Softly Softly (1966–1976)

Stars:

Stratford Johns, Frank Windsor, Norman Bowler

Cast

Series cast summary:
Stratford Johns	...	Det. Chief Supt. Charles Barlow (91 episodes, 1966-1969)
Frank Windsor	...	Det. Chief Insp. John Watt (84 episodes, 1966-1969)
Norman Bowler	...	Det. Sgt. Harry Hawkins (75 episodes, 1966-1969)
John Barron	...	Asst. Chief Constable Austin Gilbert (52 episodes, 1966-1969)
Dan Meaden	...	Det. Con. Ben Box (49 episodes, 1966-1968)
Gilbert Wynne	...	Det. Con. Reg Dwyer (43 episodes, 1966-1967)
Robert Keegan	...	Bob Blackitt (42 episodes, 1966-1967)
Peggy Sinclair	...	PW Det. Sgt. Barbara Allin (38 episodes, 1967-1969)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

partially lost tv series | police | british | detective | ensemble

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Taglines:

Regional Crime Squad

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 January 1966 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Bristol, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (120 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title music, composed by Fritz Spiegl and his wife Bridget Fry, was based on "Rocking Carol", a traditional Czech carol with English words by Percy Dearmer.

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Connections

Followed by Softly Softly: Task Force (1969)

User Reviews

A posh continuation of Z Cars

This was a very popular series in the late 60's and early 70's set in the mythical area of Wyvern ( Possibly the Bristol area ). It features the work of a Regional Crime Squad. Initially the two Stars were Stratford Johns as Charlie Barlow and Frank Windsor as John Watt. Barlow was a Detective Chief inspector in Z cars but on transfer to the Regional Crime Squad he is now Detective Chief Superintent. Watt is also promoted on transfer to Detective Inspector and by the time the programme ends he is also a Detective Chief Superintendent. This was presented as the 'Bee Knees', being a perfect example of how the modern Police Force operates. I found it very clichéd, with the lower ranks portrayed in a very wooden fashion. Garfield Morgan, as a Detective Chief Inspector, had an excellent rehearsal for his role in the Sweeney, 10 years later.