Oh Doctor Beeching, 1995
Whilst Oh Doctor Beeching is not quite a forgotten sitcom it’s not one that instantly springs to mind when you think of David Croft.
Oh Doctor Beeching is remembered by many comedy fans for being the last in a series of three comedies by David Croft and writing partner to use many of the same actors, starting with Hi-de-Hi!, and followed by You Rang, M’Lord? as well as David Croft’s final broadcast work for the BBC.
Written by David Croft and Richard Spendlove, after a pilot episode was broadcast on 14th August 1995, the show ran for two series from 1996, with the last episode being broadcast on September 1997. The program was filmed on the Severn Valley Railway with the part of Hatley station being played by the Arley SVR station in Upper Arley.
Summary
Oh, Doctor Beeching! focuses on the small fictional branch line railway station of Hatley, threatened with closure under the Beeching Axe, effectively the Nationalisation of the railways (if railways are your thing you may want to click the link to find out more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beeching_Axe).
The plot revolves around the comings and goings of the station staff, as they adjust to the possibility that life on the railways could be about to change, forever.
Clips
[AdSense-A]
[AdSense-A]
Cast
Paul Shane
Jeffrey Holland
Su Pollard
Julia Deakin
Stephen Lewis
Details
Channel: BBC1
Created By: David Croft and Richard Speedlove
Written By:
David Croft
Richard Spendlove
John Stevenson
Paul Minett
Brian Leveson
John Chapman
Executive Producer: David Croft
Produced By: David Croft and Charles Galland
Original Transmission Dates: 14th August 1995 – 28th September 1997
Where To Watch
Not currently available on the big streaming platforms, a complete series DVD boxset is available to buy.