TV watch: Maigret

Yesterday evening, I watched the first ever (1960) episode of Maigret on Talking Pictures. When I was young I went to tea at a friend’s house. Watching Maigret was a family ritual for them and I watched the only episode I had ever seen until yesterday. It must have made a huge impression because when it was remade with Rowan Atkinson I thought, ‘not Rupert Davies, not black and white, not Maigret.’

I loved everything about it: the music, the cars, Rupert Davies, sex and drugs in Montmartre, the pipe, the hat and the classy titles at the end. And Rupert Davies. The film quality was very good for such an old TV programme and if Talking Pictures shows some more, I’ll probably be watching.

RIP Shirley Hughes

I’ve just heard that the wonderful illustrator and author Shirley Hughes has died, aged ninety-four. She kept drawing until the end, so probably three generations of children (and adults) have been able to enjoy her work. Treasured memories for people younger than I am.