Play For Today - The Flipside of Dominic Hide (1980)

In 2130, Earth has attained a clean, safe and anaesthetised future. Dominick is a time traveller whose job is to observe transport systems on the 'flipside' – the era before the Time Barrier was broken. Dominick's 'Circuit' (the period in time and space he must observe) is London 1980, where he believes he has an ancestor – his great-great-grandfather, also named Dominick Hide. Breaking the rules, Dominick leaves his wife Ava behind and lands on the flipside to search for him. But when he encounters Jane Winters, who runs a clothes shop, he falls in love with her and in the process complicates matters for all concerned... Cast: Peter Firth – Dominick Hide Caroline Langrishe – Jane Pippa Guard – Ava Patrick Magee – Caleb Line Trevor Ray – Alaric Sylvia Coleridge – Great Aunt Mavis Jean Trend – Helda Timothy Davies – Jim Bone Denis Lawson – Felix Bernadette Shortt – Midge Tony Melody – Harry Bill Gavin – Brian David Griffin – Karl Karl Howman – Geoffrey Jenny Donnison – Carole Michael Carter – 1st Youth Phil Davis – 2nd Youth Mark Wingett – 3rd Youth Nicholas McArdle – Policeman Sylvia Brayshay – Ida Colin Cunningham – Gordon David Beale – Barman Gary Bramble – Jonathan Sarah Carthy – Anxious Mother Ysanne Churchman – Soo (voice) Myrtle Devenish – Market Woman James Gilbey – George Andrew MacLaughlan – Commuter Jason Savage – Young Dominick James R B Dennis - Couples baby at end of film Robert Spencer – Hologram Musician Roderick Skeaping – Hologram Musician Andrew van der Beek – Hologram Musician Mitchell Dalton – Guitarist This was from the anthology series Play For Today and was originally broadcast on December 9th 1980. It proved such a popular and beguiling story that 2 years later a sequel followed, Another Flip for Dominic Hyde in 1982. It's fascinating to see all the familiar faces in this, from lead roles for former Double Decker Peter Firth and Pippa Guard (fresh from success in The Mallens), to early roles for Caroline Langrishe (Lovejoy), Denis Lawson, Phil Davis, Karl Howman (Brush Strokes), David Griffin (Keeping Up Appearances) and Mark Wingett (The Bill). And it's also interesting not only seeing the fashions and how things were in 1980, but also some of the future predictions that pop up in this drama. This is a video recording of mine from when it was repeated recently on Talking Pictures TV, so apologies in advance for any glitches. The picture quality is not as sharp as I'd like, but it is what the quality was on TV and can only be attributed to the age of the drama. But it remains a beguiling addition from the Play For Today cannon that still registers in people's memories, as does the theme tune "You Better Believe It, Babe" by Meal Ticket. Please note there is some swearing, sex scenes and brief nudity.