Oz TV Reviews
Australian television programme reviews
A Touch of Frost
The final episodes of a A Touch of Frost were recently shown on Channel 7. It was a double header culminating with Jack Frost riding off into the sunset with a lady from the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
The story of this one was that a mean drug dealer from London, who was also wanted all over the country, had taken up residence in Frost’s patch, Denton. Jack Frost was determined to nail him, where others had failed. The drug dealer’s crimes included arranging illegal dog fights, hence the presence of the RSPCA lady. This resulted in the son of the drug dealer killing an ex-school mate, who may have informed on them to the RSPCA. The murder was witnessed by the RSPCA lady and she was in turn intimidated by the drug dealer, as she was the key to his son’s prosecution.
The end result was misery all round with Jack Frost’s (David Jason) trusty side kick George (John Lyons) being killed. This was a genuinely sad scene for anyone who had followed the series. George had always played the straight man to Frost and grounded him and he possessed the best World War II British Air Force Officer moustache on TV today.
David Jason as Jack Frost and John Lyons as George Toolan in A Touch of frost
I was sorry to see the show come to an end, as it has always been one of my favorites. The story lines were always good, usually involving two crimes in each episode. The first a major crime like a murder, the second usually some sort of break in, or other niggling crime that provided some of the comic element to the show. I particularly remember one episode where a series of robberies were linked to a fast food delivery service. Jack Frost investigated this by ordering take away meals for himself from every local take away outlet, living on Indian, Chinese, Burgers, Fish and Chips etc. for weeks. Finally presenting his boss, the always critical Superintendent Mullett (Bruce Alexander), with the bill for all the meals, once he had solved the crime spree.
The acting in the show was always top drawer too. Not only the lead and regular characters, but also the guests who came in as Jack Frost’s Sargents, the villains, or other supporting roles. I particularly remember an episode called Close Encounters, where Jim Sturgess played an autistic teenager Laurence Burrell with such good effect I found it hard to believe that he was not mentally impaired in some way. He should have got an award for that performance. This had one of the classic comedy endings when after much investigation Frost discovered that Lawrence had a drawing of the car involved in the murder that happened at the beginning of the show, including the registration number. He followed this up by tracking down the murderer to a garage, where he was threatened with a huge metal chain. All Jack had by way of defence was an old time coppers whistle. But when he blew it an absolute army of armed Police arrived at the entrance to the garage.
 Dell Boy and Rodney Trotter from Only Fools and Horses |
 David Jason as Granville and Ronnie Barker as Arkwright in Open All Hours |
 David Jason as Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds of May |
Jack Frost was of course played by David Jason who is a veritable institution in British Television. He made famous characters like Dell Boy in Only Fools and Horses, Pop Larkin in Darling Buds of May and was Ronnie Barker’s sidekick Granville for 11 years in Open all Hours. David turned 70 this year, so I wonder if he has another legendary TV character in him. Only he knows I guess. But even if he doesn’t, any fan of British Television has got to give thanks for his great body of work.
The good news is Channel 72 is still showing re-runs of A Touch of Frost if you want to catch any that you missed, or want to see again. Or you can buy complete seasons from various suppliers by clicking on the images below.
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Only Fools and Horses is now showing in Australia at 6:30 every evening on Fox Classics. It may be 4:30 in the eastern states, check your local guides as they say. http://www.oztvreviews.com/