Review for Fraud Squad - The Complete Series 2

I don’t remember ‘Fraud Squad’ first time round. It aired in 1969 – 1970 and although I have a clear recollection of other ‘adult’ shows of the time (like ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Department S’) this just doesn’t ring a bell. It’s a fairly straight-forward police procedural with a soupcon of soap-like drama a formula that worked for many series both before and after this aired.


In tune with the programme’s title it’s about the London based ‘Fraud Squad’ featuring Detective Inspector Gamble(Patrick Gamble, ‘The Brothers’) and , arguably a first, a female detective side-kick, Detective Sergeant Vick Hicks (Joanna Van Gyseghem, Duty Free). (Don’t get too excited – she definitely plays second-fiddle). They seem to be a peculiarly small department with an enormously wide brief, encompassing con-men, tramps, politicians and wealthy tycoons.


Featuring guest appearances by Richard Vernon, George Baker, Dandy Nichols and Maigret star Rupert Davies among others, this second series showcases a further 13 episodes in which Gamble and Hicks hunt down the sharks – and sometimes the minnows – inhabiting the murky world of international fraud.


Originally made in colour, only two episodes still exist in this state – the remaining eleven are transfers from monochrome tele-recordings made for overseas sales, These are wildly variable in quality, from some quite excellent episodes (like ‘Double Deal’ in colour) to some really dreadful ones where the audio sounds like it’s being passed through a bath-tub of water on its way to the speakers and the image quality looks like a tele-recorded series from a decade before. However, you ca feel assured that this is the best it’s going to get unless someone unearths some original recordings somewhere. I guess we should be grateful that it exists at all. If you’re a fan of archive TV then it shouldn’t spoil your enjoyment too much. Indeed, it’s probably how you remember it airing.


Despite being a police series, often full of intrigue and violence, it’s a slow-moving affair, quite at contrast with contemporary television. It’s a gentle programme, giving plenty of time for characters to develop and plots to thicken before culminating in an action packed resolution.
It’s not without humour either. Several characters play their role for laughs and no two episodes are ever alike. I’ve listed the episodes included below and their original air-dates (corutesy of the IMDB) but for the record the most enjoyable episodes for me were ‘Robbing Peter to Pay Paul…’ about a loan shark praying on vulnerable women and ‘Double Deal’ featuring a steed-like con man who, despite being a complete immoral rogue, manages to charm all those around him – including a very naïve Sgt. Hicks.


I used to love it when shows like this were spilling out of Network towers on a regular basis. Lost presumed wiped, hardly remembered slices of British television history like ‘Fraud Squad’ would appear weekly. It seems quite rare now given their dedication to releasing rare British films (another joy of course) which may be part of the reason, the other being that they have released so much stuff that there is little left to be licenced from independent television. Who knows, maybe they’ll turn their thoughts and efforts to helping acorn release the many hidden treasures in the BBC archives? A nice thought.


So for now, we’ll have to make do with what we can get and ‘Fraud Squad’ is pretty decent. It’s a shame that the quality of some of the episodes verges on being uncomfortable to watch and hear but this is more than compensated for by episodes like ‘Double Deal’ where you get a sense of just how good the show could be. Well worth picking up if it sounds like your bag.



The Martin Kessel File
19 Sep. 1970
Hot on the trail of a forger who has caused him many problem over the years, Insepector Gamble applies for a warrant to search the man's premises - only to be told that the Kessel case is closed.

The White Abyss
26 Sep. 1970
Hearing that Henry Cornwallis - believed to have died in a climbing accident and for whom a memorial fund was set up - has been seen in Switzerland, Inspector Gamble leaves to investigate.

Robbing Peter... to Pay Paul
3 Oct. 1970
When Taylor, a retired railway clerk, informs Gamble that a young woman called Phyllis has conned him out of savings, Vicky is assigned to the case - and finds herself with a bit of a problem.

Double Deal
10 Oct. 1970
Hearing that conman Charlie Dickens is 'going straight' and found a 'respectable' job, the cynical and experienced Gamble is sceptical of Charlie's claims. Vicky, however, is prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt - an unwise move.



The Harland Affair
17 Oct. 1970
Building tycoon Jim Harland's firm can only survive if he forms a partnership with a Dutch firm - a building company Gamble suspects of fraudulent activities. An inspection of Hardland's books is for, which, when checked reveals some surprising discrepancies.

Inquest
24 Oct. 1970
shock awaits Detective Gamble when he is called into his superior's office. Laughton, a tax investigator asks the detective a lot of disturbing questions - questions relating to the left-wing activities of Gamble's wife, Helen.

People Can Go So Far...
31 Oct. 1970
Gamble is asked to investigate the activities of a retired spinster, a woman responsible for administering a charity fund for the sick and needy - to which only payment has been granted in three years.

Remission: Negative
7 Nov. 1970
After receiving a complaint from a man whose wife died after being admitted to a clinic specialising in nervous diseases, Gamble investigates the establishment and discovers a ruthless doctor exploiting the sick for his own gain.



Whizz Kid
14 Nov. 1970
Roger Simms' youthful zest and flair for management has been shot in the arm for Burton Investments, but he dosen't get along with older and more experienced Arthur Mills, the man he replaced. Is that the reason behind Mills' accusations of discrepancies in the firm's books?

The Great Blanket Factory Swindle
21 Nov. 1970
The Cosy Lamb Blanket Factory is losing money fast - partly due to its chairman, 80 year old Lady Flanders, but mostly due to petty pilfering. But does £40,000 come under that heading? Gamble thinks not - and investigates the firm.

The Hot Money Man
28 Nov. 1970
The Fraud Squard team investigates a currency leak by keeping tabs on wealthy Harry Killett, whom they suspect of making his fortune by smuggling money out of the country. So when he deposits a large suitcase with an Investment Company, Gamble swoops - but the criminals are one jump ahead of him.

Golden Island
5 Dec. 1970
Winifred Holland, a wealthy spinster, lives with her mother and works for Captain Garland, a writer and explorer wishing to mount an expedition to search for Spanish treasure. Winifred is prepared to finance the treasure hunt - until Gamble points out that the real Captain Garland died five years earlier.

The Price of a Copper
12 Dec. 1970
Fraud, extortion, vice - The Dysart Brothers are in for a percentage of everything. Outwardly respectable, their legitimate business is a front for criminal activities. Gamble is intent on tearing down their empire - by whatever means it takes.