Review

Talking Pictures have started another re-run of this (Sept. 2021) with two episodes on Mondays. I'm already hooked! I'd caught several before when they were showing on different days but this format seems to be better, and I should think will hook many other viewers.

I would agree with the other comments here-it's slightly gritty, slightly sad, a little downbeat; but oh so representative of those times. The early 2-parter "Miss Peebles & Mr. Busby" is superb with the pernickety lady obsessive about her elderly neighbour; you gradually realise in the second part that she has a "history"; the twist at the end with the landlady making a surprise decision is only partly satisfying, as one can sympathise with both parties, so there isn't a complete resolution. Truly an episode to reflect on well after it's over-the mark of good writing and acting.

Today's generation brought up on today's increasingly hysterical soaps with their fashionable "issues" may find this too "kitchen sink". Well, that's their loss...and our gain.

A Postscript

Talking Pictures have just ended the current run (October 2022)-it petered out a little disappointedly towards the end-I assume that the studio didn't recommission. But what little gems of stories there were, especially with Bill Marlowe and his (ultimately) frustrated romance with Jill Gascoigne; and Ray Smith (remember him as the detective in the Windsor episodes of "Public Eye"?) as the alcoholic fighting his demons; the young couple played by the superb Jenny Twigge and Ian Redford combatting poverty, postnatal depression, redundancy, an interfering mother, you name it.....! Lovely portrayal by Julie Shipley as a sweet-natured, sometimes vulnerable Northern lass...

And an honourable mention for the annoying busybody on the ground floor-Anne Dyson as Mrs. Beale-glimpses of vulnerability make this a well-rounded role. I can't mention everyone but I'm sure that others have their own personal favourites.

Inevitably, as is the nature of soaps, many characters don't really develop, and promising plots are unresolved (e.g. The new landlady-played by Ann Curthoys-really should have had an affair with Bill Marlowe!).

It seems that there are quite a lot of missing episodes-not sure if Talking Pictures couldn't get them all, or they are "lost". I can't glean any information from the Internet.

As said in my original review, I can't get any interest in current soaps (have only ever seen one episode of "EastEnders", and none of "Corrie", "Emmerdale" et al.) but this one was addictive. Was it a nostalgia thing? I never was in digs myself but several of my friends in the south London factory we worked in the '70s were, so memories of their trials and tribulations do ring a bell.

Or is it just another case of that era having a superb roster of writers, actors...?