FOX

This Thames Television series, first broadcast in 1980, was BAFTA nominated, and followed the fortunes of Billy Fox and his family in and around South London. Shot entirely on location in pubs, clubs and the streets, a superb cast add to the realism and atmosphere of of the tense and involving story.

Clearvision have done a good job with these discs, providing little extras to a show that was done and dusted before distribution on home video or DVD was even thought of. Like many other shows of this period and earlier, filmed extras are very thin on the ground or non-existent, but Clearvision have taken the time to add details about the shows, including original transmission dates and times, and features on the writer, producer and director of the series, and the presentation is excellent. For those of you who haven't made the transition to DVD yet, then the series is available on video as well.

Overall the picture ans sound quality is fine, and any faults lie with the tapes provided by Fremantle Media rather than anything Clearvision have done to them in preparing the video and DVD masters. With the series shot on film and location, I suspect that some of the minor problems (dark picture and slightly muffled sound occassionally) are actually inherent of the production, but whatever, they do not distract from the story, nor the excellent acting throughout. The menu is rather nice as well, being extremely well animated with the background theme not too intrusive, but is the quality of the series itself that sells it, and I am pleased that it has been released for a wider audience.

C A S T Billy Fox Peter Vaughan Connie Fox Elizabeth Spriggs Joey Fox Larry Lamb Kenny Fox Ray Winstone Nan Cindy O'Callaghan Phil Fox Eamon Boland Vinny Fox Bernard Hill Renie Fox Rosemary Martin Ray Fox Derrick O'Connor ...but look out for a lot more faces from the Thames stable, many of whom turn up in The Bill in later years. The series was written by Trevor Preston, produced by Graham Benson, and directed by Jim Goddard.

Episode	Tx. Date	Synopsis	Misc
King Billy	10.3.80, 9.00pm	As the sun rises over London, the Fox family prepare to celebrate Billy's 70th birthday.	Vol 1
Arched Fingers for Bach, Flat Fingers for Love	17.3.80, 9.00pm	Joey sets out to settle the problem with Liz. Meanwhile, his brother Kenny is prepraring for the most important fight of his career.	Vol 1
Pugilism not Vandalism	24.3.80, 9.00pm	Kenny is fighting Charlie Locke for the Southern Area Championship title.	Vol 1
It's All Them Psychia-Whatever-You-Call-It Books He Reads	31.3.80, 9.00pm	Kenny's triumph in the ring has turned sour, because his opponent Charlie Locke has not regained consiousness.	Vol 2
Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble	7.4.80, 9.00pm	Out of his mind with grief, Kenny has left London. Drunk and bewildred, he meets the helpful Rita.	Vol 2
Stick Or Twist	14.4.80, 9.00pm	Having stolen all his possessions, Lee and Rita discover Kenny's identity and realise they can demand a ransom for the safe return of Kenny.	Vol 2
The Perfect Scapegoat Syndrome	21.4.80, 9.00pm	Phil becomes involved in university politics with unhappy consequences, which lead to a confrontation with his father.	Vol 3
It It's Good Enough For New Orleans It's Good enough For Clapham	28.4.80, 9.00pm	South London turns out to say goodbye to King Billy. His funeral is exactly as he would want it, New Orleans jazz band and all.	Vol 3
Fox Big 'F' - Family	5.5.80, 9.00pm	The Fox family is drifting apart without Billy's guidance and support; the brothers are all facing big problems.	Vol 3
Just and Iron Monkey	12.5.80, 9.00pm	Vinny is still trying to sort out his finacnces so he can buy the pub in the country. Ray is also offered a good business proposition.	Vol 4
Just Another Villain in a Cheap Suit	19.5.80, 9.00pm	Ray is asked to repay a debt from way back in a past we would rather forget.	Vol 4
Oh Dear - Oh Dear - Oh Dear!	26.5.80, 9.15pm	As Ray heads up north he does not know that the police are lying in wait for him.	Vol 4
The Family ... And The Future	2.6.80, 9.00pm	After all the traumas the Fox family has been through, they are finding new directions and relationships.	Vol 4