Play for Today - Season 3
1 - The Reporters
Air Date: October 9, 1972
Two provincial newspaper reporters - one a young idealist starting out on his career, the other an embittered man who previously wrote for a failed national daily - swap views.
2 - A Life Is for Ever
Air Date: October 16, 1972
The story of a man serving a 30-year prison sentence for killing a cop
3 - Carson Country
Air Date: October 23, 1972
A story about the origin of the Stormont state
4 - Man Friday
Air Date: October 30, 1972
The story of Robinson Crusoe from Man Friday's viewpoint
5 - Triple Exposure
Air Date: November 6, 1972
A hippie breaks into the house of a middle-aged couple and forms a relationship with them
6 - Better than the Movies
Air Date: November 13, 1972
A man celebrating his birthday comes to appreciate the difference between media fantasy and mundane reality.
7 - The General's Day
Air Date: November 20, 1972
An elderly general woos a shy school teacher.
8 - The Bankrupt
Air Date: November 27, 1972
A washed-up executive is on the verge of bankruptcy.
9 - Just Your Luck
Air Date: December 4, 1972
A pregnant teenager sets about wooing a sailor in a sectarian council estate in Greenock.
10 - The Bouncing Boy
Air Date: December 11, 1972
A young couple have a baby boy. However, the new father doesn't take to his new position quite as well as expected.
11 - Shakespeare or Bust
Air Date: January 8, 1973
The adventures of three Derbyshire miners going to Stratford-upon-Avon on a barge
12 - Land of Green Ginger
Air Date: January 15, 1973
Faced with the prospect of being sent to work abroad, Sally Brown returns home from London to Hull, to see if she still feels the same attachment for her home town - and for her old boyfriend Mike Thurlow. Will she decide to take the job abroad or return to live with Mike in Hull?
13 - Kisses at Fifty
Air Date: January 22, 1973
A long-married husband leaves his family for a barmaid.
14 - Highway Robbery
Air Date: January 29, 1973
A man fights council plans to demolish his home to make way for a new bypass.
15 - Song at Twilight
Air Date: February 5, 1973
The story of a defiant football manager in terminal decline
16 - Only Make Believe
Air Date: February 12, 1973
As a playwright dictates notes about his newest play to his secretary, scenes from the play are acted out.
17 - For Sylvia or The Air Show
Air Date: February 19, 1973
Was this the finest hour? Sifting the truth and fiction about the Battle of Britain, Burrows and Harding give their own account of how the nation sees its heroes - and itself.
18 - The Operation
Air Date: February 26, 1973
David Adler is an operator. He strips assets, other men's wives, and his oldest friend's soul - anything for a cool million.
19 - Access to the Children
Air Date: March 5, 1973
Malcolmson spends every Sunday taking his children to the zoo, reflecting on the breakdown of his marriage and the events that brought about his divorce. Is there a chance the family can be brought back together?
20 - Hard Labour
Air Date: March 12, 1973
The trials of an overworked and underappreciated housecleaner
21 - Man Above Men
Air Date: March 19, 1973
"I'm the judge's daughter - I think he's a monstrous old man. I think all men who say 'I'm only doing my job' are monstrous. I've despaired of changing him. But I'd stop short of killing him."
22 - Speech Day
Air Date: March 26, 1973
Three underachievers have fun at a school speech day
23 - Steps Back
Air Date: May 14, 1973
"Fifteen years since I was forced t' leave, forced t' leave me roots, the territory of me heart." When Gerry takes his fiancée Nita home to Brighouse, what will they find?
24 - Three's One
Air Date: June 4, 1973
Are Maggie and Tony using each other as a means of communicating with Dr Leafer? Or are they using Dr Leafer as a means of communicating with each other?
25 - Edward G.--Like the Film Star
Air Date: June 11, 1973
Edward G. is nothing like a film star; his life has been ordinary - until now. But he's just had a shattering experience. This edition is missing from the BBC archives.
26 - Blooming Youth
Air Date: June 18, 1973
The problems of four people sharing an apartment
27 - The Stretch
Air Date: June 25, 1973
Everyone always looked after Maureen. But her husband comes home after two years in prison and finds she has grown up and he's not ready for the change.
28 - Making the Play
Air Date: July 2, 1973
They no longer live together because, after 11 years, the marriage is over. So why is she always turning up to see him at the most embarrassing times? And why doesn't he send her away?