Shake Hands for Ever
1988: Adapted by J.E.M. Brooks from the Ruth Rendell novel.
Wexford knows who killed Angela Hathall but a lack of tangible evidence leaves the Chief Inspector open to accusations of harassment when he pursues the suspect. Undeterred, he embarks on his own, unofficial investigation - desperate to find proof before the murderer escapes justice… Continue reading →
Background: The title is taken from The Parting - a sonnet by the Elizabethan poet Michael Drayton. The success of the Wexford series led to George Baker being invited onto the Southampton General Hospital MRI scanner fund-raising committee. The committee went on to raise £2.5 million in eighteen months.
Audio Clip: “May I see your right hand, Mrs Lake?”
Audio Clip: “May I see your right hand, Mrs Lake?”
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Cast and Crew
- DCI Wexford
- GEORGE BAKER
- DI Burden
- CHRISTOPHER RAVENSCROFT
- Dora Wexford
- LOUIE RAMSAY
- Robert Hathall
- TOM WILKINSON
- Chief Supt Howard Fortune
- PATRICK DRURY
- Nancy Lake
- JUNE RITCHIE
- Chief Constable Griswold
- MICHAEL BYRNE
- Jack Lovat
- FRED PEARSON
- Mr Aveney
- GEOFFREY BEEVERS
- John Oldsbury
- JULIAN FIRTH
- Flat Landlord
- ANTHONY DOUSE
- Denise Fortune
- SHEILA RUSKIN
- DS Martin
- KEN KITSON
- Airport Inspector
- ROBERT SWANN
- Mrs Hathall
- MARGERY MASON
- Mark Somerset
- BERNARD HOLLEY
- Valerie Snyder
- MARIE STILLIN
- Coroner
- PETER BALDWIN
- Barman
- BUNNY MAY
- Angela Hathall
- SUE DERRICK
- Solicitor
- PETER PENRY-JONES
- Mrs Letherbridge
- DOREEN ANDREW
- Bernard
- GERTAN KLAUBER
- Production Manager
- IAN SCAIFFE
- 1st Assistant Director
- JAMES GREVILLE
- 2nd Assistant Director
- STEPHANIE SULLIVAN
- Location Manager
- BILL SLARK
- Stage Manager
- MIKE FISHER
- P.A./Continuity
- ANNE CRAFT
- Production Secretary
- JILL PARTINGTON
- Music composed by
- BRIAN BENNETT
- Script Executive
- CORRINE CARTIER
- Costume Designer
- SERENA BROWN
- Make Up
- ANNE TOWNLEY
- Graphic Designer
- FREDDIE TRICCAS
- Designer
- CHRISTINE RUSCOE
- Production Buyer
- RAY WARWICK
- Sound Recordist
- MIKE SALE
- Dubbing Mixer
- TONY CUNNINGHAM
- Dubbing Editor
- MARK THOMAS
- Chargehand Electrician
- MIKE HOPLEY
- Camera Grip
- ALAN IMESON
- Focus Puller
- MIKE SPRAGG
- Camera Operator
- JULIAN BARBER
- Lighting Cameraman
- MIKE SMITH
- Videotape Editor
- CHRISTOPHER WENTZELL
- Executive Producer
- GRAHAM BENSON
- Producer
- NEIL ZEIGER
- Directed by
- DON LEAVER
- A Television South Production
Principle Characters
Shake Hands for Ever
Angela Hathall (Sue Derrick) is found strangled in the Kingsmarkham home she shared with her husband - Robert - an accountant who was working in his London office at the time of the murder.
Wexford is immediately suspicious of Robert Hathall (Tom Wilkinson), a paranoid individual who seems far too accepting of his wife’s fate. Hathall reacts angrily when questioned, insisting that Angela was the victim of a maniac who broke into the house. However, there are no signs of a break-in and the only clues found at the scene are: a missing gilt neck chain (possibly the murder weapon); three long strands of dark hair and an unidentified right-hand print, complete with an L-shaped scar on the forefinger.
Wexford interviews Hathall’s neighbour, Nancy Lake (June Ritchie), a sexy widow who tells Wexford that the Hathalls’ were a devoted couple. However, despite this evidence and Mike Burden’s misgivings, Wexford remains convinced that Hathall conspired to kill his wife with a female accomplice. Then - when he is removed from the case following accusations of harassment and persecution - Wexford follows Hathall to London where he enlists the help of his nephew, Chief Superintendent Howard Fortune (Patrick Drury).
Background Notes | Cast & Crew »
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