Stopover

Denny Connell, a member of Gordon Haynes' pop group, dies of a massive heroin overdose on arrival at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport. Haynes is a 30-year-old pop star whose career has been a succession of hits and crashes. He has been written off many times but has come back - only to crash again. As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that Connell was murdered, and many motives and suspects emerge. Inspector Lawson goes to London to investigate further, where he liases with Inspector Scofield of Scotland Yard. A few twists are in store before the Homicide squad finally unravel the solution. Notes: 2 hr. 30 min. movie, originally intended as a standard episode, then as a 90 minute episode. Some scenes were filmed on location in London, England. The original title was 'Paying My Dues To The Blues'. The Homicide title does not appear, nor does the stock opening. This episode won a Sammy Award for Best TV Play (1976), Keith Thompson won a Sammy Award for Best Writer - TV Play (1976), and Igor Auzins won a Sammy Award for Best Direction - TV (1976). First acting role by Jon English; the soundtrack music is from his album 'It's All A Game', and the theme tune of the episode, 'Turn The Page', became a top 40 hit. HSV-7 Melbourne screened this episode as 'Stopover: Australian Movie Special' in the Monday night movie timeslot (Homicide was in recess at the time). ATN-7 Sydney and BTQ-7 Brisbane screened it as a normal part of the Homicide run.