Moonlight On The Highway (ITV 1969, Ian Holm, Anthony Bate)

In Moonlight on the Highway David Peters develops an unsettling obsession with the singer Al Bowlly despite the fact that he was only six when Bowlly died. Bowlly was a British Bing Crosby and was killed in his flat during the Blitz of World War Two, Peters allows his obsession (he sets up a society dedicated to Bowlly) to overtake his life.

This was another of Dennis Potter’s playing with fantasy and reality and showing his own obsession with the music of the 1930’s.

classic quote
“Once dreams were possible-that was what the popular songs said. Now they don’t say that. They smash up their instruments on the stage. They wine and yowl through their long hair like apes.”

production details
UK / ITV Network-London Weekend Television-Kestral / 1×60 minutes / Saturday 12 April 1969 @ 9.30pm

Writer: Dennis Potter / Designer: John Clements / Producer: Kenith Trodd / Director: James MacTaggart

Series: Saturday Night Theatre

cast
Ian Holm as David Peters
Arthur Lovegrove as Landlord
Bart Allison as First old man
Harry Hutchinson as Old Irishman
Wally Patch as Old Londoner
Robin Wentworth as President of Bowlly Appreciation Society
Anthony Bate as Dr Chilton
Frederick Peisley as Gerald
Walter Swash as Second old man
Ursula Granville as Middle-aged lady
Derek Woodward as Medical Student
Michael Burrell as Waiter
Deborah Grant as Marie Holdsworth
John Flanagan as Second medical student
Kathleen St John as Third old lady
Beatrice Greeke as First Old Lady
Daphne Riggs as Second old lady
Johnny Watson as Middle-aged man