STUDIO DRAMA
| Plays: | BBC Plays | Armchair Theatre | Other ITV Plays |
| Harpers West One | The Power Game | Mrs Thursday | Saki | Blackmail | Dr Finlay's Casebook | Taxi |
| Probation Officer | Virgin of the Secret Service | Maupassant | Out of This World | Undermind | Counterstrike |
| Soap Operas: | Grove Family | Emergency Ward Ten | Coronation Street | Compact | Crossroads | Weavers Green | Forsyte Saga |
Colour code in the above chart only: | BBC | ATV | A-R | ABC | Granada | Anglia | . . . . For studio based crime series see Videotaped Crime Menu |
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Here are details of one play that I have not seen-
The Lads Script: Ronald Harwood Director: Caspar Wrede (ATV, August 15th 1963). A reuniting of the team that filmed Private Potter. 'The Lads' are led by Dobeley (Tom Courtenay), his followers believing that "wherever Dobe is, there's action." Portrayed as a latter-day Casanova, Dobe was described by Courtenay as "simply a flash type, nothing like as successful as he pretends to be." The play follows The Lads as they seeks the delights of an out of bounds Mediterranean cafe. Trevor Peacock played Dobe's right hand man Adams, and John Thaw was Barritt. A record (see picture) was recorded of two songs in the play. |
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Reviews are changed fortnightly. Here's a list of previous plays reviewed here
Main TV Menu . . . Previous reviews of TV plays on this page-March 1953: The Lake, Captain Brassbound's Conversion, Down Came a Blackbird (all BBC) July 1955: The Whole Truth (BBC) September 1955: Mid Level (ATV) January 1956: Pygmalion (BBC) April 1956: The Burning Glass (Associated Rediffusion) July 1956: Return to Tyassi (BBC) August 1956: The Speed Kid (A-R), Siding 273 (BBC) September 1956: Second Threshold (A-R) October 1956: It's An Ill Wind (ABC) November 1956: The Straker Special (A-R) December 1956: A Quick Double (A-R) January 1957: Mary Rose (A-R) March 1957: Adam's Apple (A-R) April 1957: The Late Edwina Black (BBC), Dear Brutus (A-R) May 1957: A Woman of Property (BBC), Mr Kettle and Mrs Moon (ATV) June 1957: Waltz Time (A-R) October 1957: The Pier (ABC) November 1958: The Witching Hour (ABC) December 1958: In the Shadow of the Axe (A-R), The Big Knife (A-R), A Sense of Justice (Granada), January 1959: The Stone Ship (BBC), Ten Little Niggers (A-R), The Skin Game (BBC), A Guardsman's Cup of Tea (A-R), The Killing of the King (A-R). The Sentry, The Break, Love and Money (last 3 all ABC) February 1959: Hot Summer Night (ABC), Ernie Barger is 50 (ABC), No Fixed Abode (Granada), Rock-a-Bye Barnie (A-R) March 1959: The Fabulous Moneymaker (ABC), Sunday Out of Season (ATV), No Deadly Medicine (BBC), The Skin of Our Teeth (Granada) April 1959: The Woodcarver (BBC), The Secret Agent (ATV), The Trouble with Benny (ABC), Odd Man In (ATV), Parole (ABC), Family On Trial (A-R), A Bit of Happiness (Granada- note: this exists in their archive) May 1959: A Phoenix Too Frequent (ATV), The Fortrose Incident (BBC), Dark Possession (BBC), Bellweather Nine (A-R), A Touch of the Sun (ATV), Hand in Glove, Till Death Us Do Part, Girl on the Beach, Wedding Day (last 4 all ABC) June 1959: The Haven (ATV), All You Young Lovers (BBC), The Wild Bird (ATV), The Model Marriage (ABC), A Kind of Freedom (A-R) July 1959: The Grandma Bandit (ABC) August 1959: A Small Revolution (BBC), Shadow of a Pale Horse (Granada), Armchair Theatre double bill: 1) Black Laughter 2) Double Exit (ABC), The Midnight Family, One a Penny, Two a Penny, The Hungry God (last 4 all A-R) September 1959: Our Best for Harry (A-R), Worm in the Bud (ABC) October 1959: Light from a Star (ABC), Thought of Tomorrow (ABC), The Blood Fight (Granada) November 1959: Street Scene (BBC), Our Miss Hammond (ATV), The Manor of Northstead (A-R), Isambard Kingdom Brunel (TWW) December 1959: Sweet Poison (Anglia), Cinderella (BBC) - PICTURED HERE January 1960: Incident (A-R), Misfire (ABC) February 1960: Night Panic (ABC), Come In Razor Red (ABC), Fiddlers Four (Granada), Song of Louise in the Morning (A-R) March 1960: Journey's End (BBC), Decision at Nine (ATV), China Doll (ABC), Some Talk of Alexander (ABC), The Birthday Party (A-R), The Trap (Anglia), Master of Arts (ABC/ Southern), Petrushka (TTTV), April 1960: The Empty Chair (Southern) May 1960: The Elder Statesman (BBC), Hay Fever (ATV), Lucky Strike (Anglia), A Moment in the Sun (A-R), A Phone Call for Matthew Quade, Nest of Four, On the Spot, (last 3 all ABC). June 1960: An Arabian Night (A-R), The Big Wheel (ABC), Flag Fall (ABC). July 1960: Flight from Treason (ABC), My Flesh My Blood (BBC), A Town Has Turned to Dust (BBC) August 1960: False Witness, Machinal, Cul de Sac (All ABC) October 1960: Thunder on the Snowy (ABC) December 1960: The Two Wise Virgins of Hove (Anglia) June 1961: The Island (A-R) July 1961: Paris Around the Corner (Granada), The Dinner Party (ATV), Burden of Proof (Anglia) September 1961: Faraway Music (A-R) January 1962: Reunion Day (BBC) March 1962: Struck Off (BBC), Dare to be a Daniel (Southern TV) March 1963: The Birth of a Private Man (BBC) April 1963: The Affair (BBC) October 1963: The Matchstick Man (Southern TV) November 1963: Death of a Gladiator (Scottish TV) February 1964: The Pretty English Girls (ABC) March 1964: The Old Lady Says No (BBC), Shadow in the Sun (Anglia) December 1964: It's Sad About Eddie (ATV), The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown (Anglia TV) January 1965: Women Beware Women (Granada) May 1965: The Madras House (Granada) March 1966: Man without a Mortgage (ABC) August 1966: The Signal Box of Grandpa Hudson (ABC) February 1967: Days in the Trees (BBC) March 1967: The Happy Sacking (ABC) July 1968: Thief (Rediffusion). Drama menu . . . . . . .
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I have these plays
which have survived the years- 2.2 Now Let Him Go 2.23 The Lady Of The Camellias 2.38 The Widower 3.5 I Can Destroy the Sun 3.16 The Criminals 3.53 The Scent Of Fear 3.65 Doctor Kabil 3.70 Where I Live 3.85 A Night Out |
4.3 Lena O My Lena
4.8 My Representative 4.14 The Cupboard 4.26 The Big Deal 4.27 The Man out There 4.31 Danger, Men Working 4.36 The Ship that Couldn't Stop 4.41 The Omega Mystery 4.46 The Trouble with Our Ivy 4.50 Night Conspirators 4.57 The Fishing Match |
4.60 Afternoon of a Nymph
4.80 The Snag 4.87 The Chocolate Tree 4.88 Long Past Glory 4.91 Sharp at Four 4.92 Last Word on Julie 5.1 The Trial of Dr Fancy 5.2 The Cherry On The Top 5.19 The Man who came to Die 6.6 Neighbours 6.11 Don't Utter a Note |
6.22 Dead Silence
7.2 A Magnum for Schneider 7.6 Reason For Sale 7.11 Call me Daddy 8.1 Compensation Alice 8.14 Mrs Capper's Birthday 9.8 Edward The Confessor MYSTERY THEATRE: 1.5 Toff and Fingers 2.2 The Blackmailing of Mr S 3.4 Man and Mirror |
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Miscellaneous Plays
It is Midnight Dr Schweitzer (1953)
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The Wednesday Play
12 Fable (1965) 64 Way off Beat (1966) 84 In Two Minds (1967) 117 The Golden Vision (1968) 122 The Gorge 132 On the Eve of Publication 146 Last Train Through Hardcastle Tunnel (1969) 148 Mark II Wife |
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The drama department at the BBC earned a top class reputation for producing quality tv plays. The genre culminated in the gritty realism of the Wednesday Play, this was sixties television at its most dour. I have to confess that this is not what I enjoy on my television screen, and ironically it was only because the BBC recruited top ABC man Sydney Newman, that their dramas really descended from stagey theatrical plays to the kitchen sink abyss. Critics of course will love anything they don't understand, and a lot of the Wednesday Play output was just that, down to earth language with down to earth situations, that dragged the nation down into its pit. Television reflects life, was the excuse, but television also moulds life, and mould be the word.
Having ranted against it, let's conclude on a positive note, and recommend the excellence of some modern day classics, from which I single out John Hopkins' Fable, hard going, depressing even, but almost prophetic. . . . . . . . It is Midnight Dr Schweitzer (1953) - This is primitive tv drama, based on one set, the story in real time, with dialogue and little action, nevertheless an interesting historical document. Indeed unlike modern historical reconstructions, this is acceptably close enough to reality. However there is never any very probing analysis of Schweitzer's motives, as the various sub-plots, even though they are all drawn together by the end, detract from a proper focus on the main man. Midnight on a fateful night in 1914 in an African hospital. Dr Schweitzer (Andre Morell) plays Bach, as his nurse, Sister Marie (Greta Gynt) stands by, looking discontented. "It seems to me some people just give the money, whereas others give themselves." She's restless over her vocation and the doctor, maybe for the viewer's benefit too, goes over the reasons why he himself has given up a great career, even leaving behind his family.
. . . . . . . . Author: Ibsen, Producer: Rudolph Cartier, transmitted 11th August 1959.Patrick McGoohan won plaudits for his powerful portrayal in this pseudo religious drama, but for me, even The Prisoner is more comprehensible than this drama which lacks a storyline. Be a martyr if you want to sit through it all. St John Roberts under the headline 'Magnificent McGoohan' gave this glowing account- "'If you do not give all, you give nothing,' says Brand. This is the rule by which he lives and which he mistakenly serves God. The Doctor, tending his dying son replies, 'Your love account is as white as a virgin sheet.' These two lines provide the background of a play that is powerful, passionate and moving. Beautifully produced by Michael Elliott, it starred Patrick McGoohan in the greatest role he has yet appeared in on tv. He gave a truly magnificent, monumental performance as Brand, a performance of granite, strong and solid- until he discovers humanity glimmering within him- a discovery which is made too late. McGoohan was more than ably supported by Patrick Wymark as the scheming mayor, Dilys Hamlett as his pitiful wife and Peter Sallis in two clever cameos. Neither must one forget striking Olive McFarland as Gerd.". . . .
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More specifically this should be titled The Interview Waiting Room. . . . . . . . . . Script: Colin Morris, Producer: Gilchrist Calder. Scene 1 plunges straight into the original sixties generation clash. Working class dad Jim (Alfred Burke) of 14 Paradise Street argues with an "out of control" 17 year-old who lives "in a different world" to her father and stepmother.
. . . . 12 Fable (1965) -
A kind of 1984 state where apartheid in reverse is in operation.
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. . . . Script: David Mercer. Director: Ken Loach. Anna Cropper was made for this role with her sad melancholic looks, as the Schizophrenic Kate. "She's sick isn't she?" is how her dad Joe explains it in a nutshell. But of course he can only see his side, for this is yet another generation gap study. "She's brought shame on this house," cries her mum Dolly. The characters are seen through the eyes of a psychiatrist, in the manner of those invisible tv interviewers a la Esther Rantzen. The trouble with this sort of drama is that it can be so predictable, like this. The characters must have their moments of self truth during chats with the shrink, who never does more than probe with more and more questions. "Sometimes I want to go, but I feel that I can't," is how Kate feels guilty, trapped at home. She can't make that break. And that is only the first third of this play! Katie's sister Mary is added to the recipe, she is one who has made that break, so no wonder her answer is, "get her out the way from these lot." Thus there are plenty more heartaches for the family, revelations of abortion, "nuclear war," even, allegedly. Off to hospital for Kate. There mum's drone never cheered me up, I think it was supposed to have that effect on Kate. I think I am going round the twist too. Dolly tried to kill her. "I don't exist." And other such dreary angst. The next section of the play is seen through Kate's clouded eyes. She pals up in the madhouse with Paul (George Innes) who advises her to play the game if she wants to be free. She doesn't and her treatment is like that of a child. Another parental visit ends in even more crying and tantrums as Kate can't fast forward (unlike myself) their grumblings and mutterings. Mum and dad keep repeating their viewpoint, and this play could, heaven help us, go on for ever and ever and ever. You just write the same words, maybe in a different order, dad saying his line, mum hers, no understanding. Result- for Kate that is (me, I was beyond saving), she withdraws yet more into herself as Chief Shrink (Patrick Barr) ends the torture with a lecture to students whom the author portrays as maybe as wise as their master, or indeed as unwise as their master. She is "childish," explains Mr Expert. Plus a lot more technical jargon. It's the recycled plot all over again! What's the treatment? The students proffer their ideas. The doc demonstrates his own brutal method- "it does work." Well he thinks so. "The outlook is not very good," declares a more perceptive student." Who needs electric shock treatment? Just show this. This is a play that deserved to be junked, instead of which my favourite programmes have been wantonly destroyed, now isn't that real madness?
. . . . A unique footballing docu-drama directed by John Boorman. Jeff is a single-minded Everton supporter, his mates ditto.
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A study of that spotty phenomenon, the train spotter, young man Benjamin (Richard O'Callaghan), whose conversation only comes alive when discussing railways, otherwise he's a square. Rather like those dull Great Railway Journeys programmes, this is a montage showing his encounters with disparate humans, of whom Joe Gladwin as an ancient railwayman of the old school is the most appealing. Signalling expert John le Mesurier, what Benjamin is likely to grow into, is the saddest, inhabiting his own world, which appears to be the message this play attempts to convey as it gradually runs out of puff, shunted into an exceptionally rusty siding
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148 The Mark II Wife (1969) "A piece of cheap rubbish," that's one line from this play that sums it up for me.
. . . . . . . . . . . The Forsyte SagaBBC's elegant but rambling 1967 period soap opera with Kenneth More, Nyree Dawn Porter and Susan Hampshire. Eric Porter was the constant star through the entire series, though for stealing the show, my award for a minor role goes to George Benson as the Marquis of Shropshire. 1. A Family Festival - "Oily bounder" Monty marries the "spendiferous" Winifred, whilst Jo ponders an ugly divorce 2. A Family Scandal - Jo realises he's "a parasite," and Soames first encounters the enchanting Irene 3. The Pursuit of Happiness - Frances dies, Juley finds a dog but Soames nearly loses Irene, though she finally consents to marriage, with one condition 4. Dinner at Swithin's - Jo's daughter June is happily engaged to Bosinney, but Irene is now very lukewarm towards Soames 5. The Man of Property - Soames gets Bosinney to design his house at Robin Hill and Jo is reconciled to his dad on the death of Aunt Ann 6. Decisions - Collapse of Soames' marriage, with all the better effect for focussing on this one storyline without so many subplots 7. Into the Dark - Irene hides in a small hotel, Soames though enjoys a triumph in the courts over Bosinney, who suddenly dies 8. Indian Summer of a Forsyte - Happy times at Robin Hill as Uncle Jolyon enjoys reconciliation with Irene. A fine gentle interlude 9. In Chancery - "A blessing" when Helene dies, according to her doctor. "Bounder" Monty leaves for a new life, while Soames ponders marriage 10. The Challenge - In court Winifred's divorce commences. Holly falls for "rotter" Val. Irene hides from Soames in Paris, and meets Jo there 11. In the Web - Are Jo and Irene, in modern parlance, an item? Soames believes so, and sues for divorce. Monty returns in poverty to Winifred 12. Birth of a Forsyte - Soames and Irene divorced, leading to marriages: Soames and Annette, Jo and Irene, then of course two babies are born 13. Encounter - Suddenly it's 1918, the two 'babies' Fleur and Jon secretly are in love, but casting a shadow are their feuding families 14. Conflict - Despite a rival in Michael, 'Cautious Cuthbert', Fleur's love for Jon only deepens as it takes for ever for her to learn of the family skeleton 15. To Let- In the worst moment of the series, almost comic, Jon, after an age, also learns all. Soames and Irene face up as Jon calls off the engagement 16. A Family Wedding - Fleur's marriage on the bounce to nice Michael, but soon she's toying with an affair with his best friend, Wilfrid, a poet 17. The White Monkey - Soames blows a balloon with his business about to burst. He gives Fleur a painting, while a painter discovers a new model 18. Afternoon of a Dryad - The series was gently fading as Wilfrid escapes to "Jericho," and Soames buys a nude 19. No Retreat - Fleur: "There's nothing wrong now except my own nature," as she gives birth. Soames resigns at a stormy shareholders' meeting 20. A Silent Wooing - In Carolina woods, Jon falls in love. Soames calls Fleur's enemy Marjorie a "traitress," and thus Fleur faces a libel suit 21. Action for Libel - "Fuss about nothing," as Soames attempts to cunningly rebuff Marjorie's action for libel, but Fleur is pretty shrewd too 22. The Silver Spoon - Under brilliant persistent questioning in court from Sir James, Marjorie has to yield, but the Mont's victory is hollow 23. Strike - Upper classes at play in the 1926 strike, perhaps the making of Fleur, though has her love for Jon revived? Soames has silent sight of Irene 24. Afternoon at Ascot - Lunchtime with Jon and Anne and then a box at the races as old memories and love revive 25. Portrait of Fleur - Restless, Fleur starts a rest home and has her portrait painted 26. Swan Song - No longer a butterfly, Fleur's "look back" with Jon is partly ended by Irene and partly by her carelessness, in which her father is felled Drama menu . . . . . . Taxi (1963)-
Then at Paddington Station, Sid shops rogue driver Jack Melia (Alan Curtis), who's touting illegally for fares by pushing to the front of the rank. However calling in the police gets Sid rather unpopular in some quarters as The Villain, although admittedly a villain, is set to lose his licence. When Sid's mate is talked round by Jack's wife (Jennifer Jayne) with a sob story about her children suffering because of her husband's stupidity, a smitten Fred persuades Sid to let Jack off. "All I want is a bit of peace," agrees Sid. But is there something fishy going on as Fred phones to tell her the good news in Brixton, yet Sid knows Jack lives in Forest Gate? "Something a bit dodgy going on 'ere mate." So it's round to Brixton and the exposure of a bigamist. "'E deserves all 'e gets." For Sid in Citizen James . . . . . DR FINLAY'S CASEBOOK (BBC)In 1967 a Radio Times reporter visited the location where Dr Finlay's Casebook was being filmed. In the best BBC tradition he starts his article with the disappointing news "Tannochbrae doesn't exist," and then continuing "until recently the location of the Finlay filming was an official - but widely known - secret." The town of Callander, 36 miles from Glasgow, was the setting. Apparently until the railway station suffered the indignity of the Beeching axe in 1965, porters would allegedly shout "Tannochbrae... Tannochbrae," as trains pulled in. "If you follow the directions to Dr Finlay's house you'll find yourself outside a rather austere guest house which overlooks the town. Inside you'll be welcomed by a kindly efficient Scotswoman Mrs MacIntyre... during the last few years she has noticed that stones keep disappearing from her drive- taken by eager souvenir hunters." 13 A Time for Laughing (1963) - On a wild night, Mrs McBain (June Tobin) gives birth, but her husband is impotent. Is tinker Tim O'Shea (John Cairney)- "service with a smile"- the father? The doctors take a long long time sorting out the problem, solving it by rather unhippocratic methods 49 The Red Herring (1964) - Instead of "scurrying," Dr Snoddie seems to be dithering after ordering a well to be closed, causing inconvenience to elderly folk. A consultant (David Langton), an expert in salmonella, comes to help, dining at Arden House, but to Janet's dismay falling victim to food poisoning, and as we all know doctors make the worst patients: "Cameron, this is the last straw!"- when a biopsy is ordered. But comedy nearly turns to tragedy: "you didn't think I'd snuff it, Cameron?" 59 Charity Dr Finlay (1965) - In the grocers, a shoplifter faints. Dr Finlay attends Jeannie and gets a kiss for his efforts. Snoddie has palmed off St Bride's, an old people's home, on Dr Cameron, so of course it's Finlay who has to do the visits. "You'll bankrupt them," is Cameron's comment after Finlay finds a lot of improvements need making. Finlay gets a job for Jeannie in the kitchen, but she is sacked for stealing. However Cameron turns the tables on the dour matron, Mrs Micklejohn, who has been syphoning off funds herself 69 Another Opinion - Two patients for Dr Finlay and two doctors to dispute his diagnoses. One is Dr Cameron who believes he himself's caught measles, but it's surely only a cold! The other is Corporal Grant whose gone AWOL because his leg needs amputating, though Dr Finlay believes the leg can be saved. The comedy of the one is nicely contrasted with the potential tragedy of the latter as Finlay and his consultant Sir William (John Harvey) contest with Colonel North (Moray Watson) Grant's uncertain future. Is Dr Finlay fallible? As Dr Cameron brusquely concludes: "it's only when a man's sick, he knows his true friends" 79 Dr Finlay and the Phantom Piper of Tannochbrae - Lord Morcroft wants to erect a statue in memory of his son who fell in the War. The Piper (Andrew Keir) persuades him of a more noble cause. The final line from our doctors sums up this mystifying story - "Blessed are the peacemakers - They shall inherit the war." Perhaps The Wednesday Play wasn't so obscure after all. 105 Gifts of the Magi (1966) - Is Dr Snoddie "a good hand at a comic song?" And how about Dr Cameron as a budding Shakespearean actor? And what can Dr Finlay do? The three are enrolled to perform at a Christmas party in the children's hospital ward, though it's Janet who steals the show and is "called to higher things." In other words, she's invited to continue her storytelling act on the BBC, yes the BBC! It all invokes just a little jealousy on Dr Cameron's part, though Dr Finlay persuades her to ride the storm. Will Janet find fame and fortune, or stick to her last? 178 Comin' Thro' the Rye (1970 colour) - Dr Cameron was first to get it- haluccinations. Then it spreads, with the source traced to infected flour from Bruce's Mill used at the bakery of Robsart (James Hayter) Drama menu . . . . . SAKI (Granada) - Programme 1 (July 1962) Stampeding of Lady Bastable- the one occasion when titled lady (Martita Hunt) who "loves owing" was persuaded to pay up, believing the end of the world was nigh. A Holiday Task - The Lady with No Name(Fenella Fielding) asks for help in a Brighton hotel. Major Caterham 'lends' her £10 to discover who she really is. Foolish man! The Way to the Dairy - There's a gleam in the eyes of Nora Nicholson as she plays Aunt Amy, who's come into a fortune. Veronique and Christine have been promised they will inherit a quarter each, but "rotter" Roger will get the other half. They take her to Dieppe to demonstrate to her what a wastrel he is, and there she succumbs to the fever of the Tables so now "she's worse than Roger ever was." Sredni Vashtar - This is the name of a large ferret polecat, worshipped by ten year old Konradin. He prays it will "do one thing for him," a punishment on his suffocating cousin (Sonia Dresdel). A Defensive Diamond - Sir Hector (William Mervyn) gives a crass bore (Peter Bathurst) short shrift . . . . . . . GUY de MAUPASSANT (Granada) - Programme 5 (July 1963) A Sale - A Family Business -
The Devil -
. . . . . . . OUT OF THIS WORLD (ABC) ABC's innovative 1962 Saturday night series with Boris Karloff as host.
Little Lost Robot -
. . . . . . . UNDERMIND (ABC)Imagine John Wyndham writing a hybrid of The Human Jungle and The Avengers. Mastermind behind the series was actually Robert Banks Stewart, who wrote some of the scripts, Michael Chapman was the producer. The scenario- unknown subversives are trying to destroy our society by undermining public confidence in the top people, and the institutions they run. ABC were having difficulty negotiating networking time in 1965, so the series was not fully networked. It was screened in the ABC region and a few others starting in May that year, but only shown on other ITV channels later that summer. The 11 episodes were: 1 Onset of Fear (May 8th 1965, 10.10pm ABC Midlands/North). Directed by Bill Bain. 2 Flowers of Havoc (May 15th 1965). Directed by Peter Potter. 3 The New Dimension (May 22nd 1965, now at 9.10pm). Directed by Bill Bain. Script: David Whitaker. 4 Death in England (May 29th 1965). Directed by Peter Potter. Script: Hugh Leonard. 5 Too Many Enemies (June 5th 1965). Directed by Peter Dews. 6 Intent to Destroy (June 12th 1965). Directed by Bill Bain. Script: John Kruse. Guest celebrity: Eamonn Andrews. 7 Songs of Death (June 19th 1965) 8 Puppets of Evil (June 26th 1965). Directed by Patrick Dromgoole. Script: Max Sterling. 9 Test for the Future (July 3rd 1965) 10 Waves of Sound (July 10th 1965) 11 End Signal (July 17th 1965) Detailed reviews of surviving stories:
. . . . . . "Damn stupid" policeman Frank Heriot (Jeremy Kemp) arrests cabinet minister Hugh Bishop after a pub brawl, and refuses to drop the charges.
Maybe Frank's problems explain his action, for he's split with his wife Anne (Rosemary Nichols). "He's changed," she tells Frank's brother Andrew, known as Drew (Jeremy Wilkin). For "absolutely cold," is he nowadays. Even when Bishop is convicted and fined £3, and he resigns his post and commits suicide, still Frank shows no emotion. "He doesn't have any feeling," Anne notes sorrowfully.
To Undermind . . . . . . 2 Flowers of Havoc (May 15th 1965) Anne of her late husband: "There must be other people in Britain like him, brainwashed, taken over in some frightening way." So who are they all?
To Undermind . . . . . . 5 Too Many Enemies (June 5th 1965) After a road accident William Gill winds up in hospital. He undergoes a successful operation, but his brain scan shows a blank, "the same unemotional mind" as the others, so is he another Undermind agent? Anne alerts Prof Val Randolph, they seems quite pally, "is that a proposal?" It seems that the telescopic site where Val works had suffered a breakin on the same night as this accident, and top secret equipment stolen. The consultant Mr Hepworth, plays over a recording Gill has with his wife to Drew. Later, under hypnosis Hepworth questions Gill, "there's a stronger force..." Hepworth excitedly phones Drew, "you were right about this space thing." Meanwhile Anne is posing as an almoner to interview Mrs Gill. She admits they aren't well off, but that he is expecing a legacy. Hepworth is murdered, scalpel between his shoulder blades. Surely Gill couldn't have done it, even though he has discharged himself and vanished. Drew and Anne search for him at his farm cottage but are amazed to find it is empty, no furniture. They never did live here. In the dust a name is traced, Virginia Silbeam, it proves to be the title of a play being staged by the local rep. There Draw finds 'Mrs Gill' though she confesses she is only an actress who was asked to pose as Gill's wife. She knows nothing about the people who paid her. Hepworth's colleague Dr Burath has found some gloves that belonged to the man who had transported Gill to the hospital the night of his accident. He's the man who works at the telescope site, the mute Chalmers. But he proves of no help, as he is involved in another hit and run accident. Deeper exploring by Drew at the cottage shows up the stolen boxes, but he is trapped under some farm machinery. Luckily he is rescued in time. Our Man from the Ministry, Henry Bracewell, is the man whom Val says can be trusted with Drew and Anne's evidence of Undermind. But when they meet him, it is actually Gill. "This time I'm afraid you came a wee bit too near home." A gun is drawn, and Drew and Anne face being brainwashed themselves To Undermind . . . . . . . HARPERS WEST ONE (1961, ATV)The staff included widowed personnel officer Harriet Carr (Jan Holden), with her secretary Julie Wheeler (Vivian Pickles), also public relations officer Mike Gilmore (Tristram Jellinek), and male staff controller Edward Cruickshank (Graham Crowden). The chairman of the store was Aubrey Harper (Arthur Hewlett). The Second series in Autumn 1962 saw new regulars alongside Jan Holden- Philip Latham as the male staff controller Oliver Blackhouse, Bernard Horsfall as PRO Philip Nash, with old timer Wally Patch as the security man. After a few weeks, a new receptionist was introduced named Susan Sullivan- and the actress who played her? She was Wendy Richard. The series was devised by John Whitney and Geoffrey Bellman, though the on-screen titles note that Diana Noel and Derrick de Marney provided the initial idea. For cast details of some of this series. My review of Story 1.5, shown on July 24th 1961 and featuring John Leyton.
. . . . . . Episode details of some of the 32 Harpers West One stories:1.1 June 26th 1961 starring Jan Holden, Graham Crowden, Tristram Jellinek, Arthur Hewlett. With Pauline Stroud (Jackie Webb), Fred Griffiths (George Barrard), Vivian Pickles (Julie Wheeler, Miss Carr's secretary), Jean Gregory (Miss Springer), Jean Harvey (Miss Lindrum), Susan Lyall Grant (Valerie Pritchett), Sylvia Melville (Mrs Sayers), Blanche Moore (Mrs Templar), Frederick Peisley (Albert Fisher, floorwalker), Katherine Parr (Mrs Pritchett), Maureen Davis (Maureen), Hazel Bainbridge (Connie Fleming), Pamela Greer (Sheila Selby), June Murphy (Eileen Mitchell), Brian Hankins (Metcalfe), David Broomfield (Adler), Michael da Costa (Clegg), and John Dunbar (Ernie Wedge). 1.2 July 3rd 1961 starring Graham Crowden, Tristram Jellinek, Arthur Hewlett. With James Villiers as Lucien Harper, and Eynon Evans as Len Garrett. Other regulars: Vivan Pickles, John Dunbar. Also in the cast: Jeremy Bisley (Wesley Pickering), Joyce Hemson (Lily Oakes), Christina Gregg (Hilda Garrett), Felicity Young (Jane Carpenter), Natalie Kent (Customer), Edward Burnham (Emlyn Lewis), Dixon Adams (John Crawford), Leslie Weston (Charlie Sweet), Jill Melford (Sylvia Stephens), Dorothy Batley (Lady Burnette), Jean Marlowe (Miss Wilson), Malcolm Webster (Morton Edwards), Trevor Baxter (Compere), Sheila Raynor (Mary Garrett). 1.3 July 10th 1961 - written by Owen Holder. Starring Jan Holden, Graham Crowden, Tristram Jellinek, Arthur Hewlett. With Maxine Holden as Araminta Green. Regulars: Vivian Pickles, Pauline Stroud. Also in the cast: Pauline Winter (Mrs Goddard), Hilary Crane (Lucy), Bridget McConnel (Joyce), Joyce Cummings (Miss Berry), Violetta Farjeon (Freda), Gillian Cobbold (Diana), Una Venning (Mrs Walby), Carole Allen (Jessie), Thelma Holt (Maisie), Norman Bowler (Roger Pike), William Young (Bob Trevor), John Clarke (Bill N'Gya), Jeanne Mockford (Mrs Marks), Winifred Hill (Mrs Rush), Gerald Anderson (Douglas Hurst), and Roger Avon (Charlie Wilson, in several future stories). 1.4 July 17th 1961 - script: Jeremy Paul. Director: Peter Sasdy. Starring Jan Holden, Graham Crowden. With Richard Briers as Patrick Wainwright. Other regulars: Pauline Stroud, Vivan Pickles, Roger Avon (Lift man). Also in this cast: Norman Bowler (Roger Pike, who became a semi-regular), Judy Child (Dolly Freeman), Anna Cropper (Yvonne Seymour), Louise Dunn (Anne Bailey), Douglas Muir (Mr Seymour), Emrys James (Donald), Jean Challis (Elspeth Seymour), Bessie Love (Customer), and Patrick Boxill (Supervisor). 1.5 July 24th 1961 (my review above) Script- Richard Harris. Director: Wilfrid Eades. Starring Graham Crowden, Tristram Jellinek, Arthur Hewlett, with John Leyton as Johnny St Cyr. Other regular: Vivan Pickles. Also in this cast: John Kelland (Geoff Turner), Clovissa Newcombe (First salesgirl also in 1.8), June Speight (Second salesgirl), Eric Thompson (Peter Green), John Woodnutt (Mr Macalister), Norman Pitt (Mr Newbold), Fred Hugh (Commissionaire also in 1.8, 12), Patricia Rogers (Mary Turner), Monty Landis (Monty Davison), Gordon Rollings (Sammy Rivers), Mary Barclay (Mrs Brander), Gwendolyn Watts (Maureen). Though not credited in TV Times, the on-screen credits also add these cast members: Vicki Wolf, Delia Wicks, Janette Rowsell, June Ritchie and Andrew Lawrence. 1.6 July 31st 1961 Script- John Whitney and Geoffrey Bellman. Director: Philip Dale. Only star in this story was Graham Crowden. Other regular: Vivan Pickles. With Arnold Bell as Pascoe (also in 1.12). Also in this cast: Peter Layton (Ronnie Cobb), David Coote (Ginger Hunkin), Joyce Hemson (Lili Oakes also in 1.9), Carole Lorimer (Beryl), Pamela Conway (Thelma), Angela Douglas (Shirley Arnatt), Robin Wentworth (Ted Arnatt), Irene Arnold (Rose Arnatt), Ian Percy (Gary Arnatt), Anthony Woodruff (Mr Fox), Philip Ray (Joe Stock), Michael Segal (Frank Mercer), Roy Denton (Lift man),Raymond Hodge (Police sergeant). 1.7 August 7th 1961 - Script: Diana Noel. Director: Peter Sasdy. Starring Jan Holden, Tristram Jellinek, Norman Bowler and Jean Harvey as Miss Lindrum (first seen in the first story, but now in a starring role), with Noel Hood as Miss Duke, and Brian McDermott as Peter Charlesworth. Other regulars: Vivan Pickles, Judy Child (previously in 1.4), Roger Avon. Also in this cast: Norman Chappell (Tom Fowler), Trevor Maskell (Bill Annerley), Francesca Annis (Jenny Bates), James McLoughlin (Paddy O'Hara), David Brierley (George Barton), Annette Kerr (Miss Smith), Grace Newcombe (Mrs Cranleigh), Katy Wild (Penny Angel), Betty Henderson (Customer), Daphne Freman (Maggie O'Hara), also appearing: Jacqueline Lacey, Barbara Archer, Lissa Gray, Katherine Newman, Lilian Grassom, Patricia Clapton. 1.8 (August 14th 1961) - Script: Dail Ambler. Director: John Knight. Starring Jan Holden, with Norman Bowler and Donald Morley as 'Man.' Other regulars: Vivian Pickles, Pauline Stroud, Joyce Hemson, Fred Griffiths, Fred Hugh, Clovissa Newcombe. Also in this cast: Bridget Armstrong (Gillian Hulls), Adrienne Poster (Cathy Hulls), Shirley Thieman (Joan Balred), Liane Winters (First Italian girl), Mia Karam (Second Italian Girl), Elizabeth Reber (Elizabeth Hamble), Muriel Zillah (Waitress), Bill Cartwright (Packer), Vincent Charles (Maintenance man), Joe Ritchie (Fireman), Fred McNaughton (Policeman). 1.9 (August 21st 1961) 1.10 (August 28th 1961) - Script: Max Marquis. Director: Philip Dale. Starring Jan Holden, Graham Crowden and Norman Bowler. Plus: Vivian Pickles, Joyce Hemson, Also in the cast: Norman Scace (Henry Bastable), Mary McMillen (Laura), Barbara Joss (Jennifer), Patricia Garwood (Joan Moore), David Rose (Ken Ford), Jeremy Longhurst (Walter Stone), Dennis Edwards (Simon Wood), G Ruthven Mitchell (Customer), Robert Desmond (Flash boy), Juno Stevas (Wanda Savage), Sidney Vivian (Ted Moore), Marion Wilson (Dolly Moore). 1.11 (September 4th 1961) - Script: Richard Harris. Director: Dennis Vance. Starring Jan Holden, with Gerald Andersen as Douglas Hurst (also in 1.12, 2.14), Tenniel Evans as Charles Underwood and Richard Longman as Wilfred Ashton. Plus: Vivian Pickles and Norman Bowler. Also in the cast: William Gaunt (Robert Stacey), Veronica Strong (Betty Elliott), John Rutland (Assistant), Dorothy White (Elisabeth Ashton), Edward Phillips (Waiter), June Monkhouse (First customer), Sydney Bromley (Second Customer), Harriet Petworth (Third Customer). 1.12 (September 11th 1961) - Script: Bill Craig. Director: Philip Dale. Starring Jan Holden, Graham Crowden and Arthur Hewlett, with Gerald Andersen and Arnold Bell. Plus: Vivian Pickles and Fred Hugh. Also in the cast: David Gregory (Bob Prior), Jill Booty (Liz Barton), David Graham (Anderson), Fred McNaughton (Johnson), Billy Milton (Middleton), Grace Newcombe (First customer), Frances Cohen (Miss Egret), Tim Pearce (Joe Stobbart), Pat O'Reilly (Second customer). 1.13 (September 18th 1961) - Script: G Bellman and J Whitney. Director: Peter Sasdy, and starring Jan Holden, Graham Crowden, Tristram Jellinek and Arthur Hewlett. With Derek Francis as Hinchcliffe. Plus: Vivian Pickles, Norman Bowler, and Pauline Stroud. Also in the cast: Cameron Hall (Rumbold), Michael Da Costa (Clegg), Janet Bruce (Mrs Brice), Jeanne Mockford (Woman), Keith Marsh (Snaithe), John Brooking (Bamber), Charles Morgan (Gurney), Henry McGee (Roberts), Lilian Grassom (Miss Huxtable). End of series 1
Second series:
. . . . . . MRS THURSDAYThe first series surprisingly hit the top spot in the TAM ratings. Accomplished film actress Kathleen Harrison was a natural in this role of a charlady who comes into a fortune, a series created by Ted Willis for ATV. Mrs, T's 'guardian' was the slightly irritating Mr Hunter played by Hugh Manning. Question- What was the nice title of the opening story? Answer The episode below has been released on dvd and is worth buying. 37 others from the three series remain unseen for 40 years. 1.8 You Don't Have To Book for Buckingham Palace (May 3rd 1966)-
. . . . . . . . . . Virgin Of The Secret Service (1968)was perhaps one of ATV's most maligned studio bound series. The stars were: in the title role Clinton Greyn, Veronica Strong as Virginia Cortez his fiance, John Cater as Doublett, Virgin's boss, Alexander Dore as von Brauner, and Noel Coleman as Colonel Shaw-Camberley The series was a kind of Boys Own drama of Captain Robert Virgin who has to stop the enemy in the shape of Karl von Brauner from bringing down, gasp, the Empire. Gad! My review of 1 Dark Deeds on the Northwest Frontier "Damn it all, that's not good enough," yells Col Richards of the 7th Punjab Cavalry, maybe echoing the verdict on this series, though in fact he is complaining about the murder of cavalrymen, and gad sir, even worse, the loss of Major Hamilton's three fingers. If the restless natives are not behind the killings, then who is? Croquet on the lawn- Cpt Virgin is commissioned to find out. In Afghanistan, a celebrated butterfly expert Theodor Green (Cyril Luckham) is captured by Princess Katerina. She hates all English, as they killed her husband. She's backed by, gasp, the Russians. With their help she plans to invade India, but the plans are hidden in beads which Theodor's 18 year old daughter Polly inadvertently finds. In by balloon descends Virgin, discerning Polly is being molested. The attackers scatter before him, "oh captain, how can I ever thank you enough?" cries Polly clutching her breast. She is whisked by ballooon to safety, away to the 7th Punjab, and "the joy of 800 rough tough lusty fighting men." When Col Richards realises Virgin is "one of them," he agrees to arrange for him to meet the local emir. But before that happens, another murderous attack on Polly, her screams saving her as Cpt Virgin dangles from the lightshades to chase off the intruders, "Miss Green, are you all right?" "Oh yes, captain," (swooning), though the captain isn't bright enough to see that the intruders are after something, her beads in fact. With the arrival of the enigmatic Mrs Cortez, there's now a chaperone for Polly. The emir's emissary, the wasir (Denis Shaw) has his confab with Virgin, but it is interrupted by another attack. This time Mrs Cortez is on hand to sensuously bathe Cpt Virgin's wound. "You bumbling cretins," screams Katerina, "this Captain Virgin is a fly in the soup." So she leaves it all to her ally, von Brauner. "I shall recover ze beads and send Captain Virgin to his final resting place," (evil cackle). But Virgin has found Green in Katerina's dungeon, but maybe it's a trap by the evil von Brauner, for Virgin finds himself locked inside the jail with the butterfly expert. Absurdly he had brought Polly with him too! Von Brauner snatches her beads, and the attack on India is now imminent. "There may be one slender chance," offers the gallant captain, it's a carrier pigeon. There's another ray of hope as Mrs Cortez has followed them all and learned that the veiled princess is not the legendary beauty of her reputation. She is locked in her boudoir. "If you have one stroke of decency in you..." appeals Virgin to von Brauner, but of course he has none, and "the entertainment commences," that is the execution of the prisoners. Mrs Cortez however impersonates the queen rather well and the deaths are called off by her. There is an unseemly scuffle and many scores are settled. "The British Empire will be a safer place without her." There are several ways of playing this Boys' Own stuff. The straight laced, which is largely how the lead Clinton Greyn plays it. Or you can act childlishly, a la Cyril Luckham. Or the usual method is to overact, the approach adopted by Alexander Dore as the evil German, and by Bernard Hepton as the colonel, and most splendidly by Patience Collier as the ranting princess. But on any count, the mixture here never gels at all Brief Details of all 13 stories . . Drama menu . . . . . . . The thirteen stories in Virgin of the Secret Servicewere: 1 Dark Deeds on the Northwest Frontier (Thursday 28th March 1968 9pm) - my review is above The other stories were: 2 Entente Cordiale (4th April 1968). With Frederick Peisley, and Robert Crewdson. 3 The Great Ring Of Akba (11th April 1968). Written by Ted Willis, with John Collin, John Horsley, Mark Colleano. Cpt Virgin crosses the burning sands of Arabia alone, to meet a cruel usurper face to face. 4 Russian Roundabout (18th April 1968). guest stars Michael Coles and Gabrielle Drake. With Desmond Llewellyn, Peter Diamond and Terence Rigby. Cpt Virgin travels to St Petersberg and finds in the centre of a web of villainy and intrigue a Prince who dreams of being crowned Emperor of India. 5 The Amazons (25th April 1968). guest stars: John Welsh and Sean Lynch. Cpt Robert Virgin fights his way through the jungles of Brazil, and finds himself caught up in plot to drive out the British and seize the Inca gold. 6 The Rajah And The Suffragette (2nd May 1968). With guest artists Rodney Bewes, Jennie Linden, Clive Morton and Roger Delgaldo. Cpt Virgin locates a missing suffragette in a Rajah's school of love, and learns of a plot to entomb an entire British regiment in the Valley of Sindra-Lal. 7 Persuasion Of A Million Drops (9th May 1968). With guest artists: Norman Scace, and Michael Lees. Cpt Virgin goes in search of a new and terrifying invention and finds himself face to face with a man who dreams of making the whole world a province of China. 8 Pride Of Assassins (16th May 1968 - the series was shunted off in some regions to the post News at Ten slot). With Eugene Deckers, and Tommy Godfrey. Cpt Virgin hunts down the brilliant French marksman Bobo le Mec, who is suspected of planning to assassinate King Carol of Croatia. 9 Across The Silver Pass Of Gusri Song (23rd May 1968). With Georgina Hale, and Ewen Solon. 10 The Pyramid Plot (30th May 1968). With Lisa Daniely, William Kendall and Paul Darrow. 11 A Fate Worse Than Death (6th June 1968). With Oscar Quitak, Sean Lynch and Michael Wynne. 12 The Professor Goes West (13th June 1968) With David Bauer, Al Mancini, Carlton Hobbs and Jerry Stovin. 13 Wings Over Glencraig (20th June 1968- final adventure) With Peter Sinclair, Freddie Earlle, John Grieve and Milton Reid. Cpt Virgin travels to Scotland in a desperate bid to save a new and terrifying invention for the Empire. Viewer reaction was probably worse than for even The Prisoner, with even TV Times finding few viewers to praise it. Here are some typical comments from numerous disgruntled viewers: "load of rubbish"... "childish and over-acted".... "a load of tripe. The adverts are far more entertaining"... "unadulterated drivel, and badly acted drivel at that"... "please spare us the agony of such rubbish. They must think the viewing public have the mentality of 12 year olds".... "I failed to find anything remotely entertaining in it".... "please do not sell it abroad. Foreign viewers would never believe that anyone could put together such a programme." The responsibility was talented producer Josephine Douglas who seems to have fallen out of favour as a result. Ted Willis had created the series, but this must have been one of his off days. Question- Who was the well known writer credited with creating this series? Answer Drama menu Virgin of the Secret Service . . . . . . . . . .
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