The Mechanical Watchman
- Episode aired 1959
- 30m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
21
YOUR RATING
A silent mechanical alarm alerts to police to a thieves stealing high class furs, removing identifying marks and settling remodeled versions.A silent mechanical alarm alerts to police to a thieves stealing high class furs, removing identifying marks and settling remodeled versions.A silent mechanical alarm alerts to police to a thieves stealing high class furs, removing identifying marks and settling remodeled versions.
Tony Thawnton
- Glover
- (as Anthony Thawnton)
Vic Chapman
- Detective Johnson
- (uncredited)
Fred Davis
- Detective
- (uncredited)
Ned Hood
- Rolt's Henchman
- (uncredited)
Walter Horsbrugh
- Mr. Dawson
- (uncredited)
David Lander
- Davis
- (uncredited)
Arthur Lowe
- Samuel Finch
- (uncredited)
Colin McKenzie
- Police Constable
- (uncredited)
Raymond Rollett
- Mr. Richie
- (uncredited)
Jack Sharp
- Shop Alarm Fitter
- (uncredited)
John Tatham
- Forensics Man
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Burgot Automatic Alarm was originally invented by a Mr. Mountstephen in 1938. When activated, it automatically dialled the police emergency service and played a recorded message that identified the location of the premises. As external sounders were not used, this machine was an effective "silent alarm" which resulted in very successful arrest rates for the Police. It was said that many a Burglar caught in the act, could not understand how the Police had been tipped off and assumed an accomplice was responsible for informing the authorities. In 1948 Burgot was acquired by Radio Rentals and traded as Burgot Rentals Ltd. Radio Rentals was an organization who specialised in renting radios and televisions, such items were popular but expensive, and renting was widespread in the 1950's. In 1958 Radio Rentals sold the burglar alarm business and it became Burgot Automatic Alarms Ltd. During this period Burgot began publishing figures of arrests resulting from their silent alarms. These were very impressive and resulted in the growth of the company not only in London, but in other major cities in the UK where crime was a problem, such as Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham.
- GoofsThe Morris Traveller car Registration Number 339 DWL used as the delivery car for Fur Fashions is the same car used by the thieves during the first robbery but with Fur Fashions written on the side.
- Crazy creditsDial 999 is made with the co-operation of the Metropolitan Police and the Citizens of London.
Featured review
A really interesting episode.
Fur coats are big business, and a gang are targeting shops, stealing their stocks, and then rebranding them, but a silent alarm system, The Mechanical Watchman is alerting The Police.
What an interesting episode, I had no idea that such a wonderful instrument existed, how fascinating to read the trivia and learn more Boud The Mechanical Watchman, I imagine that led to many an arrest.
Writer Ken Taylor did a fine job here, it's an imaginative storyline, he penned the screenplay for Joan Hickson's Sleeping Murder, so a writer with a degree of talent.
This is one of the more memorable episodes I'd say, I really enjoyed it. Fur coats of course have a very different standing now, in 1959 they were regarded as the ultimate luxury, I remember as a child my grandmother having one, she used to say it made her feel like a Million Dollars.
I liked the way in which Maguire accidentally tipped off the actual miscreant of exactly how The Police are being alerted so quickly.
A good cast here, Arthur Lowe is unmistakable, but uncredited. Delphi Lawrence was very good, one of those actors that just seemed to work so hard, her, Derren Nesbitt and Frank Thornton seemed to pop up in many different parts.
This was so interesting.
8/10.
What an interesting episode, I had no idea that such a wonderful instrument existed, how fascinating to read the trivia and learn more Boud The Mechanical Watchman, I imagine that led to many an arrest.
Writer Ken Taylor did a fine job here, it's an imaginative storyline, he penned the screenplay for Joan Hickson's Sleeping Murder, so a writer with a degree of talent.
This is one of the more memorable episodes I'd say, I really enjoyed it. Fur coats of course have a very different standing now, in 1959 they were regarded as the ultimate luxury, I remember as a child my grandmother having one, she used to say it made her feel like a Million Dollars.
I liked the way in which Maguire accidentally tipped off the actual miscreant of exactly how The Police are being alerted so quickly.
A good cast here, Arthur Lowe is unmistakable, but uncredited. Delphi Lawrence was very good, one of those actors that just seemed to work so hard, her, Derren Nesbitt and Frank Thornton seemed to pop up in many different parts.
This was so interesting.
8/10.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Jun 3, 2023
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content