“Survey” interviewer was again outstanding

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32902, 28 April 1972, Page 4

“Survey” interviewer was again outstanding

Recording all the aspects of gambling In New Zealand would have required a tremendous effort by the NXB.C.—with someone in the service, no doubt, placing a bet that it would not be quite complete; but the “Survey” programme on Wednesday night did well, within its time limitations. It was, perhaps, more interesting than informative, for most New Zealanders are well aware of the national addiction to gambling. In “Are You a Gambier?” the “Survey” team confined its researches to racing, housie, cards, and big business. It was a far from complete record, but it made its points.

A serious note was struck once or twice, with evidence of compulsive gamblers and their troubles, but the documentary was notable mainly for the expert interviewing of the producer, Michael Scott-Smith, and for the striking personalities of the two young business tycoons

who were asked about their successes. Michael Scott-Smith seems to us to be as good an interviewer as there is in the N.Z.B.C. To be sure, comparisons with others in news organisations or on “Gallery” is hardly fain the "Gallery” men, for instance, often have to conduct a debate with two or more vigorous spokesmen for opposing points of view, whereas in “Survey” it is simple questioning, and not an argument. But Scott-Smith is outstanding. He has a relaxed voice and manner, he does not say too much, and he seems to get from his subjects just what he wants of them. A lot of work went into this “Survey” programme, in all its aspects, and it was reflected in the finished product For the rest, Wednesday was as moderate of appeal as usual. “Marcus Welby M.D.” provided a basically

simple story, but pulled out all the stops in its usual vigorous style. A blind woman with heart disease spent her life savings on plastic surgery for an illfavoured son who, emerging from hospital a young Adonis, stole from her shop to entertain one of the young ladies who descended on him. The devotion of mother to child is a tender subject; this made it ludicrous, even if everything, not unexpectedly, ended happily. "The Contrabandits” who must now be overdue for a vacation, produced a rather better constructed story than usual. It became progressively more bizarre as it went along, but it was still better entertainment than many tales in this series, and it was satisfactory to find that Mardi was given some of the action this time. She must have been thoroughly tired of decorating the office and making tea.—PANDORA.