ORIGINAL MESSAGE
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 05 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
A popular theme that has emerged in several threads is that of television, film and radio, so I thought it a good idea to start a specialist thread for that area of discussion. If, however, you reply relates to any aspect of the English used, it will go into Thread W16 instead. RESTRICTED THREAD: please make TV, film or radio (including on-line only content) the main subject of your reply.
.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 05 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Since others have commented on Partners in Crime [W16/73-75], it may worth recalling that ITV did a series based on the Tommy & Tuppence stories in about the late 70s. It was set, more contemporaneously with the books, in the 1920s and starred Francesca Annis as an it-girl who nevertheless seemed blissfully happy with her rather dashing husband. I remember Clive James writing an extremely funny review for The Observer of the couple's exploits in Why Didn't They Ask Evans? Much more recently Tuppence was imported into one of ITV's rather loose adaptations of Miss Marple (not a patch on the earlier Joan Hickson ones for the BBC) and portrayed (not sure by whom) as an alcoholic whose marriage seemed to be heading for the rocks. On the whole, Jessica Raine's Tuppence strikes me as the best of the three, though I imagine that Walliams' Tommy could drive even her to drink (and indeed he got paralytic himself in the second episode, albeit in the cause of duty).
2nd REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & NowDATE: 16 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I continue to watch Partners in crime on Sunday evenings, though my wife deserted me for the last episode (No.3). Perhaps that is just as well, as she keeps asking me about what's going on and who the different characters are. The first three episodes have brought to an end the adaption of The Secret Adversary and still to come for the last three episodes is the adaption of N or M? I do have sympathy with the words of Uncle Major Anthony Carter, played by James Fleet, that the pair should not continue with further investigations but leave it to the professionals. Jessica Raine's Tuppence seems very keen to do more investigating whilst poor David Walliam's Tommy wants out and getting back to concentrating on such matters as beekeeping. I have enjoyed reading the reviews of journalists on the programme, especially Siobhan McNally of the Daily Mirror ("Still no closer to solving the case of the Missing Chemistry"). I have of course enjoyed the railway scenes.
3rd REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 16 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Two Saturdays ago a programme appeared on Radio 4 (From cradle to grave), which was an Archive on 4 production. This explored the history of the NHS through the story of one hospital, the QEII in Welwyn Garden City. This was apparently the first purpose built district general hospital and was closed down last summer. I do recall my being transferred to there from Barnet General Hospital after spending some weeks in it after some young driver drove over my foot when I broke down on Barnet Hill. I recall the contrast in what seemed such a modern hospital with modern methods of operation, including menus, compared to Barnet, which was stuck in the ways of when I was there in my youth with TB and kidney trouble. Perhaps others too have thoughts regarding either hospital. I have had wide experience of NHS hospitals generally having gone into so many both as an internal and external auditor in past days.
DATE: 21 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Others more observant than I have been writing in droves to The Sunday Times about mistakes in the current series of Partners in Crime set in 1952 [see W16/73-75 and 1-2 above]. These include: (a) boarding a British railway carriage in Paris; (b) Major Carter listening to commentary on an Ashes test match that took place the following year (when England famously regained the Ashes); (c) T & T driving a Morris 1000 Traveller that didn't come onto the market until October 1953; (d) Tuppence putting just a shilling on the favourite at Catford and remarkably winning over a pound. One correspondent says the series is more Enid Blyton than Agatha Christie. This may explain why, in spite of everything, it's such compulsive viewing. As to the chemistry between Mr & Mrs Beresford [reply 2], The Times also had something to say about it: "[They] continue to exude all the easy chemistry of Mick Fleetwood and Sam Fox at the Brit Awards". (That must be going back about 25 years.)
DATE: 21 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
As regards reply 3, I didn't hear the programme about the NHS. However, I should emphasise that the QEII in Welwyn hasn't closed: there has been some re-development and there is no longer an A&E service (you have to go to the Lister in Stevenage). Barnet has been completely rebuilt in recent years, though its reputation has remained decidedly mixed. It was taken over last year by the Royal Free, which is probably what Sellar & Yeatman would have called "a good thing".
6th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 26 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In relation to my reply 2, I hope others will not think me unkind in my remarks about my wife asking me about what's going on and who the different characters are in Partners in crime. Love is patient and kind, as Paul's letter (1 Corinthians 13) read at each Founder's Day service reminds us. I do love my wife and try to be patient and kind at all times. We just enjoy friendly banter in these matters. We have both watched the last two episodes and have been fully cognisant of the characters and the plots. I myself have to ask my wife at times who the different characters are and what relation to others in Radio 4's The Archers (no longer proclaimed as an "everyday story of country folk"), which my wife rarely misses. Perhaps this is partly because her maiden name before marrying me was 'Archer'. She loves me too and is very patient and kind as well.
7th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 26 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In regard to QE11 in Welwyn Garden City [reply 4], looking up on the internet I acknowledge, Nick, that there are services other than A&E still there. The radio programme did talk about it being closed. Maybe they were just talking about A&E or perhaps all services were closed for a time until they sorted themselves out. I am glad that there are still some services but am surprised A&E is at Stevenage, though perhaps they are maybe not too far away in distance. Welwyn Garden City along with Hatfield are certainly very large. People in St Albans apparently have to choose between Hemel Hempstead or Watford in the same way.
8th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 27 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In relation to unusual names on TV programmes, I used to watch the TV series Foyles War, episodes of which are being repeated currently on TV. It does fall in the category of two-hour programmes like Morse, Lewis and Frost, which I used to watch and do not now feel I want to spend the time on. On that there was an actress Honeysuckle Weeks, who used to play the role of Samantha Stewart. I suggest this name 'Honeysuckle' like 'Tupence' in Partners in crime is a very distinctive name. My wife used always to say "Here she comes again, our Honeysuckle." Of course others have adopted flower names for their babies such as Geri Halliwell's 'Bluebell' but maybe these are more commonly held, or perhaps others may tell me differently.
DATE: 27 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Further to reply 1, ITV3 has repeated By the Pricking of My Thumbs, the episode of 'Marple' which (in the TV adaptation at least) brings together Miss M and Tuppence B. The latter, in middle age, was played by Greta Scacci. I must say she does quite well for people to play her. It's a new husband she needs.
Then & NowDATE: 27 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 54-59
On the face of it, Partners in Crime was not going to be the sort of thing Angela and I bother with again after the first episode, but in the event we were hooked from the start. I was new to the Beresfords, never having been an AC fan, and now find them quite intriguing. I'm also surprised at the way in which all concerned with the making of this series have managed to combine the humour and froth with a degree of genuine suspense. The acting and directing is very good, of course. In general, however, we are fans of the meatier sort of stuff, often subtitled (which doesn't have to mean Scandinavian: there was, eg, Y Gwyllt ['The Wilderness], set in Aberwystwyth). There has also been an increasing amount of excellent English-language drama (much of it Scandi-inspired) of late: The Missing and Broadchurch for example. Then there was Wolf Hall which earned universal critical acclaim. Thanks in part to BBC4, there is now an overwhelming choice of top-class drama available. It's impossible not to agree with those who say this is a new golden age of TV drama. The test for me is if I don't doze in front of the telly! That's certainly never going to happen during anything in Danish or Swedish. In fact, it's not going to happen for the rest of the night after something like the Belgian Cordon. That was a real shocker on many levels and posed disturbing questions about right and wrong (for example, can Government lies, in a democracy, be morally far more defensible than telling the truth?). There's been no hint so far that any of you ever watch the heavier stuff and I've been wondering why.
DATE: 31 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
I never watch heavy stuff, because I like to have fun - remember that???
Then & NowDATE: 31 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 54-59
Well, Stephen, there's more opportunity than ever (too much, some might say) for fun, whether through the entertainment media or by other means, without having to ignore the more challenging arts productions. Personally, I prefer to strike a balance, as far as what I watch or read is concerned. I happen, for example, to be a great fan of good comedy, from Shakespeare via Charlie Chaplin to Father Ted and beyond (all of which have serious points to make beneath all the hilarity, anyway). These simple light/heavy distinctions don't always stand up to a lot of scrutiny - they're just a bit of fun.
13th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 31 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In regard to the 4th reply I also find it an interesting game finding discrepancies in TV programmes and films. I hope all involved enjoy the game and do not lose their mojo by taking it over seriously. In regard to Tommy and Tuppence Beresford did any see the ITV3 programme on Saturday 30th August at 10 p.m. when Miss Marple played by Geraldine McEwan is assisted by the partners in crime to investigate the mystery of a murdered child? I wanted to watch it even though it was another two-hour screening but earlier in the evening had problems watching the end of a repeated Doc Martin on the channel due to screen loss and interference. How this happens I do not know, as reception on most of Doc Martin was perfect. The faults continued later on in the evening when the Agatha Christie adaption was on. I have now reset via auto tuning and hope the annoyance goes away. I was told I had to reset for ITV anyhow on 25th August.
DATE: 31 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-63
I am always surprised by the number of adaptations from Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle that both the BBC and ITV produce. Whilst Sherlock is very good and a new take on an old theme there are plenty of modern crime novelists with books that would make ideal Tv dramas. I appreciate that we have had series taken from books by R D Wingfield, Reginald Hill, Ian Rankin and Mark Billingham but there has been nothing recently at least that I can recall. I keep hoping to see the books by Stuart Macbride brought to the small screen, although some of the dark humour might be lost in translation. I must admit to enjoying most American and Scandinavian crime dramas, which I tend to collect on DVD to watch at my leisure. As for heavier dramas, 37 Days, shown last year at the start of the commemorations for the First World War, was very good, although the actual political history of the events in question is even more fascinating in print.
15th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 06 September 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I am of the same mind as you, Stephen, of wanting to enjoy the fun stuff and not wanting to see all that heavy stuff. Maybe Vic will find a kindred spirit besides Mike Carter.
Then & NowDATE: 06 September 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 54-59
There is, of course, no clear-cut divide between 'fun' viewing and 'heavy' viewing (the term 'fun' is itself a very slippery fish to grasp, requiring a volume or two for its dissection). I wonder where one is supposed to place, for example, Inspector George Gently. Its lack of 'strong' language and tomato ketchup, together with its hint of self-parody, seems to place it with one foot in the fun camp, yet it deals, albeit in a rather clumsily tub-thumping way, with some of the social ills of the 1960s, such as overt racism, mysogyny and the buying and selling of babies, which places the other foot in the heavy camp. Perhaps it's semi-fun or half-heavy. I'd like to know if you fun-lovers watch it. By the way, despite my rather negative-sounding comments about it, I'm quite a fan. It has that thing that the all cop shows do rather well - the tension between the seasoned old-school Guv and and his green upstart of a sergeant but it does it even better than most, due to great writing and acting.
DATE: 06 September 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
The latest issue of Private Eye has a rather jolly spoof of Lucy Worsley's recent BBC4 interview with Roy Strong, who became director of the National Portrait Gallery at about the same improbably young age that Jenkins and Enright began their tenure at QE. Although a bit of a love-in, the programme itself was quite interesting; but what I hadn't really noticed before was that Worsley's quite engaging lisp causes her to pronounce 'r' as 'v', rather than 'w'. The "Eye" cottons on perfectly to this characteristic as in "Savoy Stvong".
18th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 14 September 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
They are very good points you make, Vic, about fun and semi fun [reply 16]. I do not like extreme graphic violence in films such as Tarrantino's ones nor ones where there is excessive swearing and I do think some weak sorts are influenced to act and speak badly in real life by watching films and videos, the abduction and murder of a small boy by two others being a case in point. I have enjoyed, however, the contrast on crime programmes such as Morse and Lewis between the old school Guv and the green upstart, when the murders they are investigating are not usually shown in graphic detail. I am reluctant to talk of TV much further, as this shouldn't just be the VIc, Nick and Jas Cowen show (would others please give their views) but I rejoice this week on new Doc Martin, Gogglebox and Who Do You Think You Are? on our screens.
Then & NowDATE: 14 September 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 54-59
To extend (also reluctantly) the 'Vic, Nick and JC Show' even further, you may be surprised to learn that I too am averse to the gratuitous and excessively graphic depiction of violence in some TV productions. Also, not being a voyeur, I feel decidedly uncomfortable with explicit sex. By 'heavy' I meant the bold treatment of tough social problems, an insightful exploration of motivation and character, corruption and hypocrisy in high places - all that sort of thing. Unfortunately it often seems to be deemed necessary, due, I suppose, to an assumed lack of imagination on the part of the viewer, to be as graphic and explicit as one can get away with and this is a flaw that mars many an otherwise excellent 'heavy' production. As to swearing, that's a difficult one. So many people swear incessantly in everyday life that I find a cop show, for example, without swearing very difficult to believe in. Strangely, a survey recently discovered that viewers tend to be more offended by swearing than by sex and violence. Actually, my attitude to swearing is somewhat unorthodox in that I call the use of Anglo-Saxon or slang to describe parts of the body or bodily functions, in place of the respectable Latin equivalents, 'pseudo-swearing' and can't really understand why such a dicrimination exists. One might expect a religious person to be much more offended by real swearing, such as 'Oh my God' or even 'gosh', 'crikey', etc, which take the Lord's name in vain. Yes, Who Do You Think You Are? is excellent. The last one I saw was with the great Derek Jacobi. Now there's someone who's been in few heavy things, most notably I Claudius.
20th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 19 September 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I remember watching an episode of I Claudius at home with my wife. We had also a guest, a church minister, who watched the programme with us. He kept laughing over it (Was it nervous laughter?) and called the programme a skit. We had to tell him it was deadly serious and the book, on which the series was based, was an accurate description of life at that period in Roman history amongst the imperial circle. My wife and I often joke about other programmes we see and say "It's a skit." We do have a laugh about it, almost as much as quoting in regard to some programmes: "There's more violence here than UXB" after another friend's remarks about us not to watch UXB2, as it was so violent. I have recently enjoyed some of the programmes on TV that have connections with my old Cambridge college, Sidney Sussex. There was the round of University Challenge when the SS team beat Kings College Cambridge's team very decisively. I hope they keep it up, as I fear Kings were rather poor on the day. It has been some time since SS has appeared amongst the competitors. Alumni of other colleges you may declare your rival allegiance and support now. Two other SS connected programmes were also enjoyed. There was the programme on the work of Gordon Welchman at Bletchley Park and elsewhere. He was Dean of SS, a position of great interest, as recorded in the history of the college book by Richard Humphreys. Then there were the excellent programmes on ancient Athens and Rome with SS ex master, Andrew Hadrill-Wallace. These really took me back to days of classics studies at QEs and I think rivalled the programmes, such as on Herculaneum, hosted by Mary Beard.