Claire Nielson
Ghost Squad (1961)
Season 2
Ghost Squad, known as G.S.5 for its third series, was a crime drama series about an elite division of Scotland Yard that ran between 1961 and 1964. Each episode the Ghost Squad would investigate cases that fell outside the scope of normal police work. Despite the show and characters being fictional, an actual division did exist within the Metropolitan Police Service at the time. Inspiration for the series was taken from a book of the same name, written by John Gosling — a retired police officer and former member of the team. Although the real-life squad only operated in London, the fictionalised team travelled internationally; however — as was typical of the time — most foreign locations were actually a combination of stock footage and sets at Independent Artists Studio at Beaconsfield and Elstree Studios. Music was by Philip Green. The show was produced by ITC Entertainment, along with Rank Organisation TV and ATV. It was the first ITC show filmed to fit the one hour time-slot — setting the trend for the majority of ITC's future output. Another common ITC trait was to feature an American, in this case Michael Quinn, in a leading role so as to increase the chances of international sales. At 6' 3", Quinn often towered over his co-workers. This was especially noticeable in the first series title sequence showing him walking through a crowd walking in the opposite direction. He frequently smoked in the show as did many others. The second series had a different title sequence and Neil Hallett sometimes replaced Quinn. Hallett looked more like a spy while Quinn looked a bit like a playboy. Quinn was replaced by Australian actor, Ray Barrett in the third series. Ray Austin played Billy Clay in and was also Stunt Director on all series bringing the action to life. Austin went on to become a renowned TV director in Hollywood and the UK.
Released Sept. 9, 1961
Episode 60 min
None+
S2E1 - The Green Shoes
Craig investigates a scientist at a nuclear research center.
Dec. 29, 1962, midnight
S2E2 - Catspaw
Jan. 5, 1963, midnight
S2E3 - The Princess
Jan. 12, 1963, midnight
S2E4 - The Big Time
Jan. 19, 1963, midnight
S2E5 - Death of a Sportsman
Jan. 26, 1963, midnight
S2E6 - Interrupted Requiem
Feb. 2, 1963, midnight
S2E7 - East of Mandalay
Miller investigates the sale of arms to a revolutionary group in a Far East country.
Feb. 9, 1963, midnight
S2E8 - Escape Route
Feb. 16, 1963, midnight
S2E9 - The Last Jump
Feb. 23, 1963, midnight
S2E10 - Polsky
March 2, 1963, midnight
S2E11 - The Heir Apparent
March 9, 1963, midnight
S2E12 - The Magic Bullet
March 16, 1963, midnight
S2E13 - The Menacing Mazurka
Miller guards a troupe of girl dancers.
March 23, 1963, midnight
S2E14 - The Retirement of the Gentle Dove
March 30, 1963, midnight
S2E15 - Mr. Five Percent
Miller investigates arms smuggling.
April 6, 1963, midnight
S2E16 - Gertrude
Craig rescues a double agent from a hostile country.
April 13, 1963, midnight
S2E17 - Sabotage
Miller goes to the Phillimores to help end riots there.
April 20, 1963, midnight
S2E18 - The 13th Girl
April 27, 1963, midnight
S2E19 - Sentences of Death
May 4, 1963, midnight
S2E20 - The Grand Duchess
May 11, 1963, midnight
S2E21 - The Desperate Diplomat
May 18, 1963, midnight
S2E22 - Hot Money
May 25, 1963, midnight
S2E23 - Quarantine at Kavar
June 1, 1963, midnight
S2E24 - The Golden Silence
June 8, 1963, midnight
S2E25 - Lost in Transit
June 15, 1963, midnight
S2E26 - The Man With the Delicate Hands
June 22, 1963, midnight
S2E27 - The Missing People
June 29, 1963, midnight
S2E28 - PG7
July 6, 1963, midnight
S2E29 - A First Class Way to Die
July 13, 1963, midnight
Network: ITV1
Episode Runtime: 60 min.
Season Runtime: 60 min.
Released: Sept. 9, 1961
Last Air Date: May 16, 1964, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR
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