‘The Sweeney’ piloted as a single drama by Ian Kennedy Martin called ‘Regan’ in 1974 and from the start was a smash hit of a series confirming John Thaw as a star performer.
TP featured in episode six of the first series, ‘Night Out’ (writer: Troy Kennedy Martin), as a headline hunting colleague of Regan’s, Grant. His unit is on the verge of foiling a big bank job and believes that an ex-girlfriend of Regan’s is involved. He wants Regan on the inside and has no qualms about using the connection to shoehorn him in on the action.
From the start Regan despises Grant and believes that he’ll put anyone in the firing line for the furtherance of his career. Ultimately, he’s proved right as he eventually takes a bullet and Grant arrives at his hospital bedside, bringing the press with him to record his glory.
This is a typical Sweeney episode involving shooters, punch-ups and ladles of sarcastic dialogue. Less typical perhaps though, is the humour in the teleplay. The chalk and cheese dynamic between TP and John Thaw is nicely played up and there are out and right laughs such as when Grant joins Regan on his hospital bed:
Grant: Now, where’s the wound, Jack?
Regan: You’re SITTING on it!
There’s also a brief montage of ‘press’ photos with the two adversaries buddying up through very gritted teeth for the cameras.
‘Night Out’ was directed by David Wickes with whom TP would also work on Silver Dream Racer and Jack the Ripper while he would appear again opposite John Thaw in Kavanagh QC and the final Inspector Morse (The Remorseful Day).
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TP as the ruthlessly ambitious Superintendant Grant whose new recruits are 'lucky to make breakfast'. |
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| TV Times Listing |
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