Monsters, The

1 9 6 2 (UK)
4 x 50 minute episodes

This four-part BBC science-fantasy cliffhanger of murky goings-on at Lake Kingswater in the North of England concerned Professor of Zoology John Brent (American William Greene), on a lakeside honeymoon with his new wife Felicity (Elizabeth Weaver), becoming involved in the mysterious death of a government agent, the dangerous activities of bizarre scientist Professor Cato (Robert Harris) and some lurking monsters.

Cato – who lived on the other side of the lake from the Brent’s hotel in an isolated manor house – was the former head of Government research into chemical and biological warfare until he was compelled to resign because of differences with the Government over the use of fearful weapons.

The series was the writing collaboration of Evelyn Frazer and Vincent Tilsley, inspired by a Panorama report on the Loch Ness Monster. The incredibly involved plot combined prehistoric monsters, psychometry and cold war scientific jiggery-pokery.

Special effects were provided by Bernard Wilkie and Stewart Marshall.

John Brent
William Greene
Felicity Brent
Elizabeth Weaver
Hopkins
Mark Dignam
Howard Milroy
Clifford Cox
Van Halloren
Alan Gifford
Professor Cato
Robert Harris
Meissonier
Gordon Whiting
Esmee Pulford
Helen Lindsay
Sergeant Oakroyd
Norman Mitchell
Wilf Marner
Howard Douglas
Richard
Philip Madoc
Smetanov
George Pravda
Edward
Kenneth MacKintosh
Colonel Swinton
Clive Morton
PC Mills
Stuart Hoyle
Holt
Arthur Skinner
Jess Milroy
Joyce Wright
Parsons
John Barrett
Harris
Edward Harvey
Adamson
John DeVaut