Granada Television
ITV Granada, formerly known as Granada Television, is the ITV franchisee for the North West of England and Isle of Man. From 1956 to 1968 it broadcast to both the north west and Yorkshire but only on weekdays as ABC Weekend Television was it ...
, running over four series between 1960 and 1963. The character of pompous police Chief Inspector Charles Rose (
William Mervyn
William Mervyn Pickwoad (3 January 1912 – 6 August 1976) was an English actor best known for his portrayal of the bishop in the clerical comedy ''All Gas and Gaiters'', the old gentleman in ''The Railway Children'' and Inspector Charles Rose i ...
) at the start of series 3 cemented the show's popularity, and ''The Odd Man'' turned out to be the first in a trilogy lasting most of the 1960s, during which Rose's character slowly developed and became increasingly genial as they progressed.
''The Odd Man''
This series originally dealt with the investigations of theatrical-agent-cum-detective Steve Gardiner (played by
Geoffrey Toone
Geoffrey Toone (15 November 1910 – 1 June 2005) was an English character actor and former matinee idol, born in Ireland. Most of his film roles after the 1930s were in supporting parts, usually as authority figures, though he did play the lead ...
in the first season, replaced by
Edwin Richfield
Edwin Richfield (11 September 1921 – 2 August 1990) was an English actor.
Career
Richfield starred in the television series ''Interpol Calling'' (1959). He was ''The Odd Man'' in Granada Television's series of the same name in the early 196 ...
thereafter). Gardiner was the "odd man" of the series' title, and his encounters with the police in the form of Chief Inspector Gordon (
Moultrie Kelsall
Moultrie Rowe Kelsall (24 October 1904 – 13 February 1980)Biographical info
William Mervyn
William Mervyn Pickwoad (3 January 1912 – 6 August 1976) was an English actor best known for his portrayal of the bishop in the clerical comedy ''All Gas and Gaiters'', the old gentleman in ''The Railway Children'' and Inspector Charles Rose i ...
) from series three onwards. Rose was assisted by Detective Sergeant Macbride (
Alan Tilvern
Alan Tilvern (5 November 1918 – 17 December 2003) was an English actor. He was known for usually playing "tough-guy" roles.
Life
Tilvern was born 5 November 1918 in Whitechapel, in the East End of London, to Jewish-Lithuanian parents, who c ...
) who lasted just the one season. He was replaced by Detective Sergeant Swift (played by
Keith Barron
Keith Barron (8 August 1934 – 15 November 2017) was an English actor and television presenter who appeared in films and on television from 1961 until 2017. His television roles included the police drama ''The Odd Man'', the sitcom ''Duty Free ...
) for the final series in 1963.
''It's Dark Outside''
The characters of Rose and Swift were then given their own series, ''It's Dark Outside'', which ran for two series in 1964 and 1965. The stories were edgy, with Barron's character frequently feeling repressed and confused by the turn of events, which often had him one step behind his superior's superior approach and attitude. Barron left at the end of series 1, to be replaced by
Anthony Ainley
Anthony Ainley (20 August 1932 – 3 May 2004) was an English actor. He was the fourth actor to portray The Master (Doctor Who), the Master in ''Doctor Who''.
Early life
Ainley was born in Stanmore, Middlesex, the son of the actor Henry Ainle ...
in the role of Detective Sergeant Hunter.
''Mr Rose''
The third and final series in the trilogy was ''Mr Rose'', and saw the title character enjoying retirement in
Eastbourne
Eastbourne () is a town and seaside resort in East Sussex, on the south coast of England, east of Brighton and south of London. Eastbourne is immediately east of Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Great Britain and part of the la ...
. Rose attempted to write his memoirs but found himself being drawn into private detection instead.
The theme tune for ''Mr Rose'' was by John Snow, and issued on a single as a cover version by
Roy Budd
Roy Frederick Budd (14 March 1947 – 7 August 1993) was a British jazz pianist and composer known for his film scores, including ''Get Carter'' and ''The Wild Geese''.
Early life
Born in South Norwood, South London, Budd became interested in mu ...
on the
Pye Records
Pye Records was a British record label. Its best known artists were Lonnie Donegan (1956–1969), Petula Clark (1957–1971), the Searchers (1963–1967), the Kinks (1964–1971), Sandie Shaw (1964–1971), Status Quo (1968–1971) and Brotherhoo ...
label in 1967. A separate cover version was recorded on the album ''Time For TV'' by Brian Fahey and his Orchestra, on the Studio 2 Stereo label. John Snow's original recording was recorded by the De Wolfe mood music library, and is not commercially available.