"The Beiderbecke Tapes" (1987) TV series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

13 December 1987 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Music | Mystery

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 | Man With No Name | Leeds England | Amsterdam Netherlands | School Teacher

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

James Bolam	...	Trevor Chaplin (2 episodes, 1987)
Barbara Flynn	...	Jill Swinburne (2 episodes, 1987)
Dudley Sutton	...	Mr. Carter (2 episodes, 1987)
Malcolm Storry	...	Mr. Peterson (2 episodes, 1987)
Keith Smith	...	Mr. Wheeler (2 episodes, 1987)
Beryl Reid	...	Sylvia (2 episodes, 1987)

Runtime:

151 min (3 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Trivia:

The music was played by Don Lusher (trombone), Roy Willox (melody saxophone), Stan Sulzmann (tenor saxophone), Dave Willis (bass saxophone), Paul Hart (violin), Les Thatcher (guitar and banjo), Dave Hartley (piano), Chris Laurence (double bass), Allan Ganley (drums), Kenny Baker (cornet) and Frank Ricotti (vibes).

Movie Connections:

Followed by "The Beiderbecke Connection" (1988)

Soundtrack:

Cryin' All Day

A very British adventure (Except for the jazz...)

This, the 2nd in the 'Beiderbecke' trilogy, frequently seems to get squeezed out between the 'Affair' and the 'Connection' (Even the 'TV shows on DVD' site doesn't seem to know it exists), which is odd because this is in every way as good as its predecessor and its successor.

The plot is so simple that it's almost non-existent. Trev comes into possession of some tapes that don't contain jazz, and the secret service become interested. If you've seen either of the other two in the series you'll know just where this is going. Laughs and bewilderment abound, and I actually didn't work out what was going on until almost the end, by which time I had a slight inkling, but no more.

Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, Big Al and Little Norm had to be replaced by other characters, but even so, the show is worth watching just for the scene at the end of part one where the secret service man is checking Trev's tapes...

I normally steer clear of words like 'Sublime', but in this case, if you accept the definition 'inspiring awe; "well-meaning ineptitude that rises to empyreal absurdity" (M.S.Dworkin)' then, just this once, I'm going to use it.

It qualifies, dammit.