Swallows and Amazons series and observed, "It is the portrayal of this spirit which makes play a matter of desperate yet enjoyable earnestness which gives their distinctive stamp to Mr. Ransome's books. ... Because he understands the whole-heartedness of youth he can invest a momentary experiment, such as young Roger's Indian scout work, with real suspense." In 1963, the BBC screened a television series starring Susan George as 'Kitty' (changed from Titty), which was violently disliked by Arthur Ransome. The six-part series aired in September and October 1963. In 1974, EMI produced a film version of the "Swallows and Amazons", starring Virginia McKenna and
Richard Gordon (English author) in both. The later spin-off TV series were written by British comedy writers. In 1974, he walked off the set of "This is Your Life" when Eamonn Andrews appeared with the red book. He later changed his mind and the show was transmitted a week later. Gordon's wife Mary Ostlere was also a physician, and the couple had four children. He died on 11 August 2017. Richard Gordon (English author) Richard Gordon (born Gordon Stanley Benton, 15 September 1921 – 11 August 2017 and also known Gordon Stanley Ostlere), was an English surgeon and anaesthetist. As Richard Gordon, Ostlere wrote