New N.Z.B.C. musical made lively beginning

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32677, 5 August 1971, Page 4

New N.Z.B.C. musical made lively beginning

John Bamingham and the N.Z.B.C. are to be congratulated on their new musical programme, “Those Were The Days,” which began on Tuesdayevening. It was to be expected that with the passage of time, the quality of New Zealand productions should improve; but this makes it no less agreeable when evidence

of such an clearly shown.

The preliminary publicity, and the title, rather suggested that it was to be another collection of music hall songs. And there were some from the very distant past, such as “After The Ball,” beautifully sung by some young man whose name was no doubt in the credits somewhere. But there was something for everyone in this cheerful, bouncing half-hour of music. There were songs from the 1920 s and 19305, the war years, and from the hey-day of Elvis Presley. It probably is doing Auckland audiences no good at all to notice that there is no lack of beer at “The North-

em Arms,” the bar-room setting for “Those Were The Days.” Miss Lee Grant is the hostess, and she runs the show amid a considerable collection of interesting bric-a-brac from other times. But the show’s connection with

earlier days ends there; it is put through at a pace which occasionally rivalled that of the "Black and White Minstrels.”

The confidence shown by local performers these days is wonderful, when it ia remembered how very few years have been spent in developing television talent. This show is full of personable people, young and older, nearly all of them good to listen to and the blended sounds of, for example “Side by Side” were delightful. John Bamingham produced a highly successful series, “The Musicmakers,” and this one looks - likely to be its equal. Terry Gray’s musical direction was excellent, and the nine-piece band in “Those Were The Days” is going to help this show immensely. Once again this viewer hopes that now and again the band will be heard without a singer—surely not everyone likes non-stop singing, even when it is as good as this. Lee Grant was a cheerful hostess, and a talented one. Sheila Bradley and Bill French, from Australia, were an experienced and talented team. It would be interesting to know who all the others were; identification might be possible later, but some form of labelling would be a help.

t- A minor disappointment e was Chic Littlewood, who s did not capture the feeling ie of "Now You Has Jazz” e very successfully. His voice was certainly easier to listen it to than when he uses it to h advertise a brand of chicken,

but this was one of the few weak spots in a highly entertaining show.

There was much to enjoy on Tuesday night. It is not always possible to watch “Coronation Street” but every time one sees it there is a reminder of the remarkably consistent characterisations. There are many interesting people in "The Street.” We have a particular affection for Jack Walker, played by Arthur Leslie, who died recently. And we have an especial admiration for the acting of Doris Speed, who plays his wife. She is remarkably true to her role, week after week—arch or haughty, superior, scathing, overbearing, vain, selfish, yet basically kind of heart. * * »

“Doctor in The House” took a few upward steps. There was some lively fun in “When In Doubt Cut it Out;” at this new level, it should be a popular part of the week’s viewing. * St

“Gallery” had a relaxed Mr Tom Skinner, president 'of the Federation of Labour, discussing the Stabilisation of Remuneration Act with David Exel, and covering old ground confidently. There was also a piece on New Zealand’s “underground press,” which seemed, from its appearance on "Gallery” as a considerable misnomer, and which did appear to be one of those unimportant issues which "Gallery” has

sometimes pursued in the past to give it attention it hardly deserved.

But what was seen and heard of the amateur newspaper operators, and lan Cross’s summary at the end, provided a somewhat diferent view. Cross had all manner of fault to find with the underground newspapers —they often, he said, simply give rein to emotions, they lack taste, they print halftruths or falsehoods, and they are protected, in their attacks on people, by their lack of size and almost complete lack of money. A smeared politician. Cross said, could get no recompense from them, and by taking them to court would only appear to give more basis to a lie or a half-truth. But the little papers could be justified, he said, because they give expression to the views of people with causes at heart. * « «

But the main viewing business on Tuesday evening, for a good many, was the final episode of the highly-successful “Gold Robbers.” Before he finally came through to at least a measure of success, Cradock had some nasty reverses. His girl friend rejected him, and his previous association with her led to a suspension from the police, pending an inquiry, because of pressure from that Cabinet Minister, Martin Grierson, inspired by the tycoon Richard Bolt; there was some satisfaction at having guessed he was the arch-villain a while ago. Cradock suffered other reverses. His son and he parted finally; and in the course of pursuing the evil Nechross, the faithful Sergeant Thomas was killed.

The final story, “The Kill” was mainly about the pressures put on Cradock to leave the case not quite finished, Grierson and Bolt having business associations. The car chase of Nechross, which ended with the quarry hurtling into the Thames, was one of the most visually exciting episodes television has provided. And Bolt, his empire in ruins, committed i suicide. So the case was closed, finally, with £4,000,000 worth of gold gone. Peter Vaughan plugged his way through this serial ably, but in the final chapter turned in an outstanding performance, first with his conflict with authority, then in his confrontation with Bolt, a dramatic verbal passage if ever there was one. “The Gold Robbers" was first-class entertainment. "Callan” which replaces it on Tuesday, begins, unfairly but inevitably, under a handicap.— PANDORA.