Blue Heelers S06E25

The Angel Cruise

Episode 6.25 (236)
Wednesday, July 28, 1999
Written by Bill Garner
Directed by Richard Jasek

Maddie's school fees are due, she needs a new flute and Ben's pay cheque falls short. As Ben's ex-wife begins her new life with another man, Ben feels doubly under pressure to fulfil his duties as a father and provider for his children. Aware of his financial problems, the Heelers become concerned when Ben shows interest in a pyramid game that has surfaced in Mt. Thomas.

Leila Clegg has won $16,000 on the Angel Cruise and the citizens of Mt. Thomas are keen to clamber aboard the next ship to set sail. Before Tom has a chance to make inquiries, the assertive organiser of the game, Natalie Roberts, pays him a visit. Mt. Thomas has nothing to fear from Angel Cruise, a forthright Natalie explains. The game is perfectly legal and has been vetted by a Queen's Counsel. Tom can lay his fears to rest, she insists.

Ben tries to keep an open mind about Angel Cruise. What's wrong with taking the gamble if it is legal? Sure, some people lose, but some people win and that's the name of any game, he reasons. Ben's enthusiasm tempers when he learns some friends have booked him on a cruise. The Ritchies, a financially-strapped local couple to whom he has lent $500, will do anything to raise the $2000 needed to play. Rather than pay him back, they offer Ben a quarter share of their cruise ticket and use his upstanding policeman profile to draw others onboard.

The temptation for Ben to accept is strong when the bank delays approval for his loan and reports of Angel Cruise winners dangle the town into winners and losers. A spate of robberies confirms that luckless cruisers are taking desperate measures to sail. Tom attends a meeting to float his concerns but is rocked to find Ben on the crew list.

Guest Starring: Nell Rollinson as Maureen Ritchie, Alan Cinis as Joe Ritchie, Marie Trevor as Leila Clegg, Peter Aanensen as Merv Poole, Peter Hosking as Jim Fully, Carolyne Bock as Natalie Roberts, Neil Melville as Kevin Sutton, Genevieve Morris as Judy Ballard, Stig Wemyss as Geoff Hird, Alwyn Kurts as Les Collister, Margie Nunn as Grace Pollard, Jamie McCarney as George.

(encoded with Handbrake - Blue Heelers - from Complete Seventh Season DVD - the early years)

Duration: approximately 45 minutes
Aspect ratio: 4:3 standard
Audio: linear hi-fi/stereo
Size: 482MB
Video format: MPEG-4 (MP4)

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