Dick Barton - Special Agent: The Complete Series [DVD]

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The Morning Star claimed that the show was ‘so bad as to be beyond most criticism’, before dubbing Barton as a ‘ crypto-facist.’ Some older listeners wrote to the National Newspapers of the time to complain about the programme’s possible harmful effects on children but The Times newspaper were moved to write an editorial – in the show’s defence:

Unfortunately, this twice-weekly 15-minute serial from Southern Television failed to capture the public’s imagination in the same way as the original radio series. The programme also reveals Barton's various reincarnations on film, television and most recently a stage musical. Barton’s enemies have more latitude in their behaviour, but they may not indulge in actually giving an injury or punishment which is basically sadistic.

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This was a bit rich since Gielgud was a prolific writer of detective novels and thrillers, including one called Death at Broadcasting House featuring a murder. Twelve days after the launch, the first review appeared in the Communist Daily Worker: ‘It is so bad as to be almost beyond belief.’ It branded Barton a ‘crypto-fascist’. No! No! No!" screams Snowy. "Don't! It's from the War Office. Have you forgotten? You're a Z-reservist. They're calling you up" Horrific effects in general must be closely watched. Supernatural or pseudo-supernatural sequences are to be avoided – ghosts, night-prowling, gorillas or vampires. (Ed: What’s wrong with gorillas?) Barton’s enemies have more latitude in their behaviour but they may not indulge in actually giving any injury or punishment that is basically sadistic.

If it's another someone wanting another job, I'm tearing it up," says Barton as Snowy passes it to him. Barton and his friends do not wittingly involve innocent members of the public in situations that would cause them to be distressed. Fearless, dependable Barton, demobbed after six years in the army, found civilian life a touch too mundane for his liking. So, when he received a call from an old friend, Sir Richard Marley (John Gantrel), asking him to find his missing son and daughter, he willingly dashed once more into the fray. The BBC made a pretty faithful revival of the first series for its 1972 Golden Jubilee in which many of the original cast, including Johnson, Mann and McCrindle, reprised their roles. You can hear it here.)

Archive interviews include Producer Neil Tuson and various cast members including Thora Hird who played various female roles in the first few series Nevertheless, Norman Collins had to admit that even he had underestimated the series’ appeal and the audience that would follow it. The BBC never had a young audience in mind, but Collins was philosophical about it and said, ‘that is what we’ve got and we must act accordingly.’ With this in mind, on 27 August 1947, Collins circulated a twelve-point code of conduct for writers of the series. Barton and his friends do not wittingly involve innocent members of the public in situations which would cause them to be distressed. For example, a motor car cannot be requisitioned for the purpose of chasing bandits, without the owner’s permission.

The series was replaced from time to time by one about the adventures of an explorer. One episode was entitled "Plague on the Plateau".Barton never commits an offence in the criminal code, no matter how desirable the means may be argued to justify the end. To be honest its not perfect, the film can be a tad static and stiff when things aren't in motion, however its never long before some is getting shot at or chased, so the flaws are really minor annoyances and quibbles. The character of Barton originally appeared on radio from 1946, played first by Noel Johnson (who reputedly received 2,000 fan letters a week) and then by Duncan Carse (a former Antarctic explorer) and Gordon Davies. In 1972 as part of the BBC's Golden Jubilee, the BBC broadcast a new, abridged, 10-episode version of the first Barton serial - "The Secret Weapon". The cast included many members of the original cast, including Noel Johnson, John Mann, William Fox, Alex McCrindle, and Margaret Robertson. [1] Contributors include Gareth Johnson, son of the first actor to play Barton, award winning playwright Phil Wilmott and Barton fan John Mundy.

Adventure Four written by Julian Bond, in eight parts. Dandy Parkes (Terence Seward), a middle-aged playboy and Amanda Aston ( Marsha Fitzalan), wife of a respected Whitehall official are threatened by the Drew Brothers (Ernie Drew by Bernard Kay). In January 1948 the BBC bowed to pressure and published a code of conduct which the characters had to abide by. Originally running on the BBC Light Programme between 1946 and 1951, few of the BBC’s original recordings still survive. However, in 1949 a number of early Barton tales were re-recorded for transmission overseas starring Douglas Kelly. This collection contains 12 of the most recognisable dramas, as well as live performances, a profile of the character and interviews with the stars. Political themes are unpopular as well as being occasionally embarrassing. The man-who-wants-to-control-the-Earth creates little impact and is best left out of the Barton world. Barton’s audience continued to grow, boasting anywhere between 15 to 20 million listeners at its peak

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The nanny state killed the show off after five years in the belief that it was damaging to the dear young children. By this time, however, the show was a nationwide phenomenon, spawning a behind-the-scenes book, another volume of short stories and three films from Hammer Studios (at the time, best known for making thrillers, not horrors). The BBC then replaced it with a rustic drama named The Archers, the theme tune of which must have made every red-blooded adventurer used to Barton's buccaneering wish for another war. Barton has now given up drink altogether. No reference should be made to its existence in the Barton circle. The villains may drink but never to excess. Drunken scenes are barred. This is mostly apparent in the sometimes dodgy direction work, though it can only be imagined that the director was doing his best with the little he had.