What’s up, Doc?
MARION McMULLEN recalls the launch of Dr Finlay’s Casebook 60 years ago
AMERICAN acting star Richard Chamberlain was the dashing Dr Kildare on US TV screens in the 1960s, but before the days of Casualty and Holby City there was only one top doc UK viewers were keen to make a television appointment with ... Dr Finlay.
Dr Finlay’s Casebook opened for the first time on the BBC 60 years ago, on August 16, 1962,
It featured former Scottish news announcer Bill Simpson as the idealistic young Dr Alan Finlay running a practice in the fictional Scottish village of Tannochbrae, with Andrew Cruickshank as cantankerous older GP Dr Alexander Cameron.
They clashed over many issues at their Arden House practice, but mildly-spoken Barbara Mullen kept them both in check as indomitable housekeeper Janet MacPherson. Differences of opinion were always put aside though when medical emergencies came along, like an outbreak of smallpox in the area.
The BBC drama series was based on Scottish physician and writer A J Cronin’s stories The Adventures Of A Black Bag and was set in the 1920s, before the days of the National Health Service.
The Scottish locations also struck a chord with viewers and Dr Finlay’s Casebook became a firm favourite, running for eight series before switching to radio in 1971 and continuing for yet another seven years.
Many of the original TV episodes have been lost, but the drama provided work for many future acting stars.
Doctor Who actor Patrick Troughton appeared in several episodes, as did Fulton Mackay, who is best known for playing Porridge prison guard Mr Mackay alongside Ronnie Barker in the classic BBC comedy.
Game Of Thrones actor James Cosmo also featured in the drama as did One Foot In The Grave star Richard Wilson.
Dr Finlay’s Casebook became part of British popular culture and inspired countless TV spoofs, but for many fans the show was just what the doctor
ordered.