A Man Of Our Times” Made Promising Start

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32384, 25 August 1970, Page 3

A Man Of Our Times” Made Promising Start

The rather sad face ofi George Cole has been seen in many films and television productions—usually in minor roles, or in parts which have given him limited opportunities. But for the next three months he is to feature prominently in New Zealand entertainment with his lead in “A Man Of Our Times,” the 13 - part serial which began from CHTV3 on Sunday.

It is an excellent opportunity for him, for he seems perfectly cast as an average sort of man. without particular talent or qualifications, but one in this first episode, at least with a great deal of optimism. It was a convincing beginning to the story of his working and domestic problems, convincing because of its detail, and for its underplaying. Max Osborne, the personnel manager played by Coles, had a very bad first day, but there were no damaging excesses in the emotional scenes and the piece was all the better for its restraint. "A Man Of Our Times" is likely to lack the punch of "The Power Game” and "Champion House,” but viewers will follow the affairs of Max Osborne with much interest.

The 50-minute documentary “Tchaikovsky The Secrets of Success” must have given much pleasure to many. This brief biography of the great composer, and the analysis of his work, came from the conductor Kenneth Alwyn and the music played by the New Philharmonia Orchestra.

Tchaikovsky’s glorious melodies are among the most familiar and best-loved to come from the classical composers; the programme must have given many viewers a much deeper knowledge of the man. There was an exerpt from the Tchaikovsky opera “Eugene Onegin;” Dag-

mar Kessler and John Gilpin of the London Festival Ballet danced the pas de deux from the “Nutcracker Suite” and the British pianist John Lili played passages from the First Piano Concerto. Tchaikovsky and his

i methods were explained by t Alwyn and the explanations i expanded by the extracts 1 from the composer’s con--1 certos and symphonies and j lesser works. It was a refreshing and delightful pros gramme.—PANDORA.