Children in two shows

Press, 4 January 1978, Page 15

Children in two shows

“Children,” the second programme in the 8.8. C. series, “Family of Man,” will screen from South Pacific Television tonight.

It looks first at the relationship of mothers and children in all of the five locations used in this series: Andheri (in the Himalayas), Buk (in the highlands of New Guinea), Shakawe (northern Botswana), Colne (industrial Lancashire, England) and Esher (Surrey, England). The part played by fathers in bringing up a family is examined along with parental discipline and corporal punishment as well as the use of mother substitutes —- relatives, au pair girls, and older children as nursemaids.

The programme then considers education in the widest sense, as preparation for adult life. Is industrial

man better off for all his material possessions? Another interesting TV2 feature tonight is “Bound for Freedom”, a drama about two English boys who are brought to the American colonies about 1750 as indentured servants. The conditions of their passage are that they must work without pay until they are 21. The younger boy is sent to work for the kindly Mr Waldruss (Fred Gwynne, Herman of the early television series, “The Munsters”). But the older boy finds his master is very much the opposite. Mr Cotter (Lee Richardson) keeps slaves and punishes with the whip.

Unable to bear the torment of his master any longer, the older boy runs away. If he is caught and brought back, he will face even harsher punishment.

Daniel Tamm and William McMillan star as the two boys, Davy Butcher and James Porter.

The play is based on a story by Ruth Chessman, and has music by Emanuel Vardi and singing by Taro Meyer. Esther and Abi Ofarim will present a musical programme in a romantic mood in “Cinderella Rockefella,” tonight’s “Six-thirty Special” from TV2.

It was filmed on many locations: on the coast of Hastings, in the Bavarian mountains, in the ruins of

English castles, in frivolous boutiques on Carnaby Street, and also in the backyards of Soho, at airports, and in science fiction settings. Comical and slapstick elements play an important part in the atmosphere of the production. Appearing with Esther and Abi Ofarim are Joyce Henderson, Gunther Fersch, Dave Lee Travis, and Andrew Nelson.

The fiery, dominant Maude will be back in a repeat of the series about her from TVI tonight. After several unsuccessful

marriages, Maude has married Walter (her favourite husband) and together they have settled down in lavish New York suburbia as “the Findlays”. Maude undoubtedly wears the pants in the family (although neither Walter nor Maude’s divorced daughter, Carol, would acknowledge this). Maude also "manages” much of what goes on next door with Vivian and Arthur Harmon.

Yet underneath this, Maude is also sentimental, nostalgic, and even whimsical.