An Echo of Theresa

I very much enjoyed this episode. It was twisty, made perfect sense by the end-but only the end-and features a standout performance by Dinsdale Landon as the private investigator who cracks the case. Great fun, seems supernatural, isn't, and there's lots of fun dialogue from the investigator.

This episode of the Thriller series, although well-written and fairly well-cast, is a bit of a mish-mash really, not quite knowing what it is.

The story starts with Americans in London, Brad and Suzy Hunter (Paul Burke and Polly Bergen). He's rich and looking to close a deal with a fellow businessman, but keeps lapsing into strange outbursts about someone named Theresa - a name by which he first introduces his wife.

Clearly Hunter is losing his mind - or is he? This tale heads towards a tale of spies and brainwashing very quickly and although there are some nice touches (one character (Vernon Dobtcheff) is very Blofeld-like with his cat; London locations are used well), it takes a while to get going, only coming to life really with the introduction of the character of private detective Matthew Earp ('with more than a touch of Wyatt', played by Dinsdale Landen), who steals the show conclusively but unbalances the tone of the episode somewhat.

However Earp is such a fun character (and would return in another Thriller instalment two years later) I can't complain, and he does solves the mystery with some eccentricity and a touch of bravado. It's such a pity that the Hunters are played so flatly and suffer in comparison, and the 'An Echo of Theresa' doesn't really have a focus for where the story is going.

This is one of the earliest of Brian Clemens's "Thriller" series. It is not one of the better efforts, although it is a clever story, has one outstanding character, and a slick climax.

In this story an American couple visit London. While there the husband begins to behave extremely strangely, referring to someone called "Theresa", whom no-one knows, and even attacking his wife. Periods of normal, lucid behaviour are punctuated by outbursts. His wife calls for help that leads to the unorthodox detective Matthew Earp. Earp uncovers a tale of espionage that puts the couple at risk ..

The action moves very slowly, which is hard work for the viewer, and the story is very complex. The outbursts by the husband become very irritating. Things pick up strongly with the arrival of Earp, played with camp abandon and panache by Dinsdale Landen. However his comic style isn't wholly right for a tale of fear and suspense like this.

This is still worth seeing, and you have more chance of doing so as it was one of the few episodes released on video.

'An Echo Of Theresa', the fourth episode of series one is one of Thriller's less successful stories. The narrative is somewhat confusing with a number of unclear twists. Nevertheless it is never dull and is particularly worth watching for Dinsdale Linden's performance as the flamboyant and gregarious detective, Matthew Earp.

The basic premise is as follows: Brad and Suzy Hunter visit England on a sightseeing tour. Shortly after arrival Brad begins to display some alarming behavioural traits. He insists on referring to Suzy as Theresa in front of a prospective business acquaintance and subsequently throws a fit of inexplicable rage with the same individual.

Gradually he suffers a form of breakdown which manifests itself in total confusion about his identity - he later goes on to believe that he is Englishman called Charles Merrow.

Paul Burke and Polly Bergen are competent in their roles as the Hunters while the conclusion of the story is quite clever and is not easily guessed.

However it pales in quality to some of the subsequent episodes and is best described as the veritable curate's egg - good in parts.

Brian Clemens has a curious if interesting story. The twist is rather outlandish.

Brad Hunter (Paul Burke) a successful businessman and his wife Suzy Hunter (Polly Bergen) are on a second honeymoon to London. They have never been to England before and Brad also hopes to close an important business deal.

Suddenly after reading a newspaper, Brad lapses into some sort of a trance. He keeps mentioning the name of Theresa and suddenly losing his temper. Like he is a man being haunted.

Has Brad been to London before where he met this Theresa. His wife certainly seems to think so.

A private detective Matthew Earp (Dinsdale Landen) is brought in to look into the matter. Brad's obsession with Theresa attention unsettles a foreign spy ring based in London.

The story hints at a Gothic possession type thriller, before the spies are introduced. Landen is very good as the detective. Although in the end it all looks implausible.