Interesting visitor on “The South Tonight”

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32874, 24 March 1972, Page 4

Interesting visitor on “The South Tonight”

It is good to see “The South Tonight” team getting more interesting people on the programme. Wednesday evening’s offering included an interview with the visiting landscape expert with the intriguing name, Mr J. St Bodfan Gruffydd. What interested me particularly was his view that Christchurch, the “garden city” was not a very attractive place in which to walk about And when you think about it, he has something. To make it more pleasant, he suggested the development of a footpath system linking parks and open spaces. The term the landscape expert used was “biological corridors.” However, the presentation of Mr St Bodfan Gruffydd and his views could have been made much more interesting to viewers with a little careful rearranging. The early part of the interview, which tended to be sluggish, could perhaps have been more tightly edited, and the suggestions for improving the city environment presented more forcefully. Perhaps some suggested walks to Hagley Park from outlying suburbs could have been included, or even a reaction from the city authorities. However, let’s give credit

where it is due—the visitor did have something interesting to say, and the programme gave us the opportunity to hear what it was. Perhaps a regular slot for a personality, either visiting or local, could be built into “The South Tonight.” And how about some controversial people who are in the news?

Another credit mark for “The South Tonight” was its Ashburton coverage. It certainly answered the question as to why this particular knitwear company should be expanding when others are facing serious problems. This was good coverage—topical and informative. • • *

"Marcus Welby, M.D.," is not my favourite programme, but the episode featuring the young Indian with a respiratory disease did have a telling theme. This was the deadly effect pollution of the air can have on a city and the people who live in it I couldn’t help thinking of Christchurch when concern was being shown about the smog inversion problem in Los Angeles. The programme itself was not very convincing — can you imagine any wife with a husband as sick as Mr Arrowthom not realising that something pretty serious is wrong with her husband? ♦ ♦ •

Eliza Keil was on the screen again on Wednesday evening, this time assisted by Tap Heperi. Eliza is quite easy to take and in this programme there were seascape settings. The idle thought that went through my mind was what a pity we could not have New Zealand songs sung by these talented New Zealanders. I’m sure somewhere we have the composing talent for popular songs which would make as much call on their ability as the imported items. • * *

The "Contrabandits” had an unusual twist with the ex-Navy frogman and Korean war hero not only involved in drug smuggling, but a drug addict as well. There was plenty of scope here for some dramatic acting, but somehow Don Pascoe who played the part of Lieutenant John Rynd did not quite have what it takes. Portrayal of more depth of feeling was called for, and

the lack of this was particularly apparent in the closing scenes when Rynd realised that his life was not worth living any more. Mr Hallam and his boys had it all too easy this time —and I wish Hallam would not over-act so much. He is the Customs special squad chief, to be sure, but sometimes he goes too far.—PANDORA’S GUEST.