The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder

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.

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.

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).

Edgar Wallace never fails to absorb me into his crime stories, but The Mind of J G Reeder is the ultimate crime mystery detective. To those who don't know him, he looks like he's yet to really step into the 1920's (the era in which the stories are set), is henpecked by his overbearing housekeeper, Mrs Houchin (played with Celtic gusto by Mona Bruce) and arrogant boss, Sir Jason Toovey (played to a tee by the inimitable Willoughby Goddard) and lives only for his work, with the occasional break for tea, gardening and theatre. Yet this humble man strikes fear into every London criminal be they Dockland thug or Aristocratic Conman, because Reeder has a criminal mind and thus sees evil in everything. It's this trait which gets him his quarry each time. Although Hugh Burden as the titular character is superb, the acting by many of the supporting cast is amateurish to say the least. Aside from this, the series represents quality absorbing entertainment from an era long since dead. If you love crime murder mystery at its finest, go out, buy the set, and be thrilled.

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.