Scottish doctors make welcome return

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33067, 7 November 1972, Page 4

Scottish doctors make welcome return

It was refreshing to! see Dr Finlay back on! the screen on Sunday, evening, even if he was estranged from his colleague. Dr Cameron. Whatever some younger viewers may say, this programme appears as a welcome oasis of quiet subtleties, character studies and production and acting excellence. The first of the new series on Sunday was certainly in the best traditions of the Scottish doctors, and Dr Finlay’s dalliance both with i the aristocratic lady about to ibe divorced, and the nursing (.home for the wealthy gave it dtt added dimansion.

There were some lovely ex&ianges between Janet and Dr Cameron early in the programme. Equally good was the by-play between the brash young doctor with his eye on the pretty nurse, and the matron of the nursing home.

Suspense was niicely reflected in Dr Finlayl’s anxiety that he had not diagnosed Mr Seaton’s malady correctly and of course the climax came with a “miracte cure,” achieved through supplying the deficiencies of thyroid extract.

The post of medical superintendent of the home appears tempting to Dr Finlay although even at this stage there’s something not quite right in the attitude of the young lady towards her doctor friend—not right for Dr Finlay that is.

The doctor will, of course, go back to Arden House, but just how this comes about will not be clear until next Sunday 7 night. The interesting thing, about the first episode was how the! relationship betwee® the three main characters was' maintained, even though the story plot did not contain any dialogue between them. * * * The Rolf Harris Show! series ended on Sunday; evening with another ener-l getic extravaganza. Rolf' sometimes appear?/ quite out of place in the slick routines of singing gals anH guys, and looks as though be would be much more comfortable in a tumble-down shack approach, mate. Presumably, the tie-up with Germany was a reflection of Britain’s entry into the European Economic Community. If the performance of the tuneful young German singer was any indication of future spirt-off, then it would appear to be a good scheme. Next Sunday, the Black and White Minstrels will be batek.

Vincent Price really had a ball in the country, but the dinner scene left me wondering whether this was really TV fare, or the diners would be better left to munch and small talk alone without camera coverage. However, some of the clowning was laugh-raising and among the collection of “guests” here was certainly some talent.

Perhaps the corniest of items was Vince sitting up

in bed reciting, “I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree.” It just ■didn’t seem the right setting to me. In the late slot was an interesting film from radio Sweden about the famous painter, Anders Zorn. It was ■ certainly a rag-to-riches story, but inclined to dwell overmuch on the paintings this remarkable man produced, at the expense of giving us an insight into what sort of a man he actually was. It was very much an official biography, and this was a pity because a great deal of research and careful! editing had gone into the production in honour of one of Sweden’s famous sons.— PANDORA’S GUEST.