Il genio criminale di Mr. Reeder

I think this late 1960s series captures the feeling of the 1920s depicted. Of course, it may misreprent history, but it creates a convincing account that is great entertainment.

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.

Just finished watching the entire series (one each Saturday night), and it was absolutely superb!! Excellent video quality, although only two episodes were in colour owing to the ITV strike. Hugh Burden perfect in the part and Willoughby Goddard was brilliant - very funny.

Can't think of anything else to say about this really. (10 lines of text is the rule!?!) Go out and buy it!!

So, I'll just copy and paste........

Just finished watching the entire series (one each Saturday night), and it was absolutely superb!! Excellent video quality, although only two episodes were in colour owing to the ITV strike. Hugh Burden perfect in the part and Willoughby Goddard was brilliant - very funny.

Mr JG Reeder is the diametric opposite of Sam Spade, Philip Marlow and Mike Hammer. He is a shabbily dressed, diffident civil servant who prefers a cup of tea and a slice of seed cake to a shot of something stronger.

Despite his outward appearance - of course - Reeder is a master detective with a razor sharp brain. In fact his mind gives him great cause for sorrow. He has, he claims, a criminal mind which allows him insight into motive and method denied to other men.

These stories were well-presented (sadly in black and white) and Hugh Burden had the part of a life-time as Reeder, well supported by Willoughby Goddard as his expansive (in more ways than one) chief, Jason Toovey.

Worth a video release for nostalgia buffs.

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.