The Toff

Synopsis

Terence Alexander stars in these two classic crime dramas, adapted from the novels of John CreaseyMeet 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 creditsWritten by John CreaseyDramatised by Roy LomaxProduced by John Fawcett WilsonStarring Terence Alexander as the Toff and Robert Dorning as JollyThe Toff on the FarmGillian Selby - Heather StoneyMr Lodwyn/Vicar - Jeffrey SegalMonty Morne - Terrence HardimanBert - Frank JarvisRed Brandt/Eddie Forbes - Ed BishopInspector Bishop - Derek NewarkSmith - Reg LyePolice Sergeant - Paul MeierSuperintendent Grice - Duncan LamontLola Bridge - Liz GebardtAlan Selby - Alaric CotterBert Ebbutt - Douglas BlackwellWilliam T Brandt - Alan WhiteOther parts played by the castFirst broadcast BBC World Service, March 1977The Toff and the Runaway BrideBarbara - Rosalind ShanksAunt Gloria - Peggy Ann WoodHoly Joe/Sergeant/Carruthers - David GrahamMaggie - Frances JeaterMajor Guy Lessing - Alan CuthbertsonDoctor - Dennis McCarthyKevin Brennan - Robert LawnSuperintendent/Inspector Reno - Godfrey JamesPolice Officer - Clifford NorgateRose Lessing - Denise BuckleyInspector Ellerby - Roger GartlandSergeant - Michael ShannonRobert Lawn - Kevin BrennanPolice Constable - John BullInspector - Jean DryantOther parts played by the castFirst broadcast BBC World Service, June 1975Copyright © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd(P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd