After the lethal males of "Rebecca" and "Malice Aforethought" it was perhaps inevitable that Grainer would be asked to score a mini-series about murderous females.
"Guilt" had twenty two episodes and examined three notable cases the first [8 parts] was set in 1860 and concerned Constance Kent a wilful 16 year old upper class girl accused of killing Francis Kent her three year old half brother in Jack the Ripper style with the boys body discovered in an outside toilet. Was the real villain his nurse maid Elizabeth Gough, his father Samuel Kent or was Constance a real life "Bad Seed"?
It was a complex case with an Australian sequel link to Wikipedia article "Constance Kent" and would have demanded some subtle composing by Grainer. Unfortunately although Lost UK TV Shows Search Engine says the entire series exists in BBC archives none of it has ever been released so it is not known how Grainer emotionally illustrated the story.
"Guilt" had twenty two episodes and examined three notable cases the first [8 parts] was set in 1860 and concerned Constance Kent a wilful 16 year old upper class girl accused of killing Francis Kent her three year old half brother in Jack the Ripper style with the boys body discovered in an outside toilet. Was the real villain his nurse maid Elizabeth Gough, his father Samuel Kent or was Constance a real life "Bad Seed"?
It was a complex case with an Australian sequel link to Wikipedia article "Constance Kent" and would have demanded some subtle composing by Grainer. Unfortunately although Lost UK TV Shows Search Engine says the entire series exists in BBC archives none of it has ever been released so it is not known how Grainer emotionally illustrated the story.
The second case [six parts] involved Mary Blandy and the 1751 death of her father. Another bizarre set of circumstances link to Capital Punishment UK org article
THE GATE OF EDEN [8.4.80]
At long last Grainer had a chance to score for something other then stories of greed and murder.
Continuing the theme of guilt but studying its effects on cross generational relationships the outline of this four part four hour episode of ITV Playhouse certainly reads like a strong adult drama although the IMDb description of it is as a Comedy/Drama is confusing. There do not seem to be many opportunities for amusing situations in the scenario as given.
link to IMDb plot summary "The Gate Of Eden"
FLICKERS [17.9.80]
Warm and affectionate six part mini-series about the early days of film making in England and the unbreakable marriage relationship between a brash working class cockney male [Bob Hoskins] and his down to earth wife from an upper class background [Frances De La Tour].
Grainers "and a good time was had by all" incidental music holds the film together and is used for virtually every change of scene usually accompanied by a silent movie era title card. His honky tonk piano opening credits theme has different orchestration in the closing version when a group of high spirited musos join in the fun as well.
The obvious affinity between the two lead actors is strong and results in the viewer being left with feelings of joy and hope after the final scene - quite a rare experience in any decade.
By coincidence the movie that becomes the main focus of the fledgling film studios endeavours was called "The Highwayman" which was also the name of one of Grainers very earliest English scores, a 1959 musical he wrote with David Dearlove.
The subject for this series would probably been have been of considerable personal interest for Grainer as the watching of films - some times accompanied by an acoustic piano as a cheap alternative to the not so readily available talkies - would have been a highlight of his week as a child living at Mt Mulligan in the 1920s.
At long last Grainer had a chance to score for something other then stories of greed and murder.
Continuing the theme of guilt but studying its effects on cross generational relationships the outline of this four part four hour episode of ITV Playhouse certainly reads like a strong adult drama although the IMDb description of it is as a Comedy/Drama is confusing. There do not seem to be many opportunities for amusing situations in the scenario as given.
link to IMDb plot summary "The Gate Of Eden"
FLICKERS [17.9.80]
Warm and affectionate six part mini-series about the early days of film making in England and the unbreakable marriage relationship between a brash working class cockney male [Bob Hoskins] and his down to earth wife from an upper class background [Frances De La Tour].
Grainers "and a good time was had by all" incidental music holds the film together and is used for virtually every change of scene usually accompanied by a silent movie era title card. His honky tonk piano opening credits theme has different orchestration in the closing version when a group of high spirited musos join in the fun as well.
The obvious affinity between the two lead actors is strong and results in the viewer being left with feelings of joy and hope after the final scene - quite a rare experience in any decade.
By coincidence the movie that becomes the main focus of the fledgling film studios endeavours was called "The Highwayman" which was also the name of one of Grainers very earliest English scores, a 1959 musical he wrote with David Dearlove.
The subject for this series would probably been have been of considerable personal interest for Grainer as the watching of films - some times accompanied by an acoustic piano as a cheap alternative to the not so readily available talkies - would have been a highlight of his week as a child living at Mt Mulligan in the 1920s.
NEVER NEVER LAND [1980 release date unknown]
Interesting film about a seven year girl taken in by her aunt after her parents separate. The girls presence in resented by the eldest daughter a teenager and she is made to feel less then welcome.
The young girls growing sense sense of isolation when her parents decide to divorce is partially overcome when the girl discovers that a note she left next to a park statue of Peter Pan was answered. This contact becomes especially important when her mother attempts suicide.
The person replying to the message and its many follow ups is an elderly woman who also has major problems as she is being evicted from her home with nowhere to go.
When the young girl discovers a group of children living in a nearby deserted house she and the youngest son of her aunt run away and join them for a couple of days. Eventually they are reunited with their parents and guardian following the pensioners kindly advice to return home.
One of the film most enduring qualities is its realism and the way it does not gloss over the emotional needs of the young in seemingly comfortable and uncomfortable circumstances as well as the practical needs of the elderly. At the climax there are no neat happy endings and easy solutions given for the plight of the street children or the old woman and that is the movies most important gift to its audience.
Pop star Petula Clark gives a moving performance as the mother and Grainers extensive underscore takes its melodic centre from her opening and closing credits song "Fly Away" which was not a Grainer composition.
Interesting film about a seven year girl taken in by her aunt after her parents separate. The girls presence in resented by the eldest daughter a teenager and she is made to feel less then welcome.
The young girls growing sense sense of isolation when her parents decide to divorce is partially overcome when the girl discovers that a note she left next to a park statue of Peter Pan was answered. This contact becomes especially important when her mother attempts suicide.
The person replying to the message and its many follow ups is an elderly woman who also has major problems as she is being evicted from her home with nowhere to go.
When the young girl discovers a group of children living in a nearby deserted house she and the youngest son of her aunt run away and join them for a couple of days. Eventually they are reunited with their parents and guardian following the pensioners kindly advice to return home.
One of the film most enduring qualities is its realism and the way it does not gloss over the emotional needs of the young in seemingly comfortable and uncomfortable circumstances as well as the practical needs of the elderly. At the climax there are no neat happy endings and easy solutions given for the plight of the street children or the old woman and that is the movies most important gift to its audience.
Pop star Petula Clark gives a moving performance as the mother and Grainers extensive underscore takes its melodic centre from her opening and closing credits song "Fly Away" which was not a Grainer composition.
