Tribute to Armstrong has its limitations

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32663, 20 July 1971, Page 4

Tribute to Armstrong has its limitations

It has been said that a new song has been sung all over the United States since the death of Louis Armstrong, the title of which implies an invitation for Gabriel to move over, because Satehmo was on his way. There may be little substance to this tale; but the fact it is abroad is in itself a measure of the standing of the great jazz trumpeter.

At the top of his trade for so long, Louis Armstrong wafe appreciated in just about every country in the world. He had, it was said, a great gift for spreading happiness. He was a spokesman for jazz; some will say the spokesman.

The tribute to Armstrong in “A Boy From New Orleans,” which appeared in the CHTV3 programme on Sunday evening was, however, a little disappointing. Obviously, it was .not designed as a sort of eulogy, and no doubt a more balanced documentary on him will be made. Much of “A Boy From New Orleans” came from a Royal charity performance in which Armstrong took part in London, and he sang two or three of his best-known numbers.

Satehmo the singer has his place in the affections of millions, but Satehmo the trumpeter means even more and the pity of it was that in “Boy From New Orleans” there was very little of the Armstrong sound. One looked

for something special, such as his thrilling trumpet duet with Red Nicholls in the film “The Five Pennies.” But dusting off .this film was, for all that, a welcome move at the right time. « * «

This television viewer has nearly always been a bit disenchanted with the frequent British detective serials. There was a succession years ago from Franeis Derbrtdge’s pen, and more recently such stories as “Scobie in September.” These serials, usually running over half a dozen episodes, have been confused and rather hard to follow, even at weekly intervays. because of the liberal quantity of red herring tossed at the viewer. The British are extremely good with crime series such as “Z Cars” and “Softly, Softly,” but the whodunit serials, often marked by medicore acting, have been rather irritating—simply a matter of waiting for the last episode to hear a heap of revelations. The current offering in this category, "The Prior Commitment” is perhaps a little better than some of the others. William Lucas as the puzzled Mr Prior is doing a reasonably good job and so far there have not been an Indigestible number bf sideissues and distractions. « * 4

“The First Churchills,” now almost at an end, continues to provide splendid entertainment with some dramatic situations and first-class acting. Susan Hampshire was at her best on Sunday; all fire and passion in her differences with her daughter and with

the Queen. One hopes that there is provision in the final episode next'Sunday for the venomous and scheming Abigail Masham (Jill Balcon) to get her desserts. * *

The film on the making of “Butch Cassidy and ■the Sundance Kid” was thoroughly enjoyable. A fascinating insight into the tricks and devices of production, the techniques used for effects and the complicated planning of such a venture was given, the director, George Ray Hill, handling the narration and the explanations. This viewer was not one of the many who delighted in this far-out western; but if it comes this way again it will not be missed a second time. PANDORA.

Songs of Naples

"Eco di Napoli,” a CHTV3’s programme next Sunday, is a 8.8. C. item based on the music of the Neopolitans. It was filmed on location in and around Naples and the surrounding country.

The songs are presented by the tenor Kenneth McKellar who also talks about the people and places associated with this romantic part of Italy. His interpretation of their famous melodies was admired by the local people.

CHTV3 2.00 p.m.: Headline news, 2.03: On Camera. 2.46: The Doctors. Drama. 3.13: Portrait of a Lady. Last of six parts (Repeat) 3.57: Country Calendar. (Repeat) 4.17: Men in History. Documentary. 4.39: Where’s Huddles? (new series) 5.04: The Magic Roundabout. 5.09: Pow Wow. 5.14: Barrier Reef. Adventure. 5.41: Headline news, weather. 5.44: Is This Your Career?—“Hairdressing.”. Documentary. (New series) 5.56: The Andy Griffith Show. Comedy. 6.23: Survival. Natural history. 6.53: Column Comment. With lan Cross. 7.00. Network news. 7.20: Weather. The South Tonight. 7.46: Coronatidn Street. 8.16: Presenting Nana Mouskouri. Music. 8.51: Doctor in the House—“ The Students are Revolting.” Comedy. 9.20: Newsbrief. 9.22: Gallery. Current affairs. . 9.50: The Gold Robbers—“ The Midas Touch.” Eleventh of 13 parts. Detective. 10.47: Late news, weather. . .

NATIONAL LINK [lncluding 3YA Christchurch (690 kilohertz); 2YA Wellington (570 kilohertz); 4YA Dunedin (750 kilohertz); and 3YZ Greymouth (920 kilohertz))

7.30 p.m. On Stage, New Zealand. 8.30: Weather and News. 9.0: Records to Remember. 9.30: The Water Gipsies. 10.0: Jazz Tonight. 10.30: N.Z.B.C. News, Comment, Weather. 10.45: The Flying Fish. 11.0: 8.8. C. News and Commentary. 12.6 a.m.: Sounds Great. 1.0: Startime in Paris. 3.3: Folk Music from Germany. 4.9: Music from the Netherlands.

3YC, CHRISTCHURCH (960 kilohertz) 7.5 p.m.: Syntagma Musicum—(s) Renaissance in May: Anon. 14th century: Saltarello; Jacob da Bologna: Non al suo amante; Lorenzo di Firenze: Deer-Hunting Song; 12th century: Rosa da Rosas; 14th century: Kyrie; Lorenzo: Sanctus; Gherardello di Firenze: Agnus Dei: 14th century: Benedicamus Domino; Francesco Landini: La dolce vista; Sy dolce non.

sane; Echo la primavera. 7.34: Brahms: Capriccio in G minor; Intermezzo in E major; Intermezzo in E minor. Op. 116—Julius Katchen (piano). 7.45: Letter from America, By Alistair Cooke. 8.0: Shostakovich: Symphony Np. 6 •in B minor, Op. 54 (1939)—Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski. 8.32: 1971 Aldeburgh Festival. Heather Harper (soprano), Alfreda Hodgson (mezzo-soprano), Peter Pears, (tenor), John Shirley - Quirk (baritone), Aldeburgh Festival Chorus and Orchestra under Benjamin Britten. 9.55: Poetry, 10.25: Schubert: Symphony N 0.6 in C—Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Thomas Beecham. 3ZB, CHRISTCHURCH (1100 kilohertz) 8.2 p.m.: Take it From Here. 9.4: Sweet Music. , 3ZM, CHRISTCHURCH (1400 kilohertz) 7.30 p.m.: Things are Swinging. 9.30: Jazz Scene. 10.0: From the Top Pops.