The Beiderbecke Affair (1985– )

Trevor Chaplin teaches woodwork and likes to listen to jazz. Jill Swinburne teaches English and wants to help save the planet. Trevor tries to buy some jazz records but this leads to ... See full summary »

Stars:

James Bolam, Barbara Flynn, Dominic Jephcott

Cast

Series cast summary:
James Bolam	...	Trevor Chaplin (6 episodes, 1985)
Barbara Flynn	...	Jill Swinburne (6 episodes, 1985)
Dominic Jephcott	...	Det. Sgt. Hobson (6 episodes, 1985)
Terence Rigby	...	Big Al (6 episodes, 1985)
Dudley Sutton	...	Mr. Carter (6 episodes, 1985)
Keith Smith	...	Mr. Wheeler (6 episodes, 1985)
Danny Schiller	...	Little Norm (5 episodes, 1985)
Colin Blakely	...	Chief Supt. Forrest (4 episodes, 1985)
Keith Marsh	...	Harry (4 episodes, 1985)
Alison Skilbeck	...	Helen (3 episodes, 1985)
Sue Jenkins	...	Janey (3 episodes, 1985)

Storyline

Trevor Chaplin teaches woodwork and likes to listen to jazz. Jill Swinburne teaches English and wants to help save the planet. Trevor tries to buy some jazz records but this leads to meeting a "dazzlingly beautiful platinum blond", a suspicious detective sergeant and a strange pair of men running a junior football team. Big Al and Little Norm agree to help Trevor and Jill with their school supplies problems. Jill decides to stand as a local councillor. A tale of "Black Economies", council corruption and many strange characters all set to a background of Bix Beiderbecke.

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Plot Keywords:

jazz | corruption | school teacher | england | tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 January 1985 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Belmont level crossing, Forest Lane, Starbeck, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

320 min 320 min (6 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The names of the leading characters were developed from the characters in Alan Plater's earlier series Get Lost!. When the actors had to be re-cast, Plater looked for new names for what were similar characters. Neville Keaton from 'Get Lost' was a woodwork teacher who liked jazz and football. For the Beiderbecke Trilogy, he became Trevor Chaplin, Keaton and Chaplin being two of Plater's comic heroes. Judy Threadgold from 'Get Lost' was an English teacher and an environmentalist who had been named in homage to Sunderland A.F.C. goalkeeper Harry Threadgold. For the Beiderbecke Trilogy, she became Jill Swinburne, named after Newcastle United F.C. goalkeeper Tom Swinburne.

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Quotes

[Helen has invited Trevor for lunch to meet her parents]
Helen: Mother's been up half the night with her stroganoff.
Trevor Chaplin: [flippantly] Well, what use is money if you haven't got your health?

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Connections

Followed by The Beiderbecke Tapes (1987)

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Soundtracks

"Cryin' All Day"
Written by Frankie Trumbauer and Chauncey Morehouse
Performed by Bix Beiderbecke

User Reviews

corking soundtrack

As some reviews have said "A jazz soundtrack paces this British series, adding more mystery to the lovers' quest for the truth" and "This outlandishly funny series weaves quirky characters, witty dialogue and a wonderfully smooth, jazz soundtrack into a uniquely satisfying, entertainment experience."

Well, that's not how I'd describe it.. The jazz soundtrack is fabulous, Bix Beiderbecke tracks blast through the slow bits in between the meat of the show, making this a truly immersive, grab-you-by-the-ears and drag-you-along series.

Oh yeah, the dialog, plot, setting are all excellent too - if you haven't seen it, it's worth the 9.3 rating at time of writing this!