I only saw bits and pieces of it and didn't pay much attention to it either way but the BBC drama about Mary Whitehouse with her played by Julie Walters seemed to portray her as bit of a ridicule/crank type figure. Maybe she was?
Yes I remember the play about her with Julie Walters, it was called Filth! Hugh Bonneville was good in as Carlton Greene the BBC director General, who regarded her as a crank. He used to pass her complaint letters to Johnny Speight who would then incorporate them into Till death do us part scripts, he made Alf a fan of hers, just to annoy Whitehouse even more!
I think Ted Childs and Lloyd Shirley got into a heated debate with Mrs Whitehouse over the "Sweeney".
There's a tale where Mrs Whitehouse claimed that the "Sweeney" was promoting and encouraging crime and robberies - and that it was too far fetched to have unmarked vans and fake taxis at Scotland Yard for Surveillance purposes.
Ted Childs shot her down in her slippers - and replied that there were more corrupt Police Officers in Prison than the usual civilian criminals.
He also mentioned that the show got help from Scotland Yard - officially (via Jack Slipper who insisted on reading S1 scripts,then head of the squad and of course, Jack Quarrie) to ensure it's authenticity - and that the Yard DID have Non-descript Vans/Taxis and Motors for Surveillance work.
Frightened by Horror Films? - Just remember, BEHIND the camera stand even more horrifying individuals moaning about the Catering food, the hours they work and quoting Union Rules... that's just the Electricians.
Mary Whitehouse was just one of those NIMBY/busybody characters who wanted the world to be like they’d want it to be rather than what the world actually is/was and would do everything/anything possible to force their views onto the wider public . As we all know things aren't necessarily like that nor should they be like that. Maybe she had a point on certain things and maybe not on others but I just found her a bit unhealthily obsessed with it all when there were much more important things to focus energy on. She was also strangely very much ‘head in the sand’ about things which should be challenged – like say The Sweeney or Law & Order showing police corruption etc. yet vigorous on censoring things which might cause a ‘what if’ and/or didn’t go along with her worldview.
It’s brilliant that Johnny Speight replied to her complaints to the BBC and if she was around today would she be an internet troll I wonder?
It was mentioned on Facebook earlier today that Van Der Valk is coming to Talking Pictures in April. Anybody a fan of this series starring Barry Foster?
Vi
The 'permissive society' doesn't exist. I know, I've looked for it - Rupert Rigsby
It was mentioned on Facebook earlier today that Van Der Valk is coming to Talking Pictures in April. Anybody a fan of this series starring Barry Foster?
Vi
Not seen it, but in light of Thames track record in that decade, I’m very hopeful it’ll be an enjoyable watch.
Post by Arthur Pringle on Mar 26, 2019 20:51:02 GMT
I have watched an episode or two in the past, thought it was ok-ish. Barry Foster has said that he was always getting confused for John Thaw by the public. I think of Foster as the killer in 'Frenzy' & before that an equally sleazy type in 'Twisted Nerve' ( the film that inspired Hitchcock to cast him in 'Frenzy' ), more than as Van Der Valk, there's something sinister about him. One of the great theme tunes of course, maybe too good as the rest of the show has to live up to it.
Do you mind not calling me squire or chief or boyo or mate?