The Protectors + Muck and Brass

The Protectors, the 1964 crime drama (not to be confused with the 1970's action drama of the same name starring Robert Vaughn). 
While scanning the key frames and checking the audio sync I noticed quite a few familiar faces from later years on TV: Derek Fowlds, Gretchen Franklyn, Gerald Sim, Norman Bird, John Ringham, Peter Bowles, Dilys Laye, John Bluthal, Glynn Edwards, Donald Hewlett, Brian Wilde........
"The Protectors had one of the most difficult jobs on television when first introduced in 1964, as this team of specialists were brought in to bridge the gap left by the concluding episode of that year's highly successful series of The Avengers. "We sell security. Object: To prevent crime," was the motto of the three specialists operating out of a plush London office. Producer Michael Chapman said of the series, "This is in sharp contrast to The Avengers, which dealt with crime in a stylish, fantasy world. Our show is about three level-headed people who try to prevent crime from happening." Certainly Heather Keys played by former Compact actress Ann Morrish was no Cathy Gale. "I suppose it is inevitable I should be compared to Cathy," said Morrish in 1964. "But off-screen and on we couldn't be more different." The series took for its inspiration the many security firms that were beginning to spring up around Britain at that time, and after placing advertisements in newspapers, asking prospective clients to call 'Wellbeck 3269' the SIS (Specialists in Security) firm headed by former insurance investigator Ian Souter (Andrew Faulds), and assisted by ex policeman Robert Shoesmith (Michael Atkinson) found themselves assigned to cases involving forgery, espionage and murder. African born Faulds had previously come to public notice as a prospective Labour parliamentary candidate for Stratford-on-Avon, and took up his political career once more after retiring from acting to become an MP. Ann Morrish went on to be a presenter on the pre-school children's show Play School."

Muck And Brass is a 1982 drama mini-series starring the recently departed Mel Smith. I've been sitting on these for quite a while but only now discovered that this was released on DVD about 5 years ago. Well, these are not DVD rips. They're video tape recordings off TV. Pretty good quality though. An IMDB reviewer wrote:"Muck and Brass stars Mel Smith in a serious role for once and plays a property developer by the name of Tom Craig. he is ruthless and wants to get his own way in what ever means come to him. he out do's his rivals. this is excellent drama I only wish that there was a another series made to carry on with the first. Jim Bowen also has a more series role then stand up comedian as we all see him. it is good to see that even comedians if given a chance to do straight acting can be great to watch. Paul Shane of Hi-Di-Hi also makes an appearance. but, there is some humour but, the series does not lose it's plot. this series was excellent when shown on t.v. I only wish there was another series to follow what happens to Tom Craig after he has won his battles in becoming a provincial property tycoon an excellent t.v. drama."