The
show: ''Famous Five' is of course based on the classic series
of children's novels by Enid Blyton, which most
people growing up in the
1950 to the 1970s would have read at some time, although they may be considered
too old-
fashioned for today's children.
The series of 21 novels featured the exploits of the four Kirrin children
- Julian, Dick, Anne
and their cousin George
- plus their loyal dog Timmy, who always managed to get involved in adventure
and intrigue when
they were on school holidays
(strange, my school holidays were never as exciting...) This was the first
TV adaptation of
the novels, and the 26 episodes
were broadcast on ITV1 between 3 July 1978 and 8 August 1979. While the
episodes
were largely based on the
original novels, the series was given a contemporary setting rather than
the 1950s of the novels,
and many of the episodes
did not used the novels' titles. Another TV version of 'The Famous Five'
was made in 1996, and
restored the 1950s' setting
of the novels.
The
episode: 'Five Run Away Together' was the third episode of the
brief second season, and was first broadcast on 11
July 1979. It featured Patrick
Troughton as Mr Stick, who comes to Kirrin Cottage with his wife, who is
looking after the
children while George's
parents are called away due to a family emergency. However, from the outset
it is obvious that the
Sticks are up to something,
and Mr Stick seems very interested in George's boat. Meanwhile, George
is convinced that
somebody is up to something
on nearby Kirrin Island, and the kids decide to camp on the island because
their don't like
the Sticks and their horrible
son. Needless to say, the Famous Five soon find that dastardly deeds are
occuring on the
island. It turns out an
escaped convict is hiding out there, and is being assisted by the Sticks.
(The original novel featured
a kidnapped child being
held for ransom by the Sticks). The Famous Five soon have the Sticks and
the convict locked up
in a conveniently-located
dungeon on the island. Patrick Troughton of course puts in a sterling performance
as Mr Stick,
and it is good to see him
playing a baddie for once.
Trivia:
Ever wondered what happened to the children who played the Famous Five
way back in 1978? Dick was played by
Gary Russell who went on
to be editor of 'Doctor Who Magazine' and producer of the Big Finish audios,
and is now a script
editor for the new series
of 'Doctor Who'.
NB. The video clips and pictures
were taken from a video recording, so the quality is not the best. However,
it is doubtful that this series will ever be released on DVD. |
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