Sunday 6 May 2018

Shadows 75 to 78

Shadows was a Thames TV supernatural/mystery series that ran for 3 series from 1975 to 1978. All the stories were supernatural/Ghost/Fantasy/Mystery based. Shadows featured a superb array of actors including John Nettleton, Jenny Agutter, Jacqueline Pearce, Gareth Thomas, Brian Glover, June Brown, Russell Hunter (as Mr Stabs this character was also in Ace of Wands) George A Cooper (Caretaker Grange Hill) Brian Wilde (Mr Barraclough, Porridge) Norman Rossington, Gwyneth Strong and Joan Greenwood.
Writers for the series included Fay Weldon, J.B.Priestley, Susan Cooper, Joan Aiken.
What is also rather wonderful about Shadows was the exceptionally good intros to the series. A total of 3 different intros were used. My Personal favorite was the intro to the 2nd series with the animated bird flying, high contrast tower blocks and the creepy girl standing still whilst her shadow skips on a pale blue landscape.
Some of the stories are perhaps a bit obvious/cliched and samey (After School & Waiting Room) some are fun (Dutch Schlitz's Shoes, The Man Who Hated Children) The Inheritance
is a personal Favorite and definitely has a Folk Horror edge to it. A very fine and often over looked series.  If you do get the chance have a binge watch on YouTube.
The Horn Dance from The Inheritance

2 comments:

  1. Love it. Duly added to huge list of stuff to watch. Is Mr Stabs the businessman in Ep 1 of Ace of Wands? There's a weird scene where he's just standing in his office that in style and atmos is pure Sapphire and Steel. Sent shivers up my spine first time I saw it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mr Stabs was in the episodes Seven Serpents, Sulphur and Salt. Have managed to watch the whole lot now.

    ReplyDelete