"Public Eye" (1965)TV series 1965-1975

Creators:

Anthony Marriott
Roger Marshall

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

23 January 1965 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

A long-running British TV series starring Alfred Burke as dour private-eye Frank Marker. Cynical and world-weary...

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Alfred Burke

...

Frank Marker (87 episodes, 1965-1975)

Runtime:

60 min (87 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

ABC Weekend Television

Trivia:

The central character was originally to be called Frank Marvin, but the name was generally disliked. It was lead actor Alfred Burke who amended it to Frank Marker.

Movie Connections:

Spin off "Armchair Theatre: Wednesday's Child (#10.15)" (1970)

A classic of its time.

I would thoroughly recommend this series to anyone who is tired of the trend in British TV for murder in middle England, conspiracy and terrorism stories and the excess of melodrama in the soaps.

Public Eye brings the viewer down to earth with a bump, no glamour, gentility or sensational plots here just the daily grind of trying to earn an honest crust. Frank Marker, marvellously portrayed by Alfred Burke, is a private enquiry agent who investigates the most routine cases imaginable. He may be checking on unfaithful husbands, looking at minor fraud or petty theft. Occasionally he is used by clients who have ulterior motives and he gets involved in cases he wishes he hadn't. The story lines are thoroughly believable so that viewers quickly identify with the situation. The characters are well developed, sympathetic and demand your attention, but it is Marker who always draws the viewers eye. A loner, he does not make friends easily (at all!) yet we find ourselves identifying with him and caring about him. Add to this Public Eye was made 35 years ago and it is fascinating to see how values and attitudes have changed in the intervening years.

The 1969 series concentrates more on Marker himself following his release from prison for a crime he did not commit. While the 1971 series sees him going about his normal enquiry business. My only regret is that most of the early series (1-3) are lost forever and of the other 4 series only the two mentioned above have so far been released on DVD.