Public Eye - a Marker for all seasons

Writer Index

Thirty two writers contributed scripts to Public Eye (one being a dual effort) over the years. Co-creator Roger Marshall was responsible for almost a quarter of them and was the key influence on the first four series especially. He wrote three of the five surviving shows from the first three series and all of the seminal fourth. The only series he didn't contribute to was the fifth, with three more scripts in the final two.

In the final three series four writers had a crucial hand - Philip Broadley, James Doran, John Kershaw and Richard Harris. They are behind many of the best remembered outings.

Mention should also be made of Richard Bates who was story editor on the first two series. Michael Chapman was editor on Series 3, 5 and 6. There was no need for such a role on the fourth with Roger Marshall being the sole writer. The editor for the final one isn't known although Michael Chapman was producer and may also have been story editor.

David Ambrose (1): Fit Of Conscience

Bob Baker (1939- ) and Dave Martin (1935-2007) (1): Lifer

Robert Banks Stewart (1): "Memories Of Meg"

Julian Bond (1930- ) (3):

  • "I Could Set It To Music"
  • "You Can Keep the Medal"
  • "There Are More Things In Heaven And Earth"

    Philip Broadley (1922-2008) (7):

  • Well - There Was This Girl You See
  • I Always Wanted a Swimming Pool

    Frank questions artist Alan Grove (James Bolam) in the above installment

  • Mrs. Podmore's Cat
  • The Golden Boy
  • The Windsor Royal
  • No Orchids For Marker
  • Unlucky For Some

    Michael Cahill (1): "A Harsh World For Zealots"

    Michael Chapman (1937- ) (4):

  • A Mug Named Frank
  • The Beater And the Game
  • It's a Woman's Privilege
  • Egg And Cress Sandwiches

    Bill Craig (1): "Honesty Is the Best Policy - But Who Can Afford the Premiums"

    James Doran (1923-2009) (6):

  • Ward Of Court
  • Transatlantic Cousins
  • The Bankrupt
  • Nobody Wants To Know
  • How About It Frank?
  • Hard Times

    Bank manager Pearce (Tenniel Evans) tries to find out what Frank is about in 'Hard Times'

    William Emms (d. 1993) (1): "But the Joneses Never Get Letters"

    Brian Finch (1935-2007) (3):

  • Home And Away
  • The Fall Guy
  • The Fatted Calf

    Terence Frisby (1932- ) (2):

  • "I Went To Borrow a Pencil And Look What I Found"
  • "You Should Hear Me Eat Soup"

    Andrew Hall (1): "No, No, Nothing Like That"

    Richard Harris (4):

  • The Man Who Didn't Eat Sweets
  • The Man Who Said Sorry
  • Horse And Carriage
  • What's To Become Of Us?

    Michael Hastings (1938- ) (1): "My Life, That's a Marriage"

    Brian Hayles (1): "There's No Future In Monkey Business"

    Peter Hill (1): John VII. Verse 24

    Robert Holmes (1928-86) (6):

  • "And a Very Fine Fiddle Has He"
  • "You Think It'll Be Marvellous - But It's Always a Rabbit"
  • "It Had To Be a Mouse"
  • "Twenty Pounds Of Heart And Muscle"
  • "It Must Be the Architecture - Can't Be the Climate"
  • "It's Learning About the Lies That Hurts"

    Ray Jenkins (1): Slip Home In the Dark

    John Kershaw (5):

  • Who Wants To Be Told Bad News?
  • Many a Slip
  • A Family Affair
  • How About a Cup Of Tea?
  • They All Sound Simple At First

    Hugh Leonard (1926-2009) (2):

  • "It's a Terrible Way To Be"
  • "What's Wrong - Can't You Take a Sick Joke"

    Douglas Livingstone (1932- ) (1): Come Into the Garden, Rose

    Roger Marshall (1934- ) (22):

  • "All For a Couple Of Ponies"
  • Nobody Kills Santa Claus
  • "Dig You Later"
  • The Morning Wasn't So Hot
  • "Have It On the House"
  • Don't Forget You're Mine
  • "You're Not Cinderella, Are You?"
  • Works With Chess, Not With Life
  • "Have Mud, Will Throw"
  • "But They Always Come Back For Tea"
  • "Mercury In an Off-White Mac"
  • "Cross That Palm When We Come To It"
  • Welcome To Brighton?
  • Divide And Conquer
  • Paid In Full

    Frank confronts workmate Wilson (Maurice Good) after being accused of stealing his pay packet in 'Paid In Full'

  • My Life's My Own
  • Case For the Defence
  • The Comedian's Graveyard
  • A Fixed Address
  • Girl In Blue
  • The Trouble With Jenny
  • Take No For an Answer

    Robert Muller (1925-98) (1): Shades Of White

    Trevor Preston (1): And When You've Paid the Bill, You're None the Wiser

    Getting answers out of garage owner Creely (Dennis Chinnery) proves difficult for Marker in Trevor Preston's excellent story

    Anthony Skene (1): The Bromsgrove Venus

    Jack Trevor Story (1): "Tell Me About the Crab"

    Mike Watts (1): "Protection Is a Man's Best Friend"

    David Whitaker (1): "If This Is Lucky, I'd Rather Be Jonah"

    Martin Worth (4):

  • "They Go Off In the End - Like Fruit"
  • "You Have To Draw the Line Somewhere"
  • "All the Black Dresses She Wants"
  • "But What Good Will the Truth Do?"

    Robert Wynatt (1): "Strictly Private And Confidential"

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    alanbnew@yahoo.co.uk 14-10-2009