With space exploration becoming more and more commonplace, an international committee is set up to define legalities concerning the new territory. One such committee member is 'Dr.James Norbert' ( Ray MacAnally ), a brilliant American lawyer with a fondness for drink. A special interest group wants to delay the proposals by at least a decade, and to this end, blackmails Dr.Norbert with photos that show him, amongst other things, hitting a bartender, and in bed with a prostitute. Horrified that his daughter ( Jacqueline Ellis ) might see the pictures, he calls on McGill to find out who the blackmailers are. Mac searches for a bar in Manchester that resembles the one shown in the photo. It turns out to be run by the sinister 'Joe Gulliver' ( John Savident ). McGill is warned to keep away from the place. On leaving, he is picked up by a limousine containing the urbane 'Simon Croft' ( Simon Oates ), who represents a consortium of financiers. He offers Mac a wad of money to keep his mouth shut...
Written by Edmund Ward, this again has McGill caught in a crossfire of intrigue. If you thought the G20 summit a waste of time and money, what about the idea of a committee set up to determine laws for outer space? Any excuse to have a junket these lawyers. The consortium's reason for wanting to delay the outcome is to give them time to get into a position whereby they can profit. You must remember that in 1966 the idea that bases could one day be put on the Moon or stations in orbit seemed not only possible but probable. It would make sense that someone would try and exploit the new territory, resorting to blackmail and physical violence.
As 'Norbert', the late Ray McAnally gives his usual first-rate performance. Initially, the character refuses to comply with the blackmailers' demands but, by the end, terrified of losing both his reputation and daughter's love, backs down. The last shot is of him gazing at a whisky bottle, the source of his troubles. Warren Stanhope returns as 'Johnson', the American agent from 'Variation In A Million Bucks'. Simon Oates, who plays 'Croft', starred in the sci-fi drama 'Doomwatch' four years later. Ralph Michael, cast as 'Sir Giles', was 'The Dean' in the sitcoms 'Doctor In The House' and 'Doctor At Large'. John Savident - nightclub owner 'Gulliver' - is better known now as 'Fred Elliott' in 'Coronation Street'.
Some fine location shooting complements this strong story.
Written by Edmund Ward, this again has McGill caught in a crossfire of intrigue. If you thought the G20 summit a waste of time and money, what about the idea of a committee set up to determine laws for outer space? Any excuse to have a junket these lawyers. The consortium's reason for wanting to delay the outcome is to give them time to get into a position whereby they can profit. You must remember that in 1966 the idea that bases could one day be put on the Moon or stations in orbit seemed not only possible but probable. It would make sense that someone would try and exploit the new territory, resorting to blackmail and physical violence.
As 'Norbert', the late Ray McAnally gives his usual first-rate performance. Initially, the character refuses to comply with the blackmailers' demands but, by the end, terrified of losing both his reputation and daughter's love, backs down. The last shot is of him gazing at a whisky bottle, the source of his troubles. Warren Stanhope returns as 'Johnson', the American agent from 'Variation In A Million Bucks'. Simon Oates, who plays 'Croft', starred in the sci-fi drama 'Doomwatch' four years later. Ralph Michael, cast as 'Sir Giles', was 'The Dean' in the sitcoms 'Doctor In The House' and 'Doctor At Large'. John Savident - nightclub owner 'Gulliver' - is better known now as 'Fred Elliott' in 'Coronation Street'.
Some fine location shooting complements this strong story.