Mention the now-defunct 'Granada Television' to most people and the first thing they are likely to think of is 'Coronation Street'. It also had a reputation for quality period drama series such as 'Country Matters' and 'The Jewel In The Crown'. It may surprise them to learn that the company was responsible for one of the weirdest series ever shown on British television - 'The Corridor People'.
Created and written by Edward Boyd, it starred the beautiful Elisabeth Shepherd as Persian villain 'Syrie Van Epp'. Shepherd was originally to have played 'Mrs.Emma Peel' in 'The Avengers', but the producers felt she lacked the light comedy touch they wanted, so she was paid off and the job went instead to Diana Rigg.
Mention of 'The Avengers' is important here because 'The Corridor People' looks like an attempt by Granada to capitalise on that show's success. The larger-than-life villains, the absurd plots, the campy humour, all were replicated here. Van Epp is out to seize power, and the only people to stand in her way are the men and women of Department K of the Ministry Of Defence, led by the wonderfully-named Kronk ( John Sharp ). Another investigator is Phil Scrotty ( Gary Cockrell ) whose office is dominated by a poster of Humphrey Bogart, and whom dresses like his hero. Other law officers are Inspector Hound and Sergeant Blood, played by Alan Curtis and William Maxwell respectively.
The first episode opens with the kidnapping of a birdwatcher - Christopher Robin Vaughan ( Tim Barrett ). He owns a controlling share in a cosmetics company, and Van Epp wants it. He initially refuses, so she resorts to seduction. He becomes so smitten he plans on giving the share to her as a wedding present. Van Epp wants the share because the company has ( accidentally ) developed a new brand of perfume that knocks out people for a period of 24 hours. Department K snatch Vaughan from Van Epp's grasp and when he refuses to co-operate - execute him.
From the above outline it should be clear that this is not intended to be taken seriously. The emphasis is on humour throughout, and I found myself admiring its sheer nerve. Boyd's script has some good lines. When Van Epp tells someone "I am a hoarder!", he replies: "That's one syllable too many!". Surprisingly, she is amused rather than offended.
As Van Epp, Shepherd is deliciously evil, purring like a cat throughout. I warmed to her straight away! The investigators though are depicted as a daft lot - the young Windsor Davies is among them - and it is impossible to like or care about any of them. Tim Barrett ( known mainly for sitcoms such as 'Terry & June' ) acquits himself well as the sexually repressed birdwatcher.
Of course this is not in the same league as 'The Avengers' ( nor 'Adam Adamant Lives!' for that matter ) because it lacks both excitement and charm. The original audience certainly thought so - it was axed after only four episodes.
Created and written by Edward Boyd, it starred the beautiful Elisabeth Shepherd as Persian villain 'Syrie Van Epp'. Shepherd was originally to have played 'Mrs.Emma Peel' in 'The Avengers', but the producers felt she lacked the light comedy touch they wanted, so she was paid off and the job went instead to Diana Rigg.
Mention of 'The Avengers' is important here because 'The Corridor People' looks like an attempt by Granada to capitalise on that show's success. The larger-than-life villains, the absurd plots, the campy humour, all were replicated here. Van Epp is out to seize power, and the only people to stand in her way are the men and women of Department K of the Ministry Of Defence, led by the wonderfully-named Kronk ( John Sharp ). Another investigator is Phil Scrotty ( Gary Cockrell ) whose office is dominated by a poster of Humphrey Bogart, and whom dresses like his hero. Other law officers are Inspector Hound and Sergeant Blood, played by Alan Curtis and William Maxwell respectively.
The first episode opens with the kidnapping of a birdwatcher - Christopher Robin Vaughan ( Tim Barrett ). He owns a controlling share in a cosmetics company, and Van Epp wants it. He initially refuses, so she resorts to seduction. He becomes so smitten he plans on giving the share to her as a wedding present. Van Epp wants the share because the company has ( accidentally ) developed a new brand of perfume that knocks out people for a period of 24 hours. Department K snatch Vaughan from Van Epp's grasp and when he refuses to co-operate - execute him.
From the above outline it should be clear that this is not intended to be taken seriously. The emphasis is on humour throughout, and I found myself admiring its sheer nerve. Boyd's script has some good lines. When Van Epp tells someone "I am a hoarder!", he replies: "That's one syllable too many!". Surprisingly, she is amused rather than offended.
As Van Epp, Shepherd is deliciously evil, purring like a cat throughout. I warmed to her straight away! The investigators though are depicted as a daft lot - the young Windsor Davies is among them - and it is impossible to like or care about any of them. Tim Barrett ( known mainly for sitcoms such as 'Terry & June' ) acquits himself well as the sexually repressed birdwatcher.
Of course this is not in the same league as 'The Avengers' ( nor 'Adam Adamant Lives!' for that matter ) because it lacks both excitement and charm. The original audience certainly thought so - it was axed after only four episodes.