Made by the B. B. C., 'Premiere' was an anthology of half-hours plays intended to showcase new directorial talent. Here it was Peter Bartlett, who went on to make a few other plays before retiring for good. 'Crest Of A Wave' was penned by Douglas Livingstone, a contributor to 'Budgie' and also the creator of the wonderful 'Born And Bred' starring Max Wall ( not to be confused with a B. B. C. Series of the same title which starred James Bolam ).
It starts in the present day, with a reunion between two middle-aged men called 'Jim' ( Denholm Elliott ) and 'Nifty' ( Ian Hendry ). They act like long-lost brothers, but then we flashback to the past and see that things were not quite as rosy as we were led to believe. Jim ( Mike Kemp ) and Nifty ( David Parfitt of 'And Mother Makes Three' ) were both in the Boy Scouts at the same time. A local girl, 'Marian' ( Lynne Jones ) had a crush on Nifty and vice versa. One day, Marian turned up at the Scout camp to invite Nifty home to tea, and Jim proceeded to humiliate him in front of her. For instance, he told her that the nickname 'Nifty' came about because of his friend's so-called poor personal hygiene. "Haven't you noticed?", he says to her. "He niffs!".
Poor Nifty loses Marian. Back in the present day, Jim admits he is broke, and pleads with Nifty to help him get work. Nifty senses an opportunity for revenge...
I don't know if this still exists in the archives, but it would indeed be a pity if it does not. Good performances from all concerned, and Livingstone's script is wonderfully touching. A possible inspiration for his later I. T. V. Comedy drama 'The Quest Trilogy' which starred ( and was directed by ) David Jason.
It starts in the present day, with a reunion between two middle-aged men called 'Jim' ( Denholm Elliott ) and 'Nifty' ( Ian Hendry ). They act like long-lost brothers, but then we flashback to the past and see that things were not quite as rosy as we were led to believe. Jim ( Mike Kemp ) and Nifty ( David Parfitt of 'And Mother Makes Three' ) were both in the Boy Scouts at the same time. A local girl, 'Marian' ( Lynne Jones ) had a crush on Nifty and vice versa. One day, Marian turned up at the Scout camp to invite Nifty home to tea, and Jim proceeded to humiliate him in front of her. For instance, he told her that the nickname 'Nifty' came about because of his friend's so-called poor personal hygiene. "Haven't you noticed?", he says to her. "He niffs!".
Poor Nifty loses Marian. Back in the present day, Jim admits he is broke, and pleads with Nifty to help him get work. Nifty senses an opportunity for revenge...
I don't know if this still exists in the archives, but it would indeed be a pity if it does not. Good performances from all concerned, and Livingstone's script is wonderfully touching. A possible inspiration for his later I. T. V. Comedy drama 'The Quest Trilogy' which starred ( and was directed by ) David Jason.