Nocturnal wardrobe slashing

[Archie Gibbs]

I wonder if anyone with a good memory, or the relevant DVD can fill in some blanks on one of my favourite storylines from the late seventies?

It involved Diane and Jane Smith, who was sharing Diane's flat at the time. There were funny goings on, nocturnal vandalism around the flat and such like. Diane and the easily hoodwinked PC Steve Cater were convinced that mild mannered tamborine waving Miss Smith was becoming unhinged and that she was the culprit.

Then in one of my favourite cliffhangers, we saw Miss Diane in her nightie, hacking the living daylights out of the contents of the wardrobe, with the mother of all kitchen knives (or possibly scissors).

I am a bit sketchy as to how that particular storyline was resolved ( if indeed it was resolved to any degree of satisfaction).

Thanks again in anticipation.

[paul ross]

That is one of my favs too - the camera pans up and instead of seeing Jane which was intended - its Diane. One of the best all time shots before the end credits! I can't recall how it was resolved. Quite a number of the Crossie stories had either 'mild resolves' or none. But I like that as it gave the story more interest after it was over and it stayed away from the 'happy/tidy ending'.

[oorshughie]

I remember that story too,was gripping,I liked Jane Smith another good character dropped.

[Archie Gibbs]

Jane Smith was always one of my favourites too. Did she have a love interest at one time? My memory is failing me on that one too.

[Aston Cross]

Jane Smith was always one of my favourites too. Did she have a love interest at one time? My memory is failing me on that one too.

She was forever falling in and out of love - usually any man with a pulse who walked in to reception.  She calmed down eventually and got herself an obsession with tea.

[Archie Gibbs]

Bless her! I always thought she was one of soap's legendary good guys, without being annoying or boring. Well done Sally Adcock!

[Maria No. 1.]

She was forever falling in and out of love - usually any man with a pulse who walked in to reception.  She calmed down eventually and got herself an obsession with tea.

She always fell in love at first sight.  Her love interests ranged from David Hunter to `rough stuff' Pat Grogan.  She had a good heart though, Bless Her !

[Archie Gibbs]

Pat Grogan! That's who I was thinking of earlier. Goodness he was rough. Did he not treat our Jane really badly?

[Maria No. 1.]

I think he did Archie.  It was all one way traffic you see, she was in love with him, but although I think he liked her in his own sort of way, he didn't love her.

When I mentioned David Hunter earlier, she fell for him at first sight, and just used to stare at him, madly in love type of thing.  Meg noticed it, and was mildly amused. 

[oorshughie]

Jane Smith always reminded me of a female Milky Bar kid with her blonde wig and John Denver style glasses.
Ruby(Jenny Thomasin) from Upstairs Downstairs was a similar character,Florence,who sort of replaced her,don't think she lasted long though.

[Daniel Freeman]

Jane Smith was such a good character. Typical "plain Jane" but she had a heart of gold. Loved it when her mother Dot was introduced - what an outrageous tart!!
As for the story with Diane and the slashing of clothes....I remember it too. But cannot remember how it was resolved either! 

[jean9]

She was forever falling in and out of love - usually any man with a pulse who walked in to reception.  She calmed down eventually and got herself an obsession with tea.

She always fell in love at first sight.  Her love interests ranged from David Hunter to `rough stuff' Pat Grogan.  She had a good heart though, Bless Her !

Jane Smith, bless her cotton socks, she was a lovely, gentle soul.  Maria, this brings to mind that wonderful scene in one of the early dvd archive releases when Sandy has just taken Jane Smith on as a member of staff.  David joins Meg and Sandy in the sitting room as they are preparing to go out for dinner with friends, and David tells Sandy and Meg that he is a bit worried about Jane Smith because she just stands and stares at him.  Then Meg stands and stares at David!  Can't remember which one it's on but I love that scene. 

[Maria No. 1.]

jean9, I know which scene you mean when Meg stares at David.  It is really funny, it comes after David comments that Jane keeps looking at him, so Meg does it to David. 

That scene comes after Meg & Sandy are going to visit to Scotts (Sandy's disabled friend & his Mum), and Meg interrupts Sandy counting out the takings.  Meg in her rush to get to the mirror and brush her hair knocks the money of the bureau onto the floor.  Meg is on her hands and knees on the floor picking up all the copper, including 1/2 pennies.  That is an equally funny scene.  Nolly manages to get up and down off the floor OK, doesn't look too much hard work !

From memory it is from 1973, but just double checked the sleeve on Archive 2 to make sure, and it is May 1973, Episode 1905.  The description of the episode says it more or less "Sandy has problem with money". 

I should know Archive 2 inside out, I have played it that many times, because Hugh features in it, but not that episode. There are some cracking storylines, i.e. Sandy's accident, Meg at Coventry Cathedral, Meg & Hugh's engagement etc.  I just love the early releases. 

[Castlewich]

As I remember it (Diane slashing in Jane's wardrobe) she just comes to her senses she asks Steve if she's going mad. He proposes mariage and she gets better. Typical Crossroads!

[Archie Gibbs]

As I remember it (Diane slashing in Jane's wardrobe) she just comes to her senses she asks Steve if she's going mad. He proposes mariage and she gets better. Typical Crossroads!

I'm so glad that's how it got sorted. If she had sought therapy and became thoroughly grounded that would not have done. The fact that she ended up marrying Chris Hunter (even less of a catch than Steve Cater) for the most bamboozling of reasons only proves she did not get better at all.