Rooms

Enjoyed very much the Sylvia Kay and Brian Marshall episodes, was always rooting for Dorothy bless her, under appreciated, under loved and under rated. Gave it a 7 for Sylvias contribution, probably her finest role.

A largely forgotten afternoon gem from Thames Tv that ran for several years which followed the goings on at 35 Mafeking Terrace, a large Victorian house converted into bed sits. There were 2 main characters landlady Dorothy Lawson played by Sylvia Kay (Penny's mum in just good friends) and long term resident Brian Marshall (Spindoe) and the scenario of rented accommodation allowed for a regular mix of new characters with episodes focusing on various tenants escapades. It had a high calibre of writing with TV greats such as Fay Weldon, Willis Hall and Trevor Preston contributing and boasting a cast including Jill Gascoine, Bryan Marshall, Brian Cox, Bernard Hill, Bill Dean, Nigel Havers, Miriam Karlin, Alfie Bass, Lewis Collins, Jan Francis, Tessa Wyatt, Arthur Brough (Are you being served) and strangely Brian Protheroe who had a hit in the 70's with the song Pinball) - Sure to find a new audience when it begins a run on the UK channel Talking Pictures TV in the summer.

Its a good view of life in the UK in the late 70s. I lived there for a bit in the late 70s, in a bedsit, which was a new experience for me, having lived in the US previously. It was nothing like this one, my room was actually smaller, and more expensive! However, this is a good representation of the times. I normally don't write reviews,but after reading another reviewers outrage at some of the things said and done, I want to say can't rewrite history, and there is no point in going on about it. There are things happening these days that are outrageous as well. Not the same, but not good. I just started Season 2, I am not sure if I will like it as much as the first, but we shall see.

Talking Pictures have started another re-run of this (Sept. 2021) with two episodes on Mondays. I'm already hooked! I'd caught several before when they were showing on different days but this format seems to be better, and I should think will hook many other viewers.

I would agree with the other comments here-it's slightly gritty, slightly sad, a little downbeat; but oh so representative of those times. The early 2-parter "Miss Peebles & Mr. Busby" is superb with the pernickety lady obsessive about her elderly neighbour; you gradually realise in the second part that she has a "history"; the twist at the end with the landlady making a surprise decision is only partly satisfying, as one can sympathise with both parties, so there isn't a complete resolution. Truly an episode to reflect on well after it's over-the mark of good writing and acting.

Today's generation brought up on today's increasingly hysterical soaps with their fashionable "issues" may find this too "kitchen sink". Well, that's their loss...and our gain.

A Postscript

Talking Pictures have just ended the current run (October 2022)-it petered out a little disappointedly towards the end-I assume that the studio didn't recommission. But what little gems of stories there were, especially with Bill Marlowe and his (ultimately) frustrated romance with Jill Gascoigne; and Ray Smith (remember him as the detective in the Windsor episodes of "Public Eye"?) as the alcoholic fighting his demons; the young couple played by the superb Jenny Twigge and Ian Redford combatting poverty, postnatal depression, redundancy, an interfering mother, you name it.....! Lovely portrayal by Julie Shipley as a sweet-natured, sometimes vulnerable Northern lass...

And an honourable mention for the annoying busybody on the ground floor-Anne Dyson as Mrs. Beale-glimpses of vulnerability make this a well-rounded role. I can't mention everyone but I'm sure that others have their own personal favourites.

Inevitably, as is the nature of soaps, many characters don't really develop, and promising plots are unresolved (e.g. The new landlady-played by Ann Curthoys-really should have had an affair with Bill Marlowe!).

It seems that there are quite a lot of missing episodes-not sure if Talking Pictures couldn't get them all, or they are "lost". I can't glean any information from the Internet.

As said in my original review, I can't get any interest in current soaps (have only ever seen one episode of "EastEnders", and none of "Corrie", "Emmerdale" et al.) but this one was addictive. Was it a nostalgia thing? I never was in digs myself but several of my friends in the south London factory we worked in the '70s were, so memories of their trials and tribulations do ring a bell.

Or is it just another case of that era having a superb roster of writers, actors...?

I've only just discovered this drama from the re-runs on Talking Pictures but I have to say it really has got me hooked. Very good acting and nice to see some people who went on to bigger things like Brian Cox ,Bernard Hill and Jill Gascoigne who has recently passed away.