Creator
Richard Carpenter
Born August 14, 1929 · King's Lynn, Norfolk, England
Died February 26, 2012 · aged 82
Richard Michael "Kip" Carpenter was an English screenwriter, author and actor. He created a number of British television series including Robin of Sherwood, Catweazle, Dick Turpin, The Ghosts of Motley Hall, Smuggler and Adventurer.
Known For
H.M.S. Defiant · 1962H.M.S. Defiant
★ 6.51962
MovieAdventureHistory
Defiant's crew is part of a fleet-wide movement to present a petition of grievances to the Admiralty. Violence must be no part of it. The continual sadism of Defiant's first officer makes this difficult, and when the captain is disabled, the chance for violence increases.
Frankenstein Mark 2 · 1966Frankenstein Mark 2
1966
MovieScience FictionTV Movie
A stranger calls at the home of divorcée Anna Preston, asking to collect some of her ex-husband's belongings. Anna agrees, but is suspicious, and tries to contact her 'ex' at the space-research establishment where he worked. But none of his colleagues can tell her where he is and the authorities block all her efforts to find out. Anna grows more convinced that he is in danger, but the truth is more horrifying than even she can imagine.
The Password Is Courage · 1962The Password Is Courage
★ 6.51962
MovieComedyDrama
Sergeant-Major Charles Coward, a brave British soldier is captured by German forces during World War II. When he's thrown into a prisoner of war camp, he immediately plans his escape. Masquerading as a wounded German soldier, he makes it as far as the medical tent, where the deceived enemy forces award him the Iron Cross. Though he is ultimately discovered, he goes on to courageously pursue his freedom with a whimsical and undying audacity.
62 1/2 · 202462 1/2
2024
MovieComedyFantasy
On the day before her 35th birthday and having never made a "significant" work of art, an artist is poised to lose her Artistic License forever. In a desperate bid to remain an artist, and avoid a soul-sucking job as an “unspecified creative” at Poogle, she makes her 62nd-and-a-half film. Inspired by Fellini's “8 ½”, “62 ½” is a satirical and whimsical fantasy about creativity in late-stage capitalism.
The Terrornauts · 1967The Terrornauts
★ 5.51967
MovieScience Fiction
A group of scientists are kidnapped and taken to an outer space outpost in order to save Earth from destruction.
I Was a Rat · 2001I Was a Rat
★ 9.02001
MovieDramaFamily
A little boy found wandering the streets is taken in by Bob and Joan, a kindly couple. The boy is cold, wet and desperate for shelter, but Bob and Joan are perplexed by his claims that he was once a rat. Meanwhile, rumours are rife at the newspaper about the prince's new love: a girl who captivated everyone at the palace ball.
Clash by Night · 1964Clash by Night
★ 7.21964
MovieCrimeDrama
A gangster is caught and arrested by police. When he's being transported by bus -- filled with innocent civilians -- it's hi-jacked by his gang in attempt to free their boss. They hide out. As the authorities close in they threaten to torch the barn the escapee and his men are hiding in -- with their hostage inside.
Stanley's Dragon · 1994Stanley's Dragon
★ 5.01994
MovieAdventureFantasy
Exploring a cavern, Stanley loses his friends but finds an old egg. He is excited when it hatches and a dragon comes out of it, but the authorities don't agree and put the dragon in the zoo. Stanley sets out to free his new discovery.
Movies
H.M.S. Defiant · 1962H.M.S. Defiant
★ 6.51962
MovieAdventureHistory
Defiant's crew is part of a fleet-wide movement to present a petition of grievances to the Admiralty. Violence must be no part of it. The continual sadism of Defiant's first officer makes this difficult, and when the captain is disabled, the chance for violence increases.
Frankenstein Mark 2 · 1966Frankenstein Mark 2
1966
MovieScience FictionTV Movie
A stranger calls at the home of divorcée Anna Preston, asking to collect some of her ex-husband's belongings. Anna agrees, but is suspicious, and tries to contact her 'ex' at the space-research establishment where he worked. But none of his colleagues can tell her where he is and the authorities block all her efforts to find out. Anna grows more convinced that he is in danger, but the truth is more horrifying than even she can imagine.
The Password Is Courage · 1962The Password Is Courage
★ 6.51962
MovieComedyDrama
Sergeant-Major Charles Coward, a brave British soldier is captured by German forces during World War II. When he's thrown into a prisoner of war camp, he immediately plans his escape. Masquerading as a wounded German soldier, he makes it as far as the medical tent, where the deceived enemy forces award him the Iron Cross. Though he is ultimately discovered, he goes on to courageously pursue his freedom with a whimsical and undying audacity.
62 1/2 · 202462 1/2
2024
MovieComedyFantasy
On the day before her 35th birthday and having never made a "significant" work of art, an artist is poised to lose her Artistic License forever. In a desperate bid to remain an artist, and avoid a soul-sucking job as an “unspecified creative” at Poogle, she makes her 62nd-and-a-half film. Inspired by Fellini's “8 ½”, “62 ½” is a satirical and whimsical fantasy about creativity in late-stage capitalism.
The Terrornauts · 1967The Terrornauts
★ 5.51967
MovieScience Fiction
A group of scientists are kidnapped and taken to an outer space outpost in order to save Earth from destruction.
I Was a Rat · 2001I Was a Rat
★ 9.02001
MovieDramaFamily
A little boy found wandering the streets is taken in by Bob and Joan, a kindly couple. The boy is cold, wet and desperate for shelter, but Bob and Joan are perplexed by his claims that he was once a rat. Meanwhile, rumours are rife at the newspaper about the prince's new love: a girl who captivated everyone at the palace ball.
Clash by Night · 1964Clash by Night
★ 7.21964
MovieCrimeDrama
A gangster is caught and arrested by police. When he's being transported by bus -- filled with innocent civilians -- it's hi-jacked by his gang in attempt to free their boss. They hide out. As the authorities close in they threaten to torch the barn the escapee and his men are hiding in -- with their hostage inside.
Stanley's Dragon · 1994Stanley's Dragon
★ 5.01994
MovieAdventureFantasy
Exploring a cavern, Stanley loses his friends but finds an old egg. He is excited when it hatches and a dragon comes out of it, but the authorities don't agree and put the dragon in the zoo. Stanley sets out to free his new discovery.
Robin of Sherwood: Robin Hood and the Sorcerer · 1984Robin of Sherwood: Robin Hood and the Sorcerer
1984
MovieAdventureFantasy
His family massacred by Norman soldiers, Robin takes on the mantle of the Hooded Man, a champion long prophesied. His first challenge is to free Maid Marion from the clutches of the evil, powerful Baron de Belleme. The feature-length pilot for the popular TV series.
Mystery Submarine · 1963Mystery Submarine
★ 10.01963
MovieWar
A British convoy is trying to elude a group of German U-Boats.
Operation Stogie · 1962Operation Stogie
★ 6.01962
MovieComedy
Two cadets are set an outrageous and wacky initiation test to prove their suitability for officer training.
Tarnished Heroes · 1961Tarnished Heroes
★ 8.01961
MovieWarDrama
According to the officer's handbook, 'an officer will perform whatever task confronts him with whatever men are available' and for Major Bell the men in question are drunks, thieves and deserters. With the German army closing in on his company's position, Major Bell undertakes a suicidal mission to blow up a bridge of strategic importance to the enemy. His only help will come in the form of a rag-tag band of army rejects who must become heroes if they are to fulfil their mission and come back alive.
TV Shows
No Hiding Place · 1959No Hiding Place
★ 4.81959
SeriesCrimeDrama
No Hiding Place is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967.
It was the sequel to the series Murder Bag and Crime Sheet, all starring Raymond Francis as Detective Superintendent, later Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart.
Robin of Sherwood · 1984Robin of Sherwood
★ 7.61984
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyDrama
Herne the Hunter picks Robin of Loxley as his successor in his mission to support the oppressed. Robin builds his army and leads a guerrilla attack to suppress the exploited's Norman tormentors.
Gideon's Way · 1965Gideon's Way
★ 7.01965
SeriesDrama
Gideon's Way is a British television crime series made by ITC Entertainment in 1964/65, based on the novels by John Creasey. The series was made at Elstree in twin production with The Saint TV series. It starred Liverpudlian John Gregson in the title role as Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard, with Alexander Davion as his assistant, Detective Chief Inspector David Keen, Reginald Jessup as Det. Superintendent LeMaitre, Ian Rossiter as Detective Chief Superintendent Joe Bell and Basil Dignam as Commissioner Scott-Marle. The show did not acknowledge any help from Scotland Yard, any other police force or advisor.
Daphne Anderson starred as his wife, Kate with Giles Watling as young son, Malcolm, Richard James as older son, Matthew who seemed to have a lot of new girlfriends and Andrea Allan as daughter, Pru. Unusually for police stories, Gideon was shown as a family man at home though urgent phone calls from his bosses tend to disrupt family plans too often. However, he did admit in "State Visit" that his wife had walked out on him for a while years ago when he put the job first and her second. They live in an expensive detached house in Chelsea.
Sherlock Holmes · 1964Sherlock Holmes
★ 6.71964
SeriesMysteryCrime
Sherlock Holmes (also known as 'Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes') is a series of Sherlock Holmes adaptations produced by British television company BBC between 1964 and 1968. This was the second screen adaption of Sherlock Holmes for BBC Television.
Espionage · 1963Espionage
★ 10.01963
SeriesDrama
Pulled from actual case histories and utilizing newsreel and documented narratives, the activities of spies from various countries are depicted as far back as the American Revolution and as recent as the Cold War.
Catweazle · 1970Catweazle
★ 7.61970
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyComedy
A medieval wizard (though not a very good one) Catweazle is transported to the modern age...
A British television series, created and written by Richard Carpenter which was produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for London Weekend Television under the LWI banner, and screened in the UK on ITV in 1970. A second season in 1971 was directed by David Reid and David Lane. Both series had thirteen episodes each, with Geoffrey Bayldon playing the leading role.
The series was broadcast in Ireland, Britain, Gibraltar, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Czechoslovakia, Nicaragua and Quebec. The first episode is available to view in full at the BFI Screenonline site.
Dick Turpin · 1979Dick Turpin
★ 7.41979
SeriesDramaComedy
Richard O'Sullivan stars as Dick Turpin in this action-filled adventure series chronicling the exploits of England's most celebrated highwayman.
The Famous Five · 1978The Famous Five
★ 7.51978
SeriesFamily
The Famous Five is a British television series based on the children's books of the same name by Enid Blyton. It was broadcast on ITV over two series in 1978 and 1979. It was produced by Southern Television in 26 half-hour episodes.
The Adventures of Black Beauty · 1972The Adventures of Black Beauty
★ 6.21972
SeriesFamily
The Adventures of Black Beauty is a British family adventure series broadcast on ITV1. Produced by London Weekend Television, the 52-episode series was inspired by Anna Sewell's novel but featured new characters, including Dr James Gordon and his children, who, in 19th century rural England, take in the horse Black Beauty.
Doctor Snuggles · 1981Doctor Snuggles
★ 6.91981
SeriesAnimationFamily
Doctor Snuggles is an animated television series created by Jeffrey O'Kelly based on original artwork by Nick Price, about a friendly and optimistic inventor named Doctor Snuggles who has unusual adventures with his friends. The show featured fantastical scenarios which usually involved Doctor Snuggles inventing something outlandish such as a robot helper or diamond-making machine, and had a variety of supporting characters who were mostly anthropomorphic animals.
Hannay · 1988Hannay
★ 6.51988
SeriesMystery
Hannay is a 1988 spin-off prequel series to the 1978 film adaptation of John Buchan's novel The Thirty-Nine Steps which stars Robert Powell as Richard Hannay, a role which he reprises in the series, an Edwardian mining engineer from Rhodesia of Scottish origin. It features his adventures in pre-World War I Great Britain. These stories had little in common with Buchan's novels about the character, although some names are taken from his other novels.
Smuggler · 1981Smuggler
★ 7.51981
Series
Set during the Napoleonic wars of the early 1800s, Oliver Tobias stars as Jack Vincent, a swashbuckling ex-British naval captain turned smuggler. A strong-willed, independent man who lives by both his wits and the sword, Vincent is ably assisted by Sarah and petty thief Honesty Evans in his struggle to stay one step ahead of the Excise Men...
The Ghosts of Motley Hall · 1976The Ghosts of Motley Hall
★ 7.51976
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyComedy
The Ghosts of Motley Hall is a British children's television series written by Richard Carpenter and produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for Granada Television, and broadcast between 1976 and 1978 on ITV.
Five ghosts occupy the titular Motley Hall. Each hails from a different era and all—with the exception of newly deceased Matt—are unable to leave the confines of the building.
Knight Errant Limited · 1959Knight Errant Limited
1959
Series
Adam Knight is a young man who, having tried several jobs, decides to set up an agency, 'Knight Errant '59', to solve other people's problems - whatever they may be. There's plenty of scope and, assisted by former reporter Liz and idealistic young writer Peter, the latter-day Sir Lancelot is kept busy with a variety of curious and exciting cases.
The series had two titles, Knight Errant '59 and Knight Errant Limited of which only two episodes exist out of the 75 produced.
The Borrowers · 1992The Borrowers
★ 6.71992
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyDrama
The Borrowers are small, 15cm high humans who live in the English hinterland. They live out their lives in mouse-hole sized nooks in human homes, and survive by 'borrowing' all they need from the house and its inhabitants. This series follows young girl Arriety, and her parents Pod and Homily, as they are displaced from their home and try to find a new home, with the help of a human boy, George.
The Scarlet Pimpernel · 1999The Scarlet Pimpernel
★ 7.71999
SeriesDrama
A series of television drama programmes loosely based on Baroness Emmuska Orczy's series of novels, set in 1793 during the French Revolution. It stars Richard E. Grant as the hero, Sir Percy Blakeney, and his eponymous alter ego. The first series also starred Elizabeth McGovern as his wife Marguerite and Martin Shaw as the Pimpernel's archrival, Paul Chauvelin. Robespierre was played by Ronan Vibert. It was filmed in the Czech Republic and scored by a Czech composer, Michal Pavlíček.
Adventurer · 1987Adventurer
1987
Series
Jack Vincent, an aristocrat forced by circumstances to become a smuggler, is caught and transported on the IIMS Success to a penal colony on Norfolk Island, off the New Zealand coast. Unhappily for Vincent, the ship's captain is none other than his brother-in-law, Lt.Harry Anderson. The two men have quarreled violently in the past over Anderson's treatment of Vincent's sister, and now Anderson subjects him to particularly harsh and humiliating treatment. Vincent stages a successful mutiny, casting Anderson and those loyal to him adrift, and plans to sail to America. When the Success is shipwrecked, Vincent is one of three survivors; but Anderson also survives the storm, and vows to pursue Vincent until he sees him hanged at Execution Dock. So begins a fight for survival for Vincent and his crew, complete with hostile natives, unscrupulous sea-traders, crazed prophets and buried treasure.
The Boy from Space · 1971The Boy from Space
1971
Series
Young siblings Dan and Helen must protect their new friend, a strange blue alien boy they name Peep-Peep, from the terrifying evil alien known only as The Thin (Space) Man, who's after him.