A simple crime drama was given a new and original premise; one of the stars was a ghost. Marty Hopkirk's murder occurred in the first screening.
It was during his funeral that his ghost returned, and became visible only to his partner, Jeff Randall. Now dressed in a white suit with matching shirt and tie, he over-stayed his alloted time and was doomed to remain indefinitely. There being nothing better to do; why not make it the basis for comedy drama?
The idea was simply and solidly presented. There were no preposterous over-the-top special effects. Budgets wouldn't have run to them even if they could have been successfully produced. Marty was there or he wasn't, with a simple musical 'ping'. He caused chaotic winds and slammed doors and did all of the other things antagonistic spirits and poltergeists are supposed to do.
The chemistry between the two protagonists Jeff Randall and Marty Hopkirk was extremely well developed as the series advanced, as was the rather ambiguous position of his widow/girlfriend Jeannie. Their adventures were fairly humdrum, but the curious involvement of the astral plane made them all that little bit more exciting.
This was original fare from the 1965/75 decade of British television originality. There has never been a decade like it before or since.
It also came with a wonderfully enigmatic theme tune that hit just the right pitch between drama, wonder and trendy jazz. It entirely suited the program and wasn't just a 'musak' cover for the credits.
Vic Reeves & Bob Mortimer attempted to reprise the format during the 1990's with much more sophisticated effects, and if anyone could have pulled it off I would have credited them with the achievement. Yet somehow it just didn't work. They themselves are very much an original creation and for that reason alone their hearts may not have been fully committed. Whatever the case - as we so often find - original is best.
This program may have come at the end of the swinging decade, but it packs all of the merits and then some. Two short series are all that were made, yet they have been repeated every few years and still seem as fresh as ever. If you want to buy them on DVD, so long as you don't pay silly money, you're in for an entertaining time.
It was during his funeral that his ghost returned, and became visible only to his partner, Jeff Randall. Now dressed in a white suit with matching shirt and tie, he over-stayed his alloted time and was doomed to remain indefinitely. There being nothing better to do; why not make it the basis for comedy drama?
The idea was simply and solidly presented. There were no preposterous over-the-top special effects. Budgets wouldn't have run to them even if they could have been successfully produced. Marty was there or he wasn't, with a simple musical 'ping'. He caused chaotic winds and slammed doors and did all of the other things antagonistic spirits and poltergeists are supposed to do.
The chemistry between the two protagonists Jeff Randall and Marty Hopkirk was extremely well developed as the series advanced, as was the rather ambiguous position of his widow/girlfriend Jeannie. Their adventures were fairly humdrum, but the curious involvement of the astral plane made them all that little bit more exciting.
This was original fare from the 1965/75 decade of British television originality. There has never been a decade like it before or since.
It also came with a wonderfully enigmatic theme tune that hit just the right pitch between drama, wonder and trendy jazz. It entirely suited the program and wasn't just a 'musak' cover for the credits.
Vic Reeves & Bob Mortimer attempted to reprise the format during the 1990's with much more sophisticated effects, and if anyone could have pulled it off I would have credited them with the achievement. Yet somehow it just didn't work. They themselves are very much an original creation and for that reason alone their hearts may not have been fully committed. Whatever the case - as we so often find - original is best.
This program may have come at the end of the swinging decade, but it packs all of the merits and then some. Two short series are all that were made, yet they have been repeated every few years and still seem as fresh as ever. If you want to buy them on DVD, so long as you don't pay silly money, you're in for an entertaining time.