New Zealand serial has a good start

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32715, 18 September 1971, Page 4

New Zealand serial has a good start

Not many New Zealanders are fully familiar with life in a timber township; but we are all going to know a great deal more about it before “Pukemanu” is done. This first New Zealand television serial, which started from CHTV3 on Thursday evening, was very much better than might reasonably have been expected of a strange new venture such as this.

Only those who have lived in and about places like Pukemanu could vouch for! the authenticity of the settings and characterisations. To others, it seemed a genuine slice of life in a New Zealand milling town. This first episode had its imperfections, as might have, been expected. But it must have created a lively interest among many viewers, who will look forward to the development of the series. “Pukemanu” has been described as a New Zealand “Coronation Street”. If that was the intention, it was a pity that it should follow “The Street” in the Thursday programmes. On the evidence of the first story, such a label is misleading, and unfair.

“Pukemanu” judged by Thursday’s first programme—is not likely to succeed through a development of personalities, although there were some very competent performances, notably by Pat Evison. Its strength is more likely to be in situation than characterisation. “Coronation Street” leans on the people who live there, more than on what they, are doing. “Pukemanu,” in fact, drifted a little nearer “Peyton Place” than the Street for a while, with the unhappy daughter of parents who Did Not Understand. That, mercifully, was brief.

The story was strong enough to hold the attention, and the script seemed natural and easy. There were moments when the acting was a little stiff and forced, but by and large it was very well handled.

Some of the photography was outstanding. The woodchopping contest was very well done, and the sequences with the motor-cycle gang extremely effective. Ginette MacDonald had a difficult role as .the girl victim of the generation gap, and she had her difficult moments with it. However, she emerged as a genuine person, a sympathetic character. Grant McFarland as Tahu was also uneasy in one or twq scenes, but he also handled his assignment’ satisfactorily. Pat Evison looked as if she had been mothering people and running that funny little milk bar all her life. Skilful photography and imaginative direction will no doubt continue to contribute to what looks likely to be a pooular series. #« # ,

It was very satisfactory to be reminded that “The South Tonight” can find time to divert as well as inform. The Hoffnung nonsense was delightful. The gaunt but engaging Sam McCloud made his final appearance in the "Four In

One” series. The story began very well indeed, and interest was sustained easily for about three-quarters of it, but it tapered off rather badly. However, the laconic McCloud has probably done well enough in this brief series to keep his appointment in New York and it would not be at all surprising to see him back on our screens some time later.— PANDORA.