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I remember this series when it came out in 1965, but unfortunately it was not very well received. It was not amongst the shows that everyone at school was talking about.

I can only really say that it was not as popular as: 'No Hiding Place', 'Gideons Way', 'The Avengers,' and all the other detective programmes that pioneered the great crime procedural dramas that we watch today.

The programme had a very catchy theme tune, an envious view of beautiful and exotic locations, and had an array of many popular actors. Therefore, it is uncertain as to why this show only survived one series and thirteen episodes. However, as with a lot of programmes of the 1960s and late 1950s, the cancellation of a second and third series could have been due to it being shown at a time when there was a more popular show on BBC 1 or BBC 2 ( I think Terry Scott was on BBC 1 at the same time; and "The Virginian" on BBC 2).

It is ironic that a show with well-known actors and exotic locations, does not always make a programme popular. Maybe viewers prefer to watch programmes that mirror their own lives; or are based in locations that they have visited; or filmed in areas where they have lived.

This is the first comedy series that established Arthur Lowe in a leading role as a very good character actor, with a wonderful flare for humour.

The character of Leonard Swindley was first seen as one of the regulars on the famous soap opera "Coronation Street", and "if you'd pardon the expression" was one of his catchphrases.

In "Coronation Street" Leonard Swindley worked with Miss Emily Nugent (played by Eileen Derbyshire) in the Streets own outlet for Gamma Garments. I remember him saying things like: "Mr. Papadopulos won't like that!" and "What is Mr. Papadopulos going to say?".

(The character of Mr. Papadopulos was never seen in "Coronation Street").

"Pardon the Expression" was basically about Mr. Leonard Swindley taken on a management position at "Dobson and Hawks", and the difficulties he had with comic union disputes and other such humourous antics with the staff, which mostly consisted of women.

I remember one of the characters kept saying: "It was not like this in Sauchiehall Street". The character, Miss Sinclair, was the boss's secretary and was Scottish, and she was talking about where she worked before in Glasgow. I think the character was played by Joy Stewart, a reliable character actress of many television productions.

Another character was Wally Hunt, Swindley's boss, who was played by Robert Dorning.

There is also a connection with the singer and actress, Betty Driver who played Mr. Swindley's "right hand woman", Mrs. Edgeley. She later went on to play Betty Williams (nee Turpin), the barmaid at the Rovers Return, in Leonard Swindley's old stomping ground, "Coronation Street".

The character of Leonard Swindley also appeared in the shows spin off, "Turn Out The Lights", where Arthur Lowe and Robert Dorning, both played comic "ghost hunters".

Leonard Swindley was a great English character, worthy of Dickens, Shakespeare, Chaucer and many other literary geniuses. Arthur Lowe could breathe life into any part that he played. Even the small part he played as a reporter who tried to interview Dennis Price at the end of "Kind Hearts and Coronets" will always be remembered.

Having recently watched this version of "Patterns" on YouTube, I suppose I should not have been surprised that a year later it was made into a major film, with a Hollywood actor in one of the lead roles - Van Heflin instead of Richard Kiley as "Fred Staples". Everett Sloane and Ed Begley played the same parts that they did in the television play, although the name of Ed Begley's character was changed from "Andy Sloane" to "Bill Biggs". The name of Everett's Sloane's character stayed the same.

Anyone who wants to watch this film on YouTube, or look it up on IMDB, the title for the film version is: "Patterns of Power". It was also ably directed by Fielder Cook, better known for such films as: "Big Deal at Dodge City", "Prudence and the Pill", "How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life", and many other good television productions.

The studio knew they could do more with the production. But despite having more backing and could afford more cutting-edge production values and camera work - this was shown in the style of acting and the camera angles used in the film - one should not forget about the original teleplay of the Kraft Theatre version, which was first broadcasted live on NBC in January 1955. This was the pioneer version, which was able to prove that such a good story could work quite well in film.

This, the original play, opened as another working day at "Ramsay & Company." But it is to be no ordinary working day. A new, younger executive is joining the company. A man who has been headhunted from a failing company that been taken over.

At a board meeting, it soon becomes clear that the characters played by Everrett Sloane and Ed Begley both hate each other. They seem to have been with the company right from the start, having known each other for 24 years, and they both resent each other's position. Begley frowns at Sloane's ruthless, undeserved rise to the top; and Sloane despises what he sees as Begley's more practical and compassionate views being a disguise for weakness and lack of vision.

Later it also becomes clear that Everrett Sloane intends to use "Staples" to replace the Ed Begley character, by making the atmosphere more difficult for him to work in, forcing him to resign. All this results in Begley collapsing from overwork, and pressure caused by Everett Sloane's constant bullying.

Although every story has a moral, this story seems to have two:

One moral is: that no matter how long and hard you work, there will always someone that will say that it is not good enough.

The other moral is: that business does not always allow practicality nor compassion. There is always a bigger picture to consider.

Sometimes there is a need to sacrifice the jobs of 200 workers in order to save 2000 (usually in one of the Board of Directors home town). However, the play suggests that greed, selfishness and a lust for power are more nearer the truth.

Apart from the invention of the Internet, photocopiers, emails, laptops and mobile phones, very little has changed in business since this play was first broadcasted in 1955.

Both the play and the film provide a lesson to us all, especially those who been in a similar situation at work.

I have given the 1956 film 10 out of 10 for its production, and I give this television play 10 out of 10 as well.