Some set-backs for Mogul

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 5

Some set-backs for Mogul

It seemed during “The Trouble - shooters” on Thursday evening — and it would not be a view widely shared — that it was just one story too many about Mogul becoming involved in the politics of an emerging nation. But there were enough twists and surprises before the end to answer any charges of repetition.

It seemed to this viewer to be a programme which would intrigue viewers seeing the series for the first time. Perhaps it is a measure of a series that it seems, or does not seem, to go on too long. Rather, it is no more than a personal view for in television one man’s fish is definitely another’s poison. Illis story, set in Africa, had some strange situations. Willie Izard delivering a vigorous telling off to Brian Stead was a novelty in itself. Perhaps stranger was the failure of Willie’s attempt to thwart Chinese expansion in the dark continent. The hint of fallibility which allowed both Willie and Peter Thornton to be out-smarted did not harm the series one bit. There was spying and intrigue and a good punch at the close. Linda Cole was a convincing Mrs Hamilton and of the others, Clifton Jones played the government Minister with confidence and authority.

“Gallery” had nothing arresting to offer. The Ombudsman and Race Relations Conciliator, Sir Guy Powles, offered a brief and rather formal elaboration of his recently reported remarks about the rate of imprisonment of Maoris, and the more detailed look at the Democratic convention at Miami was interesting, without saying much that was new about this strange spectacle.

One cannot but feel sorry

for Robert Conrad who appears each week in “The D.A.” He has an attractive screen personality and he appears in a series which is not diminished in stature by extravagances and exaggerations. But the Stories in “The D.A.” are so trite and conventionally told that it really is an empty sort of series, without impact or particular point. This week, one of the most threadbare lines of all times was paraded again. The chief villain was caught, and addressed the henchman who had been persuaded to betray him in those imperishable words: “Why, you dirty double-crossing ...” Evidently “rat” is optional.

The tennis from Wimbledon was an excellent example of good sports television. The situation was always clear to the viewer, the expert comments were not made too frequently, and the camera presented intimate portraits of the principals in a most interesting fashion. Wimbledon on colour television is something quite out of the ordinary. When colour comes to New Zealand, it will sharpen the appreciation of all programmes. But it is doubtful if it will benefit anything visually to a greater extent than sport. — PANDORA.

CHTV3 (Today) 2.00 p.m.: News. 2.03: The Beverly Hillbillies. Comedy. 2.30: Saturday Grandstand—Rugby League. Canterbury v. Wellington. (Direct.) 4.08: Joni Mitchell. Music. (Repeat.) 4.42: Men of Our Time: Stanley Baldwin. Biography. 5.28: The Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp Show. (Repeat.) 5.54: This Week in Britain. 5.59: News, weather. 6.02: Sports Magazine. (Repeat.) 6.13: Happen Inn. Popular music. 7.00: Network news. 7.22: Weather. The South on Saturday. 7.34: Break 21. Word game. 8.04: Jason King. Drama. 9.00: Newsbrief. 9.02: Film (1955) —"Many Rivers to Cross” (Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker). Western. 10.44: National Party Conference. 11.04: Late news, weather. 11.10: The Don Knotts Show. Variety. (New series.) (Tomorrow) 10.30 a.m.: Morning worship, Durham Street Methodist Church. 2.00 p.m. News. 2.03: Film (1946) —“The Harvey Girls” (Judy Garland). Musical. 3.40: This Week. Documentary. 4.21: Robin Hood in an Arrow. 4.29: Lidsville. Adventure. (New series.) 4.51: Disneyland—“ The Secret of Boyne Castle.” First of three parts. 5.41: News, weather. 5.44: Rugby League, Australia v. New Zealand. (Highlights.) 6.44: Five Into One. Church union. 7.00: Network news. 7.15: Local news. Weather. 7.23: Country Calendar. 7.39: The Des O’Connor Show. Variety. (Final.) 8.50: Dad’s Army. Comedy. 9.00: Newsbrief. 9.02: House Call. Medicine. 9.07: Take Three Girls. Play. 9.54: Eugene Onegin. Opera. First of two parts. 11.01: Late news, weather.