VAN DER VALK AT EYE LEVEL...

Photo by TERRY O'NEILL

Hey, where on earth does the time go?  In 1991-'92, VAN der VALK, starring BARRY FOSTER as the Dutch detective, was revived for two new series of two-hour episodes, and to me, it seemed like an inordinate amount of time had passed since the third of the original three series was last seen (repeats aside) on TV back in 1977.  (The first two series of one hour episodes were broadcast in 1972 and '73.)  So 14 years had elapsed, and because I hadn't seen the show since I was a teenager, it felt like quite a significant proportion of my life.

The '91-'92 series still seems relatively recent to me, so the realisation that it's nearly 30 years ago is a real punch in the gut.  Hell's bells, I'm ancient.  And now the series is back, starring MARC WARREN, but location aside, feels and looks nothing like the original version.  Reports in some newspapers claimed that the original theme had been jettisoned, but there's actually a hint of it intertwined with the new one.  I watched the first episode but wasn't too impressed, and I couldn't help thinking it's a shame Barry Foster wasn't still around to play the current incarnation's father, which would've given the new show a bit of much-needed authenticity.

It's not a new idea.  Apparently, when IAN OGILVY took on the role of The SAINT back in the late '70s, LEW GRADE approached ROGER MOORE to play his father, the original SIMON TEMPLAR, who would've appeared at the beginning and ending of each episode.  (So Ogilvy would have been Son of The Saint, which was the proposed title had Lew been able to persuade big Rog to return.)  Roger knocked it back, reportedly on the grounds that his then current commitment to the BOND franchise wouldn't facilitate his involvement, but I suspect he just didn't want to risk compromising the public's acceptance of him as 007.

Anyway, I'll give the new incarnation another go, though the shadow of Barry Foster looms large, but full credit to Marc Warren for being brave enough to try stepping into Foster's shoes.  And remember, Van der Valk is a policeman so that's mighty big shoes to fill.  Whether he succeeds or not remains to be seen.

Anyone remember the original show?  I know that many Crivs of a certain age will readily recall the theme tune, EYE LEVEL, by The SIMON PARK ORCHESTRA, but what about the show itself?  Any reminiscences you'd care to share will be made very welcome in the comments section, so get those typing fingers out now.     

WHAT ARE WE GONNA GET 'ER INDOORS...?

A whopping 37 years ago I bought the above single.  There was a jump in it, but for some now forgotten reason I didn't take it back to the shop from which I'd purchased it, but sent it back to the record company with a cover note explaining the problem.  It occurred to me at the time to retain the picture cover just in case they sent me a record back without it, but then I thought that they'd surely replace like with like - that would be the correct thing to do.

How wrong can a fella be?!  The replacement, when it arrived, was inside a plain white sleeve and I must admit that I felt a bit cheated.  Anyway, I've still got that original replacement single, but recently I saw one with the cover as I first had it on eBay, and bought it.  The photo above is not the actual one I bought (mine is in slightly better condition - I hope), but it will do to illustrate this post as the one winging its way to me even as I type was pictured at an angle in its eBay listing and didn't meet my photo requirements.

When it arrives I'll make a duplicate of the cover for my original record and thereby turn the clock back to 1983 (sort of).  Okay, so then I'll have two copies of this record, but I can live with that as I own numerous items of which I have more than one.  (It's always good to have a spare.)  I always get a buzz from making things as they were or as they should be, especially when it takes decades as it feels like finally fulfilling some unfinished task in some way.  Okay, okay, that's maybe overstating the case, but I trust you know what I mean.

Some of you are probably wondering why I'd choose this as a subject to blog about - would anyone really be interested in reading this kind of self-indulgent pish?  I'm sure you'll let me know, but when one runs a blog, one feels a responsibility to provide something to read for those inquisitive souls who visit regularly in the hope of filling a few spare moments in their day.  I may not always hit the mark, but you've gotta give me credit for trying - though money would be better, so feel free to send as much as you can afford.  (Don't panic - only joshing with ya!)

And whaddya know?!  I've just learned they performed it on TOP Of The POPS, so that's it below.  (The volume of George Cole's mic seems to be a bit low though.)