Put On by Cunning
1990: Adapted by Trevor Preston from the Ruth Rendell novel.
A celebrated flautist, Sir Manuel Camargue, is discovered drowned in the grounds of his country estate. The death is believed to be a tragic accident but Wexford’s suspicions are aroused when Sir Manuel’s young fiancée claims that his estranged daughter - Natalie, who returned from Los Angeles to see her father shortly before his death - is an impostor… Continue reading →
Background: Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire was used as the setting for Sir Manuel’s memorial service. George Baker’s late wife, the actress Sally Home, plays the part of the busybody neighbour Mrs Murray-Burgess.
Sandy Johnson: “All the Los Angeles dialogue scenes were shot in Southampton apart from the reverses of George in the doorways which were matched to the studio interiors. So he’s in LA and the other actors are back in the UK!”
Audio Clip: “Patzini not Passini…”
Audio Clip: “Patzini not Passini…”
Next episode: A New Lease of Death »
Cast and Crew
- DCI Wexford
- GEORGE BAKER
- DI Burden
- CHRISTOPHER RAVENSCROFT
- Dora Wexford
- LOUIE RAMSAY
- Jenny Burden
- DIANE KEEN
- Sir Manuel Camargue
- ROSSANO BRAZZI
- Dinah Sternhold
- JANET MAW
- Natalie Arno
- CHERIE LUNGHI
- Flautist
- STEPHEN SOLLOWAY
- Rector
- TIM MEATS
- Ted Hicks
- MALCOLM RAEBURN
- Muriel Hicks
- MYRA McFADYEN
- John Fassbender
- VINCENZO NICOLI
- Sylvia Fairfax
- CHARON BOURKE
- Coroner
- DAVID STOLL
- Mr Haq
- NATHAN DAMBUZA
- Ivan Zoffany
- MALCOLM TIERNEY
- Jane Zoffany
- AMANDA BOXER
- Mrs Murray-Burgess
- SALLY HOME
- Philip Cory
- MICHAEL BILTON
- Mr Browning
- PETER PENRY-JONES
- Magistrate
- RUTH TROUNCER
- Kenneth Ames
- PHILIP LOCKE
- Mrs Mountnessing
- BERYL REID
- Mavis Roland
- EILEEN MACIEJEWSKA
- Mary Woodhouse
- HELENA McCARTHY
- Dobrowski
- ANGUS MACINNES
- Mrs Romero
- CARMEN GOMEZ
- Davina Ilbert
- BETH PORTER
- Receptionist
- SHERI FOXCROFT
- Tom Sessamy
- BOB SESSIONS
- Edith Sessamy
- VALERIE COLGAN
- Mrs Rochford
- IAN TALBOT
- Therese Leremy
- AMY WERBA
- Script Executive
- CORINNE CARTIER
- Original music composed by
- BRIAN BENNETT
- Casting Director
- DOREEN JONES
- Stunt Arranger
- SEAN McCABE
- Production Manager
- GRAEME MacARTHUR
- Location Manager
- PHILIP HARTLEY
- French location
Co-ordinator - MARY BENNETT
- 1st Assistant Director
- JON OLDER
- Continuity
- SHAN PROSSER
- Stage Manager
- MIKE FISHER
- Production Secretary
- SUE BAILEY
- Graphic Designer
- JOHN HAMON
- Costume Designer
- RITA ANGELL
- Make Up Supervisor
- TONI HOLMES
- Production Buyer
- ALAN BATES
- Dubbing Mixer
- TONY CUNNINGHAM
- Dubbing Editor
- PETER DANSIE
- Camera Grip
- ALAN IMESON
- Sound Recordist
- MAURICE HILLIER
- Camera Operator
- JULIAN BARBER
- Film Editor
- CHRISTOPHER WENTZELL
- Lighting Cameraman
- KEN BRINSLEY
- Director of Photography (Los Angeles)
- PETER SMOKLER
- Designer
- MARK WARD
- Executive Producer
- GRAHAM BENSON
- Producer
- NEIL ZEIGER
- Directed by
- SANDY JOHNSON
- A Television South Production
Principle Characters
Put On by Cunning
Sir Manuel Camargue (Rossano Brazzi), a rich, elderly man, causes quite a stir in Kingsmarkham when he announces his engagement to a much younger woman. His happiness seems complete when he is visited by his only child - Natalie - a daughter, from whom he has been estranged for many years.
When Sir Manuel dies in a seemingly tragic accident, Wexford is visited by his grieving fiancée Dinah Sternhold (Janet Maw). Dinah claims that Sir Manuel was convinced that the woman who arrived from Southern California was not his daughter and that he had planned to change his will in an attempt to prevent an impostor from inheriting his considerable wealth.
Wexford visits Carmague’s Kingsmarkham home and finds Natalie (Cherie Lunghi) preparing to sell the house. The heiress is immediately hostile toward the Chief Inspector and her provocative and manipulative behaviour appears to add weight to Dinah’s claims. Natalie introduces Wexford to her friends; The Zoffanys (Malcolm Tierney & Amanda Boxer), an intense, evasive couple who seem very protective of the woman claiming to be Sir Manuel Carmague’s daughter.
Wexford travels to Southern California hoping to find something that will prove Natalie’s deception. However, on his return home a startling truth is uncovered that changes his whole view of the case and takes him to France on a fresh trail of intrigue and murder.
Background notes | Cast & crew »
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