Monday 1 January 2018

"No love for Johnnie"

Talking Pictures TV has come up with an intriguing revival at 21:00 tonight. The film starring Peter Finch is based on a short novel by one of the most intriguing characters in post-war Labour politics, Wilfred Fienburgh. With his good looks, solid TU background coupled with a good war record and media experience, he was still being spoken of as a future Labour leader at the time of his death in February 1968, though possibly some of the sheen had worn off by then. Coincidentally, Fienburgh was the MP for Islington North, a seat now held by one Jeremy Corbyn.

As I remember the book, its themes still resonate today: the pull between old-fashioned socialism and modernisation within the Labour party, the corruption within it and sexual scandal. It will be interesting to see how the film stands up.

No comments: