MIDNIGHT CAB: THE MYSTERY OF THE OUTDOORSMAN

These two episodes of an "audio noir" CBC dramatic series feature a young, sad-sack cab driver who seems to attract villains on their way to hell. Creator/writer Jim Nichol has imagined, but imperfectly realized, situations and a back-story that allows him to develop his principal characters from installment to installment. His hero, would-be writer Walker Devereaux, is a conventional Canadian literary type--the shy, gentle, intelligent, ingenuous, put-upon loser. If you suspend disbelief over the author's improbable coincidences and forgive his stereotypes, you'll thoroughly enjoy some good dialogue, fine acting and superb directing. Casting the cream of Toronto's underused talent, producer-director Bill Howell excels at atmosphere and characterization. He paces musically and orchestrates production elements with consummate taste and artistry. He and his cast make the central character far more interesting than his adventures, and the adventures are plenty interesting in themselves. Y.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 99]