1970

S1.E1 ∙ The Long Distance Piano Player

Wed, Oct 14, 1970

Play For Today began with Alan Sharp's script about a man whose marriage is under strain when he undertakes a piano-playing marathon over four days. Starring Ray Davies, it remains in the BBC archives only as a black and white copy.

6.5 /10

S1.E2 ∙ The Right Prospectus

Wed, Oct 21, 1970

A couple look for the proper school, not for their children but for themselves.

6.2 /10

S1.E3 ∙ The Lie

Wed, Oct 28, 1970

A couple are trapped in their marriage and way of life. Locked up in their bourgeois inferno.

7.2 /10

S1.E4 ∙ Angels Are So Few

Wed, Nov 04, 1970

For the BBC's WEDNESDAY PLAY series, Dennis Potter offered one of his "visitation dramas": Housewife Cynthia Nicholls is married to prudish Richard Nicholls. One day, her mundane household chores are interrupted by the arrival on her front step of scruffy, coarse Michael Biddle. He claims to be an angel, but on the face of it, he could simply be a deranged street person. She challenges the angel Michael by pointing out that he has no wings.

8.1 /10

S1.E5 ∙ The Write-Off

Wed, Nov 11, 1970

A man is made redundant but can't bring himself to let anyone know, plunging into a web of deceit as he keeps up the charade he is still in work.

0 /10

S1.E6 ∙ I Can't See My Little Willie

Wed, Nov 18, 1970

When it's time to wet the baby's head, it's surprising the secrets that emerge. This edition is missing from the BBC archives, though a domestic copy of the soundtrack exists.

0 /10

S1.E7 ∙ A Distant Thunder

Wed, Nov 25, 1970

A newly-appointed knight finds his celebrations cut short by someone who was witness to his treachery during the war. This edition is missing from the BBC archives.

0 /10

S1.E8 ∙ Hearts and Flowers

Wed, Dec 02, 1970

A TV host and his architect brother attend their father's funeral. This edition remains in the BBC archives only in black and white.

6.9 /10

S1.E9 ∙ Robin Redbreast

Wed, Dec 09, 1970

After a long-term relationship ends, Norah moves to a remote house in the country. The locals are friendly., if eccentric. She starts a flirtatious relationship with young gamekeeper, Rob. But events at a festival have her feeling manipulated. Only later, do the consequences of that relationship leave her trapped in a nightmare.

7.1 /10

S1.E10 ∙ The Hallelujah Handshake

Wed, Dec 16, 1970

A lonely young man longing to be accepted lies his way into a local church. The priest and his congregation soon begin to unravel his tales as his actions become versatile.

7.4 /10

S1.E11 ∙ Alma Mater

Wed, Jan 06, 1971

A civil servant working abroad revisits his old school. This edition is missing from the BBC archives.

0 /10

S1.E12 ∙ Circle Line

Wed, Jan 13, 1971

A cynical student has a radically different view of life from his landlady, leading to conflict. Matters come to a head when he sleeps with her fourteen-year-old brother. This edition is missing from the BBC archives.

0 /10

S1.E13 ∙ Hell's Angel

Wed, Jan 20, 1971

A couple are distressed by the changes in their adopted teenage son when he joins a biker gang. This edition is missing from the BBC archives.

0 /10

S1.E14 ∙ The Piano

Wed, Jan 27, 1971

An old couple refuse to move when they find out that they can't take their piano with them.

7.8 /10

S1.E15 ∙ Billy's Last Stand

Wed, Feb 03, 1971

Billy, a self-employed coal-shoveller, gains a seedy business partner and competition in the form of a rival coal-shoveller. This edition is missing from the BBC archives.

0 /10

S1.E16 ∙ The Rainbirds

Wed, Feb 10, 1971

A man who attempted suicide by jumping out a window is saved only to live in a coma, in which he has fantasies about his relatives and nightmare creatures.

5.4 /10

S1.E17 ∙ Reddick

Wed, Feb 17, 1971

Charges that the Reverend 'Red' Reddick is exploiting his youth club members leads to an explosive confrontation.

0 /10

S1.E18 ∙ The Fox Trot

Wed, Apr 28, 1971

The lives of Gwen and Arthur are complicated when Gwen's long-lost husband comes back on the scene, and none of them seem to notice when their situation is reflected on TV. This edition remains in the BBC archives only in black and white.

5.6 /10

S1.E19 ∙ When the Bough Breaks

Wed, May 05, 1971

An ultra-realistic procedural drama of a social worker's investigation into the case of a battered infant received critical acclaim.

7.8 /10

S1.E20 ∙ Orkney

Wed, May 12, 1971

A trilogy of plays - "A Time to Keep", "The Whaler's Return" and "Celia" - exploring the life of the Orkney islanders in the past and present.

6.8 /10

S1.E21 ∙ The Rank and File

Wed, May 19, 1971

When a pay discrepancy continues without any resolution, glass factory workers turn to their union for support. But when it is not forthcoming, they take things into their own hands.

6.9 /10

S1.E22 ∙ The Man in the Sidecar

Wed, May 26, 1971

Edith is a very successful writer. Her husband, Gerald, is a very much less successful one, as she never fails to remind him. This edition is missing from the BBC archives.

0 /10