Howard's Way

[Brody]

In the mid 80s, the BBC (which was broadcasting both Dallas and Dynasty anyway) decided to create it's very own supersoap to emulate what was coming across from the States. To up the ante, and make it our own.

The result, was Howard's Way.

Taking place in the sometimes glamourous (?) world of boat building (!), HW was a saga of family fallouts and bedroom & boardroom business on the high seas. The show ran successfully for six years, from 85-90, gaining top ratings from beginning to end - in fact it probably only came to an end due to the untimely death of it's lead, but it still had a season after, killing off the character off-screen. In fact, the show had a number of interesting accolades: it is the only british drama to gain over 10 Million viewers in each of it's seasons, usually pulling in nearer 15. Also, after Caress Morell left Denver en route to Australia, Kate O'Mara moored in to the Mermaid Boat Yard as alpha-bitch Laura Wilde, kicking up the dust left right and centre.

From what i've seen, the show was fairly good fun. Much more restrictive than the US shows, but a good representation of a fantasy world that was obtainably British. Has anyone else any other memories or opinion reguarding this show?

[Toby]

Howard's Way was great fun. The show actually makes me more nostalgic about the '80's than either Dallas, Dynasty or Falcon Crest.

A website devoted to the show with a full episode guide, analysis, screen grabs and information about the cast can be found here: (http://www.zetaminor.com/cult/howards_way/howards_way_index.htm)

[Alison Carr]

i saw it but it was very boring and a piss poor attempt at a UK version of 'dallas' or 'dynasty' - however its theme tune was a sure fire way of curing insomnia :D

[Toby]

Well, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed HW. I wish it would get a DVD release.

[Mike]

Im afraid the only thing i liked about Howards Way was the theme tune :(

[Toby]

Im afraid the only thing i liked about Howards Way was the theme tune :(

Have a listen and check out the opening titles here. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/titles/howardsway.shtml)

[Toby]

http://www.vintagetimes.org.uk/covers/rt/1985-08-31_big.jpg

[Toby]

I've heard that there are actually a couple of DVD companies out there who are interested in HOWARDS' WAY and are pursuing the rights for a release.

The possibilities for extras are endless.

A DVD rom "drag'n'drop" menu where you can select a medallion and vile Noel Edmonds sweater for Ken Masters or dress Jan Howard with gowns and accessories from her boutique.

Or instructions for a HOWARDS' WAY drinking game. Take a swig when one of the characters says:

“I built this business up from scratch….”
“This could destroy all I’ve worked for.”
“Two can play at that game.”
“If Tom Howard/Jack Rolfe/Charles Frere/Ken Masters etc. wants a fight, he can have one!”
"I'll teach him/her a lesson he/she won't forget!"

Or when:

Jack Rolfe gets sloshed.

Abby Urquhart is feeling moody and miserable (practically every scene she was in).

Kate Harvey is dispensing some sound advice to Tom, Jan or Jack Rolfe.

Gerald Urquhart or Avril Rolfe are talking about share prices, business portfolios etc.

Jan Howard is fretting over the organisation of her fashion house's latest collection.

Better have an ambulance standing by in advance.

[willie oleson]

Howard's Way was great fun. The show actually makes me more nostalgic about the '80's than either Dallas, Dynasty or Falcon Crest.

A website devoted to the show with a full episode guide, analysis, screen grabs and information about the cast can be found here: (http://www.zetaminor.com/cult/howards_way/howards_way_index.htm)

Thanks for that Toby! :)
I've never been able to find anything about that show!
One of my favourite characters was Polly Urquehart, a cross between Sable Colby and Charlie Bartlett.
I would definitely buy the dvd!
I have seen Susan Gilmore in soap (!) commercials lately...she was also great in the mini series Maelstrom.

[Eddie Ewing]

It wasn't that bad a show but god those closing titles were just too bloody long.

[Toby]

There was just something cheap and nasty looking about it. God knows, DALLAS, DYNASTY, etc. had their share of crap writing and lousy acting, but they were slickly seductive nonetheless. HOWARDS WAY was glamour without the glamour. I found it a bit depressing, sort of like TERRY AND JUNE with shoulderpads.

“BBC glamour.” Savour the sheer incongruity of that concept for a moment. Although intended to provide a British alternative to DALLAS and DYNASTY, it would be more accurate to describe HOWARDS’ WAY as more a continuation of the themes addressed in the 70’s drama, THE BROTHERS, which was based around a feuding family and their disagreements over the direction of their road haulage company. And thus HOWARDS’ WAY was forever poised at a crossroads – unsure whether to go down the route of “BBC family drama” or “glamour soap”, and IMO, the end result is an intriguing, somewhat schizoid collision of influences and themes.

http://www.zetaminor.com/images/cult_tv/howards_way/title_card_2.jpg

HOWARDS’ WAY is set in Tarrant, a fictional “Gin-and-Jag” town on the South Coast of England (actually, the series was filmed on location in Hampshire), and dealt with a family on the cusp of a dramatic change in their lives. In contrast to the filthy rich Carringtons, Colbys and Ewings, the series centres around Tom Howard, an upper-middle-class Everyman living a comfortable, privileged existence with decorous wife Jan and two children, university drop-out Leo and spoilt brat Lynne, detached house and all mod cons – in the first episode, Leo and Lynne argue over whose turn it is to load the dishwasher.

Then Tom is made redundant after working for twenty years as an aircraft designer and finds his network of contacts suddenly disappearing in the wake of being laid off. An avid sailing enthusiast, Tom designed and built his own boat, The Flying Fish, and becomes interested in the ailing Mermaid Yard, run by gruff, whisky-swigging “old school” Jack Rolfe, who has worked at the Yard all his life and “built this business up from nothing”.

Determined that he can make the Yard a success once more with his own designs, Tom buys into the Yard with his redundancy money, unaware that the Yard is actually near-bankruptcy. The Mermaid is only kept afloat thanks to the shrewd business acumen of Jack’s beautiful daughter Avril, who has just returned to Tarrant after a disastrous love affair whilst working in London. Tom and Avril work to restore the Mermaid yard, tackling Jack’s stern opposition to Tom’s new ideas and methods, and slowly their friendship becomes more than professional.

Seeds are sown for marital discord in the Howard home, when Jan, aggrieved that Tom sank his redundancy pay-out into the Mermaid without even discussing the matter with her and not impressed with his new venture at all, drifts into an affair herself. Jan becomes closer to her slimy "wide boy" boss Ken Masters, for whom she works as a secretary. Impressed by Jan’s intelligence and flair for business, Ken offers her the job of manageress of his boutique selling sailing wear and accessories. Jan becomes interested in the fashion side of the business, and is soon checking out designers, eventually deciding to go it alone and set up her own fashion business. As Tom follows his entrepreneurial dream, Jan sets off on a course for female empowerment via capitalism.

The rest of the Howard clan have their fair share of problems too. Languid Leo becomes involved with the awkward, unhappy Abby Urquhart, the daughter of wealthy stockbroker Gerald and his socialite wife Polly, a friend of Jan’s. In contrast to the middle-class Howards, a family gradually split apart by its members moving into the different directions, going up in the world, the Urquharts are rich and miserable. Gerald and Polly have a marriage of convenience – Gerald is gay and only married Polly to gain respectability in the financial world and because Polly was pregnant with another man’s child. Abby has realised this and knows that neither of her parents really wanted her. Although she has had every material advantage, including being educated at a Swiss finishing school, she has never known love. Leo tries to help Abby, and the two begin a "will-they-won’t-they-who-really-gives-a-toss whether-they-do-or-not" relationship. A Friend of the Earth at the start of the series, Leo abandons his principles to become a yuppie wet bike salesman later on. Statuesque, sailing mad Lynne, meanwhile, is busy entering various boat races, including an all-female team, beating a rich boy chauvinist (played by a pre-Gold Blend, pre-BUFFY Anthony Head). Lynne falls for local millionaire Charles Frere, a rich cad and Avril’s ex-lover, and it’s sure to end in tears. And then there's Jan's sensible upper-class brick of a mother, Kate Harvey, offering sound advice to all and establishing a close friendship and possible romance with Jack Rolfe. Whereas Jack is an alcoholic, Kate likes a flutter on the horses, and their addictions bring them nothing but trouble.

http://www.zetaminor.com/images/cult_tv/howards_way/howards_press/story_book.jpg

If DALLAS and DYNASTY could be termed “Reaganite” in their negotiation and reflection of cultural, political and ideological trends of the day (I suppose FOOTBALLERS’ WIVES is “Beckhamite”), then it’s fair to say that HOWARDS’ WAY was “Thatcherite”. Now, Margaret Thatcher is an incredibly divisive figure. Reviled by many, considered a great leader by others. She kept getting re-elected because she gave opportunities to people who were hungry, ambitious, and hard working, and who shared her vision. Commercial Britain loved her, because of the profits that could be made from the consumerist, materialistic, money-driven society she put forth. It allied itself with her and a culture of ambition and aspiration took hold, growing bloated and predatory, controlling people with market forces and establishing itself as the foundation of our bold, new Britain. (It’s interesting how Blair and New Labour have adopted many of Thatcher’s policies since 1997).

HOWARDS’ WAY evokes an England where great opportunities and commercial success were there for the taking for enterprising individuals, like Tom and Jan Howard, willing to take the risk. Whilst the north of England was languishing in a period of dire industrial crisis, of empty factories and the miners’ strike, HOWARDS’ WAY was resolutely Southern in character and outlook, taking place in a world of affluent commuter villages, booming property prices and plenty to spend all that lovely money on.

And yet being a BBC drama, HOWARDS’ WAY isn’t quite the propaganda series for Thatcherism it’s often claimed to be. It is, in retrospect, surprisingly conservative when it comes to depicting the class clashes and rising social mobility of the period. HOWARDS’ WAY offers a somewhat naïve, rose-tinted “meritocratic” take on yuppie-culture, where we are encouraged to cheer on the aspirational, middle-class Howard family as they struggle to rise to the top through honest hard work.

On the other hand, Ken Masters, the nouveau riche chancer full of naked ambition but generally looked down upon by those with “old money”, was generally presented as a grotesque caricature years before Harry Enfield started bawling “Loadsamoney!” Ken was the archetypal Stringfellows frequenting 70’s medallion man throwback whose dress sense is best described as a vile hybrid of Crockett from MIAMI VICE and Noel Edmonds. Actor Stephen Yardley stated in interviews that he’d based his performance as Ken on a flash wide boy - all white leather and gold jewellery - he’d encountered in Spain.

Charles Frere, HOWARDS’ WAY’s answer to J.R. Ewing, was appropriately ruthless in business and yet had hidden vulnerabilities, such as the desire to escape from the shadow of his father, Sir Edward, an even bigger tycoon, suggesting an unease with the trappings of wealth. Other characters in HOWARDS’ WAY who obviously believed that money, status and power were the only things worth aspiring to in life – Sir Edward Frere, Orrin Hudson, the awful American father of Abby Urquhart’s baby, and rich “bitches” Polly Urquhart and Laura Wilde – were all portrayed as being completely unsympathetic.

Indeed, several of the characters get their comeuppance when their businesses go into financial meltdown. HOWARDS’ WAY in fact was on the whole a reasonably accurate portrayal of those years of aspiration and affluence, of boom and bust. Notably, the final episode was transmitted on 25th November 1990, three days before Margaret Thatcher resigned her position as Britain’s Prime Minister.

Overall, I'd argue that HOWARDS’ WAY is actually closer in spirit to KNOTS LANDING than DALLAS or DYNASTY. Obviously, HOWARDS’ WAY had nothing like the intelligence and emotional richness of KNOTS’ storylines and characters, but it did, IMO, match KNOTS more closely than DYNASTY or DALLAS by virtue of being an opulent and indulgent watch, but one firmly grounded with a sense of internal logic. No Pam's Dream or Moldavian Massacre in this show.

Unlike DYNASTY and DALLAS, HOWARDS’ WAY did not merely rely on a crass overload of glamour and glitz to sustain itself. The whole style of the series evolved according to the circumstances of the characters. As Jan Howard's career in haute couture progressed, so the fashions and surroundings showcased in the series became correspondingly more opulent. And the boardroom machinations surrounding the Mermaid Yard, Relton Marine and Leisurecruise (e.g. attempts to secure funding, attract investors, hostile take-overs etc.) are far more convincing than anything in its American counterparts.

HOWARDS’ WAY did falter in its latter years, mainly down to the backlash against vacuous Thatcherite yuppie culture, the loss of its lead actor Maurice Colbourne, who played Tom Howard – sadly, he died of a heart attack during production of the fifth series in 1989 - and gimmicky "stunt casting" such as the introduction of Kate O'Mara as facsimile "superbitch" Laura Wilde. But overall the series was enormous fun, and a generally well-written and produced British addition to the "prime time" soap genre, with more than its fair share of feuding families, big business, boating, bonking, naff 80's fashions and cheesily quotable one-liners. The show also had one of the best theme tunes ever.

I’ve previously posted that there are rumours of a few DVD companies apparently chasing the rights to release HOWARDS’ WAY, and I do hope that the series does make it onto shiny disc in the not too distant future. HOWARDS’ WAY is at least a surprisingly informative time capsule, revealing as much about life for the privileged few in the two-tier economy of Thatcher’s Britain, as it gamely provided many of the stock conventions and pleasures of all good soap opera.

[Toby]

One of my favourite characters was Polly Urquehart, a cross between Sable Colby and Charlie Bartlett.

A great description of Polly, whom started off in the series as an indulgent, bored but basically harmless socialite like Charlie and then graduated into a full-scale bitch like Sable.

[Toby]

Interestingly, it could be argued that HOWARDS' WAY is almost like a counterpart to BROOKSIDE in that you could watch both shows and realise the extent of the North/South divide that really was so prevalent, in an economic sense, back in the 1980's.

I'm obviously not trying to suggest that HOWARDS' WAY was anywhere near as intelligent and engrossing as BROOKSIDE (no way) - BROOKSIDE's engagement with its social context was utterly contemporary whereas any claims of political commentary in favour of HOWARDS' WAY can only be made in retrospect - but it does make for an intriguing comparison.

[Alison Carr]

I have to say that i loved Tony Anholt in this who played handsome Charles Frere -

he was a very classy businessman, always immaculately dressed - the show would have been nothing without him imo

[Toby]

I have to say that i loved Tony Anholt in this who played handsome Charles Frere -

he was a very classy businessman, always immaculately dressed - the show would have been nothing without him imo

http://www.zetaminor.com/images/cult_tv/howards_way/howards_intro/tony_anholt.jpg

Charles Frere was initially the villain in the first series of HOWARDS' WAY and then evolved into a more complex character.

Sadly, Tony Anholt, who also starred in the science-fiction show SPACE: 1999, died from a brain tumour in 2002.

He is survived by his widow, Tracey Childs, who played Lynne Howard in HOWARDS' WAY. Ironically, their relationship began when they played lovers on screen in the series.

In another case of life imitating art, Stephen Yardley (Ken Masters) and Jan Harvey (Jan Howard) became a couple off-screen too.

[Alison Carr]

I didn't know he died -

but in 'howards way' he was always very handsome and classy -

i dont think i knew that he married former co star tracey childs too -

i wondered if he might have been gay in real life - if u said he was it wouldn't have surprised me -

the best men nearly always turn out to be gay!

[Toby]

I posted on THE BROTHERS thread re. HOWARDS' WAY:


The "look" of HOWARDS' WAY never really bothered me when I watched the series again on UK Drama since I like a lot of BBC drama of the same 70's/80's vintage - SECRET ARMY, BLAKE'S 7, TENKO, SURVIVORS - with filmed location sequences and rather overlit studio interiors. Many of the Patricia-centric storylines in SONS AND DAUGHTERS were "glamour-on-a-shoestring", which never really affected me because the outrageous plots and acting were engrossing enough for me to overlook the fact that the series was nowhere near as slick as DALLAS and DYNASTY. Same with HOWARDS' WAY. And of course the 1980's were such a tacky decade anyway! The cheap, kitschy 80's glamour tat feel of HOWARDS' WAY appealed to me somehow, being, perhaps, a more accurate evocation of the era than the genuinely glossy American soaps.

And James replied:


Maybe it isn't the production values of HOWARDS' WAY that deterred me - after all, "cheap" looking shows like 70s DOCTOR WHO and CORRIE, and ROCK FOLLIES (which looks like it was made for 20p) have an unintentionally period look that holds up today - so much as the general hamminess of the acting. The (admittedly very) little I saw of HOWARDS WAY had the feel of a West End farce without any jokes or exploding trousers. I guess the often questionable acting of DALLAS etc. is made more palatable to me when wrapped up in a Hollywood package.

The 1980's were a decidedly uneasy, artificial decade where even the glamour now looks exceptionally tacky and tasteless. HOWARDS' WAY tried to offer a glossy product but British conservatism came across loud and clear.

There was an underlying shabbiness to the series, but the show was always more about the actual process of aspiration and individual enterprise - through characters like Tom and Jan Howard - than about showcasing the trappings of British wealth. Rather like the New Romantics earlier in the decade, who played at opulent, glamorous lifestyles in their pop videos whilst in reality they all lived in squats, the characters, like the Howards, moved in the world of big business but were basically rather ordinary and more readily accessible.

In fact, the series pitched the Howard family in the middle ground between the "establishment" and "old money" as represented by tycoon Charles Frere and his titled father Sir Edward - and the scheming opportunists only out for themselves, like Jan's sleazy lounge lizard boss Ken Masters, a sly businessman and nouveau riche vulgarian looked down on by the old "city gents", and Laura Wilde, who was basically Kate O'Mara doing her "arch bitch" party piece once again.

As much as I enjoyed both DALLAS and DYNASTY, I felt HOWARDS' WAY possibly had a stronger substance - aspiration and social mobility in the business world in a response to globalisation - and offered a refreshing contrast to their hollow faux-sophistication.

Overall, I think that HOWARDS' WAY was a reasonably fair stab at fusing American aspirational gloss with a British sensibility, just as RETURN TO EDEN did the same for Australian TV.

[Toby]

I've been reading about the late Gerard Glaister's TV career and have started to notice links between his various productions.

THE BROTHERS was a family-centred drama dealing with the boardroom struggles as they oversee the running of their road haulage business. By the end of the series, the Hammond family have expanded the business into air freight as well, paving the way for:

BUCCANEER, made in 1980. This series was centred around an air freight business ran by an individual maverick, Tony Blair (in retrospect, a rather unfortunate choice of character name) played by Bryan Marshall. BUCCANEER took the themes of business highlighted in THE BROTHERS and developed the formula into the 1980's climate of individual enterprise, anticipating:

HOWARDS' WAY, where its lead character, Tom Howard, a leading figure in the aviation field (linking back to BUCCANEER) uses his flair for design and business acumen to succeed as an entrepreneur in the go-ahead aspirational 1980's.

And a storyline about horse-racing in HOWARDS' WAY led to Glaister's last series, TRAINER, the sex-and-saddles 1991 soap set in the world of stud farming.

[Toby]

There's quite a few notable names turning up in guest roles too:

Anthony Head (Mr. Gold Blend, Giles in BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER)
John Challis (Boycie in ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES)
Pamela Salem (Joanne Francis in EASTENDERS)
Tony Caunter (Roy Evans in EASTENDERS)
Burt Kwouk (Commandant Yamauchi in TENKO)
Stephen Grief (Travis in BLAKE'S 7)
Richard Heffer (Jimmy Garland in SURVIVORS)
Andrew Burt (Jack Sugden #1 in EMMERDALE FARM)
Catherine Schell (Maya in SPACE: 1999)
Hugh Grant

Yes, that Hugh Grant!

[Droitwich Lloyd]

Kate O'Mara drove a beautiful BMW 325i auto Convertible in 'Howards Way', it suited her very well.
The character of Jan Harvey's mother drove a Morris Minor Traveller, not so well suited, I didn't think.

[Toby]

Funnily enough, I think you were meant to pay more attention to the boats in HOWARDS' WAY!

[Droitwich Lloyd]

Isn't that like paying attention to the oil-wells, in Dallas?

[Toby]

Isn't that like paying attention to the oil-wells, in Dallas?

Well, not really, given the amount of sailing scenes in HOWARDS' WAY!

And many of the boats - the Flying Fish, the Barracuda and the Lynnette - were key plot points in the series.

[Droitwich Lloyd]

Now you're just being pedantic!

[Toby]

Now you're just being pedantic!

Not at all.

[Droitwich Lloyd]

Well, whichever way you look at it, nobody watched 'Howards Way' to look at boats OR cars (except me).

[Toby]

The point is that HOWARDS' WAY always foregrounded its boat-building dramatic context in key scenes, whereas the oil wells of DALLAS and DYNASTY increasingly became a mere perfunctory backdrop, especially DYNASTY.

Actually, I think that's a general point about British soaps - they always seemed to have a stronger sense of location and place than the American series.

[Droitwich Lloyd]

Yes, that's a good point, like the problems Meg had, keeping the chalets clean at the motel!

[Toby]

Further to the list of guest stars above, Richard Wilson a.k.a. Victor Meldrew in ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE appears in an episode of HOWARDS' WAY playing a financial bigwig. I don't believe it!

[Toby]

With the preponderance of archive TV now being released - the initial trickle of releases a few years ago has now turned into a tidal wave - I'm still hoping that HOWARDS' WAY will make it onto DVD.

Not only was it a popular show in its day, it's got that whole "British DYNASTY" 1980's kitsch nostalgia angle to it.

Does anyone else have any memories of HOWARDS' WAY?

[lynda la plante]

i love howards end it's real cool i love kate o i can't spell the rest of her name.

[Alison Carr]

i will say again that its the theme tune is one of the best ever on tv -

especially the closing theme

[lynda la plante]

i love the theme tune is well it is well cool.

[ChrisSumnerMatheson]

I just watched the 1990 open for this show and it bored me to death. I think it was too long not to feature any cast members.

[Toby]

I just watched the 1990 open for this show and it bored me to death. I think it was too long not to feature any cast members.

How can you possibly be "bored to death" watching a titles sequence lasting just over a minute???

[ChrisSumnerMatheson]

Because nothing was happening. It was just a boat riding around doing nothing. That bores me. It's just like someone can get bored with a 3 minute song. If it's boring it's boring and that was a boring opening. :)

[Toby]

Because nothing was happening. It was just a boat riding around doing nothing. That bores me. It's just like someone can get bored with a 3 minute song. If it's boring it's boring and that was a boring opening. :)

The boats are significant. HOWARDS' WAY is a soap about a boatyard, therefore sailing is an important feature.

Besides, showing the lead actors in the title sequence is mostly an American convention, not a British one.

[ChrisSumnerMatheson]

Actually from the early 50s through the early 80s, mostly all American soaps didn't feature any actors in it's open. As the World Turns kept it this way intil 2000, Days of Our Lives still doesn't feature actors in their opening. BUT, these aren't long openings. They're 30 seconds or so which is fitting for an opening of this type. Openings that go beyond one minute are generally ones that have a longer theme that feature actors.

Had this open been say, thirty seconds, I could've liked it.

[lynda la plante]

howardsway is any thing but boaring but it an't american it's more a english thing if you know what i mean.

[ChrisSumnerMatheson]

It being English means nothing. I love lots of English things including music and soaps. And I don't mean that the show is boring because I've never seen the show, I was just judging based on the opening credits I saw. :)

[Mike]

Howards Way was a very good cure for insomnia ;)

[Toby]

Howards Way was a very good cure for insomnia ;)

That's rich coming from someone who likes BIG BROTHER....

[Toby]

http://www.zetaminor.com/images/cult_tv/howards_way/howards_press/book_1.jpg

[Toby]

http://www.zetaminor.com/images/cult_tv/howards_way/howards_press/book_2.jpg

[Toby]

http://www.zetaminor.com/images/cult_tv/howards_way/howards_press/book_3.jpg

[James from London]

i love howards end it's real cool i love kate o i can't spell the rest of her name.
HOWARDS END is a novel by EM Forster. I was spurred to read it in the early 80s after watching EDUCATING RITA. It's the first book that Frank assigns Rita to read on her Open University course, and she hates it: "Forster - friggin' Forster!" Merchant Ivory did a great movie version in 1992. Perhaps surprisingly, Kate O'Mara isn't in it. http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0006Z2NAY.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Toby]

HOWARDS END is a novel by EM Forster. I was spurred to read it in the early 80s after watching EDUCATING RITA. It's the first book that Frank assigns Rita to read on her Open University course, and she hates it: "Forster - friggin' Forster!" Merchant Ivory did a great movie version in 1992. Perhaps surprisingly, Kate O'Mara isn't in it. http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0006Z2NAY.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Rita to Frank:

"I'll go to bed early every night with a cup of tea and Howard's End. That's if Howard turns up...."

[Mike]

That's rich coming from someone who likes BIG BROTHER....

At least Big Brother is entertaining occasionally !!

[Toby]

At least Big Brother is entertaining occasionally !!

If you like low-grade rubbish that panders to the worst possible voyeuristic tastes. :p ;)

[Mike]

You got it Toby ;) :D

You mentioned low grade, rather appropriate for a Howards Way thread i think :D

[Toby]

You mentioned low grade, rather appropriate for a Howards Way thread i think :D

:D

Given the choice of Davina McCall odiously cheesing away and some wannabe attention-seeking misfits playing musical chairs for a task and Marti Webb singing "Always There" over the typically BBC end titles of HW, I know what I'll pick.

Give me HOWARDS' WAY any time, even though it is exceptionally naff!

:)

[Mike]

I think my problem with Howards Way was its cosy middle classness, the BBC's answer to Dallas & Dynasty made on a shoestring and set in a boatyard !
Working class people loved to watch Dallas or Dynasty because they loved to see the rich leading miserable tragic lives or they watched them because the men wanted to be filthy rich JR, bed loads of ladies, throw them out of bed the next morning and not give a toss about anyone. The girls wanted to be Pam & marry a rich handsome guy like Bobby.
I never met anyone who wanted to be like a Howards Way character because they were all so boring, uniteresting and extremely dull.

[lynda la plante]

HOWARDS END is a novel by EM Forster. I was spurred to read it in the early 80s after watching EDUCATING RITA. It's the first book that Frank assigns Rita to read on her Open University course, and she hates it: "Forster - friggin' Forster!" Merchant Ivory did a great movie version in 1992. Perhaps surprisingly, Kate O'Mara isn't in it. http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0006Z2NAY.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

i know i got it wrong i get a lot of things wrong sorry.

[Toby]

I think my problem with Howards Way was its cosy middle classness, the BBC's answer to Dallas & Dynasty made on a shoestring and set in a boatyard!

Don't be taken aback, Mike, but you are 100% correct in your comments!

The point about HOWARDS' WAY is that it was a not-very-successful attempt at replicating the gloss and dynamism of the American offerings and adding a typically British slice of family drama, and it didn't work because the two approaches are fundamentally incompatible.

Nevertheless, I think HOWARDS' WAY is an interesting failure - as opposed to TRIANGLE and ELDORADO, which were both horrendously dull as well as badly made - a curious amalgam of British and American sensibilities. At times, this BBC series is so American it should be eating burgers and waving the Stars and Stripes. At other times, it's so British it should be eating burgers and waving the Stars and Stripes. (Whoops, sorry, bit of politics there).

HOWARDS' WAY attempted to be both glamorous and realistic at the same time. It always treated its business-related storylines (which gradually became the most dominant feature of the show cf. THE TROUBLESHOOTERS and THE BROTHERS) with more verisimilitude than its American counterparts - detailing attempts to secure funding for an enterprise, attract investors, much dialogue about profit margins, share indexes, Equity portfolios - which was both a virtue and a flaw. Whereas DALLAS and DYNASTY's treatment of big business was generally vacuous, it also spared the viewer from endless scenes of boardroom meetings and the minutiae of the "South China oil leases." HOWARDS' WAY attempted to portray its business machinations in a more credible manner, yet "all work and no play makes the show a dull soap."


I never met anyone who wanted to be like a Howards Way character because they were all so boring, uniteresting and extremely dull.

I would argue that many of the HOWARDS' WAY characters are, in comparison to DYNASTY and DALLAS, quite well-written and developed. I liked Tom and Jan Howard, Ken Masters, Avril Rolfe, Polly Urquhart etc. Whilst HOWARDS' WAY was by no means immune to "stunt casting" gestures such as bringing in Kate O'Mara to play "businesswoman/bitch" Laura Wilde, it is most definitely correct to argue that the series never produced any characters that were as iconic and compelling as J.R. Ewing, Alexis Colby or indeed Patricia Hamilton.

Interestingly, I think what endears me to HOWARDS' WAY is precisely what both you and James seem to dislike about it. The overall aura of tattiness that surrounds the characters as they flounce around in their pastel suits - which seems so much more real and genuinely evocative of the 1980's than DYNASTY or DALLAS - and the air of heightened ludicrousness about the whole thing, where the characters have heated confrontations and spout hilariously naff one-liners, discussing a crappy boatyard in Bursledon or Jan Howard's equally sad boutique as they're talking about the future of Denver Carrington or Ewing Oil!

It's unpretentious, cheesy, indulgent fun. The FOOTBALLERS' WIVE$ of its day.

[lynda la plante]

hey dynasty and dallas was very well written thank you very much but howards way was very well writen is well.

but mind you what would i know about writting just look at the way i write.

[Mike]

Although i disliked Howards Way, i have to say, it still had a great theme tune ;)

[Toby]

The theme tune is great. I particularly like the more "jazzy" arrangement that went out over the end titles from the third series onwards. Simon May on acid!!

[Alison Carr]

The theme tune is great. I particularly like the more "jazzy" arrangement that went out over the end titles from the third series onwards. Simon May on acid!!

Yes that is a magnificent composition -

one of the best ever closing theme tunes - i think u could even say it totally makes up for a boring episode or lousy cliffhanger!

[Toby]

Fingers still crossed for a DVD release of HOWARDS' WAY.

Apparently DD, who've released titles like SURVIVORS, SECRET ARMY, THE OMEGA FACTOR, FALL OF EAGLES etc. have tried to get the rights but have been unsuccessful.

Therefore, I think that Cinema Club may be releasing it at some stage, since they seem to be the distributor to watch when it comes to archive BBC releases (JULIET BRAVO, BERGERAC, BETWEEN THE LINES).

[Englishboy]

I also enjoyed this glossy, glamorous series which ran on the BBC from 1985 to 1991. It was certainly a useful performer in the ratings in its day and put the nail in the coffin of Jimmy Tarbuck's rival sunday night variety show.

Thereafter, it was replaced by a similarly glamorous show about horse racing (its title eludes me) which had the same producer (Gerraint Morris) but promptly flopped and only lasted one season.

I also loved its theme tune hugely, which was even improved when they decided to jazz it up towards the end of the series' run.

Here's a run down on the runners and riders in the show.

Maurice Colbourne who played Tom Howard died suddenly in 1989 (from a heart attack) whilst the show was at the peak of its popularity aged 49.

The actor who played the cantankerous Jack Rolfe died last year aged 76.

Tony Anholt (one time Crossroads favourite) who played wealthy business man , Charles Frere, died in 2002 aged 60.

Steven ?? (who played Ken Masters) and Jan ??? (who played Jan Howard) as well as being an on screen couple were also an item in real life. They have both subsequently had starring roles in Five's soap, Family Affairs (Jan is still currently in it....but not for much longer ha ha ha!)

Michael Dennision who played the love interest of Jan Howard's on screen mother has also paased away in recent years.

Not too sure what the actress who played Avril Rolfe is now doing or the Howards' two children alothough it is well documented that Tracey Childs who played the duaghter has had innmuerable health difficulties including (at one time) battlnig cancer.

[Englishboy]

Oh and the actress who played the love interest of Jack Rolfe towards the end of the series has also died. I think she died in mysterious or tragic circumstances (might have committed suicide I seem to recall)

[Toby]

Thereafter, it was replaced by a similarly glamorous show about horse racing (its title eludes me) which had the same producer (Gerraint Morris) but promptly flopped and only lasted one season.

TRAINER - two series between 1991 and 1992. Produced by Gerald Glaister.

[Toby]

I also enjoyed this glossy, glamorous series which ran on the BBC from 1985 to 1991.

So it's not just me then? :hello:

[Alison Carr]

I couldn't remember much about the show when this thread was first made and didnt think it was much good -

but since i've done some reading up and memories of the show have come back -

it was quite good actually,

i hope it comes out on DVD

[Mike]

TRAINER - two series between 1991 and 1992. Produced by Gerald Glaister.

And the theme tune was sung by Cliff Richard :eek:

[Mike]

TRAINER - two series between 1991 and 1992. Produced by Gerald Glaister.

And the theme tune was sung by Cliff Richard :eek:

[Mike]

TRAINER - two series between 1991 and 1992. Produced by Gerald Glaister.

And the theme tune was sung by Cliff Richard :eek:

[Mike]

TRAINER - two series between 1991 and 1992. Produced by Gerald Glaister.

And the theme tune was sung by Cliff Richard :eek:

[Toby]

And the theme tune was sung by Cliff Richard :eek:

Yes - four times!

[Englishboy]

And the theme tune was sung by Cliff Richard :eek:

I don't recall anybody singing the theme tune - it didn't have lyrics?? :hello:

[Toby]

I don't recall anybody singing the theme tune - it didn't have lyrics?? :hello:

The theme tune to TRAINER which certainly had lyrics.

The HOWARDS' WAY theme was also rejigged into a ballad sung by Marti Webb, which went out over the end titles for the second series in 1986.

[anniewalker]

Howards Way was another great programme from the 1980's. I would love to get all six series of this on dvd. Would anybody else be interested in buying this on dvd besides myself. If so I will start a petition straight away.

[Caress]

If anyones intrested Howards Way Season 1 is coming out on DVD on Monday i'm getting it as i love all the eighties soap operas :exit:

[Final Terror]

Orderded it as well...and with series 2 expected as soon as June, it's gonna be boatyard battles and clothes shop bitchiness for me!

[willie oleson]

How uncanny!
I was just about to send an email to a Dutch publishing company who specialize in classic UK series.
Since they have already released Onedin Line (S1,2 & 3) and Who Pays The Ferryman on dvd, I thought it would be a good idea to suggest HOWARD'S WAY.
And now it's already available!:exit: Thanks for the tip!

[Ewing_5]

I love Howards' Way, a very cool British take on Dallas. I cannot wait for my box set to arrive!

[Alison Carr]

yeah its great this has come out.

[Mike]

Howards Way was absolute crap !

[Caress]

I love Howards Way-Remember the Second Season is being released on 19th June 2006. Here's the Box Art :exit:

[Caress]

Howards Way Complete Series 3 is to be released on 11th september

http://www.choicesuk.com/content/products/6/8/0/680109_lp.jpg

[anniewalker]

Howards Way was absolute crap !

Howards Way was very good. It puts 90% of the programmes that have appeared on the air in the last ten years or so to bloody shame.

[anniewalker]

Howards Way isn't the best drama series of all time to appear on British television, but neither is it the worst. However, it won 15 million viewers on a Sunday night and it is certainly a memorable programme so it did something right.

[Caress]

I mean don't get me wrong Abby, Howards Way isn't the best drama series of all time to appear on British television, but neither is it the worst. However, it won 15 million viewers on a Sunday night and it is certainly a memorable programme so it did something right.

I know it's not the best series but it's still something worthwhile to watch :hello:

[anniewalker]

I know it's not the best series but it's still something worthwhile to watch :hello:

I totally agree.