Public Eye (TV Series) Horse and Carriage (1972) User Reviews

Two good reasons to watch this episode

[kris-gray · 8/10 · 15 November 2018]

And they both belong to Penny Spencer who sadly disappeared from our screens in the late 70's, oh for those re-runs of 'Please Sir'.

This episode was really a bit of a farce a la Brian Rix and brought a smile to my face. The previous reviewer who turned off halfway through missed the best part where it all came together.

I had to agree with his review of Mrs Podmore's Cat, bit of a series filler but this one is well worth watching.

Festive Fun

[TondaCoolwal · 7/10 · 8 December 2018]

Our Public Eye plays very little part in this Xmas Special which seems to be a cross between sitcom and a West End farce. Middle-aged couple Harry and Lil are suspicious of each other. Harry hires Frank to watch his missus and she uses friend George to keep an eye on Harry. An unexpected lodger and a scantily-clad female magician result in multiple misunderstandings. Cue lots of rushing around, grabbing people by the throat and a black eye, before everyone realises it was all a mistake. The closing music is a jazzy version of Ding Dong Merrily On High, which makes you realise it was all just a bit of a lark. Enjoyable though.

Expertly Played

[Tony-Holmes · 8/10 · 26 February 2021]

Several reviewers have moaned about this one, though one corrective comment pointed out that it was done in the Xmas Spirit. I laughed more in this one episode than in say, the entire set of series of The Office.

Helped by expert performances from Tony Melody - who could keep the same glum expression if he'd scored the winner in the Cup Final, the wonderful Michael Bates, and a little cameo from Roy Barraclough.

Plus we had Pat Heywood, as the long-suffering wife, much in demand to play similar roles over the years, being described as a sex siren at one point despite being rigged up in the sort of curlers and dressing gown that made Hilda Ogden famous!

This series is nicely about English suburban life, and the main role of private investigator gives the lead the excuse to look into many various characters and families. However, if people are really expecting to see a version of Sam Spade, or Philip Marlowe, then, as the Irish farmer said when asked to give directions, you really shouldn't be starting from here! [Oh, and I liked the episode about Mrs Podmore's cat too, but maybe you get that joke better if you have a cat?]

A bit of Christmas Spirit

[grunsel · 15 November 2018]

The recent reruns of Public Eye are turning into timepiece reminders of what a bunch of cynical sour pusses we have evolved into in the intervening 50 years or so. Back in Public Eye's era the Christmas season was a time to lighten up and have 'season's greetings to all' . Many familiar programmes would have a Christmas special if they were running near the end of the year, sometimes it was a bit silly but we were all in the joke and we went along..well!!, because it was Christmas- that is why. On this episode what a nice touch to have chintzy Christmas music playing along Frank's end walk..bah humbug to the rest of you.

Christmas special

[lucyrfisher · 7/10 · 14 November 2018]

I turned off half-way through. Like Mrs Podmore's Cat, a misguided attempt to inject some humour into the bleak life of Frank Marker. Mainly concerns a couple with an unusual marriage. The writer isn't sure if he wants to be Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter or NF Simpson. Maybe he IS NF Simpson. Not funny at all.

Horse and Carriage

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 21 May 2021]

This Christmas special is done as a farce with Frank Marker right in the middle of a domestic strife.

Tony Melody, that is a name to hum to plays a piano tuner called Harry. He is convinced that his wife Lil is having an affair.

In fact Marker has been hired already several times by Harry and each time Marker has found nothing.

This time Lil suspects that Harry is carrying on with someone when he finds a photo of a scantily clad young woman.

Lil gets amorous shopkeeper George who used to be a policeman to follow Harry.

In the end there is an innocent explanation for everything with Marker even having a lodger for the night.

A romp based on misunderstandings and jealousy. It has a cast of well known faces. Michael Bates, Tony Selby, Roy Barraclough, Penny Spencer.