A veritable smorsagbord of soap and serial favourites all in one box set
Soap fans have been waiting for the release of Soap Box volume 1 with baited breath for some time and, on the whole, it doesn't disappoint. An alternative title could have been "Afternoon Delights" as many of the programmes included were staples of the mid-afternoon line-up on TV in the 1970s and 1980s.
Of particular interest were Harriet's Back in Town and Rooms - if only we could swap the likes of Loose Women and Alan Titchmarsh for these well-scripted and acted serials today.
The dialogue in Harriet's Back in Town simply sparkles
and draws the viewer in from the first scene, while the slow pace of Rooms gives ample breathing space for interesting and believable characterisation.
Viewers of a certain age will remember catching the odd episode of The Cedar Tree on sick days from school. Fans have been begging for a release of the entire run for years and as, unusually for ATV, all episodes remain intact in the archives, let's hope that this episode is just a taster and such plans are on the cards.
It was interesting to see an episode of General Hospital and a great shame to reflect that few episodes of this programme survive. Watch out for a very young Linda Bellingham, as well as for Peter Hill, who pops up in a few of the shows in this box set, most memorably as unfortunate Arthur Brownlow in Crossroads (talking of which - will there ever been another DVD volume of the late lamented soap?!).
And still talking of Crossroads, Marked PERSONAL is worth a watch for Heather Chasen who went on to play Valerie Pollard in the motel soap and most recently was Janine's gran in EastEnders. It's also worth a watch for the opening scenes of Stephanie Beacham in an Andy Pandy hat and an appearance by Christopher Biggins.
As you would expect with such a large compilation, there are misses as well as hits. I couldn't sit through a whole episode of Parkin's Patch or Weaver's Green, and getting to the end of the first episode of Gems was a trial of endurance, but no doubt even these shows will be lapped up by some enthusiasts. Also, I can't help wondering if the wrong episode of classic Emmerdale found its way into the compilation - a lacklustre episode with a cliffhanger that didn't even give away what the cliffhanger was - surely the following episode would have been more appropriate?
It's great to see that Network DVD has toned down the text on the DVD cover. The original packaging risked patronising and alienating the very fans the compilation is aimed at, while it was doubtful the tongue-in-cheek messages would have attracted the casual buyer, especially given the price of the box set. Full marks to whoever made that wise decision.
When all is said and done, I can't think of another company who would have brought this compilation out, and fans of telly from years gone by have much to thank Network DVD for in bringing these gems to light.
I'm eagerly awaiting Volume 2 and crossing fingers for full sets of Rooms, The Cedar Tree and Harriet's Back in Town, as well as all remaining episodes of General Hospital. Come on Network - you know it makes sense!
