Play For Today: Kisses At Fifty (BBC-1 1973, Bill Maynard)

In the excellent Play For Today drama Kisses at Fifty Harry hits the half decade mark and feels life is passing him by, he begins an affair with the new barmaid at his local, Audrey. Both are very much married and it isn’t too long before the whole town knows about the affair. Harry’s marriage begins to disintegrate and he and Audrey decide to up sticks and start a new life down south.

Fantastic dialogue from the always reliable Welland make Kisses At Fifty a very real piece of drama. Maynard is superb in the lead, world weariness to the fore as the impact of what he has done starts to sink in. There is a memorable scene where he is forced to shave in the toilet pan of a train station loo. There are also small roles for a young James Hazledine and a pre coronation street Liz Dawn.

Great soundtrack from the Oldham Tinkers too!

classic quote
“You’re burning all your bridges, you know that Harry don’t you… Is it worth it?”

production details
UK / BBC-1 ‘Play for Today’ / 1×70 minute episode / Broadcast 22 January 1973 @ 9.25pm

Writer: Colin Welland / Music: The Oldham Tinkers / Production Design: Stuart Walker / Producer: Graeme McDonald / Director: Michael Apted

cast
BILL MAYNARD as Harry
ROSEMARIE DUNHAM as Rene
MARJORIE YATES as Audrey
LORI WELLS as Sandra
MAUREEN CALLAGHAN as Helen
JAMES HAZLEDINE as Chris
PAUL LUTY as Terry
ROBERT BOOTH as Keith
ANDREW BEAUMONT as Kevin
CHRISTINE MOUNTAIN as Lorraine
JOHN COMER as George
TED CARROLL as Mate
PAT WALLIS as Flo
ELIZABETH DAWN as Enid
CHRISTINE BUCKLEY as Winnie
JOHN ALDERSON as Audrey’s Husband
KATHY PROCTOR as Social Security Clerk
DAVID BRADLEY as Policeman
BERNARD ATHA as Social Security Man
FRED McNAUGHTON as Vicar