Co-Written by Noel Coward, "Tonight at 8:30" is a British TV series of vignettes produced and acted by Joan Collins. Known mostly for her evil "Alexis" role in "Dynasty" during the 1980s, Collins had been in various films in the UK and US, and even "the Road to Hong Kong" with Bob Hope. In most of the episodes, quirky people come trooping through the living room, in various comical or awkward situations. This set of eight shows is included on the BBC Collection of Noel Coward Works in DVD. In "Hands Across the Sea", Joan is the absent minded hostess who bumbles her way through a cocktail party, insulting and complimenting guests at random. "Red Peppers" is a married couple's tribute to Vaudeville. Keep an eye out for (Mr. Edwards) Henry McGee - McGee was in all the Benny Hill shows. In the "Astonished Heart", Barbara (Sian Phillips) and Leonara (Joanie) compare notes on men and fidelity. They would work together in three of these episodes. "Family Album" brings the family together, be it good or bad, after a death in the family. ...and we find ALL the family secrets. Could have done with less singing, but from the credits, it appears the master himself actually wrote some of the music. "Fumed Oak" shows a typical family squabbling over the breakfast table. (Interesting note - Joan Collins had been married to Anthony Newley, co-star of two of these episodes. ) In "Ways & Means", a couple must figure how how to pay the hotel bill before they get tossed out. "Still Life" shows us various meetings in the train station. Co Star Jane Asher (plays Laura Jesson), was a very close friend to the Beatles...see Wikipedia for some interesting details... Joan C. says the film "Brief Encounter" was based on this one. Every time John Alderton speaks, he mumbles in very low tones, so we have to crank up the volume. In "Shadow Play", a couple must figure out where they stand. Gets a little weird in the dream sequence... (Its also interesting that Aunt Martha is married to "George", like the Washingtons, or the next door neighbors in Dennis the Menace.) Directed by John Glenister, who directed three of the plays in this series.
Review of Tonight at 8.30
