SHOESTRING
I quickly became a huge fan of the television series Shoestring when it was shown at the end of the 1970s. No doubt his was partly because the central character Eddie Shoestring had been a West country (South West UK) based computer programmer, who had a nervous break down and wrecked a very expensive computer. I too had been a West country based computer programmer, albeit slightly to the South and West of Eddie. While Eddie programmed in Bristol, I programmed in Taunton. Another major difference was that I was never broken down enough, nor bold enough, to wreck my employers computers.
No longer trusted to be left alone with expensive technology, Eddie Shoestring was having difficulty paying his rent to his very attractive landlady. A career change was required. Eddies landlady encouraged him to make it. Eddie eventually managed to land a job with radio Bristol as a private ear. As a private ear, Eddie would take calls from the listening public, who would ask him to solve all types of mysteries, ranging from apparent robberies and murders to missing cats. The following week Eddie would report on the progress he had made on the cases he had followed up.
Just like me, Eddie drove a barely serviceable Ford Cortina, but that is pretty much where the similarities ended. Some people have mentioned that Eddie was scruffy, probably because he wore his tie at half mast. In practice in the mid seventies many computer professionals didn't wear ties at all, although by 1979/80 we were beginning to smarten up a bit, most likely as a result of Mrs. Thatcher having just come into power.
There is no doubt that Eddie was tenacious in his new and rather unlikely profession, which was kind of a mix of being a radio chat show host, as well as a private detective. Trevor Eve developed Eddie Shoestring into a complex character, who you couldn't help feeling an affinity for, despite Eddies weaknesses.
This was a series which should have have sprouted many more than the twenty one episodes which were aired.
As of late 2005 it looks at last like the first series will soon be available on DVD. It will be a welcome addition to my DVD collection. My previous version on VHS tapes has long since worn out.
| Code 1 | EDDIE SHOESTRING on DVD |
Code 2 |
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For a while Shoestring Series 1 showed up on amazon.co.uk as being scheduled for realease on DVD in mid December 2005. I pre ordered it, but then later amazon cancelled my order and the amazon page for it disappeared. If I hear it is being released in future I will re-instate the link. |
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