Inspector George Gently.
Discussion
Another enjoyable epi!
In the newsreel at the start the voiceover said the binmen wanted a rise from £15 9/- (is that the correct symbol for shillings - I've forgotten) to £20...the days of high inflation!
In the cast I was surprised by how Emma Cuniffe had changed - from her debut in 'The Lakes' as a stick thin teen to middle aged pushy wife (she's 41) now. Naturally I've gotten much younger in the same time frame.
Only gripe - the 'cheltenham banquet chairs' in the pub seemed too recent, but maybe Newcastle were early adopters of modern catering eqpt? Either way best use for them is to off your skint best mate.
Also quite clever how they weaved the storyline around T.Dann Smith etc (google him and Poulson the architect for lessons on redevelopment).
In the newsreel at the start the voiceover said the binmen wanted a rise from £15 9/- (is that the correct symbol for shillings - I've forgotten) to £20...the days of high inflation!
In the cast I was surprised by how Emma Cuniffe had changed - from her debut in 'The Lakes' as a stick thin teen to middle aged pushy wife (she's 41) now. Naturally I've gotten much younger in the same time frame.
Only gripe - the 'cheltenham banquet chairs' in the pub seemed too recent, but maybe Newcastle were early adopters of modern catering eqpt? Either way best use for them is to off your skint best mate.
Also quite clever how they weaved the storyline around T.Dann Smith etc (google him and Poulson the architect for lessons on redevelopment).
The Don of Croy said:
Only gripe - the 'cheltenham banquet chairs' in the pub seemed too recent, but maybe Newcastle were early adopters of modern catering eqpt? Either way best use for them is to off your skint best mate.
Spotted one at last! The QE 2 bridge which carries the Tyneside Metro was seen in the background of some scenes - this was built around ten years after this story was set.The Don of Croy said:
Another enjoyable epi!
In the newsreel at the start the voiceover said the binmen wanted a rise from £15 9/- (is that the correct symbol for shillings - I've forgotten) to £20...the days of high inflation!
Infaltion was not that bad in 1969. A quick look at a relevant table shows it was in the 4% to 5% band. Although high by today's rock bottom levels, the REAL high inflation era was the mid 1970s - when it was in the mid 20% region - prompted by massive fuel price increases after the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War. In the newsreel at the start the voiceover said the binmen wanted a rise from £15 9/- (is that the correct symbol for shillings - I've forgotten) to £20...the days of high inflation!
Eric Mc said:
The Don of Croy said:
Another enjoyable epi!
In the newsreel at the start the voiceover said the binmen wanted a rise from £15 9/- (is that the correct symbol for shillings - I've forgotten) to £20...the days of high inflation!
Infaltion was not that bad in 1969. A quick look at a relevant table shows it was in the 4% to 5% band. Although high by today's rock bottom levels, the REAL high inflation era was the mid 1970s - when it was in the mid 20% region - prompted by massive fuel price increases after the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War. In the newsreel at the start the voiceover said the binmen wanted a rise from £15 9/- (is that the correct symbol for shillings - I've forgotten) to £20...the days of high inflation!
The characters referred to 'tough times' more than once, but in 1969 places like Swan Hunter were still busy (even making oil tankers as well as Navy contracts) and a few years short of the oil crisis...
Nevermind. Perhaps for a season finale they could move on a year or two and investigate the murder of Jack Carter's brother, and the contract killing of Jack shortly after?
The Don of Croy said:
Nevermind. Perhaps for a season finale they could move on a year or two and investigate the murder of Jack Carter's brother, and the contract killing of Jack shortly after?
I did think that when they featured the High level bridge! I spent few days touring the area looking for Get Carter film locations a few years ago (around the day Hammond crashed the dragster) - not easy given that the majority have disappeared, the car park quite recently. The social change theme often present in GG was also a key part of the film's cinematography: the street with Frank's house was demolished soon after, bleak soulless concrete feature in stark contrast to olde Newcastle and the area in front of Jack's digs is largely cleared wasteland.In short, I'm looking forward to the two worlds colliding, providing Gently's health holds out.
Oi Bacchus! I've almost forgotten what your eyes look like. Still the same - pi55holes in the snow...
Despite some ifs and buts, I'm enjoying this series of episodes and stories as I did the previous ones. Good to again see so many cars which were such a familiar sight back then.
I remember the Life on Mars series which I also enjoyed had a few continuity blips such as a Rover 600 in one of the 1980s scenes..
Not seen any such out of time cars in GG so far.
I remember the Life on Mars series which I also enjoyed had a few continuity blips such as a Rover 600 in one of the 1980s scenes..
Not seen any such out of time cars in GG so far.PurpleTurtle said:
Let's face it, it's no 'The Professionals' is it?
I used to love Martin Shaw in that, a hero to the 7yo me. Then he decided that he wanted to be considered a serious 'ac-tor' so stood in the way of repeat showings for many years. Not been a fans since.
Funny you mention that. Here's why.I used to love Martin Shaw in that, a hero to the 7yo me. Then he decided that he wanted to be considered a serious 'ac-tor' so stood in the way of repeat showings for many years. Not been a fans since.
I feel that way about Trevor Eve who back about forty years ago, played the lead role in the PI series based around the Bristol Aerial> called "Shoestring". Really enjoyed that series and was very disappointed when Eve decided no more for similar reasons. Made a point of missing everything Eve has done since. Do not think I've missed out.
> See what I did there.
Of course, these chaps ARE serious actors with extensive stage and drama school training and experience. They often are quite multi-talented (Eve can song as well and appeared in the very successful London production of "High Society" in the 1980s).
It just so happens that they were in very successful TV shows at some point in their careers and became famous for that role or that style of character. If I was a professional actor I would want to push my talents in different directions and not just be remembered for one role three or four decades in the past.
It just so happens that they were in very successful TV shows at some point in their careers and became famous for that role or that style of character. If I was a professional actor I would want to push my talents in different directions and not just be remembered for one role three or four decades in the past.
PurpleTurtle said:
I used to love Martin Shaw in that, a hero to the 7yo me. Then he decided that he wanted to be considered a serious 'ac-tor' so stood in the way of repeat showings for many years. Not been a fans since.
I thought he'd denied it was anything to do with him. There was a spat between James Bolam and Rodney Bewes that led to Bolam blocking repeats of the Likely Lads, but I recall an interview where Shaw said he hadn't.I think the last episode was the best in the series, but perhaps it's a good time to stop if the only storyline they could think of was skinheads with sten guns. Did anyone else notice the car related error? When the security guard was being asked to describe the robbers getaway car he said it was "One of the new Zephyrs". Not sure how he defined "new", but the getaway car was a Mk3 which went out of production in 1966, four years before this episode. This sticks in my mind becasuse my dad had a Mk3 Zephyr 6 and it was a brilliant car. He absolutely hated the Mk4 that he bought to replace it.
Drove my step-father's Zodiac with the straight six, column shift and all. Good car. I also drove the MK4 Executive which replaced it but preferred the earlier car.
Love these period shows showing all those favourite cars I fondly remember from the bygone era... I enjoy the show for other reasons too.
Love these period shows showing all those favourite cars I fondly remember from the bygone era... I enjoy the show for other reasons too.
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