In this episode we speak to camera grip for 53 episodes of Minder, Nick Pearson. Nick was behind the camera and at the technical helm for many classic episodes – from the very first to the last in Series 5 – and as you would expect has some terrific insight into how it all came together.

Some standout topics include working with the greats such as Roy Ward Baker, Robert Young and Christopher King although with the latter he didn’t start out quite so impressively.

There are the tales about drinking with the crew, the bond between Dennis and George, the building of the first Winchester Club bar and the trickiness of filming Dave the Barman.  

There is a lot about Euston Films itself and some episodes we go into quite a lot include The Bounty Hunter, Not A Bad Lad, Dad and Gunfight at the OK Laundrette.

When you look at the work Nick has done over the years it is spectacular. He has been involved with many major movies. So we are also treated to some wonderful stories about Tom Cruise, Brian DePalma and Nick being sacked from Mission Impossible.

He tells of Jack Nicholson ad-libbing in Batman and how it was all captured perfectly on film as Nick says, “There’s a lot more to acting than just delivering the lines”.

And then we lower the tone talking of the pleasures of The Benny Hill Show.  

We start with an explanation of what a grip actually does. Nick sent this through to me ahead of our chat which was useful to me and I shall read this for anyone else who needs some guidance as to all of the responsibilities a camera grip has.

Download the show here or via Spotify.

If you have come to see the photos, please note there are more which Nick sent and I will be uploading these in a separate post soon with full captions and descriptions.

For more information on grips, this is a useful site which mentions Nick Pearson in the process.

https://www.gripsbranch.org.uk/about/what-is-a-grip

https://www.gripsbranch.org.uk/history

The outro to the show was recorded on the 8th May, two years after Dennis Waterman’s passing.

It always amazes me that Dennis was 23 years younger than George Cole but lived 16 years less. I think this show is another nice tribute to the one and only Terry McCann and hoped you enjoyed it. Thanks for listening and thanks for all the memories Dennis. Rest in peace.

If you haven’t already, please do go back and check out the tribute shows. Links below.

Episode 14 – Dennis Waterman Tribute

Episode 22 – Revisiting Reminder

4 comments

  • Johno May 14, 2024 at 12:25 pm

    Another great ep Paul, very interesting behind the scenes stuff.
    Nick has certainly had a long and interesting career and worked with lots of interesting people.
    Nick spoke very well and ALL of the crew are as important as the actors and writers, there would be no show without them all.
    I was particularly interested to hear Nick mention Glynn Edwards’ unusual gait when walking. It’s something I have often noticed, especially in other programs from the era where he moves around a little more than in Minder. I remember the closing scene of an old sitcom with David Jason where there was a long, panning shot of Glynn chasing somebody along a street and Glynn looked positively uncomfortable as he moved. It might have been Lucky Fella, but I can’t say for certain.
    Thanks again Paul for this great series of podcasts.

  • chris grant May 18, 2024 at 10:41 pm

    Nice to hear Nick and yourself sticking up for ‘Not A Bad Lad Dad’ – i’ve never understood the negativity towards this fantastic episode which never resorts to saccharine or mawkishness, and the boy gives a very mature and credible performance. This was definitely a Terry McCann episode in the days before Minder morphed into the Arthur Daley comedy hour; personally i always preferred the early ones.

  • Denzel May 18, 2024 at 10:53 pm

    Great episode, Paul.
    As Johno says…Nick spoke very well, and all.
    And yes..not that I’ve noticed it much…but you likely mean this, Johno:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgZuLIYGwWs&t=1563s

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