A Place to Hide (1976– ) User Reviews

Only saw the first two episodes (and Episode 4 when it was repeated)

[Arthur-nose · 10/10 · 30 April 2008]

The basic plot, without revealing spoilers, revolves around a gang of bank robbers.

They pull off a robbery, then they hide out in a bed-and-breakfast house in the English Midlands.

I never found out what happened much after that - I had to go back to school (a boarding school in Gloucestershire, where we weren't allowed to watch telly, so I never knew what happened next).

It was repeated in 1978 on a Friday - I managed to see a bit more of it - by then, I was in a more local boarding school - but I was never able to come home every weekend - tea was at half four, so no chance of watching telly there.

Is this series available on DVD?

Gripping and intense....well it was for the 12 year old me

[flowersimon · 10/10 · 24 January 2018]

Even now, 40 or so years after this show was aired I can still recall the sense of unease I felt watching this. It seemed it could explode at any second under the tension and stress created when a family of bank robbers take refuge in an isolated guest house run by a former illusionist and his wife and two kids.The behaviour of the new arrivals raises suspicions with their host and things only get worse from then on. The discovery of a gun and disguises used in the bank robbery increases the tension several notches as the threat and potential for violence is suddenly very real. The arrival of a Police Constable making enquiries further intensifies the pressure while one of the family is struck with acute toothache, that alone was enough to strike terror into any 12 year old who devoured Fruit Salad chews by the boatload and still enough money for have change for 10 gobstoppers and a Wagon Wheel (they were bigger then right?) Anyway, the guest house owner, a former illusionist, uses skills honed in his old magic routine to outwit the thieves but this only serves to increase their desperation as they consider using violence to regain control. As the threat increases PC Plod seeks to shield the family by offering himself as a hostage and avert the potential disaster. I won't say more. Frankly all this was mildly terrifying for me watching as a kid and when it concluded I felt like I'd held my breath for the duration of the crisis. But what a show it was. On a late Sunday afternoon after footy with Brian Moore on 'The Big Match' and before it was time for tea, bath and another schoolday looming. It was uncomfortable with a real sense of impending nastiness. Sort of like school could be I guess. Unlike school however I'd like to revisit it to check my memory is in tact and confirm that gang leader played by Arthur White was really as scary as the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or Cruella de Ville in 101 Dalmations. Surely he can't have been on their level can he? I'd love the chance to see it again and find out.

A Place To Hide is a six parter 30min episode serial made by ATV (Associated Television) from the 4th January 1976 til 8th February 1976.It was repeated 16/12/77 til 20/1/78.

[busricky · 10/10 · 25 June 2020]

Three bank robbers in disguise steal a van and car and stay at a remote guest house. They want to hide their haul but the son of the guest house owners finds the disguises hidden in a bag in the bushes and tries to open the boot of the car.

Where can I see it again?

[steveevans-35154 · 8/10 · 28 July 2019]

I lived this as a kid. Scared the hell out of me. I've looked everywhere to try and see it again. Can anyone help? Thanks

Most enjoyable!

[andrew-350-797610 · 8/10 · 1 August 2013]

I missed the first two episodes of this serial but picked up the final three. It was so long ago now but I do remember that in that third episode, 'The Giveaway', the family who ran the guest house accidentally stumbled across something (it may have been a handgun) which revealed the gang (a father, daughter and son-in-law) as something other than just another family of guests! The tension as the two families (who had got on remarkably well previously) adjusted to the changed situation was most marked. Arthur White, who played the gang leader, desired no further violence but faced the dilemma of the host family knowing that he and his two accomplices were criminals on the run. I'm afraid I can't remember HOW the issue was resolved but as far as I remember the gang was apprehended at the B and B without bloodshed. A memorable aspect to the production was the developing relationship between Madeleine (June Brown), the teenage daughter of the host family (and who had literary aspirations) and the twenty-something female gang member played by Frances Tomelty - the latter ultimately regretting that her arrest was going to prevent a closer and deeper friendship developing between them. There was also the typical squabbling relationship between Madeleine and her younger brother Mark which improved somewhat as they jointly faced up to the peril to home and family. I would love to see this released on DVD. I was sad to notice on IMDb that three of the actors (those who played the mother, father and son of the host family) have passed on. The other four are happily still with us.

would love to find this on DVD

[johnstonelynn · 10/10 · 4 March 2016]

a real gem, used to rush home from school to watch this series. It was so good. Wish it was on DVD for my own kids to watch. Much better than the stuff they put on for kids these days. Series is about a group of bank robbers who hide out after the robbery. Brian Capron is brilliant in it. In fact every one in it is good and for me to remember so many years later proves it. If you ever get a chance to see it again watch it. Its well worth it. Quite a few stars of today are in it probably at the beginning of their careers. As a kid I found it very gripping and so interesting, good verses bad etc. A request to the Powers that be please either repeat this on TV or definitely produce DVD of it.

Looking for the entire series of six episodes of A Place To Hide 1976 made by ATV

[busricky · 10/10 · 6 July 2020]

I am looking for the six part serial called A Place To Hide. The first episode (The Hideout) is on a dvd set called Look Back at 70s TV Volume 3 disc 2. I desperately want to watch the other five episodes. I hope this series is released on dvd as I know the episodes exist.

ATVs Six Part 30 minute Family Adventure Serial 4th Jan til 8th Feb 1976 at 4.50pm or 5.35pm. Repeated 16th Dec 1977 til 20th Jan 1978.

[busricky · 10/10 · 11 October 2020]

Bruno Valenta now runs a secluded guesthouse after being an illusionist with his wife Laura, son Mark & daughter Madeleine. The Smith family Bill Derry and Ann have stolen £100,000 from a van outside a cafe. Other robbers stole the loot and are eating in the cafe unaware that their haul has been stolen. After picking the lock of the van and hot wiring it they flee to a country lane where a getaway car awaits. They transfer the money into the boot of the car. Two boys age 8 and 6 the Tring brothers see them before they drive off. Along a lane near Paradiso the guesthouse the Smith family change out of their disguises and Derry hides the bag in the bushes. As they drive round to the house Mark Valenta is seen standing in the bushes. Has he seen them? Have they seen him?

I remember A Place To Hide 1976

[busricky · 10/10 · 26 March 2021]

It was on Sunday teatime back in 1976 then repeated on Fridays after school in late 1977/1978.

Six thirty minute episodes made by ATV (Associated Television) at their Elstree Studios and surrounding areas of Borehamwood & Elstree.

Starred Terry Duggan Hilary Crane David Nunn Frances Tomelty Arthur White Brian Capron Kate Saunders Lloyd Maguire.

Mark Valenta gets told off by his dad.

[busricky · 10/10 · 11 October 2020]

After trying to pick the lock of the boot of the car that the Smith Family arrived in Marks dad tells him off. Mark asked a lot of questions about the boot and lock and why the luggage was on the back seat. Little does he know that the boot contains the £100,000 stolen in the bank robbery.

A Place To Hide Episode 1 The Hideout

[busricky · 10/10 · 31 August 2020]

The first episode of this six parter from ATV can be found on Network Dvds Look Back at 70s telly Issue 3 disc 2.