Campion (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Campion is a television show made by the BBC
, adapting the Albert Campion
mystery novels
written by Margery Allingham
. Two seasons were made, in 1989 and 1990, starring Peter Davison
as Campion, Brian Glover
as his manservant Magersfontein Lugg
and Andrew Burt
as his policeman friend Stanislaus Oates.
A total of eight novels were adapted, four in each series, each of which was originally broadcast as two separate hour-long episodes. Peter Davison sang the title music for the first series himself; in the second series, it was replaced with an instrumental version.
featured extensively in the series. The car used in the series is now kept in Germany.
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, adapting the Albert Campion
Albert Campion
Albert Campion is a fictional character in a series of detective novels and short stories by Margery Allingham. He first appeared as a supporting character in The Crime at Black Dudley , an adventure story involving a ring of criminals, and would go on to feature in another 17 novels and over 20...
mystery novels
Detective fiction
Detective fiction is a sub-genre of crime fiction and mystery fiction in which an investigator , either professional or amateur, investigates a crime, often murder.-In ancient literature:...
written by Margery Allingham
Margery Allingham
Margery Louise Allingham was an English crime writer, best remembered for her detective stories featuring gentleman sleuth Albert Campion.- Childhood and schooling :...
. Two seasons were made, in 1989 and 1990, starring Peter Davison
Peter Davison
Peter Davison is a British actor, best known for his roles as Tristan Farnon in the television version of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small and the fifth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, which he played from 1982 to 1984.-Early life:Davison was born Peter Moffett in Streatham,...
as Campion, Brian Glover
Brian Glover
Brian Glover was an English character actor, writer and wrestler. Glover was a professional wrestler, teacher, and finally a film, television and stage actor. He once said, "You play to your strengths in this game. My strength is as a bald-headed, rough-looking Yorkshireman".-Early life:Glover was...
as his manservant Magersfontein Lugg
Magersfontein Lugg
Magersfontein Lugg is a fictional character in the Albert Campion novels, written by Margery Allingham. Servant and factotum to Mr Campion, Lugg is a former burglar, with a gruff manner, who hinders Campion socially as much as he helps.- Appearances :...
and Andrew Burt
Andrew Burt
Andrew Burt is an English actor, who has appeared in many British TV drama series from the 1970s to the present day...
as his policeman friend Stanislaus Oates.
A total of eight novels were adapted, four in each series, each of which was originally broadcast as two separate hour-long episodes. Peter Davison sang the title music for the first series himself; in the second series, it was replaced with an instrumental version.
Series 1 - 1989
- "Look to the LadyLook to the LadyLook to the Lady is a crime novel by Margery Allingham, first published January 1931, in the United Kingdom by Jarrolds Publishing, London, and in the United States by Doubleday, New York, as The Gyrth Chalice Mystery...
"- A mystery surrounding an ancient chalice. Features Gordon JacksonGordon JacksonGordon Jackson is the name of:*Gordon Jackson , Scottish actor*Gordon Jackson , Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Govan, 1999–2007*Gordon Jackson , Australian businessman...
as Professor Cairey. Original air dates January 22 and 29th 1989.
- A mystery surrounding an ancient chalice. Features Gordon Jackson
- "Police at the FuneralPolice at the FuneralPolice at the Funeral is a crime novel by Margery Allingham, first published in October 1931, in the United Kingdom by Heinemann, London and in 1932 in the United States by Doubleday, New York...
"- The death of a member of a wealthy family. Features Timothy WestTimothy WestTimothy Lancaster West, CBE is an English film, stage and television actor.-Career:West's craggy looks ensured a career as a character actor rather than a leading man. He began his career as an Assistant Stage Manager at the Wimbledon Theatre in 1956, and followed this with several seasons of...
as Uncle William Faraday. Original air dates February 5 and 12th 1989.
- The death of a member of a wealthy family. Features Timothy West
- "The Case of the Late PigThe Case of the Late PigThe Case of the Late Pig is a crime novel by Margery Allingham, first published 1937, by Hodder & Stoughton. It is the eighth novel featuring the mysterious Albert Campion and his butler/valet/bodyguard Magersfontein Lugg.-Plot summary:...
"- A man appears to have died twice. Features Michael GoughMichael GoughMichael Gough was an English character actor who appeared in over 150 films. He is perhaps best known to international audiences for his roles in the Hammer Horror films from 1958, and for his recurring role as Alfred Pennyworth in all four movies of the Burton/Schumacher Batman franchise,...
as Mr Hayhoe. Original air dates February 19 and 26th 1989.
- A man appears to have died twice. Features Michael Gough
- "Death of a GhostDeath of a GhostDeath of a Ghost is a crime novel by Margery Allingham, first published in February 1934, in the United Kingdom by Heinemann, London and in the United States by Doubleday, New York...
"- A painter's legacy leads to murder. Features Jean AndersonJean AndersonJean Anderson was an English actress born in Eastbourne, Sussex. She is best remembered for her television roles as hard-faced matriarch Mary Hammond in the 1970s BBC drama The Brothers and as rebellious aristocrat Lady Jocelyn "Joss" Holbrook in the 1980s Second World War series Tenko .She is...
as Belle Lafcadio and Carole Ruggier as Rosa. Original air dates March 5 and 12th 1989.
- A painter's legacy leads to murder. Features Jean Anderson
Series 2 - 1990
- "Sweet DangerSweet DangerSweet Danger is a crime novel by Margery Allingham, first published in October 1933, in the United Kingdom by Heinemann, London and in the United States by Doubleday, New York as Kingdom of Death; later U.S. versions used the title The Fear Sign...
"- The ownership of a tiny kingdom leads to a deadly treasure hunt. Features Lysette AnthonyLysette AnthonyLysette Anthony is an English film, television, and theatre actress.-Early life:Anthony was born Lysette Chodzko in Fulham, London, the only daughter of actors Michael Anthony, and Bernadette Milnes....
as Amanda Fitton and David HaigDavid HaigDavid Haig is an Olivier Award-winning English actor and FIPA Award-winning writer. He is known for his versatility, having played dramatic, serio-comic and comedic roles, playing characters of varied social classes...
as Guffy Randall. Original air dates January 12 and 19th 1990.
- The ownership of a tiny kingdom leads to a deadly treasure hunt. Features Lysette Anthony
- "Dancers in MourningDancers in MourningDancers in Mourning is a crime novel by Margery Allingham, first published in 1937, in the United Kingdom by Heinemann, London and in the United States by Doubleday Doran, New York; later U.S...
"- A series of pranks, and worse, upset a leading theatre star and his bizarre household. Features Ian OgilvyIan OgilvyIan Raymond Ogilvy is an English film and television actor.-Early life:He was born in Woking, Surrey, England, the son of advertising executive Francis Ogilvy and actress Aileen Raymond .He was educated at Sunningdale School, Eton College and at the Royal Academy of...
as Jimmy Sutane and Pippa GuardPippa GuardPhilippa Ann Guard is a British actress.Guard was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and belongs to a well-known theatrical family, whose members include her uncle Philip Guard, cousins Christopher Guard and Dominic Guard, and younger brother Alex Guard. Her father was an engineer who moved the family to...
as Linda Sutane. Original air dates February 9 and 16th 1990.
- A series of pranks, and worse, upset a leading theatre star and his bizarre household. Features Ian Ogilvy
- "Flowers for the JudgeFlowers for the JudgeFlowers for the Judge is a crime novel by Margery Allingham, first published in February 1936, in the United Kingdom by Heinemann, London, and in the United States by Doubleday, Doran, New York...
"- Murder visits a respectable London publishing house. Features Robert LangRobert Lang (actor)Robert Lang was an English actor of stage and television. Laurence Olivier invited him to join the new National Theatre Company, at the Old Vic, Robert Lang was already earning high praise as an actor. From 1971 until his death he was married to Ann Bell, best known for her portrayal of Marion...
as John Barnabas and Barrie InghamBarrie InghamBarrie Ingham is an English actor in stage, TV and film.-Life and career:Ingham was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, the son of Irene and Harold Ellis Stead Ingham. He was educated at Heath Grammar School and became a Royal Artillery Officer. His major theatre debut was at Manchester Library...
as Ritchie Barnabas. Original air dates February 23 and March 2, 1990.
- Murder visits a respectable London publishing house. Features Robert Lang
- "Mystery MileMystery MileMystery Mile is a crime novel by Margery Allingham, first published in 1930, in the United Kingdom by Jarrolds Publishing, London, and in the United States by Doubleday, Doran, New York...
"- Campion must protect the family of an American judge on the trail of a sinister crime boss. Original air dates March 9 and 16th 1990.
Car
A Lagonda 16/80Lagonda 16/80
The Lagonda 16/80 was a sports touring car introduced by Lagonda in 1932, replacing the company’s 4-cylinder 2-litre model.The first part of its name referred to its Fiscal horsepower rating of 16 . Under naming conventions common at the time, the second number in its name might have referred to...
featured extensively in the series. The car used in the series is now kept in Germany.
External links
- Comment on the adaptations at the Margery Allingham Archive
- The credit sequence for the first season, at the BBC's Cult TV site (no longer maintained).
- The credit sequence for season 2, as above.