Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    Banner
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • Shows by Decade
        • 1950s Television
        • 1960s Television
        • 1970s Television
        • 1980s Television
        • 1990s Television
      • Shows by Genre
        • Comedy
        • Drama
        • Kids TV
        • Variety
        • News & Sport
        • Advertisements
      • Shows by Country
        • UK TV
        • USA TV
        • Australia & NZ TV
        • Canada TV
        • Europe TV
        • Japan TV
      • Shows A to K
        • Shows A
        • Shows B
        • Shows C
        • Shows D
        • Shows E
        • Shows F
        • Shows G
        • Shows H
        • Shows I
        • Shows J
        • Shows K
      • Shows L to Z
        • Shows L
        • Shows M
        • Shows N
        • Shows O
        • Shows P
        • Shows Q
        • Shows R
        • Shows S
        • Shows T
        • Shows U
        • Shows V
        • Shows W
        • Shows X
        • Shows Y
        • Shows Z
      • Shows 0 to 9
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • 1950s Music
        • 1960s Music
        • 1970s Music
        • 1980s Music
        • 1990s Music
      • Music A to K
        • Music A
        • Music B
        • Music C
        • Music D
        • Music E
        • Music F
        • Music G
        • Music H
        • Music I
        • Music J
        • Music K
      • Music L to Z
        • Music L
        • Music M
        • Music N
        • Music O
        • Music P
        • Music Q
        • Music R
        • Music S
        • Music T
        • Music U
        • Music V
        • Music W
        • Music X
        • Music Y
        • Music Z
      • Music 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • 1950s Movies
          • Movies 1950
          • Movies 1951
          • Movies 1952
          • Movies 1953
          • Movies 1954
          • Movies 1955
          • Movies 1956
          • Movies 1957
          • Movies 1958
          • Movies 1959
        • 1960s Movies
          • Movies 1960
          • Movies 1961
          • Movies 1962
          • Movies 1963
          • Movies 1964
          • Movies 1965
          • Movies 1966
          • Movies 1967
          • Movies 1968
          • Movies 1969
        • 1970s Movies
          • Movies 1970
          • Movies 1971
          • Movies 1972
          • Movies 1973
          • Movies 1974
          • Movies 1975
          • Movies 1976
          • Movies 1977
          • Movies 1978
          • Movies 1979
        • 1980s Movies
          • Movies 1980
          • Movies 1981
          • Movies 1982
          • Movies 1983
          • Movies 1984
          • Movies 1985
          • Movies 1986
          • Movies 1987
          • Movies 1988
          • Movies 1989
        • 1990s Movies
          • Movies 1990
          • Movies 1991
          • Movies 1992
          • Movies 1993
          • Movies 1994
          • Movies 1995
          • Movies 1996
          • Movies 1997
          • Movies 1998
          • Movies 1999
      • Movies A to K
        • Movies A
        • Movies B
        • Movies C
        • Movies D
        • Movies E
        • Movies F
        • Movies G
        • Movies H
        • Movies I
        • Movies J
        • Movies K
      • Movies L to Z
        • Movies L
        • Movies M
        • Movies N
        • Movies O
        • Movies P
        • Movies Q
        • Movies R
        • Movies S
        • Movies T
        • Movies U
        • Movies V
        • Movies W
        • Movies X
        • Movies Y
        • Movies Z
      • Movies 0 to 9
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Shows by Decade»1980s Television
    1980s Television Drama Shows C 2 Mins Read

    Cribb

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    1 9 8 0 – 1 9 8 1 (UK)
    1 x 90 minute episode
    13 x 60 minute episodes

    Detective Sergeant Cribb was a different kind of police hero – a Victorian detective from the novels of Peter Lovesey.

    The stubborn Cribb (Alan Dobie) worked for the newly-formed Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which had been formed to clean up the grimy streets of London in the time of Jack the Ripper.

    Cribb, a tough and determined officer with an eye for the ladies, outwitted the city’s cleverest crooks (and his smartest colleagues) to bring to justice all who crossed his path.

    He was assisted in his investigations by loyal Constable Thackeray (William Simons), with Chief Inspector Jowett (David Waller), his commanding officer, often getting in the way.

    The series involved its hero in all manner of crimes, from blackmail to murder, usually set against the backdrop of Victorians at leisure, with prize-fighting, the music hall, and a six-day walking marathon among the featured activities.

    The detail was well researched, and genuine events like the publication of Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men In A Boat and the purchase of London Zoo’s elephant, Jumbo, by Barnum & Bailey’s Circus, were woven into the plots.

    The series – based on the books by crime writer Peter Lovesey – was spun-off from a 90-minute pilot episode, seen as part of Granada’s Screenplay anthology in 1979.

    Sergeant Cribb
    Alan Dobie
    Constable Thackeray
    William Simons
    Chief Inspector Jowett
    David Waller

    Episodes

    Waxwork | Swing, Swing Together | Abracadaver | The Detective Wore Silk Drawers | The Horizontal Witness | Wobble To Death | Something Old, Something New | A Case of Spirits || Mad Hatter’s Holiday | The Last Trumpet | The Hand That Rocks the Cradle | The Choir That Wouldn’t Sing | Murder Old Boy | Invitation To a Dynamite Party

    Related Posts

    • Police Patrol
      Police Patrol
      1 9 6 5 (UK) 7 x 25 minute episodes This short-lived BBC teatime series showed real life and adventure among…
    • Amy Prentiss
      Amy Prentiss
      1 9 7 4 - 1 9 7 5 (USA) 3 x 120 minute episodes This crime drama screened as part…
    • Crime Traveller
      Crime Traveller
      1 9 9 7 (UK) 8 x 50 minute episodes Jeff Slade (Michael French) is a detective with the CID department…
    • Rockliffe's Babies
      Rockliffe's Babies
      1 9 8 7 - 1 9 8 8 (UK) 18 x 50 minute episodes The tough and experienced hardnosed…
    • New Ramps for Old
      New Ramps for Old
      1 9 5 6 (UK) 6 x 30 minute episodes These six self-contained studies in crime were written by Berkely Mather,…
    • Silent Number
      Silent Number
      1 9 7 4 - 1 9 7 5 (Australia) 1 x 90 minute episode 25 x 60 minute episodes…
    • Strangers
      Strangers
      1 9 7 8 - 1 9 8 2 (UK) 32 x 60 minute episodes Detective Sergeant George Bulman (Don Henderson)…
    • Law and Order
      Law and Order
      1 9 9 0 - 2 0 1 0 (USA) 456 x 60 minute episodes "In the criminal justice system, the…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleDracula: The Series
    Next Article Nesbitts Are Coming, The

    Comments are closed.

    NC Radio Player
    Search the site

    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love since 1998. The site carries no advertising, and I rely on donations to help with running costs and to keep the site running for your entertainment and education.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small. 

    Thank you so much.
    Enjoy your trip in the time machine!

    You may also like

    • Chinese Detective, The
      Chinese Detective, The
      1 9 8 1 (UK) 14 x 50 minute episodes An intelligent police series written by Sweeney creator Ian Kennedy Martin, The Chinese Detective starred…
    • Crime Traveller
      Crime Traveller
      1 9 9 7 (UK) 8 x 50 minute episodes Jeff Slade (Michael French) is a detective with the CID department…
    • Sergeant Cork
      Sergeant Cork
      1 9 6 3 - 1 9 6 8 (UK) 65 x 60 minute episodes In the melting pot of 1890s…
    • New Scotland Yard
      New Scotland Yard
      1 9 7 2 - 1 9 7 4 (UK) 46 x 60 minute episodes John Woodvine starred in this London…


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.