Sound & Vision: September 1983
Johnny Jarvis is coming – at peak viewing time
Starting on November 17th at 9.25 on BBC’ – a new serial in six one hour episodes about three young school leavers: Johnny, the conformist, Alan, layabout and cynic, and Johnny’s girl.
We are also promised a bent copper and a mystery Puffin Plus have the tie-in, by Nigel Williams.
Doris, on Screen at last
The moment, long awaited at Piccolo who have had the books out for some time, has come. The adventures of Doris are now being nationally networked by ITV in five minute teatime slots. Piccolo is hoping that Doris appeal will be across a wide age-range; they have picture books and story books available for fans.
Hilary Hayton who conceived and produced the series is the creator of the Crystal Tipps and Alistair series shown on BBC in the early 70’s. She says that Doris, a liberated but feminine feline, is based on her own pet moggie.
Merchandisers have an eye on Doris – there is already a jig-saw in the shops. Will she become a national institution like Postman Pat?
In Search of Dinosaurs
A new Granada series. The Dinosaur Trail. begins on September 30th and runs for seven weeks. It is networked nationally and presented by John Noakes. The consultant for the series is Beverley Halstead, author of Terrible Claw. the story of a carnivorous dinosaur (Collins. 0110 1401 12 6. £3,95). He will appear in every episode. The book was published to coincide with the start of the series.
Books on Radio
Janet Whitaker, of Inside Pages, has recently taken over production of Living Language the main English series for 9- 11 year olds, on BBC Schools radio. She writes to tell us about the new shape of the series. Each term starts with a magazine-style programme called Booktime, featuring books related to the theme of the following programmes. This is to help and encourage children with their own reading. Themes for the Autumn Term are Nothing to be Afraid Of and Christmas, starting on November 17th is a two-part dramatisation of Paul Theroux’s London Snow with Irene Handl as Mrs Mutterance. Leon Garfield’s Fair’s Fair with Roy Kinnear as storyteller, ends the term. The Spring theme, Animals in Danger, includes a dramatisation of Nora Wilkinson’s The Snow House and in the summer an adaption of Tim Kennemore’s The Fortunate Few is part of a general look at sport.
Jack Holborn – perhaps
The West Germans have done a six hour adaption of Leon Garfield’s adventure story. From the limited evidence of the stills it looks an action-packed affair. It is being dubbed into English and will be shown on ITV in twelve half hour episodes; but no one at the time of writing seems quite sure when. October?
Coming Shortly
Clive Donners’ new film version of Dicken’s Oliver Twist, with George C. Scott as Fagin and Tim Curry, Michael Hordern, Timothy West, Eileen Atkins and Cherie Lunghi in support. Princess Anne will be at the Royal Premiere on November 2nd. Penguin have the official tie-in edition.
A Doll’s House Comes to Life
Rumer Godden’s classic story The Doll’s House, has been filmed for Goldcrest as a television series. The story of the Plantagenets, the unbearable. haughty Marchpane (a very selfish china doll) and of dear Tottie, the peg doll who keeps everything going in the antique doll’s house they all inhabit, has delighted children for years. Looking at the people involved in the production it seems in good hands. The series is designed by Peter Firmin, directed by Oliver Postgate, and produced by Kaye Webb. At the moment it is scheduled to be shown in November. Puffin have a new edition of the story. retitled Tottie.
