2 - 8 MARCH 2024

‘STAND BY FOR ACTION’ – the first prize I won ever was a Stingray Painting by Numbers kit and I haven’t won too many others in the sixty years since then! So, well done – again – to Talking Pictures as, following on from Fireball XL5 and Thunderbirds, they bring back Captain Troy Tempest and his doughty crew (plus Oink, of course) from the Gerry Anderson back catalogue. It was the Andersons’ first series in colour and it is a good example of how mogul Lew Grade was not afraid to give strong financial backing to a project – the allotted budget was in the region of £800,000. Two more enormously popular series from the 1960s also make their debuts on TP this week: The Beverly Hillbillies and Bonanza. The former went to no. 1 in the US in just three weeks which might still be some kind of record for a series.
TRUE THINGS (2021) Sunday 3 March 10.45pm-12.20am BBC 2    P             
BBC 2 premieres a recent UK drama that focuses on a toxic and uncomfortable relationship between Ruth Wilson’s benefits officer and an ex-con who is manipulative.
BULLET FOR A BADMAN (1964) Monday 4 March 2.15-4.00pm 5 Action             
This is the last decent western made by war hero Audie Murphy towards the end of his career. It is still relatively standard fare but Darren McGavin is a particularly good foil. He was a good actor and always a welcome sight in TV movies and series – particularly the cult classic Kolchak the Night Stalker.
OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN (2022) Tuesday 5 March 11.10pm-1.15am Film Four    P             
It is a shame that this sensitive, beautifully-acted French drama is on so late. Rachel is a 40-year-old teacher in a stable relationship – but it is newly established, and her partner has a daughter. If things do go wrong, Rachel fears that she will not cope with the break-up of her new family.
COLD COMFORT FARM (1995) Wednesday 6 March 10.15-11.55pm BBC 4             
This is a very good adaptation of the popular novel with a fine cast that includes Eileen Atkins (currently in new release Wicked Little Letters) and Ian McKellen. Plus cast member Miriam Margolyes gives a new introduction at 10.pm.
SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD (2023) Thursday 7 March 11.15pm-1.05am Film Four    P             
Come on Film Four – give these interesting, quality films an earlier transmission time! Should it have been on the questionnaire? Quite possibly, and it is certain to say more about the human condition than half-a-dozen Hollywood blockbusters. But, it is a documentary set in an Estonian sauna so it might not appeal to all members.
THE CABINET OF CALIGARI (1962) Friday 8 March 9.05-11.20pm Talking Pictures (Ch 82)             
Anyone who knows anything about film will be aware that the 1921 Cabinet of Dr Caligari was a landmark of expressionist cinema. Despite being written by Robert (Psycho) Bloch, this version isn’t any such thing – but it is shown very seldom, and so it is one to add to the viewing list!