PBS Discussions

MissMystery · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 127

Just received my BBC America catalog and noticed this series "as seen on PBS". I don't remember PBS airing this series -- they are selling set 2. Has anyone seen this series and what did you think of it?

Solar

What , When , Where Question

I can't recall seeing any Ruth Rendell on PBS . She is the author of the Chief Inspector Wexford series . It stars George Baker. Now , for any who can remember Hickson's Bertram's Hotel , Baker played the Chief Inspector . Cute scene in dining room when Baker was trying to listen in on other people's conversations while trying to pretend to be just another guest. Miss Marple caught him out with a line that nearly made him choke on his tea. " Well, you are a policeman , aren't you ". Hickson had sized him up with that stare of hers. Razz

Just got back from trip out of town , did they or did they not show Chinese Walls on Sunday night. Not one comment , here. Wondering Question

Have seen it , and love the London streets covered in autumn leaves , especially Hyde Park.
Ohh, have seen Wexford , but not lately and not on PBS.
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basilisk · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 751

Solar, I remember it on WLIW PBS, but not WNET. I never watched it, I'm afraid. And I like Baker in Hickson's Marple, and yes, I loved that scene. Then again, I loved Hickson's Marple.

No, they didn't show a Lynley on Sunday, both PBS stations are showing Ken Burns's 'The War'.

I wonder if PBS won't forgive my ignorance (at the time I had other mysteries available and thought the good times would never end), and reshow Ruth Rendell.

MissMystery · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 127

I just read the netflix reviews of some of the Ruth Rendell mysteries and it seems to suffer a similar afflixition of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries where the books are far superior to the film adaptations. In the book version of Lynley story I read -- E George took 200 pages before we meet up with Lynley and Havers and I am sorry -- I am an too impatient reader for that.

Any recomendations where to start in this series?

Sheerwater · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 185

Well if you were to read the novels then Wexford first appears in 'From Doon with Death' which was originally published in 1964 ,however the series wasn't filmed chronoligcally as this novel wasn't adapted until 1991 whilst the series started in 1987.

The first tv series was 'Wolf to the Slaughter' (1987)

A full list of episodes can be found here: http://tabardroad.co.uk/series/
and information on the tv series: http://tabardroad.co.uk/

MissMystery · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 127

Thanks Sheerwater for the reply and info. I am getting desparate to engage myself in a different series -- even if it's older.

DLaPorte · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Torrance, California

Ruth Rendell sometimes writes under the name of Barbara Vine and the name of the PBS Mystery movie was: "A Dark Adapted Eye" - I believe PBS did two mystery movies (not really a series) of Barbara Vine books in the 90's. "A Dark Adapted Eye" was very good.
(DLaPorte)

MissMystery · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 127

Thanks DALaporte for the reply and the suggestion. I have noticed that my local PBS has been running some epi's of Rosemary and Thyme -- which I enjoy the gardening conncetion and beautiful English countryside.

brodiesan · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 180 Location: San Diego

masterpiecegirl · Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 7

I think most of the Ruth Rendell stories were from original short stories of hers but I may be mistaken. They were shown here in the US on A&E several years ago when they were still doing mysteries. You can get them on DVD now but I don’t remember any on PBS. They did so a separate one but it was not part of this series I think some are talking about. Sometimes in the case with certain book series like Morse or Lynley or PD James Unsuitable Job for a Woman, the writer sells the names of the characters etc. and sometimes the series are filmed using the original novels and other times using completely newly written dramas done by someone other than the original writer. The wonderful Anthony Minghella did some Morse stories. PD James came to rue the day she sold her character for Unsuitable Job. I think these adaptations are very often inferior and go way off tack from the original series and I think that is the problem with the Lynley mysteries. I like the actors but I think the stories are mostly a mess. And the way some of the newer Miss Marples have been messed about with is really appalling.

Solar

Lets pick up on old threads ....why not Wink

Often wondered why A&E ( back during its mystery hayday ) didn't pick up on Rendell's Inspector Wexford , it would have been as popular as Morse , Frost or D&P . When It comes to the country type , nonflashy , unassuming , plodding detective , none could play the role better than George Baker. It was just this unthreatening manner that made him so deadly to the bad guys. But , why talk about A&E . THEY HAVE BEEN SSSSSOOOOO DEAD FOR SSSSSSOOOOO LONG........ RIP A&E ( that rhymes Razz

) I guess a writer takes abit of a chance when they sell a character and it depends a lot on the wording of the contract . Sounds likes PD James gave away all control to Unsuitable . Was that with Helen Bexendale or something like that Question

I remember that show but didn't see too many eps. At least not enough to form an attachment. Now, as I understand it E. George had the last say as to what the writer monkeys came up with . How a lot of that bad #@$*& got to be put on air is a MYSTERY in itself. Now, the last two Lynleys coming up later on in the year put Lynley in a bad light . Anybody who has seen these eps. on the internet may agree with me that Lynley's moral judgements have left him a little lower on the respect meter. I guess you can't call it bad writing but writing that puts the lead character in less than a favorable frame . Can't say any more without getting into plot details . Y'all jus gonna haf ta wait n' see . The MARPLE MESS with Geraldine McEwan , I hope will not be repeated with the new Miss Marple , Julia McKenzie . I didn't like McEwan , so messing around with the plots just made it a total write off. As I understand it Julia McKenzie is ( at this moment ) filming the new 'Pocket Full Of Rye ' lets hope that PBS (Bruce ) is reading this and will run to pick it up . Wink

good post masterpiecegirl Now if I can just get past these #$@&* codes Mad

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/11/itv.television?gusrc=rss&feed=media
_________________
Love a story that starts with ' It was a dark and stormy night '.
Harness the Power : Sun , Wind , Wave .
Do not regret growing old , it is a privilege denied to many .

Marmite · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 531 Location: UK

I've already posted this on the Miss Marple thread, but I'm putting it up here as well. Julia McKenzie is indeed filming "A Pocket Full of Rye", and if you want to see her in action, here's a link to the ITV website and a super little interview with Julia on set.

Enjoy!

http://www.itv.com/Drama/classiccrime/Marple/default.html

decarillion · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Camden, AR

I bought volumes 1 and 2 of the Ruth Rendell mysteries from aetv, mostly because they were half price or something similar--and I had a gift certificate. I am unfamiliar with the books and hadn't even heard of their author before buying these.

The first two episodes, at least, are a couple of hours long. The succeeding episodes are shorter. I've enjoyed what I've watched so far--and if the later series' go on sale as cheaply, I will likely buy them, as well, since there is on sign of them ever being on tv again.

Greyling · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 24 Location: Illinois

Here, close to Chicago, IL, we have 3 PBS stations (and they all have their own fundraisers Very Happy

), but last New Years or so, Channel 20, WYCC, did their bi-annual mystery marathon, and some of the Ruth Rendell's were featured. I had never seen them before, I LOVED them! Sent in a donation because of it.

Thinking of getting the sets from DeepDiscountDVD (they have the best price I've seen so far) but don't want to ruin the next marathon for myself if they're featured again.

Decisions, decisions.

basilisk · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 751

gosgirl · Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Posts: 2

Ruth Rendell sometimes writes under the name of Barbara Vine and the name of the PBS Mystery movie was: "A Dark Adapted Eye" - I believe PBS did two mystery movies (not really a series) of Barbara Vine books in the 90's.

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Judy___ · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Posts: 19536 Location: AZ

I like Rosemary and Thyme also.

Netflix has several of the seasons available. Some of the locations were where I have vacationed (without dead bodies) so it is lovely to have the reminders.

I was particularly interested in the episode about city plot farming. It works differently over here... the US could learn a thing or two.
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