an old English series that was a Masterpiece Theatre back in the day (the early early 80s.) I enjoyed it but it has aged very poorly. It was an interesting mix of comedy & drama & except for the four main characters, no one, & I mean
no one was even remotely decent or a good or likable person. (& even three of the main four; Bob Hoskins, Frances de la Tour, & Sherrie Hewson were
certainly very complex, complicated characters, who each become more likable as the series progresses.)
Like Frank's Place, a US TV series in the late 80s, some episodes were more on the dramatic side & others more comedic. The family of actors (incl the mother, Sheila Reid, [who was fantastic in Brazil]) were the weakest link for me. The best storyline for the family was the one most neglected, of the oldest sister, Clara, who turns in to a right little devil, as a means to act out & escape that pathetic family.
The music was perfect & insanely catchy, & most important it was worked right in to the commercial break bumpers, where a title card (bearing the title: Flickers) would be displayed, which is a delightful little touch. (What was it about those English TV series? So many of them had the most fabulous titles sequences. My sweetie, Renee, has proclaimed the Jeeves & Wooster titles the greatest of all-time.) & another delightful little touch would be the
end titles, where in between the strict roll of titles would be inter-title cards, asking questions of the audience re future episodes & plot developments.
Actually, now that I think of it, I might like Flickers more than I let on earlier.
& finally, although few, if any, would call Ms de la Tour a
beauty, she's tall, gawky, & doesn't have the greatest skin, there was something wonderfully
sexy about her. Perhaps it is her voice, or that ludicrous, & exceptionally regal name. Or her
regal face, with its high cheekbones & the turned-up nose. Whatever, she's a damn fine actress. I also loved her work in The History Boys.
