Week of January 6: Cold War Spies and "Bosom Buddies"

By Sylvia Gurinsky

The new film release of "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is drawing awards notice and comparisons to the 1979 British series that was shown on PBS.

The 1979 series starred Sir Alec Guinness as George Smiley, a semi-retired spy who goes back to work for MI6 during the Cold War. Guinness won a BAFTA, the top British award for film and television, and the show was nominated for an Emmy. Here's a clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILYP9YnCZUs

Cast members included Sir Ian Richardson, later to star in the "House of Cards" trilogy shown on PBS' "Masterpiece Theater," and Michael Jayston, who has been seen in "Foyle's War" and other programs.

Guinness himself returned to the part three years later in "Smiley's People," which also featured Eileen Atkins ("Upstairs/ Downstairs").

In the United States, the broadcast was part of PBS' "Great Performances" series and was hosted by journalist Robert MacNeil.

"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is available on DVD.

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To some, the most insulting aspect about the new ABC show "Work It" relates to the fact that it's a retread of "Bosom Buddies."

"Bosom Buddies," which ran on ABC from 1980-82, was an unlikely launching pad for the career of Tom Hanks. Created by Miller-Boyett, the team that would later be responsible for the successful "Full House," the show starred Hanks and Peter Scolari as two men who disguise themselves as women to be able to find an affordable place to live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un1gmFXFDOg&feature=related

It never found a home among ABC's hit comedies. But Scolari would go on to success with three Emmy nominations for "Newhart." And then there's Hanks, who would do much better on the big screen.

For the curious, "Bosom Buddies" is available on DVD.

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See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!