"Black and Blue" (1973) TV series

Director:

Mark Cunningham

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

14 August 1973 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Anthology series of plays based on the theme of "things turning black and the air turning blue."

Cast

 (Series Cast [1])

George Tovey

...

Lorry Driver / ... (2 episodes, 1973)

Runtime:

UK:60 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

A lost gem

Apparently, all but one episode of this series of black comedies has been lost. The first episode, Secrets, was recorded on an early home video system when first transmitted. It surfaced on Network's DVD of The Complete Ripping Yarns. Despite the technically poor image quality, the programme is in colour and quite watchable.

I was delighted when I watched; the performances are very good (especially Warren 'Alf Garnett' Mitchell), the script is clever, satirical and lively, with the programme thundering along. In fact, I found it more enjoyable than some of the accompanying Ripping Yarns episodes.

The same premise was reworked in the 1988 film Consuming Passions.

It would be nice if other instalments from this series could be found.