The success of Acker Bilk's mega-hit theme tune for this series completely eclipsed what was one of the BBCs better family entertainment series of the '60s. Although each episode was meant to stand alone, if you missed one, it became hard to follow the plot as Marie-Hélène gradually adjusts to the culture shock of being an au-pair in a British sea-side town. I think this was the first TV series I watched where the plot and the acting standard were both so high that I had more the impression of looking in on a slice of someone's real life, than a television family drama. The culminating anguish on the part of Marie-Hélène, when her friend's no-good boyfriends drag her off joy-riding, and wreck Penelope Gough's new sports car has yet to be equalled in my view.
Don't miss, too, the sequel series "Stranger in the City", with the same cast, and a sadly jazzed-up version of the theme tune.
Don't miss, too, the sequel series "Stranger in the City", with the same cast, and a sadly jazzed-up version of the theme tune.
