Sexton Blake — gentleman detective

Press, 30 June 1982, Page 18

Sexton Blake — gentleman detective

The first of six episodes of “Sexton Blake and the Demon God" will begin on One tomorrow at 5.25 p.m. Sexton Blake is a private detective — he is too much the gentleman to be labelled a private eye. Like Sherlock Holmes he works for distinguished clients: fees are assumed rather than discussed. Like Holmes, he never fails to solve his case. While Blake himself is the central figure of the adventures. it is with his assistant that younger readers have always identified. Tinker is still learning how to be a detective: his master makes ’him work for hours on end on essential skills like escapology. The boy is not yet a master of his craft; he inevitably makes mistakes. As the junior member of the partnership he sometimes finds himself in embarrassing situations; in “The Demon God" he has to masquerade as an oriental beauty, appropriately garbed and heavily veiled. The third member of the team is Pedro, a bloodhound which is the acknowledged master sleuth of the canine world. Mrs Bardell is the housekeeper who looks after all three of them. The great detective first appeared towards the end of the last century. Stories about him are still being writtent today, and a contemporary period has usuallybeen the implied background of his adventures. However, this series has been set in the twenties; an age of sinister wealthy villains alwavs on the track of more millions: of a Europe in whose remoter areas snake temples could flourish without being overrun by tourist coaches; a time when a Marvel could survive by the Red Sea without being blown up by tanks; and a time when a plutocratic Pasha could still load his entire household — plus master chef — on to his own luxurious special train for a journey from end to end of Europe. Jeremy Clyde stars as Sexton Blake with Philip Davis as Tinker and Derek Francis as Hubba Pasha. ~ The series was produced by Barry Letts and directed bv Roger Tucker for the 8.8. C.