The Edgar Wallace mysteries series of TV programs shot by Merton Park films was much in the vein of the classic 'B' movies of the time.
That said, they are first class productions with many new actors coming through into the big time that would go on to greater things in the cast.
Michael Caine, John Thaw and many others would start here and become well known later in the decade and beyond.
The films fit a lot in to the hour duration and they are well worth watching for all the background scenery too, giving us a view of the nation at the time, now long gone. The scripts are well written and thought out.
Watch the background scenes and interior shots of the buildings to see how much these have changed in the last 60 years!
At the time of filming, the death penalty was still in force and it is surprising that like in real life, did not seem the deterrent that it should have been - reflected in the high body count overall in these films overall!
The catchy theme tune 'Man of mystery by Michael Carr, recorded by the Shadows in 1960, is used as the theme music for the films, although not performed by the Shadows and there are about 4 different versions of the music, the 3 guitar based ones are more in the Shadows style than the first.
You'll notice once you've seen a few of the films a lot of the same cars appearing in later episodes!
The films convey a Britain in the first modern decade after WW2, that would go on to change British society perhaps more than any since.
A great bit of nostalgia and well worth watching.
