I watched Smiley’s People on BBC iPlayer recently because I fancied a nostalgia trip back to the days (1982) when viewers were literate and had attention spans, when even bit players could act because they’d all done rep or been voice-coached by Cicely Berry at the RSC, and where directors still had leeway to attempt to create art rather than product.

What I loved – though not quite as much as the scene where Alec Guinness as George Smiley sits imperturbably through a throbbingly percussive live show at a seedy German sex dive – was the refreshing slowness. At one point, Smiley drives into an industrial estate to look for someone in a Portakabin: Smiley studies sign outside; Smiley motors cautiously in; wide-angle shot of estate; close-up of Smiley looking thoughtful behind wheel; shot of rear of car; etc. It took what felt like five minutes, during which you were able fully to immerse yourself in the method, humdrumness and uncertainty of Smiley’s meandering quest. These days, the whole scene would have been over in one savage cut.

Anyway, there’s a new series on the BBC which captures something of those old values. Not a spy drama, but one of those family-friendly comedies of the kind that used to occupy the teatime slot on Sundays. The Reluctant Vampire is adapted from a 1982 children’s book by Eric Morecambe and not only is it well drawn, well acted,........

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