The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder

Series one of this programme was made before July 1969 and as ITV (in this case Thames Television) and BBC1 only transmitted in black and white it was produced in monochrome.

Series 2 was made in 1971. At this time ITV had a technician strike regarding working the new colour cameras. As such many programmes were recorded in Black and White until the dispute was resolved. Upstairs Downstairs was similarly affected. (London Weekend Television).

All episodes of this series are now available on DVD from Network (www.networkdvd.net). (Region 2/PAL only.) Some are even in colour.

This seems to be definitely worth buying. However, I don't have a copy yet so I can't comment on the quality. This is the first time it has been released on any home video format so I hope it hasn't been rushed out from duff masters.

The role of Reeder's boss (Sir Jason Toovey, played by the wonderfully named Willoughby Goddard) is a bit of cliché these day because, as I recall, he was always raising objections to Reeder theories or methods Strangely, IMDb states that the series is in colour but Vaughan Birbeck's comment suggests B&W.

The Mind of Mr.J.G.Reeder was a unique British series. Based on the Edgar Wallace novels it features Hugh Burden as the mild, meek and seemingly bumbling investigator. Of course in reality he is highly efficient, he always gets his man! Burden is quite brilliant and the series has an evocative atmosphere that lingers in the mind. Willoughby Goddard is also superb as his arrogant, doubting boss, he is quite happy to take the credit for Reeder's successfully solved cases. One of the running gags is that there is a different secretary in every episode. Presumably the boss is too much for them. There were only 16 episodes, two are in colour. At the time colour TV was in it's infancy on British TV. We can assume that either only 2 episodes were filmed in colour or that the colour prints for the rest of the series no longer exist and only survive in black and white. However we are presented with a thoroughly enjoyable series that really does capture the flavour of Wallace's books. Reeder investigates all aspects of crime ranging from murder, through blackmail to burglary.Sit back, relax and enjoy.

I find most episodes to be dull, slow-moving and with hardly a spark of imagination or intrigue. It is little wonder to me that the programme is barely remembered in today's world. In all, I tolerated 2 episodes but none of the others. A series that's based upon Edgar Wallace stories, could have been better made than this one. The only reason I remotely remember this production, is Hugh Burden. He is a great casting choice and fits into the leading role effectively. He plays J.G Reeder with the right balance of insight, intelligence and low key gritty determination.

Mr JG Reeder is not your average crime fighter, he's not a Policeman, nor a Private Detective, he's a Civil Servant, more accurately and employee of The Department of Public Prosecutions.

Hugh Burden is wonderful in the role, Reeder is unassuming, mild mannered, and quite literally The Perfect English Gentleman, but underneath his politeness he's brave, with a razor sharp mind and an unshakable desire for justice.

Others have commented on their disappointment that only two episodes were made in colour, I would personally say I favour the black and white episodes, the tone somehow works a little better, I also feel that colour exposes a few of the sets as being very obviously sets, the black and white filming masks such issues.

The acting is generally very good, Burden is wonderful, Willoughby Goddard is just wonderful as his overbearing boss, Sir Jason Toovey, a performance and charisma larger than his frame, his facial expressions are a joy, very funny.

The episodes are generally of a very high standard, though my personal favourite is The Green Mamba, it's excellent. I cannot comment on the accuracy of the stories as I haven't read the books, I should.

Well worth your time. 9/10