Old favourites return in attractive team

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32462, 24 November 1970, Page 4

Old favourites return in attractive team

Sunday evening viewing was spent with familiar friends. New series of popular programmes began, and there must be something in absence malting the heart grow fonder, for they all came up with fresh and distinctive appeal.

The erudite “Civilisation” was replaced by the George Mitchell Minstrels, with their “Music, Music, Music.” Perhaps for .those who watch afternoon television, this might have been too much of a good thing, for a repeat series of the “Black and White Minstrels” has been running for many weeks. But for evening viewers, the reappearance of the minstrels, even without their black make-up, was very welcome indeed. There is no musical variety

show to equal this in smoothness of presentation, although the songs which come in such a steady and

pleasant stream might not appeal over-much to the youngsters. It is very elaborately mounted, , and no doubt would be a tremendous spectacle in colour; but even in black and white, it is as pleasing to the eye as to the ear. The old favourites were i there—John Boulter, Tony Mercer, Dai Francis. So too were the pretty faces of those shapely dancers; for timing and precision, the Minstrel choruses are out on their own. The Minstrel shows, however, were probably even better when they had a resident comedian of the calibre of Leslie Crowther, who was extremely good value. The new Minstrel show, in this first programme, had its lighter moments in some of the musical numbers. Powdered footmen made a very good job of “The Stately Homes of England” in a series of Noel Coward compositions, and the Barron Knights group—particularly the leader, with his extremely talented legs—provided some fun too. So did the engaging Margaret Savage. But someone like Crowther provides the sort of contrast needed in a 45minute musical show. For all that, the new series promises to be very enjoyable indeed. Sunday’s show was one of the very few of any kind this viewer could have seen again, straight away. “Not In Front Of The Children” has been replaced by “The Very Me<ry Widow And How;” Wendy Craig by Moira Lister, a woman deep in domestic crises giving way to one who seems certain to inspire them among all- those with whom she becomes associated. Moira Lister is a splendid

comedienne, rather more versatile than one suspects Wendy Craig to be. In this series she has joined a market research magazine called “How;” it was good fun on Sunday night, as she battled her way into the job. It should be even better when she really sets to work. ♦ ♦ *

The new “Dr Finlay’s Casebook” series began very well too. This time, the story was not based on the troubles of a patient, but was simply a study of the three principals, and their reactions after a fire at Arden House. Dr Cameron was testy and irritable with Janet before the fire disaster; and he blamed her for it. In this sort of cantankerous mood, Andrew Cruickshank is superb, and this was surely one of his best performances in a long series of good ones. Janet, loyal as ever but deeply hurt, was perfectly played again by Barbara Mullen, and Bill Simpson had Dr Finlay skirting around the outsides of the trouble most of the time, but again keeping a watchful and protective eye on Janet. And the study of the lovable but fallible old Dr Cameron ended with the perfect imperfection: he was willing to pretend she was to blame for starting the fire, although he knew he himself had been responsible, and that she knew it. They all wore these roles with practised ease; and the other principal parts were just as effectively filled. Petra Davies was excellent as the charming and rich, but overpowering Miss Blair, and her grim housekeeper, also contributed usefully to an interesting return to Tannochbrae. Sunday evening programmes usually have especially strong appeal to the average viewer. The new combination looks good.— PANDORA.