"Boon" (1986) TV series 1986-1992

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Creators:

Jim Hill
Bill Stair
(more)

Seasons:

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

Release Date:

14 January 1986 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Plot:

Ken Boon and Harry Crawford are two middle-aged ex-firemen who start out in business together, initially in Birmingham and later in Nottingham...

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Michael Elphick	...	Ken Boon (93 episodes, 1986-1995)
David Daker	...	Harry Crawford (93 episodes, 1986-1995)
Neil Morrissey	...	Rocky Cassidy (74 episodes, 1987-1995)
Elizabeth Carling	...	Laura Marsh (39 episodes, 1989-1991)

(more)

Series Directed by
Laurence Moody		(9 episodes, 1986-1991)
Graeme Harper		(5 episodes, 1989-1991)
Christopher Baker		(5 episodes, 1989-1990)
Anthony Garner		(5 episodes, 1990-1995)
Nicholas Laughland		(5 episodes, 1990-1992)
Sarah Hellings		(4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Alex Kirby		(4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Baz Taylor		(4 episodes, 1987-1988)
John Woods		(4 episodes, 1989-1991)
Matthew Evans		(4 episodes, 1990-1992)
Ian Knox		(3 episodes, 1986)
Graham Theakston		(3 episodes, 1986)
Brian Lighthill		(3 episodes, 1989-1990)
Frank W. Smith		(3 episodes, 1989)
Brian Morgan		(2 episodes, 1986)
Geoff Husson		(2 episodes, 1987-1989)
Bren Simson		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Ken Hannam		(2 episodes, 1987)
Robert Tronson		(2 episodes, 1987)
Bruce MacDonald		(2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Robert Chetwyn		(2 episodes, 1990)
Derek Banham		(2 episodes, 1992)
Nick Hurran		(2 episodes, 1992)

Series Writing credits
Jim Hill		(93 episodes, 1986-1995)
Bill Stair		(93 episodes, 1986-1995)
Douglas Watkinson		(8 episodes, 1986-1989)
Guy Meredith		(6 episodes, 1986-1990)
Peter Palliser		(6 episodes, 1991-1995)
Jane Hollowood		(5 episodes, 1989-1992)
Bernard Dempsey		(5 episodes, 1990-1992)
Helen Slavin		(5 episodes, 1991-1992)
Paddy Fletcher		(4 episodes, 1988-1990)
Richard LeParmentier		(4 episodes, 1988-1990)
Peter Mann		(4 episodes, 1989-1991)
Tony McHale		(3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Kieran Prendiville		(3 episodes, 1988-1989)
Nick Whitby		(3 episodes, 1989-1990)
Pete Barwood		(2 episodes, 1986-1990)
Paul Wheeler		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Matthew Bardsley		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Billy Hamon		(2 episodes, 1987)
Andy de la Tour		(2 episodes, 1989-1990)
Bernard McKenna		(2 episodes, 1990-1991)
Kevin Sperring		(2 episodes, 1990-1991)
Veronica Henry		(2 episodes, 1990)
Matthew Faulk		(2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Mark Skeet		(2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Tony Etchells		(2 episodes, 1992)
Tony Jordan		(2 episodes, 1992)

Series Produced by
Ted Childs	....	executive producer (27 episodes, 1986-1995)
Simon Lewis	....	producer (27 episodes, 1990-1991)
Laurie Greenwood	....	associate producer (26 episodes, 1986-1987)
Esta Charkham	....	producer (26 episodes, 1987-1989)
Kenny McBain	....	producer (13 episodes, 1986)
Michael Murray	....	associate producer (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
William Smethurst	....	executive producer (13 episodes, 1988-1989)

Series Original Music by
Chris Cawte		(1 episode, 1995)
Dean Friedman		(1 episode, 1995)
David Mackay		(1 episode, 1995)
Steve Turner		(1 episode, 1995)

Series Cinematography by
Don Perrin		(49 episodes, 1989-1995)
Gerry Pinches		(19 episodes, 1986-1989)
Ian Hollands		(11 episodes, 1987-1989)
Geoff Lloyd		(4 episodes, 1987)
Peter Greenhalgh		(3 episodes, 1988)
John Ruffy		(3 episodes, 1989-1990)
Geoff Joyce		(2 episodes, 1989)

Series Film Editing by
Nigel Mercer		(21 episodes, 1986-1989)
Nigel Miller		(18 episodes, 1989-1992)
John Hawkins		(17 episodes, 1989-1991)
Peter Rudd		(9 episodes, 1990-1992)
Michael Burch		(6 episodes, 1986)
Graham Thompson		(5 episodes, 1986)
Mycal Miller		(5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jenny Egner		(5 episodes, 1991-1995)
John Baldwin		(3 episodes, 1986)
Paul Brown		(3 episodes, 1987)
Peter Spenceley		(3 episodes, 1987)
David Blackmore		(3 episodes, 1992)
Bob Cook		(2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Michael Mulliner		(2 episodes, 1988-1989)

Series Casting by
Marilyn Johnson		(13 episodes, 1986)
Maureen Riscoe		(13 episodes, 1987)

Series Production Design by
John Lageu		(24 episodes, 1986-1987)
Giovanni Guarino		(3 episodes, 1986)

Series Art Direction by
David Allen		(1 episode, 1995)

Series Costume Design by
Denver Hall		(25 episodes, 1986-1987)
Clive Stuart		(2 episodes, 1986)

Series Makeup Department
Dee Hickin	....	makeup supervisor (24 episodes, 1986-1987)
Sandy Staples	....	makeup designer (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Michael Harvey	....	unit manager (12 episodes, 1987)
Nick Mortimer	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1987)
Mike Richardson	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1987)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
George Gerwitz	....	first assistant director / assistant director (14 episodes, 1986-1987)
Stan Harding	....	first assistant director (6 episodes, 1987)
Nigel Keen	....	third assistant director (6 episodes, 1987)
Philip Monks	....	second assistant director (6 episodes, 1987)
Jim Graham	....	assistant director / first assistant director (5 episodes, 1986)
Ian D. Tootle	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 1987)
Paul Leather	....	second assistant director / third assistant director (4 episodes, 1987)
Anthony Higham	....	third assistant director (3 episodes, 1987)
David Cherrill	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Dave Williams	....	production buyer (13 episodes, 1986)
Neil Caldwell	....	designer (12 episodes, 1987)
Tony Eaton	....	production buyer (12 episodes, 1987)
Tony Mallett	....	production buyer (12 episodes, 1987)
Bob Martin	....	stand-by carpenter (12 episodes, 1987)
Bernie Payne	....	chargehand propman (12 episodes, 1987)
Tom Smith	....	assistant setting master (12 episodes, 1987)
Diana Moore	....	designer assistant (8 episodes, 1987)
John Cook	....	chargehand sceneman (7 episodes, 1987)
Ken Field	....	stand-by painter (7 episodes, 1987)
Gillian Bergman	....	designer assistant (4 episodes, 1987)

Series Sound Department
Paul Bennett	....	sound director / dubbing mixer (27 episodes, 1989-1992)
Robin Ward	....	dubbing mixer (24 episodes, 1987-1989)
Paul Crichton	....	sound director / dubbing mixer / ... (24 episodes, 1989-1995)
Peter Dyson	....	sound assistant (24 episodes, 1989-1992)
Steve Phillips	....	sound recordist (23 episodes, 1986-1989)
Ricky Telford	....	sound assistant (22 episodes, 1989-1995)
John Parker	....	studio sound (13 episodes, 1986)
Frank Minton	....	sound recordist (13 episodes, 1987-1989)
Colin Martin	....	dubbing mixer (12 episodes, 1986)
Bill Todd	....	sound post-production (11 episodes, 1986)
Jim Tetlow	....	sound post-production (7 episodes, 1986)
John Catlow	....	sound post-production (6 episodes, 1986)
John Coates	....	assistant sound recordist / boom operator (6 episodes, 1987)
John Czerepaninec	....	assistant sound recordist / boom operator (6 episodes, 1987)
Bill Dodkin	....	sound recordist (4 episodes, 1988-1989)
Trevor Clarke	....	sound assistant (3 episodes, 1992)
Andy Terry	....	sound director / sound recordist (3 episodes, 1992)
Peter Rubery	....	sound post-production (2 episodes, 1986)
Ray Bragg	....	dubbing mixer (2 episodes, 1988)
David Evans	....	sound assistant (2 episodes, 1989-1992)
John Hughes	....	sound assistant (2 episodes, 1990)
Richard Knight	....	sound director (2 episodes, 1990)
Paul Watson	....	dubbing assistant / sound assistant (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Martyn Gillman	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1991)

Series Special Effects by
Joe Coles	....	special effects (9 episodes, 1987)
Colin Simms	....	special effects (9 episodes, 1987)
Rob Golds	....	special effects (2 episodes, 1992-1995)

Series Stunts
Peter Brayham	....	stunt arranger / stunt performer (21 episodes, 1986-1991)
Roy Alon	....	stunt arranger / stunt advisor / ... (21 episodes, 1989-1992)
Eddie Stacey	....	stunt performer / stunt arranger (13 episodes, 1989-1992)
Gerry Crampton	....	stunt performer / stunt arranger / ... (10 episodes, 1989-1992)
Paul Weston	....	stunt performer / stunt arranger (7 episodes, 1990-1992)
Tracey Eddon	....	stunt performer (4 episodes, 1989-1992)
Tip Tipping	....	stunt performer / stunt arranger (4 episodes, 1989-1990)
Wayne Michaels	....	stunt performer (3 episodes, 1991-1992)
Steve Whyment	....	stunt performer (3 episodes, 1991-1992)
Sy Hollands	....	stunt performer (3 episodes, 1991)
Nick Gillard	....	stunt performer (2 episodes, 1989-1990)
Terry Forestal	....	stunt driver / stunt performer (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Colin Skeaping	....	stunt arranger / stunt performer (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Frank Henson	....	stunt performer (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Sarah Franzl	....	stunt double / stunt performer (2 episodes, 1991)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Derek Constable	....	lighting director (28 episodes, 1989-1995)
Keith Reed	....	lighting director (23 episodes, 1989-1992)
Paul Hacking	....	camera operator: studio camera (13 episodes, 1986)
Brian Harris	....	lighting director (13 episodes, 1986)
Alan Woods	....	vision engineer (12 episodes, 1986)
Peter Pimley	....	clapper loader (9 episodes, 1987)
John Robertson	....	grip (8 episodes, 1987)
John Baker	....	grip (7 episodes, 1987)
Dave Harris	....	gaffer electrician (6 episodes, 1987)
Ian Hollands	....	lighting camera (6 episodes, 1987)
Ted O'Loughlin	....	gaffer electrician (6 episodes, 1987)
Paul Rudge	....	focus puller (5 episodes, 1987)
Geoff Lloyd	....	lighting camera (4 episodes, 1987)
Terry Pearce	....	focus puller (4 episodes, 1987)
Gary Flavell	....	clapper loader (3 episodes, 1987)
Robin McDonald	....	focus puller (3 episodes, 1987)
Gerry Pinches	....	lighting camera (3 episodes, 1987)
Peter Fearon	....	lighting director (3 episodes, 1991-1992)
Don Perrin	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1989-1995)
Paul Jarvis	....	electrician (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Barbara Plant	....	location casting (13 episodes, 1987)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Roy Draper	....	wardrobe master (12 episodes, 1987)
Alison Munro	....	assistant costume designer (6 episodes, 1987)
Anna Taylor	....	assistant costume designer (6 episodes, 1987)

Series Editorial Department
Judy Rayner	....	vision mixer (13 episodes, 1986)
Graham Thompson	....	editor: video tape (6 episodes, 1986)
John Baldwin	....	editor: video tape (3 episodes, 1986)
Al Pigden	....	editor: video tape (2 episodes, 1986)
Rosemary Armstrong	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1987)
Mike Burch	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1987)
John Crumpton	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1987)
Chris O'Connor	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Music Department
Jim Diamond	....	composer: title song "Hi Ho Silver" (26 episodes, 1986-1987)
Barrington Pheloung	....	composer: incidental music (13 episodes, 1986)
Dean Friedman	....	composer: incidental music / composer: "Texas Rangers" theme / ... (13 episodes, 1987-1992)
Chris Parren	....	composer: title song "Hi Ho Silver" (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Transportation Department
Roger Taylor	....	motobike advisor (13 episodes, 1987)
Dean Ward	....	driver (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Geoffrey Pearson	....	title sequence (26 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jim Allan	....	location manager (25 episodes, 1986-1987)
Kate McMorine	....	stage manager (18 episodes, 1986-1989)
Liz Summers	....	stage manager (13 episodes, 1986-1987)
Elaine Baldwin	....	production secretary (13 episodes, 1986)
Patrick Harbinson	....	script editor (13 episodes, 1986)
Annie Mole	....	production secretary (13 episodes, 1986)
Tracy Hofman	....	script editor (13 episodes, 1987)
Colleen Hughes	....	production secretary (12 episodes, 1987)
Jenny Hughes	....	production accountant (12 episodes, 1987)
Sarah Saw	....	secretary to producer (12 episodes, 1987)
Ann Tricklebank	....	production assistant / continuity (10 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jo Beard	....	production secretary (10 episodes, 1987)
Phil Robinson	....	production accountant (6 episodes, 1986)
Ian D. Tootle	....	assistant floor manager / floor manager (4 episodes, 1986)
Tina Murray	....	continuity / production assistant (4 episodes, 1987)
Helga Dowie	....	production assistant (3 episodes, 1986)
Lesley Jones	....	production assistant (3 episodes, 1986)
Cathy Daniels	....	continuity / production assistant (3 episodes, 1987)
Chris Fewlass	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1986)
Marilyn Ward	....	continuity / post-production p.a. / ... (2 episodes, 1987-1995)
Ralph Tobert	....	choreographer (2 episodes, 1987-1989)
Alison Heaton	....	production secretary (2 episodes, 1987)

Production Companies

• Central Independent Television

Distributors

• Independent Television (ITV)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Filming Locations:

235 Highfield Road, Washwood Heath, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK

Company:

Central Independent Television

Trivia:

According to Jim Hill (co-creator), the name "Boon" was derived as follows: "Originally called "Anything Legal Considered", we fell foul of the vogue of the main character's name being all or part of the title. Boon had been derived from an American TV series from the 1950s that Bill Stair and I both watched and liked. It was called "Have Gun - Will Travel" (1957) - a troubleshooting cowboy answered distress calls. He was called Paladin and was played by the actor Richard Boone. We dropped the E and we had BOON - a modern-day trouble shooter on a motorbike instead of a steed."

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in The Crazy World of Benny Hill (1988) (V)

Classic Television

Boon was an excellent series. Former firemen Ken Boon (Michael Elphick) and Harry Crawford (David Daker) run a security and a private investigator company, assisted by their staff led by Rocky (Neil Morrissey) and Laura (Elizabeth Carling), later replaced by Alex (Saskia Wickham). All three could consider 'Boon' to be their big break on the road to stardom. The series was really enjoyable, and the cast superbly talented. The late Michael Elphick took the lead role and was tremendous, winning an army of fans for himself, respecting his great acting ability. I'll just always regret being about a week away from writing him fan mail to praise him and thank him for the entertainment he'd provided in his career thus far, at the time he tragically died aged 55. With Daker, they played the best of friends, which helped make the drama and close shaves involved in the episodes all the more compelling. This was an example of a great show; entertaining, humourous at times, well-written and with an excellent cast.