The Mouse in the Corner
1992: Adapted by George Baker.
A popular local farmer is found beaten to death in his own kitchen. Wexford believes that the prime suspects include the man’s own family - three generations of women - who all appear to have strong alibis for the time of death… Continue reading →
Background: The Mouse in the Corner is adapted from the short story Blood Lines (1996) and is the only Ruth Rendell story to be broadcast before publication. Southampton University campus was used as the setting for the fictional University of Hilldene where Burden’s daughter Pat studies dentistry.
Audio Clip: “Too young for what?”
Audio Clip: “Too young for what?”
Next episode: An Unwanted Woman »
Cast and Crew
- DCI Wexford
- GEORGE BAKER
- DI Burden
- CHRISTOPHER RAVENSCROFT
- Dora Wexford
- LOUIE RAMSAY
- Jenny Burden
- DIANE KEEN
- Eva Peterlee
- ELIZABETH SPRIGGS
- DS Martin
- KEN KITSON
- Dr Len Crocker
- JOHN BURGESS
- Heather Peterlee
- VICTORIA FAIRBROTHER
- Pat Burden
- EMMA SMITH
- Arlene Heddon
- KATRINA LEVON
- PC Malahyde
- SASHA MITCHELL
- Sgt Willoughby
- COLIN CAMPBELL
- Gary Wyatt
- CHE WALKER
- Mr Hughes
- RAYMOND MASON
- Mercedes owner
- NICHOLAS HUTCHINSON
- Mr Tool
- MICHAEL STROUD
- Joe Peterlee
- GEORGE INNES
- Monica Peterlee
- LYN FAIRLEIGH
- Carol Fox
- BELINDA SINCLAIR
- Max Fox
- MICHAEL IRVING
- Forensic Officer
- PHILIP McGOUGH
- Tom Peterlee
- PIP DONAGHY
- Original music composed by
- BRIAN BENNETT
- Production Associate
- GEORGE BAKER
- Casting Director
- DOREEN JONES
- Stunt Arranger
- PETER BRAYMAN
- Production Manager
- PETER HIDER
- Location Manager
- ROLAND CAINE
- 1st Assistant Director
- PHIL HARTLEY
- 2nd Assistant Director
- STEPHANIE SULLIVAN
- 3rd Assistant Director
- JUSTINE NOAKES
- Continuity
- ALISON BLACK
- Production Co-ordinator
- SUSAN IRISH
- Producer’s Secretary
- LESLEY COURLEY
- Costume Design
- RITA ANGELL
- Wardrobe Mistress
- SHERYL BRITTAIN
- Wardrobe Assistant
- ERIKA PHAROAH
- Make Up
- TONI HOLMES
DEBORAH McKINLAY - Production Buyer
- GRAHAM CURTIS
- Art Director
- PETER BULL
- Design Assistant
- ANTHONY HOWELL
- Graphics
- JOHN HAMON
- Camera Operator
- JULIAN BARBER
- Focus Puller
- BRUCE BARRACLUGH
- Camera Grip
- ALAN IMESON
- Sound Recordist
- MAURICE HILLIER
- Boom Swinger
- LIAM RYAN
- Gaffer Electrician
- JOHN DONOGHUE
- Best Boy
- STEVE PHILPS
- Electricians
- MICK LAY
ROY ROBBERTS - Prop Master
- PAUL KEARNEY
- Construction
- COLIN BRADBURY
MIKE SWANSTON - Standby Propmen
- KENNY PALMER
LEE ROGERS - Standby Craftsmen
- MAX GRANT
- Assistant Film Editors
- STEVE BRANSCOMBE
STEVE CRABB - Dubbing Editor
- PETER DANSIE
- Assistant Dubbing Editor
- MARK NEWSON
- Dubbing Mixer
- DAVE FALLON
- Production Acountant
- PETER HARVEY
- Assistant Accountant
- GAY HUSE
- Music recorded by
- DICK PLANT at Honeywell Studios
- Film shot on 16mm
- EASTMANCOLOR
- Processed by
- RANK FILM LABS
- Lighting equipment supplied by
- MICHAEL SAMUELSON LIGHTING LIMITED
- Grip Equipment supplied by
- SNOWDONIA FILMS
- Film Editor
- NIGEL BATE
- Production Designer
- CHRISTINE RUSCOE
- Director of Photography
- KEN BRINSLEY BSC
- Executive Producer
- GRAHAM BENSON
- Producer
- NEIL ZEIGER
- Directed by
- ROB WALKER
- A Blue Heaven Production for
- TVS
Principal Characters
The Mouse in the Corner
The Peterlee clan - a happy and seemingly well adjusted family - live in a trio of adjoining farm cottages known as The Feverills. Eva Peterlee (Elizabeth Spriggs) is the abrasive matriarch of the family and she appears surprisingly unconcerned when her eldest son Tom’s battered body is discovered by his stepdaughter, Arlene Haddon (Katrina Levon). Wexford is immediately drawn to Arlene - an intelligent and vivacious young woman - whom he believes is concealing vital evidence.
The Peterlee family refuse to cooperate with the police investigation. Tom’s widow, Heather (Victoria Fairbrother) seems to have been struck dumb with grief and younger brother Joe (George Innes) and his timid wife - Monica (Lyn Fairleigh) - are equally unhelpful. The only person willing to talk is Carol Fox (Belinda Sinclair), a friend of the family who claims to have been out walking with Heather at the time of the murder.
Meanwhile, a series of ram raids in the area are causing concern for Inspector Mike Burden and he is further stressed when he discovers that his daughter Pat (Emma Smith) has been having an affair with a married man.
Background notes | Cast & crew »
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