The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (TV series)

The Secret Diary of
Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾

Grandma and Adrian Mole, played by Beryl Reid and Gian Sammarco.
Genre Comedy/Drama
Written by Sue Townsend
Trevor Waite
Oscar Webb
Directed by Peter Sasdy
Starring Gian Sammarco
Julie Walters
Stephen Moore
Beryl Reid
Theme music composer Ian Dury & Chaz Jankel
Opening theme Profoundly In Love With Pandora
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 6
Production
Producer(s) Peter Sasdy
Running time 50/26 minutes
Production company(s) Thames Television
Release
Original network ITV
Picture format 4:3
Original release 16 September (1985-09-16) – 21 October 1985 (1985-10-21)
Chronology
Followed by The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ is a British television series based on the book of the same name written by Sue Townsend. It started in 1985 and starred Gian Sammarco, as the title character Adrian Mole, Stephen Moore as Adrian's father George Mole and Julie Walters as Adrian's mother Pauline Mole.

It was directed by Peter Sasdy.

Characters

Mole family

Other characters

In addition, Brenda Cowling appeared in two episodes as the formidable matron of the Alderman Cooper Sunshine Home, in which Bert and Queenie were residents before their marriage.

Episodes

# Episode Title Writer Director Original airdate
1 One[1] Pilot Episode Trevor Waite & Oscar Webb Peter Sasdy 16 September 1985
The Mole family's neighbour Mr. Lucas is left by his wife, Mrs. Lucas. He and Adrian's mother Pauline have been having an affair, and they both leave to go to Sheffield, leaving Adrian and George, his father, on their own. Adrian meets old age pensioner Bert Baxter as part of the 'Good Samaritan' project at his school. Bert's filthy house and habits disgust Adrian, but they become friends. School bully Barry Kent begins 'demanding money with menaces' from Adrian, until Adrian's grandmother puts a stop to it by confronting the bully. Adrian takes a trip to Sheffield to see his mother and her lover, Mr. Lucas.
2 Two[1] Parents Separate Trevor Waite & Oscar Webb Peter Sasdy 23 September 1985
Struggling to come to terms with his mother's departure, Adrian wears red socks to school, which sees him sent home by the headmaster, Mr. Scruton. His furious father complains to Mr. Scruton, and Adrian's love interest, Pandora Braithwaite, organises a 'red sock protest' at the school, which brings her and Adrian together. Meanwhile, Adrian's friend Bert Baxter is taken to hospital with breathing difficulties.
3 Three[1] Charles and Diana's Wedding Trevor Waite & Oscar Webb Peter Sasdy 30 September 1985
Adrian wakes up unable to talk, and is diagnosed with tonsilitis. Meanwhile, an Asian family, the Singhs, move into the street which prompts some racist comments by Adrian's father. Bert Baxter leaves hospital and moves in temporarily with Adrian and George. The street celebrates the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer with a street party. Adrian's sweetheart Pandora goes on holiday to Tunisia, and Adrian runs up an expensive phone bill making calls to her.
4 Four[1] British Museum Trevor Waite & Oscar Webb Peter Sasdy 7 October 1985
A school trip to the British Museum in London ends in disaster when the children go out of control and Barry Kent ends up arrested for theft. Adrian's phone calls to Pandora in Tunisia come back to haunt him when he receives the bill, which he hides from his father.
5 Five[1] Hospital Trevor Waite & Oscar Webb Peter Sasdy 14 October 1985
Adrian is admitted to hospital to have his tonsils removed, which brings his mother Pauline back to Leicester to see him. After spending a couple of days with George and Adrian, Pauline eventually returns to live with them. Adrian burns the phone bill in a bonfire on Bonfire Night, but he is forced to confess all when the phone is cut off. His furious parents make him pay the bill using his savings. Bert Baxter is now in an old people's home, where he meets a woman named Queenie, to whom he becomes engaged.
6 Six[1] New Year's Eve Trevor Waite & Oscar Webb Peter Sasdy 21 October 1985
It's Christmas Day in the Mole house, and Adrian annoys his parents by inviting Bert and Queenie over for the day. He receives a racing bike as a present. Having been made redundant, Adrian's father George gets a job with Manpower Services as a canal bank supervisor. Adrian breaks Pandora's heart by having a brief liaison with a classmate, Barbara Boyer.

Location

The series was mainly filmed on location in the Braunstone and South Wigston areas of Leicester. The Moles' house and street were actually filmed in Ludlow Close, Harrow and Adrian's school scenes at 'Neil Armstrong Comprehensive' were all filmed at Hammersmith School in West London (now Phoenix High). Whilst being set in Leicester, which is in the East Midlands, some of the characters speak with a distinct West Midlands accent (e.g. Birmingham, Coventry, etc.).

Music

The opening and closing theme was "Profoundly In Love With Pandora" by Ian Dury. It was released as a single in October 1985 and reached number 45 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Episode guide: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4". tv.com. Retrieved February 2016. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  2. ↑ Chart Stats - Ian Dury - Profoundly In Love With Pandora

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ on IMDb

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