"Softly Softly" (1966)TV series 1966-1976

Directors:

Terence Dudley
Ian MacNaughton
(more)

Writers:

Robert Barr (writer)
Gerry Davis (writer)
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Release Date:

5 January 1966 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Sergeant | British | Police

Cast

Frank Windsor	...	Det. Chief Supt. Watt / ... (207 episodes, 1966-1976)
Norman Bowler	...	Det. Sgt. Hawkins / ... (188 episodes, 1966-1976)
Stratford Johns	...	Det. Chief Supt. Barlow (147 episodes, 1966-1972)
David Lloyd Meredith	...	Det. Sgt. Evans / ... (106 episodes, 1969-1976)
Terence Rigby	...	PC Snow / ... (84 episodes, 1967-1976)

(more)

Series Directed by
Philip Dudley		(6 episodes, 1966-1971)
Leonard Lewis		(4 episodes, 1966-1973)
Brian Parker		(3 episodes, 1966-1969)
Shaun Sutton		(3 episodes, 1966)
Max Varnel		(3 episodes, 1966)
Bill Hays		(2 episodes, 1967-1968)
Ben Rea		(2 episodes, 1968-1969)
John Glenister		(2 episodes, 1968)
Pennant Roberts		(1 episode, 1972)
Paddy Russell		(1 episode, 1973)
Terence Dudley		(unknown episodes)
Ian MacNaughton		(unknown episodes)
Matthew Robinson		(unknown episodes)
Tina Wakerell		(unknown episodes)
Terence Williams		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Elwyn Jones		(8 episodes, 1966-1969)
Martin Hall		(7 episodes, 1966-1968)
Robert Barr		(2 episodes, 1966)
Allan Prior		(1 episode, 1966)
Gerry Davis		(unknown episodes)
John Foster		(unknown episodes)
Troy Kennedy-Martin		(unknown episodes)
Alan Plater		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Leonard Lewis	....	producer (168 episodes, 1967-1974)
David Rose	....	producer (57 episodes, 1966-1967)
Geraint Morris	....	producer (46 episodes, 1973-1976)

Series Other crew
Arnold Yarrow	....	script editor (79 episodes, 1968-1971)
Joan Clark	....	script editor (76 episodes, 1972-1976)
Gerry Davis	....	script editor (16 episodes, 1971-1972)
William Humble	....	script editor (15 episodes, 1973-1974)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Also Known As:

Softly, Softly: Task Force (UK) (new title)

Runtime:

50 min (269 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1966-1969) | Color (1969-1976)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Richard & Judy: (2006-07-19)" (2006)

A posh continuation of Z Cars

This was a very popular series in the late 60's and early 70's set in the mythical area of Wyvern ( Possibly the Bristol area ). It features the work of a Regional Crime Squad. Initially the two Stars were Stratford Johns as Charlie Barlow and Frank Windsor as John Watt. Barlow was a Detective Chief inspector in Z cars but on transfer to the Regional Crime Squad he is now Detective Chief Superintent. Watt is also promoted on transfer to Detective Inspector and by the time the programme ends he is also a Detective Chief Superintendent. This was presented as the 'Bee Knees', being a perfect example of how the modern Police Force operates. I found it very clichéd, with the lower ranks portrayed in a very wooden fashion. Garfield Morgan, as a Detective Chief Inspector, had an excellent rehearsal for his role in the Sweeney, 10 years later.