Season 8

Directed by Alex Emanuel · George T. Miller · Paul Jansen

1971

Jan 19, 1971 · 60m

After discovering that she is short of money in the till, Margie, a popular barmaid in a Carlton hotel, goes to the police. She learns from the investigations that she has been fooled by two confidence men who demonstrated a 'magic trick' to her, using money from the till. The subsequent investigation soon becomes a possible murder case.

The man detectives seek for the murder of a young girl in a motel is a psychopath. But the killer eludes police with tragic results.

E4. The Terrible Stranger

Feb 9, 1971 · 60m

Ben Davis, a depressed man under his mother's influence, takes part in a group psycho-therapy session and recalls horrifying memories from his past which throw light on a current murder case.

E5. Mein Herr Wenzel

Feb 16, 1971 · 60m

Parts of Kurt Wenzel's body are found scattered in various areas. Suspects emerge when police probe his role in a fanatical political party.

E6. Denny

Feb 23, 1971 · 60m

When factory hand Denny Mullins, formerly a union representative, is murdered at work shortly after clocking on, detectives learn from fellow workers that the man who replaced him as union delegate had a reason for wanting him out of the way. Complicating matters is Denny's brother Ray, who has a dubious interest in Denny's wife Jude.

E7. Death on the Vine

Mar 2, 1971 · 60m

A woman journalist, Leigh Gardiner, dies after drinking a glass of port. Her husband and teenage daughter become prime suspects in a tragic situation involving drug addiction and suicide.

E8. Red Carpet Treatment

Mar 16, 1971 · 60m

When chicken farmer Alex Propi disappears, he is feared murdered when his girlfriend tells police that she heard a heated argument between Propi and his partner, followed by a gun shot.

E9. The Corrupter

Mar 23, 1971 · 60m

Blackmail, corruption, and the finding of a body in a park causes some complex problems for the Homicide squad, who find it difficult to sort out the truth from a mass of conflicting evidence.

E10. Just Throw Money

Mar 30, 1971 · 60m

When two young women are strangled and another brutally attacked, detectives question the host of a party where the girls were guests. Policewoman Burke later acts as a decoy to trap the killer.

E11. Lost

Apr 20, 1971 · 60m

Several small girls are attacked, and police suspect Hughie McBride, a mentally retarded, lonely man, who has befriended young Janet Forrester, who is then reported missing.

E12. The Wall

May 4, 1971 · 60m

Police investigate when elderly watchman Sid Brown is shot dead after disturbing two students painting protest slogans on a factory wall.

E13. In The Dark

May 11, 1971 · 60m

Police search for Susan Scott, a girl psychopath, who they believe shot dead her boyfriend with a sawn-off rifle. They believe she could kill again. A tablet found near the victim provides an important clue for detectives when they question a doctor at a psychiatric clinic.

E14. Killer

May 18, 1971 · 60m

Did John Meadows accidentally shoot dead a prowler at his home or was it a planned murder? Detectives are puzzled as to why Meadows returned home from a hunting trip earlier than expected.

E15. David's Diary

May 25, 1971 · 60m

Englishman David Ryan dies mysteriously in his greenhouse. His diary, containing a list of women's names, provides clues to an unusual side of his character, as well as a possible motive.

E16. The Acquittal

Jun 1, 1971 · 60m

Major Curtis, a key witness in the murder trial of Jim Lennox, is shocked when Lennox is acquitted. Curtis can't understand the resigned attitude of Inspector Fox who says the case cannot be re-opened.

E17. A Kind of Freedom

Jun 8, 1971 · 60m

After receiving anonymous letters threatening to kill her, Muriel Lumsden, an efficient shopkeeper, is shot. Homicide detectives find their task a difficult one when they discover she has many enemies due to her greater love of money than people.

E18. Urge to Kill

Jun 15, 1971 · 60m

A compulsive psychopathic killer has strangled two women connected with beauty salons. The only clue for detectives is the white card he leaves behind with a large 'C' printed in lipstick.

E19. Thou Shalt Not

Jun 22, 1971 · 60m

A devout minister, Pastor George Langley, preaches a forceful sermon. His emphasis on a particular commandment provides detectives with a clue and a number of suspects when two people are found murdered in the church building.

E20. Inquest

Jun 29, 1971 · 60m

The brutal murder of a service station attendant; an accident involving Sen. Det. Patterson's son, Jimmy; and the shooting dead of a criminal bring many problems to Sen. Det. Patterson when he is forced to face an inquest.

E21. Thursday's Child

Jul 6, 1971 · 60m

Ruth Ritchie's death plunge in her car over a cliff edge, and a suicide note left at her home seems to be a straightforward case. But detectives suspect murder when they learn that she had invited a small girl from the local children's home, Sue Thomas, to spend another weekend with her - and the girl subsequently disappears.

E22. There Must Be a Reason

Jul 13, 1971 · 60m

Mrs. Bettine Fraser and her seven-year-old daughter are bashed to death with no apparent motive. Suspects include a door-to-door salesman and the youth who found the bodies.

E23. The Puppy

Jul 20, 1971 · 60m

16-year-old Kirsty Mills, just released from a girls home, has her adjustment period made more traumatic when police inquire about her father, who is believed to be involved in a hold-up and the death of a guard. She becomes more involved when police begin to suspect her criminal friend, Ron Fisher.

E24. A Boy's Best Friend

Jul 27, 1971 · 60m

Shy teenager Elly Goss disappears while on her way to her first party. Detectives fear foul play and question two layabout brothers, Arnie and Joe Watson, who were seen with the girl that evening. Involved in the investigation is Gordon Allen, whose marriage is on the rocks because he treats his wife Nola more like his mother, and Nola is embittered because of it.

E25. A Change of Habit

Aug 3, 1971 · 60m

Criminal Ern Fuller is killed by a shotgun as he walks down along with his defacto, Elsie. Investigating his death, detectives question Elsie about her former husband believed to be killed in a car crash in Britain. They have reason to suspect that he could be still alive.

E26. On the Run

Aug 10, 1971 · 60m

An Italian prisoner is wrongly accused of taking part in the murder of a warder at Maldara Prison Farm during an escape. The actual murderer, George Mason, escapes and terrorises the people of the surrounding district.

E27. Sugar and Spite

Aug 17, 1971 · 60m

Marjorie Nolan, a 22-year-old computer operator, is shot dead at home. Detectives question a man known to have been at the girl's home on the night of her death. A photograph of the victim's former boyfriend from Sydney also provides a clue.

E28. The Bikie

Aug 24, 1971 · 60m

Bikie John Murray kills to avenge the serious injury of his sister; another man kills through fear; and police race against time to prevent a third killing.

E29. Don't Call the Cops

Aug 31, 1971 · 60m

The only witness to a murder is a wine-drunk derro; the only suspect is a stoned hippie, Rollo, who threatens Eve Harrison, the murder victim's wife. Rollo can't be found - and it takes some time to find the body.

E30. Expectations

Sep 7, 1971 · 60m

A man suspected of bashing a wealthy woman to death is fleeing in a car, pursued by Det. Sgt. Mackay and Det. Barnes. They find the car in the bush at Warrandyte, with a dummy rigged up in the front seat, and dynamite in the back with the fuse nearly burnt down.