The Early Life of Stephen Hind

The Early Life of Stephen Hind is one of those fondly remembered literary adaptations that demands to be see again - either on one of the BBC's new digital channels or as a re-issue on DVD.

The young Michael Kitchen was outstanding as the antihero of the title and two stalwart actors of the time, Roland Culver and Hildegarde Neil, also gave fine performances. The engrossing story was adapted from the original novel by Storm Jameson and tells of how the venal and manipulative Stephen will stop at nothing to achieve success.

I last saw the series some 30 years ago and can't recall the finer details of the plot. However, I do remember that it was a first class production, on a par with my other favourite BBC TV drama of that year, a finely acted adaptation of Somerser Maughan's Cakes and Ale. That's yet another lost series worthy of revival.