Former sex symbol made fine witch

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34031, 20 December 1975, Page 5

Former sex symbol made fine witch

(By

KEVIN McMENAMIN),

Whatever happens to sex symbols when they grow old and lose their shape? Judging by the performance by Diana Dors in Thursday night’s thriller movie, “Nurse Will Make It Better,” they sometimes get a second bite at the apple by proving themselves as actresses. Although the make-up department had obviously been let loose on her, there is no denying that Miss Dors has filled out considerably since the days when she was Britain’s answer to America’s Marilyn Monroe. Like most of the stories in this thriller series there was a genuine chilling quality and Brian Clemens, who has written most — if not all — of them, has varied his theme with great skill. This one, which had Miss Dors

playing a soul-collecting agent for the Devil, was one of the best. And it succeeded largely because of Miss Dors. Called upon to play a part somewhere between a Juliet Millstype nanny and an unrelenting purveyor of evil she wore the two faces with schizophrenic ease.

It was, indeed, an arresting performance by a woman whose previous passports to acting acclaim were her bust size, her silky blond hair and a pouting voice. The rest of the cast also did their share in making the film a worth-while dabble into the supernatural. An old friend. Patrick Troughton, who from his days as Dr Who should be used to strange happenings, made the most of his cameo role. There was another reason why the film scored so highly and it has been a virtue common to the series. The thriller theme was not laboured to the point, as sometimes happens, where the audience is treated like I easily-scared children. ' It was just convincing, and i unsettling, enough to make ■one ensure that the outside ■ light was on before venturing ' forth with the milk bottles, j which is not a bad yardstick of success for any late-night film that is aimed at imagination. However, in suite of her devilishly-fine efforts, Diana Dors would still only finish second in Thursday night’s gloom stakes. First prize would have to go to the TV2 newsreader, Tom Bradley, for his cheerless reportage of the day’s price hikes. At least, he was faithful to his script. S-S & After such sombre news ;a little comedy was called for and unfortunately neither “M.A.S.H.” nor “For the Love of Ada,” which we saw for the first time, was particularly funny. “M.A.S.H.” was in one of its more serious moods, with

bombs punctuating the jokes, and “Ada” was modest geriatric comedy, undeserving of such squeals of offcamera laughter. Even so, Irene Handl and Wilfred Pickles are an appealing enough couple to rise above handed-down scripts and as our viewing partner considers them delightful we will, no doubt, be seeing more of them. It was, 'ncidentally, the final episode of “M.A.S.H.” for a while and the occasion should not be missed to salute a comedy show that in spite of its longevity has maintained a consistently: high standard. In fact, forj one-line gags, no show ■ approaches it. & sf: sjc For some time — most of the year, some may say — “Tonight at Nine” has looked to have been in its "silly season” and there was an odd interview, which may have been padding, on Thursday. The impression given in | the introduction was that it iwas tied to crime prevention over the holidays, but all it turned out to be was the : unconnected thoughts of an ex-Borstal boy. Perhaps, it was intended as a warning to those on a similar path. If so, then the i i iterviewer. Murray McLaughlin, plotted a steady course: with questions that were almost interrogator)'. # * # “Tonight at Nine” was closer to the target with its interview with economist, j Kerry McDonald, on what belt-tightening we can expect Inext year and there was also la useful item on the team of I personal advisers the Prime (Minister has appointed. The team was described more than once as an intelligence unit, which sounds : suspiciously like a synonym for a think tank. Now what’s ■ that line Mr Shakespeare wrote about a rose. Mr ’ Muldoon, as a keen gardener, i should know.