"The Beiderbecke Affair" (1985) TV mini-series 1985-

Directors:

David Reynolds
Frank W. Smith

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

6 January 1985 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Trevor Chaplin teaches woodwork and likes to listen to jazz. Jill Swinburne teaches English and wants to help save the planet...

Plot Keywords:

Jazz | Corruption | School Teacher | England | TV Mini-Series

Cast

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)

Series Directed by
David Reynolds		(4 episodes, 1985)
Frank W. Smith		(2 episodes, 1985)

Series Writing credits
Alan Plater		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Produced by
David Cunliffe	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 1985)
Anne W. Gibbons	....	producer (6 episodes, 1985)

Series Original Music by
Frank Ricotti		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Cinematography by
Peter Jackson		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Film Editing by
David Aspinall		(4 episodes, 1985)
Brian Tomkins		(2 episodes, 1985)

Series Casting by
Ruth Boyle		(6 episodes, 1985)
Malcolm Drury		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Production Design by
Mike Long		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Costume Design by
Brian Castle		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Makeup Department
Di Lofthouse	....	makeup artist (6 episodes, 1985)

Series Production Management
Peter Lover	....	unit manager (6 episodes, 1985)
Graeme MacArthur	....	unit manager (6 episodes, 1985)

Series Art Department
Christine Normanton	....	production buyer (6 episodes, 1985)

Series Sound Department
Terry Cavagin	....	dubbing mixer (6 episodes, 1985)
John Fountaine	....	boom operator (6 episodes, 1985)
Barrie Box	....	sound recordist (4 episodes, 1985)
Roger Davies	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1985)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Steve Falvey	....	focus puller (6 episodes, 1985)
John Gledhill	....	chargehand electrician (4 episodes, 1985)
John Ward	....	Steadicam operator (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Kenny Baker	....	musician: cornet solo (6 episodes, 1985)
Paul Hart	....	musician: violin (6 episodes, 1985)
Dave Hartley	....	musician: Piano (6 episodes, 1985)
Christopher Laurence	....	musician: double bass (6 episodes, 1985)
Don Lusher	....	musician: trombone (6 episodes, 1985)
Frank Ricotti	....	musician: vibes (6 episodes, 1985)
Stan Sulzmann	....	musician: tenor saxophone (6 episodes, 1985)

Series Other crew
Diana Dunn	....	title designer (6 episodes, 1985)
Philip Chambers	....	stage manager (4 episodes, 1985)
Keith Ansell	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1985)
Pat Brown	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1985)
Thelma Hutchison	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1985)
Sue Taylor	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1985)

Production Companies

• Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Distributors

• Independent Television (ITV)

Special Effects

• Effects Associates

Runtime:

320 min (6 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Trivia:

The names of the leading characters were developed from the characters in Alan Plater's earlier series "Get Lost!" (1981). 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.

Quotes:

Trevor Chaplin:Did the earth move, Darling?
Jill Swinburne:No, but the dressing table twitched a few times.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Time Shift: Alan Plater: Hearing the Music" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Cryin' All Day

slow moving with irritating characters

The TV show was slow moving and the 'offbeat' characters were sometimes irritating. Only through the miracle of fast forward was I able to make it through the first 2 hours.

The write-up indicates that it's some kind of comedy/mystery but I didn't see much of either.

If it really picks up after the first 2 hours, please let me know, because I doubt that I will watch the rest without a recommendation.

This review is supposed to be without spoilers so I will continue in a vague, non-spoiler, fashion. I found the two main characters uninteresting and unsympathetic. I found myself asking 'Would a normal adult do that?' The man with the hedge trimmer looking out the window was irritating and when the male lead interacted with him, he looked pathetic. Would a normal adult put up with someone as irritating as him?