First broadcast: Thu 27th Jun 1974, 21:25 The Childhood Friend by Piers Paul Read With Anthony Hopkins as Alexander Tashkov, Susan Fleetwood as Janet Morton On holiday, with his family, nothing to do and his wife ill, Sasha (Alexander) is only too pleased to meet again the girl he loved at 17. Piers Paul Read is also the author of the best-selling book Alive, the account of the Andes air crash. 'I did learn a great deal about human nature which I can usefully apply to future characterisations in my novels. The difference is that survivors were real and my characters tend only to reflect real people. Alexander in tonight's play embodies a certain part of myself. You imagine yourself in a role and play it out in your mind.' Writer: Piers Paul Read Script Editor: Ann Scott Designer: Richard Wilmot Producer: Graeme McDonald Director: Mike Newell Alexander Tashkov: Anthony Hopkins Janet Morton: Susan Fleetwood Alice Tashkov: Alison Key May Tashkov: Joan Haythorne Nikolay Tashkov: George Pravda Peter Tashkov: Peter Duncan John Morton: Michael Hawkins Laura Morton: Sarah Gibson Dr. Ackerly: David Neal
Biological parents are one thing a child's needs and rights in this case should have had priority over the former. Disturbing outcome to say the least!
So the poor kid must be severely abused because dad has no job. Plenty had money issues back then and even today but they don’t beat their kids to a pulp.
First aired on April 10th, 1978. Network t.v. movie. In my opinion, a very well-made police drama, Joe Don Baker giving a brilliant portrayal, battling criminals and political sabotage from within the administration, more worried about careers than public safety, along with stellar performances by all supporting cast. A top-notch grade A network movie of the week. I loved it.
Having grown up a teenager in the 70s, I used to watch these network movies, finding most of them top-notch entertainment, right in the comfort of home, a huge benefit over having to go to a theater and pay. This film is as good as most anything movie houses had, great story, personal drama, excellent cast, a grade A network ratings winner from the 70s. I loved it.
I was thinking about the series Roy Huggins did for Universal Television prior to this pilot of THE OUTSIDER called RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - more or less a reworking of THE FUGITIVE he created for Quinn Martin - and guess what: the series’ star Ben Gazzara’s name in the Walk of Fame actually appears on screen in the 7.56 mark as Edmond O’Brien’s character walks along Hollywood Boulevard. Huggins reworked the format of THE OUTSIDER for THE ROCKFORD FILES reuniting with James Garner after MAVERICK as another ex-convict turned private investigator Jim Rockford.
I've seen every episode of both The Fugitive and Run for You Life, and I can tell you that those shows were totally different! Dr. Richard Kimble was accused of the murder of his wife. He spent the series tracking down the one-armed man he saw leave the scene of the cime. San Francisco attorney Paul Bryan wasn't on the run from the law at all. A few doctors all diagnosed him with a rare disease, so Paul decided to use the remaining $1 million of his fortune travelling around the world and the USA enjoying his last year or two. That series lasted 3 seasons. Paul could be himself!
@@executivedecision6141 Of course, though I meant the sole protagonist is a lone figure who finds himself in the obstacles faced by characters in each story: a theme that Huggins was drawn to his writing.
THANKS for uploading this bodacious "blast from the past". I was around 10 when this first aired on ABC from Jan to May of 1966. I don't remember this short lived series at all. No doubt the 60s "secret agent" fad led to the program's creation & placement on the prime time lineup.
Thank you for posting this excellent story - things will only change when people of all races and colours unite and fight together against the ones that are oppressing the poor and the working class.
Just watched this for the first time in 2024. Brilliant play, especially good performance from Richard Beckinsale who I almost didn’t recognise to begin with as he was very different from his usual roles. Thanks for the upload. 👍
@@stevenwilson1816 re Richard Beckinsale, the same here. Only knew him as Godbar. Will look out for different roles he has played. Impresssed with him in this, no end.
A waste of a commendable castle, the events are on a train not a plane,the Protagonist is a man not a woman,:Alow budget enterprise,spoilt by annoyingly, smart mouthed ,writers whom think they. Can improve on genius,Inthe actual story numerous people did not die for one person,'s salvation
Which episode was it where Dabney ended up wearing a moped or motorcycle half helmet? Or, is that too vague? Vague, I'm guessing. Wish I knew more about it.
