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The Man in Room 17
Overview
The Man in Room 17 is a British television series which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960s, produced by the Northern ITV franchise, Granada Television. Key to the series' success was the involvement of writer/producer Robin Chapman. The show was set in Room 17 of the Department of Social Research, where former wartime agent-turned-criminologist Edwin Oldenshaw solved difficult police cases through theory and discussions with his assistants. The novelty of the series was that Oldenshaw and his colleagues never needed to leave their office in order to resolve cases, preferring to spend their time playing the Japanese board game of Go. They simply provided their prognosis and left the police to do the cleaning up. Different directors were often appointed to film the Room 17 and outside-world scenes independently, to maintain a sense of distance between the two worlds.
Top Cast
Seasons
Season 1 (1965)
No overview available.
13 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Tell the Truth
1965-06-11A case of suspected espionage, but no leads. Scotland Yard pool their best brains, without success. The Government must try to interest the Man in Room 17...
Runtime: 47 minEpisode 2: Hello, Lazarus
1965-06-18A millionaire, Crawshaw, is reportedly killed when a charter plane crashes. Room 17 are intrigued; Crawshaw had a fear of flying, so why should he have chosen this mode of travel?
Runtime: 47 minEpisode 3: The Years of Glory
1965-06-25A retired general's house is burgled. He denies anything is missing, but he has kept wartime diaries which could prove embarrassing to the Government; Room 17 are asked to find them.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 4: Confidential Report
1965-07-02A confidential intelligence report on a member of a friendly foreign government has been stolen, and could be used to devastating effect if published. Room 17 are asked to recover it.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 5: The Millions of Mazafariyah
1965-07-09An attempt on the life of an official in the Foreign Office brings Room 17 into contact with the Middle East.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 6: The Seat of Power
1965-07-16A top agent is sent into Britain, but his alleged intentions seem doubtful. Has he a more sinister objective? The men of Room 17 are asked to take a closer look.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 7: Safe Conduct
1965-07-23The ex-president of a Latin-American state, in exile in Britain, had presumed that his son is dead. When he hears that he is still alive, Room 17 are asked to bring him safely to England.
Runtime: 45 minEpisode 8: A Minor Operation
1965-07-30A small paragraph in a newspaper leads the occupants of Room 17 into a world of espionage, blackmail...and ballet!
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 9: Find the Lady
1965-08-06Room 17 face a question of priority: they can choose to save a girl's life, or stop a revolution. Employing the most unorthodox of methods, they try to accomplish both.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 10: The Bequest
1965-08-13Room 17 investigate a businessman who is trying to develop a revolutionary new fibre - uncovering personal intrigue, professional rivalries, and a killing.
Runtime: 47 minEpisode 11: Up Against A Brick Wall
1965-08-20A man is killed; his body lies partly in one country, partly in another. Whose responsibility is it to investigate the case? Room 17 have to condone a robbery in order to find out.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 12: Out for a Duck
1965-08-27A millionaire who owes the Inland Revenue a large sum is now living on a Caribbean island; Room 17 are asked to prise him loose from his paradise by any means at their disposal.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 13: Black Anniversary
1965-09-03A British general is murdered in strange circumstances; exactly a year later, a colonial governor is murdered in still stranger circumstances. Is there any connection?
Runtime: 47 minSeason 2 (1966)
No overview available.
13 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: How to Rob a Bank - And Get Away With It
1966-04-08A continental film director employs unusual methods to create the right atmosphere. When fiction and reality begin to merge, Room 17 struggle to decide which is which.
Runtime: 48 minEpisode 2: Vendetta
1966-04-15A man is lost at sea, and the occupants of Room 17 are asked to find out whether the death has personal or political implications.
Runtime: 43 minEpisode 3: The Black Witch
1966-04-22The body of an American is found near an old abbey, a strange object used for devil worship in his pocket. Room 17 investigate the bizarre circumstances of his death.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 4: First Steal Six Eggs
1966-04-29A Hungarian interior designer is commissioned to convert the flat of a well-known London hostess. But does his world extend to more sinister activities?
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 5: The Catacombs
1966-05-06A rich Yorkshireman hopes to find buried treasure in the Middle East, but enlists help from a very dubious expert. Room 17 wonder what might happen to the treasure - if they ever find it.
Runtime: 47 minEpisode 6: Where There's a Will
1966-05-13An eccentric old millionaire has jealous relatives - some scheming for his money, others simply hoping. Room 17 are asked to help intercept the cross-currents of hatred and intrigue.
Runtime: 47 minEpisode 7: The Fissile Missile Makers
1966-05-20Schoolboy Sharpy Dingle is selling details of a fake missile to the Chinese. Why is he using the proceeds to try and ruin his mother's property company?
Runtime: 44 minEpisode 8: Goddess of Love
1966-05-27Three students intend to steal the statue of a Greek goddess and return it to its rightful home in Greece. Room 17 hear of the plan, and decide to help them.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 9: Undue Influence
1966-06-03A judge starts to make very odd decisions in court, and Room 17 become involved when he is assigned to try a famous pop singer who is accused of murder.
Runtime: 44 minEpisode 10: Lady Luck's No Gentleman
1966-06-10An infallible system for winning at roulette: the dream of millions. Ruthless men will stoop to murder to obtain it. Can Room 17 discover how the system works - and wjo is behind it?
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 11: The Standard
1966-06-17A number of young Army officers are competing for a major award. How far should they go in order to win? Room 17 become involved when a foreign prince suspects his life is at risk.
Runtime: 46 minEpisode 12: Saints Are Safer Dead
1966-06-24Tracey Peverill is sent to Venice to investigate the buyer of a painting which was sold at auction at a highly inflated price. She soon finds an ally in an American millionaire.
Runtime: 47 minEpisode 13: Never Fall Down
1966-07-01A public figure has been indiscreet, but his ability as an advisor to the Government is undisputed. The men in Room 17 eventually realise there is only one solution open to them.
Runtime: 47 min
