1973 Children's TV Drama Mystery

[Critto]

Set in a rural village, in 1973, two local boys (one has a rich eccentric grandmother) try to locate some treasure (or a note leading to treasure) concealed in an old bridge. A scene that springs to mind is the one where, in episode one, the two boys first meet: the boy (with the gran) throws stones at the other child accusing him of trespassing and using his boat.

[Euryale]

Is it The Flaxton Boys?



E.

[Critto]

name='Euryale']Is it The Flaxton Boys?



E.

I'm Afraid not. The drama that I am referring to was a one-off three part series, transmitted on BBC1.



Thanks for your suggestions anyway.

[oxfam1uk]

I do remember this one - very creepy, it gave me nightmares !

Well, I was only seven



Can't remember the title, I'm afraid.

[Euryale]

Could it be Treasure Over The Water (1972)?



Based on the book Minnow on the Say by Philippa Pearce. There is a good synopsis of the novel below and it definitely has a bridge as part of the plot.



Scholar's Blog: Minnow on the Say - Philippa Pearce



E.

[Maurice]

The series does sound like half-forgotten treasure. Let's hope the BBC hasn't wiped the tapes.



Critto, these details, from BFI, may confirm Euryale's discovery:



14/02/72: Episode 1 "Jonathan Codling's Secret"

21/02/72: Episode 2 "Treasure Was Taken"

28/02/72: Episode 3 "Single Rose"



cast includes: Andrew Balcombe, Carol Hollands, Philip Ray, Jean Challis, Michael Raghan, Godfrey Jackman, Justin Swan, John Line

[Euryale]

name='Maurice']The series does sound like half-forgotten treasure. Let's hope the BBC hasn't wiped the tapes.



Critto, these details, from BFI, may confirm Euryale's discovery:



14/02/72: Episode 1 "Jonathan Codling's Secret"

21/02/72: Episode 2 "Treasure Was Taken"

28/02/72: Episode 3 "Single Rose"



cast includes: Andrew Balcombe, Carol Hollands, Philip Ray, Jean Challis, Michael Raghan, Godfrey Jackman, Justin Swan, John Line

Fortunately, the series still exists. I think I now vaguely remember this being broadcast and it may been read on Jackanory, too.



E.

[cornershop15]

I hope so too, but 1972 is still a dangerous year in terms of archive history. Anything after 1975 should be okay but I'm not confident they've been well preserved. It's only in the last couple of decades that I've learnt about the restoration of TV programmes and films.



Jean Challis used to read the news on Radio 2 and I think she had her own through-the-night show as well on that station. I'm sure it was You and the Night and the Music. A nice lady, with a good broadcasting voice. Wonder if she's related to actor John or cinematographer Christopher Challis?



Just read Euryale's reply - great news. But what about Jackanory?

[Euryale]

Minnow on the Say was broadcast on Jackanory in October 1966 and was read by the late Dinsdale Landen.



E.

[Euryale]

name='Euryale']Minnow on the Say was broadcast on Jackanory in October 1966 and was read by the late Dinsdale Landen.



E.

This is missing from the archives as is just about every episode of Jackanory from 1965-1968.



E.

[Critto]

Yes, it is Treasure over the Water. Many thanks for everyone's help.