“Survey” again sets the pace

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33034, 29 September 1972, Page 4

“Survey” again sets the pace

For consistent quality, “Survey” has won top place among New Zealand television productions, and is fit to rank with the best of overseas documentaries shown on New Zealand screens. A new “Survey” series began on Wednesday evening, and, very satisfactorily, it seems that it will be able to maintain its own high standards.

“Where Have All The Wowsers Gone?” was not a particularly apt title, for it hinted at a long-nosed look at temperance; in fact, New Zealand’s drinking habits were touched on fairly briefly in a fascinating survey of the New Zealand scene, a selfexamination directed by Michael Dean. He recently returned to New Zealand after 12 years overseas, part of this time being as a front man for the 8.8. C. “Late Night Line-up.” It was not, however, a monologue with visual backing. Dean had others to help him define the state of the nation. Peter Cape talked to him about eating habits, James K. Baxter and Tim Shadbolt on social revolution and Dean also took a discerning look at schooling, women’s liberation, television, architecture, the theatre, the arts in general, cottage industry crafts, people, and race relations. Dean’s script was crisp and interesting, with touches of somewhat sardonic humour, and a telling choice of phrase. One or two of the others who talked seemed rather to be performing, to be producing verbal pyrotechnics for effect rather than from a spontaneous expression of opinion; but most of them were clearly sincere, lan Cross being particularly lucid and thoughtful on television and its impact. “Survey” always seems to carry an air ofconfidence

and conviction with it. And it is not misplaced.

At the end of the evening Cyril Cusack gave a splendid solo performance in “A Time of Wolves and Tigers,” a telling study of a middleaged alcoholic left in loneliness with the departure of his wife, and in discomfiture at the thought that his employers were aware of his addiction to drink. The pathetic frailty of the man, his fabrications and selfdeceptions, were put under the microscope, and the picture was made the sharper for an utter lack of obviously and deliberately dramatic camera angles. * * *

Those few conscientious workers who could not get to Lancaster Park to see the Ranfurly Shield match were probably very grateful for the half-hour of highlights; and so, probably, were those who were there, so that Canterbury’s success could be relived.

The only other event of note was the new James Garner series. “Nichols.” Duties elsewhere prevented this viewer from watching the programme, but regular viewers asked about it were firmly of the opinion that it was utterly feeble and pointless. It is said to be a sendup of westerns. One viewer whose judgment is reliable said it was just plain stupid. —PANDORA.