3.01 - Brief for Murder

[darren]

Written by Brian Clemens

Directed by Peter Hammond

Production completed: 12 April 1963

[cyberrich]

9/10. Great episode, if a little wordy! A very clever script and idea nonetheless. Rich.

[darren]

One of my absolute favourites. It has a real feel of an Ealing comedy. It's easily one of Clemens' best scripts - especially as he didn't research or anything, just wrote by what he'd heard. It was such a good way to start the season. Cathy had not yet been a full time regular and had enjoyed an antagonistic relationship with Steed. There must have been a few viewers who were fooled. The reveal of Cathy in the black wig is so good (Honor really suits it). This episode feels like the show has really found it's style.

Peter Hammond is always excellent value as director (he'd have directed the whole show if I had my way:)). It's beautifully stylishly shot and perfectly cast. I love the weirdness of the Yoga school with the girls dressed in black almost like mannequins not reacting to anything, shot from a low angle. The Old Bailey on a Budget is wonderful, again shot low. And the shots through the fireplace at the Lakin Brother's office. And the edited pub refurbishments are so witty. Designers (in this case James Goddard) always give something extra for Hammond. The different stock music helps to add a new flavour - it's quite Johnson-esque at times.

Brilliant cast with John Laurie (always an Avengers favourite and different each time) and Harold Scott the stars as the Lakins. Helen Lindsey as Barbara Kingston is one of those performers who makes such an impression that you feel like you've seen her in loads of things. June Thody as Dicey is very amusing and fits the show so well. Alice Fraser as the floating Miss Prinn is another one who feels like she's done loads of Avengers but hasn't. Fred Ferris even returns again from Bullseye again as a policeman - I wonder if he was the same one - always drafted in to deal with Avengers cases.?

10/10

[Allard]

Does anyone know whether this episodes plot was inspired by Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution?

[darren]

Does anyone know whether this episodes plot was inspired by Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution?

Brian Clemens was a big fan of Perry Mason so that probably influenced the courtroom setting.

[Rhonda]

8 for me. Its a lovely little court case for Steed and Cathy to deal with.

[Frankymole]

I re-watched this last night. I also listened to the Brian Clemens commentary for the first time. Interesting that John Laurie wasn't that enamoured of his Dad's Army role (for which he's most famous, mainly because the BBC seem to repeat it every year, as they have done for the last 40+ years!). He's clearly having a ball here.

Clemens mentioned how it looked better here than the video release, and maybe that's what put me off it a bit before. With the film noir-like images and Peter Hammond's direction now clear (luckily, he doesn't go overboard with the stylings but keeps everything just sufficiently weirdly off-kilter) it's a really jolly romp through human wickedness.

The only bit I don't understand is how Steed's hat got bigger. It fitted him when he was on his bike. And where did he get the bike from?

Two strong female roles (besides Cathy who's great of course, playing a double- or triple-game). Barbara Kingston, the QC, is eminently sensible as the defending lawyer but also bright and engaging; the seemingly old dinosaurs the Lakin brothers admire her skill and attack - and despite being beautiful no crass "sex appeal" is referred to in word or direction. Of course, the Lakins are a lot more embracing of innovation than it would at first appear. They adapt the past to make a future where the whole legal system can be perverted and made a mockery of itself (some would argue this has already happened).

Cathy's friend Miss Prinn who runs the yoga centre, and who witnesses her "murder", is also intriguing and confident despite facing insurmountable odds. She could've made a good returning ally for Cathy. Steed spars with her delightfully too, and she comes off better - because he's having to act more of a cad than usual to make it seem like he could be capable of murder. As it is, he did aid a traitor to escape -a small fish perhaps, a sprat to catch two mackerels?

The sets are, of course, superb given the resources, and as well-used as you'd expect them to be by the best director for the best TV drama company of the time.

[mousemeat]

Does anyone know whether this episodes plot was inspired by Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution?

Brian Clemens was a big fan of Perry Mason so that probably influenced the courtroom setting.

yes, I've read that.that he was a avid fan of the Mason Episodes that aired on CBS...and I'm sure it sorta influence him...

[Frankymole]

8 for me. Its a lovely little court case for Steed and Cathy to deal with.

I gave it 8/10 too. A good 8, nearly 9. If it were slightly less whimsical it might've got 9 or even a 10. I liked how Steed's traitor-friend and his girlfriend were really helpful, quite an unusual set-up. A bit like in Series 1 when he more often used dodgy underworld contacts.

[dissolute]

All new expanded plot synopsis on my site for one of my favourite episodes.

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Brief For Murder
by Brian Clemens
Designed by James Goddard
Directed by Peter Hammond
Production completed: April 11 1963. First transmission: September 28 1963

TV Times summary
In which Steed is tried at the Old Bailey for the murder of Catherine Gale

Prologue
Ronald Wescott and Dicey enjoy a drink at a pub near the Old Bailey, cheerfully expecting Wescott to be arrested and sent to trial. Wescott finds a card in his pocket and is troubled, he had meant to get rid of it; he hides it in a newspaper lying on the bar of the pub just before Inspector Marsh arrives and arrests him for treason. After they leave, a man picks up the newspaper and slips the card into his pocket, as he turns the pages of the paper, we see it is John Steed.

Act 1
Catherine Gale is at the trial with her journalist friend Wilson, who says he had his headlines all blocked up for a successful prosecution but the defence was so good he now expects Wescott to get off, even though they both agree that Wescott is guilty.

In the court, Wescott’s barrister Barbara Kingston weaves a sterling defence, citing the failure of the prosecution to produce the claimed double agent, ‘Johnno’, a tall, well-built, well-spoken man in a position of authority. Watching her are the solicitors Miles and Jasper Lakin and they congratulate her for her masterly delivery. Steed arrives just as the verdict is announced and asks Bart what the verdict was. When Bart tells him to buy a paper, Steed grabs him firmly by the arm until he says, “They found him not guilty”. Steed turns and greets Dicey, who has descended from the gallery, and she tells him it was no more than they expected.

Wilson congratulates the barrister. and when Cathy chimes in her congratulation as well, Ms Kingston says the credit is due to the Lakin brothers, whose briefing was thorough down to the tiniest detail. Wilson notes that the brothers were obscure, run-of-the-mill lawyers for years, but have had dramatic success after dramatic success in the last year or so, and Cathy wonders if Barbara’s claim was correct and there was no Johnno after all. In the corridor outside, Dicey kisses Ronny as he exits the court a free man, then Steed looms up behind them.

STEED: This calls for a celebration. You’re in the clear! They can’t try you twice you know.
WESCOTT: That’s right. That’s exactly right — Johnno.

Cathy and Wilson see Steed leaving the court [1] with Wescott and follow them to the pub, intruding on their celebration. Cathy tells Wescott he got off by manipulating every legal loophole, then turns on Steed and accuses him of being the unidentified ‘Johnno’ in the case. Steed threatens to silence her for good if she says it again, and when he returns to the bar, he regrets having let her goad him. Wescott observes that her silence could be arranged… [2]

The Lakin brothers relax that evening, gloating over their successes — they may not have risen to become judges, but they will make legal history! The next day, Wilson shows Cathy the morning edition of his paper, where all editions have her accusation against Steed on page two.

Steed visits the yoga studio of Miss Prinn, looking for Dicey. He's desperate to find Ronnie as he wants to seek the legal advice of the Lakin brothers. Later on, Ronnie takes Steed to their chambers, leaving him at the door, but Steed searched by Bart when he arrives. Miles apologises for the search but observes that tape recorders are so small these days. Jasper hands him a letter to sign, supposedly sent to them the previous week by Steed — a formality they use, which has the client seeking to ask them for advice for a crime novel. Steed explains he wants the perfect defence for his planned murder of Mrs Gale. The lawyers respond with alacrity, discussing the merits of different classes of action. Steed however insists it’s just a murder he wants. Jasper asks his relationship to the “deceased to be” and when he says they were good friends of long standing, Miles gets excited.

MILES: Rex versus Mascot, ’95! [3] Yes. It’s all here. Absolutely splendid defence, battle over motive. Fascinating court ruling. The accused and the victim had never been known to exchange cross words.
STEED: I’m afraid that won’t work for me I’ve just publicly had a very public row with the deceased to be.
MILES: Oh, that might be a difficulty. During this row, what did you say to the deceased to be?
STEED: I lost my temper. I said “I’ll stop your blasted lies for good if you’re not careful” …

They quickly decide that, as Steed did not elaborate on his threat, he meant he was going to bring a slander action:

JASPER: Yes, we might even start slander proceedings. Just start them you understand. The deceased to be will be dead before ever it comes to court.
MILES: (LAUGHS) I thought so, I thought so. Rex versus Norris, 1831, Norfolk Assises. Many points of similarity. Yes. The slander action then the murder. There was a two day recess to argue a single point of law! Went to appeal twice and then to The Lords. This is definitely the one for Mr Steed.

Jasper explains the terms. They know all the technicalities and detail to exploit. He informs Steed they will be giving him precise instructions, including where, when and how to commit the murder and they guarantee his acquittal, in return for a fee of 20,000 Swiss francs in cash. Furthermore, if he can do it in the next five days he will be tried under the current Assises and not have to spend too long in gaol. Steed smiles and names his victim — Mrs Catherine Gale.

Act 2
Bart is sent off with a revolver, Jasper reminding him to be unsubtle; he must be seen but not caught. Steed has turned up at the yoga studio again to pick up Dicey when Cathy arrives for her own exercise. They have an obvious disagreement about what she’s been saying in the press. As Steed and Dicey prepare to go, Bart bursts in and declares he’s been chasing her for a long time and he said he’d get even - then fires two shots at her as she dives for cover.

Jasper is delighted with a second suspect to fox the jury. Steed gives him the 20,000 francs and he sits down to read the brief - they won’t let him take it from chambers. Miles says he will need an advocate of authority and Steed agrees that Barbara Kingston would be ideal - better on his side than against him!

MILES: Capital. I’ll ring her up at once.
JASPER: Miles, we cannot brief counsel before the crime has been committed.

Steed queries their security - what is to stop him from going to the police about what they’ve discussed? Jasper sternly reminds him of the false letter, so Steed asks what would stop him after the fact from telling the police. Jasper smiles and says by then he would be as involved as they are. A further query about Bart’s trustworthiness is quelled; he was their first guinea pig and cannot expose them.

Jasper surprises Steed by telling him tomorrow afternoon would be the most advantageous time to commit his crime, and so the next day Steed cycles to the riverbank of a secluded stretch of the Thames, where Cathy has moored a motor launch. She is with Miss Prinn on board as Steed lines up his revolver from the cover of an oak tree. His shot rings out and Cathy spins, stricken, into the muddy water as Steed makes his escape, his bicycle skidding in the soft mud, leaving a bowler hat behind in his wake. Miss Prinn reaches the shore in the dinghy and grabs the hat.

That evening, Steed rings Jasper and is told to proceed with phase two of the brief the next morning. Dutifully, he returns to the yoga studio and loudly tells Dicey she must tell the police he was with her between midday and half past three, ensuring that Miss Prinn overhears. She had already rung Inspector Marsh, who arrives and arrests Steed.

The Lakins visit Steed in his cell, Miles delighted by the fact that Cathy’s body hasn’t been found, as this opens new avenues of legal argument. Jasper says they had better at least pretend to prepare a defence and gets his papers out.

In court, Barbara Kingston eviscerates Miss Prinn’s evidence. First she points out that if Steed were cycling away Miss Prinn would not have seen his face. Secondly, the supposed alibi was until 3.30, but the murder took place just after 4pm. Inspector Marsh’s case collapses when the hat is dramatically found not to fit.

BARBARA: Inspector Marsh, I ask you to look at the defendant. Now I want you to tell me in all your long experience, have you ever known a man go out to commit a crime, a major crime looking quite so ridiculously conspicuous as the defendant does now?
FX: LAUGHTER
MARSH: Well, ma’am, it takes all sorts to …
BARBARA: Please answer the question, Inspector. Yes or no?
Well?
LAUGHTER: CONTINUES
MARSH: NO, ma’am. I have not.

Their O.J. Simpson defence ensures a not guilty verdict. Mrs Gale’s body has not yet been found by the police and indeed Steed spots her, disguised with black hair and sunglasses, smiling at him from the gallery!

Act 3
Steed meets Cathy afterwards in secret and he tells her the Lakins’ system works perfectly, there isn’t a single flaw except that they don’t appear to check the payoff money. She is furious that she had a swim for nothing but Steed tells he she must be their next client.

Posing as a Miss Patchett, Cathy says she wishes to commit a fraud but is in partnership with two gentlemen, whom she wishes to be implicated in the crime. The two solicitors are intrigued by the legal aspect and the challenge presents, and easily tricked into incriminating themselves in the fraud case.

Cathy tells Steed they took the bait and sure enough, Jasper is excitedly dreaming of the potential the scheme has opened up. They could implicate anyone at any level of society, even their colleagues — solicitors, barristers, even judges; the whole court system in their hands.

Cathy re-confers with Steed who gives her the envelope of her “payment”. When she gives it to Jasper he puts it in the safe, excited that this seems to be evidence that she has already committed her fraud. He reminds her that incriminating documents are to be found in her partners’ home, and they are to be lured to a rendezvous which is found to be empty and they will look next door where they will be seen and recognised; Cathy tells them she has found a small office in Earls Court.

Steed telephones the Lakins, interrupting the conference, and says he’s been re-arrested and will be facing trial, this time for perverting the course of justice, and cites Rex vs Snuff, a case from 1731. Miles decides they must go and see him — and Steed gives the address of Miss Prinn’s yoga studio — a small office in Earls Court!

Unfortunately, Ronnie Wescott arrives just as they hurry out, and when Cathy goes to follow them he recognises her and Bart captures her at gunpoint. Jasper and Miles arrive at the empty office and promptly look next door into the yoga studio, then the penny drops:

MILES: Oh, I don’t understand this at all. The place is quite empty, looks at though it hasn’t been used for some time. Where could they have taken Steed? And what was he doing here in the first place?
JASPER: Miles, an empty office. The two partners are lured there, they quite naturally look next door. They are seen …
MILES: To be recognised again …
JASPER: … in court.

Jasper rings Bart and tells him to destroy the contents of the safe, and Bart starts trying the keys to open the safe while Ronnie points the gun at Cathy. Steed arrives and he and Cathy overcome the villains in time to take the Lakins into custody when they return to chambers. Defeated, the brother start trying to remember precedents for their own defence.

Steed and Cathy reflect on the case in the pub, Steed saying he’ll miss them. Cathy agrees, especially Miles, but they are sure to be found guilty. Steed agrees, as the case against them was prepared by experts!
________________________
1. Cathy gives a little smile and licks her lips, she’s clearly already in on Steed’s plan and even his co-operation with Wescott was part of it.
2. Ronnie immediately falls for Steed’s bait and offers him a way inside the Lakins’ circle.
3. This must be 1795, as 1895 would have been Regina vs Mascot.