lemmondwp Reviews

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996–1998)

Patricia Routledge as an all-round good person

[9/10 · 14 May 2014]

I knew Patricia Routledge was so good that (for me) she makes Helen Bucket (Yes, she insists it's pronounced as in bouquet.) painful to watch. I generally avoided "Keeping Up Appearances," until recently, hoping some day to see Ms. Routledge in a role I could enjoy more.

I'd already enjoyed the Masterpiece Theater mysteries, so I jumped at the chance to see Ms. Routledge in what was then a new series. She's wonderful, in a good, solid cast that tackles tough subjects with humor, sensitivity, and tough-minded goodness (Hetty). It's been years, so I don't remember the name of the teenage neighbor guy who she recruits as her assistant with her detective work. He's well cast, and works well with Ms. Routledge and other regulars and guest cast.

I really wish there were more of this series, and that I could see it all again. I hope Ms. Routledge is doing well.

The Good Humor Man (1950)

Through a kid's eyes

[9/10 · 15 December 2010]

Back when I saw this movie on TV, I was not having an otherwise happy childhood, and had undiagnosed Attention Deficit (not the hyper kind), so my recollections are so flawed I won't waste your time with them. What I recall now is only as a very happy dream. I may have seen most of this movie twice, on TV, in the 1960s. I have always wanted to see it again. It makes me sad that when I mention it to younger friends, all they know of is some horror movie by the same name. Some day I hope I can afford one of those VHS tapes going for so much online.

What? I have to come up with ten lines of text about a movie I last saw over 35 years ago? All I can possibly do is write "spoilers. ... Okay, I've checked the box for "Spoiler alert."

What I recall mostly is the last minutes of the movie, when a horde of kids fills the screen, on bicycles, scooters, pedal-powered cars and such, all racing to save their friend the ice cream truck driver. Of course I remember the buzz saw in the swimming pool, and was too young to think of how much sense that did not make. I loved the one-sided pie fight, especially because it said "Power to the kids!" at a time when I felt very powerless in my life.

I found this movie healing and invigorating, and I still miss it.