The Man in Room 17
The Man in Room 17

The Man in Room 17

1965 2 Seasons 26 Episodes ⭐ 6.3 Crime Drama

The Man in Room 17 is a British television series which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960s, produced by the Northern ITV franchise, Granada Television. Key to the series' success was the involvement of writer/producer Robin Chapman. The show was set in Room 17 of the Department of Social Research, where former wartime agent-turned-criminologist Edwin Oldenshaw solved difficult police cases through theory and discussions with his assistants. The novelty of the series was that Oldenshaw and his colleagues never needed to leave their office in order to resolve cases, preferring to spend their time playing the Japanese board game of Go. They simply provided their prognosis and left the police to do the cleaning up. Different directors were often appointed to film the Room 17 and outside-world scenes independently, to maintain a sense of distance between the two worlds.

The Man in Room 17 is a British television series which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960s, produced by the Northern ITV franchise, Granada Television. Key to the series' success was the involvement of writer/producer Robin Chapman. The show was set in Room 17 of the Department of Social Research, where former wartime agent-turned-criminologist Edwin Oldenshaw solved difficult police cases through theory and discussions with his assistants. The novelty of the series was that Oldenshaw and his colleagues never needed to leave their office in order to resolve cases, preferring to spend their time playing the Japanese board game of Go. They simply provided their prognosis and left the police to do the cleaning up. Different directors were often appointed to film the Room 17 and outside-world scenes independently, to maintain a sense of distance between the two worlds.

Seasons & Episodes

EP 1

Tell the Truth

A case of suspected espionage, but no leads. Scotland Yard pool their best brains, without success. The Government must

EP 2

Hello, Lazarus

A millionaire, Crawshaw, is reportedly killed when a charter plane crashes. Room 17 are intrigued; Crawshaw had a fear o

EP 3

The Years of Glory

A retired general's house is burgled. He denies anything is missing, but he has kept wartime diaries which could prove e

EP 4

Confidential Report

A confidential intelligence report on a member of a friendly foreign government has been stolen, and could be used to de

EP 5

The Millions of Mazafariyah

An attempt on the life of an official in the Foreign Office brings Room 17 into contact with the Middle East.

EP 6

The Seat of Power

A top agent is sent into Britain, but his alleged intentions seem doubtful. Has he a more sinister objective? The men of

EP 7

Safe Conduct

The ex-president of a Latin-American state, in exile in Britain, had presumed that his son is dead. When he hears that h

EP 8

A Minor Operation

A small paragraph in a newspaper leads the occupants of Room 17 into a world of espionage, blackmail...and ballet!

EP 9

Find the Lady

Room 17 face a question of priority: they can choose to save a girl's life, or stop a revolution. Employing the most uno

EP 10

The Bequest

Room 17 investigate a businessman who is trying to develop a revolutionary new fibre - uncovering personal intrigue, pro

EP 11

Up Against A Brick Wall

A man is killed; his body lies partly in one country, partly in another. Whose responsibility is it to investigate the c

EP 12

Out for a Duck

A millionaire who owes the Inland Revenue a large sum is now living on a Caribbean island; Room 17 are asked to prise hi

EP 13

Black Anniversary

A British general is murdered in strange circumstances; exactly a year later, a colonial governor is murdered in still s

EP 1

How to Rob a Bank - And Get Away With It

A continental film director employs unusual methods to create the right atmosphere. When fiction and reality begin to me

EP 2

Vendetta

A man is lost at sea, and the occupants of Room 17 are asked to find out whether the death has personal or political imp

EP 3

The Black Witch

The body of an American is found near an old abbey, a strange object used for devil worship in his pocket. Room 17 inves

EP 4

First Steal Six Eggs

A Hungarian interior designer is commissioned to convert the flat of a well-known London hostess. But does his world ext

EP 5

The Catacombs

A rich Yorkshireman hopes to find buried treasure in the Middle East, but enlists help from a very dubious expert. Room

EP 6

Where There's a Will

An eccentric old millionaire has jealous relatives - some scheming for his money, others simply hoping. Room 17 are aske

EP 7

The Fissile Missile Makers

Schoolboy Sharpy Dingle is selling details of a fake missile to the Chinese. Why is he using the proceeds to try and rui

EP 8

Goddess of Love

Three students intend to steal the statue of a Greek goddess and return it to its rightful home in Greece. Room 17 hear

EP 9

Undue Influence

A judge starts to make very odd decisions in court, and Room 17 become involved when he is assigned to try a famous pop

EP 10

Lady Luck's No Gentleman

An infallible system for winning at roulette: the dream of millions. Ruthless men will stoop to murder to obtain it. Can

EP 11

The Standard

A number of young Army officers are competing for a major award. How far should they go in order to win? Room 17 become

EP 12

Saints Are Safer Dead

Tracey Peverill is sent to Venice to investigate the buyer of a painting which was sold at auction at a highly inflated

EP 13

Never Fall Down

A public figure has been indiscreet, but his ability as an advisor to the Government is undisputed. The men in Room 17 e

Popular Cast

Richard Vernon
Richard Vernon
Oldenshaw
Denholm Elliott
Denholm Elliott
Imlac Defraits