Six of the Best (ITV 1965, Ray Brooks, John Alderton)

An anthology of comedy pilots, none of which became series.

UK / ITV Network – ATV / 6×30 minute -episodes / 1965 black and white

Producer: Alan Tarrant

THE EPISODES

1. ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE (Broadcast: Wednesday 11 August @ 9.10pm)
Piano teacher Olive Taplow suffers unwanted attentions when she moves into a flat that was formerly occupied by a ‘lady of the night’.

guest cast
DORA BRYAN as Olive Taplow / JOHN ALDERTON as Alf / CHARLES CARSON as Pop / JOHN COLLIN as Eddie

Writer: Ray Cooney / Producer: Alan Tarrant / Director: Albert Locke

 

2. ME AND MY BIG MOUTH (Broadcast Wednesday 18 August 1965 @ 9.10pm)
guest cast
Alfie Bass as Alfie Smith / Alan Rolfe as Mr. Fiske / Michael Corcoran as Agitated man / David Davenport as Doctor / Peter Bowles as Tom Brown / Douglas Ditta as Scot / Hazel Coppen as Mum / Barry Lineham as Barman / Joanna Wake as Sheila

Writer: Fred Robinson / Producer: Alan Tarrant / Director: Shaun O’Riordan

 

3. CHARLIE’S PLACE (Broadcast Wednesday 25 August 1965 @ 9.10pm)
guest cast
RAY BROOKS as Charlie / YOOTHA JOYCE as Doris / JOHN JUNKIN as Sid / HELEN FRASER as Vanessa / FRANCIS MATTHEWS as Jack

Writer: Alan Plater / Producer: Alan Plater / Director: Dicky Leeman

 

4. PORTERHOUSE – PRIVATE EYE (Broadcast Wednesday 1 September 1965 @ 9.10pm)
Inept private detective Edwin Porterhouse is hired to look after a priceless snuff box.

guest cast
Peter Butterworth as Edwin Porterhouse / June Whitfield as Daffodil / Dudley Foster as Otto Mulchrone / John Glyn Jones as Sir Gregory Bowles / Cicely Hulbert as Lady Bowles / Bryan Madley as Hargreaves / Elizabeth Connell as Irma / Frank Sil as Inspector

Writer: Maurice Wiltshire / Producer: Alan Tarrant / Director: Albert Locke

 

5. MAN WITH A MISSION (Broadcast Wednesday 8 September 1965 @ 9.10pm)
guest cast
RONALD LACEY as Wilfred Hicks / THORLEY WALTERS as Forbes-Glanville / AVIS BUNNAGE as Mrs Whittaker / DEREK NIMMO as Hope Weston / HARRY LOCKE as Security Guard / DENISE BUCKLEY as Carol

Writers: Richard Harris, Dennis Spooner / Producer: Alan Tarrant / Director: Dicky Leeman

 

6. ARE THERE ANYMORE AT HOME LIKE YOU (Broadcast Wednesday 15 September 1965 @ 9.10pm)
A case of mistaken identity causes confusion. One of six comedies broadcast under the Umbrella title Six of the Best.

guest cast
GRAHAM STARK as Ernest / BARBARA MITCHELL as Dorinda -Gertrude /ROBERT DORNING as Father/Uncle / DAVID STOLL as Man in Tube / HAZEL COPPEN as Woman in Kiosk / WILLIE PAYNE as Guard

Writer: Tony Hawes / Producer: Alan Tarrant

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.