The Man in Room 17
The Man in Room 17 is a British television series which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960s, produced by the Northern ITV franchise, Granada Television. Key to the series' success was the involvement of writer/producer Robin Chapman. The show was set in Room 17 of the Department of Social Research, where former wartime agent-turned-criminologist Edwin Oldenshaw solved difficult police cases through theory and discussions with his assistants. The novelty of the series was that Oldenshaw and his colleagues never needed to leave their office in order to resolve cases, preferring to spend their time playing the Japanese board game of Go. They simply provided their prognosis and left the police to do the cleaning up. Different directors were often appointed to film the Room 17 and outside-world scenes independently, to maintain a sense of distance between the two worlds.
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Seasons & Episodes
1. Tell the Truth
A case of suspected espionage, but no leads. Scotland Yard pool their best brains, without success. The Government must try to interest the Man in Room 17...
2. Hello, Lazarus
A millionaire, Crawshaw, is reportedly killed when a charter plane crashes. Room 17 are intrigued; Crawshaw had a fear of flying, so why should he have chosen this mode of travel?
3. The Years of Glory
A retired general's house is burgled. He denies anything is missing, but he has kept wartime diaries which could prove embarrassing to the Government; Room 17 are asked to find them.
4. Confidential Report
A confidential intelligence report on a member of a friendly foreign government has been stolen, and could be used to devastating effect if published. Room 17 are asked to recover it.
5. The Millions of Mazafariyah
An attempt on the life of an official in the Foreign Office brings Room 17 into contact with the Middle East.
6. The Seat of Power
A top agent is sent into Britain, but his alleged intentions seem doubtful. Has he a more sinister objective? The men of Room 17 are asked to take a closer look.
7. Safe Conduct
The ex-president of a Latin-American state, in exile in Britain, had presumed that his son is dead. When he hears that he is still alive, Room 17 are asked to bring him safely to England.
8. A Minor Operation
A small paragraph in a newspaper leads the occupants of Room 17 into a world of espionage, blackmail...and ballet!
9. Find the Lady
Room 17 face a question of priority: they can choose to save a girl's life, or stop a revolution. Employing the most unorthodox of methods, they try to accomplish both.
10. The Bequest
Room 17 investigate a businessman who is trying to develop a revolutionary new fibre - uncovering personal intrigue, professional rivalries, and a killing.
11. Up Against A Brick Wall
A man is killed; his body lies partly in one country, partly in another. Whose responsibility is it to investigate the case? Room 17 have to condone a robbery in order to find out.
12. Out for a Duck
A millionaire who owes the Inland Revenue a large sum is now living on a Caribbean island; Room 17 are asked to prise him loose from his paradise by any means at their disposal.
13. Black Anniversary
A British general is murdered in strange circumstances; exactly a year later, a colonial governor is murdered in still stranger circumstances. Is there any connection?
