Marky B

As a new approach of Oliver Twist,is on its way (with Timothy Spall as Fagin),a correspendent in the Radio Times has quite rightly bemoaned the lack of use of different sources for tv drama. This is after all the umpteenth version of Dickens' classic and is it going to be any different from the rest (apart of course the musical version)?
The reader did suggest (and it was only a suggestion) doing a series based on the James Bond novels,but setting them at the time they were based upon during the fifties and in the Cold War. Of course,it will be hard to distant our minds away from the cinema series we are used to,but given the right actor and a sense of the 1950's,it might not be a bad idea. Mind,there is the ownership rights I suppose.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

bertie

If it was the letter I read, the writer also suggested that more recent eg 20th century writers should start to figure more in the high class drama productions. I think the names of Hammond Innes and Nevil Shute were mentioned (which I would certainly support) . I am sure many of my generation would endorse those comments and while I would not wish there to be a halt on such as Cranford (absolutely brilliant), it would be good to see some more recent stuff (ie within the last 50-60 years) given the quality treatment.

Marky B

That was it,Bertie. I am sure in they widened their church a bit,they could find some forgotten classics of the last fifty years or so.
The Silver Sword
On The Beach
HMS Ulysses
As Far As My Feet Can Carry Me.

Any other suggestions,folks?
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

dremble wedge

HMS Ulysses was a marvellous book; haven't read that for years.

There was talk recently that George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman books were going to adapted for TV but it seems to have gone a bit quiet on that front.

I'd like to see a version of George Gissing's New Grub Street, Ford Madox Ford's Parade's End, Simon Raven's Alms for Oblivion series and perhaps some Sax Rohmer too!

Marky B

Now they have a new version of Sense And Sensiblity coming out next year.
As much as I would like to see HMS Ulysses being dramatised on television,I think it might present some logistic problems.
It has,if I can recall,been dramatised on the radio some years ago.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

Scorpionick

"The Family From One End Street" - a delightful little novel about the working class in London around the turn of the century - not all T.V. shows have to be about the upper-middle and upper classes in history. (Some of these T.V. execs. should really broaden their reading a little bit, don't you think?)
"Liza of Lambeth." Somerset- Maugham's first published novel. Again, turn of the century tale of Liza who get's knocked up by one of the doctors from (I think I recall correctly) St. Thomas's Hospital. A sad little tale not punctuated by cucumber sandwiches but the luxury of a pair of kippers.
The British are definately unsurpassed in the period drama, but surely some of the lower classes trials and tribulations should be explored too? They probably aven't since "Upstairs Downstairs?"

"Stand on the shoulders of dwarfs-you'll still look bigger"