Review of Shine On Harvey Moon - Series 3

Introduction

Shine On Harvey Moon comes with an impeccable pedigree. Created by Lawrence Marks and Maurice Gran, who went on to create Birds Of A Feather, New Statesman and Goodnight Sweetheart among many shows, the series was script-edited by scriptwriting legends Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement.

There`s a tradition of nostalgia-comedy-dramas on ITV - Heartbeat, The Royal etc. that can be traced back to Harvey Moon, which was pretty much the first of these shows, originally screened back in 1982. It was the story of Corporal Harvey Moon (Kenneth Cranham), believed killed in action but actually having served out World War II in the relative safety of RAF Stores, Bombay. Returning home to Blighty on his demobilisation, the former Clapton Orient footballer found his loving wife Rita (Maggie Steed) had been enjoying special relations with American GIs. His daughter Maggie (Linda Robson in a very early role) was going out with an old RAF pal of his, spiv Lou (Nigel Planer pre-Young Ones) and the infant son he had left had grown up into streetwise youth Stanley (Lee Whitlock). Over four series from 1982-5 and a short-lived six episode revival in 1995 (with Nicky Henson taking over the lead from Kenneth Cranham), the show followed the fortunes of the Moons and their friends and relatives from 1948 to 1953.

Series Three comprises nine sixty-minute episodes shown through June and July of 1984. The season is full of familiar faces of character actors often seen in Marks and Gran, and Clement and LaFrenais shows. Most notable is the introduction in this season of Veronica, played by Pauline Quirke. Marks and Gran were quick to see the potential of old school chums Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson and would in 1989 create their most famous starring vehicle together, Birds Of A Feather.

Harvey Moon is a show with lots of Heart. Like most of Marks and Gran`s work, it is strong on characters and carried by an equally strong cast of character actors. As an evocation of the immediate aftermath of WW2, it is an eye-opener for those not young enough to remember a tough time for the country and a source of nostalgia for those who are.

Video

Shot entirely on video, the production has that flat look of eighties television. Colours are subsquently slightly washed out and contrast isn`t what modern audiences are used to.

Audio

Dolby 2.0 reproduction of the original stereo sound.

Features

Cast filmographies and photo galleries only. No subtitles.

Conclusion

Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran are one of the most prolific modern-day scriptwriting double-acts, responsible for series including Birds Of A Feather, New Statesman and Goodnight Sweetheart. Their talents for combining acid wit with heart have made for some of the most popular tv shows of recent years. Shine On Harvey Moon is one of their earlier (but not that much earlier) works, and demonstrates they were on top form from the start.