TV 012: The Beiderbecke Connection (Cryin' All Day) - The Frank Ricotti All Stars

Originally broadcast as 1988 drew to a close, The Beiderbecke Connection was the third and final part of Alan Plater's comedy-thriller trilogy. Once again we were treated to a wonderfully wry and intriguing series with enthralling plot diversions and a fine musical score.

Cryin' All Day was chose to play over the closing credits and is an authentically melodic slice of vintage jazz.

The Beiderbecke Connection (Cryin' All Day)

TV on DVD schedule w/e 6 December

Monday 30 November
Emmerdale Farm - 6 March 1973
Monty Python's Flying Circus - 'Whither Canada?'
Northern Exposure - 'Animals R Us'

Tuesday 1 December
Steptoe And Son - 'And Afterwards At...'
Man About The House - 'Come Into My Parlour'
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - 'A Home From Home'

Wednesday 2 December
Emmerdale Farm - 12 March 1973
The Jensen Code - Episode 2
Rumpole Of The Bailey - 'Rumpole And The Show Folk'

Thursday 3 December
Tales Of The Unexpected - 'A Woman's Help'
On The Buses - 'The Cistern'
The Forsyte Saga - 'Dinner At Swithin's'

Friday 4 December
Emmerdale Farm - 13 March 1973
Family Guy - 'Mother Tucker'
Homicide: Life On The Street - 'For God And Country'

Saturday 5 December
The Equalizer - 'Lady Cop'
Perry Mason - 'The Case Of The Moth-Eaten Mink'
Columbo - 'Playback'

Sunday 6 December
Wonder Woman - 'The Return Of Wonder Woman'
Department S - 'Six Days'
NYPD Blue - 'Aging Bull'

TV 011: BBC Wimbledon (Light And Tuneful) - Keith Mansfield

Originally composed in 1974, Light And Tuneful is, as its title suggests, a perfectly succinct and apt theme for those hot (and sometimes rainy) June afternoons.

Keith Mansfield is a KPM heavyweight who also composed the Grandstand theme and recorded one the best lounge LPs of the 1960s - All You Need Is Keith Mansfield.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

BBC Wimbledon (Light And Tuneful)

TV 010: BBC Cricket (Soul Limbo) - Booker T And The MGs

Soul Limbo was the theme tune to BBC Cricket coverage for 30 years - only stopping when the corporation lost the broadcast rights in 1999.

This Caribbean-flavoured tune from Stax's finest group is simply flawless.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

BBC Cricket (Soul Limbo)

TV 009: The Avengers - Laurie Johnson

A series which has stood the test of time and will never lose its allure.

The Avengers spanned the decade, commencing in 1961 and signing off eight years later. During that time special agent John Steed was the true constant - played by Patrick Macnee. He had a variety of female co-stars - Cathy Gale (Honor Blackman), Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) and Tara King (Linda Thorson).

While John Dankworth composed the theme for series 1 to 3, it is Laurie Johnson's version (which was first heard in 1965 when Emma Peel came on board) that is most memorable.

Extraordinary crimes against the people, and the state, have to be avenged by agents extraordinary. Two such people are John Steed, top professional, and his partner Emma Peel, talented amateur. Otherwise known as The Avengers.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

The Avengers

TV on DVD schedule w/e 29 November

Monday 23 November
Emmerdale Farm - 26 February 1973
Spitting Image - Series 1: Episode 12
Northern Exposure - 'Oy, Wilderness'

Tuesday 24 November
Yes Minister - 'A Question Of Loyalty'
Man About The House - 'Cuckoo In The Nest'
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - 'Another Country'

Wednesday 25 November
Emmerdale Farm - 27 February 1973
The Jensen Code - Episode 1
Rumpole Of The Bailey - 'Rumpole And The Case Of Identity'

Thursday 26 November
Seven Of One - 'I'll Fly You For A Quid'
On The Buses - 'First Aid'
The Forsyte Saga - 'The Pursuit Of Happiness'

Friday 27 November
Emmerdale Farm - 5 March 1973
Family Guy - 'Stewie Loves Lois'
Homicide: Life On The Street - 'Full Moon'

Saturday 28 November
The Equalizer - 'The Lock Box'
Perry Mason - 'The Case Of The Negligent Nymph'
Columbo - 'Troubled Waters'

Sunday 29 November
Quincy - 'Let Me Light The Way'
Miss Marple - 'A Caribbean Mystery'
NYPD Blue - 'Curt Russell'

TV 008: Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (Back With The Boys Again) - Joe Fagin

The second series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet saw the action move from Germany to England and Spain. It was originally broadcast in 1986.

The magnificent seven returned but sadly Gary Holton (who played Wayne) died while filming was still in progress.

Back With The Boys Again was now chosen to play over the closing credits. It was another hard-rocking and stirring tune from Joe Fagin.
It took on a poignancy of its own when the viewer realised that Wayne's enforced absences were due to his untimely demise and the sentiments expressed in the song could never be realised again.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (Back With The Boys Again)

TV 007: Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (That's Livin' Alright) - Joe Fagin

Series 1 of this fondly-remembered series was set in Germany.
It was 1983 and Britain was in the throes of unemployment, presided over by the Queen of Misrule a.k.a. Margaret Thatcher.

Seven lads took the ferry to ply their respective trades in a German building site where much laughter (and a little sobering sadness) ensued. A tightly-knit cast with each member being uniquely talented made for a most enjoyable 13 weeks' viewing.

The closing credits played out to this uptempo and bittersweet track from Joe Fagin. He also sung the opening tune called Breakin' Away.

That's Livin' Alright also featured on the second volume of Now That's What I Call Music.
For years the lyrics puzzled me - "taking snapshots of fun" was actually "drinking schnaps in the sun".

The song perfectly encapsulates the lifestyle for an emigrant brickie.
Work, boozing, ladies, sleep.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (That's Livin' Alright)

TV 006: Ask The Family (Sun Ride) - John Leach

Ask The Family initially ran from 1967 to 1984. As the title suggests, it was a quiz show for all the family presided over by the inimitable Robert Robinson. Suitable questions were directed at different members ("father to answer", "children's round" etc) and there was also an emphasis on photographic queries.

It was subsequently revived in 1999 and again in 2005 but the old magic and wholesome formula were not recaptured.

The theme tune changed over the years with John Leach's Sun Ride taking the mantle at the end of the initial run and also for the first revival. A memorable, if somewhat brief, composition from the Chappell library.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

Ask The Family (Sun Ride)

TV on DVD schedule w/e 22 November

Monday 16 November
Emmerdale Farm - 12 February 1973
Spitting Image - Series 1: Episode 11
Northern Exposure - 'Only You'

Tuesday 17 November
Yes Minister - 'The Quality Of Life'
The Feathered Serpent - Series 1: Episode 6
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - 'A Law For The Rich'

Wednesday 18 November
Emmerdale Farm - 13 February 1973
Just William - 'William Clears The Slums'
Rumpole Of The Bailey - 'Rumpole And The Man Of God'

Thursday 19 November
Seven Of One - 'One Man's Meat'
Magpie - 24 December 1976
The Forsyte Saga - 'A Family Scandal'

Friday 20 November
Emmerdale Farm - 19 February 1973
The Famous Five - 'Five On Finniston Farm'
Homicide: Life On The Street - 'Sniper, Part 2'

Saturday 21 November
The Equalizer - 'The Defector'
Perry Mason - 'The Case Of The Crooked Candle'
Columbo - 'By Dawn's Early Light'

Sunday 22 November
Quincy - 'Valleyview'
The Persuaders - 'The Man In The Middle'
NYPD Blue - 'Dirty Laundry'

TV 005: Animal Magic (Las Vegas) - Laurie Johnson

Animal Magic was a staple on BBC 1 for over 20 years, finally coming to a halt in 1983.

Well-loved Johnny Morris was the head honcho, a man who played with animals and did some great voiceovers. The programme was interesting for children as it gave the animals a more human personality and helped us understand them a little better.

The theme tune entitled Las Vegas was written by Laurie Johnson back in 1962 and lasted for the entire run.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

Animal Magic (Las Vegas)

TV 004: Angels (Motivation) - Alan Parker

Angels was a fascinating medical soap with a difference - it concentrated on the nurses as opposed to the doctors.

It started airing in the mid 1970s and lasted until 1983. Along the way it tackled a number of gritty issues and was somewhat uncompromising in its portrayal of the challenges facing student nurses.

The theme tune, Motivation, comes from KPM and was composed by Alan Parker.
Its hard-hitting and driving guitar seems appropriate for the programme.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

Angels (Motivation)

TV 003: All Creatures Great And Small (Piano Parchment) - Johnny Pearson

A series perfect for Sunday evenings.

Carol Drinkwater was the obvious attraction but the stories were life-affirming and funny.
Especially the one about "Mr Bloomfield".

And sad when the occasion demanded it. Remember James going off to war?
Big steps and little 'uns.

Johnny Pearson composed a lovely relaxing theme that takes me back to those Sunday evenings every time I hear it. Simpler times - both the 1930s and the late 1970s/early 1980s.

All Creatures Great And Small (Piano Parchment)

TV on DVD schedule w/e 15 November

Monday 9 November
Emmerdale Farm - 30 January 1973
Spitting Image - Series 1: Episode 10
Northern Exposure - 'The Bumpy Road To Love'

Tuesday 10 November
Yes Minister - 'The Devil You Know'
The Feathered Serpent - Series 1: Episode 5
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - 'The Return Of The Seven, Part 2'

Wednesday 11 November
Emmerdale Farm - 5 February 1973
Just William - 'William And The Sleeping Major'
Minder - 'A Little Bit Of Give And Take'

Thursday 12 November
Seven Of One - 'Another Fine Mess'
Magpie - 26 November 1976
The Forsyte Saga - 'A Family Festival'

Friday 13 November
Emmerdale Farm - 6 February 1973
The Famous Five - 'Five Go To Billycock Hill'
Homicide: Life On The Street - 'Sniper, Part 1'

Saturday 14 November
The Equalizer - 'China Rain'
Perry Mason - 'The Case Of The Runaway Corpse '
Columbo - 'Negative Reaction'

Sunday 15 November
Quincy - 'Sullied By The Name'
The Persuaders - 'A Death In The Family'
NYPD Blue - 'Heavin' Can Wait'

TV 002: The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickelby (London / Overture) - Orchestra Conducted By Harry Rabinowitz

Fantastic television adaptation - probably my favourite Dickens - originally broadcast in 1982.
The character of Smike was particularly inspiring.

The theme was written by Stephen Oliver and suits the mood perfectly.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickelby (London / Overture)

TV 001: Adventures Of Black Beauty (Galloping Home) - South Bank Orchestra

This stirring theme was written by Denis King in 1972.
The arranger was Harry Rabinowitz.

A version was released as a single the following year and narrowly missed the Top 30.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

Adventures of Black Beauty (Galloping Home)

TV on DVD schedule w/e 8 November

Monday 2 November
Emmerdale Farm - 22 January 1973
Spitting Image - Series 1: Episode 9
John Pilger - Stealing A Nation

Tuesday 3 November
Yes Minister - 'The Greasy Pole'
The Feathered Serpent - Series 1: Episode 4
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - 'The Return Of The Seven, Part 1'

Wednesday 4 November
Emmerdale Farm - 23 January 1973
Just William - 'Only Just In Time'
Minder - 'Minder On The Orient Express'

Thursday 5 November
Seven Of One - 'Spanner's Eleven'
Magpie - 13 August 1976
Big Breadwinner Hog - 'A Credit To Us All'

Friday 6 November
Emmerdale Farm - 29 January 1973
The Famous Five - 'Five On A Secret Trail'
Homicide: Life On The Street - 'Thrill Of The Kill'

Saturday 7 November
The Equalizer - 'The Equalizer'
Perry Mason - 'The Case Of The Vagabond Vixen'
Columbo - 'An Exercise In Fatality'

Sunday 8 November
Quincy - 'An Unfriendly Radiance'
The Persuaders - 'Nuisance Value'
NYPD Blue - 'One Big Happy Family'