Minder
Originally created by Euston Films as a vehicle for former Sweeney
star Dennis Waterman, Minder gave us one of the most
memorable characters in British television history - A man whose
name became synonymous with dodgy goods and shady deals and who
knew a 'nice little earner' when he saw one.
The man was, of course, the endearingly ineffectual spiv hero
Arthur Daley.
In reality it was a role that was perfect for George Cole, who
had played the ultimate spiv Flash Harry in the St Trinians
movies of the 60s and similar roles in countless British movies,
and it was a role that he slipped into like a tailor-made Savile
Row suit.
The original outline for Minder was for Waterman, as
ex-boxer and ex-convict, Terry McCann, to star in a series of
action packed adventures as a boneheaded bodyguard (or 'minder')
who just happened to be in the employ of Daley. Arthur would set
up the deals which usually involved a hefty profit for himself and
a small one for Terry, all this of course without Terry's
knowledge.
In the course of their dealings, which usually strayed
ever-so-slightly on the wrong side of legal, the duo would try to
avoid the law as represented by local officers Chisholm, Rycott
and Jones.
For rest and recreation Arthur and Terry would frequent the
Winchester Club, where barman Dave would listen to Daley's tales
of woe and 'Er Indoors.'
Cole and Waterman had a wonderful on screen chemistry that was
an instant hit with the viewers. When the first series was deemed
too violent, the producers turned up the humour and Minder
became a runaway success.
In 1980 the theme tune I Could Be So Good For You,
written and sung by Waterman himself, reached the top five in the
charts, followed by Arthur Daley ('E's Alright) by The Firm
in 1982, and a Christmas record for Terry and Arthur in 1983
entitled What Are We Gonna Get For 'Er Indoors?. There were
also two 90-minute specials.
In 1991 Waterman decided that he'd had enough and quit the
series. Undeterred, Arthur continued to ply his trade with the aid
of naïve young nephew Ray Daley, and the series slipped even
further into comedy, but not in the ratings, remaining a firm favourite
until it's final instalment in 1994.
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