Dr Finlay’s Casebook
One of the most amazing TV series to be brought onto the Radio waves was Dr Finlay’s Casebook. For a really excellent background article read Ian Beard’s site and episode list -
http://www.geocities.com/gregorym101/finlay.html
This cranky idea of a rather brusque pair of Scottish Doctors working in the middle of nowhere and speaking in broad Scottish tongues (or so I thought) hardly seemed to be a good starting point for a top drama series. Yet it was marvellous on the radio because some superb writers were allowed to fashion a beautiful collection of often heart-pulling stories. (I’m a bit of a fan!) Wild sexual scenes like touching each others hands in public became quite fascinating? (The Dr and his lady friend!) But it was the characters of the sick patients, the local hospital and its staff not to mention the arduous life of Dr Cameron and Dr Finlay that held one spell-bound. A Question that never got answered was did Dr Cameron know that Janet loved him? Ok I’m having fun but alongside the humour and pathos was a fascinating picture of the times that is well worth revisiting.
The original series ran to 144 episodes and we’ve just clocked over the 100 mark recovered now. Would love to see the remainder come to light so please write in if you have any.
The newer stories of ‘The Adventures of a Black Bag’ had the wonderful Ian Bannen playing the part of the ageing Doctor. I always liked Ian Bannen who used to shop in Ventnor in the corner shop opposite our home. Always polite but never a showy actor – appreciated! Personally the newer series cashed in on the later desire for programmes like Heartbeat but I dont think the stories had the same strength.
There were not many TV programs that went to radio but a few exceptions like Dads Army and To The Manor Born spring to mind. The times were a changing and listening audiences were becoming viewers. In the last few years one of the only radio series that jumped out with the same excitement and promise was in 1995/6 when a production of plays about Victoria Railway Station in Notttingham were made by the BBC. Maybe next time we will have a visit to the radio engine sheds?
For now if you fancy catching up with Dr Finlay again hit the links -
Enjoy – Ian
Dr Finlay Links
Series 1
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17230383/d08590b1/DRFS01.html
Series 2
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17233961/bf2af62b/DRFS02.html
Series 3
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17329333/b845fce5/DRFS03.html
Series 4
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17331501/813fb3e7/DRFS04.html
Series 5
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17337126/f0fb3c6/DRFS05.html
Series 6
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17338256/1a6b8b0e/DRFS06.html
Series 7
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17365739/e0cfa45f/DRFS07.html
Series 8
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17368003/dc12d0da/DRFS08.html
Series 9
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17369994/24d9a2da/DRFS09.html
Extra
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17372281/ab9c2644/DRFXTRA.html
If you fancy a lot of downloads via 4shared (all free by the way) they will download even faster by signing up for an account. If you do hit the button below and join I get a small commission towards maintaining my own account and will of course earn my undying thanks… but the episodes are all available to you.
