John Watt on the law’s wrong side

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 4

John Watt on the law’s wrong side

' Chief Inspector John Watt on the wrong side of the law was the most startling feature of “Randall and Hopkirk (deceased),” the new detective series that hogan on CHTV3 on Saturday evening. As Watt the "copper” first in “Z Cars,” and then "Softly Softly,” Frank Windsor has become associated in the minds of millions of viewers all over the world as an upholder of the law. As a business tycoon who summoned an underworld organisation to kill his wife, who had received proof of his philandering, Frank Windsor was emphatically on the wrong side of the law. Is it taking matters too seriously to regret this sort of thing? After all, an actor is entitled to choose his parts and in choosing to avoid being stereotyped. But we do recall Stratford Johns (Barlow) turning down a part in a film which would require him to play the part of a "bent copper” because he feared the effect this might have on immature minds, which regarded him as a typical top "copper.” In any event, Frank Windsor gave no more than an average performance as the crooked tycoon; too much of his speech was stilted or declamatory. It would not be difficult to think of actors who could have played the part as well—or better.

It is not, that the series appeared to want, an actor as well known as Erank Windsor to help it through its first episode. The story-idea has elements of several novels films and radio and television series, so it cannot be termed original. But it has touches of its own—especially a little Of the macabre—that give it individuality. This, and the excellent casting that even in minor roles characterises British television productions, should give the series sustenance and strength. The two chief characters seem adequate. Mike Pratt (Randall) is not well known on our screens though he has been seen in minor parts, but Kenneth Cope (Hopkirk) made regular appearances in “Coronation Street” for some time as the spiv. Jed Stone, who preceded Charlie Moffet as Minnie Caldwell’s boarder. First appearances suggest that “Randall and Hopkirk (deceased)” will lift the level of Saturday evening viewing for some weeks. “Personality Squares” is getting a mite tedious for some tastes. Saturday evening saw the mixture as before, and before, and before. There were the usual uneven performances in the squares; and as usual the ladies were being wide-eyed and coy about the questions directed at them. Oh well, as Barnum said . . But it would be unfair to overlook one fresh touch. This was provided when “Miss New Zealand,” appearing as a guest artist showed a propensity to be overcome

with giggles in her admiration for the answer she was about to give: “You are laughing already and you don’t know what I am gong to say.” No? We know what someone in our viewing circle said. The film, “Escape to Mindanao’’- might have suited some tastes. Those who gave it all away and retired before Dean Martin came on to end the evening’s viewing missed a good show. We find Dean Martin excellent occasional viewing, and this turned out to be a very good occasion. One casts no brickbats at worthy indigenous and other performers when one says that it was illuminating to hear, “I’ll never fall in love again” delightfully sung by Angie Dickinson. When we ; saw Paul Gilbert doing his • surgeon act we thought we saw someone Les Andrews might have been studying. Pat Boone was Dean Martin’s : prime guest star, and it was satisfactory that the produ- ; cers were wise enough to play heavily on the contrast ; between the two top enter- • tainers. Pat Boone won the ; take-off competition with , Dean Martin. Appearing spei daily dissolute, with dress tie undone and fumbling the leap I on thp piano in better than ; Dean style, Pat Boone made : a much better job of Dean Martin than Dean made of the sweet and wholesome Pat ! Boone. Perhaps, with all his - excellent qualities as an entertainer, it is just not Dean’s i lot to appear sweet and wholesome.—PANDOßA .