Is it possible to recapture the essence of a bygone era, a time of both hardship and hope, through the lens of a television series? Shine On Harvey Moon masterfully achieved this, offering a poignant and often humorous glimpse into post-World War II London. The echoes of war still resonated through the East End of London as "Shine On Harvey Moon" premiered on ITV on January 8, 1982. A stark contrast to the bomb-ravaged landscape slowly rebuilding itself, the series, created by Witzend Productions and Central Television, offered a slice-of-life portrayal centered around Harvey Moon, a Royal Air Force (RAF) serviceman returning home after being demobbed. His experiences, both humorous and heartbreaking, resonated with a nation still grappling with the aftermath of conflict and the challenges of rebuilding. The initial run concluded on August 23, 1985, but the series was briefly revived in 1995 by Meridian Television, a testament to its enduring appeal. The story begins in November 1945. Corporals Harvey Moon and Lou Lewis, having spent the war as stores clerks in Bombay, arrive back in London. Harvey’s return is far from the triumphant homecoming he might have envisioned. He discovers a family facing its own set of battles, a situation compounded by a wife seemingly uninterested in rekindling their marriage, choosing instead to work in a nightclub catering to American servicemen. The series expertly balanced comedic elements with the underlying drama of a family struggling to readjust to post-war life.
Category
Details
Series Title
Shine On Harvey Moon
Original Network
ITV
Production Companies
Witzend Productions, Central Television (Series 1-4), Meridian Television (Series 5)
Original Run
January 8, 1982 – August 23, 1985; Revived in 1995
Setting
East End of London, shortly after World War II (primarily 1945-1948), 1950s (revival)
