An episodic fantasy? Resurrected from a 60s TV show for a Saturday Night audience? With script contributions from Mark Gatiss, Gareth Roberts and scored by Murray Gold?

Not “Doctor Who”, but a re-make of 1960s ITC stalwart “Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)”.

It’s a series that attracts some pretty vociferous criticism, but which I remember with fondness. Saturday nights were a bit of a wasteland those days. A bit like now, but without the promise of new Doctor Who. Comedy duo Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer wanted a project that would allow them into new territory and, while working on a live stageshow of “Shooting Stars” with writer Charlie Higson, they discovered a joint fondness of all those slightly barmy views of the UK that ITC had specialised in (“The Avengers”, “Department S”, etc).

The scenario remained the same as the original. Randall and Hopkirk are low rent private detectives dreaming of interesting cases while usually being tasked to investigate the sex lives of wandering spouses. Marty Hopkirk is murdered on the eve of his wedding, and allowed 24 hours to return to Earth to help solve his own murder. Only his partner, Jeff Randall, can see and hear him. Staying longer than he is allowed, he is condemned to be a ghost until Jeff himself dies.

The first series ran to six episodes, and while enjoyable, did suffer from the relative inexperience of both Producer/Writer Charlie Higson (it was his first stab at episodic drama) and Reeves & Mortimer who would cheerfully admit they aren’t trained actors. To be honest though, I found their performances curiously engaging. What can’t be faulted is the gallery of guest stars that pepper the episodes, and who seem to be enjoying themselves immensely. The recurring character of Wyvern (a spiritual mentor for Marty) deserves a special mention, as it’s a typically bonkers performance by Tom Baker.

The first series was commissioned with a cautious view of its future, and the final episode “A Man of Substance” could easily be seen as the end of the story. However, “they wouldn’t let it lie” and a second, seven part series was commissioned, with episodes co-written with Jeremy Dyson, Gareth Roberts and Mark Gatiss.

Frustratingly this was to be the last series, and the final episode left things completely open for a return. That episode (“Two can Play at that game”) is particularly good. After an argument, Jeff and Jeanie are left without supernatural help to escape a department store that’s been turned into a cunning series of death-traps, while Marty is tasked to investigate a supernatural “resort” for ghosts that Wyvern suspects has been corrupted in some way. It gave a tantalising glimpse of future storylines that were never to be.

In one way, it clearly succeeded. The show was a relative ratings success on a Saturday night, and perhaps highlighted an audience that were willing to embrace fantasy adventures such as this. Looking at it as a project, you can’t help but wonder if the relatively high production values used and the general model helped inform the choices made when bringing back Doctor Who four years later.

Bits and Pieces

The theme was written by David Arnold (of Bond fame) with a vocal arrangement sung by Nina Persson of “The Cardigans”.

American writer Jane Espenson is currently said to be working on a US remake of Randall and Hopkirk for the Sci-fi channel.

As mentioned the guest stars are marvellous (link to IMDB). The casts of “The Fast Show”,“The League of Gentlemen”, Alexis Denisof (Wesley from Buffy and Angel), Stephen Berkoff, Hugh Laurie, Derek Jacobi, Charles Dance and many, many more. . The one most mentioned these days is the first episode appearance by David Tennant. Once you’ve seen the end of that episode, you’ll probably remember it too. Talking of which…..

Try before you buy

The first episode is on YouTube, in five parts. Part one

Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.

Buy

Amazon currently have the complete set listed at seven of your Earth GB pounds. It’s a steal. (Other retailers, with a more wholesome attitude to tax, may be available.)