The Toff [Adapted]

Terence Alexander stars in these two classic crime dramas, adapted from the novels of John Creasey.

Meet The Honourable Richard Rollison—a.k.a the Toff. A debonair aristocrat and ace amateur sleuth, he's the scourge of London's criminal underworld: sometimes working alone, sometimes hand-in-glove with the police. But wherever he goes, he leaves his distinctive calling card: a jaunty caricature featuring a top hat, a monocle, a bow tie and a cigar. In these two gripping thrillers, he finds himself involved in rural intrigue and a wedding-day mystery....

The Toff on the Farm - When the Toff is offered the opportunity to buy a small farm in Sussex, he politely declines—he's never had any inclination to be a country squire. But when he hears that there's a mystery attached to the place, he agrees to drive down and take a look. On arrival, he discovers that several other potential buyers are keen to get their hands on the property—and the owner's brother has vanished. Can the Toff uncover the secrets surrounding Selby Farm?

The Toff and the Runaway Bride - Barbara Lawn is about to marry the Toff's old chum, Major Guy Lessing, against her father's wishes. But on the morning of the big day, she receives a distressing phone call—and later, at the reception, a letter arrives bearing shocking news. When she flees her husband en route to the honeymoon, the Toff finds himself investigating a heinous case of blackmail and murder....

First published 1958 (The Toff on the Farm), 1959 (The Toff and the Runaway Bride).

Cast and credits:

Written by John Creasey. Dramatised by Roy Lomax. Produced by John Fawcett Wilson. Starring Terence Alexander as the Toff and Robert Dorning as Jolly.

The Toff on the Farm

Gillian Selby—Heather Stoney

Mr Lodwyn/Vicar—Jeffrey Segal

Monty Morne—Terrence Hardiman

Bert—Frank Jarvis

Red Brandt/Eddie Forbes—Ed Bishop

Inspector Bishop—Derek Newark

Smith—Reg Lye

Police Sergeant—Paul Meier

Superintendent Grice—Duncan Lamont

Lola Bridge—Liz Gebardt

Alan Selby—Alaric Cotter

Bert Ebbutt—Douglas Blackwell

William T Brandt—Alan White

Other parts played by the cast.

First broadcast BBC World Service, March 1977.

The Toff and the Runaway Bride

Barbara—Rosalind Shanks

Aunt Gloria—Peggy Ann Wood

Holy Joe/Sergeant/Carruthers—David Graham

Maggie—Frances Jeater

Major Guy Lessing—Alan Cuthbertson

Doctor—Dennis McCarthy

Kevin Brennan—Robert Lawn

Superintendent/Inspector Reno—Godfrey James

Police Officer—Clifford Norgate

Rose Lessing—Denise Buckley

Inspector Ellerby—Roger Gartland

Sergeant—Michael Shannon

Robert Lawn—Kevin Brennan

Police Constable—John Bull

Inspector—Jean Dryant

Other parts played by the cast.

First broadcast BBC World Service, June 1975.