[Spoiler alert! This series is almost 50 years old but we will be revealing - around 90 minutes - in who spectacularly dies in the literal cliffhanger to episode 7. You have been warned!]
Hey sis, it's Christmas, but this month Andy and Martin are visiting sunny Elounda on Crete for Michael J. Bird's classic revenge drama Who Pays the Ferryman? Featuring Jack Hedley, Betty Arvaniti, Neil McCarty and Patience Collier the series gripped the British public in 1977 and after its BBC2 transmission was immediately repeated on BBC1. The following year it became an even huger hit in the Netherlands.
The series also features prominent guest star roles for Lalla Ward, Gareth Thomas and Sally Knyvette, just before the roles that would make all three sci-fi icons.
As they review this 8-part series the pair consider the birth of the package holiday, influence on Howards Way, and the inherent dangers of tiny tartan swim shorts.
There are also lots of behind-the-scenes facts, many of which are admittedly lifted from the research of Dave Rice - do visit his website and buy his book. Patience Collier's biography by Vanessa Morton is also worthy of your attention.
Oh you daughters of Themis!
Next Time: 'X' (and yes we're going to be cheating)
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[Spoiler alert! This series is almost 50 years old but we will be revealing - around 90 minutes - in who spectacularly dies in the literal cliffhanger to episode 7. You have been warned!]
Hey sis, it's Christmas, but this month Andy and Martin are visiting sunny Elounda on Crete for Michael J. Bird's classic revenge drama Who Pays the Ferryman? Featuring Jack Hedley, Betty Arvaniti, Neil McCarty and Patience Collier the series gripped the British public in 1977 and after its BBC2 transmission was immediately repeated on BBC1. The following year it became an even huger hit in the Netherlands.
The series also features prominent guest star roles for Lalla Ward, Gareth Thomas and Sally Knyvette, just before the roles that would make all three sci-fi icons.
As they review this 8-part series the pair consider the birth of the package holiday, influence on Howards Way, and the inherent dangers of tiny tartan swim shorts.
There are also lots of behind-the-scenes facts, many of which are admittedly lifted from the research of Dave Rice - do visit his website and buy his book. Patience Collier's biography by Vanessa Morton is also worthy of your attention.
Oh you daughters of Themis!
Next Time: 'X' (and yes we're going to be cheating)
Rock-a-bye baby in the tower block
Your Mum’s on the social
Your Dad’s in the dock
Your Mum’s in arrears
So, the Council’s gonna call
Down will come mother, baby and all…
Yes this month it's none other than that late 80s police drama Rockliffe's Babies in which we met the seven young and untested members of Victor Tango crime squad and their formidable skipper Det Sgt Alan Rockliffe played by Ian Hogg.
A ratings winner that lasted for 2 series and 18 episodes Rockliffe's Babies was the BBC's answer to ITV's The Bill which at that time was also putting out shorter series of 50-minute episodes.
The series introduced us to Joe McGann and Alphonsia Emmanuel and the lesser remembered, but just as talented, Susanna Shelling, Martyn Ellis and Brett Fancy. Producer Leonard Lewis also cast some of his favourite regulars from When The Boat Comes In including Malcom Terris and Edward Wilson. All this and Brian Croucher too and a whole host of familiar guest actors.
Andy & Martin chart the course of the series choosing 8 episodes that hopefully showcase and represent the drama, including the very first episode which barely features Rockliffe and the last in which one of the 'Babies' learns that they will be leaving the squad to train as a detective.
As well as discussion of its memorable theme tune, the pair celebrate its peaks and troughs and consider why after two successful series it produced a sleepier countryside sequel: Rockliffe's Folly.
'Georgiou! You burke!!! What have you done now?'
Next Time: Survivors
An A to Z of UK Television Drama
[Spoiler alert! This series is almost 50 years old but we will be revealing - around 90 minutes - in who spectacularly dies in the literal cliffhanger to episode 7. You have been warned!]
Hey sis, it's Christmas, but this month Andy and Martin are visiting sunny Elounda on Crete for Michael J. Bird's classic revenge drama Who Pays the Ferryman? Featuring Jack Hedley, Betty Arvaniti, Neil McCarty and Patience Collier the series gripped the British public in 1977 and after its BBC2 transmission was immediately repeated on BBC1. The following year it became an even huger hit in the Netherlands.
The series also features prominent guest star roles for Lalla Ward, Gareth Thomas and Sally Knyvette, just before the roles that would make all three sci-fi icons.
As they review this 8-part series the pair consider the birth of the package holiday, influence on Howards Way, and the inherent dangers of tiny tartan swim shorts.
There are also lots of behind-the-scenes facts, many of which are admittedly lifted from the research of Dave Rice - do visit his website and buy his book. Patience Collier's biography by Vanessa Morton is also worthy of your attention.
Oh you daughters of Themis!
Next Time: 'X' (and yes we're going to be cheating)
