Saw this on Talking Pictures channel (UK - old films and TV) who are running all 4 of the original Maigret series (BBC, early 60s). This was a great episode, showing Maigret, unhappy at being drawn into the world of politics, having to sort out a scandal whilst being watched and phonetapped by political agents. At one point Lucas agrees, saying he'd much rather deal with proper criminals, all so much more clean-cut!
It shows Leonard Sachs, best known for The Good Old Days as the vociferous compere, (but actually a stalwart of masses of TV acting appearances) trying to disgrace a political rival so he can push himself up the greasy pole.
A report has disappeared (stolen), it allegedly has critical evidence that would condemn the minister under threat. In fact it has no such evidence, but while it is missing, it LOOKS LIKE the Minister has ordered a over-up. Maigret and his team uncover a world of intrigue and blackmail, and eventually murder.
Madame Maigret - as ever delightfully played by Helen Shingler - eventually remembers what turns out to be a crucial clue, and Maigret goes racing off, trying to find one of the original report copies, will he be in time to save the Minister before a crucial debate in the Chamber (= our House of Commons)?! (NB I see that another reviewer likes this one too - one of the few times I can recall that Sir-Oblong-Fitzobollongs has managed an accurate assessment of this series!)
Oh, and I could add that this episode was one of those done in the shorter series of stories (12 episodes?) that had Michael Gambon as Maigret, Peter Barkworth was the Minister he was trying to save. This older version took a few short-cuts to progress the story, as at an hour the running time was quite a bit less, but I don't think it affected the viewer's enjoyment.
It shows Leonard Sachs, best known for The Good Old Days as the vociferous compere, (but actually a stalwart of masses of TV acting appearances) trying to disgrace a political rival so he can push himself up the greasy pole.
A report has disappeared (stolen), it allegedly has critical evidence that would condemn the minister under threat. In fact it has no such evidence, but while it is missing, it LOOKS LIKE the Minister has ordered a over-up. Maigret and his team uncover a world of intrigue and blackmail, and eventually murder.
Madame Maigret - as ever delightfully played by Helen Shingler - eventually remembers what turns out to be a crucial clue, and Maigret goes racing off, trying to find one of the original report copies, will he be in time to save the Minister before a crucial debate in the Chamber (= our House of Commons)?! (NB I see that another reviewer likes this one too - one of the few times I can recall that Sir-Oblong-Fitzobollongs has managed an accurate assessment of this series!)
Oh, and I could add that this episode was one of those done in the shorter series of stories (12 episodes?) that had Michael Gambon as Maigret, Peter Barkworth was the Minister he was trying to save. This older version took a few short-cuts to progress the story, as at an hour the running time was quite a bit less, but I don't think it affected the viewer's enjoyment.
