Original title
The Odd Man
Released
10/19/1960
Origin country
GB
Genre
Crime, Drama
Production companies
Granada Television
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
4
Number of episodes
32
The first of a trilogy of police procedurals produced in the 1960s by Granada TV, linked by the presence of pompous but increasingly genial police Chief Inspector Charles Rose, The Odd Man initially dealt with the investigations of theatrical-agent-cum-detective Steve Gardiner, and his encounters with the police in the form of Chief Inspector Gordon and DS Swift. By season three, Rose takes Gardiner's place.
When an ex-Hungarian turns up mysteriously after having been missing for a whole year, is taken ill and then dies from an overdose of drugs, Gardiner sets out to retrace the man's footsteps - and discovers a sinister clinic run by an ex-SS doctor.
When Gardiner organises a British tour for a South American dance company and discovers a plot to discredit their patron, he intervenes on the British Government. But South, a hired killer, stalks his every move.
When Professor Preece is sent to prison for passing secrets to a foreign agent but escapes to settle accounts with the real traitor (his son), a chance meeting with Judy alerts Gardiner to Preece's plans.
Before Gardiner can arrive at a sleazy hotel to keep a rendezvous with a man claiming to have important news, South kills the informer. Gardiner discovers the man's body and a reel of film - which sets him on the trail of a powerful adversary.
A young boy 'adopts' Judy and declares that he will stay with the Gardiners, and then produces a £100 note to pay rent. This odd event leads Steve to uncover an uncover an assassination plot against a French politician, whom South has been hired to kill.
When Judy has a nightmare during which she is murdered by a mute killer and then meets South, the man from her dreams, in a train corridor, Steve finds far more than he bargained for on his return home.
Gardiner is approached by a young girl who asks him to sign a petition on behalf of South, who is applying for a reprieve. They argue and the incident places both in danger when Gardiner is mistaken for an American journalist.
The body of an actor, covered with flowers and found in a car, leads Gardiner to bait a trap for South.
Enter Chief Inspector Charles Rose: 'Once you know me better, Sergeant, you will realise the most terrifying thing about me. I never get angry.' But what happens when Rose comes face to face with Gardiner's late wife Judy?
Rose and Swift find themselves entwined in the mystery of Georgia Snow, a young girl who requested Gardiner's assistance, but is now beyond help. She lies dead in her flat - her face a mask of terror.
Why should a nun request police protection? Rose and Swift will gladly assist the woman - providing they know what they are letting themselves in for - but Mother Eve has taken a vow of silence.
Murder. Extortion. Rose and Swift have dealt have with both. But when Gardiner gets himself into hot water, Rose must do some quick thinking before he and Swift find themselves engulfed in mayhem of a different variety.
A town where nobody sets foot outside after dark draws Rose's attention. Why should everyone be so afraid? What dark mystery lurks in the shadows? Why is everyone running scared?
Jake Justice is a very determined man. When he wants Rose to reopen an unsolved case, the CI has no option but to do so. At least that's what Justice believes - but then Rose is equally determined to allow the law to run its own course.
'The people of this country have began to lose faith in their country's security system. do you agree, Inspector?' Rose does. But he won't allow a cover-up to stand in the way of his investigation.
'Last time, I offered you money. I offered you mercy. But you were too big for either. Next time it will be difficult. Tomorrow brings now mercy.' Rose has spoken. Villains beware.
Someone is out to send Johnny Mac to heaven - at least that's what Rose is expected to believe. But when someone leaves an explosive device in an empty office, the policeman plays a perilous game to find the motive.
CI Rose and DS Swift find themselves up against a man determined to see the Inspector drummed out of the force.'Your head will roll for this, Rose. And all I can say is that I never saw a better shape for rolling!'
A confusing case for CI Rose. Day one: a girl almost gets strangled and her husband vanishes. Day two: he returns and gets strangled, and then the wife vanishes. What's amiss? Rose has 24 hours to solve the mystery.
Tommy Fryer is a very methodical man. On May 3, he had one shilling. May 6, one shilling and sixpence. May 11 - five shillings. Entries in a cash book which lead CI Rose and DS Swift into a most unusual affair.
Why do people become policemen? Someone has to do the job. But this is one time Rose wishes he had chosen another profession. Digging into the private lives of strangers isn't the most social activity.
When a murderer appears to have left his calling card, and wishes to be found, CI Rose finds himself investigating an unusual murder to which his theatrical friend Steve Gardiner may hold the answer.
Murder comes in all shapes and all sizes. The victim can be a person's mother, niece or brother. Rose gets the impression that all is not as it first appears when he is asked to investigate a murder in family circles.
'Look, you've had £10,000 worth of publicity already. A murder arrest right in your back pocket. Cut your losses. They may be heavy,' - CI Rose. But will Gardiner take his advice?
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