Stranger on the Shore

It was so long ago that I watched this TV series when it was first shown, and all I remember is the opening scene of waves on the shore, and a scene where the French girl tried to use a public telephone but failed to speak to anyone, because she did not press button A when the phone was answered.

I remembered this because I had never used a telephone in my life.

The success of Acker Bilk's mega-hit theme tune for this series completely eclipsed what was one of the BBCs better family entertainment series of the '60s. Although each episode was meant to stand alone, if you missed one, it became hard to follow the plot as Marie-Hélène gradually adjusts to the culture shock of being an au-pair in a British sea-side town. I think this was the first TV series I watched where the plot and the acting standard were both so high that I had more the impression of looking in on a slice of someone's real life, than a television family drama. The culminating anguish on the part of Marie-Hélène, when her friend's no-good boyfriends drag her off joy-riding, and wreck Penelope Gough's new sports car has yet to be equalled in my view.

Don't miss, too, the sequel series "Stranger in the City", with the same cast, and a sadly jazzed-up version of the theme tune.

I loved this when it was broadcast on childrens TV Hour in 1961and so did all my friends.

For its time, it was a very professional production, way ahead of the usual stuff made for kids.

When it was shown for a second time months later, my Mum and Dad (who had yet to watch it) sat glued to the TV and our evening tea was late!

I have long wondered if anyone can tell me the name of the female vocalist who sang the title track ON the TV series.

I'm not talking about the dozens of artists who recorded it after the program was broadcast.

I keep being told that it was Patti Page only I know it wasn't.

Any answers?