robsmithjr

The series premise is standard of some company and the employees involved. What sets this above many are two elements: the character of Charlie and a later addition, Harry, a sneak thief who turns into a caretaker of the business building.

David Roper in the lead was the prefect casting for the lead role. Peter Sallis is also very good in his role. The rest are very good also and balance the program.

The first series is a bit too balanced. An imbalance was needed. David Ross shows up in the second well-written episode as a robber. Brilliantly, Ross is brought back in the 2nd series to run the rest as the same character, Harry Hutchins. This time he is an employee benefiting from Charlie's guidance in the first series, 2nd episode.

The Hutchins character is kinda a Barney Fife to Andy Taylor. Charlie might announce "Leave it to charlie' in an episode, only to have Hutchins cause havoc to a plan. Despite the title, the Hutchins character became a driver of the series, much as Barney did.

The writing was very good. Maybe a bit overly clever at times. The strike episode juggles back and forth titles and status of characters so much, the viewer better pay attention or get lost. Love the ending of that episode.

Though I liked the first series, it dragged a bit before the addition of David Ross in the 2nd series on.

Bottom line: I recommend the series. 8 out of ten points.

The story of the end of the cattle trail is not unusual of the bad guy taking advantage of the trail boss and crew. This tale adds a number of angles that complicate the story.

First off is trail hand Sugarfoot searching for a lady friend who has altered herself a bit. There's the Jones character that brings a story that seems to be about to drag into life with actor Jones acting. Sharp writing gives a lot for Jones to work with and shine.

The bad guy is typical of these western programs.

It's the plotting that gives more dimension to all involved that makes the whole worth watching.

Bottom line: I recommend this episode. 8 out of ten points.

Though mystery is claimed the subject, there's none here. Sure, there's a death, but the laser focus is the tedious school life of employees at a school.

Clearly the producers were more interested in a soap opera with a school background. Even with that, there's far too much emotional nonsense and prolonged focus of the slightest moves.

This could've been edited into a 'Thirty-Minute Theatre'. Maybe a ten minute version.

Not helping my view is just filing through the small collection of 'Waugh on Crime', part of the Thirty Minute Theatre. Excellent in plotting, dialogue and story. This is trash to that.

Poorly plotted and filmed with over-acting, there's no reason to waste time with this.