imagine this was was written, produced and directed by an entirely different team, it has almost nothing in common with any episode that has gone before, except the opening credits and appearance of Gideon.

I wasn't expecting an episode like this, I almost don't know what I can compare it to, it's a plot that could well have worked on The Avengers maybe, with a comedy element to it, but on Gideon's way, it's a bit of an oddity.

Well Robert and Margaret aren't exactly Bonnie and Clyde, but they're an interesting pair, and I like that they're a respectable pair up to no good.

Eric Barker and Joyce Grant are given special guest status, along with William Mervyn, and I understand why, all quality actors in their respective fields, and arguably well cast for this more tongue in cheek episode.

Interesting, quirky, a bit odd.

6/10.

How to Retire Without Really Working

[Prismark10 · 4/10 · 3 July 2021]

Robert and Margaret Gresham are a devoted middle aged couple. They make a living by carrying out a job, once a month and have done for 20 years.

Commander Gideon felt Robert's collar once and alarm bells start ringing when he sees Robert in an expensive car.

The Gresham's want to do one last big job before retiring. A wages robbery from a safe.

Only to find out that Gideon is on their tail. The money is being used up to sneak away abroad.

This is very much a light comedy episode. Robert is getting old and making mistakes. Margaret wants a normal life and both of them to get an ordinary job.

There is a 'Ealing' feel about it but it did not work for me. Gideon even wants to cough up to the wages job and see if he can them off lightly.

Especially when after the job, the Gresham's have not wits about them. They are throwing their money away to all and sundry to leave the country. Did they really have an escape plan?