When Santa gets his toys off the back of a lorry Eddie's Christmas becomes less than merry…

CAST & CREW

Original BBC1 tx: 21 DECEMBER 1980 2120 - 2215hrs, watched by 14.8 million Filming dates: 20 October to 4 November 1980

Pete Johnson's son Mike is the unfortunate victim of Lunar Race 2000

SYNOPSIS BY NICK:

NICK'S REVIEW

Eddie's last adventure is a classic, penned by the talented Chris Boucher. From the opening moments featuring the dangerous toy and Erica's wry comment that Eddie Shoestring has the same initials as Ebeneezer Scrooge, "The Dangerous Game" sends Eddie on the quest for a defective game that touches on all aspects of the modern Christmas season - the profiteering of toy companies, market traders looking to sell their wares in the festive season, the series of parties and celebrations held on Christmas Eve, and the plight of the homeless. Without becoming duly sentimental or patronising to any of the characters of differing backgrounds, the episode proves to be a real treat. A veritable menagerie of guest stars have been assembled - including Celia Imrie, Michael Elphick, Maurice Colbourne and Burt Kwouk. Steve and Ruth are a likeable, believable couple, and the tense climax, as Eddie rushes to the cottage before the game is plugged in, proves to be a compulsive end to the series. Our last view of Eddie is one of Bristol's private ear falling asleep, with a bottle of champagne on his knee, tipping over and pouring its contents on the floor. Merry Christmas, Eddie.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY DENE

This may be my favourite episode. Certainly it is a cracking festive instalment which, unusually for SHOESTRING, doesn't feature any real baddies and yet is as compelling as ever (if not more). Pete Johnson, Mr Wing and even Taff may appear at first glance to be villains but in the end they all provide help. A marvellous idea by Chris Boucher, Eddie searching for the last few remaining of a potentially lethal electrical child's toy, Lunar Race 2000, before Christmas morning, is brought to life by director Ben Bolt with terrific results. And an impressive guest cast, many of whom went to become very familiar faces on television, only adds to the richness of this episode. I would have no hesitation in recommending this story, more than any other, to anyone unfortunate enough to be unfamiliar with Shoestring. Eddie's total dedication to helping people is given one final, and marvellous, showcase. Never mind The Wizard of Oz - why isn't this on telly every Christmas?!

SHOESTRING's principal location, the Radio West HQ (in reality a Post Office 'phone exchange building), seen here far right of the 'Lightship Bar' in "THE DANGEROUS GAME" Having unfortunately never visited Bristol, DAVID HARRISON of the Bristol Times kindly filled us in November 2001 on what developments have occurred here since the series ended: "The Post Office have moved out of the building which is now student flats. The Lightship, which was a nightclub/bar, sank through old age and had to be towed away and junked!"

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