Gideon’s Way – S01 E20 – John Gregson – Morna

Gideon’s Way is a British television crime series made by ITC Entertainment and broadcast by ITV in 1965–66, based on novels by John Creasey (writing as ‘J. J. Marric’). The series was made at Elstree Studios in twin production with The Saint television series, which was likewise produced by Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman. It stars John Gregson in the title role as Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard, with Alexander Davion as his assistant, Detective Chief Inspector David Keen, Reginald Jessup as Det. Superintendent LeMaitre (nicknamed Lemmy), Ian Rossiter as Detective Chief Superintendent Joe Bell and Basil Dignam as Commissioner Scott-Marle. The show did not acknowledge any help from Scotland Yard or any other police force or advisor.

Many well-known British actors appear in guest roles, including Patrick Allen, Keith Baxter, George Cole, Harry Fowler, Gordon Jackson, Ronald Lacey, Anton Rodgers, Rosemary Leach, Gerald Harper, Victor Maddern, Richard Carpenter and John Hurt. There was an early role for Donald Sutherland in the episode “The Millionaire’s Daughter”. Several actors, including Mike Pratt, Angela Douglas, Jean Marsh and Kay Walsh, appear twice in the series, cast in different roles.

This Episode

Morna Copthorne’s (Angela Douglas) body is found by a lake. Gideon is asked to go to the small village of Wendley (this case unusually did not feature London) to sort the matter out, as her father Sir Robert (Ronald Adam) is a big name at the Ministry of Defence. She is the girl everyone loved so how did she die? As Gideon and Keen interview witnesses, including Morna’s American schoolfriend Lydia (Alita Naughton) and her fiance Michael (Norman Bowler) about her past, a new picture emerges of a young rich girl out of control. Johnny Sekka plays the surly nightclub proprietor Chay, and his portrayal reflects the racial tensions of the time. Also stars Kay Walsh as headmistress Harriet Bright, John Justin as her husband Leonard and Shelagh Fraser as Lady Copthorne.