Friday, 15 February 2019

A Comedy On This Day: Marriage Lines - A Night Of Nostalgia (16 February 1965)


 "Do you suppose that the off-licence would have those thin mints with chocolate that people have in the commercials?"

 Sadly, series 4 and 5 of Marriage Lines are now lost, but the last episode of series 3 is an apt point for modern viewers to bid farewell, as it refers back to the first episode, giving what does survive a circular narrative. The Starlings have elected to stay in London and bring up baby in a shabby top floor flat while their friends have left to live in Scotland and can afford to live in a grander manner. Peter and Norah return to London on an unexpected flying visit and the Kate Starling feels that she has offer them suitable hospitality.

 I was surprised how funny this one was, with the Starlings' 'poor relation' status, unease with returning friends and coping with a two-week old baby feeling quite sharp and recognisable - on top of offering some fascinating period details which reminded me of what I understood my parents' lives to have been like about 55 years ago. The Starlings' expensive impromptu dinner includes serving sherry, tins of mock caviar (lumpfish) and artichoke hearts, some hamburger-type arrangement called 'birds with their heads off' (?) and some rainbow sugar crystals for display.

No comments:

Post a Comment