“The Growing Summer,” on the ITV network, tomorrow (8.15) features Wendy Hiller. “The Growing Summer,” a novel for children by Noel Streatfeild, has been dramatised for television by Eric Thompson. The story, in seven episodes, is the second series presented in London Weekend Television's “Heyday Theatre". The series has been filmed in colour on location at Bantry Bay, Southern Ireland, which was Miss Streatfeild’s original setting for her book. “The Growing Summer” is a story about four children who have been sent to stay with eccentric Great Aunt Dymphna, while their parents are abroad. They are joined by the mysterious Stephan (played by Louis Selwyn). The story tells how the children's personalities are developed under the guidance of their Great Aunt, a whimsical, almost magical old lady, played by Wendy Hiller. The children are played by Hoagy Davies (Alex), Zuleika Robson (Penny), Mark Ward (Robin), and Laura Hartong (Naomi).
CreatorNoel Streatfeild
The Telegram
Sep 1, 1968
Adventure is triggered off by a telegram. When their father becomes ill in Bangkok, four English children are sent by their mother to stay with Great Aunt Dymphna in Ireland.
Reenmore
Sep 8, 1968
Slightly eccentric Great Aunt Dymphna collects the four children and drives them to her old, derelict house.
Stephan
Sep 15, 1968
The children hide a foreigner named Stephan in the house. Stephan explains that he is a foreigner on the run from his father’s political enemies.
Blood
Sep 22, 1968
Penny and Naomi become alarmed when their aunt and the boys fail to return from a fishing trip.
Danger
Sep 29, 1968
The mystery of Stephen’s identity has been solved. Intrigued by Stephen's predicament, the children follow a trail that leads them to the basement. However, they eventually realize that the clue and the blood they found were fake. They decide to report their findings to Miss Oonagh. Upon investigation, she discovers that Stephen is not a stranger, but rather a young movie star trying to escape from school. Miss Oonagh then hands Stephen over to the police. With him gone, the children's lives become much simpler. The only issue remaining is their father's illness, about which they have received no updates.
Return
Oct 6, 1968
In the final episode of this six-part children’s adventure serial, the children hear that their father’s health has improved and that they can go home to London. They suddenly realise how much they will miss their unconventional Aunt Dymphna (Wendy Hiller) and decide to give her a present. Unsentimental to the last, she fills their remaining time with activity, and leaves them at the airport as suddenly as she came . . .
