High Street Blues – 1989
Another forgotten title from the legendary script writer Jimmy Perry.
Not to be confused with the popular US Police show of a similar name. The title almost seems relevant now, with the major changes seen on the British High Street in recent years. However back in 1989, High Street Blues was a one off sitcom, lasting just one series of six episodes.
It was written by Jimmy Perry, an otherwise hugely successful comedy writer and TV producer Robin Carr. The show went out early Friday evenings on ITV, not greatly received by it’s critics and featuring a cast of relatively unknown actors, it flopped.
Taking into account it’s broadcast year, we would assume it still exists somewhere in the archives, but to our knowledge it’s never had a repeat outing.
Summary
The owners of four little high street shops find themselves under threat from the big boys as major retailer – Waverley’s Supermarkets plan to build a hypermarket. To make matters worse they want to demolish their shops in order to build it!
It’s the ultimate fight for survival. However, there’s a traitor in the pack as there is one shopkeeper among them who would be quite happy to do a deal with the “Dirty Deeds Department” of the slick supermarket chain.
Clips
No clips are available and we were unable to find any commercial DVD release. It’s a shame really as what flopped years ago, may be an altogether different story now.
Cast
Phil McCall – Charlie McFee
Ron Pember – Chesney ‘Ches’ Black
Elizabeth Stewart – Mavis Drinkwater
Valerie Walsh – Rita Franks
Johnny Shannon – Sharpe
Martin Turner – Valentine
Shirley Dixon – Managing Director
Eve Bland – Sheila
Chris Pitt – Bob Farthing
Victoria Hasted – Susan Drinkwater
Georgia Mitchell – Paula Franks
Details
Channel: ITV
Written By: Jimmy Perry and Robin Carr
Produced By: London Weekend Television for ITV
Producer and Director: Robin Carr
Original Transmission Dates: 6th January – 10th February 1989