Three Lives Wires (ITV 1961, Michael Medwin, Derek Guyler)

Sitcom Three Lives Wires focused on the exploits of Cockney Mike working in a TV sales and repair shop. Mike, Malcolm and George worked in the servicing department and had plenty of opportunity for mischief out and about fixing peoples TV’s in their homes.

Mr Farnum was their tough manager who was always on their case. The boys had to fix the TV’s of quite a few well known faces of the era with guest stars including the likes of Ronnie Corbett, The Dudley Moore Trio, Peter Vaughn, Kieron Moore, Arthur Lowe and Patricia Haines.

Back in the early days of TV when buying a television was an expensive thing to do, many households would either rent or buy on hire purchase. It was still quite a nascent technology too and there would often be trouble with the actual mechanics of the sets or the huge cathode ray tubes each TV contained. The TV repair man was a popular service industry. These days, in our disposable generation, the idea of someone calling out to fix your TV is something of a rarity.

production details
UK / ITV – Associated-Rediffusion – Gordon Harboard / 26×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 15 May – 6 November 1961 Mondays at 8.00pm

Producer: Christopher Hodson

cast
Michael Medwin as Mike Lane
Bernard Fox as Malcolm Danders
George Roderick as George Smithers
Derek Benfield as Higgenbottom
Deryck Guyler as Mr Farnum (shop manager)

THE EPISODES 15 May – 6 November 1961
Dates refer to transmission in the ATV region. ITV shows of the 1960’s are very difficult to track detailed transmission dates for as many regions broadcast shows at different times to other regions. Some didn’t show all episodes and some didn’t show any.

1. FRENCH CLEANER (15 May 61)
2. STRANGER THAN FICTION (22 May 61)
3. THE PLAY OFF (29 May 61)
4. ROOM UP ABOVE (5 Jun 61)
5. THE RECALL (12 Jun 61)
6. THE CRITIC (19 Jun 61)
7. THE SUIT (26 Jun 61)
8. FALLING STAR (3 Jul 61)
9. THE RING (10 Jul 61)
10. WINNER TAKES ALL (17 Jul 61)
11. WHO WAS THAT LADY (24 Jul 61)
12. THE SUGGESTION BOX (31 Jul 61)
13. PAY OR RETURN (7 Aug 61)
14. THE SALESMAN (14 Aug 61)
15. THE MATCHMAKER (21 Aug 61)
16. REFLECTIONS (28 Aug 61)
17. THE CASH BOX (4 Sep 61)
18. THE TEA BREAK (11 Sep 61)
19. THE DISAPPEARANCE (11 Sep 61)
20. THE RISE (25 Sep 61)
21. THE TRAP (2 Oct 61)
22. THE PROMOTION (9 Oct 61)
23. HIGGY’S ROMANCE (16 Oct 61)
24. THE ADOPTION ( 23 Oct 61)
25. THE SPY (30 Oct 61)
26. THE HOLIDAY (6 Nov 61)