User Reviews

Kay Evans reports that her husband's best suit and shoes have been stolen, when Dixon explains that CID may have to look into that matter, she tries to drop it, and her story changes somewhat.

What a fine watch this episode was, so very different to what's gone before, there was a definite degree of grit in this one, very little in terms of good spirit or cheer, there's a bit of malice in the story.

It's such an interesting snapshot of the time, an insight into what it was to be truly poor, both my mum and gran have explained that at the time, people genuinely just didn't have anything, real poverty.

I really did enjoy the performance of Rose Howlett, who played Kay's next door neighbour Mrs Clinton, straight talking, but well meaning, nice actress.

8/10.

The title of this episode seems at odds with the main story at first. Kay Evans is a nervous housewife who wants to report a theft of a suit and a few other items to the police.

However there is something about her story that does not add up. Dixon does some investigations. It turns out that Kay was short of money. Her husband Alf's money for the weekly housekeeping is not enough.

So she borrowed some money from the window cleaner. Now she needs to repay the debt or else he will tell her husband. Alf is already angry that she pawned his suit. Something Dixon found out by visiting the local pawnbroker.

Alf is fuming that his wife has been repaying the loan for months with the added interest. She has paid almost 100% in interest.

Dixon goes to see the window cleaner as he sweet talks his next victim. Dixon demands to see his licence to lend money.

Dixon of Dock Green was never going to be The Bill of its day. That was Z Cars.

With Ted Willis as the creator of the show. Later elevated to be a Labour peer in the House of Lords with an interest in social reform. It is clear that these kind of episodes were more like Call the Midwife. This one raising the social issue of back street moneylenders charging exorbitant interest.

The one bit that sticks out like a sore thumb is Dixon's attitude to domestic violence. 'If I arrested every bloke in Dock Green who socked his wife I'd be working overtime.'