
Balladeer’s Blog
Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at the 1971 episodes of N.E.T. Playhouse. For the opening look at the 1966 episodes click HERE.
LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS (January 7th) – A 1970 British telefilm. This comedy dealt with an eccentric young British genius drafted to work as a Russian translator for the military intelligence service during Egypt’s 1956 bid to nationalize the Suez Canal. During the resulting crisis, the young genius steals some classified documents to try to impress his mocking family members and chaos follows. 90 minutes.
AN IDEAL HUSBAND (January 14th) – Adaptation of the play by Oscar Wilde. THE Jeremy Brett starred as the good guy, Viscount Arthur Goring, who takes action when the brother of his lady love Mabel Chiltern (Susan Hampshire) is being blackmailed by a conniving socialite (Margaret Leighton). Originally aired in England in 1969. 90 minutes.
A MEMORY OF TWO MONDAYS (January 28th) – This was a 90-minute production of Arthur Miller’s memorable play about several days in the lives of blue-collar workers during the Great Depression. Among the cast members were Harvey Keitel, Estelle Parsons, Tony Lo Bianco, Jerry Stiller, Dick Van Patten, Jack Warden, Cathy Burns and J.D. Cannon. Continue reading

EASY AS ONE, TWO, THREE – The number 1 team in the nation – the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH (CT) BLUEJAYS – hammered the DEAN COLLEGE BULLDOGS 87-60 ### Meanwhile, the 2nd ranked RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE YELLOW JACKETS defeated the ROANOKE COLLEGE MAROONS 69-50 ### And the number 3 CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS won 85-73 at the SALISBURY UNIVERSITY SEA GULLS.
CLOSE CALL FOR NUMBER SIX – The (6) JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY BLUE STREAKS took it on the road against the OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY POLAR BEARS. At Halftime the Polar Bears were on top 44-36 but the Blue Streaks roared back to force Overtime with a 77-77 tie to end Regulation. In the extra session John Carroll University managed a 95-89 victory. Luke Chicone’s Double-Double of 19 points and 10 rebounds led the Blue Streaks.
THE DRAGON
YANKEE GIRL 

TWO-GUN CROWLEY
Criminal Career: By age 19, Crowley had a reputation as a competent holdup man and hit & run armed robber who never slipped up enough for a conviction. He might have escaped suspicion entirely if not for his excessively belligerent attitude when questioned by authorities.
THOUGHTS OF THE ARTIST ON LEAVING THE SIXTIES (January 1st) – Assorted figures performed, did selected readings and offered perspectives on moving into a new decade. Among those appearing: Christopher Walken, Jessica Tandy, Fred Rogers, George Carlin and Dick Gregory. An entire version of Edward Albee’s short play The Sandbox was enacted, as well. Approximately 60 minutes for the bulk of the show and 30 minutes for The Sandbox.
HAMILE (January 15th) – A Ghanaian adaptation of Hamlet written by that nation’s Joe C. De Graft and performed by actors from the National Theatre of Ghana. De Graft sets the action in Tongo, changes the names Hamlet and Laertes to Hamile and Laitu, plus he adapts swordplay into traditional Ghanaian wrestling in this 2-hour production.
NUMBER TWO STILL UNBEATEN – The number 2 team in the nation – the NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SHARKS – improved to 21-0 for the season in their game against the PALM BEACH ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY SAILFISH. The Sharks were comfortably on top 55-35 by Halftime, then coasted to a 96-66 triumph. Kobe Rodgers and Will Yoakum logged 20 points each to lead NSU.
CENTURY CLUB – Teams scoring 100 points or more in Regulation: The LEE UNIVERSITY FLAMES won 101-90 at the AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT MONTGOMERY WARHAWKS ### Meanwhile, the CALIFORNIA (PA) VULCANS defeated their hosts the EDINBORO U. FIGHTING SCOTS 106-97 ### And the BELMONT-ABBEY COLLEGE CRUSADERS routed the FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS 107-68.
THE AVENGERS Volume One, Number 95 (January 1972)
The Mandroids seem to have the upper hand on the Avengers, so Senator Craddock, observing the battle from his nearby command post, compliments Nick Fury on the performance of his agents in the Mandroid armor. Fury makes it clear that he’s only helping Craddock (a sleazy Robert Mueller-type abusing his authority) under orders. He also warns the Senator not to celebrate prematurely.