'Z Cars - Takes All Sorts'

'Z Cars - Takes All Sorts'

When the first character you see in an episode of 'Z Cars' is named Inspector Pratt, that;s probably a clue that this isn't going to be most serious one you've ever seen.

Broadcast on 2nd October 1972, 'Takes All Sorts' was described in the 'Radio Times' write-up as follows : "The new Inspector arrives - Ralph Edward Pratt - spruce as a pocket-hankie and dripping self-confidence…"

We deal here with the contrasting approaches to policing adopted by Inspector Pratt (Graham Armitage) and PC Yates (Nicholas Smith). The former does everything by the book, the latter is more flexible, shall we say, but this often works better when dealing with  real people.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Lynch (James Ellis) is wondering whether he really wants promotion and is concerned that this might change him in ways he might not be comfortable with.

Inspector Pratt leads a pub raid at The Freemasons Arms, SIlver Street where after-hours drinking appears to be the norm. This scene is a feast for those who know their archive telly, with Fred Mumford's dad from 'Rentaghost' (John Dawson) behind the bar and customers including Mrs McClusky from 'Grange Hill' (Gwyneth Powell) and Dylan from 'Porridge : A Day Out' (Philip Jackson).

Gwyneth Powell is here playing Jean Knight and is having an affair and is concerned that her husband will find out, so eventually does a deal with Detective-Sergeant Stone (John Slater), revealing that her other half has been involved with a recent robbery. With her villainous hubby banged-up, she can attempt to get on with her life, even though it will still be complicated, given that her lover is married...

But the set-piece of this episode is the low-speed chase involving the yellow dumper truck which isn't a million miles away from 'Wacky Races' or 'Planet Of The Spiders' Part Two.

Philip Jackson (as Mitchell) is getting married in the morning and he and his mate have missed the last train back to Eccles. When hitch-hiking proves a failure, they eventually spot the dumper truck and 'borrow' it to help them complete their journey.

Yates and Skinner (Ian Cullen) are soon in hot pursuit, with Inspector Pratt providing encouragment, but little in the way of road sense, when Yates' car gets pranged.

Pratt makes it clear that he is less than impressed with Yates in general, but Pratt's stiff and starchy attitude means that Mitchell and his chum clam up when they are hauled in to make a statement. Cunning old Yates, though, is able to deal with the situation, justifying Stone's description of him as being the better copper of the contrasting pair.

It's a fairly light-hearted episode but it makes some interesting points. We've been meaning to talk about it for ages, so watching it again last night was very enjoyable.

Early 70s 'Z Cars' suffers from so many missing episodes that 'Doctor Who' fans probably have nightmares the first time they study the list, but I'm very glad that 'Takes All Sorts' exists.

It's well worth adding some 'Z Cars' to your collection and I hope that more will be released in the future. We'd certainly buy them!

Takes All Sorts' is available from Acorn DVD and our video discussing the episode can be seen here.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)