All Summer Long

All Summer Long

1960 - United Kingdom

Willie has tried to make his father aware of the danger to their house from flood water, but Dad thinks that Willie's fears are excessive. Willie decides to spend all summer long building a wall to keep out the river, but his efforts are in vain. 

The fun of All Summer Long, starring Eddie Byrne (Star Wars), Barry Foster (Van Der Valk) and Ann Lynn (Just Good Friends), comes from a family's approach to the problem of an encroaching river. The water, which used to be a long throw from the porch, is now within "spitting distance" and a serious threat to their house. But only the son, 12-year old Willie (Denis Waterman, The Sweeney, Minder, New Tricks) is concerned enough to do anything practical about it, and labours all summer in his efforts. The only help Willie has comes from his crippled brother Don (Barry Foster). But Don could be more use by taking a job that would help pay for building a strong embankment. "Meanwhile," said Dubliner Eddie Byrne of his part, "Dad is maddeningly ineffectual. Where he too could be helping Willie prevent the house falling into the river, he prefers to paint it." The play, written by Robert Anderson, was adapted from Donald Wetzel's novel "A Wreath and a Curse." It had not been previously seen in the UK, although it was seen on Broadway a few years before. All Summer Long was directed by Peter Wood and Broadcast on ITV at 9:35pm on Tuesday 12th April 1960 as the Play of the Week

Published on November 28th, 2018. Adapted from the original TV Times article.

Read Next...

Counter Attack

Three young rebels plan their own counter-attack when foreign troops occupy part of the British Isles-the Channel Islands-for the first time since 1066.

Also released in 1960

Already It's Tomorrow

After a road accident, an attractive girl recovers consciousness in a strange room. With her is a young man she has never seen before.

Also tagged Single Drama

Biggles

Crack pilot James "Biggles" Bigglesworth leads a team of investigators who solve crime around the world.

Also released in 1960

Luck of the Draw

Accepting the luck of the draw has become the Green's family motto. But Arthur, at 28 the only unmarried one, begins to have doubts. Should he carry on as before or should he forget family tradition and give fate a definite hand?

Also starring Ann Lynn

Alice in Wonderland TV play

The earliest television version of Lewis Caroll's fantasy masterpiece was broadcast before most people in Britain had televisions...

Also tagged Single Play

Citizen James

Sid James in his first TV series after Hancock. Written by Galton and Simpson.

Also released in 1960

Arthur's Treasured Volumes

It's title inspired by the initials of the television company that produced the series, Arthur's Treasured Volumes appears to be, if the sole surviving episode is an example, an underrated and unfairly forgotten TV gem.

Also released in 1960

The Close Prisoner

"We are all conceived in close prison: in our mother's wombs, we are close prisoners all...and then all our life is but a going out to the place of execution, to death..." John Donne.

Also tagged Single Play

Abigail's Party

When teenager Abigail throws a party for her friends, her next-door neighbour, Beverly Moss, does likewise for the adults. But Beverly is the hostess from hell.

Also tagged Single Drama