The Beiderbecke Affair?

[ghost of miles]

I'd never heard of these before, but the other day I got a Critics' Choice Video and DVD catalog and came across them while browsing:

and

The catalog describes the plot of THE BEIDERBECKE AFFAIR as thus:

"An amateur detective is on the trail of a saleswoman who sold his girlfriend a defective Bix Beiderbecke record in this comedy thriller. 2 DVD or 4 cassettes; 5 hrs., 12 min. (5 hrs., 12 min.? It's longer than GONE WITH THE WIND!)

This is the plotline for THE BEIDERBECKE CONNECTION:

"Married high school jazz teachers and jazz aficionados inadvertently become involved with an ex-con who wants to destroy the world's currency." (This one clocks in at a breezy 3 hrs. and 20 minutes.)

[P.D.]

The Jazz content is limited other than the 'hero' is a Jazz Loving woodwork teacher.. But he is also a Geordie. true to form there are many wisecracks back and forth between him and other characters. Sometimes it gets to be a bit much, as the others also constantly speak in jokes, and the Northern British humour may be a little difficult for some ears not accustomed to it...but overal it's a fun series.They were made as a TV episodes. which explains the length. Affair is in 6 parts, Connection in 4

There were three books actually, these two DVD sets are based on book one ( Affair) and three ( Connection)

Book two was called The Beiderbecke Tapes and involved some mysterious casettes which were supposed to be of Bix, but turned out to be somethin far different. It also featured a trip to Europe... which may have been beyond the production budget to make a show of it. If it was I hope it too, is issued via DVD.

He does actually visit a Jazz Club in Connection.

Bixophiles be warned, while the series invokes the great God's name, his music is not to be heard. The "soundtrack" is from Frank Riccotti, not Bix discs. Riccotti appears as a vibes playing leader in the Jazz club sequence.

Start with Affair or you might have difficulty with the characters... a "baby sitter " in Connection made her first appearance in the second book and references to her activities could be a bit confusing top some.

So if that doesn't put you off, and you like British TV humour ( Not the Benny Hill or Monty Python variety).. you'll probably enjoy them.

Edited July 9, 2003 by P.D.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

The Beiderbecke Affair is my favorite television of all time. Bar none. Absolutely brilliant. And I'm not a Geordie by a long shot. Though I am a jazz-loving school teacher. And I may well be 'round the twist.

Ordered these as soon as I heard they were out. My DVDs will arrive any day now (best price I found was at deep discount dvd with free shipping). I don't know why they haven't issued the second one. I bought all three on VHS (PAL) from the UK and had them transferred to NTSC. Also have the Affair taped off PBS when they ran it in weekly installments years ago. I probably know the entire Affair from memory. More perfect quotable lines than I know what to do with.

Those catalog summaries are *completely* off. These are much closer to the mark:

==========

The Beiderbecke Affair

The Beiderbecke Affair is a charming mix of comedy and drama that has all the hallmarks of a classic detective thriller. This marvelous series introduces us to school teachers Trevor and Jill, an unlikely amateur detective duo who charmed their way into the nation's hearts when they first appeared on TV.

The story follows the exploits of Jazz nut Trevor Chaplin (James Bolam) and his long suffering girlfriend Jill (Barbara Flynn) as they try to track down a set of missing records. An encounter with a mysterious platinum blonde pitches Trevor into a complex web of intrigue that begins with an exploding hedge trimmer and soon escalates to involve dodgy businessmen, 'black economies' and council corruption.

This endearing and hilarious series is beautifully played by an ensemble cast and is set to the haunting sound of Bix Beiderbecke.

[as mentioned, it's in the style of - not actually - Bix. There are lots of lifts and quotes that make it even more enjoyable for a Bix fan to watch. Great band playing with cornet soloist Kenny Baker and he's wonderful. The main theme music is kind of a cross between "Singin' The Blues" and "A Good Man Is Hard To Find." Elsewhere you'll hear hints of "Sorry," "Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down," and others I'm forgetting now. The score is very cleverly written to have leitmotifs or themes for the characters and as things get more complex in the plot, the music follows suit.]

==========

The Beiderbecke Tapes

Trevor Chaplin (James Bolam) and Jill Swinburne (Barbara Flynn), the intrepid, if reluctant heroes of the acclaimed ITV series The Beiderbecke Affair, return for more intrigue and adventure in this feature length mystery.

When Trevor is offered some jazz tapes from the barman at the local pub - a fellow Bix Beiderbecke fan, he never dreamed that he would be receiving far more than music compilations!

When one of the tapes turns out to be a clandestine recording of a sinister conversation about dumping nuclear waste in the Yorkshire Dales, environmentalist Jill is alarmed. Trevor and Jill return to the pub to confront the barman, only to find that he has gone missing. The two suddenly find themselves embroiled in a mystery, which follows them to Amsterdam and Edinburgh.

[this is 151 minutes]

==========

The Beiderbecke Connection

You've had the Affair. You've heard the Tapes. Now make the Connection.

Alan Plater's third, off-beat comedy-thriller relating more improbable adventures of schoolteachers Trevor Chaplin (James Bolam) and Jill Swinburne (Barbara Flynn).

In this four-part series Jill and Trevor are occupied with being parents to a baby boy but their old friends Big Al and Little Norm, prevail upon them to give sanctuary to a homeless refugee. Trevor's initial distrust turns into delight when he discovers a 'Beiderbecke Connection' - the man is a jazz freak. But along with the refugee come the many visitors to Trevor and Jill's cosy homestead. As the mysterious characters gradually reveal their true colours Jill and Trevor find themselves once again caught in the middle of a complex deception.

The Beiderbecke Connection is loaded with Plater's uniquely funny dialogue and features music from jazz musician Frank Ricotti who makes a personal appearance.

============

Hell, on what other TV program in the history of the universe will you find dialogue like: "Cannonball Adderley.......Toshiko Akiyoshi......and Lew Tabackin!"

The Beiderbecke Affair stands very well on its own without the sequels. Possibly better without them. How could anything possibly measure up? It also might be better to see it in the actual 50-minute sets of three mini-episodes. Sitting for 300 minutes really ain't the way to do it.

Mike

[Simon Weil]

The "Beiderbecke Affair" is genuinely wonderful, innocent, endearing - a magic mix which I don't think Plater was ever quite able to repeat. Linked with it in my mind is a series called "Tutti Frutti" which is about a defunct rock band reforming for a comeback tour. This also is stuffed with fine British comic actors (set in Scotland), wondrous dialogue and attains some kind of magic mix. Tougher conclusion though. Doesn't appear to have released on video however.

[Philip]

Got a suspicion that the second series featuring a sequence set in a pub using the name "Village Vanguard." The name has not been licenced out, and given Lorraine Gordon's reputation...but perhaps this is starting to sound conspiratorial.

[P.D.]

Glad to know "Tapes" was done too.. maybe it will be issued on DVD .

Just steal some wood, Mike, and down a bottle of Broon, s(w)ing the Blaydon Races, and we'll make you an honorary Geordie.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Nae chance bonnie lad. Aa divvint nivvor tyek aa swig. Aa'm cushy iboot it.

There used to be http://www.broonale.co.uk/ but it doesn't seem to be working. Alas, it'll have to be http://www.newcastlebrown.com/

Others may enjoy:

http://www.geordiepride.demon.co.uk/recitations.htm

Mike

[P.D.]

Wot Cheor Mike.. whorever ye gan yer sure to............

[A Lark Ascending]

I recall being glued to this back in the 80s. Marvellous, quirky comedy with a plot that goes off at tangents and oddball characters.

[sidewinder]

I can remember sitting through the very first episode of this when it first came out on the box (ITV) but never quite made it through the first hour before falling asleep, too much geordie patois. Maybe I should check out a rerun. James Bolam was on lots of TV at the time, specialising in Geordie character parts ('The Likely Lads', 'Return of the Likely Lads', 'When the Boooooot Comes In' etc).

Didn't 'Tutti Frutti' feature Robbie Coltrane, aka 'Hagrid' ??

Edited July 9, 2003 by sidewinder

[Simon Weil]

Didn't 'Tutti Frutti' feature Robbie Coltrane, aka 'Hagrid' ??

Yup, Robbie Coltrane with Emma Thompson co-starring. There was also a great, acerbic, double act between Richard Wilson (as the group's manager) and Janis Toner (as his secretary).

I used to obsess about a potential relationship between R.Coltrane and J.Coltrane.

Simon Weil

Edited July 9, 2003 by Simon Weil

[alankin]

Does it have subtitles?

[sidewinder]

Up again for this thread. It seems to be getting some airtime on one of the Freeview channels. Will have to check it out again.

And yes - very little actual Bix other than James Bolam getting some of his LPs by mail order (the fabled 'British' Bix LPs mentioned in the other thread perhaps? ). As previously mentioned, the actual music is by Frank Ricotti's group.

Edited August 27, 2008 by sidewinder

[Jazzjet]

Nae chance bonnie lad. Aa divvint nivvor tyek aa swig. Aa'm cushy iboot it.

There used to be http://www.broonale.co.uk/ but it doesn't seem to be working. Alas, it'll have to be http://www.newcastlebrown.com/

Others may enjoy:

http://www.geordiepride.demon.co.uk/recitations.htm

Mike

Great line in the film of The Likely Lads ( featuring James Bolam and Rodney Bewes );

Terry ( on greeting Bob ) : I'd offer you a beer but I've only got a six-pack.