The Wall of Death

Inspector Harris investigates the death of daredevil motorbike rider, Joe Hartier, who died during his wall of death stunt. Suspects include Joe's wife Nina, her friend, Schmidt, a trapeze artist, and Joe's mechanic.

As a young child, I was lucky enough to see a wall of death exhibition down in Dorset, it always stayed with me, and because of that, I round this episode somewhat entertaining.

The actual wheel of death scenes are pretty cool to watch even now. I'm sure health and safety would have a field day.

Intriguing and entertaining, but also funny, this series of short films always featured some amusing scenes, here we've got the wonderful Rita Webb, who roasts here husband for making her go to The Wheel of Death.

Was it an accident, or was Joe Hartier murdered? There are three plausible suspects in this enjoyable, short murder mystery.

There are quite a few well known faces to see here, Vanda Godsell, Ferdy Mayne and Cyril Chamberlain, on the whole the acting is pretty good.

7/10.

Why is it that SCOTLAND YARD episodes filmed out of London tend to be blood thirstier than those filmed in London? This one centres on unexplained deaths in the Wall of Death, that fairground attraction involving cars going into darkness that scares me to death. This episode interestingly revolves round class distinction, between the largely bourgeois visitors and the working class fairground workers, where the source of conflict starts.

The best part of the episode was Rita Webb playing the housewife complaining after the stunt motorcyclist died. "You know I can't stand watching anybody get hurt. We should have gone to the all in wrestling where I wanted to!"

When stunt cyclist Joe Hartier dies during his wall of death ride at the circus. Police suspect foul play when the carburetor seized up because of the addition of sugar to the petrol tank.

Joe's mechanic is a suspect as he quickly disappeared. Later trapeze artist Rudy Schmidt is in the frame as he seems to be too close with Joe's wife Nina. He too suddenly flees.

Nina's lost cat lead the police to a vital clue.

This is a rather pedestrian instalment of Scotland Yard despite the flashbacks of Joe riding the Wall of Death.

Every suspect wants to go on the run. Nina acts suspiciously from the start with Joe right in front of the police. The could had appeared to be a bit distant.

Also these circus people were not a close lot. No one came to console Nina after her husband's death.

I was wondering just how exactly the cat died. It was only left overnight in the garage, surely the poor thing was not so starved to wanting to eat flakes of paint and sugar.