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Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) - The Complete Series Special Edition (PG)
01/07/2007 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
(Region 2 DVD. pub: Network 7952437. 7 DVDs 1300 minutes 26 episodes and loads of extras. Price £59.99 (UK) stars: Mike Pratt, Kenneth Cope and Annette Andre with a multitude of guest stars. Buy Randall And Hopkirk Deceased in the USA - or Buy Randall And Hopkirk Deceased in the UK  check out website: www.networkdvd.co.uk
I reviewed the original release of 'Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased)' about 14 months ago. Now, in the same tradition that Network employed with 'The Champions', we have a special edition which is packed with all the things you want to know behind the scenes of this 70s one season show. If you missed the original release then consider this one is the topping on the cake and this is the one to own.
For those who don't remember, Marty Hopkirk, one half a private detective agency is killed and comes back to haunt his partner, Jeff Randall, to solve the murder. Stuck on Earth. they end up solving cases together. The documentary with surviving leads, Kenneth Cope and Annette Andre, not to mention various directors and line producers covers a lot of points about the series. Probably the most important of the cast had the timing for humour but often were pulled back by production not entirely sure they should as they got the mix right. I suspect this tug back and forth probably contributed towards its overall failure in the States at the time when released under the title, 'My Partner, The Ghost.'
Its creator, the late Dennis Spooner, attributes the 'Topper' movies and 'Angel On My Shoulder' (1946) starring Paul Muni, Claude Rains and Anne Baxter, included with this boxset, as influential on the series creation. It's interesting that Network thought to include this film about a released convict who is betrayed and shot by his partner and goes to hell. The devil seeing a similarity between him and a court judge offers to return him to Earth to cause carnage and finds himself outwitted when the convict falls in love and develops a conscience. Having watched the film, I have to confess the only similarity is in having a character invisible and unheard by the rest of the cast being the most important element and the story would not have been out of place in 'The Twilight Zone'. I suspect the 'Topper' films and 'Blythe Spirit' would have been made the point stronger and wouldn't be surprised to see them released on DVD some time but this film is the first to use the gimmick and is therefore historically important. I doubt if it would have been released otherwise.
The film stills are distributed throughout all the DVDs and by episode so there is a significant number of them. There is also a retrospective on the late Mike Pratt and an episode from 'The Man From Room 17' - a low budget drama series where he guest-starred with Valek Shebal and Brian Wilde. Much of Pratt's early work was as a villain and heavy cropping up all over the place, including 'The Saint'.
There are five audio commentaries from cast and production. One odd one is that between director/writer Ray Austin and Brian Clemens, one of the odd shows he never actually scripted for oddly enough, but brings an interesting light to how the recording was done of several shows at the same time in those days. I suspect the die-hards are going to be comparing shows for sets after hearing this one. Its rather fun hearing them trying to figure who some actors are and I agree with Clemens that they ought to have a cast sheet. It's one thing watching unrehearsed, quite another to not have a little preparation. The cast commentaries from actors Kenneth Cope and Annette Andre cover some of the protocols about being a ghost and keeping the white suit spotless. Actor Mike Pratt is never far from any of their thoughts and all accounts suggest this was a happy show to shoot.
Did I forget to mention the stills?? There are stacks of photos in front of and behind the cameras and spread across all the DVDs included with pieces of Edwin Ashley's music score to set the scenes.
'Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased)' has attained a following over the years and is fondly remembered despite the 2000 re-make which if anything showed it needed more than comedy to make it work. As a family series, it's something to watch in the current bad weather and despite cultural changes after nearly 40 years is still a fun watch as long as you remember only Jeff Randall and you can see Marty Hopkirk. With this DVD boxset, that might just include the entire family cos this series is still fun to watch.
GF Willmetts
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