It's Murder. But Is It Art?

The story

It's Murder. But Is It Art? is a 1976 six-part comedy thriller serial written by David Pursall and Jack Seddon, and produced for BBC One. It stars Arthur Lowe, John Gower, Dudley Foster, Arthur Howard, and Anthony Sagar.

Eccentric artist-turned-detective called Phineas Drake investigates when beautiful blonde Tina Kent is discovered murdered in the drawing-room of Brigadier Austin Binghop. Insp. Hook is convinced that Binghop is the culprit and takes him into custody. However, Mr Drake thinks otherwise and places himself in considerable personal jeopardy – with the trail leading him to the house of Chelsea socialite Mrs MacPherson.

Barring some low-quality, off-air recorded monochrome trailers from the time, the entire series is believed to be lost.

The seasons

Season 1 Miniseries 1972 · 6 episodes Season details＋

March 23, 1972

Eccentric artist-turned-detective called Phineas Drake investigates when beautiful blonde Tina Kent is discovered murdered in the drawing-room of Brigadier Austin Binghop. Insp. Hook is convinced that Binghop is the culprit and takes him into custody. However, Mr Drake thinks otherwise and places himself in considerable personal jeopardy – with the trail leading him to the house of Chelsea socialite Mrs MacPherson.

Cast

A Arthur LowePhineas Drake J John NolanBrian Gower D Dudley FosterInspector Hook A Arthur HowardSillitoe A Anthony SagarDS Watson R Richard HurndallBrigadier Austin Binghop S Sheila KeithMrs MacPherson C Christopher OwenJulian Tomkin V Vicki WoolfHelen Hunter P Philip DunbarTony Holland P Petronella BarkerFanny Templer J Jill AllenSamantha Preston

See more cast

H Howard LangChief Constable N Norman MitchellPolice Constable J John CharnleyPub Barman A Alister WilliamsonWarden A Ambrosine PhillpottsLady Skerrington-Mallet J Julie MayVisitor J John HughesMetropolitan Policeman P Philip BaldwinSmall Boy Y Yvette VansonYasmin P Peter GalePoliceman L Leslie LawtonBoutique Owner R Ralph ArlissClub Barman P Paul ThompsonDiscotheque Barman E Eunice BlackMrs Binghop F Frank AbbottCar Hire Owner D David SimeonArt Gallery Assistant