Grim story from the Wyvern crime squad

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32564, 25 March 1971, Page 4

Grim story from the Wyvern crime squad

There was nothing very pretty or very pleasing about the “Softly, Softly” story on Tuesday night, but it was a reminder that justice in its course can hurt the innocent as well as punish an offender.

“The Good Girl” presented some highly undesirable characters in the story of the search for and subsequent trial of a rapist, and the shattering effect of police investigation and legal cross-

examination of one of the complainants. It has been a characteristic of “Softly Softly” that it never attempts to give crime a coat of glamour. It is usually most realistic in its approach and presentation; “The Good Girl” was no exception.

It was an ugly and tragic story, but it was once again handled with complete competence by the cast, the familiar ones, and the principals in the crimes. * * *

The second programme in the “Focus on Antiques” series settled some doubts

: about it. This time, Mervyn Palmer confined himself to ; one basic topic, and spoke t mainly on the furniture > brought to New Zealand by i the early settlers. This was . much more palatable than ■ the mixed grill of the first i week. Antique furniture may not be of special interest for , everyone, but -It held the ' attention well. « # >8 "Gallery” again did a very good job in producing comment on very topical affairs, notably with its interviews with Tim Shadbolt, who had been inside the Mount Eden gaol, and John Beattie, a prison officer. There was also the clearing up of the situation of the McKenzie School for disturbed children, and comment on the future of wool from a member of the International Wool Secretariat. > « « gt Alan Bennett in “On the Margin” displayed a delightful, off-beat sense of humour. His show is not the one to watch while trying to maintain a conversation and at the same time keeping an eye on the screen. His quiet speaking voice, and lack of obvious situations, make that an unprofitable exercise. There is a hint of the “Beachcomber” in some of his stuff, and the only flaw we found was that some allusions to personalities in Britain were lost on us. The sketches were bright, there was a great deal of variety in his comedy, and he occasionally soared off in flights of verbose fancy. Perhaps the best of his skits was a mock-docu-mentary on the life of a famous opera singer when she reached the age of 80. It was beautifully done. And it seems certain that “On The Margin” will provide some more worthwhile half-hours of nonsense. PANDORA.