POINTS of VIEWING

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 3

POINTS of VIEWING

Max Osborne Is Really In A Muddle Now

The third episode of “A Man of Our Times” on Sunday night landed the vacillating Max Osborne in such trouble that it seems very likely the remaining 10 will have to be devoted to getting him out of it. On the surface, it would seem that “A Man of Our Times” is little better than some of the less palatable American productions. Osborne, who has parted from his wife and children, lives with another woman and her child. When he goes to see his wife to seek a divorce because he wants to take a job offered him in Australia, there is an unexpected and not altogether commendable reconciliation; and when he mentions his plan to go to Australia, his wife thinks he wants her to go with him;

typical of Max Osborne to get in such a muddle. This sketchy account of the plot might have come from a British version of "Peyton Place.” .But this is an excellent production, because Max Osborne can be recognised as someone we might know, and because the relaxed, underplayed acting carries with it a conviction few television plays can capture. Max Osborne, played by George Cole, is an irritating sort of fellow. He is rather heavy weather; he lacks a little in resolution: he has the somewhat sad look of the persistent failure; but he is real. If one wished, it is possible to liken this serial to "Peyton Place” in other respects. At the end of Sunday's story, Max returns from his hectic encounter with his wife to find that his de facto has packed up and gone. And there was a hint of a sort

iof junior permissive society in the fact that his son of 14 w>s able to knock back the post-prandial port and ignite his cigarette with his own lighter. But there is nothing obvious, forced, or objectionable in this intriguing story. George Cole is perfectly cast as Max. Without having the benefit of Mr Cole's acquaintance and only as a tribute to his ability as an actor one might suggest that Mr Cole seems to be playing himself. A word of tribute, too, to the actress whose names escaped us playing the role of his wife. She was excellent as a still attractive but lonely and rather desperate woman. Max is a long way out on a limb at the moment. Perhaps his luck will change soon. ¥ ¥ ¥ The “Dialogue” programme, “The Press and the Clergy” provided an animated and interesting discussion among three men of the church and three representatives of the news media. If it had a fault, it was only that it was too brief to take the topic very far, but there is a second meeting of these groups next Sunday. Suffice is it to say that both parties were very ably represented. ¥ ¥ ¥

Derek Nimmo as the fatuous and completely incompetent Brother Dominic is supposed to be the central character in the “Oh Brother!” comedies, but many viewers will share the feeling that the series is worth watching principally for the polished performance of Felix Aylmer, who is consistently superb. His beautiful delivery, his scholarly wisdom and humanity, his delightfully amusing acceptance of Dominic’s ineptitude, make his appearance one of the highlights of the week.

Jacqueline du Pre .An hour-long documentary next Sunday is on the musical career of Jacqueline de Pre, cellist who will visit New Zealand this month. In this programme the talented Miss de Pre tells her own story, from the time she got her first cello to the recording of the Elgar Concerto at the invitation of the 8.8. C. She is seen making music at different ages, with her mother, her teacher William Pleeth, Sir John Barbirolli and her husband, Daniel Barenboim. Jacqueline de Pre’s cello, called the Davidov Strad after the nineteenth-century Russian cellist who once owned it, is worth about >590,000 and goes with her wherever she travels.