Doctor Finlay's Casebook

[Lachlan09]

Who remembers Doctor Findlay’s Casebook, the 1960’s BBC series about a fictional country medical practice in the Highlands of the late 1920’s, set in the village of Tannochbrae ?

The senior partner Dr Cameron (Andrew Cruickshank) - a stern, but fair veteran doctor ready with the odd sardonic comment; Dr Finlay (Bill Simpson)– new, eager and ready to change the world and sometimes cross swords with Dr Cameron; Janet MacPherson (Barbara Mullen) – the quiet Highland housekeeper (with a distinct singy-songy accent, like a Highland Mrs Doubtfire) who is a fount of wisdom and common sense. Then their main rivals – the snidy Doctor Snoddie (Eric Woodburn) and the gabby district nurse – Mistress Niven (Effie Morrison).

In Scotland, various jokes about the TV series characters sprang up. Also, Barbara Mullen used her Janet MacPherson accent to promote Campbell’s Soup on TV, where she declared “The difference is in the thickness”


So to the jokes I remember:-

Janet “Would you like another kipper Doctor Cameron ?”

Dr Cameron “Not while I’m having a sh*te Janet !”


Janet “Doctor Cameron, I have this terrible heartburn”

Dr Cameron “It’s not heartburn Janet, you’ve got your t*t in my porridge !”


One day, Dr Findlay returns from a medical house-visit. He gets out the car and goes into "Arden House" via the kitchen. Across the kitchen, he sees Janet bent over, deep inside the oven of the Raeburn cooking range. He suddenly feels a bit fruity, so he dumps his medical bag on the kitchen table and goes over to the Raeburn. In a flash, he pulls up Janet’s tweed skirt, wrenches her bloomers to her ankles and quickly gets going.

From way inside the oven, he hears Janet’s voice “Ohhhh – Doctor Finlay !!!”

Finlay says “Aye Janet – but how do you know it’s me ?”

Janet replies “Well Doctor, the difference is in the thickness !”