THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT...

It was the night of March 5th 1966, and one of my Aunts
was visiting.  As she chatted away with my mother, I watched an
episode of The AVENGERS called The HOUSE That JACK
BUILT.  I always remembered it for some reason (especially the
name), perhaps because it was an intriguing, tense, psychological
thriller, with EMMA PEEL trapped in an isolated, automated
house in the country.

The imagery was entrancing, and remained with me for
years afterwards.  Then, one night in the early or mid-'90s, it
was repeated for, I think, the first time since its initial airing.  It
still stands the test of time, despite the continuity errors and
an obvious burly man standing in for DIANA RIGG in a
couple of scenes.

Funnily enough, after posting the previous Babe of the
Day pic of Diana, I noticed it was on TV, so I sat and watched
it.  I think that's three times I've seen it again (I saw a repeat of
it in between its '90s outing and tonight), and it's strange to think
that although the subsequent times I've viewed the episode in the
home in which I currently reside now outnumber my original
1966 exposure to it, I still mainly associate it with the house,
neighbourhood and era in which I lived back then.

Yes, you're right - this post is nothing but a self-indulgent
wallowing in personal nostalgia, but I can't help myself.  Funny
how some memories and associations are indelible, and can't be
subdued, erased, or replaced, however many years may pass, or
regardless of how many times we may re-experience some-
thing in a different place or period.

Jack built that house close to 50 years ago.  Odd to think
that, in my mind at least, I'm sometimes still living in it.  Or is
it living in me?  (Ooh, profound or what?)  Nice episode by the
way - if you haven't seen it before and ever get the chance
to watch it, don't deprive yourself of the opportunity.

Posted in: Cartoons