Much revealed about Sutherland the man

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34133, 21 April 1976, Page 4

Much revealed about Sutherland the man

(By

KEVIN J. McMENAMIN

Television lias tossed lup few stars of more commanding presence than lain Cuthbertson and if he was a little more vulnerable than usual in “Sutherland’s Law” on Monday night, his grip of the role remained unloosened. “Sutherland’s Law” rarely fails to please and if anything it surpassed itself this week. A provoking courtroom duel to darken John Sutherland’s mood set the scene nicely for the more personal study that was to follow. Much was revealed about the man behind the justiceseeking Fiscal through the gentle probing of his smiling lady doctor friend, who finally side-stepped his proposal of marriage in a way that did no harm to his dignity. In other respects, too, the story was handled with due regard to Sutherland’s forceful character and in some cases suggestion was enough to convey the thoughts of the principles. The co-stars also glided smoothly through their parts and for those who might have anticipated the programme ending in the glow of a double wedding there I was the added blow of the disintegration of the courtship between Sutherland’s two assistants. Yet the characters quickly adjusted to the situation and now that he has cleared up his personal affairs we can expect Sutherland back to his authoritative best next week. Perhaps the word best suited to describe the show can be borrowed from the males in describing their week-ends to each other —agreeable.

I Because of an unfortunate,) and unforgiveable, error in; reading the programme times, I missed the dramatisation of Maurice Duggan’s story's “Blues For Miss Laverty.” The last few minutes, however, were enough to suggest that it measured up to the recent high standard of local dramas and that [ Yvonne Lawley faithfully I filled the title role. Instead, I endured one oi l the weaker episodes in Ron-: nie Barker’s “Seven Of One”[ series. The faults lay not so much with the pantsiess and' ravenous Barker, but with aj script more suited to a come-I dian of lesser talent. And the subject of overweight was given some meaning by the appearance of a stockier-than-ever Joan Sims. * ❖ sie The overseas travels of Mr Muldoon again featured prominently on news bulletins and "Tonight’s” account of his arrival in Seoul had to be seen to be believed. That so much red carpet should be rolled out for a New Zealand Prime Minister positively takes the breath away. “Tonight” also screened an interesting item on the übiquitous millionaire grocer, ’ Albert Gubay. His competitors will probably bej pleased to hear he is leaving for new pastures, but from his comments it is hard to appreciate that he ever posed a threat to the established order of selling baked beans and the like. The only shaky ground he! got on was his explanation | for wanting to leave New ( Zealand- It would seem that I the country is not big) enough for both him and his j former wife. And the wife wants to stay. Husbands will probably understand.

“The Family” continued to be good viewing, although[ try as we do we still cannot accept it at face value. It is simply beyond our belief that any family could act naturally, especially when bawling each other out, in a room filled with cameramen and technicians. Still, the programme serves a purpose in portraying the attitudes of the family and

[this time rebellious youth ; was given an airing in the form of the 15-year-old daughter, Heather. Hopefully her continued facial administrations will bring her successfully through the acne age. sis * * The documentary, “1945: The Year That Shaped The World” was well put together, showing much film not seen before. 1945 was undoubetdly a momentous year and even if the review was scant in detail it tidily juxtaposed the succession of vita! happenings.