Lost Dinosaur TV Programmes?
some programmes that at the present time seem to be entirely missing, at least to ordinary humans.
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To Main Dinosaur TV Menu
A Christmas special story was shown on Tuesday Dec 24th 1963 from 5.25 to 5.55pm:
December's Child (A-R)
Script: Mary Plumbly. Director: Bimbi Harris.
Cast: Stephanie Voss as Gemma, Susan George as Jenny Warren,
with Michael Goodman, Terence Woodfield, Grace Arnold, Richard Owens,
Joe Richie and Bobby Scott-Webber.
The story of a four year old donkey called Billy. And of Jenny whose birthday falls on Christmas Eve, and always
seems to get her presents "lumped together." This Christmas she is staying with her Aunt Gemma, her parents
sending her £20 for a special present she can choose herself. Her choice rests on Billy, the donkey
belonging to the local rag and bone man.
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Intrigue (subtitle: in Big Business, ABC, 1966)
Edward Judd starred as world-ranging freelance security man Gavin Grant, with Caroline Mortimer as Val Spencer. Series producer Robert Banks Stewart. The series was shown in different ITV regions at different times- except where noted, these are the ABC transmission dates. The first story was taped on Thursday July 7th 1966.
1 Scratch the Surface- And What Do You Find? (shown on Anglia Sept 30th 1966) Also with John Kelland as Mallison, John Moore as Brachman, John Lang as Tailor, Andrew Sachs as Brachman's Assistant, John Carlin as Ranklin, Christopher Guinee as Singleton, Donald Layne-Smith as Hanbury, Kevin Stoney as Tilson, and Irene Prador as Katya. Script: Donald Ind Derek Ford. Director: Alan Bridges.
2 The Computer Didn't Confirm it (Oct 1st 1966, Dec 6th Anglia) also with Peter Torquill as John Elder, Norman Scace as Jeffries, Patrick Newell as Blackwood-Jones, Joanne Dainton as Mrs Joan Elder, Rosemart Frankau as Elizabeth Hopgood, Anthony Valentine as Whyte, and Neil McCallum as Peter Wayment. Script: David Weir. Director: John Moxey.
3 Here's Something Else on the Button (Oct 8th 1966)
4 Small World, Big Deal (Oct 15th 1966) also with James Bree as Godber, Michael Bates as Macauley, Julia McCarthy as Miss Lambert, David Conville as Pyecraft, Nina baden-Semper as Nurse, Maitland Moss as Macauley Sr, Wanda Ventham as Annie, and Philip Anthony as The Shadow. Script: Anthony Skene, Director: Robert Tronson
5 Cheaper Than Yesterday (Oct 22nd 1966) also with Harry Shacklock as Guard, Tim Seely as David Pearce, John Rees as Longden, Aubrey Richards as Robins, Joan Haythorne as Mrs Pearce, John Wentworth as Col pearce, Carlos Douglas as Martinez, Aidan Turner as Simon Brown, Norman Jones as Karan, Peter Mason as Hudson, Ruth Porcher as Mrs Litovski, Endre Muller as Mr Litovski, and Barbara Leigh-Hunt as Susan. Script: John Tyler. Director: Reginald Collin
6 That's What's Pushing The Price Up (Oct 29th 1966) also with John Flint as Manning, Alexandra Stevenson as Nora Adamson, Edward Cast as Derek Straker, Maurice Hedley as Leonard Norris, Claire Nielson as Milly Straker, Michael Barrington as Sir Toby Fowler, Peter Miles-Johnson as Turner, Angus Mackay as Hedges, and Tom Macaulay as Adamson. Script: Paul Finney. Director: Kim Mills
7 Cut Price, Cut Throat (Nov 5th 1966) also with Alan MacNaughton as McKellen, Andre Maranne as Lambert, Edwin Richfield as Burley, Guy Deghy as Navarro, Barbara Shelley as Donna, Anton Rodgers as Ring, John Slavid as Croupier, Gino Melvazzi as Barman, Ray Chiarella as Mandara, Mugyette de Braie as Italian Woman, Alan Tilvern as Customs Official, and Anna Gilcrist as Secretary. Script: Paul Lee. Director: Jonathan Alwayn
8 Kill That Light (Nov 12th 1966) also with Michael Waddon as Butler, Patience Collier as Maud Hebley, Sylvia Kay as Liz, Frances Cuka as Dora, Mark Burns as Walton Burns, Garfield Morgan as Kastner, Graham Rowe as Clerk, Peter Howell as Dundass, and Derek Bond as George Hebley. Script: Stanley Kearn. Director: Helen Standage
9 Fifty Million Taste Buds Can't be Wrong (Nov 19th 1966) also with Caroline Blakiston as Vivienne Cornhill, Glyn Houston as Dan Waddell, John Wood as Peter Kerwin, John Nettleton as John Heritage, Jonathan Elsom as Tim Arnold, and Michael Hall as Official Receiver. Script: Robert Holmes. Director: Bill Bain
10 It Pays to Pick Brains (Nov 26th 1966)
11 Take the Money and Shut Up (Dec 3rd 1966) also with Reuben Martin as Galverni, Eernest Clark as Sir Geoffrey Pellin, Laurence Hardy as Girdstone, John G Heller as Marchant, Nicholas Courtney as Benson, Bill Johnston as Hotel Clerk, Brian Hawksley as Frank Webster, Brian Smith as Peter Girdstone, Gabrielle Drake as Polly Girdstone, and Lynn Ashcroft as Hotel Receptionist. Script: Brian Clemens. Director: Kim Mills
12 Mr Jenkins is a Very Fair Man (Dec 17th 1966) also with Peter Copley as Smith, Michael Graham Cox as Marshall, George Woodbridge as Bennett, Reg Pritchard as Pugh, Michael Rothwell as Ronaldson, Arthur Brough as Abbott, Thorley Walters as Henry, Jane Burnell as Mrs Ronaldson, Auriol Smith as Landlady, and Gilliam Royal as Barmaid. Script: Peter Miller and James Kelly. Director: Patrick Dromgoole
13 Someone's In A Panic (Dec 23rd 1966 on Westward) also with Michael Coles as James Parish,
Grant Taylor as Charles Fernley, Iain Cuthbertson as Walter Ballantyne, Katy Story as Secretary, Michael Forrest as Marley, and Edward Caddick as Chilworth. Script: Tony Williamson and Quentin Lawrence. Director: Quentin Lawrence
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HMS Paradise (Rediffusion)
Screened Thursdays, 7.30pm, but from the autumn not networked
and shown at differing times.
A few editions survive.
With Frank Thornton as Commander Fairweather, Robin Hunter as Lt Pouter, Richard Caldicott as Captain Turvey. Ronald Radd as CPO Banyard, Angus Lennie as AB Murdoch, Priscilla Morgan as Amanda.
1 Captain Art Thou Sleeping There Above (July 16th 1964) - Captain Turvey orders H.M.S. Chatsby, a dead ship, towed out of the dockyard to a mooring buoy
2 Come Out Lieutenant Ross, Wherever You Are - Cpt Turvey is presented with the problem of a non-existent officer
3 An Officer and a Gentleman - Chief Petty Officer Banyard surprises everyone by applying for a commission which will take him away from Boonsey. With Graham Crowden as Cdr Shaw, Howard Lang as Cdr Bell, Michael Arden as CPO Hawkins.
4 The Sea Does Not Want Them - 'Ye Gentlemen of England, That live at home at ease, Ah little do you think upon the dangers of the seas'
5 I Don't Know the Name and the Face Escapes Me - Lieutenant Pouter is suddenly menaced by the spectre of marriage
6 It'll All Come Out in the Wash - CPO Banyard decides to make some money on the side and gathers a lot of naval scrap material to make a washing machine
7 You'll Get No Promotion This Side Of The Ocean - AB Murdoch has boasted to his girlfriend that he is a Commander and now she's coming on a visit. With June Barry as Dora, Archie Duncan as Cdr Bellamy, Edward Brooks as Lt Gibson, Pat Coombs as Mrs Wigg
8 Call Me Madam and I'll Punch You On The Nose - Lt Pouter finds it necessary to impersonate a Wren when hiding
in the Wren's barracks to escape Cpt Turvey's wrath. With Barbara Hicks, Wendy Richard, Barbara Bernell. Sheree Winton, Kerry Neal, Martine beswick, Janette Bradbury (no Radd or Lennie)
9 Don't Fire That Man Sir, He's Loaded - Cpt Turvey adds a shell to his souvenir collection and the men of Boonsey want to retrieve it before it explodes. With Ambroisine Phillpotts, Graham Crowden
10 You Have Been Listening to Radio Paradise - A little of what Cpt Turvey fancies doesn't do anyone any good. With Graham Crowden, Geoffrey Hibbert, David Harford
11 And a Happy Bastille Day to You - With nearby Weymouth full of people eager for a day out, there seems to be an obvious way to earn money by turning Boonsey into a French resort. With John Bluthal, Dickie owen, George Tovey, Hedley Colson
12 In Which We Serve, A Drop of the Hard Stuff - Banyard makes his renowned punch to serve at an official party, but Cpt Turvey forbids alcohol at the celebration. With Cameron Hall, Ambroisine Phillpotts, Donald Hewlett, Brian Oulton, Janet Bruce, Sheree Winton
13 Mutiny on the Boonsey - Cpt Turvey forbids fraternisation between the sailors and Wrens on Bonnsey Island after he has found Lt Pouter kissing Amanda
14 Having a Wonderful Time, Glad You're Not Here - Banyard converts Boonsey into a holiday camp and discovers that Cpt Turvey takes his miseries as sadly as he takes his pleasures
15 Anybody Wanna Buy an Island? - When the Admiralty decides to declare Boonsey redundant, CPO. Banyard puts in a take-over bid
16 There's Gold in Them Thar Holes- Banyard and Murdoch find an old map which they hope will lead to Cpt Ahab Rudlow's treasure buried on the island in 1763
17 'Twas on the Ghost Ship Venus - The coastal barge Venus is washed up near Boonsey
18 Our Man on Boonsey - When Cpt Turvey stoops to conquer, there's nobody who stoops lower especially when there is a glamourous spy around. With Graham Crowden, Jacqueline Jones, Brian Rawlinson
19 There Is No Excuse For Slipshod Paperwork - When Cpt Turvey became the new captain of the Dockyard at Portland, the personnel decided he wouldn't do at all. With Graham Crowden, Joe Ritchie, Barry Henderson, Cardew Robinson, Frank Seton
20 What Am I Bid For This Lot? - Due to a clerical error at the Admiralty, CPO. Banyard finds himself the embarrassed owner of a fleet of obsolete Navy Surplus warships. With John Warner, Alister Williamson, Malcolm Knight
21 How to Try in Business Without Really Succeeding - After twenty years in the navy, CPO. Banyard cannot face signing on again and sees himself as Cyril Banyard Esq, business tycoon
22 Let That be a Four Minute Warning to You - Cpt Turvey is lecturing the men of Boonsey on what to do if an H-bomb drops, when all of a sudden...
23 The New Lieutenant - Lieutenant Superman Hathaway is sent to scourge the island draft. He discovers that Queen's Regs are a closed book on Boonsey. With Andrew Downie
24 H.M.S. Paradise Meets H.M.S. Eagle- hour long Special with guests Val Doonican, Julie Rogers and The Ladybirds
25 This Side up Use No Hooks
26 The Great Brain Robbery - CPO Banyard learns that the space previously occupied by stores has been given to an electronic brain which wouldn't work on the mainland. The men of Boonsey decide the computer has got to go. With Stanley Unwin as Professor
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Sean the Leprechaun
(1967)
Thirteen 15 minute colour episodes illustrated by Rowel Friers with Chas Sinclair. Script: Sheila St Clair. Narrator: Charles Witherspoon.
Music: Stanley Wyllie. This was a first series made by Ulster based Lecky Enterprises Ltd. The series was sold to Rediffusion, Westward and Grampian, and later to TWW and Channel.
The stories were (Rediffusion broadcast dates):
The Whistley Hedgehog (Jan 12th 1968) - Hedgie Hedgehog has a loose tooth which he refuses to part with, even though it means that every time he talks, he whistles
The Lost Hoot (Jan 19th 1968)
King Brian's Button (Feb 16th 1968)
- Desmond the donkey gets stuck when he tries to squeeze through a hole
A Pot to Mend (Feb 23rd 1968) - Sean and Danny go blackberrying, on the way meeting Mrs Rabbit- she has a problem in that the children have burned a hole in her best jam saucepan, and she can't mend it
Danny Has a Visitor (Mar 1st 1968) - Cyril Hare brings the post which includes a letter from Danny's cousin Harold, who lives in town, asking if he can come and spend a holiday with them
The Great Day (Mar 15th 1968)
A Trip to the Sea (Mar 22nd 1968)
All Aboard (Mar 29th 1968)
Other titles are: A Cure for Sean, Crock of Gold, Danny to the Rescue, Spells aren't Everything,
The Magic Shamrock
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My Wife and I (A-R June 30th 1958)
The first of this new series ended with the line, "isn't this awful?" Acerbic critic DEH commented, "this sentiment must have been echoed by every critic... the story of a young man and woman (similar I presume to I Love Lucy) in difficult and funny situations is always promising material for the writer. However the author of this series is such a bad writer that it's a wonder to me why such an international artist as Mai Zetterling should be mixed up in all this. I have seen some pretty bad shows, but never anything like this. The writing is so third rate that many aspiring young authors who can't get into tv must have bitten their nails in sheer despair. I can only hope that the fate of this show is for it to be withdrawn immediately before it embarrasses Associated Rediffusion too much."
In fact it ran to eleven episodes, Starring was Mai Zetterling as Phyllis with Rex Garner as her husband David Finley, and Joan Benham. Script: Pamela Craig. Director: Eric J Croall
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Needle Match
(A-R, from June 15th 1962, final show Sept 7th 1962)
'The Best New British Pop Records versus The Best New American Pop Records.'
Referee: Keith Fordyce, later Drew Russell, Jim Dale. British Promoter: Oliver Reed, later Wally Whyton, Don Moss. American Promoter: David Gell. International Jury Judge: Caterine Millinair.
Guests included Maureen Evans (July 20), Ronnie Carroll (July 24), Barry Barnett (July 31), Ray Conniff (Aug 7), Tim Connor (Aug 14), Kenny Lynch (Aug 21), Peter Gordeno (Aug 28), Julie Grant (Sept 7).
The 2 promoters had to convince a jury of 12 pop fans from neutral countries which of 2 discs was better.
Records were paired so that ballad opposed ballad, jazz competes against jazz etc, 6 discs per programme. All records were illustrated by dancers under Malcolm Clare, including Angela van Breda, Elaine Carr, Janice Fellowes-Smith, Johnnie Greenland and Harry Naughton.
Critics were unimpressed: "Needle Match borrows unashamedly from other flatulent programmes... this disc programme was not only ragged and under rehearsed, but involved so many people that it was almost impossible to keep track... A referee introduces two promoters who bicker about the merits or demerits of the records which a team of sloppy dancers interpret. Then a jury of twelve hardly visible teenagers wave little flags which are counted by a judge who needs a viewbackroscope to see said flags. To complicate matters even further, viewers are graciously allowed to send in postcards to try and influence the end result"
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Night Spot
(ATV 1964)
I remember being disappointed when ATV introduced this series into the late Saturday evening slot at 11.25pm, which up until then had mostly been the preserve of repeats of half hour filmed series latterly Whiplash. It was shown in some ITV regions only, and into 1965 on some other regional stations.
Producer was Albert Locke. Compere was comedian Frank Berry, offering a cabaret style show with regulars Norma Ronald (as hostess and Frank's efficient secretary), Angela Lovell (as a blonde photographer), and Fred Evans as a barman, The Night Spot Dancers and Quintet. Details of the shows:
1 Aug 22nd 1964: Rod and Carolyn, John Wade, Hazel Yeomans, Walter Laird and Lorraine, The Free Men
2 Aug 29th: Suzi Miller, Bobby Heath and Paula Scott, Harry Smith-Hampshire and Doreen Casey, Pat O'Hare, the Morgan James Duo.
3 Sept 5th
4 Sept 12th: Julie Rogers, Val Doonican, Bill and Bobbie Irvine, Dominic Rogers,
the Morgan James Duo.
5 Sept 19th: Paula Watson, Roy Douglas, Carol Elvin, Eric Lashbrook and Norma Graves, The Countrymen.
6 Sept 26th: Paula Hendrix, Robert and Marguerite, Dave Nelson, Esme Levante, The Harbour Lites.
John Barrie and William Gaunt (of Sergeant Cork fame) were guests on one show. They said they agreed to appear since "it is the only tv programme where the drinks are real and not just coloured water!"
The experiment ended with the new autumn schedules, thankfully it was back to repeats, with The Invisible Man.
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Trapped (1967, ATV)
A series of 12 plays shown in the summer and autumn of 1967. A TV Times introduction (May 27th p11) admitted, "some people are not going to like them." Producer Anthony Firth added, "We are not out to shock. We are not out for kicks. The reason the plays deal with bold themes in a bold way is that they are subjects the writers felt mattered... An unusual amount of care has been taken to make them plays of real quality." Whatever may be said, the autumn slot was a late night one, on ATV 10.45pm. Some regions just didn't show it.
NAF wrote this contemporary account of #3 Victor, Victor: "Nina was a witch, a very modern, self-acknowledged, unafraid and ruthless witch... Victor had escaped her spell, exorcised her. But Victor's timid elder brother Martin, was fair game for her from the moment she divined that he envied Victor, that he wanted to break out of his dull backwater life. Using ridicule and enticement by turns, she had him trapped... Writer John Westgate got away with his extravagant notion largely because it was so vehemently acted. Philippa Gail made Nina the near-psychotic, wholly convincing. The cutting edge of cruelty was always there, coupled with sexual attraction and flashes of charm. A chameleon performance. Donald Houston successfully carried out the transformation of Martin, leaving us wondering at the end, along with Victor, whether he knew what he was in for. Anyway he went to his fate with new determination. John Standing was never taxed by the part of Victor. It was a two-dimensional character, epitomized by the widest spotted tie I've ever seen. We've met this television-created London sophisticate in dozens of plays. Elizabeth, with whom Victor was currently consoling himself, existed in the play only as a foil for Nina, and she was neatly sketched by Rowena Cooper... Alan Pickford designed the set, that ubiquitous split-level luxury London apartment so dear to television"
A contemporary review by NAF of #5 : "... The ones I have seen have been unpleasant. They have exploited unhappiness, aberration, cruelty... old age and racial minority for the sake of sensation rather than enlightenment or insight. Using exaggeration as an aid to dramatic impact or attempted comedy, they further removed from valid comment on the ills of society... all of the plays have been harshly contrived, with no hint of sympathy or compassion. Characters have seldom been recognised as human. Horse of A Different Colour (June 24th) by Jeri Matos was about poor lonely Jolyon whose life was ruled and made nightmarish by his 90 year old bedridden mother, who owned the house and so owned him. Sympathy was excluded from either of these characters by caricature the author exaggerated them beyond recognition as people. Extravagance in the writing was compounded by performances, especially that of Thorley Walters, who indulged in more overacting and facial gymnastics that I've seen in many years. Daphne Heard played the evil old crone about as straight as the cruelty written part indicated. Squatters in the attic who became Jolyon's friends... were three West Indians and a West African... there was a notable differentiation between the mores and attitudes of the two, pointed nicely in Dennis Alba Peters. When the old lady died and Jolyon finally became master in his own house, he ascended gaily to the attic to welcome his friends to the freedom of the whole. But they had deserted the attic. Presumably he was acceptable as a friend and fellow conspirator but not as a landlord, athough I confess not to be sure of the interpretation of the ending."
A kinder appraisal by AP of the final story on Nov 11th 1967: "Brian Thompson wrote the first play Quest, and set a high standard for the series. Knock and Wait was about schoolmasters and although one of them claimed during the play that they are people just like anyone else, the truth became very clear they are not... Webber was new straight from college. He came to a staffroom full of intrigue, suppressed emotion and barely concealed cruelty... John Shepherd played Webber with a marvellous combination of new boy unsureness and a stubborn determination to fight the unjust situation he saw before him. Barney (Clifford Evans), a teacher long past his prime, was being eased out chiefly by Springer (John Carlin in very nasty form) and Squires. Drops of poison in the headmaster's car, direct venom and the kind of whispering campaign only a close community such as this could sustain, were used. Webber tried to help Barney, Barney rejected his offer, and the play ended with Barney retiring from the school in a wash of synthetic sentiment, with Webber tagging on behind, his thin dark face bewildered and crushed, his gown flapping emptily round his bony frame. Brian Thompson may not have intended it, but what he showed us was not what ordinary everyday men schoolteachers are, but how set apart and different their job makes them, how power corrupts and distorts character even when, or perhaps especially when, the subjects are children"
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London Playhouse (A-R 1955/6)
A series of 21 plays made by A-R. Unusually for this company, some of them seem to have been made on film, since they were repeated a year or so later. Possibly the company made them on film since some could then have been produced before the station ever went on air. A similar practice occurred with their half hour children's plays. The first of this series that was shown live was #5 A Garden in the Sea.
1 The Haven (Sept 29th 1955) starring Joan Miller as Babs and Robert Harris as Kenneth. With Lionel Jeffries as Bob Ritchie, Croline Denzil as Germaine, James Doran as Roland, John Franklyn Robbins as Lonely Tom. Script: Tad Mosel, adapted by Cyril Butcher. "A most beautifully balanced performance came from Robert Harris as Kenneth, the serious, sensitive man whose love for the high quality things in life made him greatly appreciative of the works of Swinburne, classical music and the company of well-bred young women. By expression and bearing as he walked across the set, he poignantly conveyed his misery to viewers. Joan Miller played his good hearted but foolish loud mouthed ex-barmaid wife Babs, rarely seen without a cigarette drooping from her lips, in a way that heightened the sadness of the circumstances. Loving her husband above all, she painted a pathetic, bewildered portrait and by her emphasis on the ever generous hearted side of Babs, lifted the character from the sordid to almost the sublime. Caroline Denzil and James Doran, as the two children of the marriage, made sufficient unnecessary commotion to drive any man into the arms of a quiet and gentle mistress"
2 A Call on the Widow (Oct 6th 1955) starring Jean Kent as Elsa Carter. With Clifford Evans as Inspector Grant, Michael Craig as Sgt Marshall, and John Rae as McKendrick. Script: James Doran. Director: Peter Graham Scott. Two detectives call at a lonely farmhouse to investigate the death of the owner. Marooned by floods, they become guests of his widow. One finds love, the other finds murder
3 The Glorification of Al Toolum (Oct 13th 1955, rpt Mar 16th 1957)
starring Lionel Murton in the title role, and Joan Miller as Emily Toolum. With Hugh McDermott as DJ, Garry Billings as Sherman Toolum, Robert Brooke as Herman Toolum, Barry Fennell as Little Louie, Peter Dyneley as John Bell, Betty McDowall as Barbara McClain, Barbara cavan as Mrs Stickler, Jack Armstrong as Waiter, Errol MacKinnon as Browning, Michael balfour as Reporter, MacDonald Parke as Mr Bright, Bessie Love as Mrs Goren, Charles Irwin as Father in Clinic, Katherine Macmurray as his daughter, and Richard Rogers as Mac the crazy kid. Director: John Lemont. Al has won a competition as the most average man in the USA. Then he discovers that glorification brings troubles
4 Summer in Normandy (Oct 20th 1955) host Neal Arden. With Anton Diffring, George Coulouris, Martin Boddey, Michael Craig. Director: Alan Bromly.
5 A Garden in the Sea (Oct 27th 1955) starring Rosalie Crutchley as Tina Bordereau, and Robert Urquhart as David Naseby. With Andreas Malandrinos as Felice, Mary MacKenzie as Marian Cumnor, Cyril Chamberlain as Max Cumnor, Margaret Halstan as Juliana Bordereau. Script: Michael Dyne from The Aspern Papers by Henry James. Director: John Moxey. A young writer is searching for new material for his biography of a famous poet. He believes that a mysterious old recluse once knew the poet, and still has poems and letters yet unpublished. So he goes to visit her in Venice at the old palace that stands in a garden in the sea
6 The End of the Mission (Nov 3rd 1955) with Balbina, Derek Bond, also Alex Scott, Eric Pohlmann. Director: Peter Graham Scott
7 The Inward Eye (Nov 10th 1955) starring Patricia Owens as Mary and William Hartnell as Kenyon. With John Horsley as Husband, David Markham as Arthur Jones, Jean Hardwicke as Miss Dudley, Arnold Ridley as Blind beggar, Virginia Clay as first nurse, Pearl Dadswell as Voluntary worker, Llewellyn Rees as Doctor, Diana Blackwood as second nurse, Rosemary Scott as mother, Althea Parker as matron, Vi Stevens as Miss Baker, Peter Cozens as Conklin, and Graham Ashley as Scott. Script: Joseph Liss. Director: Michael Currer-Briggs. The story of a girl for whom a guide dog was the means by which she found her way back in life
8 Fair Passenger (Nov 17th 1955) adapted by Patrick Campbell. With Avice Landon, George Woodbridge. Director: Tania Lieven
9 Area Nine (Nov 24th 1955) with George Curzon as Joan Coates, Laurence Payne as Robert Gray, Ronald Howard as Charles Wingrove, Anthony Dawson as Adrian Childe, Ann Castle as Judy Childe, Ruth Grundy as Secretary, Moorea Hastings as Nurse, Virginia Clay as Theatre Sister, Richard Walter and Reginald Sellick as Doctors. Script: Simon Byforth, adapted by Alan Moreland and Robert Irvine. Director: Peter Cotes. The play gives dramatic emphasis to the problems of those who trespass within that part of the brain known as Area Nine
10 Lady Must Sell (Dec 1st 1955, rpt Apr 16th 1957) a comedy starring Joan Miller as Dorothy Ireland and Hugh Sinclair as Adrian Ireland. With Brian Oulton as James Lloyd, Vi Stevens as Annie, Joan Carol as Sybil Lloyd, Campbell Singer as Inspector Padbury, Peggy Thorpe Bates as Mrs Fred Deacon, William Simons as Rodney Ireland, Jill Williams as Winkle Ireland, and Peter Cozens as Police constable. Your host: Neal Arden. Director: Peter Cotes. The article for sale is a mink coat.
11 The General's Mess (Dec 8th 1955) Starring Leslie Henson with Sam Kydd and Joan Sims. Script: Giles Cooper. Director: Peter Graham Scott
12 Fighting Chance (Dec 15th 1955, rpt Apr 2nd 1957) starring Eleanor Summerfield as Betty Day, Stephen Boyd as Jimmy Day, and James Kenny as Mickey Day. With Fraser Hines as Mickey Day a child, John Arnatt as Syd, Charles Lamb as Frank, Arthur Lovegrove as Ted, Richard Leech as Mendoza, Harry Lane as Matthews, Tom Bowan as Jack, Jim O'Brady as Max, Sydney Brahms as Bookmaker, Teddy Gee as Harper, Alf Lay as Johnson, Joe Barnham as Mickey's first opponent, Fred King as Mickey's second opponent, Len Sharpe as Len, Royal Russell as Boxing Board Control man, Fred Griffiths as Shady character, Alan Weekes as commentator, Billy Wells as 1st referee, Paddy Hayes as 2nd referee, as Frankie Blake as MC. Director: Cliff Owen. Jimmy is a professional boxer who is tempted by his crooked brother-in-law to throw a fight
13 The Man Who Liked Christmas (Dec 22nd 1955) starring David Kossoff, with Estelle Brody, Sheldon Lawrence, Neil McCallum. Script: Reuben Ship. Director: John Moxey
14 Adeline Girard (Dec 29th 1955) starring Fay Compton, with Maureen Pryor, Harold Scott, Rcihard Thorp, Roger Delgado.
Script: Tad Mosel
15 Two Letters: Yesterday's Mail/No Other Wine (Jan 5th 1956) with Reed de Rouen, Alan Gifford, Joan Miller. Director: Peter Cotes
16 Sam and the Great Unveiling (Jan 12th 1956) starring Reginald beckwith as Sam Bowler, Richard Wattis as John Postgate a solicitor, Francis de Wolff as Mayor Todd Fletcher, and Noel Hood as Lady Battleby. With Pat Hornsby as Mavis, Jennifer Phipps as Doris, Sally Lahee as Elaine McKinnon, Shirley Cooklin as Ann Postgate, Michael O'Halloran as Dr McKinnon, Megs Jenkins as Grace, Catherine Finn as Sheila, Catherine Jupp as Moira, Joan Hickson as Mrs Gregg, Irene Handl as Maudie, Patrick Westwood as a reporter, Edie Martin as an old lady, barbara leake as first chairwoman, Tottie Truman Taylor as second chairwoman, and Jack MacNaughton as Chief Constable.
Script: Gwyneth Jones adapted by Patrick Campbell. Director: Cyril Coke. Sam Bowler is a well respected bookie, he has just crowned a lifetime of service by raising the money for a new children's home. But some facts about his private life have been overlooked, and unfortunayely it is not in the nature of the implacable Lady Battleby to overlook anything, and she holds the purse strings
17 The Guv'nor (Jan 19th 1956) starring Michael Hordern as Mr Frisby, Coral Browne as Amanda Pinkerton, and Jimmy Hanley as Buxton, with Nigel Davenport as Sgt Darcy, Richard Caldicot as Det Insp Bailey, Edward Mulhare as Constable, Sydney Vivian as Frederick, Sam Kydd as Charles, Robin Ray as martin Flashman, and alan Gifford as Fragalli. Script: Tudor Gates and Patrick Brawn. Director: Peter Graham Scott. A 999 call sends police racing through a dawn deserted Piccadilly on the trail of a stolen car: The Guv'nor has struck again. But as Insp Bailey remarks to a visiting American police chief, no matter how well The Guv'nor plans his crimes, some small detail will trip him up in the end
18 The Sun Divorce (Jan 26th 1956)
19 Wish on the Moon (Feb 2nd 1956) with Julia Worth as Ruth Barclay, Margaret Allworthy as Olivia Beech, Brian Nissen as Roy Wayne, Leo Franklyn as Barney Goodwyn, Hugh Latimer as David Thorne, James Dyrenforth as Mr Allbright, Glen Alyn as Miss Boyce, Bill Nagy as Hal Peterson, John vere as Mr Duval, Diana Lambert as Secretary, Jill Melford as Miss Jones, and Juliet Hunt as Girl on station. Script: Sumner Locke Elliot. Director: Charles Saunders. Ruth longed to see her name in lights. Olivia wanted a husband, but London remodelled the lives of each and put both girls on the road to success
20 Margaret Moves On (Feb 9th 1956) starring Patrick Barr as David, Mary Merrall as Margaret and Ursula Howells as Ann, with Jonathan Swift as Peter, Iris Russell as Barbara, Roderick Lovell as Tony, Dandy Nichols as Mrs Pothecary, Gladys Boot as Mrs Clark, Richard Caldicot as Mr Clark, Barbara Ogilivie as Nurse Castle, Leonard Williams as Sergeant, and Henry Longhurst as William Steadman. Script: Ronald Kinnocgh, adapted by Donald Bull. Director: Tania Lieven. Margaret, in her widowed sixties, has a genius for losing friends and exasperating people. Comedy and drama follow when she moves into the hard pressed household of her son David
21 Goodbye Jonah (Feb 16th 1956) with E Eynon Evans as Reuben, Richard George as Stokes, William Lucas as Craig, Gerald Case as Major Gray, Nigel Davenport as Brian Shaw, Ann Stephens as Diana Doyle, Roddy Hughes as Eccles, Margot Lister as Mrs Crabthorne, and Leo Franklyn as Jack Forge. Director: Cliff Owen. A west country comedy about the ruthlessness of the big businessman, pitted against the guile and experience of the countryman
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Headway (1963/4, ABC)
Sunday Session was a three month experiment in adult education, the Independent Television attempt on Sunday mornings to try and make learning fun. Headway was an umbrella title for some of ABC's early contributions to the programmes, some were shortly afterwards repeated early on Sunday afternoons. The experiment must have proved some sort of success, since Sunday adult education programmes continued for many years.
You Don't Say
the mastery of self-expression. Introduced by Lord Francis-Williams. Host Hugh David. Script: Peter Stevens.
1 What is English? (Jan 20th 1963) Director: Victor Menzies.
3 Birds of a Feather (Feb 3rd 1963)
4 Speak For Yourself (Feb 10th 1963)
5 Are You Receiving Me? (Feb 17th 1963)
6 Do You Come here Often? (Feb 24th 1963) Director: Victor Menzies.
7 Half-Time Score (Mar 3rd 1963) Director: Roy Battersby
8 The Language of Literature (Mar 10th 1963)
9 Take a Message (Mar 17th 1963) now introduced by Robert Kee
12 Is There a Standard English? (Apr 7th 1963)
Pen to Paper
The difference between writing and speaking. How to write effectively. Host Pit Corder who also wrote the script. Script adapted by Dick Sharples and Gerald Kelsey. Producer: Michael Mills.
1 Canned Language (Jan 20th 1963, rpt Jan 12th 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune
2 Don't Get me Wrong (Jan 26th 1963, rpt Jan 19th 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune, Vicky Harrington.
3 Business or Pleasure (Feb 3rd 1963, rpt Jan 26th 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune, Vicky Harrington.
4 Take Notice (Feb 10th 1963, rpt Feb 2nd 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune, Geoffrey Matthews.
5 Friend or Foe (Feb 17th 1963 rpt Feb 9th 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune. Guest speaker Stanley Unwin
6 You, Me and The Gatepost (Feb 24th 1963, rpt Feb 16th 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune
7 Speaking With Ink (Mar 3rd 1963, rpt Feb 23rd 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune
8 To Raise the Standard (Mar 10th 1963 rpt Mar 1st 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune
9 Give Yourself a Chance (Mar 17th 1963 rpt Mar 8th 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune
10 This is the Point (Mar 24th 1963 rpt Mar 15th 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune
11 In Witness Thereof (Mar 31st 1963 rpt Mar 22nd 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune
12 In Good Form (Apr 7th 1963 rpt Apr 5th 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune
13 We Can All Do Better (Apr 14th 1963 rpt Apr 12th 1964) with Jimmy Thompson, Rose Hill, Rex Garner, Denise Shaune
Citizenship - covering sociology, architecture, local government and town planning.
Host: Barry Westwood. Script: Reyner Banham and Terence Morris. Director: Roy Battersby.
1 Green and Pleasant Land (Apr 21st 1963, series repeated starting Apr 19th 1964) - the Buchanan Report
2 Arcadia for All (Apr 28th 1963)
3 Close Company (May 5th 1963)
4 Balanced Community (May 12th 1963)
5 Balanced Town (May 19th 1963)
6 Supermarket and Corner Store (May 26th 1963)
7 The Heart of the City (June 2nd 1963)
8 Urban Rat and Urban Renewal (June 9th 1963)
9 Paralysis and Anaemia (June 16th 1963)
10 The Sprawling Giants (June 23rd 1963)
11 The Open Air Factory (June 30th 1963)
12 Social Engineering (July 7th 1963) - six suburbs in search of a city or the realisation of the Green Dream?
13 I Like It Here- I Think (July 14th 1963) the scriptwriters examine the problems of their own environments
Second series, this 'Learning for Life', again introduced by Barry Westwood.
2.1 Off to School (Sept 29th 1963)- a child's first day in school. Director: Tom Clegg.
2.4 Nursery School (Oct 20th 1963) New Director: Ted Childs.
2.5 Private or State? (Oct 27th 1963)
2.6 Choice of School (Nov 3rd 1963)
2.7 Infant Schools (Nov 10th 1963)
2.10 Individual Abilities (Dec 1st 1963)
2.12 Junior Schools (Dec 15th 1963)
2.13 Streaming (Dec 22nd 1963)
2.14 Primary to Secondary (Jan 12th 1964)
2.15 Primary to Secondary-2 (Jan 19th 1964) three headmasters discuss segregating children according to ability
2.16 Class and Class (Jan 26th 1964) social class and education achievement
2.18 Secondary Modern Schools (Feb 9th 1964)
2.19 Grammar Schools (Feb 16th 1964)
2.21 Public Schools (Mar 1st 1964)
2.23 Teachers (Mar 15th 1964)- teacher shortage
2.24 Teaching Machines (Mar 22nd 1964)
2.25 Leaving School (Apr 5th 1964). Director: Tom Clegg
2.26 Society v Education (Apr 12th 1964) Director: Ted Childs
Third series on early Sunday afternoons was titled
'The Law is Yours,' hosted by Jack de Manio.
Script: CH Rolph and Barry Baker. Director: Margery Baker. Producer: Marjory Ruse.
3.1 Husbands and Wives (Sept 26th 1964)
3.2 Children: Legal Responsibilities (Oct 4th 1964)
3.6 Legal Aid in the Criminal Courts (Nov 1st 1964)
3.7 The Principals of Fair Trading (Nov 8th 1964)
3.8 Landlord and Tenant- 1 The Tenant (Nov 15th 1964)
3.9 Landlord and Tenant- 2 The Landlord (Nov 22nd 1964)
3.10 Can I Appeal? (Nov 29th 1964)
3.11 Making A Will (Dec 6th 1964)
3.12 Buying on the Never-Never (Dec 13th 1964)
3.13 The Law and the Traveller (Dec 20th 1964)
Clear Thinking- Logic and Reasoning. Host: Brian Groombridge. Script: Anthony Quinton with (from programme 3) additional material by Dick Sharples and Gerald Kelsey. Director: Victor Menzies.
1 Introductory (Apr 21st 1963 the series was repeated in the ABC region during summer 1967)
2 The Snares of Rhetoric (Apr 28th 1963)
3 The Appeal of Irrelevance (May 5th 1963) With Peter Copley, Annette Crosbie, Roger Delgado, Clive Marshall
4 Irrelevance (May 12th 1963) With Donald Burton, Roger Delgado, Keith Pyott, and Sheila Raynor
5 Ambiguity (May 19th 1963). With Annette Crosbie, Roger Delgado,Tenniel Evans, Anthony Woodruff
6 The Idea of Form (May 26th 1963). With Donald Burton, Margaret Gordon, June Murphy, Cyril Shaps
7 Simple Formal Inference (June 2nd 1963). With Clemence Bettany, Annette Crosbie, Tony Garnett, Robert Rietty
8 The Syllogism (June 9th 1963) with Margaret Ashcroft, Geoffrey Lewis, Morris Perry, Colette Wilde
9 Compound Statements (June 16th 1963) with Janet Brandes, Rex Garner, David graham, Pamela Selden
10 Analogy (June 23th 1963) with Annette Crosbie, Hugh David, Paul Martin, Erica Rogers
11 Cause and Induction (June 30th 1963) with Margaret Ashcroft, Bruce Beeby, Brenda Dunrich, Tony Garnett
12 Probability (July 7th 1963) with Annette Crosbie, Hugh David, Jimmy Thompson, Wendy Williams
13 Conclusion (July 14th 1963) with Donald Burton, Rex Garner, Fiona Hartford, Helen Lindsay
Auto-Mechanics- Hugh David introduces a practical series to help the owner-driver understand how his car works, carry out routine maintenance, and diagnose and cure simple faults.
Script: Lawrence Hughes. Director: Marjory Ruse.
Producer: Geoffrey Gilbert.
1 How the car works And the tools you need (Sept 29th 1963)
3 The Engine (Oct 13th 1963, the series was repeated starting from Jan 10th 1965) the four stroke cycle. Adjusting valve clearances for efficient running.
4 Carburettors and Air Filters part 1 (Oct 20th 1963)
5 Carburettors and Air Filters part 2 (Oct 27th 1963)
6 The Ignition System (Nov 3rd 1963) distributor and sparking plug adjustment
7 The Cooling System (Nov 10th 1963) flushing overhaul and adding antifreeze.
10 Steering and Suspension (Dec 1st 1963)
11 The Brakes -1 (Dec 8th 1963)
12 The Brakes -2 (Dec 15th 1963) fitting replacement brake shoes. With Ian Kenny
13 Fault Finding (Dec 22nd 1963) with Ian Kenny
After the repeat of the first service, a further series began. Introduced by Hugh David, assisted by Ian Kenny. Script: Lawrence Hughes. Director: Marjory Ruse.
2.1 Buying a Second Hand Car -1 (Apr 25th 1965)
2.2 Buying a Second Hand Car part 2 (Apr 25th 1965)
2.3 How to use glass fibre to repair corrosive damage and dents (May 9th 1965)
2.4 Bodywork (May 16th 1965)
2.5 Decarbonisation part 1 (May 23rd 1965)
2.6 Decarbonisation part 2 (May 30th 1965)
2.7 Electyrical Accesories (June 6th 1965)
2.8 Instruments Keep You Out Of Trouble (June 13th 1965)
2.9 A Luxury Car is a Quiet Car (June 20th 1965)
2.10 For Scooter Owners (June 27th 1965)
2.11 For Scooter Owners (July 4th 1965) -overhaul
Holiday Motoring (date?) - touring abroad
The Grammar of Cookery - The theory and practice of cooking skills. Presented by tv's first celebrity chef Philip Harben. He was always so much more intellectual than say The Craddocks, and much more witty than say Marguerite Patten.
Director: Marjory Baker.
1 The Craft of Cooking (Apr 19th 1964, the series repeated starting from Sept 26th 1965)
2 How Heat is Applied to Food (Apr 26th 1964)
4 The Cooking of Flesh Foods part 1 (May 10th 1964)
5 The Cooking of Flesh Foods part 2 (May 17th 1964) how to grills teaks, fry fish and prepare a 'Harben special'
6 The Cooking of Flesh Foods part 3 (May 24th 1964) how to get the best out of tough joints, and how to make the perfect steak and kidney pudding
7 Things Made With Flour 1 (May 31st 1964)- good home-made bread and pastry
8 Things Made With Flour 2 (June 7th 1964)- better pudding, Yorkshire Pudding, cakes and pancakes
9 Things Made With Flour 3 (June 14th 1964)- sponge cakes and eclairs, whipped cream filling and sugar icing
10 The Thickening of Liquids (June 21st 1964) - smooth white sauce, creamy pea soup, mixing mayonnaise
11 Deep Frying (June 28th 1964)- fish and chips
13 Dishing Up and Carving (July 12th 1964)
Following the repeat of series one, a second series commenced, titles become ever more idiosyncratic:
15 The Stew (Jan 16th 1966)
16 Bread (Jan 23rd 1966)
17 Egg Liaison (Jan 30th 1966)
18 The Three Faces of Meringue (Feb 6th 1966)
19 Rice for Everyone (Feb 13th 1966)
20 Pancake's Progress (Feb 20th 1966)
Chicken Saute a la Marengo, Baked Ice Cream (date?)
23 Not So Plain Potatoes (Mar 13th 1966)
25 The Glories of Puff Paste (Mar 27th 1966)
Psychology for Everyman - introduced by Dr Frank George. Script: Larry S Skurnik. Director: Mike Vardy.
1 What is Psychology? (Sept 26th 1964) With Kenneth Watson and Tvonne Bonnamy.
2 Perception (Oct 4th 1964)
4 Motivation (Oct 18th 1964)
5 Learning part 1 (Oct 25th 1964) with Irene Martin
6 Learning part 2 (Nov 1st 1964) with Eunice Belbin
7 Childhood part 1 (Nov 8th 1964) with Prof John Cohen
8 Childhood part 2 (Nov 15th 1964)
9 Adolescence part 1 (Nov 22nd 1964) with Prof John Cohen
10 Adolescence part 2 (Nov 29th 1964) with Prof John Cohen
11 Intelligence (Dec 6th 1964) with Geoffrey Herbert
12 Mental Abilities (Dec 13th 1964) with John Parry
13 Heredity and Environment (Dec 20th 1964) with the Marquess of Bath
14 Personality -1 (Jan 10th 1965, series repeated from Jan 7th 1968) featuring Donald Churchill, with Sarah Brackett, John Gabriel, Joan Ingram, Joe Ritchie, Brenda Sawyer, Marigold Sharman, Kenneth Watson
15 Personality -2 (Jan 17th 1965) featuring Bruno Barnabe, Maurice Hedley, Mark Kingston, Anne Stallybrass and a guest psychiatrist
16 Personality -3 (Jan 24th 1965) with Prof John Cohen
17 Personality -4 (Jan 31st 1965) with Prof HJ Eysenck, Yvonne Bonnamy, Kenneth Watson
18 A Personality Profile (Feb 7th 1965) with Tony Hart
19 Mental Health (Feb 14th 1965) with new patient Margaret Robertson. Commentator: Stuart Seaton
20 Social Psychology -1 (Feb 21st 1965) with Dr Henri Tajfel
21 Social Psychology -2 (Feb 28th 1965) with Dr Henri Tajfel: prejudice
22 Human Relations (Mar 7th 1965) with Father Peter Dempsey, featuring Kate Allit, Jane Evers, Graham Lines, Gillian Royale, Pauline Wingfield
23 Ergonomics (Mar 14th 1965) with Elwyn Edwards
24 Industrial Psychology (Mar 21st 1965) with Raymond Young, Jill Simcox
25 Psychology and Peace Research (Mar 28th 1965) with John Rasmussen
26 Frontiers of Psychological Research (Apr 4th 1965) featuring Peter Barkworth, Caroline Blakiston, Helen Cotterill
Power in Britain- introduced by Barry Westwood. Script: Norman Hunt. Producer: Geoff Ramsey.
1 The Power of the Prime Minister (Jan 10th 1965, series repeated in 1968) with Harold Wilson interviewed by Norman Hunt and John P Mackintosh
2 What Did We Vote For? (Jan 17th 1965) with Michael Shields and Norman Hunt
3 How Party Politics Are Formed (Jan 24th 1965) with Peter Shore, Peter Goldman, Martin Harrison
4 The House of Commons and The Will of the People (Jan 31st 1965) with Jo Grimond, Iain MacLeod, David Walder, Bryan Magee
5 The House of Commons and Finance (Feb 7th 1965) with Reginald Maudling, William Hamilton, Sir John Arbuthnot
6 Rule By Government Order (Feb 14th 1965) with Prof H Street, Sir Eric Fletcher
7 The Power of the Cabinet (Feb 21st 1965) with Edward Heath, John P MackIntosh
8 The Power of the Civil Service (Feb 28th 1965) with James Callaghan, SP osmond
9 The Parliamentary Question (Mar 7th 1965) with Arthur Blenkinsop, Nicholas Ridley, David Millar. Scripts now by John P MackIntosh
10 Pressure Groups and the Civil Service (Mar 14th 1965) with Sir Edward Boyle, Sir Ronald Gould, John P MackIntosh.
11 Pressure Groups and the House of Commons (Mar 21st 1965) with Prof S Finer, Maurice Edelman, Angus Maude.
12 Pressure Groups and Public Opinion (Mar 28th 1965) with Humphrey taylor, Trevor Parfitt
13 The Power of the House of Commons (Apr 4th 1965) with Sir Alec Douglas Home, Emanuel Shinwell, Francis Boyd
14 The Power of the House of Lords (Apr 25th 1965) with Anthony Wedgwood Benn, Lord Mancroft, Prof Peter Bromhead
15 The Power of the Monarchy (May 2nd 1965) with Kingsley Martin and Norman Hunt
The Making of Policy (May 9th 1965) with Edward heath, JW Stevenson, Ian Waller, Elizabeth Gundrey, Julian Critchley. Script: Ian Waller
17 What is Local Government? (May 16th 1965) with members and officers of Coventry City Council
18 The People Who Run the Local Government (May 23rd 1965) with Sir John Maud, Norman Hunt, LJ Sharpe, Dudley Lofts
19 The Local Electorate (May 30th 1965) with LJ Sharpe, Roland Freeman, Michael Ward
20 Parties, Pressue Groups and the Press (June 6th 1965) with Trevor Smith, Derek Hawes-Richards, Cyril Smith, Douglas Smith
21 The Finance of Local Government (June 13th 1965) with RHS Crossman, HR Page, Norman Hunt
22 The Local-Central Arrangement (June 20th 1965)
with Sir Keith Joseph, Prof JAG Griffith, JC Swaffield
23 Is Local Government Too Local? (June 27th 1965) with LJ Sharpe, Prof Peter Self, GF Hickson, FH Jeeps. Script: LJ Sharpe
24 Local Government in Action- Education. (July 4th 1965) With Surrey Education Committee and St Catherine's School Bletchingley. Script: Dudley Lofts
25 The Citizen with a Grievance (July 11th 1965) with Dr Donald Johnson, Norman Dodds, Tom Sargant. Script: Ian Waller
26 What Kind of Government? (July 18th 1965) with Anthony Sampson. This programme only introduced by Norman Hunt, who wrote this script.
Image and Reality- How accurately does the media present real life? What influence does this have?
Written and presented by Brian Groombridge. Producer: Margery Baker.
1 The Image of Marriage (Sept 26th 1965)
2 The Image of Marriage -2 (Oct 3rd 1965)
3 Childhood (Oct 10th 1965)
4 What is Old Age? (Oct 17th 1965)
5 Portrait of Youth (Oct 24th 1965)
6 Portrait of Youth -2 (Oct 31st 1965)
7 Work (Nov 7th 1965)
9 Class (Nov 21st 1965)
10 Education (Nov 28th 1965)
11 Police and the Community (Dec 5th 1965)
12 Picture of health (Dec 12th 1965)
13 Background to the Image (Dec 19th 1965)
A Plain Man's Guide to Money
How the small investor can make money.
With Alastair Burnet. Script: Isobel Allen. Producer: Ted Childs.
1 Jan 9th 1966: shares
2 Jan 16th 1966: savings through the Post Office, Trustee Savings Banks, and savings certificates
3 Jan 23rd 1966: savings through bank accounts, building socities, and finance houses. This programme ended with Investment Extra, with Richard Milner looking at the progress of £600 worth of shares chosen in #1.
4 Jan 30th 1966: investing in property
5 Feb 6th 1966: buying your own home. Followed by Investment Extra, with Richard Milner reviewing the chosen shares
6 Feb 13th 1966 Insurance
7 Feb 20th 1966 Hire purchase, followed by Investment Extra
10 Mar 13th 1966 Ordinary Shares
12 Mar 27th 1966 The financial page of a newspaper
13 Apr 3rd 1966 final programme, followed by Investment Extra
The Anatomy of First Aid with Dr Michael Winstanley. Producer: Marjory Ruse. With members of St John's Ambulance, British Red Cross, St Andrew's Ambulance Association Casualty Union
1 The Basic Principles (Apr 17th 1966, series repeated starting Jan 7th 1968)- the body and how it works
2 Tne Circulation of Blood (Apr 24th 1966)
3 Wounds and Haemorrhage (May 1st 1966)
4 Asphyxia (May 8th 1966)- emergency resuscitation
5 More ABout Asphyxia (May 15th 1966)- drowning, choking, gassing
6 Bones, Muscles and Joints (May 22nd 1966) - the skeleton, and broken bones
7 Bones, Muscles and Joints -2 (May 29th 1966) - fractures of the arm, collarbone and jaw
8 Bones, Muscles and Joints -3 (June 5th 1966) - complications: the spine, rib and pelvis. Dislocations and bruises
9 Head Injuries (June 12th 1966)- strokes and other common causes of coma
10 Poisons and Poisoning (June 19th 1966)
11 Burns and Scalds (June 26th 1966)
12 Heatstroke and Exhaustion and Deadly Cold (July 3rd 1966)- how to move casualties
13 First Aid in Action (July 10th 1966)- revision via a typical accident
The ABC of Do-It-Yourself with Barry Bucknell of course. Director: Tom Clegg.
1 Basic Principles (Apr 17th 1966 repeated in some regions starting April 1967)
2 The Use of Basic Tools (Apr 24th 1966)
4 Domestic Plumbing (May 8th 1966)
6 Window repairs (May 22nd 1966)
7 Curing Damp (May 29th 1966)
8 Window Repairs (June 5th 1966)
10 Wall-papering (June 19th 1966)
12 Brickwork and Concreting (July 3rd 1966)
13 New Materials (July 10th 1966)
The Present Stage- aspects of contemporary drama, with David Jones. Devised and based on the book of this name by John Kershaw. Producer: Pamela Lonsdale.
1 Look Back in Anger (Apr 17th 1966) with Judy Cornwell, Irene Hamilton, Paul Hardwick, Valentine Palmer, Barry Stanton
2 Look Back in Anger part 2 (Apr 24th 1966) with same cast
3 Roots -1 (May 1st 1966) with Judy Cornwell, Irene Hamilton, Derek Smith, Barry Stanton, Margery Withers
4 Roots -2 (May 8th 1966) with same cast
5 The Fire Raisers -1 (May 15th 1966) with Valentine Palmer, Derek Smith, Barry Stanton, Margery Withers, also Robert James, John Gill, David Jackson, Roger Kemp
6 The Fire Raisers -2 (May 22nd 1966) with same cast
7 The Caretaker (May 29th 1966) with Valentine Palmer, Derek Smith, Barry Stanton
8 The Caretaker - 2 (June 5th 1966) with same cast
9 The Bald Prima Donna (June 12th 1966) with Judy Cornwell, Irene Hamilton, Valentine Palmer, Derek Smith, Barry Stanton, Margery Withers
10 The Bald Prima Donna -2 (June 19th 1966) with same cast
11 Waiting for Godot (June 26th 1966) with Paul Hardwicke, Valentine Palmer, Derek Smith, Barry Stanton
12 Waiting for Godot (July 3rd 1966) with same cast
You And Your Library
(Sept 17th/24th 1966 rpt)
Two programmes about the public library service with David Barry. Script by Gordon Watts. Producer: Ted Childs
First Steps in Physics (O level Physics) introduced by Prof James Ring. Script: Gerald Hacker. Director: John Russell.
1 Forces (Sept 25th 1966) from ABC Television 'Physics' NEC Cambridge
2 Forces and Motion (Oct 2nd 1966)
3 Work, Energy and Power (Oct 9th 1966)
4 Machines (Oct 16th 1966)
5 Density and Floatation (Oct 23rd 1966)
6 Pressure (Oct 30th 1966)
7 Revision (Nov 6th 1966)
8 Waves (Nov 13th 1966)
10 Images (Nov 27th 1966)
11 Optical Instruments (Dec 4th 1966)
12 Sound (Dec 11th 1966)
13 Musical Instruments (Dec 18th 1966)
14 Revision programme 2 (Jan 8th 1967)
15 Molecules in Motion (Jan 15th 1967)
17 How Heat Travels (Jan 29th 1967)
18 Electricity at Rest (Feb 5th 1967)
19 Electric Circuits (Feb 12th 1967)
20 Charges in Motion (Feb 19th 1967)
21 Revision -III (Feb 26th 1967)
22 Magnetism (Mar 5th 1967)
23 Electromagnets (Mar 12th 1967)
24 The Motor Effect (Mar 19th 1967)
25 The Dynamo Effect (Apr 2nd 1967)
26
27 Conservation of Energy (Apr 16th 1967)
28 Revision -IV (Apr 23rd 1967)
29 Examination Extra (Apr 30th 1967)- excerpts from previous programmes
30 Examination Extra (May 7th 1967)
31 Examination Extra (May 14th 1967)
32 Examination Extra (May 21st 1967)- final programme
The Struggle for Peace
Produced in association with National Educational Television of America. Narrator Robert Beatty. Script: Leonard Beaton. Director: David Wickes. Producer: Brian Wenham.
1 An Armed World (Sept 25th 1966) with statements from Dwight D Eisenhower, Robert Kennedy, Lauris Norstad, Maurice Couve de Murville, Denis Healy.
2 The Bomb (Oct 2nd 1966) with statements from Dr Jerome Wiesner, Sir George Thomson, Dr Rudolph Peieris, Dr George Kistiakovsky, Prof Thomas Schelling, Allan McKnight
3 Nuclear Forces (Oct 9th 1966) with statements from Dwight D Eisenhower, Dr Jerome Wiesner, General Andre Beaufre, Vice Admiral Sir Peter Gretton
4 Europe in Arms (Oct 16th 1966) with statements from Lauris Norstad, Denis Healy, Franz-Josef Strauss, Vladillen Vassev, Dr Alain Enthoven
5 War Plans (Oct 23rd 1966) with statements from Denis Healy, Frederick Hoffman, Franz-Josef Strauss, Gen Andre Beaufre, Lord Chalfont
6 Uncertain Partners (Oct 30th 1966) with statements from Lauris Norstad, Vladillen Vassev, Peter Thorneycroft, Frederick Wyle, JC Servan Schreiber
7 Control of a Crisis (Nov 6th 1966) Berlin 1961 and Cuba 1962 with statements from Robert Kennedy, Lord Watkinson, General Lauris Norstad, Vladillen Vassev, General Andre Beaufre
8 The Rise of China (Nov 13th 1966) with statements from Denis Healy, Lee Kwan Yew, Sir Robert Thompson, Frank Church, General Som Dutt
10 Great Powers In Action (Nov 27th 1966) with statements from Denis Healy, Enoch Powell, Christopher Mayhew, Shimon Peres, Lee Kwan Yew
11 United Nations (Dec 4th 1966) with statements from Brian Urquhart, Prof Lincoln Bloomfield, John Holmes, Jacques vernant, Vladillen Vassev
12 Hope of Disarmament (Dec 11th 1966) with statements from Lord Chalfont, Adrian Fisher, Dr Theodore Sommer, Carl Biurnbaum, Prof Lincoln Bloomfield,
13 Dec 18th 1966: the last programme examined prospects for survival in the nuclear age
The Middle Years
presented by Ludovic Kennedy. Script: Isobel Allen. Director: Chris Goddard.
1 Introduction (Jan 8th 1967, series repeated from April 1968)
2 Marriage and Sex (Jan 15th 1967)
3 Children (Jan 22nd 1967)
4 Single, Widowed and Divorced (Jan 29th 1967)
5 Feb 5th: discussion on issues raised with Prof Ronald Fletcher and Barbara Warburton
6 Friends and neighbours -1 (Feb 12th 1967)
7 Friends and neighbours -2 (Feb 19th 1967)
8 Feb 26th 1967: two leading sociologists discuss the last two programmes
9 Shop Floor Workers (Mar 5th 1967)
10 White Collar Workers (Mar 12th 1967)
11 Women at Work (Mar 19th 1967)
12 Work (Apr 2nd 1967) with Dorothy Wedderburn, Harry Jamieson and Owen Whitney
A Guide to Family Spending
with Barbara Kelly. Script and Producer: Ted Childs.
1 Value for Money (Jan 8th 1967)
2 Accommodation (Jan 15th 1967)
4 Fixtures and Fittings (Jan 29th 1967)
5 Shopping (Feb 5th 1967)
6 Personal Spending (Feb 12th 1967)
7 Transport (Feb 19th 1967)
8 Education (Feb 26th 1967)
9 Entertainment (Mar 5th 1967)
10 Health and Welfare (Mar 12th 1967)
11 Pensions and Insurance (Mar 19th 1967)
12 Money Spinning (Apr 2nd 1967)
Your Sunday Paper
Introduced by John Pett. Director: Jeff Milland.
1 The Papers in Profile (Apr 16th 1967) with Raymond Williams, and Robert Edwards of the People
2 No News is Good news (Apr 23rd 1967) with Paul Barker, and Frank Giles of The Sunday Times
3 Public Voices (Apr 30th 1967) with Graham Martin, and John Beaven of The Mirror Group
4 The Look of the Thing (May 7th 1967) with Paul Barker, and Raymond Hawkey of The Observer
5 The World of The Gossip Column (May 14th 1967) with research fellow Stuart Hall, and Douglas Clark of The Sunday Express
6 The City Page (May 21st 1967) with Benedict Nightingale, and Patrick Hutber of The Sunday Telegraph
7 The Ads (May 28th 1967) with Roy Shaw, and Mark Boxer of The Sunday Times
8 People, Personalities and Personalisation (June 4th 1967) with Stuart Hall
9 Putting on the Styles: Social Education (June 11th 1967) with Roy Shaw, and Merry Archard of The Sunday Citizen
10 Humour (June 18th 1967) with George Melly and Cyril Kersh of The Sunday Mirror
12 Sporting Gestures (July 2nd 1967) with ACH Smith, and Michael Melford of The Sunday Telegraph
13 Leisured Entertainment (July 9th 1967) with ACH Smith, Michael Christiansen of The Sunday Mirror, Donald Mclachlan formerly of The Sunday Telegraph, and Prof Richard Hoggart- last of series
Plain Sailing
With Group Captain 'Crab' Searl, assisted by Elizabeth Shaw. Script and production by John Russell.
1 Getting Afloat (May 28th 1967, series repeated from June 2nd 1968)
2 Rigging and launching (June 4th 1967)
3 Points of Sailing (June 11th 1967)- how to control your boat, sailing in relation to the wind
4 Landing and Mooring (June 18th 1967)
6 Pilotage and Weather (July 2nd 1967)
7 Purchase and Care of a Boat (July 9th 1967)- final programme, recapping points from the series
Face of the Earth
O Level Geography. Written and introduced by Geoffrey North. Producer: David Wickes.
1 Outside Your Door (Sept 24th 1967)
4 The Hills Remain (Oct 15th 1967)
5 The Contrast between Us (Oct 22nd 1967)
6 What Welcome in the Hillside? (Oct 29th 1966)- South Wales
7 The New Face of Wales (Nov 5th 1967)
8 To Plough and Sow and Reap and Mow (Nov 12th 1967)- farming in Lincolnshire
9 The Industrial Harvest (Nov 19th 1967) - North Sea
10 Changing Lancashire (Nov 26th 1967)
11 London Yesterday and Today (Dec 3rd 1967)
12 London Today and Tomorrow (Dec 10th 1967)
13 Britain in Perspective (Dec 17th 1967)- major forces that have shaped Britain
14 Food From Down Under (Jan 7th 1968)
15 Sweden Strikes It Rich (Jan 14th 1968)
16 Rich Man's Club (Jan 21st 1968)
17 Passport to Prosperity (Jan 28th 1968)
18 Mayflower to Route 128 (Feb 4th 1968) progress in New England
19 The Windy City (Feb 11th 1968)
20 City of the Angels (Feb 18th 1968)- "is Los Angeles the town of the future or is it a freak?"
21 White Coal (Feb 25th 1968)- hydroelectricity
22 Black Gold (Mar 3rd 1968)- oil
23 Land of Opportunity (Mar 10th 1968)- America
24 Too Many People (Mar 17th 1968) with Ejaz Ahmad Nalk
25 Improving On nature (Mar 24th 1968) with Duncan Ferguson. Scripts now by John Bradley
27 The Rich and The Poor (Apr 20th 1968) with Reg prentice- gap between rich and poor
28 The World of Man (Apr 28th 1968) with Arthur Hopcraft. Script now by Geroffrey North again
29 The Rich Grow Richer (May 5th 1968)
30 The Final Reckoning (May 12th 1968)- with Anthony Wedgwood Benn. Where does Britain stand? Last in series
The Struggle for Peace
Produced in association with National Educational Television of America. Narrator Robert Beatty. Script: Leonard Beaton. Director: David Wickes. Producer: Brian Wenham.
1 An Armed World (Sept 25th 1966) with statements from Dwight D Eisenhower, Robert Kennedy, Lauris Norstad, Maurice Couve de Murville, Denis Healy.
2 The Bomb (Oct 2nd 1966) with statements from Dr Jerome Wiesner, Sir George Thomson, Dr Rudolph Peieris, Dr George Kistiakovsky, Prof Thomas Schelling, Allan McKnight
3 Nuclear Forces (Oct 9th 1966) with statements from Dwight D Eisenhower, Dr Jerome Wiesner, General Andre Beaufre, Vice Admiral Sir Peter Gretton
4 Europe in Arms (Oct 16th 1966) with statements from Lauris Norstad, Denis Healy, Franz-Josef Strauss, Vladillen Vassev, Dr Alain Enthoven
5 War Plans (Oct 23rd 1966) with statements from Denis Healy, Frederick Hoffman, Franz-Josef Strauss, Gen Andre Beaufre, Lord Chalfont
6 Uncertain Partners (Oct 30th 1966) with statements from Lauris Norstad, Vladillen Vassev, Peter Thorneycroft, Frederick Wyle, JC Servan Schreiber
7 Control of a Crisis (Nov 6th 1966) Berlin 1961 and Cuba 1962 with statements from Robert Kennedy, Lord Watkinson, General Lauris Norstad, Vladillen Vassev, General Andre Beaufre
8 The Rise of China (Nov 13th 1966) with statements from Denis Healy, Lee Kwan Yew, Sir Robert Thompson, Frank Church, General Som Dutt
10 Great Powers In Action (Nov 27th 1966) with statements from Denis Healy, Enoch Powell, Christopher Mayhew, Shimon Peres, Lee Kwan Yew
11 United Nations (Dec 4th 1966) with statements from Brian Urquhart, Prof Lincoln Bloomfield, John Holmes, Jacques vernant, Vladillen Vassev
12 Hope of Disarmament (Dec 11th 1966) with statements from Lord Chalfont, Adrian Fisher, Dr Theodore Sommer, Carl Biurnbaum, Prof Lincoln Bloomfield,
13 Dec 18th 1966: the last programme examined prospects for survival in the nuclear age
The Middle Years
presented by Ludovic Kennedy. Script: Isobel Allen. Director: Chris Goddard.
1 Introduction (Jan 8th 1967, series repeated from April 1968)
2 Marriage and Sex (Jan 15th 1967)
3 Children (Jan 22nd 1967)
4 Single, Widowed and Divorced (Jan 29th 1967)
5 Feb 5th: discussion on issues raised with Prof Ronald Fletcher and Barbara Warburton
6 Friends and neighbours -1 (Feb 12th 1967)
7 Friends and neighbours -2 (Feb 19th 1967)
8 Feb 26th 1967: two leading sociologists discuss the last two programmes
9 Shop Floor Workers (Mar 5th 1967)
10 White Collar Workers (Mar 12th 1967)
11 Women at Work (Mar 19th 1967)
12 Work (Apr 2nd 1967) with Dorothy Wedderburn, Harry Jamieson and Owen Whitney
A Guide to Family Spending
with Barbara Kelly. Script and Producer: Ted Childs.
1 Value for Money (Jan 8th 1967)
2 Accommodation (Jan 15th 1967)
4 Fixtures and Fittings (Jan 29th 1967)
5 Shopping (Feb 5th 1967)
6 Personal Spending (Feb 12th 1967)
7 Transport (Feb 19th 1967)
8 Education (Feb 26th 1967)
9 Entertainment (Mar 5th 1967)
10 Health and Welfare (Mar 12th 1967)
11 Pensions and Insurance (Mar 19th 1967)
12 Money Spinning (Apr 2nd 1967)
Plain Sailing
With Group Captain 'Crab' Searl, assisted by Elizabeth Shaw. Script and production by John Russell.
1 Getting Afloat (May 28th 1967, series repeated from June 2nd 1968)
2 Rigging and launching (June 4th 1967)
3 Points of Sailing (June 11th 1967)- how to control your boat, sailing in relation to the wind
4 Landing and Mooring (June 18th 1967)
6 Pilotage and Weather (July 2nd 1967)
7 Purchase and Care of a Boat (July 9th 1967)- final prgramme, recapping points from the series
Face of the Earth
O Level Geography. Written and introduced by Geoffrey North. Producer: David Wickes.
1 Outside Your Door (Sept 24th 1967)
4 The Hills Remain (Oct 15th 1967)
5 The Contrast between Us (Oct 22nd 1967)
6 What Welcome in the Hillside? (Oct 29th 1966)- South Wales
7 The New Face of Wales (Nov 5th 1967)
8 To Plough and Sow and Reap and Mow (Nov 12th 1967)- farming in Lincolnshire
9 The Industrial Harvest (Nov 19th 1967) - North Sea
10 Changing Lancashire (Nov 26th 1967)
11 London Yesterday and Today (Dec 3rd 1967)
12 London Today and Tomorrow (Dec 10th 1967)
13 Britain in Perspective (Dec 17th 1967)- major forces that have shaped Britain
14 Food From Down Under (Jan 7th 1968)
15 Sweden Strikes It Rich (Jan 14th 1968)
16 Rich Man's Club (Jan 21st 1968)
17 Passport to Prosperity (Jan 28th 1968)
18 Mayflower to Route 128 (Feb 4th 1968) progress in New England
19 The Windy City (Feb 11th 1968)
20 City of the Angels (Feb 18th 1968)- "is Los Angeles the town of the future or is it a freak?"
21 White Coal (Feb 25th 1968)- hydroelectricity
22 Black Gold (Mar 3rd 1968)- oil
23 Land of Opportunity (Mar 10th 1968)- America
24 Too Many People (Mar 17th 1968) with Ejaz Ahmad Nalk
25 Improving On nature (Mar 24th 1968) with Duncan Ferguson. Scripts now by John Bradley
27 The Rich and The Poor (Apr 20th 1968) with Reg prentice- gap between rich and poor
28 The World of Man (Apr 28th 1968) with Arthur Hopcraft. Script now by Geroffrey North again
29 The Rich Grow Richer (May 5th 1968)
30 The Final Reckoning (May 12th 1968)- with Anthony Wedgwood Benn. Where does Britain stand? Last in series
Rich World, Poor World
Aid to poor countries. This included actors John Ringham, Hamilton Dyce, Irene Hamilton, Barry Wilsher (except in #6 and #12). Director: Ronald Fouracre. Producer: Anthony Rouse.
1 Contrasts (Sept 24th 1967)
5 Towards Industry (Oct 22nd 1967)
6 The Education gap (Oct 29th 1967)
7 Who calls The Tune (Nov 5th 1967) George Ffitch with Tilak Gooneratne, also EF Schumacher and Dudley Sears
8 The Politics of Aid (Nov 12th 1967)
9 World Bank (Nov 19th 1967)
10 Exchange is No Robbery (Nov 26th 1967)
12 Aiding or Abetting (Dec 10th 1967) George Ffitch with Prof PT Bauer, Albert Oram, and John White
13 Rich World v Poor World (Dec 17th 1967) a contest of 18 minutes' duration of unequal weights between a poor under-developed person and a rich well-developed person
World of Crime
A second co-operation between ABC and an American tv station, this one Westinghouse Broadcasting Company). Narrator: Charles Tingwell. Consultant: Dean Joseph D Lohman. Associate producer: Walter McGraw. Executive Producer: Michael Reddington.
1 The Crime Spectrum (Jan 7th 1968 rpt Feb 18th 1968, rpt Mar 3rd 1968) - in the crowded city. Director: Derek Nice.
Note: this programme seems to have been screened on three occasions in this run, though possibly these were three separate editions? Or possibly the later programmes hadn't been completed in time?
2 Violence (Jan 14th 1968). Director: John Crome
3 Roots of Crime (Feb 25th 1968) Director: Michael Ruggins.
4 Living by Crime (Mar 10th 1968) Director: John Crome.
5 Crime Without Victims (Mar 17th 1968)- crimes such as prostitution and drugs. Director: John Crome.
6 White Collar Criminals (Mar 24th 1968). Director: Michael Ruggins.
8 Teenagers (Apr 21st 1968)
9 Minorities (Apr 28th 1968)- ethnic groups Director: Michael Ruggins.
10 The Police (May 5th 1968) Director: Ted Childs
11 The Law (May 12th 1968) Director: Ted Childs
Power of the Dollar
Produced un association with NET America. Narrator: Murray Kash. Director: John Russell. Producer: Brian Wenham.
1 Sales Talk (Jan 21st 1968)- aggressive American sales techniques
2 Tecnology trail (Jan 28th 1968) - technological gap between America and Europe
3 Take-Over Trends (Feb 4th 1968)- American companies spending less due to devaluation of the pound
4 Rules of the Game (Feb 11th 1968)- American cuts in spending in Europe
Fit for Life
ABC's final contribution to The Sunday Session. With John Pett and (in #1 to #5 and #9) Dr H Beric Wright. Script: Lawrence Hughes. Director: Helen Standage. Producer: Marjory Ruse.
2 Coronary Heart Trouble (May 25th 1968) with Al Murray
3 Stress and Tension, Slipped Discs (June 2nd 1968) with Dr DE Ford
4 Watch Your Weight (June 9th 1968) with Dr JVGA Durnin
5 Slimming Sense (June 16th 1968) with Al Murray
6 Exercise (1)- Today's Problems (June 23rd 1968) with Al Murray, and Dr Peter Travers
7 Exercise (2)- Isotonics and Isometrics (June 30th 1968) with Al Murray, and Dr JVGA Durnin
8 Exercise (3)- Weight Training for Fitness (July 7th 1968) with Al Murray, and Dr Peter Travers
9 Preventative Medicine (July 14th 1968) with Dr Madeline Pinkerton. Director: David Scott
Menu
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Haunted (ABC)
Producer Michael Chapman said, "this is a series of plays on the supernatural. Michael West (Patrick Mower), a young lecturer at a Midlands University becomes interested in the paranormal, voices from beyond the grave, glimpses into the future, the dead of long ago stretching their hands across the centuries.
It is a series about people rather than things, more concerned with what goes on in the mind than with the speech-owls and vaults.
Michael's attempts to find answers to some very strange questions introduce him to some charlatans, some crooks, and some mystics of the age of the semi-detached."
Some location shooting was done in Keele University. A semi-regular was John Nettleton as Professor Alec Ritchie. The series was not networked, but transmitted in other ITV regions on different dates, shown here are ABC (Midlands/North) premieres. The series is believed Wiped, yet as it survived some months being passed round the regions, maybe, somewhere lies a copy...?
1 I Like It Here (Saturday August 19th 1967, 9.00-9.55pm). Script: Anthony Skene. Director: Patrick Dromgoole.
In which West takes up his new post. Was it simply a new job, a strange place, new faces? Or did it mean something, sonething special, this strange disquieting dream?
2 Many Happy Returns (Aug 26th 1967). Script: Andrew Hall. Director: Jonathan Alwyn. With Nigel Stock, Daphne Anderson, Peter Barkworth, Madeleine Mills and Eleanor Summerfield. A seance is held, a wish is granted, the marriage vow takes on a new significance.
3 To Blow My Name About (Sept 2nd 1967). Script: Katherine Blake and Roger Woddis. Director: Charles Jarrott. With Avis Bunnage (Margaret Rowley), Jack Woolgar, Ronald Lacey, Charles Lloyd Pack. A day in August- birds sing, children play. Across the years a chill wind strums its tragic echo of the past.
4 The Girl on a Swing (Sept 9th 1967). Director: Guy Verney. With George Coulouris, Fabia Drake and Tessa Wyatt. The story of Marjorie, whose ghost haunts an empty house.
5 The Chinese Butterfly (Sept 16th 1967). Director: Bill Bain. With Gabrielle Drake, Richard Hurndall, Morris Perry and Francesca Tu. Why should anyone be terrified of a Chinese girl in Kew Gardens?
6 After the Funeral (Sept 23rd 1967). Director: Don Leaver. With Michael Barrington, Kynaston Reeves, Jane Jordan Rogers.
7 Living Doll (Sept 30th 1967). Script: Anthony Skene. Director: Jonathan Alwyn. With Peter Vaughan, Ingrid Hafner, Avice Landone. What dark secret is taking place after hours in high street store The Fun Shoppe? By midnight on a July night, the last and greatest of the Black Miracles of Derva will be accomplished.
8 Through a Glass Darkly (Jan 13th 1968). Script: Marc Brandel. Director: Joan Kemp-Welch. With Joan Collin, Natasha Pyne, Peter Williams. If you believe it will happen strongly enough, well it just might. That's the power of suggestion
Menu
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TV on the Film Industry- ITV's Original Output
Television looks at the film business, interviewing the stars, and even gets the chance to show clips from the latest movies. The BBC's contribution to the genre included Peter Haig introducing Picture Parade- this started in April 1956. Beginning in the 1970s, Barry Norman was the most iconic presenter of BBC's output.
ITV's contribution was fascinating because several companies exploited their connections with the industry.
These series included:
Movie Magazine (ATV Sept 1955-Apr 1956)
Film Fanfare (ABC Feb 1956-Dec 1956)
Portrait Of A Star (ATV May 1956-1957)
Close Up (A-R Feb 1957-1963)
Box Office (ABC Apr 1957-Jan 1958)
Star Parade (Tyne Tees 1959-1964)
Star Feature (STV 1961-1962)
Movie Magazine (TWW 1961-1965)
Cinema (Granada 1964-1975)
Westward's Stars In The West began on Sept 18th 1961, hosted by Peter Craig-Raymond.
Ulster's own cinema magazine Preview started in 1961 with host Robert McLernon. Briefly from October 1st 1963, Patrick Riddell introduced the monthly Roll One. On Grampian, June Imray introduced Movie Date, starting in July 1966, showcasing films to be released in local cinemas, and interviews with the stars.
Missing Menu
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The first ever ITV series on films was
Movie Magazine
on ATV London, first edition Sunday Sept 25th 1955, 7.45-8pm.
In 1956 Sundays 3-3.30pm until February 12th 1956. It was hosted by John Fitzgerald and produced by Cecil Petty.
"News and scenes from popular films." TV Times did not indicate the content.
With newly operational ABC producing the networked Film Fanfare from February that year, ATV continued their own programme in the Midlands area only, entitled
Midland Movie Magazine beginning on Wednesday February 22nd 1956 from 10.30-10.45pm, with John Fitzgerald again presenting, and Cecil Petty producing.
The last edition was around about Wed April 25th 1956.
Note: a few clips of John Fitzgerald in this series are preserved in the British Pathe archive.
menu of ITV film shows
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Portrait of a Star
with ABC providing the main magazine on films, in May 1956 ATV resorted to profiles of individual stars, hosted by old friend John Fitzgerald. Script: Harold Jamieson. Producer: Cecil Petty. Time: Sundays 10.30-10.45pm.
From June that year, TV Times announced the subject of each programme:
Barbara Stanwyck (June 3rd), Mr Magoo (June 17th), John Mills (Aug 5th)- TV Times included a photo from The Baby and the Battleship, Kenneth More (Sept 2nd), John Wayne (Sept 23rd), Alastair Sim (Oct 14th), George Cole (Oct 21st), Rossano Brazzi (Nov 18th), Joan Crawford (Dec 9th), Abbott and Costello (Dec 16th), Gregory Peck (Dec 23rd), William Holden (Dec 30th), Ernest Borgnine (Jan 6th 1957), Glynis Johns (Jan 13th), Broderick Crawford (Jan 20th), Orson Welles (Jan 27th), Victor Mature (Feb 10th), Rock Hudson (Feb 24th), Michael Wilding (Mar 3rd), Ingrid Bergman (Apr 14th). The series appeared irregularly during 1957 as A-R had begun their own offering on films
menu of ITV film shows
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Film Fanfare (1956, ABC)
"A family film magazine with excerpts from current films, fashion, gossip, music and interviews with the stars." First producer was Eric Fawcett. Precise content was not stated in TV Times, though thankfully clips from the series, and some near complete editions, happily survive in the British Pathe archive.
Plans for the early programmes included these features: Answer Back- in which stars face up to their most aggressive critics. Turning Point - a reconstruction of a star's actual moment of discovery, and/or their first screen appearance. Progress Report- showing the stages of how a film is created.
First host was Paul Carpenter. On April 22nd 1956, it was hosted by McDonald Hobley. Peter Noble presented excerpts from current releases. Muir Mathieson conducted the ABC Concert Orchestra in film music. Director Don Sharp. Producer Terry Ashwood.
By the next month it had been shortened to 45 minutes and shown in the Saturday night 10pm slot. Personnel the same, except John Parsons introduced while McDonald Hobley presented a film
quiz. John Fitzgerald introduced the excerpts. By June 1956 Paul Carpenter was back introducing the programme, with John Parsons conducting interviews with international screen celebrities.
List of editions
1 Sun Feb 19th 1956 2.45-3.45pm
2 Sun Feb 26th 1956
3 Sun Mar 4th 1956
4 Sun Mar 11th 1956
5 Sun Mar 18th 1956
6 Sun Mar 25th 1956
7 Sun Apr 1st 1956
8 Sun Apr 8th 1956
9 Sun Apr 15th 1956
10 Sun Apr 22nd 1956 2.45-3.45pm with McDonald Hobley, current releases presented by Peter Noble. Director Don Sharp
11 Sun Apr 29th 1956 2.45-3.45pm with McDonald Hobley, current releases presented by Peter Noble. Director Don Sharp
12 Sun May 6th 1956
13 Sat May 19th 1956 10-10.45pm - with John Parsons, current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Quiz presented by McDonald Hobley
Host Paul Carpenter. Interviews with Lloyd Nolan and Norman Wisdom
14 Sat May 26th 1956 10-1045pm - with John Parsons, current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Quiz: McDonald Hobley
15 June 2nd 1956
16 Sat June 9th 1956 10-10.45pm - with Paul Carpenter. Interviews by John Parsons, current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Quiz presented by McDonald Hobley, one of the panellists is Tony Britton.
Also with Peter Noble, Joe Henderson, Jill Allen.
Script: Robert Ottaway Dir David Paltenghi
17 Sat June 16th 1956 - with Paul Carpenter. Interviews by John Parsons, current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Douglas Fairbanks Jr interviews Mandy.
Quiz: Yvone Furneaux, David Kossoff, Mary McKenzie, Peter Noble
Script: Robert Ottaway Dir David Paltenghi
18 Sat June 23rd 1956 10-10.45pm - compere Paul Carpenter. Interviews by John Parsons, current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Quiz: McDonald Hobley. Peter Noble with film news and gossip. Diana Decker sang. Director was David Paltenghi.
19 June 30th 1956
20 July 7th 1956
21 Sat July 14th 1956 - Interviews by John Parsons, current releases presented by John Fitzgerald.
Host: Stephen Boyd. Also appearing: Sally Anne Howes, Martine Carol. Director: David Paltenghi
22 Sat July 21st 1956 - with Paul Carpenter, back after an absence. Interviews by John Parsons, current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Peter Noble with film news and gossip. Director: David Paltenghi
23 July 28th 1956
24 Sat Aug 4th 1956 - Interviews by John Parsons, current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Peter Noble with film news and gossip. Director: David Paltenghi
25 Sat Aug 11th 1956 10-10.45pm -
compere Lionel Murton, with John Parsons nterviewing Ann Todd,
Robert Ottaway interviewing Adrienne Corri,
Also with April Olrich, John Fitzgerald.
Quiz hosted by Lionel Murton with Jacqueline Curtis,
Denholm Elliott, Kim Parker, and Peter Noble. Director: David Paltenghi
26 Aug 18th 1956
27 Sat Aug 25th 1956 with Lionel Murton, Peter Noble, John Parsons and John Fitzgerald. Director: David Paltenghi
28 Sept 1st 1956
29 Sat Sept 8th 1956 10-10.46pm - Presenter: Paul Carpenter. Interviews by John Parsons, current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Peter Noble with film news and gossip. Director: David Paltenghi
30 John Fitzgerald Sat Sept 15th 1956 10.15-10.46pm - Presenter and quizmaster: McDonald Hobley. Joy Webster kept the score. Current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Director: Bill Skinner. Muit Matheson and orchestra no longer appear
31 Sept 22nd 1956 hostess Joy Webster
32 Sat Sept 29th 1956 10.15-10.46pm - Presenter and quizmaster: McDonald Hobley. Peter Noble judges the quiz and talks to a guest star. Joy Webster keeps the score. Current releases presented by John Fitzgerald. Director: Bill Skinner
33 Oct 6th 1956
34 Oct 13th 1956
35 Sat Oct 20th 1956 10.15-10.46pm - Presenter: McDonald Hobley. His 'Leg Girl': Patricia Lewis. Director: Bill Skinner
36 Sat Oct 27th 1956 10.15-10.46pm - Presenter: McDonald Hobley. His 'Leg Girl': Patricia Lewis. Director: Bill Skinner
37 Nov 3rd 1956
38 Nov 10th 1956
39 Nov 17th 1956
40 Sat Nov 24th 1956 10.15-10.46pm - Presenter: McDonald Hobley with Patricia Lewis. Director: Bill Skinner
41 Dec 1st 1956
42 Sat Dec 8th 1956 10.15-10.46pm - with McDonald Hobley and Patricia Lewis
43 Sat Dec 15th 1956 10.15-10.46pm - Presenter: McDonald Hobley
44 Dec 22nd 1956
45 Sat Dec 29th 1956 10.15-10.46pm - Presenter: John Fitzgerald
menu of ITV film shows
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Preview
Ulster TV's local cinema programme
ran during 1961 amd 1962.
It discussed records, theatre and other entertainment in the area, as well as cinema films.
In November 1962 two editions were seen by an audience averaging 76% of possible viewers
To menu of ITV film shows
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Star Feature (1961)
was Scottish Television's contribution to the
genre of tv coverage of feature films.
It was presented by Jimmy Nairn.
Director was Gerry Le Grove.
The programmes focused on film stars and
included clips from their movies, the usual format. About 44 programmes were made.
April 9th 1961, 11-11.30pm scenes from Pepe
Apr 16th 1961: scenes from films with John Mills, including The Singer and The Song,
April 23rd 1961: films with Ian Bannen
Apr 30th: Peter Finch including clips from No Love for Johnny
May 14th (temporarily fortnightly): films made by James Munro
May 28th 10.40-11.25: the story of Cinemascope
June 4th 1961 11.10-11.40pm: the British film industry's contribution to the war effort
June 11th 1961 11-11.30pm: British horror films
June 18th 11pm - no details
June 25th 1961 11pm: Walt Disney films
July 2nd 11pm: Continental films
July 9th 11pm: famous British films
July 16th 8.25-8.55pm: Disney films including Greyfriars Bobby
July 23rd 11pm: Fernandel (last of first series)
SERIES 2
Sunday September 10th 1961 7.55-8.25pm: films with religious themes
Sept 17th 1961 7.30-8.25pm: United Artists films
Sept 24th 1961 7.55-8.25pm: The Mills Family
Oct 1st 1961 7.55: Alfred Hitchcock
Oct 8th 7.30-8pm: Karl Malden
Oct 15th 8-8.25pm: Jimmy Nairn talks to Richard Widmark and shows clips from his films
Oct 22nd 8-8.25pm: no details
Oct 29th 8pm: Richard Widmark
Nov 5th 8.00pm: the career of James Mason (no show Nov 12th)
Nov 19th 8.00pm: Fredric March
Nov 26th 8.00pm: James Dean, with excerpts from his films
Dec 3rd 1961 8.00pm: Audrey Hepburn (last of series)
SERIES 3
Sat May 5th 1962 9.30-10pm: Elia Kazan
Sat May 12th 1962 9.30: David Niven
Sat May 19th 1962 9.30pm: It's Trad Dad- teenage idols with clips from Rock Around The Clock, Idle on Parade, Twist Around the Clock, it's Trad Dad, and The Young Ones
Sat May 26th 1962 9.50-10.30pm: focus on Alec Guiness, clips from HMS Defiant and A Majority of One, as well as older films: Our Man In Havana, Bridge Over The River Kwai, and Kind Hearts and Coronets
Sat June 2nd 1962 9.30pm: no details
Sat June 9th 1962 9.30-10.20pm: Peter Sellers
Sat June 16th 1962 9.40-10.20: MGM films
Sat June 23rd 1962 9.30-10.20pm: Jimmy Stewart
Sat June 30th 1962 8.10-8.55pm: no details
Sat July 7th 1962 10-10.30pm: Westerns
Sat July 14th 1962 10-10.30pm: Angie Dickinson
Sat July 21st 1962 10pm: Doris Day
Sat July 28th 1962 10-10.30pm: Kerwin Matthews
Sat Aug 4th 1962 10-10.30pm: Jane Wyman and Fred MacMurray in their first film together
Sat Aug 11th 1962 10.30-11pm: no information
Sat Aug 18th 1962 10.30pm: Yul Brynner
Sat Aug 25th 1962 10.30pm: Shirley Maclaine: clips include: The Apartment, The Loudest Whisper
Sat Sept 1st 1962 10.30pm: no information
Sat Sept 8th 1962 10.30pm: no information
menu of ITV film shows
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Box Office
ABC's second series about feature films was shown on Sunday nights 10.30-11pm, commencing in April 1957, introduced by Peter West. "Presented in co-operation with all the companies in the film industry." Certainly they were usually ahead of the competition in showing the first clips on tv of some films. Produced by Richard Fulford-Brown.
April 7th 1957- Seven Waves Away, Rock Rock Rock!, Davy Crockett and the River Pirates
Apr 28th- Their Secret Affair, Doctor At Large, The Tattered Dress
May 12th- Time Without Pity, 10,000 Bedrooms, Guns of Fort Petticoat, Man Afraid
May 26th- The Wings of Eagles, Drango, Funny Face
June 2nd- Stampeded, That Woman Opposite, The Oklahoman, The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown, The Steel Bayonet
June 9th- Designing Woman, Valerie, Boy On A Dolphin, Shadow on the Window
June 22nd (new timing Saturday 11.35- midnight)- The Unholy Wife, The Way To The Gold, The Tommy Steele Story
June 29th- This Could be The Night, The River's Edge. New host: Frankin Englemann. New director: Eddie Kebbell
July 6th- Carry On Admiral, The Vintage, The Happy Road, China Gate
July 13th- Something of Value, How To Murder a Rich Uncle, The Lonely Man, The Woman and the Hunter. Peter West returned, Fulford Brown producer
July 20th- The Admirable Crichton, Let's Be Happy, The Bachelor Party, Monkey On My Back
Aug 3rd- The Teahouse of the August Moon, Sweet Smell of Success, Miracle in Soho, Heaven Knows Mr Allison
Aug 10th- Beau James, 3.10 to Yuma, The Brothers Rico. Eddie Kebbell now producer again
Aug 17th- The Shiralee, Love in the Afternoon, The Wayward Bus
Aug 24th- host: Franklin Englemann with clips from The Abominable Snowman, The Seventh Sin, Hell Drivers
Sept 7th- Peter West introduces: Silk Stockings, Saint Joan, Operation Mad Ball
Sept 15th (new slot Sundays 11.05pm - midnight, acc to TV Times probably incorrectly)
New host: John Fraser. Clips included No Time for Tears, and Manuela
Sept 22nd (11.05-11.30pm)- Action of the Tiger, Story of Esther Costello, The Vicious Circle. New producer: Ben Churchill
Oct 6th- Introduced by John Fraser and Genine Graham- War and Peace, Loving You, Campbell's Kingdom
Oct 20th- Introduced by Paul Carpenter- Tea and Sympathy, Seven Thunders, The Scamp, Our Girl Friday
Oct 27th- Band of Angels, Lucky Jim, Men in War
Nov 3rd- Introduced by Peter Reynolds. Clips from Woman in a Dressing Gown, Robbery Under Arms
Nov 24th- Introduced by Peter Reynolds (ditto Dec 1st/ 22nd)
Jan 5th 1958 again introduced by Peter Reynolds, produced by Ben Churchill - last programme
menu of ITV film shows
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Close Up
"The programme breaks away from the usual pattern." This was Associated Rediffusion's long running contribution to the genre of tv magazines on films. It began in 1956 then from February 1957, 7-7.30pm. It was partially networked, some regions showing it periodically, though I don't think it was ever seen in the Midlands area.
Arranged for tv by Charles Squires. First long serving producer: Ray Dicks.
(Personnel shown when they were changed.)
Subjects included:
Powell and Pressburger (Mon Feb 25th 1957) with extracts from Ill Met By Moonlight
Elizabeth Taylor (Tues Mar 26th) director Macdonald Martin
Glamour (Wed June 19th 7.30pm) seven stars in sequences from their latest films
Richard Widmark (June 26th) introduced by Muriel Young. Script: David Rush. Clips from Kiss of Death, and Saint Joan
Ray Milland (July 3rd). Clips from Dial M for Murder and River's Edge
Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier (July 10th). Clips from their films including The Prince and the Showgirl
Deborah Kerr (July 17th) incl Heaven Knows Mr Allison
Fess Parker (July 31st)- with his latest film Westward Ho the Wagons
James Mason (Aug 7th)- extracts included his latest Island in the Sun. (Note billed as 'Profile', though A-R personnel exactly the same)
French Slapstick (Aug 14th)- clips from The Sheep Has Five legs, The Dress Maker, The Great Lover, and A Hair in the Soup
Child Stars (Aug 21st)- clips from The Happy Road, and The Shiralee
Teenagers (Sept 4th) Rock Rock Rock, Rebel Without A Cause, Cry In The Night, Untamed Youth
Arthur Freed (Sept 11th)- On the Town, Singing In The Rain, Invitation To The Dance, Kismet, It's Always Fair Weather, Silk Stockings
Audrey Hepburn (Sept 18th)- Roman Holiday, Sabrina Fair, Funny Face, War And Peace, Love in the Afternoon (this programme titled Spotlight)
Warner Brothers (Sept 25th)- Baby Doll, Giant, The Prince and the Showgirl, The Searchers, Band of Angels
Stanley Kramer (Oct 9th)- High Noon, The Pride and the Passion
Nunally Johnson (Oct 23rd)- new host Paul Carpenter. Script: Dick Richards. Director: Macdonald Martin. Including The Three Faces of Eve
J Lee Thompson (Oct 30th)- incl Woman In A Dressing Gown (this in the Spotlight series)
Royal Film Performances (Nov 6th)- Paul Carpenter shows clips from the film shown at the first performance in 1946, A Matter of Life and Death. Then to this year's choice, Les Girls
Barbara Shelley (Nov 27th)- incl Cat Girl, Camp on Blood island (this in the Spotlight series)
The Empire Leicester Square (Dec 4th)- films shown here
Kirk Douglas (Jan 8th 1958)- introduced by Paul Carpenter, including clip from Paths of Glory (series: Spotlight)
Walt Disney (Jan 15th)- clips from Snow White, Bambi. Lady and the Tramp, Robin Hood, Perri
Louis Jourdan (Jan 22nd)- including clip from Dangerous Exile (series: Spotlight)
Title: Close Up Fifty (Jan 29th) for the fiftieth edition of the series. Excerpts included Pal Joey,
Gangsters (Feb 5th 1958)- including clips from Young Girls Beware, Baby Face Nelson (series: Spotlight)
Walt Disney Feature Films (Feb 12th)- clips from
Treasure Island, Twenty Thousand Leagues, Robin Hood, Johnny Tremaine
Jack Cardiff (Feb 26th)- incl Pandora, African Queen, War and Peace, The Brave One
Peter Cushing (Mar 19th)
Virginia McKenna and Kenneth More (Mar 26th)- talking to Daniel M Angel, clips- Carve Her Name With Pride, Reach for the Sky
Rising Stars (Apr 2nd)- those who began their acting as children but are now "well on the way to stardom." incl June Archer "in the studio," and a scene from Innocent Sinners (series: Spotlight)
Laurence Harvey (Apr 9th)- incl extracts from The Silent Enemy. Director: Jim Pople
Sir Michael Balcon (May 21st)- talking to McDonald Hobley incl The Blue Lamp, The Lavender Hill Mob, Dunkirk
Richard Todd (May 28th)- introduced by McDonald Hobley who talks in the studio to Richard Todd. Sequences from The Hasty Heart and Chase A Crooked Shadow (series: Spotlight)
David Tomlinson (June 12th)- in the studio, clips include Up The Creek
The programme now had a break.
'Corny' (Oct 1st)- the late Henry Cornelius, incl clips from his last film Next To No Time. In the studio Janette Scott and Monja Danischewsky talk about him
John Mills (Oct 29th)- discussing his career with McDonald Hobley, extracts incl I Was Monty's Double
Richard Attenborough (Nov 5th)- talking with McDonald Hobley incl scenes from The Man Upstairs, Sea of Sand
Walt Disney's True Life Adventures (Dec 3rd) incl Secrets of Life
Norman Wisdom (Dec 17th) including The Square Peg
Kim Novak (Jan 7th 1959) Introduced by Kenneth Macleod, including Bell Book and Candle
William Wyler (Jan 14th)including The Big Country
Sophia Loren (Jan 21st) Kenneth Macleod talks to Kieron Moore who worked with this star in The Key. Incl extracts from Houseboat
Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall (Jan 28th) incl The Reluctant Debutante
Alec Guinness (Feb 4th) interview with Kenneth McLeod, and inc The Horse's Mouth
Peter Finch (Feb 11th) incl Operation Amsterdam
Robert Mitchum (Feb 25th) McDonald Hobley talks to Raymond Stross with clips from The Angry Hills
John Huston (Mar 4th) incl Roots of Heaven
Cyd Charisse (Mar 11th) incl Party Girl
Yul Brynner (Apr 9th) introduced by McDonald Hobley. A filmed interview in London with Yul and clips from The Journey, and The Sound and the Fury
Frank Sinatra (Apr 23rd) incl Some Came Running. Director: Bill Morton
Brenda de Banzie (May 7th) in the studio with Muriel Young incl The 39 Steps
May 14th: Dog Stars incl The Shaggy Dog
Rod Steiger (May 28th) with Muriel Young- incl the film Al Capone
MGM (June 11th) 35th anniversary with McDonald Hobley
100th Edition (June 18th 1959) extracts from new films including Green Mansions, Middle of the Night, Diary of Anne Frank, Look Back In Anger
Peter Sellers (July 1st) including The Mouse That Roared
Billy Wilder (July 22nd) and Jack Lemmon interviewed by John Huntley. Introduced by Neville Barker. Director: Bill Morton
Bette Davis (Aug 19th) Kenneth Macleod interviews Bette Davis. Director: Pat Baker. Clips include The Scapegoat
Launder and Gilliat (Aug 26th)- introduced by Neville Barker, incl The Bridal Path, and Left Right and Centre
Burt Lancaster (Sept 2nd) incl The Devil's Disciple. Janette Scott was "in the studio"
Harry Belafonte (Sept 9th) introduced by Muriel Young, incl The World The Flesh and The Devil
Ian Carmichael (Thurs Sept 17th 1958, 11pm). Neville Barker introduced clips from his films including his latest I'm All Right Jack. Script: Dick Richards. Director: Bill Morton
Richard Attenborough (Sept 24th 1958)- clip from Jet Storm
A short break for the series, before:
Aldo Ray (Oct 15th, 6.15pm)- introduced by Neville Barker. Muriel Young interviews Aldo Ray, clips from The Siege of Pinchgut
Gino Lollobrigida (Oct 22nd) with Neville Barker. Clips from Solomon and Sheba
Eve Marie Saint (Oct 29th)- clips from North by Northwest
Michael Craig (Nov 5th)- including a sequence from Upstairs and Downstairs
Eddie Constantine (Nov 12th)- films include scenes from SOS Pacific
Debbie Reynolds (Nov 26th)- incl It Started With a Kiss
William Holden (Dec 3rd)- incl The Horse Soldiers
Kenneth More (Dec 10th)- incl North West Frontier
Gregory Peck (Dec 17th)- incl On The Beach
Herbert Lom (Dec 24th)- incl Third Man on the Mountain
Carol Reed (Dec 31st)- incl Our Man in Havana
Tommy Steele (Jan 7th 1960)- "in the studio" incl Tommy The Toreador
Charlton Heston (Jan 14th) incl Ben Hur, The Big Country, and The Wreck of the Mary Deare
Mitzi Gaynor (Jan 21st) incl Happy Anniversary
James Mason) Jan 28th) incl A Touch of Larceny. Director: Ronald Marriott
Frank Sinatra (Feb 4th) incl Never So Few
Wild Animals (Feb 11th) incl Lords of the Forest, Serengeti, White Wilderness
British Comedy (Feb 18th) incl Two Way Stretch, Please Turn Over
Trevor Howard (Feb 25th) incl Moment of Danger
Rita Hayworth (Mar 3rd) incl Story on Page One
John Mills (Mar 10th) an interview, incl Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. Director: Cyril Butcher
New Faces (Mar 17th) director: John Frankau
Pier Angeli (Mar 24th) incl The Angry Silence, director: Tania Lieven
Royal Command Performances (Mar 31st) scenes from The Last Angry Man, and interviews with the stars, plus other Royal Performance films
Betty Box (Apr 7th) incl Conspiracy of Hearts. Director: John Frankau
Carry On! (Apr 14th) extracts from all the films of the series
Stanley Donen (Apr 21st) incl Once More With Feeling
Jack Hawkins (Apr 28th) incl League of Gentlemen
George Sanders (May 5th) incl The Last Voyage
Martha Hyer (May 12th) incl The Big Fisherman, director John McFadin
Bernard Lee (May 19th) incl Cone of Silence
Cops and Robbers (May 26th) incl Hell is a City
John Huston (June 9th) interviewed in his Ireland home, incl The Unforgiven
Young Stars (June 16th) incl James MacArthur in Kidnapped
Terry-Thomas (June 23rd) interview and scenes from Make Mine Mink
Close Up took a summer break.
Judy Holliday (Sept 15th) Introduced by Neville Barker. Director: Bill Morton
Comedy on Both Sides of the Atlantic (Sept 22nd) incl A French Mistress, The Apartment, Oceans 11
Sept 29th incl The Time Machine
Oct 13th incl The Millionairess
Nov 10th incl Surprise Package. Director: Jonathan Alwyn
Nov 17th clip from Never on Sunday, with Melina Mercouri and Jules Dassin in the studio. Director: Jonathan Alwyn
Dec 1st incl GI Blues
Jeff Chandler Dec 8th interview, incl The Plunderers. Director: Grahame Turner.
Dec 15th incl Elmer Gantry
Request week Dec 29th incl Pollyana
Deborah Kerr (Jan 5th 1961)- clips include the Sundowners
Look At Life (Feb 2nd)- the cinema feature that has reached a hundred editions. Also The Night We Got The Bird
Peter Finch (Feb 9th) incl No Love for Johnnie
Ernie Kovacs (Mar 16th) incl Pepe, Five Golden Hours, It Happened to Jane, Operation Madball
Tony Hancock (Mar 23rd) interview incl The Rebel. Also Pathe News' fiftieth anniversary. Director Mark Lawton
Mar 30th- clip from Double Bunk and interview with Janette Scott. Betty Hutton in the studio with clip from The Greatest Show on Earth
Oscar Nominations (Apr 6th)
Joe Pasternak (Apr 20th) incl Easter Parade, Toast of New Orleans, In the Good Old Summertime, Where The Boys Are, Director: Richard Doubleday
Otto Preminger (May 11th) discusses with Sal Mineo and Jill Hayworth, Exodus
Empire Leicester Square (May 25th) closing after 35 years. "excerpts include the first scene from Ben Hur to be shown on television" (cp Dec 4th 1957)
Sidney Poitier (June 1st) interview, incl excerpts from A Raisin In The Sun
Richard Widmark (June 15th) interview with Neville Barker and scenes showing special effects, incl The Absent Minded Professor. Director: Richard Sidwell
Peter Ustinov and Terence Stamp (June 22nd) a filmed interview by Neville Barker, introduced by Bruce Lewis
June 29th: incl The Young Savages, Hoodlum Priest, and Follow that Man, whose stars "we hope to have in the studio." Introduced by Neville Barker
Disney Dog Week! (July 13th)
Viewers' Requests (Aug 3rd) incl On the Double. Director: Richard Doubleday
A Matter of WHO (Aug 10th) exercpts from this film
Aug 31st Director: Richard Sidwell.
Joshua Logan (Sept 7th) and Leslie Caron interview with Neville Barker, and clips from Fanny!
This was the last of this series.
Series soon returned, content not always stated from now on in TV Times.
Introduced by Neville Barker. Script and research: Rae Knight. Producer: Ray Dicks.
Directors included: Oct and Nov 1961 Richard Gilbert, Feb and Mar 1962 Richard Sidwell, May 1962 John Frankau, June 1962 Bill Turner
Among programmes specified in TV Times:
Dec 25th 1961 (4.20-5pm) musicals past and present
Apr 12th 1962: incl Waltz of the Toreadors. Nevile Barker talks to Dany Robin in her home near Paris
Robert Preston (July 12th 1962) talks to Nick Barker
The Miracle Worker (Aug 9th) director Harry Sloan (orignally scheduled for Aug 2nd)
Aug 23rd: now with script research and introduction by Nick Barker. Director: Bill Turner
Aug 30th: director Harry Sloan
October/ November 1962 Script and research: Rae Knight. Director: Adrian Brown
December Director: Grahame Turner. Allan Scott took over the presentation
Dec 21st: incl clips from the film Gypsy
Dec 25th (4.10-5pm) introduced by Richard Attenborough: the best of post war musicals
Jan 3rd 1963: introduced by Allan Scott. Editor: Rae Knight. Director: Grahame Turner
Feb 15th Script: Margaret Hinxman
Mar 1st: Dirk Bogarde talks about Judy Garland
Mar 8th and 15th Script: Margaret Hinxman. Director: Daphne Shadwell.
May 3rd introduced by Robert Arden. Script: Margaret Hinxman. Director: Daphne Shadwell.
May 17th introduced by Keith Fordyce. Editor: Rae Knight. Script: Margaret Hinxman. Director: Daphne Shadwell.
June 14th director Bill Turner
The World of Darryl Zanuck (July 26th and Aug 2nd - in two parts)
Elvis (Aug 9th) introduced by Vanessa Thornton
Aug 23rd: introduced by Ronan O'Casey incl interviews with Tommy Steele, Charlie Drake and Russ Tamblyn
Stanley Kramer (Aug 30th 1963) talking to Vanessa Thornton. Host: Ronan O'Casey clips from The Defiant Ones etc
This was the last programme in the series that I have traced.
As a footnote, here are a few other A-R programmes on films:
During 1957, A-R screened these one-off film programmes:
Thurs Mar 7th 1957, 10pm-10.15: Ill Met By Moonlight- Dirk Bogarde talks to W Stanley Moss and Patrick Leigh-Fermor about making the film, including extracts (Rank compilation for A-R)
Thurs Apr 10th 1957 10pm: The Good Companions- Janette Scott and John Fraser talk to Leslie Mitchell, including an excerpt
Another A-R programme on films aimed at a younger audience:
Making Films (June 9th 1959 5.25pm)- John Huntley introduces some of Britain's young film producers and shows examples of their work. Arranged by Ray Dicks. Director: Tig Roe
menu of ITV film shows
. . . . . . . . .
Movie Magazine (TWW)
Introduced by Bruce Lewis (except as noted- Guy Thomas introduced on June 13th/20th 1961 as Lewis hosted A-R's Close Up).
In the first year interviewees included: Kenneth More, Richard Todd, Mai Zetterling, Dennis Price, Stephen Boyd, France Nuyen and Michael Wilding.
The series began in November 1960. Here are a few sample details:
Bing Crosby interview (Sept 19th 1961), Bob Hope interview (Sept 26th 1961)- Bruce Lewis on set at Shepperton
Charlton Heston (Tues Jan 2nd 1962, 6.15-6.45pm) with Charlton Heston talking about El Cid, incl an excerpt.
Script: Peter Davalle. Director: Jonathan Stedall.
Bath Film Festival (June 12th 1962)
Peter Ustinov (Tues Oct 13th 1962 6.13-6.43pm) with an exclusive interview with the actor on location on Billy Budd.
An extract from this film, also The Pigeon That Took Rome, and The Man Who Knew too Much.
Script: Peter Davalle. Director: Jonathan Stedall.
Tues Mar 12th 1963 6.13-6.42pm with clips from Cape Fear, Live Now Pay Later, The Bungala Boys and Witness for the Prosecution.
Script: Peter Davalle. Director: Terence de Lacey.
Apr 23rd 1963, 6.13pm introduced by Nick Barker, with interviews with Barbara Windsor and James Booth plus an extract from Sparrows Can't Sing. A clip from Two for the See-Saw. Script: Peter Davalle. Director: Jonathan Stedall.
May 14th 1963 presented by Nick Barker. Excerpts from Five Miles to Midnight, The Wrong Arm of the Law, and Sink the Bismark. Script: Peter Davalle. Director: Ned Kelly.
May 28th 1963 Bruce Lewis with excerpts from Nurse On Wheels, The Mouse On The Moon, and Who's Got The Action
June 4th 1963 6.13pm Bruce Lewis at the Bath Festival with the Italian films: The Barber of Seville, Bitter Rice, and Accattone. Script: Peter Davalle. Director: Jonathan Stedall.
Sept 27th 1963, 6.13pm introduced by Nick Barker, incl clips from The Running Man, Tamahine. Script: Peter Davalle. Director: Terence de Lacey.
It is also said that Tony Hancock provided an interview for one programme.
TWW's Junior Movie Magazine was networked to a few regional stations
It was introduced by Bruce Lewis' son Peter Lewis. Bruce Lewis was producer. It was about current films and included Bruce's movie quiz, in essence a test of observation. In 1965, this series was simply billed as Movie Magazine.
Mon Oct 19th 1964 5.25pm script: Peter Davalle. Director: Terence de Lacey
Ditto until the final edition noted on Nov 1st 1965, and also these special editions:
Jan 25th 1965- including Guns of Diabolo, Tiger of the Seven Seas, Hootennanny Hoot, Nikki Wild Dog of the North
Feb 22nd- Mechanical Heroines, incl scenes from The Train, The Fast Lady, The Iron Maiden, Oh Mr Porter!, The Titfield Thunderbolt
menu of ITV film shows
. . . . . . . . .
Cinema (Granada)
The first host was Bamber Gascoigne, then Derek Granger, then
Mike Scott. Michael Parkinson was a later host.
"The best of the cinema is in Cinema-
films from today and yesterday."
Backroom personnel initially included two names who were to become synonymous with films on tv:
Film Adviser: Leslie Halliwell. Research: Phil Jenkinson. Producer: Mike Wooller.
The first programme hosted by Bamber Gascoigne was scheduled for Tuesday July 14th at 7pm. It included an eclectic mix from Harold Lloyd to The Beatles
July 21st 1964: close up on Disney and clip from The World of Henry Orient
July 28th 1964: Alfred Hitchcock, incl clips. "Recently he visited ITV's Manchester Studios." Director: Phillip Casson
Aug 11th: Things to Come, The Man Who Could Work Miracles, The Time Machine, War of the Worlds
Aug 18th: Tarzan films including the latest, 633 Squadron and other RAF films
Aug 25th: The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and earlier Hollywood musicals
The Beauty Jungle (Sept 1st) the new film, and a look at Clara Bow, Betty Grable, Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell. Director: Peter Jones.
Irma La Douce (Sept 8th) a clip and other Billy Wilder films. Preview of Love With The Proper Stranger
55 Days To Peking (Sept 15th) clip, plus a preview of The System. Producer: Derek Granger.
Marlon Brando (Sept 22nd), and a look at gangster films and a clip from Robin and the Seven Hoods.
Meet Honor Blackman (Wed Sept 30th, 7pm) in an interview with Bamber Gascoigne, incl a clip from Goldfinger.
Themes were not always announced in TV Times from now on, but these were:
Oct 28th: clips incl The Guns At Batasi, Rattle of a Simple Man and other Richard Attenborough films
Nov 4th: Derek Granger was the new host. He talked to Fred Zinnemann. Producer: Mike Wooller
Nov 11th: clips include Fate Is The Hunter
Nov 25th new director: Graeme McDonald
Dec 2nd: Greta Garbo
Dec 23rd: Christmas. Director: Peter Jones
Fri Jan 1st 1965, 10.05pm: The Circus. Derek Granger talks to Claudia Cardinale
Jan 8th: Cary Grant films
Jan 22nd: My Fair Lady
Jan 22nd: Anthony Asquith
Jan 29th: clips from The Train and other films with trains
Feb 5th: A Shot in the Dark and other Sellers' films
Feb 12th: Peter O'Toole and Dirk Bogarde talk to Derek Granger, clip from King and Country and other Bogarde films
Feb 26th, 9.10pm: Women in films of the past 20 years incl clips from The Pleasure Seekers
Mar 5th: Royal Families portrayed on film, incl clip from Becket
Mar 12th: The British Empire, incl The High Bright Sun
Mar 26th: Frank Sinatra incl clips from his films
Apr 2nd: Spies incl The Ipcress Dile, The Intelligence Men
Apr 16th: Service comedies (previously announced for Apr 9th)
Apr 23rd: highlights from She
Apr 30th: catastrophes
May 7th: Jack Lemmon, clips from The Notorious Landlady, Under the Yum-Yum Tree, Operation Madball, You Can't Run Away from It, Phfft, Good Neighbour Sam
May 28th new director Graeme McDonald
July 16th: Otto Preminger interview and scenes from his films
July 23rd: Disney the Wizard, Disney's cinematic tricks
July 30th: Errol Flynn, also Alain Delon in scenes from The Black Tulip
Aug 6th: new host Michael Scott, incl The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders, Shenandoah
Aug 13th: incl Van Ryan's Express and other escape films. Director: Tim Aspinall. Producer: Graeme McDonald
Aug 20th: Comedies incl escerpts from You Must Be Joking, What's New Pussycat?, Cat Ballou
Aug 27th: profile of James Mason
The Boulting Brothers (Sept 3rd) incl Rotten To The Core
Peter O'Toole Profile (Sept 10th) director: Graeme McDonald
Sept 17th: How to Murder Your Wife / The Sandpiper clips
Elizabeth Taylor (Oct 1st). Director: Cormac Newell. Producer: Brian Armstrong
Reissue of Grand Hotel (Oct 8th)- what happened to the stars of the 1932 film. Director: Tim Aspinall. Producer: Graeme McDonald
Oct 15th: incl Cleopatra, and Darling. Director: Cormac Newell. Producer: Graeme McDonald
Oct 22nd: That Darn Cat, and other animal films
oct 29th: suspense incl Mirage, and Licensed to Kill
John Wayne (Nov 5th) incl The Sons of Katie Elder
Stanley Kramer (Nov 12th) incl Ship of Fools
Nov 26th: disguises, incl A Study in Terror
Dec 3rd: Amercian way of love incl Peyton Place, A Very Special Favour, alsoThe Pleasure Girls, The Wild Affair, and Dear John
Kirk Douglas (Dec 10th)
Norman Wisdom and Jerry Lewis (Dec 17th). Director: Philip Casson
Dec 24th: films for the holiday season
Dec 31st: a look forward to 1966, films that will reach the screens
Doris Day (Jan 14th 1966). Film researcher: Graham Murray
Peter Ustinov (Jan 21st) talking to Michael Scott
Bryan Forbes (Jan 28th) talks to Michael Scott
Charlton Heston (Feb 4th) talks "in unfamiliar clothes." Research: Peter Matthews
Feb 11th: "the less conformist of the current cinema scene"
Feb 18th: Agents extraordinaire, the world of the spy
Laurence Olivier (Feb 25th)
Mar 4th?: Carl Foreman talks to Michael Scott
Robert Aldrich and The Flight of the Phoenix (Mar 11th)
Mar 18th: Life in the North from George Formby to Joe Lampton. Director: Peter Plummer
Apr 1st: Programme specially retitled: April Fool's Day Cinema.Three British institutions, The Doctors films, Carry Ons, and St Trinians. Director: Philip Casson
Apr 8th: The telephone in films. Director: Peter Plummer
Dean Martin (Apr 15th). Director: Philip Casson
Elvis (Apr 22nd)
Apr 29th: heroines from Pearl White to Modesty Blaise. Director: Peter Plummer
Joan Crawford (May 6th) interviewed by Michael Scott. Director: Philip Casson. Producer: Peter Plummer
May 13th: a star is born, films that transformed unknowns
May 27th: Twentieth Century Fox 30th anniversary
June 3rd: the careers of Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier. Also two "young British film makers"
The Thin Red Line (June 10th): changing attitudes to empire building
System v System (June 17th)- the contrasting careers of Natalie Wood and Roman Polanski
100th Edition (June 24th)- Nostalgia
The Root of All Evil? (July 1st)
The Private Eye and The Public Hero (July 8th)
The Best of the Bug Eyed Monsters (July 22nd). Director: Michael beckham. Producer: Peter Wildeblood
A Box In The Sky (July 29th) - aeroplanes
Not Quite Playing The Game (Aug 5th) - unlikely sporting events
Eyeball to Eyeball (Aug 12th) memorable film confrontations incl Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?
They Went Thataway (Aug 19th) - the demise of Hollywood
The Immortal Western (Aug 26th)
It's A Wonderful Town (Sept 2nd) from 42nd Street to West Side Story
The Lively World of Stanley Donen (Sept 9th)
In October the series moved to Wednesdays at 9.10pm- since Party Politcal Broadcasts were scheduled for 9.30 on occasional Wednesdays, this meant the length of the programme varied from 20 to 30 minutes. TV Times failed to indicate the content, though one of the programmes that October was Mike Scott's interview with Hitch. Richard Guinea became the new director from Nov 9th.
Apr 10th and 17th 1967 David Niven talks to Michael Scott.
Another special was Michael Scott in Hollywood (May 1967).
New producer from June 1967: Michael Ryan.
From July 5th the timing was Wednesdays 9.30-10pm.
The content began to be advertised again in TV Times:
July 12th: the films of Richard Widmark, Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas, and changes in film techniques
July 19th: incl Africa- Texas Style and other films about Darkest Africa
July 26th: Howard Hawks talks to Michael Scott
Aug 2nd: James Coburn and Lionel Jeffries
A Tribute to Gary Cooper (Aug 9th)
Aug 16th: Michael Scott interviews Julie Andrews in Nice
Dame Edith Evans (Aug 30th, postponed from Aug 23rd) and other great old ladies
Sept 6th; culture incl Rudolf Nureyev and Sir Laurence Olivier
Sept 13th clips from Divorce American Style, Up the Down Staircase
Sept 20th and 27th: Otto Preminger. Director: Bill Podmore
Oct 25th: adolescents in films
Nov 1st: classic novels incl Far From the Madding Crowd
Nov 8th (9.40-10pm) Robert Shaw as General Custer
Nov 15th (9.45-10pm) In Hollywood Michael Scott reports on the Anglo-Irish takeover bid
Nov 29th: series like Tarzan and Fu Manchu. Director: Eric Prytherch
Dec 13th Dr Dolittle
Dec 20th: Half a Sixpence. Michael Scott also talks to Tommy Steele
Dec 27th review of the year
Jan 10th 1968: Bette Davis
Jan 17th Director: Bill Podmore
Feb 7th: Director: Eric Prytherch
Feb 14th 9.40-10pm: Mark Robson. Producer: Mark Shivas
Feb 21st the comic strip hero
Feb 28th Paul Newman
Mar 6th: Michael Scott talks to Burt Lancaster
Mar 13th Director: Eric Harrison
Mar 27th: incl Panet of the Apes, Blackbeard's Ghost. Director: Eric Prytherch
Apr 10th: Private eyes incl The Maltese Falcon, Kiss me Deadly, New Face in Hell
Apr 17th films from Jules Verne stories
Apr 24th 9.30 and May 1st 9.40: James Stewart talks to Michael Scott
May 8th 9.45-10pm: General Custer incl Custer of the West
(cp Nov 8th 1967)
June 5th Bob Hope incl Eight on the Run
June 12th: unorthodox flying incl Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At
July 10th: introduced by Mark Shivas incl The Yellow Submarine. Executive Producer: James Butler
July 17th: behind the scenes making the film Star
July 24th: new westerns incl Bandolero!, The Long Ride Home, Villa Rides
In the new franchise era from August 1968, the programme moved to Thursdays at 10.30pm. The series continued until 1975.
menu of ITV film shows
. . . . . . . . .
Star Parade
Tyne Tees' own non-network series ran to 237 editions. First programme was on Wed July 1st 1959. Nearly every programme was hosted by their chief announcer Adrian Cairns. Editor was Fred Tucker.
On the occasion of the fiftieth edition, Adrian Cairns wrote in The Viewer that they had been to Edinburgh in summer 1959 to interview Aldo Ray, and Dublin to film work on The Siege of Sidney Street. Interviews up till then had included Donald Sinden, Kenneth More, Sylvia Sims and Val Guest, Robert Beatty and Peter Wyngarde.
A few programme details-
Val Guest (Fri June 10th 1960, 7pm) incl Expresso Bongo, Hell Is A City
British Comedy (Sun Aug 21st 1960, 7.30pm) an interview with John Paddy Carstairs, incl Sands of the Desert, Make Mine Mink, The Naked Truth, Trouble In Store. Director: Bernard Preston
Jon Pennington (Mon Jan 23rd 1961, 7pm) "in the studio" to talk about his career. Excerpts incl The Mouse That Roared, Faces In The Dark, The Heart Within, Shadow of the Cat
United Artists Story (Thurs Sept 21st 1961, 7pm) excerpts from The Alamo, Goodbye Again, West Side Story, Judgement At Nuremburg. Interviews: Ingrid Bergman, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Director: George Adams
Films of Relph and Dearden (Oct 5th 1961). Tom Coyne interviews Robert Ryan, Melvyn Douglas and Terence Stamp
Glenn Ford (Mon Mar 8th 1962 7pm)
Film Production (Tues July 31st 1962 7pm). Script: Tom Hutchinson. Director: Aud Penrose
The Beatles (Apr 9th 1964, 10.10pm) interview by Adrian Cairns at Twickenham Studios
Note: TTT also screened a 50 minute Movietime series in 1962, hosted by Nick Barker (Close Up??)
menu of ITV film shows
. . . . . . . . .
Sunday Services on ITV
The regular programmes began in
September 1957 with a kick off time around 11am. Initially ATV's programmes had the uninspiring title Church. ABC by contrast had individual service names as titles until February 1958.
Normally services were networked, but on some occasions regional companies arranged their own local outside broadcasts.
The length of the service became about an hour, then 75 minutes, though as religious programmes were outside the broadcasting hours restrictions it did not matter if they overran.
There were frequent gripes from viewers that 'their' denomination did not get enough exposure, though naturally ITV responded by saying a fair balance was preserved. What is clear from these lists, however, is that with companies not normally providing consecutive services, sometimes there would be two communions, or even two family services or baptisms in close succession.
An edition of TV Times in 1962 described some effects of these Sunday services. The tv cameras were in St Giles Camberwell on Oct 22nd 1961 and afterwards the vicar heard from 31 new parishioners. He concluded, "where once we might not have been welcome, we are now welcome. This is because we have been seen on television." Another boon of the programmes was the provision of sets in hospitals enabling those unable to go to church to enjoy morning worship.
The very first Sunday morning service was on November 6th 1955 at 10.45am, being the Remembrance Sunday service from the Cenotaph Whitehall. TV Times offered no details, so this was probably a relay of the BBC broadcast
Sept 15th 1957 (11am-12 noon): Battle of Britain Sunday from RAF Biggin Hill, commentator Wing Commander Stanford Ruck. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Timing now 11.15am-12noon except where indicated.
Sept 22nd 1957: from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Frognal Hampstead. Director: Stephen Wade (ATV)
Oct 6th 1957: from Birmingham Parish Church. Director: Stephen Wade (ATV)
Oct 20th 1957: from the Parish Church of St Giles in the Fields Holborn. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Oct 27th 1957: from Central Hall Methodist Church Westminster. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Remembrance Sunday Nov 10th 1957 (10.45-11.30): from St Peter-Upon-Cornhill London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Nov 24th 1957: from St James's Church Piccadilly. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Dec 1st 1957: Advent Sunday dialogue mass from RC Church of St Thomas More Eastcote. Commentator: Rev Michael Hollings. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Dec 22nd 1957: from St Mary's Church Islington. Preacher: Rev David Sheppard. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Jan 5th 1958: St John's Wood Church London with Rev Noel Perry-Gore. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Matins Jan 12th 1958: Ripon Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Jan 19th 1958: Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Morning Prayer Jan 26th 1958: St Wilfrid's Parish Church Mobberley. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Feb 2nd 1958: Candlemas from Corpus Christi Church Maiden Lane London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Family Communion Feb 9th 1958: Selby Abbey. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Feb 16th 1958: Quinquagesima Sunday from Mare-street Baptist Church Hackney London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Feb 23rd 1958: from the Parish Church Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire.Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Mar 2nd 1958: Civic Service from the Collegiate Church of St Mary Warwick. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Mar 9th 1958: Sung Eucharist from Tewkesbury Abbey. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Mar 16th 1958: Missa Cantata from the RC Church of St Mary Magdalen Mortlake. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Mar 23rd 1958: Morning Service from Bristol Road Methodist Mission Northfield Birmingham. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Mar 30th 1958: Palm Sunday from Bristol Cathedral. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Apr 6th 1958 (10.30-11.30am): Pontifical High Mass from Westminster Cathedral. Commentator: Rev Michael Hollings. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Apr 20th 1958: Matins from Knaresborough Parish Church. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
May 4th 1958 (11.15am-12.30pm): Sung Mass from St Cuthbert's Church Withington Manchester. "The action" described by Canon William O'Leary. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
May 11th 1958: For the Deaf and Dumb from St Bede's Church Clapham. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
New timing of Church 11.15am-12.15pm, except as stated.
May 18th 1958: Morning Worship from Wesley Memorial Methodist Church Oxford. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
May 25th 1958: Whit Sunday from Bromey Congregational Church. Director: Anthony Flanagan (ATV)
June 8th 1958: Sung Eucharist from Ascension Parish Church Collier Row Romford. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
June 22nd 1958: Third Sunday After Trinity from Parish Church of St Nicholas Stevenage. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Lambeth Conference July 6th 1958 (10.30am-12noon): Corporate Communion at St Paul's Cathedral with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Commentator: Canon Fenton Morley. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 3rd 1958: School Mass from St James' RC School Burnt Oak Middlesex. Commentator: Rev Illtud Evans. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 10th 1958 (10.30am-12.30pm): Lambeth Conference concluding service from Westminster Abbey with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Commentator: Canon Fenton Morley. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 17th 1958: Morning Service from Methodist Church Kingsway Hall London. Conducted by Rev Donald Soper. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 31st 1958: Morning Service from the newly reopened City Temple London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sept 14th 1958: Morning Service from St Michael's Chester Square London. Director: Peter Lloyd (ATV)
Battle of Britain Commemoration Service Sept 21st 1958: from Civic Church of St Chad Shrewsbury. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Sept 28th 1958: Morning Service from Southfields Central Hall London. Director: Peter Lloyd (ATV)
Oct 12th 1958 (10.50-12.30): Leeds Centenary Music Festival Service from Leeds Parish Church. Commentator: Bob Danvers-Walker. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Oct 19th 1958: Morning Service from the College of St Mark and St John Chelsea. Preacher: Canon Fenton Morley. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Oct 26th 1958: from the Ealing Divisions of the St John Ambulance. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Nov 2nd 1958: Children's Catechism and Holy Mass from RC Church of St Joseph and St Francis Xavier Richmond Yorks. Commentary by Father M Hollings. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Remembrance Sunday 1958 Nov 9th 1958 (10.45-11.20am): from the Cenotaph Whitehall.
Nov 16th 1958: Morning Service from Littleover Methodist Church Derby. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Nov 30th 1958: Morning Worship from Oxford Place Methodist Chapel Leeds. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Dec 14th 1958: from the RC Seminary of St Joseph Upholland Lancs. Commentator: Very Rev Canon O'Leary. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Dec 21st 1958: Morning Service from Holy Trinity Church Brompton. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Morning Service Dec 28th 1958: from Avenue Congregational Church Southampton. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Jan 4th 1959: Matins from Leicester Cathedral. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Jan 11th 1959: Morning Service from Congregational Christ Church Leatherhead. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Oct 12th 1958: Matins from Southwell Minster. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Jan 25th 1959: Matins from Bedale Parish Church. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Feb 1st 1959: High Mass from the RC Church of Corpus Christi Portsmouth. Sermon and commentary: Rev Gerard Dwyer. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Feb 8th 1959: Morning Service from Seven Kings Baptist Church Ilford. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Feb 22nd 1959: Morning Service from Hayes Free Church Kent. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Mar 1st 1959: Sung Eucharist from the Parish Church of All Hallows Wellingborough. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Mar 8th 1959: Dialogue Mass from St Mary's Training College Twickenham. Commentator: Rev Michael Hollings. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Mar 15th 1959: Morning Service from the Church of Holy Trinity Bosham. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Mar 29th 1959: Sung Eucharist from the Parish Church Towcester. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Apr 19th 1959: Morning Service from Christ Church with Holy Trinity Anerley. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 3rd 1959: Parish Communion from St Dunstan's Stepney. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 10th 1959: Parish Communion from Leigh Parish Church Lancs. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
May 17th 1959: Pontifical Low Mass and Confirmation from St Thomas' School Stanmore. Commentator: Rev Michael Hollings. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 24th 1959: Morning Service from Lady St Mary's Wareham. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
July 5th 1959: Morning Service from Parish Church of St Ninian Douglas Isle of Man. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
July 19th 1959: Sung Euchrist from St Asaph Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Aug 16th 1959: Holy Communion from Bridlington Priory. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Aug 23rd 1959: Sung Eucharist from St Mary's Church Ashwell. Director: Peter Lloyd (ATV)
Aug 30th 1959: Sung Eucharist from St Mary's Parish Church Skegness. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Sept 6th 1959: Morning Service from Haven Green Baptist Church Ealing. Director: Peter Lloyd (ATV)
Church now broadcast 11.15am-12.30pm:
Sept 13th 1959: Holy Communion from Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC) "ITV's most ambitious church broadcast. Two ABC outside broadcast units and special equipment never used before will illuminate the vast cathedral."
Sept 20th 1959: Morning Service from St Columba's Presbyterian Church Worthing. Director: Berkeley Smith. (Southern)
Sept 27th 1959: Sung Eucharist from Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul Buckingham. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Oct 4th 1959: Morning Service from Oakwood Methodist Church Cockfosters. Director: Peter Lloyd (ATV)
Oct 11th 1959: Family Service from St George's Congregational Church Middlesborough. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Oct 18th 1959: Harvest Festival from the Church of St Mary the Virgin Edlesborough Buckinghamshire. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Oct 25th 1959: Dialogue Mass from Notre Dame de France, Leicester Place London. Commentator: Rev Michael Hollings. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Nov 1st 1959 (10.45am-12 noon): Mornimg Prayer from the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity Norwich. Director: Stephen McCormack (Anglia)
Remembrance Sunday Nov 8th 1959 (10.45-11.20am): from the Cenotaph Whitehall, prologue spoken by Group-Capt Douglas Bader (ATV)
Nov 15th 1959: Morning Service from The Dome Mission Brighton. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Nov 22nd 1959: Holy Communion from Queen's Road Baptist Church Coventry. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Nov 29th 1959: Morning Service from the Church of St Mary Woolnoth London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Dec 6th 1959: High Mass from the Church of the Holy Name Manchester. Commentator: Very Rev Canon O'Leary. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Dec 13th 1959: Morning Service from All Souls Langham Place London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Dec 20th 1959: Morning Service from Park Hill Congregational Church Nottingham. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Dec 27th 1959 (11.15am-12.15pm): Processional Carol Service from Peterborough Cathedral. Commentator: Cecil M Harrison. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Jan 3rd 1960: Parish Communion from the Church of St Gregory Bedale with Leeming Bar and Burrhill. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Jan 10th 1960: First Sunday After Epiphany from Kensington Chapel London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Jan 17th 1960: Sung Eucharist from Southwell Minster. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Jan 24th 1960: Sung Mass from the Roman Catholic Church of St Jospeh Newbury. Commentary: Rev Gerard Dwyer. Director: Berkeley Smith. (Southern)
Enthronement Jan 31st 1960: of the Bishop of Norwich at Norwich Cathedral. Director: Geoff Rimmer (Anglia) This was a video tape of the ceremony on January 28th
Feb 7th 1960: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany from the Chapel of Eltham College London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Feb 14th 1960: Choral Eucharist from Bolton Parish Church. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Feb 21st 1960: Sexagesima Sunday from the Metropolitan Tabernacle London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Matins Feb 28th 1960: from the Parish Church of St Nicholas Warwick. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Sung Mass Mar 6th 1960: from Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George Enfield. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Mar 13th 1960: Morning Service from Hereford Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Mar 20th 1960: Third Sunday in Lent from St John's Presbyterian Church Forest Hill London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Mar 27th 1960: Morthering SUnday Family Communion from Great Malvern Priory. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Apr 3rd 1960: Morning Worship from Albert Hall Methodist Mission Nottingham. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Apr 10th 1960: Palm Sunday from St Stehen's Parish Church Bush Hill Park Enfield. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Apr 17th 1960: Morning Service from Wharf Road Baptist Church Grantham. (Easter) Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Apr 24th 1960: Scout Parade Service from Clapton Park Congregational Church London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 1st 1960 (11.15am-12.15pm): Solemn High Mass from the Church of St Werburgh Chester. Commentary: Very Rev Canon O'Leary. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
May 8th 1960: Third Sunday After Easter from Waltham Abbey Ninth Centenary Year. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 15th 1960: Fourth Sunday After Easter from St John of Jerusalem, SOuth Hackney. A service in memory of Florence Nightingale. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 22nd 1960: Rogation Sunday from the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, Royal Naval College Greenwich. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
New timing 11am-12.15pm:
May 29th 1960: Morning Service from Radnor Park Congregational Church Folkestone. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
June 5th 1960: Whit Sunday from Rochester Cathedral. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
June 12th 1960: Trinity Sunday from Stanwell Congregational Church Middlesex. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
June 19th 1960: Sung Mass from the St Alban Roman Catholic Church Blackburn. Commentator: Canon O'Leary. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
June 26th 1960: Second Sunday After Trinity from the Church of St John the Evangelist Redhill. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
July 3rd 1960: High Mass from the Church of St Mary the Virgin Wellingborough. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Morning Prayer July 17th 1960: from St Hilary's Parish Church Wallasey. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
July 24th 1960: High Mass from the Church of the SDacred Heart Wimbledon. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
July 31st 1960: Sung Eucharist from St Nicholas Anglican Parish Church Newport Shropshire. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
The title 'Church' was finally dropped, the slot now called (The) Morning Service. A number of ABC broadcasts, in particular, however were listed by the type of service.
Aug 7th 1960: from Basildon Methodist Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 14th 1960: from the Parish Church of St Mary Scarborough. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Aug 21st 1960: from Kenton Methodist Church Middlesex. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sept 4th 1960: High Mass from The New Church of Christ the King Bitterne. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Sept 11th 1960: from Eltham Park Baptist Church London. Director: Peter Lloyd (ATV)
Commemoration Service Sept 18th 1960 (10.30am-12.15pm): RAF 20th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain from Liverpool Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
An Ordination of Deacons and Priests Sept 25th 1960 (11am-12.30pm): from Southwark Cathedral. Commentator: Canon Fenton Morley. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Service of Remembrance Nov 13th 1960 (10.45am-11.45pm): from The Cenotaph (ATV presentation)
Nov 27th 1960: Advent Sunday from Dale Street Methodist Church Leamington Spa. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Service of Confirmation and First Communion Dec 4th 1960 (11am-12.30pm): from St Mary the Virgin Primrose Hill. Commentator: Canon Fenton Morley. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Dec 18th 1960: from the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul Tonbridge. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Christmas Communion Dec 25th 1960: from Liverpool Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
New timing 11am-12.05pm:
Jan 8th 1961: Sung Eucharist from All Saints Maidenhead Church. Commentator: Rev Canon Fenton Morley. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
High Mass Mar 12th 1961: The RC Abbey of St Michael the Archangel Belmont Hereford. Commentator: Father Clifford Howell. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Sung Eucharist Mar 26th 1961: Tewkesbury Abbey. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Apr 2nd 1961 (10.30am-12noon): Pontifical High Mass of Easter Day from Westminster Cathedral. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Apr 16th 1961: from Wallington Methodist Church. Commentator: Rev Cyril Thomas. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 7th 1961: Dedication from the RAF Church of St Clement Danes London. Dedication of the Royal Air Force Books of Remembrance. Commentator: Canon Fenton Morley. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 21st 1961: from Wolstanton Congregational Church, Staffs. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
May 28th 1961: from the Royal Albert Hall London. Commentator: Rev Cyril Thomas. The annual service of the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
700th Charter Anniversary Service of the Borough of Macclesfield June 4th 1961: from the Parish Church Macclesfield. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
June 11th 1961: from St Peter-ad-Vincula, Tower of London, followed by Changing of the Guard. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
June 18th 1961: from the Parish Church of Birmingham. Preacher: Billy Graham. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
June 25th 1961: from Frenhead Road Methodist Church London. With the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Commentator: Rev Cyril Thomas. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
July 2nd 1961: from Church Street Methodist Church Southport. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
July 9th 1961: Pontifical High Mass from The Church of St John Fisher Rochester. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Morning Prayer July 16th 1961: from New Brighton Parish Church. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
July 23rd 1961: from Punshon Memorial Methodist Church Bournemouth. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Sung Eucharist July 30th 1961: from Bangor Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Aug 6th 1961: A service of dedication and prayer for Road Safety from St James's Church Piccadilly London. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 13th 1961: from The Ebenezer Baptist Church Scarborough. Director: Geoffrey Hall (ABC)
Aug 27th 1961: from The Methodist Central Hall Queen Street Scarborough. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Solemn High Mass Sept 3rd 1961: from The Cathedral Church of St Mary Middlesborough. Commentator: Very Rev Canon Wm O'Leary. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Parish Communion Sept 10th 1961: from The Parish Church of St Philip Alderley Edge Cheshire. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Sept 17 1961: from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Eastbourne. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Sept 24th 1961: Harvest Festival from The Church of St Mary the Virgin Hambleden Bucks. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Oct 22nd 1961 St Giles Clerkenwell (ATV)
Service of Remembrance Nov 12th 1961 (10.45-11.50): from The Centotaph Whitehall London. (ATV)
Matins Nov 19th 1961: from Cartmel Priory Grange-over-Sands. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Nov 26th 1961: Dialogue Mass from The Church of Notre Dame de France Leicester Square London. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Raymond Joss (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Dec 3rd 1961: from The Parish Church of All Saints Northallerton. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Dec 10th 1961: from St John's Dormansland. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Matins Dec 17th 1961: from Salisbury Cathedral. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Christmas Sunday Service Dec 24th 1961: from Heaton Moor Congregational Church Stockport. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Dec 31st 1961 (11am-12.15pm): Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from St Mark's Parish Church Bush Hill Park Enfield. Director: Raymond Joss (ATV)
Sung Mass Jan 14th 1962: from The Church of St Mary Magdalene Wandsworth. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Jan 21st 1962: from St Mary's Alverstoke. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Family Church Service Jan 28th 1962: from Darlington Street Methodist Church Wolverhampton.
Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Feb 4th 1962: from the RAF Church of St Clement Dane. Thanksgiving service on the 21st anniversary of the Air Training Corps in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Feb 11th 1962: from Lancaster Priory. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Feb 18th 1962 (11am-12.10pm): from St Andrew's Presvyterian Church Hampstead. Director: Raymond Joss (ATV)
Feb 25th 1962: from Main Road Baptist Church Romford. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Mar 4th 1962: from Cranbrook Parish Church. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Sung Eucharist Mar 18th 1962: from Leominster Priory. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Mothering Sunday Apr 1st 1962: Family Eucharist from Malvern Priory. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Procession of Palms Apr 15th 1962: Solemn High Mass from Oscott RC College Sutton Coldfield. Commentator: Father Geoffrey Tucker. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Easter Sunday Services Apr 22nd 1962 (10.30am-12.45pm): Mattins, Procession and Solemn Eucharist from York Minster. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
May 20th 1962: Industrial Festival from Rochester Cathedral. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
The Communion May 27th 1962 (10.30am-12.05pm): from Coventry Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
June 3rd 1962: from Holly Park Methodist Church Crouch Hill. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
June 10th 1962: High Mass from the Convent of the Daughters of the Cross, Carshalton. Commentators: Rev John Bebb and Rev Sister Superior. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Ordination Service June 17th 1962: from Wakefield Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
June 24th 1962: from Christ Church Crouch End, part of their centenary celebration. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Mass July 8th 1962: from the RC Church of the Sacred Heart Blackpool. Commentator: Very Rev Canon O'Leary. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
July 15th 1962 (11am-12.5pm "approx"): from Brownhill Road Baptist Church Catford. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Timing now 11am-12.15pm:
July 29th 1962: from Wesley's Chapel City Road London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 5th 1962: Parish Communion from St Mark's Church Battersea Rise London. Director: Raymond Joss (ATV)
Aug 19th 1962:from St John's Methodist Church Worcester. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Aug 26th 1962: from Holy Trinity Church Kensington London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Family Worship Sept 2nd 1962:from the United Congregatinal Church Dewsbury. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Sept 9th 1962: Sung Eucharist from The Parish of St Andrew Sudbury Middlesex. Director: Raymond Joss (ATV)
Sept 16th 1962: from The Baptist Tabernacle Tunbridge Wells. Director: Peter Webber (Southern)
One God Oct 7th 1962: from Hampstead Parish Church London. Second in a series of three from "the three main streams of religious thought in this country ... showing how far in our corporate worship this unity is achieved." Commentator: Rev Preb Stephen Hopkinson. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
One God Oct 14th 1962: from St Augustine's RC Church Hoddesdon. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Oct 21st 1962: from the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul Royal Naval College Greenwich. Trafalgar Day annual Seafarer's Service. Commentator: Rev Preb Stephen Hopkinson. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Oct 28th 1962: from St Cuthbert's Presbyterian Church Hove. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Service of Remembrance Nov 11th 1962 (10.45-11.55): from The Centotaph Whitehall London. (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Nov 25th 1962: from the Parish Church Doncaster. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Sung Eucharist Dec 23rd 1962: from Ashover Parish Church Derbyshire. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Dec 30th 1962: from Stockwell Methodist Church London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Feb 10th 1963: from St Martins-in-the- Bull Ring, Birmingham Parish Church. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Feb 17th 1963: Matins from Emmanuel Church Northwood Middlesex. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
God and Man Mar 10th 1963: Man Loving God in Work and Industry. Low Mass from Saint Edmund's Church Airedale. Second in the series of Lent services introduced by Michael Thomas. Commentator: Very Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
God and Man Mar 17th 1963: Man Loving God in Personal Life. Family Worship from Bridge Street Methodist Church Hereford, introduced by Michael Thomas. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
God and Man Mar 24th 1963: Man Loving God in the Family. Sung Eucharist from Manchester Cathedral, introduced by Michael Thomas. Commentator: Rev Canon SH Price. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
God and Man Apr 7th 1963 (11am-12.05pm): God Loving Man- God in Man's Suffering. Holy Communion from Parish Church of St Katherine Cree London. Sixth in the series of Lent services introduced by Michael Thomas. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Apr 21st 1963: from St Mary's Parish Church Goudhurst. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
May 5th 1963: Service of Thanksgiving for the beauty of the earth from Broomwood Methodist Church Clapham Common. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Family Service May 12th 1963: from The Mansfield Road Baptist Church Nottingham. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
May 19th 1963: Annual Parade Service of the North London St John Ambulance from St John's Church Palmers Green. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 26th 1963: Annual Service of the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs from The Royal Albert Hall London. Commentary: Rev Albert Cornah. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Parish Communion June 2nd 1963: from The Parish Church of Saint Lawrence Hatfield Yorkshire. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
June 9th 1963: A Civic Service of Thanksgiving for the foundation of the Queen Victoria Hospital East Grinstead from The Parish Church of St Swithun East Grinstead. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Service of Induction June 16th 1963: from Church of St Thomas Leesfield Oldham. A new incumbent is installed. Commentator: Canon SH Price. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Family Communion Service June 23rd 1963: from Church of St John the Baptist Chester. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Solemn High Mass June 30th 1963: from The Friars Aylesford Kent. Commentary: Rev Gerard Dwyer. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
July 7th 1963: from St Mary's Parish Church Goudhurst. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Family Worship July 14th 1963: from Heaton Moor Methodist Church Stockport. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Sung Eucharist July 21st 1963: from The Parish Church Towcester. Day School Festival. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
July 28th 1963: Oarsmen's Service from The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin Fen Ditton Cabridge. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Dialogue Mass Aug 4th 1963: from the RC Church of Saint Anthony Woodhouse Park Wythenshawe Manchester. Commentator: Very Rev Canon William O'Leary. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Aug 11th 1963: from Fentiman Road Methodist Church London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Aug 18th 1963: from The Parish Church of St Giles Stoney Stratford. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Aug 25th 1963: Sung Eucharist from St Alban the Martyr Holborn London. Commentator: Rev Preb A S Hopkinson. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Induction of a Minister Sept 15th 1963: from Bedminster Methodist Church Wolverhampton. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Harvest Thanksgiving Sept 22nd 1963: from the grounds of Raynham Hall. Director: Michael Jeans (Anglia)
Sept 29th 1963: Dialogue Mass from the Chapel of St Vincent's Orthopaedic Hospital, Pinner. Commentator: Rev Michael Hollings. Director: Stephen Wade (ATV)
Oct 20th 1963: from the Priory Church of St Peter Dunstable. Director: Stephen Wade (ATV)
Family Communion Oct 27th 1963: from the Parish Church Carlton-in-Lindrick Notts. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Nov 3rd 1963: Centenary Celebration Service from Bromley Baptist Church. Commentator: Leonard Fawkes. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Service of Remembrance Nov 10th 1963 (10.45-11.55): from The Cenotaph. (ATV)
Dec 1st 1963: Sung Eucharist from Christ Church Lancaster Gate London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Consecration Service Dec 15th 1963: from the Church of St Mark Chadderton Lancs. Commentator: Canon Hetley Price. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Baptism at Christmas Dec 22nd 1963: from Jubilee Methodist Church Tunstall. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Sung Eucharist Jan 12th 1964: from Liverpool Parish Church. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Jan 19th 1964: Salvation Army Holiness Meeting from The Ilford Citadel. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Jan 26th 1964: Parish Communion from St Etheldreda's Church Fulham Palace Road London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Feb 16th 1964: from Richmond Hill Congregational Church Bournemouth. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Sung Eucharist Mar 15th 1964: from Halifax Parish Church. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Mar 22nd 1964: Family Communion from St Clare's Westborough Guildford. Commentator: Rev Preb Stephan Hopkinson. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Apr 5th 1964: from the Parish Church of All Saints Maidstone. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Apr 12th 1964: Dedication from the RAF Church of St Clement Danes London. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Dedication of Vol 10 of the RAF Books of Remembrance. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Opening Service of the Leeds Triennial Musical Festival Apr 19th 1964: from Leeds Parish Church. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Morning Worship Apr 26th 1964: from Egremont Presbyterian Church Wallasey. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Dialogue Mass May 10th 1964: from St Edmund's RC Church Little Hulton nr Manchester. Commentator: Very Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
May 17th 1964: Pontifical High Mass from Westminster Cathedral. Commentary by Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 24th 1964: Matins from the Chapel of St John's Hall London College of Divinity Middx. Commentary by Rev Michael Green. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Morning Worship May 31st 1964: from the Parish Church Keighley. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Solemn Mass June 14th 1964: from the Chapel of the Franciscan RC Prep School Stony Stratford. Commentator: Very Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
June 21st 1964: Sung Mass from the RC Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Hayes Middx. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
June 28th 1964: from St Mary's Parish Church Scarborough. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
July 5th 1964: Centenary Service from Radlett Parish Church (ATV)
Morning Worship July 26th 1964: from Wesley Chapel Harrogate. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Aug 2nd 1964: Dialogue Mass from the Church of St Thomas pf Canterbury Whyteleafe Surrey. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 23rd 1964: from Finsbury Park Methodist Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 30th 1964: from All Saints' Church Bradford. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Sept 6th 1964: A Scouts' Own from the Adult Leaders Training Centre Gilwell Park. Introduced by Camp Chief John Thurman. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Battle of Britain Commemoration Service Sept 13th 1964: from All Saints Parish Church Northampton. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Sept 20th 1964: from the RAF Church of St Clement Danes. Thanksgiving for victory in the Battle of Britain and laying up of the Queen's Colour. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Stephen Wade (ATV)
Solemn High Mass Sept 27th 1964: from the Church of Our Lady of Dolours, Bognor Regis. Commentator: Rev Gerard Dwyer. Director: Berkely Smith (Southern)
Oct 4th 1964: Baptismal Service from Weymouth Baptist Church. Director: George Egan (Southern)
Sung Eucharist Oct 18th 1964: from Chchester Cathedral. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern)
Confirmation and First Communion Oct 25th 1964: from the Parish Church of St Martin of Tours Middlesborough. Commentator: Maxwell Dees. Director: Christopher Palmer (Tyne Tees)
Nov 1st 1964: from the Methodist Church Blundellsands. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Service of Remembrance Nov 8th 1964 (10.45-11.55): from The Cenotaph. (ATV)
Nov 15th 1964: from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre without Newgate London. A combined service with the City Temple. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Holy Baptism with Communion Nov 22nd 1964: from Leigh Parish Church Lancs. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Students' Service for Advent Nov 29th 1964: from Central Methodist Church Leicester. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Choral Communion Dec 6th 1964: from Brighton College Chapel. Director: George Egan (Southern)
Dec 13th 1964: from Lichfield Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Dec 20th 1964: Dialogue Mass from the Priory Church of Christ the King Cockfosters. For the first time, English is used in the mass. Commentator Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Festive Service Dec 27th 1964: from Manchester Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Jan 3rd 1965: Family Service from Radlett Parish Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Jan 10th 1965: from St George's Church Stockport. Commentator: Canon Wilfred Garlick. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Jan 17th 1965: from Mount Zion Baptist Church St John's Wood Road London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Jan 24th 1965: from St Cuthbert Parish Church Billingham. Director: George Adama (Tyne Tees)
Choral Communion Jan 31st 1965: from Lancing College Chapel. Director: George Egan (Southern)
Feb 7th 1965: Parish Communion from St Luke's Church Camberwell London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Feb 14th 1965: from Brunswick Methodist Church Macclesfield. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Feb 21st 1965: Dialogue Mass from the Church of St Joseph Epsom. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Feb 28th 1965: St David's Day Service from the Military Chapel Chelsea Barracks. 50th Anniversary of the Welsh Guards. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Mar 7th 1965: Matins from St Paul's Church Herne Hill London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Mar 14th 1965: from Hereford Cathedral. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Mar 21st 1965: from St Peter's Methodist Church Canterbury. Director: George Egan (Southern)
Mar 28th 1965: Pontifical High Mass from Notre Dame de France, London. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Solemn Eucharist Apr 4th 1965: from Wakefield Cathedral. Commentator: Rev John Lyth. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Apr 11th 1965: from Clementswood Baptist Church Ilford. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Easter Communion Apr 18th 1965 (10.30am-12.15pm): from Coventry Cathedral. Commentator: Rev SW Phipps. Director: David Southwood (ABC)
Family Service Apr 25th 1965: from New North Road Baptist Church Huddersfield. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Holy Mass May 2nd 1965: from St Mary's Swinton. Commentator: Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
May 9th 1965: from Wanstead Congregational Church London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist May 16th 1965: from Towcester Parish Church. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
May 23rd 1965: Morning Prayer from Battersea Parish Church London. Commentator: Rev Preb A Stephan Hopkinson. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
May 30th 1965: from Cosham Congregational Church. Director: George Egan (Southern)
June 6th 1965: Mass from Toledo Cathedral Commentator: Rev John Bebb (ATV presentation)
Parish Communion June 20th 1965: from St Francis Church Leigh Park nr Havant. Director: George Egan (Southern)
June 27th 1965: Centenary of the Salvation Army from Regent Hall London. Introduced by Major Fred Brown. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Morning Prayer July 4th 1965: from St Peter's Parish Church Congleton. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
July 11th 1965: from Ruislip Methodist Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
July 18th 1965: from Oxford Place (Methodist) Chapel Leeds. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
July 25th 1965: Matins from the Queen's Chapel of the Savoy London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Parish Communion Aug 1st 1965: from Buxton Parish Church. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Divine Service Aug 8th 1965: from the quarterdeck of HMS Tiger, in Newcastle. (Recorded July 25th). Commentary: Maxwell Deas. Director: Christopher Palmer. (Tyne Tees)
Aug 15th 1965: from Bridlington Priory. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Aug 22nd 1965: from St John's Presbyterian Church Kensington London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
REGIONAL VARIATION: High Mass Aug 22nd 1965: from the Lady Chapel on Mount Grace Osmotherly. (Recorded Aug 15th). Introductory Commentary: Maxwell Deas. Mass described by Father Daniel Costar. Director: Christopher Palmer. (Tyne Tees- partially networked)
Aug 29th 1965: Family Communion from All Saints Parish Church Boreham Wood. Kensington London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Solemn Mass Sept 5th 1965: from The Church of Our Lady Southbourne, Bournemouth. Commentary: Father Gerard Dwyer. Director: George Egan (Southern)
Mattins Sept 12th 1965: from Holy Trinity Parish Church of Berwck-upon-Tweed. Introduction: Maxwell Deas. Director: George Adams. (Tyne Tees)
The Peaceful Sky Sept 19th 1965 (10.45am-12.50pm): 25th Annversary of the Battle of Britain from St George's Chapel RAF Biggin Hill, Westminster Abbey, and Runnymede Memorial. Commentator: Brian Connell. Reading by Paul Rogers. Directors: Stephen Wade, also Bill Allenby at Westminster (ATV)
People's Mass Sept 26th 1965: from the RC Church of St Joseph and St Francis Xavier Richmond Yorks. Commentator: Rev Canon O'Leary. Director: Andy Gullen (ABC)
Praise and Remembrance Oct 3rd 1965: from the Parish Church Warrington. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Family Communion Oct 10th 1965: from Champness Hall Rochdale. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Oct 17th 1965: from the Church of St Mary East Molesey. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
REGIONAL VARIATION: Jubilee Memorial Service Oct 17th 1965: from Norwich Cathedral. On the death of Edith Cavell, extracts from her letters read by Anna Neagle. Commentary Rev AR Freeman. Director: Ron Downing. (Anglia- partially networked)
Dialogue Mass Oct 24th 1965: from RC Church of Our Lady and the Apostles Shaw Heath Stockport. Commentary: Canon O'Leary. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Oct 31st 1965: Family Communion from the Elstree Parish Church of St Nicholas. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Family Worship Nov 7th 1965: from Chorley Old Road Methodist Church Bolton. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Morning Prayer Nov 21st 1965: from the Parish Church of Allerton Liverpool. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Nov 28th 1965: Communion from Kensington Temple London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Holy Mass Dec 5th 1965: from RC Church of the Sacred Heart Moreton Wirral. Commentary: Very Rev Canon O'Leary. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Dec 12th 1965: from Bromley Congregational Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
The Advent Ordination Dec 19th 1965 (10.30am-12.15pm): from Canterbury Cathedral. Commentary: Rev W Todd. Director: Berkeley Smith. (Southern)
United Free Church Christmas Service Dec 26th 1965: from Albion Congregational Church Ashton-Under-Lyne. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Sung Eucharist Jan 9th 1966: from Parish Church of St John the Evangelist Birtley. Commentator: Maxwell Deas. Director: Bernard Preston. (Tyne Tees)
Choral Cmmunion Jan 16th 1966: from Mossley Hill Parish Church Liverpool. Commentator: Canon CB Naylor. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Jan 23rd 1966: from Cambridge Heath Salvation Army Citadel Hackney. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
A Concelebration of Mass Jan 30th 1966: from St John's Cathedral Portsmouth. Commentary: Rev Gerard Dwyer. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Feb 6th 1966: in which children play a leading part from Christ Church Gypsy Hill. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Family Worship Feb 13th 1966: from The Congregational Church Sutton Coldfield. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Feb 20th 1966: Solemn Eucharist from St John the Divine Kensington. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Mattins Mar 6th 1966: from St John's Cathedral Portsmouth. Commentary: Rev Gerard St Paul's Church Rusthall Tunbridge Wells. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Peoples' Mass Mar 20th 1966: from RC Church of St Theresa of Lisieux, Manor Estate Sheffield. Commentator: Canon O'Leary. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Service of Consecration and Re-Hallowing Mar 27th 1966: from St Thomas Oakwood London. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Matins Apr 3rd 1966: from The Collegiate Church of St Mary Stafford. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Easter Morning Service Apr 10th 1966: from The Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Dialogue Mass Apr 17th 1966: from the Chapel of St Vincent Provincial House Mill Hill London. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Solemn Eucharist Apr 24th 1966: from The Parish Church of Our Lady St Nicholas and St James Syresham Northants. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
REGIONAL VARIATION Apr 24th 1966: The Enthronement of the new bishop in the Cathedral Church of St James Bury St Edmunds. Commentary: Canon AR Freeman. Director: Forbes Taylor (Anglia)
May 1st 1966: Blessing of the Farm and Animals from Bovinger Hall Farm Bobbingworth. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist May 8th 1966: from The Parish Church of St Wilfrid Harrogate. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Children's Church Festival May 22nd 1966: from Sandon Road Methodist Church Harborne Birmingham. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
May 29th 1966: from Tickhill Parish Church Yorks. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
June 5th 1966: from the Pentecostal Church Bedford. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Family Communion June 12th 1966: from St Barnabas' Parish Church Morecambe and Heysham. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
June 26th 1966: from the Parish Church of St Barnabas Temple Fortune Golders Green. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
July 3rd 1966: from The Methodist Church St Edmund's Church Street Salisbury. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Family Worship July 17th 1966: from Highfield Congregational Church Rock Ferry Birkenhead. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
July 24th 1966: from St Andrew's Chapel, Mission to Seamen Victoria Dock Road London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Matins July 31st 1966: from Northenden Parish Church Manchester. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Aug 7th 1966: Sung Eucharist from St Cuthbert's Church Philbeach Gardens London. Commentator: Rev Preb S Hopkinson. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Holiday Service Aug 14th 1966: from Quay Methodist Church Bridlington. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Aug 21st 1966: Parish Communion from St Barnabas Church Little Ilford. Commentator: Rev Preb S Hopkinson. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Peoples' Mass Aug 28th 1966: from the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Malachy Ovenden Halifax. Commentator: Rev Canon O'Leary. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
A Children's Service Sept 4th 1966: from The Sculpture Gallery, Woburn Abbey. With the Tingha and Tucker Club. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Harvest Thanksgiving Sept 18th 1966: from Breachwood Green Baptist Church Herts. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sept 25th 1966: from The Chapel of St Joseph's (RC) College Mill Hill. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Harvest Thanksgiving Oct 2nd 1966: from Old Clee Parish Church Grimsby. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
A Service of Believers' Baptism Oct 9th 1966: from Pier Avenue Baptist Church Clacton-on-Sea. Commentary: Rev Edgar Wright. Director: John Salway. (Anglia)
Fish Harvest Festival Oct 16th 1966: from Billingsgate Parish Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Family Communion Oct 23rd 1966: from St James' Parish Church Hope, Salford. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Sung Eucharist Oct 30th 1966: from The Abbey Church of St Mary and St Ethelfleda Romsey. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Morning Worship Nov 6th 1966: from Heaton Moor Methodist Church Stockport. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Service of Remembrance Nov 13th 1966 (10.30-11.55am): from The Cenotaph London, and The Stone of Remembrance Edinburgh. Commentators: Shaw Taylor (London), Bill Tennent (Edinburgh). (ATV and Scottish TV)
Parish Communion Nov 27th 1966: from The Church of Christ the Carpenter, Dogsthorpe Peterborough. Commentary: Canon AR Freeman. Director: John Salway. (Anglia)
Parish Communion Dec 4th 1966: from The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin Littlehampton. Commentary: Rev Bill Todd. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Sung Mass Dec 11th 1966: from St George's RC Church Norwich. Commentary: Rev Robert Manley. Director not stated (Anglia)
Dec 18th 1966: from St Andrew's Church Rustington. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Christmas Eucharist Dec 25th 1966 (11am-12.10pm): from Manchester Cathedral. Commentary: Ven Hetley Price. Director: David Southwood. (ABC) - (note this was actually the first ITV Sunday service since 1955 to fall on Christmas Day itself. Of course on other Christmas Days a religious service was also broadcast)
1967: The service continued to begin at 11am, but on Jan 1st it was concluded at 12.05pm, while some future weeks a 'close down' was indicated before the next programme at 12.15pm.
Jan 1st 1967: from the Church of St Michael Chester Square London SW1. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Morning Worship Jan 8th 1967: from the Congregational Church St Jelens Lancs. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Solemn Opening Mass Jan 15th 1967: of The Church of St David Stanwell Middx. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Jan 29th 1967: from The Parish Church of St Nicholas Arundel. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
25th Anniversary RAF Regiment Feb 5th 1967: Commemorative Service at Clement Danes London. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Feb 12th 1967: from Greenford Methodist Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Feb 19th 1967: from Derby Cathedral. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Feb 26th 1967: Parade Service for Church uniformed organisations from The Union Church (Congregational) Mill Hill. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Concelebrated Low Mass Mar 5th 1967: from Upholland College Lancs. Commentator: Very Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Mar 12th 1967: from Brixton Parish Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Mar 19th 1967: from The Parish Church of St Alphege Solihull. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Solemn High Mass of Easter Mar 26th 1967 (11am-11.50am): from The Cathedral of Our Lady and St Philip Arundel.Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: George Egan. (Southern)- this was followed 11.55am-12.20 by Urbi Et Orbi Pope Paul VI from Rome
Family Communion Apr 2nd 1967: from The Parish Church of St Edburgha Yardley Birmingham. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Opening Service of the Leeds Triennial Musical Festival Apr 16th 1967: from Leeds Parish Church. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Parish Communion Apr 23rd 1967: from The Parish Church of St Mary Redbourn Herts. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Solemn Enthronement Apr 30th 1967: from The Cathedral Church of Our Lady and St Thomas Northampton. Commentary: Rev Robert Manley. Director: John Salway (Anglia)
Church Parade and Service May 7th 1967: St John Ambulance Brigade from The Parish Church of St Andrew Enfield. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Morning Worship May 14th 1967: from Claremont Road Methodist Church Wallasey. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Parish Communion May 21st 1967: from The Church of St Peter and St Paul Fareham. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Low Mass May 28th 1967: from St Francis Gorton. Commentator: Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
June 11th 1967: from the Parish Church of East Dereham. Commentary: Canon Peter Freeman. Diretor: Bob Gardam. (Anglia)
June 18th 1967: from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Cheam. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Length of programme now indicated as back to 11am to 12.15pm.
Open Air Meeting July 2nd 1967: from The Salvation Army Regent Hall Corps Oxford Circus London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Morning Prayer July 9th 1967: from The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin Bowdon Cheshire. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
July 16th 1967: from The New Malden Methodist Church. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Matins July 23rd 1967: from Holy Trinity Church Northwood Middx. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
July 30th 1967: Dialogue Mass from The Church of St Mary London Colney Herts. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Act of Worship Aug 6th 1967: A service specially prepared for tv from Lowestoft Parish Church. Commentary: Canon Peter Freeman. Director: John Salway (Anglia)
Matins Aug 13th 1967: from The Parish Church of St John the Baptist Aldenham Herts. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Aug 20th 1967: from the Viennese Ballroom of a Clacton Holiday Camp. Commentary: Canon Peter Freeman. Director: John Salway (Anglia)
Morning Worship Aug 27th 1967: from Trinity Methodist Church Castleford. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Family Communion Sept 3rd 1967: from Holy Trinity Parish Church Southport. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
People's Mass Sept 10th 1967: from the RC Church of the Sacred Heart Blackpool. Commentator: Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Harvest Festival Sept 24th 1967: from Ebenezer Congregational Church Chatham. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Morning Chapel Oct 22nd 1967: from Eton College. Commentator: Colin Clark. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Family Matins Oct 29th 1967: from St Chad's Parish Church Far Headingley Leeds. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Nov 5th 1967 (11-11.50am): from Trinity Presbyterian Church Norwich. Commentary: Margaret Jones. Director: John Salway (Anglia)
Service of Remembrance Nov 12th 1967 (10.40-11.55): from The Cenotaph. (ATV)
People's Mass Sept 10th 1967: from the RC Church of the Sacred Heart Blackpool. Commentator: Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Sung Eucharist Nov 19th 1967: from the Parish Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe Folkestone. Commentator: Rev Bill Todd. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Family Service Nov 26th 1967: with Infant Baptism from Clarendon Road Congregational Church Watford. Commentator: Irene A Sennitt. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Matins Dec 10th 1967: from Sheffield Cathedral. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols Dec 17th 1967: from The Guards' Chapel Wellington Barracks London. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Dec 24th 1967 (11am-12.10pm): Christmas in the Manchester Mission from Central Hall Manchester. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Family Worship Jan 7th 1968: United Free Church Service from Zion Congregational Church Wakefield. Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Sung Eucharist Jan 14th 1968: from the Parish Church of St Leonard Hythe Kent. Commentator: Rev Bill Todd. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
Jan 21st 1968: from The City Temple London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Communion Jan 28th 1968: Preston Parish Church. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Feb 4th 1968: Dialogue Sung Mass from St Luke's RC Church Pinner. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Matins and Holy Baptism Feb 11th 1968: from Halifax Parish Church.
Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Feb 18th 1968: from Brookside Methodist Church East Barnet. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Feb 25th 1968: from the Chapel of North Middlesex Hospital Edmonton.Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
United Family Service Mar 3rd 1968: from the Parish Church of St Saviour Peckham. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Parish Communion Mar 10th 1968: from St Peters Church Newton-le-Willows.
Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Holy Communion Mar 17th 1968: from Blackpool Parish Church. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Sung Eucharist Mar 24th 1968: from Howden Minster. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Concelebrated Mass Apr 7th 1968: from The RC Church of St Ignatius Preston. Commentator: Very Rev Canon W O'Leary.
Director: Geoff Hall. (ABC)
Joy and Wonder Apr 14th 1968: A special service for viewers from the Church of the Holy Speulchre, City of London. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Service continued to commence at 11am, but ends with Close-down before next programme at 12.15pm.
Centenary Thanksgiving Service Apr 21st 1968: from Highfield Road Baptist Church Dartford. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Sung Eucharist Apr 28th 1968: from the Parish Church of the Holy Spirit Southsea. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
May 5th 1968: High Mass from St James' Church |Spanish Place London W1. Commentator: Rev John Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Family Worship and Baptism May 12th 1968: from Central Methodist Church Preston. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Low Mass June 2nd 1968: from RC Church of St Joseph the Worker Sutton-in-Ashfield. Commentator: Very Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
June 9th 1968: including Baptism from Kensington Chapel London W8. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
June 16th 1968: from the Parish Church of St Germain Bobbingworth Essex. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)
Morning Prayer June 23rd 1968: from the Parish Church Cheltenham. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Family Worship June 30th 1968: from Christ Church Port Sunlight. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Morning Prayer June 23rd 1968: from the Parish Church Cheltenham. Director: Andy Gullen. (ABC)
Family Worship June 30th 1968: from Christ Church Port Sunlight. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Sung Communion July 7th 1968: from Coventry Cathedral. Commentator: Rev John Lyth. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
Low Mass July 14th 1968: from the RC Church of St Edward King and Confessor Clifford, Boston Spa. Commentator: Very Rev Canon W O'Leary. Director: David Southwood. (ABC)
July 21st 1968: from Steyne Gardens Methodist Church Worthing. Director: George Egan. (Southern)
The Sunday Morning Service continued after the change of franchises, with the new Yorkshire Television providing the first service in the new era on Aug 4th 1968, in charge was old ABC director Geoff Hall.
Regular worship continued on Sunday mornings, eventually starting at 10am, before the service was dropped altogether in keeping with the irreligious modernism of the age, and the new commercialism of ITV.
Missing Menu
. . . .
Escape (Granada)
Six one-off stories of the Man on the Run, physical escapes, scripted by Marc Brandel.
1 Five Men for Freedom (Aug 18th 1967)
Director: Julian Amyes. Starring Calvin Lockhart, Joyce Heron, Patrick Barr and Grant Taylor.
(Pictured l-r, David McKail as Jack, Peter Newton as Willy, David Cook as Ben, and Calvin Lockhart as Kingsley.)
Set in Mississippi, 'there simply isn't any such thing as being protected by the law down here. Why, when those three boys were murdered here last summer, the governor of the state said it served them right'
2 Three to a Cell (Aug 25th 1967)
Director: Bob Hird. Starring Gordon Jackson, Bryan Pringle, Harry Towb and John Collin. 'They'll give us our share. One third. Why would they cross us? 'Don't you see, they had it all worked out from the start? There isn't going to be any pay-off"
3 A Bad Risk (Sept 1st 1967)
Director: Mike Apted. Starring Nicholas Pennell, with Bernard Hepton and Rudolph Walker. 'Why did I come back here? Why don't I tell them? If I tell them, I could get five years'
4 Private Enterprise (Sept 8th 1967)
Director: Ronald Wilson. Starring Martin Jarvis, Meg Wynn Owen, Amber Kammer and Malcolm Tierney. 'There's one thing the police don't know- how far we've got tonight. Wthatever the informer's told them, they don't expect us to break out tonight. And that's what we're going to do... and the informer's coming with us'
5 Nothing to Lose (Sept 15th 1967)
Director: Bob Hird. Starring Roy Marsden and Ann Lynn, with Jeremy Child and Michael Balfour. 'There must be ten million photographs of you plastered round this country- every one of those pictures has suddenly become a Wanted notice'
6 The Kindness of Strangers (Sept 22nd 1967)
Director: Mike Newell. Starring Michael Barlow, John Castle, Jonathon Elsom, Jerome Willis and Hannah Gordon.
Missing Menu
. . . . .
Unwin Time
That master inventor of Gobbledygook, Stanley Unwin made numerous tv appearances, but I think this was the only series of his very own. Professor Unwin takes an Unwinese look at hobbies and sports.
It was a five minute monologue made for ATV in 1966, but only partially networked. The Producer was Donald Shingler.
The series premiered on ATV Midlands at 11.45pm on Wednesday April 6th 1966.
Some of the lectures with ATV London slots were:
Wrestling- Sunday April 24th 1966 10.30pm
Football- May 1st 1966
Golf- May 8th 1966
Bully Off, The Noble Art of Stick Games- May 22nd 1966
The Skill of Boatyfloating- May 29th 1966
Athletty Panters - June 12th 1966
Missing Menu
. . . . .
LIFE WITH THE LYONS
starring Bebe Daniel and Ben Lyon, with Barbara and Richard Lyon.
This ran for five series from 1955 until 1960. Starting and continuing on BBC radio, the first tv series was in 1955 on the BBC (pictured left), with a second beginning on May 31st 1956. For the final three series, production was in the hands of Associated Rediffusion (right picture). An early example of ITV snatching a BBC series. ITV Scripts were by Bebe Daniels, Bob Ross and
Bob Block.
However Ronnie Hanbury took over from Bob Ross about 4.8. The director was John Phillips except where noted.
Details of the ITV programmes:
3.1 The Green-Eyed Monster (Tues Sept 17th 1957, 8.30pm) with Molly Weir as Aggie, Frank Pettitt and guest star Jack Buchanan.
Ben suspects their old friend Jack has amorous inclinations towards Bebe.
3.2 Family Secrets (Oct 1st 1957) with Molly Weir, Doris Rogers.
3.3 I've Got You Covered (Oct 15th 1957)
3.4 Cool Cat on a Hot Roof (Oct 29th 1957) - with Noelle Middleton, Molly Weir, Pat Laurence, Jill Cobbold and Brian Alexis. When Richard decides that teenage girl friends are really far too juvenile for him, he falls overboard for a glamorous and sophisticated woman of the world.
Note- Barbara Lyon sang for the first time on the programme, she gave us The Birds and The Bees.
3.5 Going Going Gone (Nov 12th 1957)
3.6 Where There's a Will (Nov 26th 1957, 8.30pm) - with Molly Weir, Doris Rogers as Florrie, Peter Stephens, Philip Ray and Maurice Hedley. The family are called to a solicitor's office to hear something t their advantage.
3.7 Unlucky Winner (Dec 10th 1957)
3.8 'Twas the Night Before (Dec 24th 1957, 9.45pm)
with Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Norman Shelley, Leonard Monaghan, and Skeeter Lyon. All children between 9 and 90 believe in Santa Claus, and Bebe sets out to prove it to the family.
3.9 Danger-Woman at Work (Jan 7th 1958, 8.30pm)
with Molly Weir, Carl Bernard, Ruth Gower, Douglas Bradley-Smith and Skeeter Lyon.
Bebe sets off to the January sales. Ben decides to put his foot down once and for all.
3.10 Signs of the Times (Jan 21st 1958)
with Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Hugh Morton, Richard Waring and Skeeter Lyon.
Bebe decides to run the family in an entirely new way.
4.1 Who's Your Lady Friend? (Sept 19th 1958, 6.10pm)
with Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Wilfred Brambell, Peter Hawkins and Skeeter Lyon.
A case of mistaken identity results in the arrival of an unexpected and unusual female figure.
4.2 The Reluctant Genius (October 3rd 1958)
with Reginald Beckwith, Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Brian Hayes and Skeeter Lyon.
Bebe decides to become an artist with devastating effects on the family and the world of art.
4.3 Dangerous Curves Ahead (Oct 17th 1958)
with Naomi Chance, Molly Weir, Bernard Horsfall, Guido Lorraine, Rufus Cruickshank and Skeeter Lyon.
Bebe suspects Ben of mixing pleasure with business at the office.
4.4 Boxing Gloves (Oct 31st 1958) - with Harry Fowler, Molly Weir, Marian Collins, Michael Collins, Colin Douglas, Frank Pemberton and Skeeter Lyon. Ben thinks it is time Richard learned to box, and takes him along to a boxing academy. But when the big fight comes, the results are not quite what the family expected.
4.5 Family Secrets (Nov 14th 1958) - this was a repeat (see 3.2)
4.6 A Guest in the House (Nov 28th 1958)
4.7 Thirteen Shoplifting Days to Christmas (Dec 12th 1958)
4.8 The Sheriff of Fractured Wrist (Dec 26th 1958)
with guest star Alfred Marks, and Molly Weir, Tony Day, Redvers Kyle, Frank Pemberton and Skeeter Lyon.
4.9 It's a Woman's World (Jan 9th 1959)
with Joan Ingram, Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Rufus Cruickshank and Skeeter Lyon.
Bebe decides that men have things too much their own way. So she forms a woman's party to take over the government, with surprising results.
4.10 King Richard the Last (Jan 23rd 1959)
The final series was shown weekly, and the family, as in real life, have moved from Marble Arch to Holland Park.
5.1 A Cowboy in Kensington (Friday Jan 1st 1960, 6.30pm)
with David Cameron, Molly Weir, and Skeeter Lyon.
The family are visited by Bebe's cowboy nephew from America. He decides to help Ben celebrate his birthday.
5.2 Home Sweet Homicide (Jan 8th 1960)
with Wilfred Brambell, Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, and Skeeter Lyon.
Bebe suspects Ben of having homicidal tendencies and enlists Florrie to help her do battle with the 'monster.'
5.3 Stupid Cupid (Jan 15th 1960)
with Molly Weir, Toke Townley, Lilian Grassom, Margaret Clews, Patricia WIlson, Beryl Cooke, Tessa Davies and Skeeter Lyon.
Richard gets into troubles with his girl friends and accepts a little fatherly help and advice from Ben, with unexpected results.
5.4 Teddy Boys' Picnic (Fri Jan 22nd 1960) with, as teddy boys, Harry Fowler, Roy Hines and Graeme Blackwood. Also with Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, and Skeeter Lyon.
Barbara invites three juvenile delinquents to lunch. Director for this episode: Joan Kemp-Welch
5.5 For Love or Money (Jan 29th 1960)
with Virgilio Texera, Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Ruth Gower, and Skeeter Lyon.
Bebe uses a domestic agency to get a handyman, but ends in a marriage bureau.
5.6 Just What the Doctor Ordered (Feb 5th 1960)
with Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Toke Townley, Bartlett Mullins, John Gale, Daphne Case, Mary Miller, Johnny McTurk and Skeeter Lyon.
Ben is volunteered for a hospital staff concert, but the hospital mistake him for a volunteer for a new research experiment.
5.7 Top Secret (Feb 12th 1960)
with Molly Weir, Richard Waring, Bruce Seton, Marianne Walla, Roy Hepworth, Geoffrey Palmer, Anthony Dawes and Skeeter Lyon.
Bebe goes to the sales, getting mixed up with a gang of international spies.
5.8 Tease for Two (Feb 19th 1960)
with Vera Day, Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Barry Took, Christopher Hodge and Skeeter Lyon.
The family think Richard has fallen for a striptease dancer.
5.9 Your Presents Are Requested (Feb 26th 1960)
with Molly Weir, Doris Rogers,Toke Townley, Patricia Wilson and Skeeter Lyon.
It's Bebe's birthday and she is hoping for a lovely surprise, but she doesn't get quite the one she expects.
5.10 A Chip Off the Old Blockhead
(Mar 4th 1960)
with Alan Gifford, Doris Rogers, Mary Miller and Skeeter Lyon.
Ben's boss calls unexpectedly during his absence, and to save the situation, Richard disguises himself as his father.
5.11 The Nelson Touch (Mar 11th 1960)
with Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Lilian Grassom, Patricia Wilson, Tessa Davies, Michael Logan and Skeeter Lyon.
The family put on a play about the life of Nelson, with Ben as producer.
5.12 Sauce for the Goose (Mar 18th 1960)
with Molly Weir, Carl Bernard, Tessa Davies and Skeeter Lyon.
Ben decides, in defiance of the family, to give an open air dinner.
5.13 Be My Ghost (Mar 25th 1960)
with guest star Leslie Randall, and Molly Weir, Doris Rogers, Geoffrey Palmer and Skeeter Lyon.
The family go in for a spot of haunting, but things do not turn out quite as they planned.
Missing Menu
. . . . .
Under Fire (1956-1959)
"The North fires a salvo at London." Initially this was a joint venture by Granada and A-R, but once Granada had their own studio in the capital, the series became solely the property of Granada.
"Aggressive and topical... no holds barred," an invited audience in the north tackles two experts 200 miles away in London.
The programme began in the Autumn 1956 schedules, the first I have noted:
Thursday October 25th 1956, 10.30-10.46pm. Directors: HK Lewenhak (Manchester) and John Rhodes (London)
Thursday December 6th 1956, 10.30-10.46pm. Chairman: Robin Day
Thursday Dec 27th 1956, 10.30-10.46pm. Chairman: Robin Day. Same directors
After a break from early in 1957, the series returned on April 6th 1957, director: Herbert Wise (Manchester).
Friday May 17th 1957, 10-10.15pm. Directors: Herbert Wise (Manchester) and John Rhodes (London)
Michael Scott became Manchester director in Autumn 1957.
Friday Dec 27th 1957, 10.30-10.46pm. Directors: Michael Scott (Manchester) and John Rhodes (London)
Monday January 10th 1958, 6-6.30pm
Friday Jan 17th 1958 at 9pm. Directors: Michael Scott (Manchester) and HK Lewenhak (London)
Success led the series to a peak time slot: starting Monday Feb 24th 1958 at 9pm. Last of series on May 5th 1958
It returned on May 26th 1958, then in the summer for a brief spell on Mondays 7-7.30pm, directors: Michael Scott and Wilfred Fielding. Photo shows Bill Grundy egging on the Manchester audience.
It was back periodically in autumn 1958 Mondays 10.15-10.45pm,
directors: Claude Whatham and Wilfred Fielding, this last series finishing in Spring 1959.
Another Granada topical discussion programme was
Youth Wants To Know (1957-1959).
Young Northerners ask questions to well known personalities. "Two celebrities with opposing views face a barrage of questions from young people in Manchester."
Typical was one programme in early May 1957. The subject was Don't Put Your Daughter on the Stage. Gordon Sandison of Equity supported the motion, "new recruits into the profession should be told of all the difficulties." Opposing was actress Margaret Rawlings, "if a young woman has a great passion for the stage and if she has a genuine talent, then nothing should stop her." The audience vote at the end was For 14, Against 114. "They're all stage struck," smiled Sandison.
First programme was on Wed Feb 20th 1957: chairman Hubert Gregg. Director: HK Lewenhak.
Leonard Sachs was a later chairman, on May 1st 1957.
The last of this series was on Thursday June 20th 1957.
After a brief break the series returned next month on Thursdays 6.20-6.45pm. In September it moved to Thursday then Tuesdays at 6pm. Michael Scott continued as the director. Elaine Grand became the regular chairman from October 1957.
From Wed Feb 19th 1958 it was shown 6.40-7pm.
Chairman Elaine Grand. Director: Michael Scott.
Some special programmes that were advertised:
Wed Mar 27th 1957 with Lady Pakenham and Barbara Kelly: on The Family v A Career.
Wed Apr 10th 1957 with Sir Richard Acland, Hugh Fraser and Prof Joseph Rotblat: on the H Bomb.
Wed Apr 17th 1957 with Angus Maude and Frank Cousins on The Future of the Middle Classes. Chairman: Hubert Gregg.
Wed May 29th 1957 with Sir Alan Herbert and Frank Sheed: on Marriage and Divorce. Director: Michael Scott.
Wed June 12th 1957 with Hector Jacks and Lord Dunsany: on Co-education. Chairman: Robert Barr. Director: Michael Scott.
Thurs Sept 13th 1957 with Lord Beveridge.
Tues Nov 26th 1957 with Sir William Williams and WJ Brown on State Support for Art?
Tues Dec 3rd 1957 with John Betjeman and Chris Brasher: Should sport be compulsory in schools?
Tues Jan 21st 1958 with Field Marshal Sir John Harding.
Tues Jan 28th 1958 with Billy Butlin.
Tues Feb 11th 1958 "This week the tables are turned, and the older generation have the chance to question four undergraduates."
Feb 26th 1958 with Peter Thorneycroft.
March 12th 1958 with Sir Ronald Howe: How to Fight Crime.
April 23rd 1958 with Sir Compton Mackenzie.
The title changed to We Want An Answer. However the emphasis was still on "young people with inquiring minds meet experts." Or, as Wiliam Blatchford wrote in 1959, "indiscriminate barracking of the sort that disgraces We Want An Answer." But there was now only one guest.
Photo shows a rehearsal in which Pat Johns stood in for the questioner.
May 14th 1958 with Rabbi Kopul Rosen.
May 21st 1958 with Sir Hugh Casson.
May 28th 1958 with Carl Foreman.
June 25th 1958 with Dame Edith Sitwell.
In the summer 1958 schedules the series moved to Fridays 7-7.30pm. Autumn 1958 saw it move to Thursdays 6.40-7pm.
By October 1958 Claude Whatham replaced long serving Michael Scott as director.
Dec 4th 1958 with Peter Hall.
Dec 18th 1958 with Stephen Potter.
Director in March 1959 was Graham Evans. Wilfred Fielding and Claude Whatham in April.
Fri Apr 17th 1959 with William Connor
Fri May 29th 1959 with Sir Ronald Gould. Director: Peter Cuff.
In the summer 1959 Malcolm Muggeridge took over the chair until the series ended that August. Director Eric Price.
Some others who appeared, dates not known: Sir Norman Birkett and Chris Brasher.
In 1960 a very similar style of programme was Who Goes Next?- "something different for those who want to know from those who know"
Missing Menu
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Jango (1961, A-R)
A gentle half hour detective series that starred Robert Urquhart, a genial detective, and Moira Redmond as his attractive ex-wife Bee. Said Cyril Coke, producer, "why these two ever got divorced is something of a mystery. Jango is always on the point of asking her to remarry him, but
somehow never gets round to it." Something no doubt due to his absent minded character. He almost bumbles by accident into crimes, but is exceptionally adept at solving them.
Crimes he solves include: a favourite aunt who has taken to shop lifting, a mysterious robbery on an underground train, the disappearance of a lorry load of cigarettes, and (ep 3) supermarket thefts in which the thieves always leave part of the cash behind!
Murder Stamp was a play in the Television Playhouse series, that introduced these characters, and it was deemed worth building this series round them. In the original play, Jango was a Professor of Criminology at Nairobi University, interested in unsolved crimes- yes, this was the original New Tricks!
0 Murder Stamp (Oct 13th 1960, 9.35-10.35) Who murdered Harry Jason? Everything points to Stanley Fletcher, but there is no real proof. After six years, it seems highly unlikely the truth will ever be discovered. With Robert Urquhart, Moira Redmond, Vincent Charles (PC Henson), Arthur White (Mr Perry), John Horsley (Det Insp Cochrane), Edward Evans (Det Sgt Oakes), Richard Mathews (Stanley Fletcher), Betty Bascomb (Mrs Fletcher), William Mervyn (Mr Whittaker), Blake Butler (Mr MacIntosh), Ray Marioni (Waiter), Julia Ratcliffe (April), Jennifer Browne (Shirley Summers), Gladys Dawson (Doris), Sheila Raynor (Mrs Jason), and Barry Wilsher (Chris Jason). Script: Geoffrey Bellman and John Whitney. Director: Jonathan Alwyn.
1 A Little of What She Fancied (Jan 25th 1961, 8-8.30) A husband is suspected of killing his wife in their flat "by remote control." She was poisoned.
Also with: Derek Francis (Supt Bullock), Manning Wilson (Insp Gold), Della Walker (Judy), Doris Yorke (Mrs Clamp), Beryl Roques (Waitress), Stanley van Beers (Forbes), and Barbara Ashcroft (Miss Marlin). Script: Albert Henry Webb. Director: Cyril Coke.
2 Mind the Doors, Please (Feb 1st 1961)
Also with: James Cairncross (Graham), Harold Goodwin (Harris), David Graham (Conway), Gwen Nelson (Miss Blane), Richard Venron (Parkinson), Joanna Vogel (Miss Mills), and Howard Pays (Guard).
Script: Peter Ling and Sheilah Ward.
Director: Cyril Coke.
3 The Bumbling Burglar (Feb 8th 1961)
Aso with: Peter Rosser (Police Inspector), Bernie Winters (Hymie), Roderick Cook (Thompson), Bernard Goldman (Bernie), Bee Duffell (Miss Dibbers), Arthur Brough (Taffe), Hannah Maria Miller (Hannah), Lane Meddick (Car dealer), and Richard Warner (Strada Humpernickel).
Script: Mike Watts.
Director: Cyril Coke.
4 The Itching Fingers of Lady Ffolkes (Feb 15th 1961)
5 Great Day for Jango (Mar 1st 1961)
6 Seven Swords of Haversham (Mar 8th 1961)
7 Treacle on Three Fingers (Mar 15th 1961)
Also with Peter Sallis as Oscar Grant and Harold Goodwin as Three Fingered Jack. Rest of cast: Robert Raglan (Insp Clark), Lawrence James (Sgt Dodds), Pat-Ann Fairfoot (Receptionist), and Brian Wilde (Cemetery attendant).
Script: Mike Watts.
Director: Cyril Coke.
8 Champagne for Dee (Mar 22nd 1961- last story)
Also with Alan Gifford as Herman. Rest of cast, many from Chez Les Dupre series: Henry de Bray (Proprietor), Peter Zander (Jean), Jean Driant (Gaston), Jacques Cey (Cashier), Andre Maranne (Anton), James Cairncross (Graham), Michael Jacques (Sergeant), Jean Serret (Superintendent), Bettine le Beau (Girl), Michael Barber (Gendarme), Elma Soiron (Madame Mary Gish), and Hugo de Vernier (George Gish).
Script: Don Matthews.
Director: Cyril Coke.
Missing Menu
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Mess Mates
Series 1 began on June 28th 1960 and ran for 13 episodes.
After nearly a year's break, it returned for a second series on September 12th 1961. The last story was on March 13th 1962. 40 programmes were made, though Brian Armstrong (Granada Television 2003, p169) incorrectly claimed there were 50 stories.
The regular stars were Archie Duncan as
Captain Biskett and
Sam Kydd as 'Croaker' Jones, married with seven kids.
Also only in the first series, were regulars Dermot Kelly as
Blarney Finnigan, "an old sweat," Fulton Mackay as
Willie McGuinniss, "a happy Jonah," and Victor Maddern who played 'Tug' Nelson.
Ronald Hines joined the second series as the new first mate 'Dapper' Drake. The other new cast members were Michael Balfour as 'Twinkle' Martin, and Frank Atkinson as 'Fry Up' Dodds (see picture).
Blisset is put in charge of the old wreck SS Guernsey, affectionately known as The Old Cow, for series 2 he was promoted to The Jersey Lily.
The blarney introducing the programme stated: "Captain Biskett, master of the battered old coaster SS Guernsey, has to watch not only his steam pressure, but his blood pressure, as he never knows what his motley crew will be up to next. Led by the mate, that arch-schemer Tug Nelson, they spend as much time trying to outwit their skipper as they do holding the ship together."
Details of many of the stories:
1 Tuesday June 28th 1960, 8pm. Script: Talbot Rothwell. Director: Kenneth Carter. Biskett has to cope with the problem of the disappearing ship's bell.
2 The Stowaway (July 5th 1960). Script: Talbot Rothwell. Director: Kenneth Carter. A girl runs away aboard the coaster
3 Croaker's Plague (July 12th 1960). Script: Talbot Rothwell. Director: Kenneth Carter.
4 The Head Shrinkers (July 19th 1960). Script: Talbot Rothwell.
5 Girl Adrift (July 26th 1960). Script: Talbot Rothwell. Director: Kenneth Carter. Adrift in a dinghy, publicity-seeking starlet Gloria Vane (Vera Day) is rescued by the coaster, landing Croaker in a mess.
6 It All Comes Out in the Wash (Aug 2nd 1960). Script: Talbot Rothwell.
Director: Kenneth Carter.
7 Blarney's Secret Past (Aug 9th 1960). Script: Talbot Rothwell. Director: Kenneth Carter.
8 Willie's Big Win (Aug 16th 1960). Script: Talbot Rothwell. Director: Kenneth Carter. Willie wins a newspaper prize: a week' s honeymoon for two, or £100.
9 Croaker's Baby (Aug 23rd 1960). Script: Talbot Rothwell. Director: Kenneth Carter. Croaker gets a shock, already father of seven, he learns he is to become father of triplets
10 Croaker's Day of Power (Aug 30th 1960)
11 Night Train to Grimsby (Sept 6th 1960). Script: Talbot Rothwell. Director: Kenneth Carter.
12 Widow's Wooing (Sept 13th 1960) Tug Nelson seeks the hand of a widow in marriage, with possibly a free public house thrown in.
13 The New Broom (Sept 20th 1960) also appearing: Nicholas Parsons, Jay Wood
Series 2:
1 The New Command (Tues Sept 12th 1961, 8.55pm): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Producer: Eric Fawcett.
with Arnold Bell as Marine Superintendent, Sylvia Osborne as Lady in Rolls Royce, Anthony Smith as Henry the chauffeur, and William Sherwood as Mr Junkin.
Biskett has a new command, almost a new crew, and certainly a new mate. His troubles are over, or are they?
2 A Mug's Game (Sept 19th 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. With Ann Blake as Agatha Carmody, Jeffrey Lyttle as Boy, Keith Smith as Vicar, and CyrilRenison as Policeman. To cash in on the gambling craze, Dapper Drake persuades the crew that there is a big future in fruit machines. Unhappily the payoff is not exactly what they expected.
3 One Way Ticket (Sept 26th 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. With Arthur Lovegrove as Charlie Burke, Martin White as Delivery man, and Michael Brennan as Police sergeant. Dapper Drake finds the tables are turned when he tries to smuggle an old pal aboard for a free trip to Ireland.
6 Ain't No Justice (Oct 17th 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. With Ted Carson as First policeman, Maurice Durant as Second policeman, Frank Sieman as Henri, and Steve Merrick as Accordionist. Dapper Drake, offered the job of his dreams, finds it very difficult to keep the appointment.
8 Croaker's Last Hours (Oct 31st 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. With Vincent Harding as Doctor. Croaker has tummy ache and demands the full treatment. Captain Biskett decides to operate- with disastrous results.
9 Three Men On a Boat (Nov 7th 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. With David Lawton as Sid 'Madame' Rose, and Sheila Robins as Sheila. When Twinkle tries to find himself a wife, he nearly succeeds in marrying off the whole crew. (The TV Times front cover showed a photo of the series this week.)
11 Three Men On a Boat (Nov 21st 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. (No Michael Balfour or Frank Atkinson) When Dapper Drake sights a ghost ship, Captain Biskett is keen to investigate. Croaker Jones is petrified, and this feeling is catching.
12 The More We Are Together (Nov 28th 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. (No Michael Balfour or Frank Atkinson) The crew, faced with a forced indefinite leave and unable for private reasons to go home, volunteer to spend their time in an experimental isolation unit.
13 The Skipper's Mother (Dec 5th 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. With Margaret Boyd as Mrs Biskett.
14 The Typical Sailor (Dec 12th 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. With Howard Lang as Melvin Statfold, Monica Evans as Sweetie, Ian Anderson as Floor manager, Pat Coombs as Advertising Woman, Mary Allen as Designer and Barry Raymond as Burly Seaman. A typical British seaman from the Jersey Lily is chosen to appear on television, and the rest of the crew try to make him into a big star
15 The Christmas Spirit (Dec 19th 1961): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. (No Michael Balfour or Frank Atkinson). Captain Biskett and the boys decide to take Christmas to the Croaker family, but when they arrive, laden with gifts and goodwill, everything is not plain sailing.
16 The Fur Thieves (Dec 26th 1961, 6.15pm): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. (No Michael Balfour or Frank Atkinson). The crew of the Jersey Lily finds themselves carrying a strange cargo.
17 Whose Baby Are You? (Jan 2nd 1962, 7.30pm): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. With Vivien Pickles as Woman, Stuart Saunders as Police sergeant, Clifford Earl as Man, and Jonathan Kydd as Baby's voice. An abandoned baby turns all members of the crew into soft-hearted nursemaids.
19 Blood from a Stone (Jan 16th 1962): Script: David Cumming and Derek Collyer. (No Michael Balfour or Frank Atkinson who had left the series). The boys are broke again.
Biskett has money. How can the boys get it?
21 The Thing from Outa Loch Ness (Jan 30th 1962): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. The crew go on a monster hunt, and what a monstrosity it turns out to be.
22 No Future in It (Feb 6th 1962): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald.
Croaker, Dapper Dan and the skipper suddenly rtake a topst turvy view of the world and discover things aren't what they seem.
23 The Trouble with Women (Feb 13th 1962): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. All the nice girls lve a sailor- unless it's Croaker!
24 Bomb Happy (Feb 20th 1962): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. When the captain has a birthday, things are liable to go with a bang!
25 They Walk by Night (Feb 27th 1962): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. Does Captain Biskett walk in his sleep? Or is it two other people?
26 You're Never Alone (Mar 6th 1962): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. In an attempt to stop smoking, Croaker never gives up.
27 The Last Straw (Mar 13th 1962): Script: Talbot Rothwell and Lew Schwarz. Director: Graeme McDonald. Captain Biskett writes a letter and ends up in a sorry state.
Missing Menu
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On Stage (A-R, 1957-8)
A late evening show, not networked.
"A weekly programme about the theatre and its personalities." TV Times never revealed any theatre workers who appeared. But the show was introduced by Robert MacDermot. First director: Peter Morley. Jonathan Alwyn also worked on the series. Producer: Norman Marshall.
The first programme on July 10th 1957 consisted of a discussion between Sir Donald Wolfit and Mrs Rose of the London CC's planning committee; Yvonne Arnaud talked about matinee audiences, Anthony Quayle on Titus, and AE Matthews also appeared. This first programme was hosted by Ludovic Kennedy. The programme on July 31st 1957 included scenes from the play Oh! Mein Papa!
Details of some later programmes: Dec 12th 1957 saw
Nigel Patrick, John Fernald,
William Douglas Hume and Derek Granger
answering questions from an audience. Tuesday February 4th 1958, 11pm: included scenes from London's Windmill Theatre, first time ever on tv. This was the 26th Anniversary of the Windmill's Non Stop Revues.
May 20th 1958 edition included Gerard Heinz.
Local repertory companies featured included those at Ipswich, Hornchurch, and Oxford.
The programme's appeal was widened in June when it was renamed
Late London.
With music by the Steve Race Four. Director: Bimbi Harris.
"From the heart of London, viewers meet the people who are hitting the headlines in sport, music and the world of entertainment, together with a new slant on the happenings around town."
June 10th 1958 introduced by William Lucas.
June 24th 1958 introduced by Jacqueline Mackenzie.
On July 1st 1958 it was renamed Late Extra: "personalities who give late night London its glamour, vitality and spirit." Music by the Steve Race Four. Introduced by Jacqueline Mackenzie and Michael Westmore. Director: Bimbi Harris.
Other producers of the series included Alan Morris, directors included Ian Fordyce. No presenter is often mentioned though Kenneth MacLeod and Michael Ingrams seem to have been the main interviewers.
One memorable impromptu occasion is pictured, with (left to right) Humphrey Lyttelton, Steve Race (piano), the Duke of Bedford, Peter Sellers, Norman Wisdom (clarinet), and Larry Adler.
I have a note that the guests on the August 5th 1958 edition were Edmund Purdom and Meier Tzelniker. On March 5th 1959 guest was Ronnie Carroll, Tony Estrada appeared on May 21st 1959, and Carmita on October 7th 1959.
Others who definitely appeared in this series included: Jean Nepote (Interpol), Diana Dors, Eartha Kitt, Duke Ellington (his first British tv appearance), Ann Todd, Emlyn Williams, Erskine Caldwell, Schiaparelli, John Huston, Gary Marshal, Iris Ashley and Robert McDermott.
By December 1958 the Steve Race group had grown into The Steve Race Six. In mid January the Malcolm Lockyer Sextet took over. The Ronald Cass Sextet replaced them from June 11th 1959, though Steve Race also appeared with his Sextet on some programmes. From the start of 1959 the series was shown on Thursday nights at 11pm. Director: Peter Croft. Edmund Purdom became the presenter from about Feb 26th 1959. Derek Waring was the presenter starting May 1959. (Joan Phillips was the director May 21st only).
May 4th 1960 11.10pm: Fanny Craddock introduced, with music by Steve Race. Director: Tig Roe
Missing Menu
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Show Talk (1956, ATV)
A ten minute programme shown for 17 weeks from May to September 1956 in a slot at 7.05pm on Saturdays on ATV London only.
Hosted by Clifford Davis, "TV's own columnist with his weekly report on West End entertainment." That's all that TV Times revealed, though to justify such a prime spot, there were some well known guests, unadvertised in advance, on this show, which was produced by Gil Coventry. In a trade ad at the end of the run in Sept 1956, Davis thanked his guests, which were, in alphabetical order:
Brendan Behan, Frances Bergen, George Black, Eve Boswell, Pamela Brown, Charlie Cairoli, Miss Canada, Jack Cardiff, Sir Lewis Casson, Joan Collins, Roland Culver, Diana Dors, Errol Flynn, Ben Gage, Wm Hammerstein, Roger Hancock, Radie Harris, Roberta Huby, Dennis Lotis, Rene Martz, Kenneth More, David Nixon, Val Parnell, Carol Raye, Raymond, Rossana Rory, Jacqueline Ryan, Peter Saunders, Dame Sybil Thorndike, Bruce Trent, Jack Waller, Naunton Wayne, Esther Williams, Mrs Kathleen Williams, and Norman Wisdom
---
Face the Mike (1957, ATV)
Shown on Saturdays 4.15-4.45pm. Don Peters was the singer/host. Jerry Allen provided the backing music. This was an opportunity for those in show business, or singers of professional standard to perform their act for four minutes or anything up to ten minutes. Around 50 people were auditioned every fortnight in London or Birmingham by Peters and his producer Fred Wilby.
March 2nd 1957: Jack Escott
March 23rd 1957: Raimund Herincx and Jean Waugh of Twickenham
April 13th 1957: Bob Davenport and Ben Marshall (The Song Spinners)
May 4th 1957: Diana Day, Daphne Stebbing, and The Petersen Brothers
May 25th 1957: Sandra Alfred (Aldred) the first child artiste on the show, Ann Loraine
June 1st 1957: Peter Groves Trio featuring Billie Ponds and Maurice Merry
The show moved to Sundays on June 16th, this programme included Phyllis Craig
June 30th 1957: Mimi Pearse a leading lady of the Folie de Londres
July 7th 1957: Diana Dove (tv debut), and also Dorothy Wayne of The Evening Stars Marine Pavilion Folkestone, and Sylvia Norman
July 21st 1957: Barry Johns from Southampton (probable date)
July 28th 1957: Jean Scott the singing commere at the Cabaret Club London W1
Aug 18th 1957: Maurice Allen and his £1,000 glass piano (see photo)
Aug 25th 1957: Lorna Dean
Sept 8th 1957: Peter Regan
Missing Menu
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Afternoon Out
Here are details of some of the weekday afternoon outside broadcasts screened on ITV.
In this era of wall-to-wall tv, it's hard to appreciate the value of these periodic afternoon shows, which were shown as a supplement to the daily schedule. Broadcasting hours were restricted by law, only religious programmes, schools broadcasts and, strangely, Welsh language programmes were exempt from this post war rationing: only 50 hours of ordinary programmes were permitted per week. But outside broadcasts were subject to separate government legislation- 200 hours per year were allowed, in the 1960s this was increased to 440 hours pa. Thus an average of over eight hours weekly o/bs were available, around half of which went on Saturday afternoon transmissions. This meant that many weekday afternoons offered viewers only a test card to watch, it was all very hit and miss when other outside broadcasts were scheduled, and sometimes some ITV regions offered only blank screens, while other stations were bathing in some local extravaganza.
(Not included here are the many Horse Racing outside broadcasts, the first of which was on Nov 11th 1955 from Lingfield, I've also excluded Bank Holidays, and Cricket which also featured periodically in the summer schedules.)
One early series that used OB equipment was Kingsway Corner, which picked on passers-by as they passed the A-R studios.
Apart from the opening evening's ceremony, the earliest example I have noted was
5th National Fabric Fair (Tues Oct 4th 1955, 12.10-12.30pm) with Margot Lovell at the Royal Albert Hall.
Afternoon Out (Wednesday Jan 11th 1956, 4.15-4.45pm) saw Margot Lovell touring the silver vaults under Chancery Lane. Director: Bill Perry. (A-R)
Afternoon Out (Wednesday Feb 8th 1956, 4.15-4.35pm) behind the scenes at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Director: Alan Morris.
Afternoon Out (Wednesday Feb 22nd 1956, 4-4.20pm) with Margot Lovell at the Royal Albert Hall for a household textiles exhibition. Director: Alan Morris.
Afternoon Out (Wednesday Apr 11th 1956, 4.25-4.45pm) with Elaine Grand watching a display by RAF Police Dogs. Director: Alan Morris.
After a break in the spring, perhaps it was deemed that viewers would be out of doors, the programmes returned from June to September 1956 under the umbrella Afternoon Out:
The Story of Punch and Judy (Monday June 4th 1956 3.00-4pm) - no further details
Duke of Yorks' Headquarters (Mon June 4th 4-4.30)- a display by a team of army gymnasts. Director: Michael Harrison.
Design for Industry (Tues June 5th 1956, 3-4pm)- the newly opened School of Textile Design in Manchester (Granada).
Skyscraper on the South Bank (Tues June 5th 1956 4-4.30)- Sir Howard Robertson at the South Bank, where "he is plannng to alter London's skyline." Director: Graham Watts. (A-R)
The Cheshire County Show (Wed June 6th 1956, 3-4.30)- Granada's Outside Broadcasts were called The Travelling Eye, this series "Views the North." The pale blue vans were used extensively in 1956 while the studios were only partially completed. The 1956 FA Cup victory parade by the Manchester City team was one of the first transmissions by this unit.
A Visit to Kew Gardens (Thurs June 7th, 3-3.45)- Guide: Elaine Grand at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Director: Graham Watts. (A-R)
Tea at the Embassy (Thur June 7th 1956, 3.45-4.30)- a series, this edition from the Philippine Embassy, by gracious permission of his Excellency the Ambassador of the Philippines and Madame Guerrero. Among the guests: folk singer Catalina Zandueta. Arranged by Remy Hefter and Sam Cotton. Commentary: Kenneth Macleod. Director Alan Morris.
The Travelling Eye (Fri June 8h 1956, 3-3.45)- visit to one of Britain's leading dog training centres to report on Dogs on Guard (Granada).
The Travelling Eye (Fri June 8h 1956, 4.15-5pm)- from the offices of the Manchester Guardian (Granada).
No 1 London (Mon June 18th 1956, 3-3.45)- Nick Barker and Muriel Young at the Wellington Museum on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.
The Way to the South (Mon June 18th 1856, 4.15-5pm)- Peter Cockburn and Arthur Adair at Waterloo railway station. Producer: Peter Lloyd (ATV).
Soccer Coaching (Tues June 19th 1956, 3-3.30 and 4.30 to 5.00)- from Lilleshall with Walter Winterbottom.
Inside out (Tues June 19th 1956 3.30-4.30)- Look at ATV's Outside Broadcast Unit, commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Stephen Wade.
Blackpool Dog Show (Wed June 20th 1956 3-4.30)- Granada's Travelling Eye at The Oval Stanley Park
Children's Hospital (Thurs June 21st 1956 3.00-3.45)- Salford Children's Infirmary.
Tea at the Embassy (Thur June 21st 1956, 3.45-4.30)- from the Finnish Embassy, by gracious permission of his Excellency the Ambassador of Finland and Madame Tuomioja. Subjects: paintings, special foods, and the Sauna. Arranged by Remy Hefter and Sam Cotton. Commentary: Kenneth Macleod. Director Alan Morris.
Handle with Care (Fri June 22nd 1956, 3-3.45 and 4.15-5pm)- on the handling of high explosives from an army battle training ground. Director: Arthur Lane.
Wimbledon 1956- the first year ITV challenged BBC coverage of the Lawn Tennis championships. Commentators included Fred Perry and Maureen Connolly.
Kent County Agricultural Show(Tuesday July 10th 1956, 4-4.30pm)- visit to Maidstone. Director: Bill Perry (A-R)
Seaside (Tuesday July 10th 1956, 4.30-5.00)- Anne Valery and Nick Barker take viewers to Clacton on Sea. Director: Michael Harrison
Kent County Agricultural Show Wednesday July 11th 1956, 3-3.45 and 4.15-5.00)- second visit with John Sharp, Stephen Black and Bill Allenby. Director: Bill Perry
Stable Companions (Thursday July 12th 1956, 3-3.45)- Bill Allenby and John Wynn Jones visit the stables of Arthur Thomas. Producer: Peter Lloyd (ATV)
The Fancy (Thursday July 12th 1956, 3.45-4.30pm)- pigeon racing with a visit to a pigeon loft in Cheshire (probably Granada production)
Industry of the Future (Monday July 16th 1956, 3-3.45, 4.15-5.00)- visit to the exhibition of the Northern Division of the Institute of Electronic Engineers in Manchester (Granada)
Dogs to the Rescue (Tuesday July 17th 1956, 3-3.45)- "remote cameras shows dogs, trained to save life, going through their paces"
Today's Children (Tuesday July 17th 1956, 4.15-5.00)- "remote cameras visit a new Secondary Modern School, the type of school thousands of children will attend for the first time next term." (no more information)
King's Cross Station (Wednesday July 18th 1956, 3-3.45)- "behind the scenes" in the engine sheds (A-R)
Baseball (Wednesday July 18th 1956, 4.15-5.00)- "for the first time," part of a league game at West Drayton between two American Service teams. Introduced by Nick Barker, commentary by Sgt Tom Craynak, director: Barry Wilson (A-R)
Liverpool Show (Thursday July 19th 1956, also for the rest of the week)- director Dave Warwick (Granada)
Royal Lancashire Show (Monday July 30th 1956, 4.15-5.00)- Sir Stanley Bell outlines the history of the show at Stanley Park. (Tuesday July 31st 1956) 3-3.45: Grand Parade. 4.15-5.00: Show Jumping (Granada)
Tea at the Embassy (Tues Aug 7th 1956, 3.45-4.30)- from the Indonesian Embassy, by gracious permission of his Excellency the Ambassador of Indonesia and Madame Supomo. Arranged by Howard S Cotton. Diplomatic liaison by Remy Hefter. Commentary: Mary Hill and Kenneth Macleod. Director Alan Morris.
Farnborough Air Show (Monday Sept 3rd 1956, 3-4.30 and Tues Sept 4th 1956 3.30-5pm)- 17th Annual Display. Commentators Colin Hodgkinson, Nick Barker, and Robert Everett. Director: Bill Perry. (A-R)
Gardening Without Tears (Wed Sept 5th 1956 3.00-3.45)- an afternoon at a market garden in Surrey with Nick Barker. Director: Graham Watts.(A-R)
Sand Yacht Racing (Thurs Sept 6th 1956 3.00-3.45)- from Fylde International Sand Yacht Club (Granada).
The Mighty Arsenal (Thurs Sept 6th 1956 4.15-5pm)- At Highbury, meet soccer personalities as Tom Whittaker, Bob Wall and Jack Crayston. Commentators: Bernard Joy and John Wynn Jones. Director: Peter Lloyd (ATV).
Chessington Zoo (Fri Sept 7th 1956, 3.00-3.45 and 4.15 to 5pm)- Producer: Anthony Flanagan.
The Keston Foreign Bird Farm (Monday September 10th 1956, 3.00-4.00) hosts J Boosey, Alec Brooksbank, and WD Cumming, commentator: Peter Lloyd. Producer: RS Compton (ATV)
The Army MT School Bordon (Monday September 10th 1956, 4-5pm) Demonstration of Hill Climbing over the Laundry Hill circuit. Commentator: Nick Barker. Director: Bill Perry.
(Tuesday September 11th 1956, 3.45-5pm): Trick riding by AMTS including the Tunnel of Flame, Jumoing the Human Ramp, and Bantum the Mechanical Clown (A-R).
Waterfront (Tuesday September 11th 1956, 3.00-3.45) Travelling Eye goes to Liverpool to watch ships being unloaded (Granada)
International Sheep Dog Trials (Thursday September 13th, 3.00-4.30pm) from Castle Park Ruthin (Granada)
Hop Festival (Friday September 14th 1956, 3.00-3.45, 4.15-5pm) The story of hops with Nick Barker and Kent Walton from Beltring. Director: Alan Morris (A-R)
Town Withour Peer (Wed Sept 26th 1956, 4-5pm)- In the Travelling Eye series, a visit to Wigan (Granada).
All That Glisters... (Thurs Sept 27th 1956 4.00-5pm)- a Mayfair fashion show. Ben Lyon discusses the models with Mary Hill. Director: Alan Morris. (A-R)
Club for Boys (Wed Oct 17th 1956 4.00-5.00)- In the Travelling Eye series, a visit to a Manchester boys' club (Granada).
The Dairy Show (Wednesday October 24th 1956, 4-5pm) The second day of the 70th British Dairy Show. Director: Alan Morris (A-R)
Tea at the Embassy (Mon Nov 19th 1956, 4.00-5pm)- from the Australian Embassy. With Acting High Commissioner Sir Edwin McCarthy. Arranged by Howard S Cotton. Diplomatic liaison by Remy Hefter. Commentary: Mary Hill and Kenneth Macleod. Director Alan Morris.
Behind the Picture (Wed Nov 21st 4-5pm)- The Travelling Eye visits the Walker Art Gallery Liverpool. Director: William Gaskill (Granada).
Smithfield Show (Wed Dec 5th 1956 4-5pm)- at Earls Court. Commentators: Muriel Young, Nick Barker and Philip Buckingham. Director: Alan Morris. (A-R)
Tea at the Embassy (Mon Dec 10th 1956, 4.00-5pm)- from the Legation of the Republic of Korea. With High Excellency the Korean Minister and Mrs Louisa Pak Lee. Arranged by Howard S Cotton. Diplomatic liaison by Remy Hefter. Commentary: Mary Hill and Kenneth Macleod. Director Alan Morris.
The Moor Mystery (Wed Dec 12th 1956 4-5pm)- The Travelling Eye investigates a 53 year old double murder on the Pennine Moors. The 1903 murderer of a young man and a gamekeeper on Marsden Moor was never caught.
Director: William Gaskill (Granada).
Frolics on Ice (Boxing Day 1956, 4-5pm)- Children's Christmas Party from Streatham Ice Rink. Host: Kent Walton with the British Open Professional Pair Champions 1955, also Lorna Eileen (Rock n roll on stilts), Patricia Pauley, Susan Gregory, Patricia Edwards, Susan Lee, the Skating Horse, and Andrew Fenner (Hammond Organ). Director: Bill Perry. (A-R)
The Enthronement of the Archbishop of Westminster (Monday February 11th 1957)- this marathon 2 hour 50 minute programme was directed by Bill Allenby.
Outside Broadcasts, apart from Horse Racing, and weekend broadcasts, were largely absent from the schedules until:
Wimbledon 1957 (from Mon June 24th 1957, 1.40pm, for two weeks) Commentators Fred Perry, Dennis Coombe, Emlyn Jones, Peter Lloyd, and Kent Walton. Directors: Alan Morris and Stephen Wade.
Royal Lancashire Show (Wed July 31st 1957, 4-5pm)- The Travelling Eye at the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show at Blackpool. Director: John Nicholl. This was a return visit from 1956.
Hulton Boys' and Girls' Exhibition (Tues Aug 6th 1957)- Muriel Young and Kent Walton bring highlights of the Olympia show. Director: Alan Morris. (A-R)
World Scout Jubilee Jamboree (Tues Aug 6th 1957 3.00- 3.45)- The Wolf Cub Display. Commentators: Lord Baden-Powell and Ken Johnstone. (Wed Aug 7th 4.30-5pm)- Arrowe Park Sub-Camp to see the Cuban Contingent. Host: Ralph Reader. Junior Hosts: Neville Evans, Ian Grant and Michael Phillips. (Thur Aug 8th, 5-5.30pm)- Godollo Sub-Camp, hosts as Wednesday. (Fri Aug 9th, 4.30-5pm)- Copenhagen Sub-Camp, hosts as Wednesday. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV). A final visit was on Sat Aug 10th, 3-4.30pm, for the National Sea Scouts display, commentator: Ken Johnstone. The About Religion programme on August 11th included a discussion with the Chief Scout.
Afternoon Out: The 18th Annual Display at Farnborough (Tues Sept 3rd 1957 2.30-5pm).Commentators: Jeffrey Quill, Robert Everett and Neville Barker. Director: Bill Perry. (A-R)
Her Majesty The Queen opens the 46th Annual Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (Thurs Sept 12th 1957, 11.15am- 12 noon)- From Westminster Hall. Scene described by Kenenth MacLeod. TV Presentation by Aubrey Singer and Tom Millett (by arrangement with BBC).
International Dancing Championships (Thursday Oct 31st 1957, 4-4.30pm)- from the Royal Albert Hall. Introduced by Kenneth Macleod. Commentator: Elsa Wells. Director: Bill Perry A TV Times letter claimed, "I have just been watching the afternoon session of the Dancing Champinships and I noticed during the juvenile semi-final that the iridiscent sequins on the girls' dresses showed quite distinctly in colour." (A-R).
Winter at the Wheel (Friday Nov 1st 1957, 3.30-4.30pm)- demonstration from Chelmsford on safe driving in winter. Introduced by Kent Walton. Director: Alan Morris (A-R).
University of London (Wednesday
December 4th 1957, 3.15-3.45)- Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother confers an honourary degree of Doctor of Music on HRH Princess Margaret. Commentator: Neville Barker. TV Presentation by Antony Craxton (by arrangement with BBC).
Royal Windsor Horse Show (Thursday May 15th 1958, 3.11-5pm, also May 16th 2.40-3.23 and 4.15 to 5pm)- Commentator: Viscount Allenby. Director: Bill Allenby/Stephen Wade.
(ATV)
Air Display (Mon May 26th 1958, 2pm)- from Rolls Royce Airfield Hucknall. Commentators: Peter Lloyd and Emlyn Jones. Director: Anthony Flanagan (ATV).
Wimbledon 1958 (from Mon June 23rd 1958, 1.45pm-5pm, then 5.30-6.45pm, for two weeks) Commentators Fred Perry, Dennis Coombe, Emlyn Jones, and Kent Walton. Directors: Alan Morris and Stephen Wade.
The Shrewsbury Musical and Floral Fete (Wednesday Aug 20th 1958, 4-5pm)- from The Quarry, with music by The Life and Welsh Guards. Commentators: Noele Gordon and Bill Allenby. Director: Kit Plant.
State Opening of Parliament (Tues Oct 28th 1958, 10.20-11.15am approx)- ITV Commentary: Robin Day (produced by BBC).
Having a Wonderful Time (Boxing Day 1958, 4.15- 5pm)- The Soho Association's annual children's party, with David Kossof, the Vipers Skiffle Group, Jackie Moran, Don Lang, Bridie Corsie, with Johnnie Haynes and Margaret Edwards. Introduced by Gordon Bradley. Director: Graham Watts. (A-R)
Freedom of the City of Portsmouth (Thursday May 14th 1959, 10-10.45am)- The Duke of Edinburgh receives the freedom of the city. Commentator: Neville Barker (Southern)
The Royal Agricultural Show (Wed July 8th 1959 and Thurs July 9th, 4.15- 5.05pm)- from Oxford. Commentators: Tom Glazer and David Calcutt. Director: Graham Watts. (A-R)
Election Results (Friday October 9th 1959). ITV's first election coverage had begun the previous evening, scheduled to end at 2.30am Friday morning. Then bright and early at 6.55am Huw Thomas had the elction results. A break from 9am but at 11am Ian Trethowan and Brian Connell gave the results, with George Ffitch, Reginald Bosanquet and John Ardagh at Party HQs. Local results were transmitted from London, director: Cyril Butcher. ITN coordinated production with directors John Rhodes and Graham Watts. The programme was due to end when the results were known.
Commonwealth Journey (Monday Dec 8th 1959, 3.30pm)- a film of the Duke of Edinburgh's tour of the Commonwealth
Note: Though there had been few weekday afternoon outside broadcasts, apart from horse racing, during 1959, the title 'Afternoon Out' had been applied to the range of Saturday afternoon events until just before Christmas, when it was altered to 'Let's Go.'
Amateur Football (Mon Apr 4th 1960, 3.45pm)- Clapton v Maori, the second half from Clapton Football Club, commentator: Kent Walton. Director: Grahame Turner (A-R)
Amateur Boxing (Tues Apr 5th 1960, 3.45pm)- English Schoolboys' trials from Manor Place Baths London. Commentator: Fred Verlander. Director: Anthony Flanagan (ATV)
Point to Point (Wednesday April 6th 1960, 3.15pm) from Wroughton in Wiltshire. Commentators: Robin Thursfield, Noel Phillips-Browne and Peter Moor. Director: Graham Watts. (A-R)
Everything Shipshape (Thurs Apr 7th 1960, 4.15pm)- visit to a shipyard in the Tyne tees area, with Bob Danvers-Walker, assisted by James Lloyd. Director: Raymond Joss (TTTV)
Greyhound Racing (Fri Apr 8th 1960, 3.45pm)- from Park Royal Stadium Middlesex. Commentator: Tony Cooke. Interviewer: John Rickman. Results: Peter Moor. Director: Grahame Turner. (A-R)
Ponies of Britain (Wednesday April 13th 1960 3.45-4.45pm)- the Stallion Show from Royal Ascot. Commentators
Mrs IM Yeomans and Noel Phillips-Browne. Director: Grahame Turner. (A-R)
Afternoon Liturgy (Good Friday April 15th 1960 3.40pm)- from Westminster Cathedral. Introduced by Rev Michael Hollings. Director: Graham Watts. (A-R)
The Royal Wedding (Friday May 6th 1960, 9.50am-1pm)
Commentators: Brian Connell and Rev Simon Phipps (inside the abbey), Kenneth MacLeod and Bettie Spurling (outside the abbey), Michael Ingrams and Nancy Wise (outside Buckingham Palace), Peter Lloyd (at Clarence House), Huw Thomas and Neville Barker (Horse Guards Parade), Sir James Scott Douglas and Dick Norton (Whitehall).
Royal Windsor Horse Show (Thursday May 12th 1960 and Friday May 13th 1960, 3.50-4.45pm)- Commentator Bill Allenby. Director: Stephen Wade (ATV). There was a final visit on the Saturday afternoon.
Farm in the North (Wed May 18th 1960, 3.50pm)- Clifton Farm near Morpeth. Introduced by Raymond Brooks-Ward, assisted by James Lloyd. Director: Raymond Joss (Tyne Tees TV).
Greyhound Racing (Thurs July 21st 1960, 3.15-4.15pm)- from Hackney Wick Stadium. Commentator: Tony Cooke, interviews by John Rickman, results from Peter Moor. Director: Graham Watts (A-R).
Show Jumping (Tuesday Aug 2nd 1960, 4-5pm)-
from the Northampton Show at Abington Park. Commentator: Viscount Allenby. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV)- a second visit, previously in 1959.
The Billingshurst Horse Show (Wed Aug 24th 1960, 3.45-4.45pm)- from The Manor House. Commentators: Muriel Young and John Cotterill. Director: Tig Roe (A-R).
Polo (Thur Aug 25th 1960, 3.45-4.45pm)- from Ham Polo Club. Commentators: Robin Addie and Emlyn Jones. Director: Grahame Turner (A-R).
Farnborough Air Display (Tues Sept 6th 1960, 2.30-4.45pm)- Commentators: Jeffrey Quill and Colin Hodgkinson. Director: Graham Watts (A-R).
Show Jumping (Wed Sept 7th 1960, 4.00-4.45pm)- from the Romsey Show in Broadlands Park. Commentator: Noel Phillips-Browne. Director: Bill Perry (Southern TV).
Junior Lawn Tennis Championships (Thurs Sept 8th 1960, 2.00-4.45pm and Fri Sept 9th 2.00-4.15pm)- from Wimbledon. Commentator: Emlyn Jones. Director: Grahame Turner (8th)/ Graham Watts (9th) (A-R).
Greyhound Racing (Thurs Oct 13th 1960, 3.45-4.45pm)- from Hackney Stadium. Commentator: Tony Cooke. Interviewer: Peter Lloyd. Betting and Results: Peter Moor. Director: Graham Watts (A-R).
Five-A-Side Football (Fri Nov 11th 1960, 3.45-4.45pm)- The national contest organised by The People. Commentator: Emlyn Jones. Director: Grahame Turner (A-R)
Marionette Rehearsal (Mon Dec 12th 1960, 4.15-4.45pm)- from Little Angel Theatre Islington where John Wright's Marionettes are rehearsing for their Christmas tour. Introduced by Nancy Wise. Director: Graham Watts (A-R).
Schoolboy Boxing (Tues Dec 13th 1960, 3.45-4.45pm)- from Albany School Enfield. Commentator: Fred Verlander. Director: J Murray Ashford (A-R).
Christmas Rush (Fri Dec 16th 1960, 4.20-4.45pm)- Peter Lloyd visits the South Eastern Parcel Office London Director: J Murray Ashford (A-R).
Forgeries And Deceptive Copies (Mon Jan 30th 1961, 4.15-4.45pm)- OB cameras at the British Museum in the Department of Prints and Drawings. Introduced by Celia Irving. Director: Graham Watts (A-R).
Greyhound Racing (Mon Feb 6th 1961, 3.45-4.45pm)- from Park Royal. Commentator: Tony Cooke. Interviewer: Peter Lloyd. Betting and Results: Peter Moor. Director: Graham Watts (A-R).
The Design Centre (Tues Feb 7th 1961, 3.45-4.15pm)- in Haymarket. With Dick Norton. Director: J Murray Ashford (A-R).
Basketball (Wed Feb 8th 1961, 4.00-4.45pm)- from Third USAF Ruislip. London Rockets v Greenham Common Pirates. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: J Murray Ashford (A-R).
Canal Crusing (Tues Mar 21st 1961, 4.15-4.45pm)- from Little Venice Paddington to see the British Waterways Exhibition. Commentators: Kent Walton and Maureen Davies. Director: David Gardner (A-R).
Crookham One-Day Event (Wed Mar 22nd 1961, 3.45-4.45pm)- from Twesledown Racecourse in Hampshire to watch the show jumping. Commentator: Viscount Allenby. Director: Graham Watts (A-R).
Greyhound Racing (Thurs Mar 23rd 1961, 3.45-4.45pm)- from Stamford Bridge. Commentator: Tony Cooke. Interviewer: Peter Lloyd. Results: Peter Moor. Director: David Gardner (A-R).
Croome Hunt Point-to-Point (Tuesday Apr 4th 1961, 2.45-4.30pm)- at Ryalls Court Upton-on-Severn. Commentators: Raymond Brooks-Ward and Peter Lloyd. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV).
The Queen in the North (Wednesday May 24th 1961, 11.50am-12.40pm)- The Travelling Eye watches the Queen opening Manchester's new courts. Commentator: Bill Grundy. Director: David Warwick (Granada).
The Royal Wedding (Thursday June 8th 1961, 1.10-3.40pm)- from York Minster, the marriage of the Duke of Kent to Katharine Worsley. Commentators were the cream that ITV could produce: Ian Trethowan, Brian Connell, Bill Grundy, Tom Coye, Reginald Bosanquet, Keith Fordyce, Jenny Nasmyth, Peter Lloyd, and Gerry Loftus.
Drectors: Andy Gullen, Raymond Joss, Anthony Flanagan, David Warwick, Graham Watts, and Max Morgan-Witts. From which it can be deduced that the ITV companies cooperated on this.
Wimbledon 1961 (two weeks from Monday June 26th 1961)- the usual ITV coverage, Granada showed very little. Commentators; Fred Perry, Emlyn Jones, Kent Walton and Jaroslav Drobny. Directors: Graham Watts, Grahame Turner, and J Murray Ashford.
The Enthronement (Tuesday June 27th 1961, 1.45-3.45pm)- of the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
Commentator: Brian Connell. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern TV).
Oh! Oh! (Tues Oct 17th 1961, 4.15-4.45pm)- OB cameras visit the OO model railway layout "at a famous London store.". Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Pembroke Dutson (ATV).
Toys in the Design Centre (Wed Oct 18th 1961, 4.15-4.45pm)- from the Design Centre. With John West and Carola Mason. Director: John P Hamilton (A-R).
Tenpin Bowling (Thur Oct 19th 1961, 4.10-4.45pm)- from Leytonstone Bowl. South Ruislip (USA Ladies) v Dagenham (GB Ladies). Commentator: Emlyn Jones. Director: John P Hamilton (A-R)
A Fibre in Fashion (Fri Oct 20th 1961, 4.00-4.45pm)- A fashion show from Celanese House. Commentator: Mary Hill. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV).
National Five-A-Side Football (Tues Oct 31st 1961, 4.10-4.45pm)- from Municpal Baths Epsom. District semi finals and finals, organised by The People. Commentator: Kent Walton. Director: Grahame Turner (A-R).
Rugby Football (Wed Nov 1st 1961, 3.45-4.15pm)- from Royal Artilllery Barracks Woolwich. Second half of Royal Artillery v Royal Army Service Corps. Commentator: Gerwyn Williams. Director: Grahame Turner (A-R).
Royal Horse Guards (Thur Nov 2nd 1961, 3.45-4.20pm)- from Knightsbridge Barrakcs. Commentator: Lt-Col JA Cooke. Director: John P Hamilton (A-R).
Schoolboys Boxing (Fri Nov 3rd 1961, 4.10-4. 45pm)- from Barnfield Secondary Modern School, Burnt Oak. Commentator: Fred Verlander. Director: John P Hamilton (A-R).
Rugby (Wed Nov 8th 1961, 3.45-4.15pm)- from Old Deer Park Richmond. Second half of Surrey v Eastern Counties. Commentator: Gerwyn Williams. Director: Anthony Flanagan (ATV).
Royal Journey (Thur Nov 9th 1961, 4.10-4.45pm)- Outside broadcast from the Museum of British Transport in Clapham. Guide: John Scholes, with Celia Irving. Director: Graham Watts (A-R).
Jewellery (Fri Nov 10th 1961, 4.00-4.45pm)- a visit to Goldsmiths' Hall. Commentator: Keith Fordyce. Director: Pembroke Duttson (ATV).
Fitness is Their Business (Mon Apr 2nd 1962, 3.45-4.45pm)- from Army School of Physical Training Aldershot, commentator Fred Verlander. Director: Graham Turner (A-R).
Upton Horse Trials (Tues Apr 3rd 1962, 2.30-4pm)- from Upton House near Banbury. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Allenby (ATV).
Inter-Counties Hockey (Wed Apr 4th 1962, 3.30-4.45pm)- from Surbiton Hockey Club: Surrey v Hampshire, commentator Peter Lloyd. Director: J Murray Ashford (A-R).
By Example We Lead (Fri Apr 6th 1962, 3.45-4.45pm)- from Kensington Palace Barracks, with Mary Hill and John McCarthy. Director: John P Hamilton (A-R).
Association Football (Wed Apr 11th 1962, 3-4.45pm)- from Aldershot. Army Cup Final. Commentators: Peter Lloyd and Joe Jagger. Director: John P Hamilton (A-R).
Greyhound Racing (Thur Apr 12th 1962, 3.45-4.45pm)- from Stamford Bridge. Commentator: Tony Cooke. Interviewer: John Rickman. Results: Peter Moor. Director: Graham Watts (A-R).
London Schools Amateur Boxing Association (Fri Apr 13th 1962, 3.45-4.45pm)- from St Peters Primary School Woolwich. London trials for the London v Dublin tournament. Director: J Murray Ashford (A-R).
Wimbledon 1962 (June 1962) - the usual coverage
Tennis (Wednesday July 25th 1962, 3.15-4.45pm, and Thurs 26th, and Fri 27th July)- Inter County Week from Devonshire Park Eastbourne. Commentators: Emlyn Jones and Mary Halford. Directors: J Murray Ashford and Grahame Turner (A-R by arrangement with Southern).
The Building Centre (Fri Aug 3rd 1962, 3.45-4.45pm)- John West shows round "one of Britain's best known young-marrieds." Director: Robert Fleming (A-R).
Bowls (Monday Aug 20th 1962, 3.45-4.45)- at Watney's Bowling Green Mortlake, for the Amateur National Championships. Commentator: Emlyn Jones. Director: J Murray Ashford. (A-R)
Trades Union Congress (Monday Sept 3rd 1962, 10.55am-12.30pm, and 2.15-5pm. Also Tuesday to Thursday that week commencing 9.25am)- from Winter Gardens Blackpool. The first ever broadcast of this congress. Commentators: Bill Grundy and Harold Perkin. Director: Mike Wooller (Granada).
Liberal Party Assembly (Wed Sept 19th 2-5pm, with interruptions for Schools broadcast)- from Pier Pavilion Llandudno. Travelling Eye at the party conferences for the first time. Commentators: Bill Grundy and Ian Trethowan. Director: Mike Wooller (Granada). (Note: the precise coverage was announced only the day previously. It continued until the closing speech on Saturday Sept 22nd, 10.20am. There was similar coverage of the Labour and Conservative Conferences, the latter also having to compete with Racing from York. Similar schedules also in 1963 of the party conferences.)
Institute of Directors (Wed Oct 31st 1962 10am-1pm, with interruption for Schools)- annual conference from Royal Albert Hall. Introduced by Brian Connell. Director: Graham Watts. (A-R)
The Royal Smithfield Show (Tues Dec 4th 1962 4.00-4.45pm)- from Earl's Court. Commentators: Peter Lloyd and Raymong Brooks-Ward. Director: Grahame Turner. (A-R)
A New Look at Old Ships (Wednesday Feb 27th 1963, 3.45-4.20pm)- from the Science Museum to see the new Sailing Ship Gallery with John McCarthy. Director: J Murray Ashford (A-R).
International Football (Wednesday May 8th 1963, 3.45-4.45pm)- England v Brazil from Wembley. FA Centenary match, second half coverage. Commentator: Gerry Loftus. Director: Graham Turner.
Wimbledon 1963 (fortnight commencing Monday June 24th 1963, 1.40-5pm) the usual coverage, commentators: Fred Perry, Emlyn Jones, Dennis Coombe and Mary Halford. Directors; Stephen Wade, Bill Allenby and Raymond Joss.
Show Jumping (Thursday July 11th 1963, 3.00-4.45pm, and Fri July 12th, 1.50-2.50 and Sat July 13th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern TV).
Tennis (Monday July 22nd 1963, 2.45-4.45pm, and Tues 23rd, and Fri 26th July)- Inter County Week from Eastbourne. Commentators: Emlyn Jones and Mary Halford. Director: Berkeley Smith (Southern TV).
Gardening Made Easy (Wed Aug 7th 1963, 4-4.45pm)- another visit to Arkley Manor near Barnet with WE Shewell-Cooper. Reporter: Celia Irving. Director: Graham Watts (A-R)
Shopping in Britain (Thur Aug 8th 1963) from the Design Centre Haymarket. Goods to appeal to the overseas visitor, introduced by Dick Norton. Director: Graham Watts.
The Stratford-upon-Avon By Election (Friday Aug 16th, 10.45-11.45am)- declaration of the result and background, caused by the resignation of John Profumo. Intorduced by Brian Connell, with David Butler. Interviewer: Reg Harcourt. Director: Raymond Joss (ATV).
Baseball (Monday Aug 19th 1963, 3.45-4.45pm)- London Rockets versus Greenham Common from US Air Force Base West Ruislip. Commentators: George Beech and Emlyn Jones. Director: Jim Pople. (A-R)
Bowls (Fri Aug 23rd 3.45-4.45)- Finals of the amateur national singles championships from Watney's Bowling Green Mortlake. Commentators: Emlyn Jones and Edward Sussam. Director: J Murray Ashford. (A-R) A letter to TV Times (no.410) gave thanks for the coverage but did note the end of the finals was not transmitted.
Softball (Mon Aug 26th 1963, 3.45-4.45)- from US Air Force Base West Ruislip. Commentators: George Beech and Emlyn Jones. Director: J Murray Ashford. (A-R)
Polo (Tues Aug 27th 1963, 3.45-4.45)- Ham versus Silver Leys from Ham Polo Club. Commentators: Robin Addie and Emlyn Jones. Director: Grahame Turner. (A-R)
Hockey (Mon Sept 9th 1963, 3.45-4.45pm)- Unicorns v SD Dickens XI. Commentator: Emlyn Jones. Director: Grahame Turner (A-R).
Liberal Party Assembly (Wed Sept 11th 1963, from 9.15am, with breaks, daily to Sept 14th)- from The Dome Brighton. Commentators: Alastair Burnet and George Ffitch. Director: Berekley Smith (Southern- only partially networked).
The Solemn Enthronement of John Heenan (Tuesday September 24th 1963, 10.55-11.30am)- from Westminster Cathedral. Commentator: Rev Bebb. Director: Bill Allenby (ITN).
International Soccer (Wednesday October 23rd 1963, 4.05pm-4.30)- England v Rest of World from Wembley Stadium- part of the second half. Commentator: Gerry Loftus. Director: Grahame Turner. (Longer highlights were shown at 9.55pm)
The Royal Smithfield Show (Monday Dec 2nd 1963, 4-4.45pm)- from Earls Court. Commentators: Rodney Crouch and Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Graham Watts. (A-R)
Tournament Golf (Wed Mar 25th 1964/ Thurs Mar 26th 1964, 3.15-4.45pm)- from Sunningdale. Commentators; Peter Lloyd and Bill Cox. Director: John P Hamilton. (A-R)
Afternoon Sport (Tues Apr 7th 1964, 3-4pm)- Snooker Challenge Match Lancashire v Yorkshire, John Spencer from Radcliffe plays Denis Robertson from Middlesborough. Commentators: Ted Lowe and Harold Phillips. Director: David Warwick (Granada).
Afternoon Sport (Wed Apr 8th 1964, 3-4pm)- Ice Skating from Altrincham. Commentator: Gerry Loftus. Director: David Warwick (Granada).
Afternoon Sport (Thur Apr 9th 1964, 3-4.15pm)- Hockey from Sale. South African Tourists versus Brooklands Select XI. Commentator: Gerry Loftus. Director: David Warwick (Granada).
Afternoon Sport (Fri Apr 10th 1964, 3-4pm)- Badminton from Manchester. Lancashire versus Cheshire- Ken Derrick plays Tony Jordan. Introduced by Gerry Loftus. Director: David Warwick (Granada).
At the Zoo (Mon Apr 13th 1964, 3-4pm)- Dr Desmond Morris looks at The Sea Lions at Feeding Time. Director: David Warwick (Granada).
At the Zoo (Fri Apr 17th 1964, 3-4pm)- Dr Desmond Morris looks at The Chimps' Tea Party. Director: David Warwick (Granada).
At the Zoo (Mon Apr 20th 1964, 3-4pm)- Dr Desmond Morris looks at The Penguins at Feeding Time. Director: David Warwick (Granada).
The Celebrations of the Fourth Centenary of Shakespeare's Birthday (Thursday April 23rd 1964, 10.15am-12noon)- Commentators: Shaw Taylor, David Rees, with Levi Fox. Interviewer: Judith Jackson. Producer: Raymond Joss (ATV).
Show Jumping (Thurs 30th Apr, 1-1.50pm, 2.10-2.35 and 4.20-4.45, Fri May 1st, 1.30-2.35 and 3.40-4.45)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern TV).
Wimbledon 1964 (fortnight commencing Monday June 22nd 1964, 1.40-5pm) the usual coverage, commentators: Fred Perry, Emlyn Jones, Dennis Coombe and Kent Walton. Directors: Grahame Turner, John P Hamilton and Jim Pople.
The Royal Show (Tues July 7th 1964, 2.40-4.45pm, Wed July 8th, 2.05-4.45pm, Thursday July 9th 2.20-3.15 and Fri July 10th 2.30-2.45pm)- from Stoneleigh Abbey. Commentators: Viscount Allenby, Lionel Hamden and Raymond Brooks-Ward. Interviewer: David Lloyd. Director: Raymond Joss (ATV).
Show Jumping (Thursday July 9th 1964, 3.15-4.45pm, and Fri July 10th, 2.45-4.45 and Sat July 11th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern TV).
Amateur Golf (Fri July 31st 1964, 2.15-4.45)- Britain versus Rest of Europe from Muirfield. Commentators: Arthur Montford and Alex Allan. Director: Jack Sampson (Scottish TV).
Cowes Week (Sat Aug 1st 1964, Bank Holiday Mon Aug 3rd, Tues Aug 4th 1.35-2.10pm)- Commentators: Barry Westwood and
Bill Richardson. Director: Bill Perry (Southern TV).
The Ascot Jumping Show (Wed Aug 12th, Thurs Aug 13th, Fri Aug 14th 1964, 3-4.45pm, also Sat Aug 15th)- from the lawns of the Royal Ascot Racecourse. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Anthony Flanagan (ATV).
An Exhibition of Hittite Art (Fri Aug 14th 1964, 2.15-3pm)- from the Diploma Gallery of the Royal Academy with John Mills. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion)
Gardening Made Easy (Wed Aug 36th 1964, 3.45-4.45pm)- wirh Dr WE Shewell-Cooper Director of the International Horticultural Bureau, and Celia Irving. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion)
Science '64 (Thursday August 27th 1964 10am-12.30pm)- the British Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting at Nuffield Theatre Southampton. Opening by Lord Brain. Talks by HG Conway and Professor BR Williams. Commentator: Barry Westwood. Directors: John Braybon and Bill Perry (Southern TV).
Science '64 (Friday August 28th 1964 10am-12.30pm)- Talks by Prof CGC Chesters and Prof HJ Eysenck. Commentator: Barry Westwood. Directors: John Braybon and Bill Perry (Southern TV).
Science '64 (Monday August 31st 1964 10am-12.30pm)- Talks by GS Robinson, Prof WT Williams, Dr DMA Mercer and AR Manser. Commentator: Barry Westwood. Directors: John Braybon and Bill Perry (Southern TV).
Science '64 (Tuesday September 1st 1964 10am-12.30pm)- GJ Thomson on Hovercraft and A Silverleaf on Hydrofoils. Commentator: Barry Westwood. Directors: John Braybon and Peter Frazer-Jones (Southern TV).
Science '64 (Wednesday September 2nd 1964 10am-12.30pm)- Irradiation of Foodstuffs by Prof FG Young, and Accelerated Freeze Drying of Food by Prof KA Munday. Commentator: Barry Westwood. Directors: John Braybon and Bill Perry (Southern TV).
Show Jumping (Fri Sept 11th, 12.45-2.15, and 3.40-4.45)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern TV).
National Exhibition of Children's Art (Thurs Sept 17th 1964 3.45-4.45)- from Royal Institute Galleries Piccadilly, With John Mills. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
The XVII Olympiad (from Mon 19th Oct 1964, 12noon-2.28pm) London Producer: Grahame Turner. Tokyo Producer: Bill Ward.
The State Opening of Parliament (Tues Nov 3rd 1964, 11am)- ITV Commentary: Alastair Burnet (produced by BBC).
After a break, apart from Horse Racing, OB cameras returned for
Spring Out (Monday April 12th 1965, 2.50-4.20pm)- Desmond Carrington introduced these programmes. The first was
Hockey from St Albans Hockey Club. England Schoolmasters versus England Schoolboys. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
Spring Out (Wednesday April 14th 1965, 2.35-4.20pm)- Desmond Carrington from Rosslyn Park Club for a rugby match. Commentators: Gerwyn Williams and Ian Todd. Director: Grahame Turner (Rediffusion).
Show Jumping (Thursday April 15th 2.00-4.20, and Good Friday 1965 1-2.45, 3.30-4.20pm, also April 17th and 19th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern).
Spring Out (Monday April 26th 1965, 3.20-4.20pm)- Toga and Teens, Desmond Carrington at Piccadilly Hotel for a teenage fashion fair, with Caroline Charles, and two teenagers: Jenny Hanley and Jennifer McAlister. Director: John P Hamilton (Rediffusion).
Spring Out (Tuesday April 27th 1965, 3.20-4.20pm)- What's Yours? With Desmond Carrington at the Royal College of Arts for an exhibition of Public House Design. With Joh McCarthy. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
Spring Out (Wednesday April 28th 1965, 2.55-4.45pm)- Association Football. Desmond Carrington at the National Recreation Centre Crystal Palace. The final of the Rediffusion Cup. Commentator: Peter Lloyd. Director: John P Hamilton (Rediffusion).
International Football (Wednesday May 5th 1965, 2.55-4.45pm)- from Wembley. England v Hungary. Commentators: Gerry Loftus and Johnny Haynes. Director: Grahame Turner (Rediffusion for Eurovision).
Royal Windsor Horse Show (Thursday May 13th 1965, 2.59pm- 4.45, also shared with Horse Racing on Friday May 14th)- Commenator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Stephen Wade (ATV).
The Royal Tour of Germany (Friday May 21st 4.05-4.45pm)- commentator in London: Peter Snow, in Germany: Bill Grundy and Barry Westwood. Producer in London: Stephen Wright, in Germany: Barrie Heads. Another programme on Thursday May 27th 3.00-4.20pm, same personnel except the London commentator was Andrew Gardner.
Wimbledon 1965 (fortnight from Mon June 21st 1965, 1.45pm) (ITN)
Polo (Monday July 5th 1965, 3.20pm)- from Ham Polo Club. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: John P Hamilton (Rediffusion).
The Royal Show (Tuesday July 6th 1965 2.00-4.45pm, Wed July 7th 2pm, and Thurs July 8th 2.05pm)- from Stoneleigh Abbey. Commentators: Viscount Allenby and Lionel Hampden. Interviewer: Leslie Thomas. Director: Tony Palmer (ATV).
Show Jumping (Fri July 9th 1965, 2pm, also Sat 10th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern).
Bowling (Tues July 13th 1965, 3.15-4.50pm)- from Belle Vue. Director: David Warwick (Granada).
Show Jumping (Fri Aug 20th 1965, 2.30pm)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern).
With No Intent... (Thurs Aug 26th 1965, 1.30-4.20) from the Police Driving School Chelmsford. "120 people who are alive and well today will be dead in 96 hours time." On the bank holiday road accidents, the programme drew attention to the causes of accidents. With Lord Lindgren, and George Eyles. Commentators: Peter Lloyd and Celia Irving. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
Show Jumping (Thursday September 9th 2.00, and Friday Sept 10th 1965 both days shared with Horse Racing from Doncaster, also Sat Sept 11th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern).
Liberal Party Assembly (from Wed Sept 22nd 1965, varied coverage as in previous years)- Granada's Travelling Eye from Scarborough. Commentators: Bill Grundy and George Reid. There was similar coverage of the Labour Conference from Sept 27th 1965 commentators: Bill Grundy and Michael Scott, and Conservative Conference.
A Children's Festival of Carols and lessons (Christmas Eve 1965, 3.40-4.20pm)- children from Berwick, Carlisle and Brampton (TTT)
Westminster Abbey 1065-1965 (Tuesday December 28th 1965, 10.30am-12.10pm)- commentator: Brian Connell. Director: Graham Watts (Rediffusion).
The 250th Anniversary of Westminster Hospital (Friday January 14th 1966, 11.15am-12.15pm)- commentator: Barry Westwood. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
Election '66 (Friday April 1st 1966, 9am onwards). After the late night broadcast that was scheduled to end at approx 3.30am, and the ITN Breakfats News, this mammoth production with Studio Link by Alastair Burnet with George Ffitch and Robert Kee. Director John Phillips.
Going-Going-Gone! (Tuesday April 5th 1966, 4pm)- at Christie's for an important sale of Renaissance paintings with John Mills. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion). Maybe this was the grandfather of all our modern day auction programmes?
Tennis (Thur April 7th 1966, 12.55pm also Good Friday and April 9th) from the Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club. Commentators: Dennis Coombe and Bill Threlfall. Directors: Jim Pople and Steve Minchin (Rediffusion). Airtime was shared with
Show Jumping (Thur April 7th 1966, from 2.30pm also Good Friday and Easter Monday)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern).
Table Tennis (Mon April 25th 1966, 3.45-4.45pm) from the Crystal Palace. Commentators: Emlyn Jones and Peter Lowen. Director: Steve Minchin (Rediffusion).
Salad Ways (Tues April 26th 1966, 3.45-4.45pm) from Westminster Domestic Science College. Final pre-exam tests. Commentators: Celia Irving and Janne Blair-Stewart. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
Here Comes Summer (Fri April 29th 1966, 3.45pm) A visit to the Design for Leisure Exhibition at the Design Centre Haymarket.Commentators: Margo Mayne and Tony Doonan. Director: John P Hamilton (Rediffusion).
Royal Windsor Horse Show (Friday May 27th 1966, also Sat 28th)-shared with Cricket and Horse Racing. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Stephen Wade (ATV).
Wimbledon 1966 (fortnight from June 20th 1966) Commentators: Fred Perry, Dennis Coombes, Emlyn Jones and Bill Threlfall. Directors: Jim Pople, Steve Minchin and John Phillips. Presentaton by Grahame Turner.
The Royal Show (Tues July 5th 1966 2pm and Wed July 6th, Thurs July 7th)- from Stoneigh Abbey. Commentators: Raymond Brooks-Ward and Lionel Hampden. Interviewer: Leslie Thomas. Director: Tony Parker (ATV).
International Water Ski-ing (Monday July 11th 1966, 3-4pm, and Thursday July 14th, 3.45-4.45pm) from Princes Water Ski Club London Airport - commentator: Richard Davies.
Director: Graham Watts. Producer: Grahame Turner (Rediffusion).
Dance, Little Ladies (Tuesday July 12th 1966, 3.45-4.45pm) from Holland Park. Lester Clark watches rehearsals of Coppelia and talks to students and teachers of the Royal Ballet School.
Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
Overseas News Special (Tuesday July 26th 1966, 9.30-9.40am, repeated at noon)- part of the World Cup coverage. Granada provided local reports.
Show Jumping (Wed Aug 17th 1966, from 1.45pm, Thur Aug 18th from 1pm, both shared with Horse Racing from York, and Fri Aug 19th 1pm)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Bill Perry (Southern).
TUC Congress (Wed Sept 7th 1966, 9.30am-12.30pm and 2.00-3.10pm)- from Blackpool. Reporters: Bill Grundy and Michael Scott. Director: Leslie Chatfield. Producer: Michael Murphy (Granada).
Show Jumping (Thur Sept 8th 1966, 1pm- 3.10, and Fri Sept 9th 1.00-2.45, 4.00-4.45)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Stephen Wade (Southern).
Liberal Party Assembly (Wed Sept 21st 1966, from 9.15am with breaks for Schools broadcasts and daily)- from The Dome Brighton. Commentators: Alastair Burnet and George Ffitch. Directors: Peter Tiffin and Stephen Wade (Southern). Similar coverage of the other party conferences, Labour and Conservative (Granada).
Table Tennis (Monday Dec 5th 1966, 3.20-4.20pm)- England v Rumania, recording of Saturday's match at Edmonton Town Hall. Commentators: Emlyn Jones and Johnny Leach. Director: Anthony Flanagan (ATV). Note- this was also advertised for Wed Dec 7th at 3.20pm.
Here Comes Christmas! (Thurs Dec 8th 1966, 3.20-4.20) Keith Fordyce at the Camden Arts Centre in Hampstead with Celia Irving for an exhibiton of old toys. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
Here Comes Christmas! (Fri Dec 9th 1966, 3.20-4.20) Keith Fordyce at the Ealing School of Hotel Keeping and Catering with Ann Aldred and Clement Freud, who are Talking Turkey. Director: Steve Minchin (Rediffusion).
Tenpin Bowling (Mon Dec 12th 1966, 3.20-4.20)-
from Edgware. Commentator: Bill Campbell. Director: Victor Rudolf (ATV).
European Professional Ballroom Dancing Championships (Tues Dec 13th 1966, 3.00-4.10pm)- recorded at The Hague. Commentator: Keith Fordyce.
Tenpin Bowling (Wed Dec 14th 1966, 3.20-4.20)-
a special event, Ladies Doubles Tournament from Edgware. Commentator: Bill Campbell. Director: Victor Rudolf (ATV)
Here Comes Christmas! (Thurs Dec 15th 1966, 3.20-4.20) Keith Fordyce at the Commonwealth Institute Theatre Kensington with Cy Grant at a dress rehearsal for Bethlehem Blues. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
Amateur Boxing (Wed Dec 21st 1966, 3.20-4.20pm) from RAF Stanmore (ATV)
Bomberg and Kemeny (Mon Mar 20th 1967, 3.20-4.23pm)- A new exhibition at the Tate Gallery, with commentators John Mills and Sheldon Williams. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
International Schoolboys' Rugby (Wed Mar 22nd 1967, 2.55-4.23pm)- England v Wales from Twickenham. Commentators: Gerwyn Williams and Ian Todd. Director: Steve Minchin (Rediffusion).
The Royal Maundy (Thur Mar 23rd 1967, 11.25am-12.30pm)- at Durham Cathedral. The first occasion this event was fully televised. Commentator: Maxwell Dees. Director: Christopher Palmer (Tyne Tees).
Association Football (Thurs Apr 6th 1967, 2.05-4pm)- from Crystal Palace. National Association of Youth Clubs' Cup Final: Lancashire v Oxfordshire. Commentators: Hugh Johns and Barry Davies. Director: Steve Minchin (Rediffusion).
Tennis (Wed May 31st 1967, 3-4.20pm, Thurs June 1st, 2.30-4.20pm and Fri June 2nd 2.30-4.20pm)- from Surbiton Lawn Tennis Club. Surrey Grass Court Championships. Commentators: Emlyn Jones and Bill Threlfall. Directors: May 31: Jim Pople, June 1: Steve Minchin, June 2: Jim Pople and George Sawford (Rediffusion)
Full Circle (Fri June 2nd 1967, 9.50-10.50am and 12.30-2.30pm)- Return of Sir Francis Chichester. Commentator: Brian Connell. Directors: Jim Pople (in Greenwich), Steve Minchin (in The Mansion House). Producer: Grahame Turner. (Rediffusion). NB as Chichester's return was delayed, the programme was retitled Home from the Sea and rescheduled for Tuesday June 13th 1967, 10am-10.50 and 12.15-1.20pm) Commentator: Brian Connell. Directors: Stephen Wade (in Greenwich), Steve Minchin (in The Mansion House), George Sawford (at Tower Pier). Producer: Graham Watts. (Rediffusion).
Another delay meant that Home from the Sea was rescheduled for Friday July 7th 1967 10am-1.15pm. All the same personnel.
Royal Richmond Horse Show (Thurs June 15th 1967, 2.45-4.23pm, and Fri June 16th 1.15-2.15pm, also Sat June 17th)- Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Steve Minchin (Rediffusion).
Expo 67 (Wed June 21st 1967, Thurs June 22nd 3.20-4.23pm and Fri June 23rd 1.15-2.15pm)- from Montreal with Barry Westwood. Director: Jim Pople. Producer: Grahame Turner (Rediffusion)
Wimbledon 1967 (fortnight from June 26th 1966) Commentators: Lew Hoad, Fred Perry, Dennis Coombes, Emlyn Jones, Peter Wilson, Peter Lorenzo and Richard Davies. Directors: Anthony Flanagan, Anton Bowler and Raymond Joss.
Show Jumping (Thur July 13th 1967, 2pm- 4.45, and Fri July 14th- shared with Horse Racing, also Sat 15th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Stephen Wade (Southern).
Table Tennis (Fri July 28th 1967, 3.00-4.45pm)- from Crystal Palace. Commentators: Emlyn Jones and Keith Fordyce. Director: Steve Minchin (Rediffusion).
National Bowls Championships (Mon Aug 14th 1967, 3.15-4.45pm)- from Watney's Mortlake. Commentators: Bill Threlfall and Ted Sussum. Director: George Sawford (Rediffusion).
European Water Ski-ing Chapionships (Tues Aug 15th 1967)- Commentators: Shaw Taylor and David Spyer. Programme Co-ordinator: Steve Minchin (Rediffusion by arrangement with Dutch TV).
Show Jumping (Wed Aug 16th 1967, Thur Aug 17th 3pm- 4.45, and Fri July 14th 2.30-4.45pm, also Sat 19th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Stephen Wade (Southern).
Trades Union Congress The 99th Conference, from The Dome Brighton (Mon Sept 4th 1967, 10.55am-12.30pm, 2.10-4.45pm also Tues Sept 5th also mornings of Wed Sept 6th, Thurs 7th and Fri 8th) with George Ffitch and ALastair Burnet. Directors: Steve Minchin and John Phillips. Producer: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
Show Jumping (Thurs Sept 7th 1967 from 2.40pm shared with Racing from York, and Fri Sept 8th 2.30-4.45pm, also Sat 9th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Anthony Howard (Southern).
National Exhbition of Children's Art (Mon Sept 11th 1967 4.00-4.45pm)- with John Fitzmaurice Mills. Director: George Sawford (Rediffusion).
A Service of Memorial and Burial (Tues Nov 7th 1967 12.01pm-1.05)- Clement Atlee, from Westminster Abbey. Commentator: Brian Connell. Director: Jim Pople (Rediffusion).
RAC Rally 1967 (Wed Nov 22nd 1967, 10.35am-11.05am)- "the fullest coverage ever of a motoring event in this country." ntroduced by Richard Davies, Commentators: Stuart Turner, Barrie Gill, John Sprinzel,James Tilling and Tony Bastable. Production Team: David Rees, Raymond Joss, Robert Reed, John Sichel, John Cotter, Ann Greenwood and Sid Kilby. Executive Producer: Bill Ward. Despite the extravagant claim above, I can't find any other programmes on this rally!
Afternoon Extra! (Mon Dec 11th 1967 3.35-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Fashion Forum- at London's Playboy Club, commere Sarah Ward. Director: Steve Minchin. (Followed by Design for Living- with Trewin Copplestone)
(Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Tues Dec 12th 1967 3.30-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with The Face of Man- with John Fitzmaurice Mills at the Whitechapel Gallery. Director: Jim Pople. (Also after this was Parents welcome?- on the Plowden Report) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Wed Dec 13th 1967 3.35-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Christmas Choice- at Heal's, with Sarah Ward and Keith Fordyce. Director: George Sawford. (Also after this was an episode of Run, Buddy Run) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Thurs Dec 14th 1967 3.30-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Recent British Painting - with John Fitzmaurice Mills and Sheldon Williams at the Tate Gallery. Director: Jim Pople. (Also after this was an episode of The Beverly Hilbillies) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Mon Dec 18th 1967 3.45-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with The Marsh King's Daughter - from the Little Angel Theatre Islington. John Wright shows children 'behind the scenes.' Director: Steve Minchin. (Followed by Design for Living)
(Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Tues Dec 19th 1967 3.35-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Carrier Cooks Christmas- with Rbert Carrier. Compere: Michael Wale. Director: George Sawford. (Also after this was Parents welcome?- on the Plowden Report) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Wed Dec 20th 1967 3.20-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with The Golden Robe of Merlin - from Streatham Ice Rink with Carol Ann Warner (Princess Honeydew), Harold Williams, Raymond Wilson, Linda Bernard and Elaine Long. Director: Jim Pople. (Also after this was No Time for Sergeants) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Thurs Dec 21st 1967 3.35-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Mince Pies and Matron - at Evelina Children's Hospital Southwark, with Freddie Earlle. Director: Steve Minchin. (Also after this was an episode of The Beverly Hilbillies) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Fri Dec 22nd 1967 3.45-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Super Santa! from the Beauchamp Lodge Settlement House Paddington. An improvised play. Director: George Sawford. (Also after this was More Best Sellers) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Mon Jan 8th 1968 3.45-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Pre-Ski!- from Crystal Palace Recreation Centre, with Robin Brock-Hollinshead and Celia Irving. Director: George Sawford. (Followed by Design for Living) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Tues Jan 9th 1968 3.45-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Table Tennis- from Crystal Palace Recreation Centre. Commentator: Johnny Leach. Director: Grahame Turner (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Wed Jan 10th 1968 3.45-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with International Cover Girl '68 - recording of the UK finals from the Top Rank Ballroom Croydon. Commentator: Keith Fordyce. Director: Steve Minchin. (After this was an episode of Run Buddy Run) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Thurs Jan 11th 1968 3.45-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Top Cooks! - from Olympia. Compere: Michael Wale. Director: George Sawford. (After this was an episode of No Time for Sergeants) (Rediffusion).
Afternoon Extra! (Fri Jan 12th 1968 3.15-4.45pm)- Hosted by Jon Kelley, with Ski-ing - Grindlewald. Commentator: Emlyn Jones. Programme Coordinator: Jim Pople. (Swiss TV Programme). (After this was More Best Sellers). This was the last of the series Afternoon Extra!
Relics of War (Mon April 8th 1968 3.15-4.15pm)- from the Imperial War Museum. Dr Noble Frankland shows Barry Westwood the new air exhibition. Director: Steve Minchin. (Rediffusion).
Hepworth at the Tate (Tues April 9th 1968 4pm)- John Fitzmaurice Mills talks to Dame Barbara Hepworth Director: Jim Pople. (Rediffusion).
Pets in Store (Wed April 10th 1968 3.45-4.30pm)- With Grahame Dangerfield. Director: George Sawford. (Rediffusion).
Show Jumping (Thurs April 11th 1968 2.00-4.30pm, and Fri April 12th 2-4pm, also Sat Apr 13 and Mon Apr 15th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Stephen Wade. (Southern).
Wimbledon 1968 (fortnight from June 24th 1968) Commentators: Fred Perry, Emlyn Jones, Dennis Coombes, Peter Wilson, Peter Lorenzo and Richard Davies. Directors: Vic Rudolf, David Foster, Raymond Joss (ITV Presentation).
The Royal Show (Tues July 2nd, Wed July 3rd and Thurs July 4th 1968, 1pm-1.45)- from Stoneleigh Abbey. Commentators: Raymond Brooks-Ward and Lionel Hampden. Interviewer: Leslie Thomas. Director: Tony Parker (ATV).
Show Jumping (Thur July 11th 1968 2pm, and Fri July 12th shared with Racing from York, also Sat 13th and Sun 14th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Stephen Wade (Southern).
European Athletics (Tues July 23rd 1968, 3.45pm) from Brescia Italy. Commentator: Barry Davies. Programme Coordinator: George Sawford (Rediffusion, by arrangement with the Italian Television Service).
Bowls (Friday July 26th 1968) 3.45-4.28pm) from Westminster Bank Sports Club Norbury. English Bowlng Association versus City of London Institute Bowls Association. Commentator: Neil Durden-Smith, with help from Ted Sussum. Director: George Sawford (Rediffusion- possibly their final outside broadcast).
My site ends with the change in ITV franchises, but it's interesting to record that the same old names and even programmes were back in action for the new Thames Television:
Navigator Extraordinary Captain James Cook RN (Tues Aug 6th 1968, 3.20-4.20pm) from the National Maritime Museum Greenwich with Barry Westwood and Alan Villiers. Director: George Sawford (Thames).
The Dublin Horse Show (Thurs Aug 8th 1968, 2.40-4.20pm) with Raymond Brooks-Ward. Co-ordinator: Jim Pople (Thames by arrangement with Telefis Eireann).
National Bowls Championships (Mon Aug 12th 1968, 2.45-4.10pm) from Watneys Sports Ground Mortlake. Commentators: Neil Durden-Smith and Ted Sussum. Director: George Sawford (Thames).
London Salon of Photography (Tues Aug 13th 1968, 3.20-4.20pm) from the Royal Water Society's Galleries with Barry Westwood. Director: Steve Minchin (Thames).
Show Jumping (Wed Aug 14th 1968 and Thurs 15th 2.40-4.10pm, and Fri 16th .30-4.10pm, also Sat 17th)- from Hickstead. Commentator: Raymond Brooks-Ward. Director: Stephen Wade (Southern).
British Association for the Advancement of Science (Thur Aug 22nd 1968 11.30am-12.30pm, and Fri Aug 23rd 10am-12,30pm, and at 2.30pm, Mon Aug 26th 11.30am-12.30pm)- annual meeting in Dundee. Commentator: Ron Thompson. Director: George Thomson (Grampian).
The usual TUC Congress coverage (100th congress) began on Sept 2nd 1968, but further outside broadcast information is beyond the scope of this site.
I cannot cover every region, so I would be most grateful to hear of additional weekday ITV outside broadcasts, and I would acknowledge your contribution..
Missing Menu
. . .
Confidentially (A-R, 1955-6)
This comedy/variety series starring Reg Dixon began on September 23rd 1955.
One regular was Lucia Guillon as 'The Wife,' Dorothy Blythe and Austin Melford were also in the early shows.
Others appearing during the run included
Carl Bernard as various characters, Victor Platt as Henry, Dorothy Gordon as Sally, Dorinda Stevens, Edgar Driver, and Frederick Piper. Guest on the first show on Sept 23rd 1955 was Julia Shelley. Oct 28th included Reg, Edgar Driver as Landlord, Victor Playy as Henry, Frederick Piper as Angler, and Carl Bernard
Programme 2 Sept 30th: "A countryside opening reveals a large signboard with Confidentially painted on it. Reg strolls in front of this and into a garden, where he sings They Can't Take This Away From Me. The final picture gets smaller and smaller until it fits a tv set with Reg sitting beside it looking in at himself. Reg chats about savings and this leads to a rather biting sketch on post offices, the indifferent staff, and the queues to get your money out. This had a funny moment when Reg was trying to pull a chained pen to a distant inkwell. Elizabeth Larner was guest star and sang He's My Guy. Back to Reg in a hospital bed with a bump on his head. A procession of irritating visitors pop in. This was well worn stuff with few laughs. Better was the ending with the nurse, a lovely looking girl reading a love story to Reg, who dozes off and dreams he's singing If I Could Only Be With You, which brings the show to a close."
The story on Nov 23rd 1955 included Reg, Lucia Guillon, Norah Gordon as Aunty, Dorothy Gordon, Scott Harrold, Dorinda Stevens, Carl Bernard, Austin Melford, Fred Willis, Redmond Bailey, Anita Sharp-Bolster, Keith Smith, Dorothy Blythe and Robert Gregory.
Musical interludes from The Visionaires, The Visionettes and the Metrognomes. Director: Milo Lewis. The programme was shown irregularly, the last edition was on January 9th 1956
with Reg, Lucia Guillon, Keith Smith as Tom, Victor Platt as Sam, Tony Sympson as Shady Character, and Austin Melford as Policeman.
A novel feature from programme 3 was the inclusion of "Miss Anonymous," an idea of Reg's, to include an unknown "to whom stardom beckons." Each week a new singer, so as all the shows are lost, who knows who these ladies were? The girl pictured left was in programme 3 on October 7th 1955. Anyone know her, or any of the other anonymous Miss Anonymouses who appeared? The only definite one I have traced is Rosemary Squires who was Miss Anonymous in the final programme.
Frank Lockyer, Husband and Manager, kindly confirmed to me that Rosemary sang After You've Gone, "taking the
role of an enraged wife whose husband had walked out on her during which she picked up kitchen implements and threw them all over the place.... when Reg Dixon saw the clip he said 'That's the lady I want to play the part of my scatty wife in my next series Let's Stay Home.' So she played his scatty wife throughout the series during which she also did a
number of singing appearances as herself."
He added, "when she did the rehearsal as the
'scatty wife' as a starlet - even the orchestra members stood up and applauded."
(Rosemary had earlier had success on Ralph Reader's Chance of a Lifetime, along with Ronnie Carroll and Dave King)
Missing Menu
. . . . . . .
Sixpenny Corner
The very first ITV soap opera began on Friday September 23rd 1955 at 10.45am and ran for 15 minutes each weekday, made live at the Viking Studios in Kensington. While it was screened in this improbable daytime slot, rehearsals were held each afternoon for the next day's transmission. In early 1956 it moved to an evening slot.
This was the tale of young newlyweds Bill and Sally Norton who run Sixpenny Corner, a dilapidated garage in the rural town of Springwood. They live in a bungalow nearby, but also in a flat above the garage.
AG described an early episode in October 1955: "This domestic serial centering round Bill and Sally Norton. who have just got married, and bought a derelict garage, is deep in trouble already, with Bill's young brother, in the Forces abroad, knocking out a foreign cafe owner and whisking his daughter to Bill's house in England. For all the complication, this serial is pretty milk and watery, and is not likely to keep housewives away from their morning chores. As one housewife said, 'it's too ordinary and doesn't hold me. I'd rather have Mrs Dale when I can listen and get on with the house at the same time.' So Sixpenny Corner, ironically part written Mrs Dale script writer Jonquil Anthony, will have to pull up its socks, or introduce a few new ones! The setting is good however, with Patricia Dainton and Howard Pays a likeable couple, and a character called Uncle Fred well taken by Stuart Saunders. There is a nucleus of twelve regulars in the cast, and as the story unfolds, many other actors will be taken on for a day or so. The direction and production is slick and the pace is brisk, but the story needs more pep"
Script by Jonquil Antony and Hazel Adair. Producer: John Lemont.
General Cast List for programmes 1 to 6 (Sept 23rd, Sept 26-30): Patricia Dainton as Sally Norton and Howard Pays as Bill Norton. Robert Webber played Mr Norton Bill's father, Betty Bowden was Mrs Doris Sharpe Sally's mother. Stuart Saunders was Uncle Fred, and Olive Milbourne Aunt Mabel.
Shirley Mitchell played Yvonne Sally's sister and Robert Desmond was Stan Bill's Brother. Bernard Fox was Tom Bill's youngest brother and Walter Horsbrugh Mr Sharpe Sally's father. Edward Judd was Denis Boyes and Elizabeth Gott was Mrs Boyes.
A contemporary report on these opening stories:
"Bill and Sally Norton have just got married and bought a derelict garage. They are in deep trouble already, with Bill's young brother, in the Forces abroad, knocking out a foreign cafe owner and whisking his daughter to England and Bill's house.
For all this complication, this serial is pretty milk-and-watery and is not likely to keep housewives away from their morning chores. As one housewife said to this critic: 'it's too ordinary and doesn't hold me. I'd rather have Mrs Dale, when I can listen and get on with the house.'"
Cast lists for programmes 7 to 11 (Oct 3-7) was as before but excluded Olive Milbourne and Walter Horsbrugh, but included Christine Pollon as Grete Edler, O'Donovan Shiell as Dr Kevin O'Shea, James Lomas as PC Doakes and David Anthony as A Policeman.
Storyline: Tom and Grete his sweetheart have come to Bill's flat having quarrelled with Grete's father.
Cast lists for programmes 22 to 26 (Oct 24-28, now at 11am)
were as for the opening, only excluding Bernard Fox; also with O'Donovan Shiell, Margaret Boyd as Nanny, Bert Allison as Milkman, and Stella Wilkinson as Customer.
Storyline: Bill and Sally are anxious about a possible meeting between Tom. who is due back from Germany, and Grete, who is ill in hospital.
Sally, on the eve of her birthday, contracts a severe cold and is kept in bed with a temperature. But plans for a party go on, and her birthday cake is delivered.
Cast lists for programmes 32 to 36 (Nov 7-11)
were as for the opening, only excluding Bernard Fox and Edward Judd; also with Christine Pollon.
Storyline: Episode 31 had seen Bill and Sally pondering their difficult financial situation, following poor business results, largely due to Bill's inexperience. Uncle Fred received an unwelcome visitor when his wife Mabel announcer her intention of staying a few days longer in London.
Cast lists for programmes 42 to 46 (Nov 21-25)
were as for the opening, only excluding Edward Judd and Walter Horsbrugh; also with Christine Pollon.
Storyline: In ep 41 Bill had been hoping for better times at the garage, and Sally fewer housekeeping worries.
Cast lists for programmes 67 to 71 (Dec 26-30)
were as for the opening, except for Bernard Fox, Walter Horsburgh, Edward Judd and Elizabeth Gott. Also including: Christine Pollen, O'Donovan Shiell as Dr O'Shea, Edward Malin as Mr Marldown, Seymour Green as M Louis Delorne, Gladys Spencer as Mrs Vince, Vi Stevens as Rosie Chubb, Anne Warren as Joanie Chubb, John Ingram as Stella (sic in TV Times), John Charlesworth as Eddy Perkins, Anthony Lang as Mike Perkins, Liz Fraser as Julie Perkins, and Gay McGregor as Nurse.
The Boxing Day episode showed how the Nortons spent Christmas.
Cast lists for programmes 77-81 (Jan 9-13 1956, starting from this week, the series was moved from daytime and screened each weekday 7.06 to 7.20pm). Cast
were the same twelve as on the opening week, also with Christine Pollon, Seymour Green, Gladys Spencer, Vi Stevens, Michael Collins as Dr Tim O'Shea, John Charlesworth, and Elizabeth Fraser. Director: Ronald Marriott (husband of Hazel Adair) In the previous programmes, Sally went alone to her old firm's Twelfth Night party and missed the last train. She was driven back by Philip Collier, who faked a breakdown. But Sally saw through this..
Cast lists for programmes 82-86 (Jan 16-20 1956) as opening week except for Elizabeth Gott. Also with Christine Pollon, Margaret Boyd, Seymour Green, Gladys Spencer, Vi Stevens, Jan Miller as Moira O'Shea, Michael Collins, Anne Warren as Joanie Chubb (Rosie's daughter), Elizabeth Fraser, Patrick Boxill as Mr Boyes, and Bill Shine as JL Smithers. Director: Peter Maxwell.
On Friday 13th, Bill had returned home with bad news.
Cast lists for programmes 92-96 (Jan 30- Feb 3 1956)
were as for the opening, only excluding Elizabeth Gott and Edward Judd; also with Christine Pollon, Seymour Green as M Louis Delorme, Gladys Spencer, Vi Stevens, Charles Ross as Phillip Collier, Michael Collins, Anne Warren, Joan Ingram as Aunt Stella (Sally's aunt), and Bill Shine.
Storyline: In the previous Friday's story, Bill received a telegram from Mr Bostwick saying he had a firm offer for the garage and would sell if he didn't hear from Bill before six o'clock. On Monday Sally and Yvonne are worried about Mrs Sharpe. On Tuesday Bill accused Sally of deceiving him, and they had another quarrel, though it's quickly patched up. On Thursday Tom says he is leaving Springwood. On Friday, Yvonne and Sally persuade Mr Sharpe to go with them to 'Madame Dorice,' where he was just in time to stop Mrs Sharpe from signing her new shop away.
Cast lists for programmes 97-101 (Feb 6-10 1956)
were as for the opening, only excluding Bernard Fox, Walter Horsbrugh, Edward Judd and Elizabeth Gott. Also with O'Donovan Shiell, Christine Pollon, Mysie Monte as Mrs La Trobe, Margaret Boyd, Seymour Green, Vi Stevens, Jan Miller, Michael Collins, Anne Warren, Bill Shine, Rona Laurie as Mrs Asher, Rosemary Stevens as Charmaine, and Dorinda Stevens as Miss Golightly.
Director: Ronald Marriott.
Storyline: On Monday Dr Kevin O'Shea told his brother Tim that he had guessed his secret. Tuesday: the truth about Monsiuer Louis was discovered. Wednesday, he broke down, and Mrs Sharpe had pity on him. Thursday: Dr Tim confesses to Grete.
Cast lists for programmes 107-111 (Feb 20-24 1956)
were as for the opening, only excluding Bernard Fox, Elizabeth Gott and Edward Judd; also with Christine Pollon, Margaret Boyd, Seymour Green, Vi Stevens, Jan Miller, Michael Collins, Anne Warren, John Charlesworth, Elizabeth Fraser, Anthony Lang, Bill Shine, Dorinda Stevens, and Robert Raglan as Inspector Brown.
Director: Ronald Marriott.
Synopsis: In the last episode, Mr Smithers angered Sally, who slapped his face, but was sorry afterwards on account of the partnership. Then Bill makes a startling discovery and decides on drastic action. In Wednesday's story he receives a visit from the police. On Thursday, it's Moira's turn to learn something disturbing.
137-141 (Apr 2-6 1956). Synopsis: On Wed 4th Owen Meredith (played by Arthur Lawrence) found himself in a very embarrassing situation. Thursday's episode saw a "pleasant reconciliation." Friday: Grete accepted Dr Tim's proposal and agreed to marry him soon.
Cast lists for programmes 142-146 (Apr 9-13 1956)
were as for the opening, excluding Bernard Fox, Elizabeth Gott and Edward Judd. Also with Christine Pollon, Mysie Monte, Vi Stevens, Jan Miller, Ronald Cardew (Brigadier La Trobe), John Charlesworth, Elizabeth Fraser, Rosemary Stevens, Arthur Lawrence, Yah Ming as Lan Wang, Peter Duguid as Monty Rixby, Olive Kirby as Secretary, John Barrard as Syd, Donald Cashfield as Charlie, Frances Cohen as Celeste, Margaret Flint as Mrs Walker and Cyril Renison as AA Inspector. Director: Peter Maxwell.
Synopsis: Monday- Stan and Julie have a crushing experience. Tuesday- Yvonne tells Sally of her expectations. Wednesday- Eddie Perkins' behaviour worries Bill. Thursday- Yvonne is hysterical.
Cast lists for programmes 157-161 (Apr 30- May 4 1956)
were as for the opening, excluding Bernard Fox, Shirley Mitchell, Elizabeth Gott and Edward Judd. Also with Gwynne Whitby as Aunt Laura, Christine Pollon, Sylvia Bidmead as Beverley Patterson, Vi Stevens, Charles Ross, Michael Collins, Julia Byfield as Mrs Cobbett, Jan Miller, John Charlesworth, Elizabeth Fraser, Arthur Lowe as Mr Boswick, Susan Richards as Mrs Wilmot, Frederick Schiller as Herr Edler, Howard Lang as Mr Perkins, Eira Griffiths as Miss Lucas, Pamela Binns as Miss Stevenson, Colin Douglas as Dr Williams and Bette Vivian as Mrs Wright. Director: Ronald Marriott.
Synopsis: In last Friday's story, Eddie had had a very painful experience.
Monday- Rosie Chubb was upset by a quarrel. Tuesday- a disturbance at Dr Tim's. Wednesday- an unexpected caller at the bungalow was not very welcome. Thursday- Stan has an experience which makes him very miserable.
Cast lists for programmes 177-181 (May 28- June 1 1956)
were as for the opening, excluding Bernard Fox, Elizabeth Gott and Edward Judd.
Also with Christine Pollon, Sylvia Bidmead, Vi Stevens, Jan Miller, Michael Collins, Anne Warren, John Charlesworth, Elizabeth Fraser, Arthur Lowe, Howard Williams as Jeremy Carr, Marian Lehmann as Margaret Muller, John Crocker as Photographer, Ronald Marriott, Peter Maxwell and Hazel Adair as Three Strangers. Plus Susie the Dog.
Director: Ronald Marriott. Synopsis: The previous Friday Beverley had given Stan an ultimatum.
Monday: Grete makes an exciting discovery. Tuesday: Bill and Sally find Mr Boswick a great trial. Wednesday: Eddie learns a lesson he won't easily forget. Thursday: Stan is overjoyed.
In the summer schedules of 1956, the series ended after about 200 episodes.
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Cool for Cats (A-R 1956-1961)
First screened December 1956. Mondays 7.16-7.30pm,
Later it was shown twice a week. Then expanded to half an hour's length.
Host: Kent Walton. Ker Robertson was on the turntable.
A simple format, playing new records, but a hit show, partly thanks to first director Joan Kemp-Welch who "employs all the ingenious tricks of scenery, lighting, camerwork and sheer stagecraft, which she's contrived herself, or inspired and wheedled out of her excellent team."
Here's an account by Wilfred Altman of one September 1957 show: "Record Number 1 is Fire Down Below, by Shirley Bassey. Kent Walton, a young Canadian actor with a natural modesty and warmth, gives viewers the bare details. The record is played and the screen reveals a background of blazing flames with a superimposed shape of a heart and the outline of a girl singing and dancing.... Another record, Teenage Angel, provoked the idea of having a girl on the screen with a pair of wings, dancing in the clouds... there is a number by Tommy Steele put over with superb effect by the mere focusing of the camera on a fish tank. The tank is magnified, or the divers in it are reduced in size, but on the screen, they float down until they reach the seabed."
Joan said her most unusual trick effect in the series was a matchstick sized man standing on a glass of champagne and sitting on the edge of it.
Choreography was by Douglas Squires (more of his memories are on line on the CoolforCats webpage), and design by Michael Weld. Dancers included Tony Bateman, Roy Allen, Angela van Breda, Pauline Innes and Mavis Traill.
After a break in March 1957, the series returned twice weekly, now networked, on Wednesday July 12th 1957, 6.30-6.45pm, with the same team. Also on each Friday at the same time. Some sources suggest this was a repeat, but in fact this was a completely new show. In September that year, transmissions moved to most Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6.45-7pm. Brian Taylor took over direction of a few shows towards the end of 1957. At the start of 1958 the two directors were sharing the load, most Mondays and Wednesdays at the same time. A bigger change came
in February 1957, when two half hour editions were made, one Wednesdays at 6.10pm, the second at 11pm on Fridays. With such a workload, other directors were brought in including Bimbi Harris.
Early Summer 1957 saw the show on Thursdays 7-7.30pm, Brian Taylor now in charge, but soon back to its late night Friday slot. Guest artists occasionally mixed in with the records, on June 27th 1957 Audrey Jeans and Eddie Silver, July 17th Jimmy Jackson,
November 21st 1957 The Mudlarks.
Dance directors now were Malcolm Goddard, or Jack Carter. Director: Brian Taylor, though other occasional directors included Peter Croft and Daphne Shadwell. The programme took a short break in May, after celebrating 100 shows.
It was being networked from July, with choreography by Peter Darrell or by Lennie Mayne. Directors included John P Hamilton or Peter Croft. November: John P Hamilton directed, choreography by Malcolm Goddard, Ray Landor.
A number of shows were made on location, including from an Army camp at Kingston-on-Thames, and an RAF base at Odiham (Aug 7th 1958).
After a break over Christmas 1959, the programme returned, no longer fully networked, with a new feature, Cool Cartoons by Neville Wortman.
Director normally John P Hamilton, though Peter Moffatt took over for the month of August and J Murray Ashford also directed a programme.
The 200th edition was on Friday May 6th 1960, 7pm with guest singers Mike Preston and Joy, and Dave Adams. Dance direction by Peter Darrell, Ivor Megiddo, or Malcolm Clare. The Freemen were in the June 10th show. Freddie Earlle was in two shows during July/Aug 1960.
In the autumn 1960 schedules, it was back in a late evening slot, Tuesdays at 11.7pm, with the byline "the She-Cats and He-Cats get together." On the Dec 20th programme, directed by Don Gale, the dancers are listed: Una Stubbs, Fiona Jackson, Veronica Bravo, Rex Rainer, Joan Palethorpe, Bernard Eastow, Alex Morrow, and Victor Duret. On both January 31st and February 7th 1961, directed by John P Hamilton, there were these dancers: Fiona Jackson, Veronica Bravo, Rex Rainer, Joan Palethorpe, Alex Morrow, Shirley Sunners, Ronnie Curran and Colin Stowe.
The series ended in February 1961, as Kent and Ker went to TWW to front their Discs-A-Gogo
Note: Robin Hunter was also a dancer on the programme during 1958.
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Take Your Pick (A-R)
With Michael Miles. On the gong: Alec Dane. Announcer: Bob Danvers-Walker. Organist: Harold Smart.
Director: Audrey Starrett (left of first photo). Intially produced by Arlington Television and Radio Ltd for A-R, the company had first used the format on Radio Luxembourg.
The Yes No Interlude got the show off to a lively start.
Contestants, in the first shows selected from the London studio audience, then chose a key to one of ten boxes. Michael would bribe them to take some cash instead of opening the box, which could contain a booby prize (in 3 random boxes). Or possibly something nice, or even the special prize in Box 13.
Series 1 (September 1955- May 1956), Fridays 8.00- 8.30pm, later it began at 7.30pm. An early photo (not seen here) in TV Times is captioned "Mrs Miles" wielding the gong.
Series 2 (September 1956- June 1957) Fridays 7.30-8pm.
A special event, Michael Miles announced a Diamond Rush, for viewers to find where £1,000 worth of diamonds had been hidden just under the earth on Saturday December 8th 1956. Cheltenham was the venue. 250,000 applications were received. The next Friday's programme on December 14th included an interview with the lucky winner. March 8th 1957 saw the launch of "the biggest prize ever offered on British tv," The House Competition. The value of this new property was £5,000. Entry was restricted to married couples with two children, in regional heats. Round two, for Yorkshire viewers was on April 12th. On Good Friday April 19th competitiors were from the Manchester area. Then the four best entries appeared on the final programme on May 3rd 1957, with viewers voting for the winning couple. The panel of judges in the studio consisted of Lady Georgina Coleridge, Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon.
The last programme in series 2 was on June 14th 1957, with a vintage Rolls Royce as the star prize!
Other notable prizes in this era included: Collecting a Rolling Pin, the good news was that it was on the roof of the Empire State Building, a trip to Rome to get a photo of Gina Lollobrigida, and, er, a tractor.
Series 3 (September 1957- June 1958) Fridays 8-8.30pm.
A new gimmick included (on October 18th and 25th 1957) The Spinning Topper.
The viewer whose poem identified best the celebrity, was invited to take part in the quiz- from their own home. The clue on Oct 25th was 'Nine for thirty seven was pretty hot, but the following innings he took the lot,' - answer was Jim Laker of course. For Christmas, the December 27th edition had an audience and competitors entirely made up of farmers (why?).
On January 17th 1958 viewers saw filmed shots of two prize winners, round the world air travellers Mr John Milner in Beirut, and Mr Henry Case in San Francisco. Next week Cass was seen in Honolulu and Milner in Singapore.
The two strangers then met on Sydney Harbour Bridge before cashing a cheque in their joint names for, wow, £100. In March 1958 the show came from the Ideal Hotel Exhibition, on March 7th a dining room suite was star prize.
Programme 100 was shown on March 14th 1958, the second from the Ideal Home, the top prize was a mere Rock Garden. March 21st offered a bedroom suite.
Series 4 (September 1958- June 1959) Fridays 8-8.30pm.
Among the 'stunt' prizes, was living as Robinson Crusoe on Tobago (film on Oct 17th 1958 edition of winner Geoffrey Vokes). He was awarded the trip as a forfeit for answering incorrectly.
Oct 24th 1958 had an estate car as the top prize.
In December 1958, Mrs Grace Sweetlove opened Box 13, and found she had won a greyhound. The dog's name? Take Your Pick, of course! Among shows away from the London Studios was that on May 15th 1959 which was telerecorded at the Theatre Royal Glasgow.
Series 5 began on September 18th 1959 and ran until June 10th 1960. Fridays 8-8.25pm.
Hostess: Elizabeth Kingdon (pictured), who though not credited in TV Times, had been with the show since 1957. In 1964 she admitted, "I've grown old with the show!"
There was a special on Christmas Day 1959, 8.45-9.15pm in front of old age pensioners, plus veteran stars Shaun Glenville and Billy Danvers.
Series 6 began on September 16th 1960 and ran until 23rd June 1961. Fridays 8.30-8.55pm. Elizabeth Kingdon again hostess.
December 23rd's edition was a Christmas special with all competitors and audience from the London markets of Covent Garden, Smithfield, Billingsgate and Leadenhall. One prizewinner was a Mr Robert Churchyard, who won a huge fridge and a year's supply of groceries.
The stunts of previous years were more sedate now, with the show consistently in the Top Ten, it had no need to pull too many punches.
Series 7 commenced on 15th September 1961, once again on Fridays 8.30-8.55pm. The first show contained an audience of London street traders. Lila Joseph opened Box 13 winning "a bowler." Not much to that, with six more added, only she had to sell them in Times Square New York! Another exotic prize in November was
a humble threepenny piece. It was an ingredient in a Christmas pudding, for which the other ingredients had to be gathered from around Australia: the lucky winner was named Ernest Irving. Another winner was Mr Eric Morgan who won a 17 day tour of Russia.
At the start of 1962, the quiz was moved to Thursdays, 8-8.30pm, the first time it had not been a regular feature of Friday night viewing. However this didn't last long, at the start of February it had slotted back to Fridays, 7pm.
A special show on March 9th came from Cardiff. The final show of the series was on June 8th 1962.
The first show in Series 8 was on 14th September 1962, same time Fridays at 7pm and with "the usual team." The first of the series was the 275th programme. There was the usual Christmas special on December 28th 1962, with all the audience old age pensioners. On January 11th 1963, the show came for the first time from Manchester, from ABC's Didsbury studios.
On February 22nd 1963, the show was on the road again, with an edition from Bristol. The 300th Take Your Pick went out on March 8th 1963 with a special edition from HMS Collingwood, audience and all competitors from the Royal Navy. (This programme was an outside broadcast "in cooperation with Southern Television.) The final quiz of series 8 was on June 7th 1963.
Series 9 began on 13th September 1963, this programme was the 314th. TAM placed Take Your Pick in the National Top Ten for 38 out of the 39 shows in this series.
Among special programmes was one on Sept 27th from the Great Hall of Queen Mary College in Mile End Road. The quiz came from Luton on 25th October 1963, while on 20th December that year the audience were all publicans and barmaids, allegedly. Another outside broadcast was on March 20th 1964, from Lewisham Town Hall, other programmes away from Wembley Studios included one from Mile End Road London, another from Hornsey, as well as others from home counties locations. Though the studio was home for the
April 24th 1964 quiz, the audience were all from the Maidstone and Chatham area of Kent. Top prize on offer on March 6th 1964 was a loose fitting Persian lamb spring coat with a fur collar. The usual summer break began in June 1964.
TV Times celebrated the commencement of the Series 10 with a front cover montage, that was shared, of course, with Double Your Money. The first show, with the same old team, on Sept 18th 1964, was in front of an audience of dustmen (why?). Michael Miles explained the format was as before, with a few small changes. He reflected on the less popular ideas, like The Joker. But this series did see the return of viewer competitions, the first was a mystery phrase, a clue to one word of which was given each week. Winners' names were put into a hat, and a contestant drew out one lucky name, an Air Partner who then won exactly whatever the studio contestant won. A special edition of the show towards the end of 1964 offered viewers the chance to win one of two Ford Corsairs.
Other Special Audiences in this series included Aylesbury, High Wycombe and district (Oct 30th 1964), then further afield to the Tyne Tees area and Newcastle (Nov 20th 1964). As Christmas Day 1964 fell on a Friday, there was a special edition that week, before an audience of old age pensioners. Mrs Edith Graves won £50 in the Treasure Chest. Jan 8th 1965 was in front of the folk of Stevenage and Hemel Hempstead. Jan 29th 1965 was a special edition from the Guildhall in Southampton. Back up north on Feb 26th 1965, with a quiz from Victoria Hall Halifax, then to the Aldershot and Guildford area on March 26th.
That was the last of the advertised specials, with the series concluding on June 11th 1965.
In a TV Times article, Michael Miles mentioned some memorable winners. Most recently Herbert Marsden who had accepted the £30 offered for his key and given away the cash to Dr Barnardos.
Series 11 began on Friday September 24th 1965, usual time. However the one change was new hostess Jane Murray. As always, the first quiz was a special, devoted to "the British housewife." A special on October 15th had an audience who were members of the RAF. Then on October 29th the quiz came from Belfast. November 26th included taxi drivers, while on December 17th it was the turn of farm workers. A special of sorts on Feb 4th 1966 had all the audience and contestants from as far away as Fulham, Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush! But the first major change for years occurred in March 1966, as the series finished its season earlier than usual!
Series 12 started on September 30th 1966, same Friday slot, same team as the last series, "it's the same format as before." The edition on October 28th celebrated National Youth Week with members of youth clubs from all over Britain. The November 11th edition was a special for Armistice Day, audience members of the British Legion. Feb 3rd 1967 saw the audience entirely made up of newspaper workers. The show was out on the road again on March 17th 1967, and out a long way, since it came from Sydney Australia! All the audience were ex-pats. Bob Danvers-Walker accompanied Michael Miles, but there was a guest organist, Milton Saunders. This series ended in May 1967.
Series 13, the last and the longest, opened on Friday September 29th 1967, now 7.30pm-8pm.In fact a few of the later shows in the last series had been screened at different times.
No hostess was mentioned. The series opener was from RMS Queen Mary.
A new gimmick began on October 27th with Viewers' Box 13, Michael Miles phoned the lucky person at home, "make sure that you are watching." And the prize to the lucky viewer was.... £5. But the winner also had the opportunity to be a contestant in the following week's show. This seemed to end after about a month, and the missing Alec Dane returned with his Gong. A Christmas special on Dec 22nd 1967 consisted of blind people. Viewers Box 13 was revived starting on Jan 12th 1968, you had to send in a postcard with your name on if you wanted to be included in the draw to select the person phoned, "make sure that you are watching." The winner appeared on the Jan 19th programme, to gamble on winning a Penny Whistle, or The trip of a Lifetime. The Gong seems to have gone again, and the regions showed the quiz in different Friday slots. After a month Alec Dane had returned, alternating fortnightly with Viewers Box 13. On Mar 22nd 1968 a "Gran Tourismo" car was on offer. May 3rd had a cruise round the Med on offer, or a rubber duck! June 7th had an audience in the catering trade, had the series continued, no doubt an audience of sewer workers or members of the House of Lords, or even both together, would have happened! Announcer Bob Danvers-Walker had one week off on June 28th, replaced by John Braban. But Bob was back the next week on July 5th 1968 for a special from Aberavon Lido. This was long serving director Audrey Starrett's last programme. New producer was John P Hamilton. These last four shows were on the road: July 12th was from the Winter Gardens Blackpool. July 19th came less glamorously from the Civic Hall Solihull. The final ever show, which is still in existence, was on July 26th 1968 from the Tyne Tees Studios in Newcastle. "Don't miss this final show."
The show, in a very similar guise, was revived next year by Southern Television, until Michael's early death in 1971. Thames revived it with Des O'Connor in the 1990s, but all this is outside the scope of this site.
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A Man of Our Times (1968, Rediffusion)
Max Osborne, manager at a High Wycombe furniture factory, is facing redundancy, but is offered a job in Australia. He takes 13 episodes to decide whether to go down under.
Starring as Max was the great George Cole, with Jennifer Wilson as his lover Muriel (only in eps 1-4 and 12).
A pilot was recorded on July 4th 1967. Series created by Julian Bond. Producer: Richard Bates. Executive Producer: Stella Richman.
Here are Rediffusion's own Synopses:
1. The Name of the Man (Thurs Jan 4th 1968, 9pm- other areas showed the series in another slot, Tuesdays at 10.30pm). Among the rest of the cast: Charles Tingwell, Clive Morton, Douglas Livingstone and Zuleika Robson.
In her flat, schoolteacher Muriel is serving breakfast for her schoolgirl daughter Lucy, and for Max who lives here as part of the family. She mentions their holiday plans, but Max insists his financial position will not allow it, even though he's entitled to promotion at the factory where he works, as the firm is being taken over.
On his way to work, he calls to see his bank manager, Roberts, who listens to his promotion story, but warns not to count on anything and meanwhile practise some economies.
At the factory, foreman and local shop secretary Ron Banks demands some guarantees from Max that the forthcoming takeover will not mean redundancies and Max promises to take this up with Henry Somes.
Somes is discussing the takeover with his son David, an army friend of Max's who had arranged Max's job here. Garlands, the takeover firm, are actually demanding Max should go, but David defends Max, adding that it was Max himself who had introduced Garlands to them. Somes promises to do his best, but a takeover that benefits everybody cannot be jeopardised for one man's sake.
Over a pub lunch Max tries unsuccessfully to pump David over his future, but back in his office Max telephones Muriel to say that there's a meeting at 5.30 after which she can expect good news. Muriel has to phone back with the bad news that Lucy has had an accident in the school gym, can he come home at once? Afraid to miss Somes, Max puts Muriel off, and her icy response confirms his fear that he has made the wrong decision.
David has been trying without much success, to land a job for Max among his friends. At the 5.30 meeting, Max explains Ron's fears regarding the future under the new dispensation and receives guarded assurances from Somes. As to Max's own future, there's only prevarication and David is forced to admit Garlands want him out. Max is shocked and outraged, the more so when he is offered a job as manager of a subsidiary firm in Perth Australia. There's no common ground, and Max ends up reproaching David for not warning him in advance. Consider the Perth job seriously, is David's recommendation.
Max meets Ron in the pub and is surprised by the universally enthusiastic reaction to the Perth offer.
When he gets home, Muriel is incensed by his lack of concern for Lucy, had she been his child... He offers to accompany her to hospital to see Lucy. But when she is told of the Perth job, she rebuffs him at once. If he won't travel thirty miles on her behalf, she will certainly won't go half way round the world for him.
2. The Two-Legged Chameleon (Jan 11th 1968) also with Diana Beevers as Gwen, Norman Rossington, Douglas Livingstone, Richard Leech, Michael Graham-Cox, Timothy Carlton, Anne de Vigier, Zuleika Robson, Frank Dracott, Maurice Quick and Alan Casley. Script: Julian Bond. Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
Following her accident, Lucy has been a hospital outpatient. Max and Muriel meet her when she is discharged, and Max promises to celebrate by taking them both to Chessington Zoo at half term. After Lucy has caught her bus, Max and Muriel revert to their customary strained relationship. She's not prepared to let him forget his faux pas and accuses him of trying to con Lucy.
At the factory, Max notices two of the men from Garlands snooping around. He and his secretary Gwen settle down to an unaccustomed sandwich lunch in their office. He tries to explain the complexities of his long standing affair with Muriel and the fact that he is still married to Sally. He feels he could not possibly go to Australia to take up his new job without Muriel or Lucy. But the enterprising Gwen has been checking up on other possible vacancies for her boss, one for a personnel officer.
At home that evening, there's a letter waiting for Max from Sally, the constant barrier between Max and Muriel. Max admits he'll be unable to take them to Chessington tomorrow, that brings on a fresh complaint from Muriel that she and Lucy are always last on his list of priorities. When she tells Lucy, she's disconcerted by her daughter's disenchanted assessment of them.
Max can't go as he's got an interview with a Mayfair management consultant. Interviewers Bellamy, Feathers and Hoare expose Max's weaknesses thus confirming him in his pessimism.
Muriel has phoned the office and discovered Max hadn't come clean over cancelling the Chessington trip. She goes there alone with Lucy. Max goes to join them there, surprised he has been shortlisted for the post. He tells all and Muriel apologises for her earlier suspicions.
After an enjoyable time, the day ends happily. Back home, Muriel shows Max the birthday present for Sally that he invariably would otherwise forget.
Next day Max gets behind and is going to be late for his next interview. Gwen offers to drive him, making it clear she'd be prepared to come with him to Australia if he fails to land this job. Max meets his prospective employer Dick Bush on the roof of his building. This man is ruthless and direct, deliberately provoking Max, but the job is Max's. When Gwen is informed, she is dismayed, having lost the chance to go down under, and feeling a fool for betraying her emotions. Max feels embarrassed and clumsy over the incident.
Later he tells Muriel he has accepted Bush's offer of a job at a lower figure than his current income and with limited prospects, for her sake. Muriel insists he turns the offer down. She also tells him he ought to have squashed Gwen's hopes, of being incapable of seeing one relationship through, of playing one against the other. Lucy breaks into their row, making an intense appeal on her own behalf. It ends with Muriel agreeing to go to Australia, but on her terms. He must divorce Sally and put an end to his blurred relationships with "suffering secretaries." It's an ultimatum. He reflects on whatever happened to love
3. Sally Go Round the Moon (Jan 18th 1968) also with Jean Harvey, Norman Eshley, Margaret Boyd, Lucy Appleby,
Christopher Witty, Michael Hall. Script: Julian Bond. Director: Alan Clarke.
Max buys a birthday present for Sally hoping that will persuade her to give him a divorce. Muriel is certain it'll fail. A young man named Simon Houlder prevents Max from going in to Sally's house. The impasse is only broken when Sally drives up, accompanied by her ex-nursemaid Edie.
When she takes Max inside, he finds his gift compares very poorly with her other presents. One is from admirer Simon, she admits she enjoys his attentions. Already aware of his unpropitious start, Max invites himself to dinner, hoping for a chance to prove his case. Also present will be his children, Clare who is met at the station, she has a special affection for her father, as exclusive of that between son Michael and his mother.
Vainly Max tries to re-establish himself as head of the family over lunch. He is also unsuccessful in getting on more friendly terms with Michael, and, an afternoon out rejected, Max takes an afternoon nap. As he searches Sally's room, he is shocked to find evidence of her relationship with an Oliver Anson. When he returns downstairs, he finds Sally flirting with Simon. Max is put in his place, she says she has every right to do what she likes in her own home. That's just what ruined the marriage in the first place, retorts Max.
Ejected, Max lands in the local churchyard and reviews what has happened. He has achieved nothing of what he had intended. He decides to pocket his pride and go back to Sally's. She does accept his apology, but also rejects his invitation to dinner. But she changes her mind when she finds that Oliver has let her down.
The meal begins well since the head waiter recognises Max. Sally meets Max half way and they dance, enjoying an unfamiliar intimacy. The ice is really broken when they see the comic side of their situation. So when he sees Sally home, Max claims he has missed his last train home, and is invited to stay, sleeping in Michael's bed. He decides not to phone Muriel. But he does see Sally in her room, to discuss the divorce. The entire Australia question depends on her. Softened, she believes Max is inviting her to accompany him down under. Max hasn't the heart to disillusion her, and takes the line of least resistance. They make love.
In the morning, he returns to Muriel, with his courage screwed up to explain his absence. But he is astonished to discover Muriel has cleared her things out and gone. There's a note, but guessing its contents, Max doesn't bother to read it
4 Got Yourself Sorted Out At All? (Jan 25th 1968) also with Jean Harvey, Charles Tingwell, Clive Morton, Maxine Audley, Maurice Hedley, Nora Swinburne, Diana Beevers,
Gabrielle Blunt, Penny Darrell, Athene Fielding, and Richard Cornish.
Script: Julian Bond. Director: Alan Clarke.
Somes resents what he sees as Max's equivocal attitude to the Australia offer and he suspects him of disloyalty. But David defends him, disapproving of his father's scheming to make use of Max if he should take the job.
Sally's parents, Mr and Mrs Prentice urge Sally to have nothing more to do with Max, alarmed when they hear about Max's offer to take her down under.
In the pub, Max describes to Shirley his difficulties in persuading his family to agree to go to Australia. David joins them and apologises again for what has happened with Max's current job. Max fills David in on his current personal problems, Muriel's ultimatum and disappearance, and Sally misunderstanding, thinking he wants her to accompany him.
In the office, Gwen holds Sally off, as per her boss' orders, and locates Muriel. Against her friend Miss Cardew's advice, Muriel meets Max in a teashop. Make your mind up about Sally and the job, then she'll consider coming back to him.
But is Max finding he quite likes the unaccustomed freedom?
Max is offered a job by a Mrs Alcon, which he turns down, but as she is in the same furniture business, she asks him for a quotation for some furniture. Another job is mooted to him, but why this sudden interest in him? Gwen suggests it's down to David, the least he can do in the circumstances.
Somes wants to know Max's decision. But he won't be rushed into accepting the Australia job as Somes wants. But then taken off guard, when Sally phones, he accepts a dinner date with her. He castigates Gwen for not protecting him from her, and that upsets Gwen.
Mrs Alcon accepts Max's quote, and Max apologises to Gwen and she joins David and him in the pub for a celebratory drink. But David makes it clear he's not behind these job offers.
The meeting with Sally also includes her parents, there for moral support. The whole thing is a disaster, the Prentices united in their mutual detestation of Max. Max retorts by claiming they had tried to buy him for Sally when she was "on the shelf." It turns out Prentice is behind those offers, bent on trying to keep Sally in England. Max comes clean and tells them that he never wanted her to go to Australia, all he wants is divorce. He is disconcerted to see Sally is relieved rather than shocked, she'd never really wanted to go to Australia at all. But she refuses point blank to consider divorce, she cannot face a public humiliation on top of her private grief. Since there is no point arguing further, Max leaves empty handed
5 It All Looks Different Through a Custard Cream (Feb 1st 1968) also with Wilfred Pickles, Michael Turner, Daphne Slater, David Bird, Diana Beevers, Michael Lees, Christopher Witty, Brian Anderson and Ronald Falk.
Script: Douglas Livingstone. Director: Alastair Reid.
Bill Harlow is an important customer whom Max entertains in the pub. He's also Australian, and urges Max to join him for a weekend's drinking. But Max can't as he has to attend his father's retirement party in Dorset. He is Sam Osborne, a widower, who retired four weeks ago, and is resentful that his employers the Wessex Cider Company have held the party over to coincide with the retirement of Richard Parker, his brother in law and managing director. Max's sister Anthea, a widow, keeps house for Sam, and the pair have settled into a joyless routine.
On the way down Max meets Ted Harvey, the firm's sales manager, who's making for the same party. The two conceal their mutual dislike, but Max is shocked to learn that Ted is staying at Sam's, since he happens to be friendly with Anthea. When they get there, Sam cuts through Anthea's plans and assures Ted that he'd be more comfortable in a local hotel. Anthea is hardly pleased and she urges Max to take their father with him to Australia: she's been looking after him for the past eighteen years, now it's his turn.
At the party at the Wessex Company, Parker is discussing the firm's future with his successor Minton. Anthea has to apologise for Max's disruptive appearance and Sam is getting steadily drunker. Thus when Parker announces Sam is to make a speech, there's only an incoherent mumbling and he leaves. Max follows him to Sam's old office. Sam says he'd always hated this job, the Parkers had forced him into it when they'd found their daughter was expecting Anthea. Though astonished at first, he gladly accepts Max's offer to go with him to Australia.
Max meets his son Michael at a restaurant. He wants to go to university at Cambridge and has no desire to join them.
Anthea and Ted attempt to revive their former intimacy, but just as he is persuading her to come to his hotel, Max interrupts. When Ted leaves, Anthea refuses to fall in with the trip to Australia. She doesn't want to be housekeeper again.
She meets Ted at the hotel, but soon realises he's more concerned with safeguarding his own position with his employers than with her. Anthea tries him out over whether she ought to go down under, and when he is enthusiastic, her fears are confirmed. So she tells Sam and Max she will go with them
6 Uncle Richard Knows Better Than You (Feb 8th 1968) also with Wilfred Pickles, Michael Turner, Daphne Slater, David Bird, Diana Beevers, Lucy Appleby, Roger Brierley, Malcolm Douglas and George Betton.
Script: Douglas Livingstone. Director: Alastair Reid.
Sam and Anthea see Max off at the station. He feels rushed by Sam's single-minded enthusiasm for the whole venture, and nagged by Anthea's exuberance. Sam has already arranged for house agent Harman to sell his house, even though Anthea is more cautious, urging to wait until plans have been finalised.
Back at work, Max is upset that the firm have refused to pay for his family's fares to Australia, and anticipating this, Gwen has some information on assisted passages. Anyway, Sam offers to help with the money.
Clare is Max's daughter. She attends a convent school. She's keen to go with them until she hears Sam and Anthea will be looking after her. After all, she hasn't seen them for eight years. So Max sets up a meeting in a London fish restaurant. Sam forces the pace with some jokes, and when Anthea and Clare discover a mutual interest in tennis, it seems the ice is breaking. However Sam is getting drunk and Clare becomes embarrassed, especially when Max tries to establish a close relationship with her. It's an unsatisfactory time and as Max and Anthea bid farewell to Sam at Waterloo station, they try to lift the gloom. For Clare has already left them, saying she has a headache. Sam has insisted Anthea stay in town to check their plans at Australia House. When the train has departed, she demands Max give a definite decision about Australia. On the train, Sam gets drunk and steps out of the train thinking it has stopped at a station. He suffers a heart attack and ends up in a coma.
When Max gets down to Sam in Dorset, his uncle Richard Parker and Ted are already there.
They visit him in hospital, he's not likely to recover. Ted takes his chance and urges Anthea to stay in England, that annoys Max who tells Ted to leave Anthea alone.
Max is furious everyone is assuming the worst for Sam. He berates Parker for forcing his father into a job he did not like. Parker points out the Sam is no better than a drunkard, no use at his job and should have been sacked years ago. Max storms out.
Sam does die. Anthea thinks it was suicide, blaming Max on his unthinking optimism and his assumption they'd all love Australia. That meeting with Clare, Sam knew had been doomed to failure. Anthea says she hates Max, all his life he's always taken, and given nothing in return but disappointment. She's going back to Ted.
Max phones Clare but can't bring himself to tell her of Sam's death
7 The Dream Time (Feb 15th 1968) also with Thorley Waters, Maurice Hedley, Terence Brady, June Jago, Noel Hood, Carmen Munro, Harry Hutchinson, Tom Criddle, Gabrielle Drake, David Dandas and Frederick Shrecker.
Script: Arden Winch. Director: Alastair Reid.
In an Oxford hotel bar, Prentice slangs Max over his treatment of Sally. Max tries to explain he only wants a divorce from Sally. Prentice leaves, leaving Max to foot the bill. Max then meets Dr Maynard, known as Wilfred, a regular figure around the city, who is as lonely as Max. They agree their time in university was a "dream time." The two embark on a sightseeing tour, finishing at his old college St Edmund Hall. Max explains how he sacrificed his Oxford career for a girl, life was never the same again. Max had met Lydia, who lived over a tobacconist's, where the attractive young Rose notoriously seduced many an undergraduate. Wilfred sympathises, he's living on a legacy that lasts as long as he remains a bachelor.
The pair visit the shop, Max horrified to find Rose is still there, a middleaged slattern. Disconcerted by the grotesque anti-climax, he determines to find Lydia again.
Over tea, Max relates how he had been forced into marrying Sally, somehow he'd never got round to marrying Lydia. Prompted by Wilfred, Max goes to the office where Lydia used to work, but a Miss Waller is uncooperative, even claiming noone by the name of Lydia had ever worked here. So he leaves frustrated, and encounters Anna, an African student, whose idealistic hopes contrast sharply with his own sense of failure. She is proud of the fact that she's the first woman from her country to study in England. She plans to start a hospital for women in her country and Max wishes her luck. It recalls his own time at university when he'd been "free."
That was more important than the actual degree he took, he reflects. Now money is all important, but then it had mattered very little.
Wilfred holds a party for his Oxford cronies, who all seem to be middle aged and seedy. One is called Robin, who has a young man Roy in tow and when he talks to him, Max is shocked to find Roy brackets him with Wilfred's generation and age group.
Roy is in fact the son of his former friend Garland.
It's also clear Max is quite out of fashion with pop music these days. Roy's girl friend Penny has found out that Lydia is now living in London.
The party over, Max is despondent
over the fact that he is middle aged and hasn't achieved anything. The dream time in Oxford had been his only happy time, but now he wonders whether even this was an illusion, the entire experience remembered as a fantasy, no relation to the truth
8 Which Side Are You On? (Feb 22nd 1968) also with Charles Tingwell, Clive Morton, Frederick Jaeger, Douglas Livingstone, Aubrey Richards, Denise Buckley, Mary Hignett, Gabrielle Blunt, Godfrey James, Henry Stamper and Shivendra Sinha.
Script: Roy Russell. Director: Gareth Davies.
Somes and David fear a Go Slow at the factory could ruin the firm, but Ron Banks the shop steward is convinced all will be well when the rich company Garlands take them over. Ron proposes leaving negotiations in Max's hands, but by now Somes is doubting Max's reliability.
Max is now back at back after Sam's funeral. He has a temporary secretary in Sandie Turner, who is most efficient. He blames the dispute on Somes who has arbitrarily moved six men without any consultation, as four are Pakistanis there's some suggestion of colour prejudice. Max meets with Ron Banks and they do agree on the principle of joint consultation. But Max strenuously denies Ron's insinuation that because Max is leaving he is only interested in himself. He's always kept his word in the past, Max claims.
In the pub, David lets Max understand that if the dispute could be resolved quickly, it would be noticed by Garlands, to mutual benefit, but resenting what sounds like a bribe, Max insists he always does the best he can anyway.
When Max probes the causes of the dispute with Ron Banks further, he discovers that the fear of victimisation is the root. When Garlands take over, the men will not have Max there to protect them. The representative of Garlands, Noel Smedley, aged 48, is of the view that Max can have no love for Garlands and David too believes Max is taking the men's side. Max however claims his past negotiation successes have always depended on his being utterly impartial.
Smedley affirms to Somes and David that Garlands will not countenance taking over an unprofitable firm, and that the transfer of all six men must stand. Max puts the men's side, that they fear Garlands might tear down the factory and erect a new office block. The men down tools. Max proposes that the local union officer Wilkinson be brought in, but the men refuse. Alongside the sympathetic Sandie, Max watches Smedley and Somes failing to attract the attention of the strikers, and he tells Sandie to put Wilkinson in the picture.
Max is asked to quieten the noisy rabble, and does so. Smedley interprets this as a sign of Max's one sided sympathies, but takes his chance and continues addressing the men, only to be met by more resentment and heckling. Wilkinson sends Gregson, not a conciliator at all and Somes blames Max for introducing him into the dispute.
But the men go back to work, Gregson however demanding that the six men be reinstated within fifteen minutes or there will be a walk out. He sees the issue as a test case against the big business interests for which Garlands stands. Poor Max can see that his old friendly methods of negotiating no longer apply. When he relays Gregson's ultimatum, Max finds himself blamed for bringing Gregson in. Inefficient and disployal Max is. Outside the factory Max meets one of the six, Askew, who feels guilty about it all. Max admits the affair is out of his hands and drowns his sorrows in the pub with Sandie
9 You Know Who Your Friends Are (Feb 29th 1968). Cast as well as George Cole were Charles Tingwell, Clive Morton, Frederick Jaeger, Douglas Livingstone, Aubrey Richards, Denise Buckley, Mary Hignett, Gabrielle Blunt, Godfrey James, Henry Stamper and Shivendra Sinha.
Script: Roy Russell. Director: Gareth Davies.
Deadlock at the factory after a week of dispute. Banks and Gregson blames Max, believing him to be concerned only with his own future. Somes and David have agreed to call on Smedley at Garlands' luxurious city offices,
blaming them for the firm's verge of collapse. Smedley offers a way out, that the takeover should be accepted at a lower price. This Somes and David flatly reject.
At the local working men's club Gregson warns the men they could be in for a hard time. One, Ken Bartlett, believes Max ought to have been given a better chance to act.
Banks fails to persuade David to reinstate Max, thinking he is not really interested in solving the dispute. David is evidently attracted to Sandie and arranges a weekend in Brighton with her.
Max holds a clandestine meeting in the pub with Jim Askew, one of the six sacked workers. Max bravely asks Jim to risk abuse from his fellow workers and reapply for his job. Next morning Jim runs the gauntlet of the picket line, and is met at the gates by Max. To everyone Max announces he will sign Jim on when the strike is over. Gregson and Banks question Jim closely over his change of heart.
Somes and David blame Garlands for sacking the men in Max's absence. With Smedley, they consider ways out of the impasse. It is agreed to give Max a free hand for twenty four hours, and Smedley gracefully agrees to keep out of his way.
The status quo is restored. At a meeting scheduled for 4pm, Gregson warns Banks not to let his distrust of Max jeopardise negotiations. The meeting takes place in Somes' office. Max tells everyone that the key figure in the dispute Jim Askew, is on a week's leave, and that another man is willing to take on the job he had refused to do. Both sides accept this, and to joint consultation in the future. Further the factory will remain a factory.
Sandie congratulates Max on success, in turn he thanks her for her encouragement. She doesn't tell him about David and he is bewildered by her lack of warmth.
Smedley thanks Max, coolly, for his efforts. Max finds that by settling the strike he has ruined himself. Had it continued the take over would have failed and he would still be in a job.
Max meets with Gregson who is bleakly contemptuous of his shattered illusions. Neither side is grateful to Max, who now learns that the men are even blaming him for their wages lost during the strike
10 Someone I Knew (Mar 7th 1968) also with Isabel Dean, Hugh Cross, John Hallam, Margot Boyd, Rosemary Rogers, Ernest Hare and Michael Sheard. Script: Julian Bond. Director: Bill Bain.
"Max drives to Southend in a hired car and joins a funeral party in the local cemetery. Among the mourners are Lydia Laing, 40, and Frank Meredith, 45. Although utterly unprepared for Max's visit, Lydia turns to him instinctively afterwards, allowing him to drive her away from her well intentioned friends and relations. Sitting in the car near the beach, she tells Max how she has spent the past eighteen years looking after her mother, until her death, so fulfilling a promise to her father on his deathbed. Lydia had always disliked her mother for the way she had subtly punished her father for being a failure during his lifetime, and afterwards had hypocritically pretended he had been perfect. Lydia is astonished at the ease with which she is confiding in Max, and in a pub he admits his journey here had been prompted by reading about her mother's death. He now gives her a partial picture of his own life, his marriage and family and his limited success as a personnel officer.
Lydia has forgotten her friends, who may be anxious on her behalf. It is twenty years since she and Max last met and she eagerly accepts his invitation to lunch. Max, pleasantly excited, wonders how long it will be before this relationship goes sour too.
In the restaurant they nostalgically recall the intimacies, delights and disasters, of their youth shared at Oxford twenty years ago. A picnic expedition to the Perch Inn which had begun romantically but ended in Max's falling in the water, a symbol of his later life. An occasion when Lydia had felt at one with Max, but he had failed to respond to her mood. Max's short lived venture into business on his own when he had invested and lost his little capital. They agree that reality had tarnished the brilliance of many of their contemporaries, that they are failures themselves.
Breaking the mood, they make an absurd show of enjoying themselves by going to the pier amusement arcade, trying all its attractions and ending in hysterical laughter. They speculate on their possible fate had they got married, as Max had wanted. Lydia consoles herself with the idea that she has been engaged for five years to Frank, but it is not a passionate relationship. Lydia invites him home to tea.
At Lydia's Victorian home they share tea and toast like students and re-enact their first meeting. Lydia is suddenly distressed by regret for the past, but refuses to let Max comfort her. She insists they are too late and too old and she does not want a further meeting. He now tells her the truth about himself: that he and Sally are separated and only married because she refuses a divorce. Max insists that he and Lydia were genuinely in love once before and they have a chance now to put the mistakes of the past right. Insisting he needs her, Max enlarges on his own troubles with Sally, Muriel and his job. He is unprepared for Lydia's outraged response. She points out she would have welcomed him at any other time but now, when he is merely looking for a support. She believes he sees her as his last resort and accuses him of tricking her with his nostalgic talk about the past. Now, as she is asking Max to go, Frank calls. He greets Max warmly and thanks him for taking care of Lydia at a critical moment. After Max has left, she dismisses him to Frank as 'someone she knew,' but Frank guesses there had been a special relationship.
Accepting the end of another dream, Max sets off home in the hired car."
11 Never Mind How We Got Here- Where Are We? (Mar 14th 1968) also with Jean Harvey, Peter Barkworth, Basil Henson, Shelagh Fraser, Christopher Witty, Lucy Appleby, Bruce Robinson, Reg Peters and Ralph Ball.
Script: Julian Bond. Director: Alan Clarke.
"When Max goes to his bank to cash a cheque, he is asked to see the manager Mr Roberts, who is anxious to know what economies Max is preparing to make. Max tells him about the Australia offer and immediately Roberts becomes more affable and promises considerable financial help if Max takes the job. Max thanks him, explains that if he can get a divorce from his wife, he will certainly take the job, and promises to look in the following day and discuss details.
Max meets Sally in Cambridge, where she has gone with Michael, who is having interviews for a place at the university. Max is horrified when he discovers that Oliver Manson, whom he knows to be a close friend of Sally's is staying at the same hotel. That evening Sally comes to Max's room with a bottle of champagne and tells him she is prepared to give him a divorce. Max is furious that she has got himself and Manson under the same roof to discuss the matter and refuses to agree to a divorce.
Over breakfast the following morning, Max and Sally continue to row and she finally storms out of the dining room closely followed by Manson. A moment later, Michael comes in and Max tells him that he is not prepared to divorce Sally and let another man look after his children. Michael seems unperturbed and announces at the end of the meal that he passed his interview.
Max returns to the bank and tells Roberts that he is unlikely to go to Australia after all. Roberts' attitude changes abruptly and he warns Max that he will have to straighten his affairs quickly. Max goes to see Clare, and tells her that he has decided to go to Australia without her. She is surprised as mother had written to her saying that she had finished with Oliver Manson. Max is equally surprised to hear this, and wonders what the devil Sally is playing at.
Max goes to Manson's house and receives a chilly reception. Finally Manson admits that he had just been away on holiday with Sally and at the end of it she told him that she did not want after all to marry him. Max goes to Sally's house and tells her that he knows that she is finished with Manson and so why does she want a divorce? Sally explains that she feels that at last she has grown up and can stand on her own two feet. She has not given Max a divorce before, in case she needed him back. Now she feels that she can live happily alone. Max agrees that they should do the decent thing. He agrees to the divorce and they part for ever."
12 If Only Wishing Could End As Loving (Mar 21st 1968) also with Norman Rossington, Garfield Morgan, Andree Evans, Ann Rye, George Tovey, Jean Driant, Gilles Milinaire, Colin Maitland, Robert Sessions, Harry Tierney, David Billa, Maria Gray, Billy McComb, Gilles Dattas, Sylvie Dattas, Jacques Cey, Michael Faure and Ann Heffernan.
Script: Julian Bond. Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
"In the street, Max is intercepted by Bush, who would like to employ him. Bush admits he had underrated Max before, but that he had been impressed by his handling of the Garland crisis. Now he would like an early response to his offer, but Max insists he must first resolve his personal domestic problems.
He calls for Muriel at Dawson's flat, but hears she has gone to attend Lucy's school play. After hearing that Sally has offered Max a divorce at last, and admitting their mutual dislike, Dawson urges Max to make a special gesture now towards Muriel at this critical time.
Muriel has arrived at Victoria to board The Golden Arrow and is joined by Max at the last minute. He refuses to be drawn, claiming that the surprise expedition is purely for pleasure, and Muriel is satisfied. She is further pleased by their hotel at the Pas de Calais, but outside the cold wind disperses some of their romantic feelings. That evening, as they are coming down for dinner, Muriel is dismayed to meet a fellow teacher, Heather, who is staying at the same hotel with her friend Ian. There is no room for dissembling. Both couples are engaged in illicit affairs. Recognising the risk to their vulnerable new relationships, Max rushes Muriel out to a restaurant, rather than make up a foursome suggested by Ian.
The restaurant proves disappointing and Max is disgusted with the food, wine and service, and further irritated by a boisterous wedding party. Muriel agrees that the meeting with Heather has ruined the occasion for them. Max erupts at the waiter, refusing to tip him, and then marches over to the wedding party who are amusing themselves at his expense.
He relents at the last moment, seeing the pathetic young bride, and leaves abruptly.
He and Muriel go to an amusement arcade, but fail to lift the feeling of gloom. Forced into a corner, Max explains his motive in coming here, that Sally is offering a divorce. He had taken Dawson's advice that he should make a big splash, and he has spent the whole evening trying to establish the right moment to ask Muriel to marry him. Muriel is touched by his confession, and a new tender mood is generated.
Going on to a nightclub, they are put out by the arrival of Ian and Heather, but now Muriel feels herself secure enough to cope with them. All four agree that the dinners served at both hotel and restaurant had been bad.
Heather, clearly anxious and inexperienced, begs Muriel not to desert her. Ian, self appointed 'life and soul of the party,' embarks on a series of dirty stories. Both Ian and Max are agreed on an evening of hard drinking. Muriel persuades Max to act as the cabaret conjuror's stooge, but afterwards, with his suit ruined, he recalls bitterly how Sally too used to enjoy making him appear a buffoon.
Later at the club, Max and Ian are getting on well together, reminiscing and establishing mutual acquaintances, and ignoring the women. In a drunken schoolboy mood, they decide to help the cabaret stripper take her clothes off. They are forced to beat a retreat from the restive French audience, leaving the embarrassed Muriel and Heather to pay the bill.
Having got back to the hotel, Max passes out, leaving Muriel hurt and angry. He wakes in the morning, at a disadvantage, to find Muriel dressed and packing. Defending his last night's conduct, he points out that he was coerced into stooging for the conjuror, but Muriel suggests it was really the shock of having his marriage proposal accepted that had made him get drunk.
Muriel insists that they both face the truth: that the only thing they have in common is sexual attraction, and their affair only continued because Sally had happened to find it out. Max, realising how he has cheated everybody, ascribes his character defect to his public school upbringing. Piying him, and seeing him as a baby, Muriel knows their marriage would certainly fail. Miserable and desperate they return to London on The Golden Arrow and part on the platform making a clean break."
13 Long Time Since You've Got My Breakfast (Mar 28th 1968) also with Isabel Dean, Clive Morton, Charles Tingwell, Peter Jeffrey, Douglas Livingstone, Diana Beavers, Mary Hignett and Gabrielle Blunt.
Script: Julian Bond. Director: Bill Bain.
"Gwen is in Max's office typing a farewell note for him, when Mrs Carr appears, to see if he is in yet, and has made up his mind about Australia. Gwen says she has no idea.
David Somes and his father are preparing for the first meeting of the new board of HS Soames Limited, and also wondering whether Max has made up his mind.
Max is at home getting ready to go to work for the last time, when Lydia arrives with a small parting present. For a moment it looks as though she may have come to say that she has changed her mind, but finally she goes. We see Lydia and Frank, and she tells him that she feels there is no point continuing their relationship.
The meeting has come to an end, except that David suggests that the company should make some gesture to Max. He is severely reprimanded by his father and the new chairman, Rushton.
Max arrives at his office and finds Gwen's note. He goes upstairs to see Mrs Carr and she promises to let him see Somes as soon as he is free. Rushton leaves, and David tells his father that he intends giving Max a farewell gift. He goes down to Max's office and they go to the pub together for a drink. David tells Max that he thinks Max should go to Australia and get away from all the dreary people that they both know. Max agrees that it is the only thing to do. David goes back and tells his father that he has organised a party for Max at 5.30pm and intends giving him a cheque for £1,000. Somes is shamed into agreeing to contribute half the amount.
That evening Max listens while Somes delivers a speech of sickening platitudes. Max is horrified at Somes' bland hypocrisy, and still more horrified at the bland way it is received by Mrs Carr, Gwen, David and Banks. He accepts David's cheque and then tells them all what he really thinks of them, and storms out.
The following morning, with a heavy hangover, Max answers the doorbell and discovers Lydia there again. She makes breakfast and he tells her what he is going to do. She tells him that she has left Frank and is also free to start again, and this is what they decide to do."
Missing Menu
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The Love of Mike
(from April 20th 1960, A-R)
A series of 26 comedy programmes made on Ampex, the first from A-R after the end of their partnership with Jack Hylton.
Michael Medwin starred as dance band trumpeter Mike Lane, who is always in a jam with debts and dames.
Carmel McSharry as the char, and Brian Wilde as Bob, who shares his flat co-starred, though Wilde was replaced by Bernard Fox as Malcolm on and from the June 8th episode. The other co-star was George Roderick as George, a henpecked neighbour, who helps out just to get away from his wife.
Director: firstly Bill Hitchcock, then Ronald Marriott (from June 8th), then Cyril Butcher (from July 4th), also Bill Turner. Theme music written by Tommy Watt.
Contemporary criticism of the first show: "Disappointing... riddled with comedy cliches and corny situations. Medwin strained too much... the laughter wore off more than halfway through to a tiny trickle... while all the supporting characters were good, the bit players were appallingly bad."
But by the July 4th 1960 story, critic John Price was able to admit, "a fine comedy team has been moulded by the director, Cyril Butcher." The story was about George buying a greengrocer's shop next door to a new supermarket. Mike's fast talking gives George the chance to sell the shop for twice the price paid, but he refuses to sell, believing he's landed a gold mine. Instead he buys another shop opposite the supermarket.
Another story showed Mike stumbling on a judge's badge for a Miss World contest, and using it to his advantage. Another had him playing in a band at the Cannes Film Festival, but as he can't get a flight ticket, he poses as the pilot.
Being a thoroughly moral series, Medwin explained, "he never gets anywhere. All his little tricks blow up in his face."
A follow up series began on May 15th 1961:
Three Live Wires
which again starred Michael Medwin, Bernard Fox and George Roderick. They were joined by Deryck Guyler as The Manager, and Derek Benfield as Higgenbottom, who was given joint starring status from story 3.
Scripts: James Kelly and Peter Miller. Director: Christopher Hodson. except for: Don Gale (June 19th, Aug 7th). John P Hamilton (June 26th, July 17th, Sept 4th, 18th, 25th)
The series was set in a tv repair shop, so an early title mooted was All Star Repair Shop..
Episodes included: 1 French Cleaner (May 15th 1961)
2 Stranger Than Fiction (May 22nd 1961) with Bernard Hunter, Patricia Haines, Vanda Godsell and guest star Sydney Tafler.
3 The Play Off (May 29th 1961) with Bill Shine, Ronnie Stevens, Constance Wake and David Morrell.
4 Room Up Above(June 5th 1961) with Barry Macgregor, Audrey Noble, Kathleen Boutall, Tony Sympson, Grace Dolan and guest stars Peter Vaughan and Moira Redmond.
5 The Recall (June 12th 1961) with Ivor Salter, Harry Littlewood, David Blake Kelly, Alister Smart, Noel Coleman and John Bosch.
6 The Critic (June 19th 1961) with Charles Morgan and guest Peter Vaughan.
7 The Suit (June 26th 1961) with Ronnie Corbett, Peter Stockbridge, Fred Abbott, Charles Stanley, plus The Dudley Moore Trio. Guest star Kieron Moore (no Deryck Guyler).
8 Falling Star (July 3rd 1961) with Lionel Murton, Ronnie Stevens, Harry Littlewood, Joe Ritchie and guest star Dickie Henderson.
9 The Ring (July 10th 1961) with Harold Berens, Arthur Lowe and Valerie Brooks. Also with Audrey Noble, Geoffrey Denton, Agatha Carroll, Jacqueline Maude, Chris Carlsen and Gay Holden (no Deryck Guyler).
10 Winner Take All (July 17th 1961) with Anthony Sager and Leslie Handford.
11 Who Was That Lady? (July 24th 1961) with Betty Huntley-Wright, Valerie Brooks, also John Dearth and Raymond Hodge.
12 The Suggestion Box (July 31st 1961) with Timothy Bateson as Mr Bligh, Steven Scott as Mr Swan and Jessie Robins as Mrs Berry.
13 Pay or Return (August 7th 1961) with guest stars Naomi Chance as Bubbles and Freddie Mills as O'Brien. Also with Vic Wise as Cookie and Ross Hutchinson as Doctor.
14 The Salesman (August 14th 1961) with Alexander Dore, Peter Welch, also Laurel Solash and Beryl Andrews.
15 The Matchmaker (August 21st 1961)
16 Reflections (August 28th 1961) with Peter Byrne, Charles Julian, also Noel Coleman and Paul Williamson.
17 The Cash Box (September 4th 1961) with Virginia Vernon and also Hugh Evans.
18 The Tea Break (September 11th 1961) with John Scott, also Timothy Bateson, Denis DeMarney and Peter Lawrence.
19 The Disappearance (September 18th 1961) with Duncan Lewis, also Malcolm Webster and Jennifer Browne (no Deryck Guyler). This script only by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples.
20 The Rise (September 25th 1961) with John Scott.
In all there were 26 stories, the last being
26 The Holiday (November 6th 1961) with Ronnie Corbett, Joan Ingram, Renee Harrison and Patricia Haines..
Missing Menu
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Highland Fling (Associated Rediffusion)
Described as a musical comedy in six episodes,
this started on the August Bank Holiday 1957. The star was Richard Hearne, who had originally scripted it in 1939 as a musical at the Gaiety Theatre, but the war aborted the project. Now with Richard Waring, Hearne had adapted it for tv.
Henry Kendall produced the show, which was directed by John Phillips.
The original music was by Joyce Cochrane.
Programmes were made at Studio One Wembley before an audience.
The stories also starred James Hayter (except the first story) and Charles Heslop,
with Nicolette Roeg, Jean Bayliss, David Williams, and Charles Lamb.
1 No Sale (Monday August 5th 1957 at 9.30pm). Billy McQuirtle and his pals of the old estate agency of Nutty, Dime and Wormy
are selling a Scottish castle, but they appear to be doing their best to prevent anyone from buying it. But then Billy's best friend falls in love
with a millionaire client's beautiful daughter.
2 Desirable Residence (August 12th 1957). Millionaire Augustus Trim (James Hayter) won't be put off buying the castle.
3 Vacant Possession (August 19th 1957). Augustus Trim has invited the entire office to stay with him at the castle for the weekend.
4 (August 26th 1957).
5 Castle Plot (September 2nd 1957). Also with Rufus Cruikshank. Now that Trim is happily installed in the castle, there seems nothing that Billy and his pals can do. However, when they meet Red Wully,
a six foot four red-bearded gent, Billy gets the idea of entering Trim against him in the Highland Games.
6 Going Concern (September 9th 1957). It's Billy's last attempt to put Augustus Trim off. He haunts the castle in ghostly garb. Whether his plan will succeed, depends on Trim's reaction
to nocturnal disturbances.
The picture shows Richard Hearne in a publicity photo for A-R, taken from the top of their Kingsway building
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SUNDAY'S CHILD
This ABC series started on 14th June 1959, with child star
Mandy Miller, aged almost 15, starring as Mandy Proctor. Daphne Anderson co-starred as her scatty mother Evelyn Proctor.
Peter Lambda devised the series and wrote all 13 stories. Geoffrey Nethercott was the director, and the producer was Philip Dale.
Here is a contemporary account of this first story:
Mandy plays the daughter of a widow who tries to get money out of her bank manager to take a trip to New York to sell
some inventions that her husband left after he died.
When he refuses, Mandy decides to take out a loan, which is secured by her forthcoming appearance on a tv quiz.
Commented Derek Hoddinott, "I like the way the bank employees voted to support Mandy and Mandy herself was so delightful, so talented, and the direction so clever,
that I rate this the best of the new series on TV." The others in this cast were Fred Kitchen, Brian Wilde, Billy Milton, Eric Hillyard, Robert Young, Frances Leak, James Bret, Maidie Andrews, Graeme Campbell, Sheila Gill, Launce Maraschal, John Grant, Kenneth Collins, Andrew Irvine, Frank Littlewood, and Susan Tress.
Here are details of a few of the other stories:
3 Who Can Make a Thief? (June 28th 1959) guest star Ernest Thesiger as Dr Clegg. Also with Manning Wilson as Mr Peabody, Colin Douglas as Tom Gimble and David Stuart as Policeman. The local council plan to chop down a tree in the Proctor's garden. Mandy brings in the big guns
4 The Fourth Freedom (July 5th 1959) with Hana Pravda as Anna Kovacs, Stratford Johns as Police Sgt, Anthony Jennett as Policeman, Humphrey Morton as Clerk, James Raglan as Cdr Frederick Scott, Edward Evans as Glyn Morgan, Vincent Holman as Sir Wilfred Arden, Scott Harrold as Liberal MP and Ann Tirard as Wardress. An illegal visitor from another country arouses the crusader in Evelyn. Anna must be allowed to stay! It is Mandy who brings about the 'summit talks.'
7 Care and Protection (July 26th 1959) with Joan Hathorne as Moira Arlington-Smith, Margo Andrew as Angela, Geoffrey Adams as Clerk of the Court, Colin Fry as Solicitor, and Aubrey Danvers-Walker and Charles Weston as JPs, with Little Jumbo. It seems Mandy's new friend will turn out to be just another juvenile delinquent. Mandy has an idea, and it is another youngster who supplies the answer
10 What Makes the Wheels Go Round (August 16th 1959), with Hana Pravda as Anna, Tom Macaulay as Sir Robert Freeman,
Barbara Everest as Miss Lawson,
and David Graham as Denis Quendon. Mandy finds herself up against a formidable opponent who has discovered a
protege of her late father, who has discovered a revolutionary chemical process.
11 The Star (August 23rd 1959), with Patrick Holt as Rod Silvano, and Hana Pravda,
who plays a falling star threatening to upset Mandy's little world.
12 The Emperor's Tailors (Aug 30th 1959), with Howard Payne as Harry Briggs, Sidney Vivian as Biff,
William Lyon Brown as Jasper Poole, Marion Wilson as Mrs Poole, and Ewan Roberts as
Alastair McKay. Mandy finds it difficult to understand how someone can become a genius
through no fault of his own.
13 Sunday Closing (Sept 6th 1959- final story), with Hana Pravda as Anna,
Barbara Everest as Miss Lawson, Cyril Shaps as Mr Pettigrew, Billy Milton as Magistrate, John Stuart as MP,
Vincent Holman as Sir Wilfred Arden, William Lyon Brown as Jasper Poole, Marion Wilson as Mrs Poole,
Margo Andrew as Angela, Stewart Guidotti as Johnny and Fred Kitchen as Bank Manager.
An informer tries to spoil Mandy's birthday party, but many of her old friends come to the rescue of
Miss Lawson and she is able to extend her premises.
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Fire Crackers (ATV)
I really enjoyed this 1964/5 Saturday night comedy series that
starred the incompetent firemen, Alfred Marks as Charlie,
Cardew Robinson as Hairpin, and
Joe Baker as Jumbo
with Sidney Bromley as Willie,
Ronnie Brody as Loverboy.
From the Town Brigade, we met
John Arnatt as Station Officer Blazer and
Norman Chappell as Leading Fireman Piggott.
From the Cropper's Arms there were
Colin Douglas as George, and
Maureen Toal as Rosie.
The second series saw Cardew Robinson replaced by
Clive Elliott as Tadpole. Blazer was now played by Martin Boddey.
All these were regulars throughout the second series.
Scripts were, except where indicated, by Fred Robinson, the director Josephine Douglas.
Both series were produced by Alan Tarrant.
These slumbering adventures of the Cropper's End
Fire Brigade had echoes of that Will Hay Film Where's That Fire.
Their long-in-the-tooth 1898 fire engine
was loaned from the Beaulieu Motor Museum, where also
many exterior scenes were filmed.
1.1 Semi Detached
(Saturday August 29th 1964, 9.35-10.5pm, or 9.50-10.20pm, depending on ITV region).
With Joan Pickering (Mildred) and
Desmond Cullum-Jones (Postman).
1.2 Wanted: One Fire
(September 5th 1964).
Note- Maureen Toal not in this story.
1.3 Objective Case (September 12th 1964)
With Harry Landis (Mousie), Ted Carson (Barney), and
Patrick Durkin (Cruncher), the villains.
1.4 Fire Belle for Five (September 19th 1964)
With guest star Liz Fraser as Mary Medway.
1.5 Blue-Blooded Buddy (September 26th 1964)
With Leslie Dwyer (Gus, Lord Tarrington), and Duncan Lewis (Benson), at Tarrington Grange.
John Arnatt, Norman Chappell, Colin Douglas and Maureen Toal
not in this story.
1.6 Power Crazy (October 3rd 1964).
2.1 The Business as Usual (January 9th 1965, 8.25-9pm)
With Avice Landon as Lady Frogmore.
2.2 Strictly for the Birds (January 16th 1965)
With Rosalind Knight as Doris, Dilys Laye as Cynthia, and Carole Shelley as Alice.
2.3 Pie in the Sky (January 23rd 1965)
With, from Much Mouldering, Peter Hughes (Ted), John Baskcomb (Nosher),
Helen Cotterill (Lavinia), and Jeffrey Gardiner (Reporter).
2.4 Slap on the Map (January 30th 1965)
With, as tourists, Warren Stanhope (Harvey), Ann Lancaster (Elaine),
Clive Endersby (Orville), and Josephine Bell (Jane).
2.5 The Willie Waghorn Story (February 6th 1965)
(script written by John Warren and John Singer)
With Godfrey Quigley as Chief Officer, and John Henderson (Mr Clitheroe).
2.6 Beautiful Dreamer (February 13th 1965)
(script written by John Warren and John Singer)
With, at the museum, Billy Milton (Mr Waygood).
2.7 Saved by the Bell (February 20th 1965).
This final story was scripted by Fred Robinson.
With Robert Webber (Vicar), and John Bay (Rory).
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The Odd Man
The main character, Steve Gardiner, was played by Geoffrey Toone in the first Odd Man serial from Granada in autumn 1960.
Other regulars in this half hour serial written by Eddie Boyd were
Steve's wife Judy (Jan Holden), with the police represented by Chief-Insp Gordon
(Moultrie Kelsall) and Det-Sgt MacBride (Alan Tilvern).
Others in the cast included Judith Furse, Jemma Hyde and Geoffrey Palmer.
In this first serial, music was by Bill le Sage, the producer was Jack Williams and the director Gordon Flemyng.
Synopsis of this serial: "whoever attacked Dorothy Berridge in her flat is now a
murderer, following her death in hospital. The two main suspects are Dorothy's
financier husband Bernard and Charles Ormiston (Richard Vernon), a petty crook
who is also suspected of having poisoned his wife. Steve Gardiner traces Ormiston to his hideout
and hears Ormiston practically confess to both crimes before pulling a gun and making his escape."
A second serial of 8 episodes of 55 minutes duration began in May 1962 now with Edwin Richfield as the
theatrical agent Steve Gardiner and Sarah Lawson as Judy. Lawson described her part as a terribly unhappy person whose
marriage is falling to pieces. In the final story she is murdered.
Moultrie Kelsall continued as the chief inspector, but with a new assistant, a young Keith Barron as Det-Sgt Swift.
Stuart Latham was the producer with Derek Bennett directing.
Appearing in this serial was a mute multi-assassin called South (Christopher Guinee). He only ever uttered one word, "yes,"
and some decided that he was The Odd Man, though Granada always insisted this was Steve.
Another regular was South's unnamed landlord (Patrick Newell).
Other one off roles in series two included the double barrelled
Hugesson-Vachell (Anton Rodgers), Sarasin (Philip Latham), Dickinson (Godfrey Quigley) and
Goodson (John Abineri).
The third series was again produced by Stuart Latham, but the director was now Richard Everitt.
Granada's Derek Hilton supplied the music.
These were more self-contained stories lasting 55 minutes beginning on 5th April 1963. Richfield continued as Steve, while
Sarah Lawson made an amazing return as the double of Steve's late wife, the sophisticated Anne Braithwaite.
Keith Barron also continued as Swift, though now under Chief-Insp Rose, played by William Mervyn. Anna Cropper was another regular as Ruth Jenkins.
Guest stars included Lynne Furlong (12 April) in the title role of The Last Bright Hours of Georgia Snow.
On April 26th John Stratton and Joan Newell, who had appeared in the first series, played a married couple in Yesterday is for Psychiatrists.
This Stuff's Thicker than Water on 10th May featured James Bolam as the "very determined" Juke Justice, with Alfred Drake as Brother Paul.
Ingrid Hafner co-starred the following week in The Betrayal of Ambrose Fleech (Aubrey Morris), whilst Kay Callard and Peter Butterworth were the guests
on 24th May in the final story Prince on a White Horse. A fourth and final series of eight stories came in the summer of 1963. This was a hugely popular series, and, unusually, was repeated in peak viewing time.
It seems the whole of the 1960 serial is still in existence, thankfully, a couple of the second series, and all of the third and fourth series.
It's Dark Outside
was a 1964 sequel to The Odd Man, with William Mervyn and Keith Baron reprising their
police roles. Steve Gardiner had gone but new characters starring were Anthony and Alice Brand
(John Carson and June Tobin).
The scripts were now mostly by Marc Brandel, with the production in the hands of Derek Bennett. The start of a second series
was celebrated on the cover of TV Times for 20th Feb 1965.
William Mervyn had one final outing for his character in his own series Mr Rose.
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Tracey and Me(Associated Rediffusion, 1956)
A situation comedy starring
Joan Heal as Tracey and
Leslie Phillips as Me, that is husband Wally.
He is a successful architect, easy going, always a little mystified by his exuberant wife. She was described as "a dizzy scatterbrained girl, always in trouble." The show centred on her, "I knew a lot of other actresses (twenty apparently) had been tested for the same role," Joan Heal said, "so I thought the only thing to do was to bash at it like a fiend- give them too much rather than too little." Her test was relayed to executives and won her the part.
Others tested for her role definitely included Eleanor Summerfield, Katie Boyle and Rona Anderson. Richard Murdoch and Nicholas Parsons also tested for 'Me.'
"As Tracey's husband," Leslie Phillips explained, "I have to be an ordinary patient sort of chap."
Other regulars in the series were George Benson, playing Wally's best client, and Nicolette Roeg as a close friend of Tracey's.
The script was by John Crilley and the director Peter Croft.
The first of this series was shown on ITV London (but not, I think, in the Midlands/North) on Tuesday July 17th 1956 at 10pm. The episode was titled The Personal Secretary, with Sandra Dorne as Hyacinth in the title role, far too glamorous Tracey feels, to be Wally's new secretary. Also appearing were George Benson as Mr Crudnick, Robert Webber as Albert, Edna Fryer as Wally's personal secretary Miss Peabody, and Nicolette Roeg as Dorothy.
If you can add any details of this rare forgotten series, I would be very pleased to hear from you, and acknowledge your help
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Top Secret
"The public is ready for a new setting," claimed
producer Jordan Lawrence, and A-R provided just that in this 1961
series set in Argentina. But even I watching at the time, realised
that most of the action took place live in the studio! But A-R did get
some location filming done in the country by director Ian Fordyce, and the picture here is a still from this visit,
with star William Franklyn, who left England on April 2nd 1961. A-R's film unit spent six weeks filming, not without its drama, for William Franklyn was nearly swept to his death in deep waters. Fortunately he was a good swimmer, and production continued, undeterred. Originally it had been planned to set the series in Brazil, but apparently the Brazilians proved "too temperamental."
Franklyn played Peter Dallas, "he has a quiet laconic manner, being realistic, logical, and dedicated, reluctantly ruthless when necessary." He is on leave from British Intelligence to work for
extremely rich local businessman Miguel Garetta (Patrick Cargill).
Garetta's nephew Mike (Alan Rothwell) usually assisted Dallas, when that is, he did not get in the way.
One other regular was Tina, played by Frieda Knorr.
The opening story on August 11th, Destination Buenos Aires, introduced Dallas to
his native Argentina, and included Honor Blackman high up the cast list.
Further down were stalwarts Reginald Marsh and Geoffrey Bayldon.
The following week, with guest stars William Devlin, Barry Keegan, Basil Dignam and Bill Nagy,
Dallas was searching Buenos Aires for a potential assassin, while future stories saw him destroying
a drug pedalling gang, preventing a revolution (8th September) and exposing a traitor. Among well known faces appearing
in one-off stories were Hazel Court, Paul Eddington, Janette Sterke (tv comeback May 30th 1962), Adrienne Poster (then aged 13), and Robert James.
26 episodes were planned, but a long Equity strike interrupted production, so the series went off-air
in November 1961, but unlike some other series, did return to complete the run, starting in May 1962. The stories
were exciting, and with writers the calibre of Roger Marshall, that's no surprise, though the biggest hit was
that memorable theme by Laurie Johnson, Sucu Sucu.
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Biggles
This series had been announced as being issued by Network on dvd in 2099!! I shall be up in heaven by then and able to see it before that time.
In 1960 Granada produced a series of 30 minute stories of WE Johns' famous hero.
Regulars in the cast were Nevil Whiting as Biggles, David Drummond as Bertie and
John Leyton as Ginger, with Martin Boddey as Inspector Gaskin. Carl Duering
played arch enemy Von Stalhein, with John Gabriel as his henchman Laxter. "It's giving me a big thrill to play the part on tv," declared Nevil Whiting, "it will be an action packed series after the first episode that will be an introduction to the characters."
Stories were produced by Harry Elton. First scripts were adapted for tv by
HV Kershaw, with the programme directed by Stuart Latham. Here are the 1960
dates of transmission. Granada also repeated the stories 9 to 29 in their own
region the following year at 5.25pm. The good news is that all the stories seem to have survived!
The critics were none too kind. Those brought up on the books were severely disappointed. GT wrote: "Stuart Latham directs with as much verve as he can but, judging the first episode, he doesn't look as if he will solve his main problem, that of creating even the minutest modicum of excitement."
Episode 1 on Friday April 1st 1960 Biggles at the Home Front:
Biggles goes into action against jewel thieves.
The second story on 8th
April continued investigations into the £100,000 robbery, leading to an old
country manor in Hertfordshire.
Episode 3- April 15th: Biggles comes face to
face with Von Stalhein.
4- A new story began on April 22nd, Biggles Flies North, directed by
Christopher McMaster. Biggles Ginger and Bertie fly North to help an old friend.
5- April 29th: Biggles & Co walk into a trap and are wanted for murder.
6- May 6th: Ginger is sheltering in a trappers' hunt whilst Biggles and
Bertie make a forced landing. Alick Hayes now writing the scripts.
7- May
13th: Angus shoots at a plane landing on Eskimo Island, not realising his
daughter is on board.
8- May 20th: A showdown with McBain.
9- A new
adventure began on May 27th, Biggles Follows On, written by HV Kershaw and directed by Stuart Latham.
Wreckage of an aircraft is picked up in the North Sea. Cast included Peter Vaughan, Garfield Morgan.
10- June 3rd: a hard
fought duel with Von Stalhein.
11- June 10th (repeated May 25th 1961): Von
Stalhein is the mastermind behind an international plot.
12- June 17th
(repeated May 26th 1961): Biggles and his friends fly to Hamburg. Cast included Edwin Richfield.
13- June 24th
(repeated June 1st 1961): Police are led on a wild goose chase as Biggles comes
face to face with Von Stalhein.
14- Wed June 29th (repeated June 2nd 1961):
2,000 miles up the Amazon our heroes stop Von Stalhein. Series now bi-weekly.
15- Fri July 1st (repeated June 8th 1961) Biggles Takes Charge: Thomas Clarke now writing this
new story, with Douglas Hurn producing. On holiday in Monte Carlo, Bertie and
Ginger get involved in the disappearance of a Crown Prince. Note: Billy Milton appeared in at least one of this batch as Monsieur Victor, owner of Chez Victor, a smart Monte Carlo restuarant.
16- July 6th
(repeated June 9th 1961): Von Stalhein strikes a bargain with Count Prutski, the
Moldavian Minister of the Interior.
17- July 8th (repeated June 15th 1961):
Bertie and Ginger are still carrying on alone fighting Von Stalhein.
18- July 13th (repeated June 16th 1961): Biggles helps Count Prutski against Prince
Boris and Prince Karl.
19- July 15th (repeated June 22nd 1961): Count
Prutski is on the trail of the Moldavian bullion. Biggles is trapped on a yacht.
20- July 20th (repeated June 23rd 1961): final episode. Biggles and Prince Boris are on their own. Von Stalhein is in complete control. Have the enemies of freedom triumphed in Moldova?
21- July 22nd
(repeated June 29th 1961) A new story written by Tony Warren and directed by
Eric Price. Could the Germans have developed a foolproof anti-radar device at the end of the war? MI5 think they did, and Biggles must find the plans.
22- July 27th (repeated June 30th 1961) Biggles on Mystery Island: The mystery of the
island of Orotavia is discovered by our heroes as their retreat is cut off. George Mikell appeared in this story.
23- July 29th (rpt July 6th 1961): Prisoners on Mystery Island, our heroes
are prevented from escaping by Hara's vicious dogs.
24- Aug 3rd (rpt July 7th 1961) Biggles Baits the Trap: Now written by Harry Kershaw, this new adventure directed by
Christopher McMaster. Biggles looks for the plans of a German anti-radar device.
25- Aug 5th (rpt July 13th 1961): Biggles gets an old friend to get Von
Stalhein to lead them to the missing blueprints. With Alan Rolfe as Abel, Ian
Colin as Rawlinson, Arthur Lovegrove as Pybus and Marianne Hesketh, Geoffrey
Frederick.
26- Aug 10th (rpt July 14th 1961): A mysterious lady from America
is the link to finding the top secret plans. With Alan Rolfe, Ian Colin, Steve
Plytas as Keller, Arthur Lovegrove, and Philip Carr, Nancy Manningham, James
Cheshire.
27- Aug 12th (rpt July 20th 1961): Von Stalhein races with Biggles
to find the blueprints.
28- Aug 17th (rpt July 21st 1961): Von Stalhein makes a desperate bid to keep his slight lead in the race for the vital anti-radar blueprints.
29- Aug 19th (rpt July 27th 1961), the end of this adventure. Biggles faces an impossible decision. He must choose wither the life of his friend Ernie Pybus or defeat at the hands of his enemy Von Stalhein.
30 Aug 24th, 31 Aug 26th, 32 Aug 31st. Biggles at World's End. Directed by Derek Bennett, produced by Kitty Black. (Reginald Marsh one of the cast.) Two botanists are lost in Tierra del Fuego. When Biggles arrives to look for them he finds a strange atmosphere of suspicion and distrust. When the botanists are found, along with a vast hoard of treasure, Biggles is arrested on a charge of spying.
33 Sept 2nd Biggles Turns the Scale, 34 Sept 4th, 35 Sept 9th. Script: Harry Kershaw. Director: Christopher McMaster. With
Carl Duerring,
Stratford Johns (Warren),
Christopher Rhodes (Wing Cmdr Blair),
Terence Soall (Henry Wing),
Arnold Diamond (Valdez),
Barry Shawzin (Cordera),
Derek Sydney (Andrew),
James Mellor (Martinez) and Kevin Brennan (Dr Pardo).
Biggles' plane is shot down in South America, caught up in the Dos Rios revolution. Von Stalhein captures the country's president.
36 Sept 14th Biggles Springs the Lock, 37 Sept 16th, 38 Sept 21st. Cast included Lloyd Lamble, Robert Ayres, Charles Carson
39 Sept 23rd Biggles in the East, 40 Sept 28th, 41 Sept 30th. With William Mervyn.
42 Oct 5th Biggles on the Nile, 43 Oct 7th, 44 Oct 12th. Story: Harry Kershaw. Director: Christopher McMaster. All with Carl Duering, Richard Shaw (Kurt Johannis), Francis Matthews (Captain Haziri). The final part of this serial definitely also included Raymond Young (Leo Franks), Roger Delgado (Dr Ahmed Zakar), Ann Wakefield (Jasmine Day), Henry Reynaud (Yusef), Arthur Lovegrove (Ernie Pybus again), andGeorge Howe (Prof Maitland Dent). In this last episode ever, Biggles has reached the excavations in the tomb where von Stalhein has already found the treasure. However the roof of the tomb is collapsing!
Note: Apart from actors listed above, the following have stated they appeared in Biggles:
Robert Henderson, Oliver Reed, Andre Muller, and Ernst Ulman.
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The Gay Cavalier
was a very rare foray by Associated-Rediffusion
into film series, though in reality it was made by veteran independent producer George King.
Directors were Terence Fisher, Lance Comfort, and George King himself. Scripts were supervised by Katherine Strueby.
Filmed in 1956 at Shepperton Studios, and shown on Associated Rediffusion starting May 13th 1957, it was based on the real character of Captain Duval, a French officer turned highwayman in the cause of the exiled Charles II.
"England is locked in civil war. From this struggle emerged men like Cpt Duval,
who loved and laughed at danger. He is known to every secret Royalist in the land- and sought by every Roundhead,
for he is in touch with his friend, the exiled king, who trusts Duval above all others."
Christian Marquand was the star. Other semi regulars in this series were:
Larry Burns as Dinny O'Toole, Duval's faithful and wily henchman, and Sydney Bromley as Purdy.
The obligatory 'villain' was Major Mould, chief of Intelligence under Cromwell, played by Ivan Craig.
That fine star Greta Gynt who played Julia Peckstaff,
wife of the Mayor of Brixham, was in three stories, #1, #6 and #11.
The only others to appear in the same character more than once were Joyce Linden as Katie (stories #2 and #13),
Simone Silva as Clo in #5 and #10, and Charles Farrell as The Deacon, also in #5 and #10. In #3 appeared Christopher Lee.
Charles Stuart does eventally appear in the final story, played by Richard Bebb, but it's a shame the action never got beyond the year 1651, for
the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 would have made a grand story!
The thirteen films made were:
1 Springtime for Julia,
2 Dragon's Heart,
3 The Lady's Dilemma,
4 The Masked Lady,
5 Angel Unawares,
6 Flight of the Nightingale,
7 The Sealed Knot,
8 The Lost is Found,
9 Girl of Quality,
10 The Little Cavalier,
11 Return of the Nightingale,
12 Forsaking All Others,
13 A Throne at Stake.
Script supervisor was Katherine Strueby, and directors of the films were Terence Fisher, Lance Comfort and George King himself.
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April 19th 1965- Gliding at Sutton Bank nr Thirsk (Tyne Tees TV)
May 3rd 1965- Fitness with Ron Pickering. Power in Sport with Tony Clemo and pupils of Waterhall School Cardiff (TWW)
May 24th 1965 - Show Jumping from Hickstead with Raymond Brooks-Ward (Southern)
May 31st 1965- Canoe Building with George Glasgow (Ulster TV)
June 7th 1965 - Canoe Sailing with George Glasgow No 2 (Ulster TV)
June 21st 1965 - Golfing at Gleneagles, introduced by Arthur Montford. Roy Castle v Eric Brown (Scottish TV)
June 28th 1965 - Sea-fishing with Major Moore, Christopher Glover and Richard Carter, introduced by Stuart Hutchison (Westward TV)
July 5th 1965 - Pony Trekking with Hugh MacGregor, introduced by David Webster (Border TV)
July 12th 1965 - Hydroplaning with Dick Graham at Oulton Broad (Anglia TV)
July 19th 1965 - Off-Shore Cruising with Jock Kerr-Hunter (Scottish TV)
Aug 9th/16th 1965 - Water Ski-ing with Bob Panton and Fred Dinenage (Southern TV)
Aug 30th/Sept 6th 1965 - Freshwater Fishing with Arthur Oglesby and James Lloyd at Pauperhaugh Bridge Rothbury (TTTV)
Sept 13th 1965 - Aeromodelling with James Spankie (Grampian TV)
Sept 20th 1965 - Archery with Hector Simpson and Kevin Flanagan (Ulster TV)
Sept 27th 1965 Catamaran sailing with Marcel le Masson (Channel TV)
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One of the smaller company's
contributions- from Westward TV,
introduced by Stuart Hutchison
(June 28th 1965)
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Oct 4th 1965 - Parachuting with Ron Pickering and John Scriminger at RAF Abingdon (TWW)
Oct 11th 1965 - Surf Riding with Bob Armstrong (Channel TV)
Oct 18th 1965 - Shotgun Shooting with Percy Stanbury and Major Baillie, introduced by Jack Hargreaves (Southern TV)
Oct 25th 1965 - Diving with Norman Scarsfield and Brian Phelps, introduced by James Lloyd from Felling Baths (TTTV)
Nov 1st/8th 1965 - Golfing with Eric Brown and Bruce Forsyth and Ronnie Carroll at Gleneagles (Scottish TV)
Nov 22nd 1965 - Sand Yachting with Ted Benson, introduced by James Lloyd from Felling Baths (TTTV)
Dec 6th 1965 - Railway Modelling with Stuart Hutchison and Kenneth Macleod (Westward TV)
Dec 13th 1965 - Ski-ing with James Spankie (Grampian TV)
Dec 20th 1965 - Boat Building with Frank Dye and Chris Kelly (Anglia TV)
Dec 27th 1965 - Learning to Fish with Jack Hargreaves on the River Stour, and Fred Dinenage (Southern TV)
The series finished at the end of 1965
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King of Diamonds
Starring John Lupton as Johnny King
Director: Robert Lynn
Devised and produced by Harry Alan Towers.
A ZIV production.
Date: 1960.
39 stories presold to A-R in London, ABC in the Midlands and Granada in the North.
A half hour series shot in Hollywood, but with location scenes in London and Europe. The plan had been to make half the series in Britain, the remainder in America.
One of several pilots shot in early 1960 and finished by March, was
Appointment in Pelikan Straat
Co-star was Audrey Dalton. Others in the cast: Bill Owen, Douglas Wilmer, Claire Gordon, John van Eyssen, Jean Long.
Scenes were shot in the Criterion Restaurant and Festival Hall London as well as abroad in Antwerp, and at Brussels, Orly and Le Bouget Airports.
My guess is that this pilot was rejected in favour of the American-made series which was to have as its star Broderick Crawford as John King. I'd be pleased if you can add anything, about this particular story.
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In February 1963, ABC taped a 40 minute pilot for a show set in a holiday camp (must have been pre Hi-de-Hi).
The star was Donald Churchill, the director Ben Churchill.
This was a pilot for a possible series, but it seems never to have been shown
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All Aboard
The story of the Adriana cruise ship. During the run of 26 episodes there were several crossings of the Atlantic plus a tour of the Med- in the studio at least!
This series started on 6th December 1958 in the ABC region only, but was networked from 24th January 1959, replacing Southern TV's Mary Britten MD.
The regular stars were Susan Shaw as assistant purser Janet Fraser, Avril Angers as stewardess Joan Harrison, Richard Coleman as radio operator Mark Rogers, and the then little known Arthur Lowe as a steward, Sydney Barker. Included in familiar faces on the passenger list was Susannah Yorke (see picture)
who falls in love with a violinist (seated next to her). Others on board for some stories were Gordon Jackson, Gerald Flood/ Annette Karel (Feb 28th 1959), Richard O'Sullivan, and Terence Alexander/ Julie Stevens (on May 23rd 1959).
The script was by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples, and directors included ABC's regular, Guy Verney, and, later stories, Anthony Finnigan who had been floor manager at the commencement of the series.
On the left is an ad in a trade paper by the producer- who got the part? Thanks to Mark VN, it can be revealed that the answer is 16 year old twins Virginia and Patsy Jameson from London, their vital statistics 35-22-35..
Sat Jan 3rd 1969: Full cast: Avril Angers, Richard Thorpe, Arthur Lowe, Susan Shaw, Richard Coleman, John Gale, Marion Mathie (Betty Masters), June Jago (Gwen Wilson), Richard O'Sullivan, Gordon Jackson, Dulcie Bowman (Mrs Atherstone), George Coulouris (Grey), Charles Mortgan (Bill Stafford), Margaret Anderson (Pauline Webster) and John Carson (Fred).
Details of the first fully networked story:
Saturday January 24th 1959, 6.30-7pm. The ship's company prepare to cross the Atlantic from New York. Steward Syd Barker is in trouble already. Peter Norton has had more adventures ashore than he bargained for. Full cast: Avril Angers, Arthur Lowe, Susan Shaw, Richard Coleman, John Gale (Third Officer Peter Norton), Charles Morgan (Bill Stafford), Marion Mathie (Betty Masters), Richard Thorp (John Caldwell), Peter Greenspan (Bell Boy), Leslie Sands (Austin Carter), Elizabeth Wallace (Penelope Smith), and David Kelly (Terry O'Brien).
Sat Apr 9th 1959: A sudden reduction in dollar earnings by the ship's bar might be explained in many ways, but with Sid Barker, who would bother to look for any other explanation? Full cast: Avril Angers, Arthur Lowe, Susan Shaw, Richard Coleman, John Gale, Haydn Jones (steward Tom Williamson), Anthony Bate (AB Morley), John Kidd (radio operator Johnstone), Marion Mathie (nursing sister Betty Masters), with passengers Susannah Yorke, Reginald Smith (Mr Mills), and Murray Hayne.
Sat Apr 16th 1959: The mystery of Alice's behaviour is explained as friendship ripens between her and young violinist Ian Ashworth.
Full cast: Avril Angers, Arthur Lowe, Susan Shaw, Richard Coleman, John Gale, Haydn Jones, Anthony Bate, John Kidd, Marion Mathie, with Susannah Yorke, Reginald Smith, and Murray Hayne.
Sat May 16th 1959: While the SS Adriana is in Gibraltar, some passengers go ashore, at least one of them for a sinister purpose. On board, Joan Harrison and Syd Barker find themselves involved with Sir Jack and Lady Gilbert. Full cast: Avril Angers, Arthur Lowe, Susan Shaw, Richard Coleman, John Gale, Charles Morgan, with passengers Julian Somers (Sir Jack Gilbert), Georgina Cookson (Lady Gilbert), Mary Webster (Imogen Gilbert), Terence Alexander (Alan Rogers) and Igor Tamarin (Johnny Cimarosa)
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Dick and the Duchess (1957)
It's scarcely possible to imagine this comedy drama series, filmed at MGM Elstree Studios, hasn't survived.
With Hazel Court as the star, here's one seriously neglected series. Maybe this was producer Sheldon Reynolds' best filmed series, for with a supporting cast that included Richard Wattis, Michael Shepley and Beatrice Varley as the housekeeper, it must be worth another look today! Another character who made occasional appearances was the police sergeant played by the fine Peter Butterworth.
OK, so the star was more forgettable, Patrick O'Neal playing an insurance investigator, Dick Starrett, married to Jane, The Duchess of the title, the daughter of a real live English earl. Dick's work takes him among the shady characters of London's underworld, and The Duchess, who has a taste for adventure, won't be left out. But unfortunately, she has a unique talent for doing the wrong thing at the right time!
Surely any series that could attract Margaret Rutherford as a guest star, must be due for resurrection.
Margaret Rutherford appeared in The Kissing Bandit as a much married widow. Amongst others appearing in one of the stories were Sydney Tafler, William Mervyn, Irene Handl, Michael Medwin, Kenneth Williams and William Franklyn.
Behind the scenes was executive producer Nicole Milinaire, who was soon to become a real life duchess, and marry the well known Duke of Bedford.
Michael Winner in his own entry in a 1960's Film and TV Year Book states he was "director" on this series, but probably this means of the second unit?
There were 26 twenty five minute films made. Where are they all hiding? Hazel Court went to New York in late 1957 for a four day "exposure and promotional trip." Let's expose this series again! Anyone got a complete episode of this series?
Details of clips from two stories on YouTube:
7 An American- We meet Jane in her flimsy nightie in the communal hallway. Dick whisks her in very quickly. He is on the Waterfront Case and interviews the dithery Dr Porter about the claim on client Henry Stevenson. This offers Richard Goolden a fine opportunity to ham it up, continuously confusing poor Dick with the client. Xrays show Dick is "a very sick man." Thus although Peter has arranged an interview with an important contact, Dick is still busy at the doctor's.
26 The Candlesticks- The Starretts are off for a break in the country. Dick wants to go by train, but Jane prefers the car, so after a minor squabble it's by car they travel. Jane dresses him hurriedly, "I'd rather look human!" But coincidentally Peter is dressed similarly. Their MG JNN900 is cramped for the three of them, but they reach a village where a yokel (Hal Osmond) points them in the wrong direction. Thus when they reach the pub, the yokel has got there ahead of them. Sally the receptionist says the place is fully booked, but her action is explained when Jane discovers a person in her cupboard. He is Johnny (John Stratton), Sally's boy friend, and he is hiding because he is suspected of stealing the antique candlesticks, an insurance claim Dick is investigating. Jane decides to help and hides him
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Discs a Gogo (first opened in 1961)
A lot of independent tv stations attempted to cash in on the pop music bandwagon. In Wales and the West, TWW persuaded Kent Walton, better known for his wrestling commentaries, to compere their weekly swinging show.
Some famous names appeared on the half hour show, and it became so popular that it was taken by some stations
(STV, Ulster, TTT, Anglia (from Mar 12th 1962), Border, Westward periodically, and briefly WWN), though never screened by the Big Four companies.
Opal Louis Nations, aka Martin Hummingbird of The Frays, tells me of an appearance alongside The Who and Dusty Springfield. He writes, "our segments of Go-Go were pre-recorded during the afternoon of the telecast. I sung Turn on your Love Light with the group, and Take the Easy Way Out, with a female as a love ballad duet. I seem to recall that the female was a regular stand-in on the program. All I remember is we came on before The Who, I chatted with all of the members. They thought The Frays were really good. I saw the whole show from the windows of the studio."
Geoff Leonard explained that Starfire by The John Barry Seven & Orchestra was the signature tune for the programme. He added, "the cartoon was a fox called Gogo, animated by Harry Hargreaves, which
accompanied a different record each week.
One I remember was I won't Go Hunting With You Jake, But I'll Go Chasing Women, by Jimmy Dean."
On many of the episodes they would show a sequence of cartoons, almost like an early pop video. David Hoey can recall some of these cartoons, "one of which was The Girl from Wolverton Mountain by Jo Ann Campbell (1962), another was Do you hear what I hear? by Bing Crosby (1963), this one being shown for two consecutive weeks. Three other songs I remember were Starfire by the John Barry Seven (1961), Bambino by the Springfields and Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel (1965)."
A Discs a Gogo bonus if you came to dance on the show was the gift of a badge. They are quite common today, so they must have been dished out fairly liberally! There was also a dance troupe, The Gojo's, the brainchild of
choreographer Jo Cook.
Two of the regular dancers were Carol Rogers and Dudley Canvin. Their daughter Kate told me, "dad had fan mail for his 'oversized' jumpers requesting patterns, my nan knitted them!"
Geoff Leonard remembers the girl who looked after the coffee bar with Frank (Harding) was
"a dumb blonde called Connie (Greengrove). She literally never spoke,
it was a kind of gimmick."
Tana Burdon danced on the show, and writes, "I regularly went to the TWW studios in Arnos Vale Bristol to dance in the show (mainly because as poor young cash strapped thing I had little money and the studio provided a free meal for participating extras.) I worked in Bristol and had a half day on a Wednesday when I rushed to get my hair brushed up before charging to Arnos Vale. Normally there were two takes in one week and then two weeks later we returned to record the following two episodes. Claudette Llewellyn was the make up artist, and Chris Mercer was the producer.
My sole claim to fame was to be selected to sit on the rostrum with Screaming Lord Sutch. I had to scream my head off when he lunged at me singing, “I’m a hep for you baby I can’t get enough of your love…." etc.
I did enjoy dancing with my partner from London a guy called Adrian we often had smooches and close ups especially to Marie Elena. We were supposed to be dead serious but Adrian kept tickling me and I had the excruciating desire to giggle - what fun…
I had auburn red hair and nearly always wore Helenka stretch leggings the fashion at the time- I guess the show went out in black and white in those days. Adrian and I used to stand on the third spot on the opening rostrum after a couple from Cardiff. Well those were fun days."
Gloucester boy Ian ‘Ossie’ Howells remembers the night Blue Moon Club members were ferried by coach from Cheltenham to Bristol to take part in the filming of Discs A GoGo.
“I remember some people came up from the Bristol studio one Sunday night to select who they wanted to be on the show. They came round whilst we were all dancing and tapped us on the shoulder and gave us a card if we were selected to go.
It was all new to us but had a great time there and I remember Chris Andrews, Twinkle, Wayne Fontana and Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames were all part of the show. At the end of every song, one of the production crew would come round with a board telling us when to clap!”
Tony Brown adds: the Blue Moon Club Cheltenham was visited by representatives from TWW to audition to appear on Discs A GoGo. During a dance track they moved around the floor of the Blue Moon Club handing out tickets to attend a recording of the show at the TWW studios in Bristol.
Each act was set up in different locations on small box like stages, and during each performance we were herded by floor managers, with instruction boards, to each location to be recorded. Quite chaotic really as well as trying to dance you had to have one eye open for trailing cables and large TV cameras. My memory unfortunately is rather hazy as to who was appearing on the show that night, apart from Georgie Fame plus another band and a female and male singer of the time.
Although the evening was great fun for all the Moon attendees, it did lack atmosphere mainly due to miming, which when viewed live, was atrocious.
I was lucky to see the recorded transmission of the show- as a couple, Liz and I did appear fleetingly in one shot as I recognised my polo with the three silver rings on one sleeve"
"The gayest coffee bar in town," was run by Gogo, a jazzy cartoon character created by Harry Hargreaves.
All the audience were given the badge shown on the right. Quite a lot were issued, though I find it hard to swallow that in March 1962 TWW said they had issued nearly 100,000!
Malcolm Goddard staged the dances, early programmes also included a puppet created by Frank Mumford.
Thank you so much to all who have kindly supplied this data. More needed!- I'd be pleased to hear from you, and acknowledge your help here.
Details of some of the shows:
Please note that transmission dates varied in the regions that showed Gogos.
KENT WALTON introduced the shows, except where stated otherwise. (For later programmes, he was joined by Tony Prince, a DJ at The Top Rank in Bristol.)
The first ever show was on Thursday September 14th 1961 at 6.15pm. Among those appearing was Paul Raven (later to become Gary Glitter)
Thursday January 4th 1962 (6.15pm) with Nero and the Gladiators, Joy and Dave. Script: Ker Robertson. Arranger: Jim Douglas Henry. Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Feb 8th 1962: New Orleans Knights, Confederates Jazz Band
March 1st 1962: the show included Mike Cotton and his Jazzmen, and The Mudlarks who sang Coney Island Washboard, and Them Twisting Bones
April 23rd 1962: John Leyton, Jim McHarg Scotsville Jazz Band
May 14th 1962: Marty Wilde
May 28th 1962: Doug Sheldon
June 4th 1962: Garry Mills, Mike Cotton and his Jazzmen
June 11th 1962: Brook Brothers
Sept 24th 1962: Mark Wynter
Monday October 15th 1962
with Mike Cotton and His Jazzmen, Russ Sainty, Christine Quaite (singing Your Nose is Gonna Grow). Plus Frank Harding, Connie Greengrove.
Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Dec 3rd 1962: The Beatles
Monday December 31st 1962 with Gerry Brown's Jazzmen, Simone Jackson, Neil Christian and Jimmy Powell. Plus Frank Harding, Connie Greengrove. Script: Ker Robertson. Producer- Chris Mercer.
Feb 18th 1963 Janice Nicholls
Monday April 22nd 1963 with Patsy Ann Noble, Chris Barber's Jazz Band, Mike
Preston and Vince Hill
May 13th 1963: Billy Fury
Monday May 27th 1963 with Mark Wynter, Cyril Davies
Rhythm and Blues All-Stars, Jan Burnette, Johnny Towers
June 3rd 1963: Eden Kane, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas
Monday June 17th
1963 with Duffy Power, Clyde Valley Stompers, Clodagh Rogers
Monday June 24th
1963 with Richard Bono, Jackie Trent, Kenny Lynch, Alex Welsh Dixieland Band
Monday July 29th 1963 with Patsy Ann Noble, Neil Christian, Alex Welsh and
His Band. Director: Terence de Lacey. Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Sept 2nd 1963: The Springfields
100th show
Monday September 23rd 1963 with Frank Ifield, Susan Maughan, Johnny
Dankworth Quintet. Producer- Chris Mercer.
Sept 30th 1963 Kenny Lynch, Cilla Black, Keane and The Bossmen
Oct 7th 1963 John Leyton, Dave Clark, Julie Driscoll, plus Mike Cotton
Oct 21st 1963 Billy Boyle, Rod and Carolyn, plus Mike Cotton
Nov 4th Marty Wilde, Kiki Dee, Terry Lightfoot's Jazzmen
Nov 11th 1963: Frankie Vaughan, Patsy Ann Noble, Alan Elsdon
Nov 18th Jimmy Young, Eileen Duffy, Pete Kerr's Scottish All Stars
Dec 9th Sheila Southern, Kenny Ball's Jazzmen
Dec 16th The Vernon Girls, Mike Hurst, Monty Sunshine 's Jazz Band
Dec 23rd Billy Fury, The Classmates, Dick Charlesworth and His City Gents
Dec 30th 1963 Gene Vincent, Mickie Most, Mike Cotton Jazzmen
Jan 6th 1964 Kenny Lynch, Frenesi Watson, Terry Lightfoot and His Jazzmen
Jan 13th Gary Miller, Julie grant, Alex Welsh and His Jazz Band
Jan 20th Danny Williams, Tony Sheveton, Miar Davies, The Beachcombers
Jan 27th Peter Harvey, The Laybirds, Mike Cotton and His Jazzmen
Feb 10th Maureen Evans, Mike Berry, The No-Names
Feb 17th Vince Hill, Danny Street, The Jaywalkers
Feb 24th Jimmy Justice, Antoinette, Mike Cotton
Mar 2nd Cilla Black, Tony Meehan
Mar 9th Gene Pitney, Jackie Trent, The Federals
Mar 16th Dev Douglas, Dave Nelson and The Beachcombers
Mar 23rd Jess Conrad, The McKinleys, Mike Cotton Sound
Monday March 30th 1964
with Alma Cogan, Ian McCulloch, The Mojos, Jackie and Jill.
Producer- Christopher Mercer.
April 13th Gene Vincent, Johnny Kidd and The Pirates, The Flinstones
April 20th Gwenda Collins and the Le Roys, Cliff Bennett and The Rebel Rousers
April 27th Kenny Lynch, Beverly Mills, Mike Cotton Sound
May 4th Billy Fury, Manfred Mann, Julie Rogers, Lulu and the Luvvers
May 11th Patsy Ann Noble, The Applejacks, The Baker Twins, Brian Howard and The Silhouettes
June 1st Marty Wilde
June 8th The Wild Ones, Polly Perkins, Bryan Davies, Mike Cotton Sound
June 15th Francoise Hardy, Mark Wynter, Dave Berry, Bpb Miller
June 22nd Manfred Mann, Long John Bladry
June 29th Millie, Jimmy Powell, The Applejacks
Monday July 6th 1964
with The Mojos, Freddie and The Dreamers.
Producer- Christopher Mercer.
July 13th Maureen Evans, Mike Leroy, David John and The Mood, The Big Three
July 20th Maureen Evans, The Searchers, Sounds Incorporated
July 27th The Mojos, The Big Three, June Rogers
Aug 3rd Mike Cotton
Aug 10th Patsy Ann Noble, The Naturals, The Honeycombs
Aug 17th Kenny Lynch, Kiki Dee
Monday August 24th 1964
with The Dave Clark Five, Mose Allison, The T-Bones.
Script- Ker Robertson. Producer- Ned Kelly.
Aug 31st The Swinging Blue Jeans
Monday September 7th 1964
with Yardbirds. Producer- Ned Kelly
Sept 14th Mike Cotton, Carol Deene, Cliff Bennett
Monday October 5th 1964
with The Dave Clark Five, Anita Harris, Tommy Quickly, The Chants.
Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Oct 19th Millie, Linda Laine, The Sinners
Monday October 26th 1964
with Marianne Faithfull, The Plebs, Lorne Gibson, Spencer Davis Group.
Script- Ker Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Nov 9th Gene Pitney, The Beachboys
Nov 16th Mark Wynter, Sounds Incorporated
Nov 23rd Adam Faith, Sandie Shaw, Dave Berry
Nov 30th Freddie and The Dreamers, Julie Rogers, Lou Johnson, The Peddlers
Dec 7th Dick and Dee, Maureen Evans
Monday December 14th 1964
with Lulu, The Four Pennies, The Barron Knights.
Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Monday December 21st 1964 with Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, Jackie Trent, Des and Dave. Gerry and the Pacemakers were advertised to appear
Monday December 28th 1964 with Tommy Quickly and The Remo Four, Dodie West, Paul Conway, The Honeycombs
Jan 5th 1965 Gerry Marsden
Jan 12th Dave Clark Five, The McKinleys
Jan 19th Manfred Mann, The Righteous Brothers
Tuesday January 26th 1965
with Cilla Black, Cliff Bennett, Dev Douglas, The Syndicats.
Script- Ker Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Tuesday February 2nd 1965
with Milly, Billy J Kramer and ther Dakotas, The Riot Squad.
Script- Ker Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Feb 9th: The Animals, Craig Douglas, The Rustiks
Feb 16th 1965: Goldie and the Gingerbreads
Tuesday February 23rd 1965
with Kenny Rankin, The Nashville Teens, Herman's Hermits.
Script- Ker Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Tuesday March 2nd 1965
with Long John Baldry, The Pretty Things, Just Four Men.
Monday March 8th 1965
with The Dave Clark Five, Anita Harris, The Messengers, Rick and Sandy.
Mar 15th: Tom Jones, The Ivy League
Mar 22nd: Gerry Marsden, Adrienne Posta, Mike Preston, The Messengers
Monday March 29th 1965-
the main guest was PJ Proby
Monday April 19th 1965
with Sounds Incorporated, Cliff Bennett, Donovan.
Script- Ker Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer.
May 3rd- Cilla Black, Tom Jones, Manfred Mann, The Ivy League
Tuesday June 1st 1965
with Donovan, Anita Harris, The Frays.
Script- Ker Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Tuesday June 29th 1965
with The Fortunes, The Moody Blues, Solomon Burke.
Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Tuesday July 6th 1965
with Dave Berry, Millie, Eden Kane, Spencer Davis Group.
Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Tuesday July 20th 1965
with Tom Jones, Vikki Carr, Terry Butler, Simon and Garfunkel, The Quiet Five, The Fourmost.
Producer- Christopher Mercer.
Tuesday August 10th 1965
with The Moody Blues, The Pretty Things.
Producer- Chris Mercer.
Tuesday September 7th 1965
hosts Tony Blackburn and Tony Prince: with
Cliff Bennett, The Hollies, The Measles.
Director- Terence Lacey. Producer- CM.
200th edition: Wednesday September 22nd 1965
with Cilla Black, Billy Fury, Dave Clark Five and Chubby Checker
Sept 29th- The Yardbirds
Wednesday October 13th 1965
with Jackie Trent, The Fortunes, Bo Diddley, The Pack, The Candy Dates.
Producer- Chris Mercer.
Wednesday October 20th 1965
with Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, Barry McGuire, Millie, PF Sloan, The Hedgehoppers Anonymous, The Yardbirds.
Producer- Chris Mercer.
Wednesday November 3rd 1965
with The Animals, Susan Maughan, Ben E King, Paul & Barry Ryan, Anita Harris, The Moody Blues.
Producer- Chris Mercer.
Thursday November 25th 1965
with Sir Douglas Quintet, Russ Sainty, The Keys.
Producer- Chris Mercer.
Dec 8th 1965: Wayne Fontana, The Fourmost
December 15th 1965 with guests Major Lance, and Johnny Tillotson- this was the last show, since Chris Mercer started making Now! for TWW, a search to find new pop groups in the area, the first show being screened on Dec 22nd 1965.
However, to mark the channel TWW's demise, Gogos, with host Tony Blackburn, was reopened for one special show on
Saturday March 2nd 1968.
With
The Symbols,
Paul & Barry Ryan,
Tomorrow & Keith West,
Solomon King,
Samantha Lee, accompanied by Bob Miller and the Millermen.
Plus an interview with Englebert Humperdinck. Producer- Peter Dulay. Director- John Scriminger.
TWW stopped broadcasting that Sunday, and Gogos sadly closed its doors for good. It would appear probable this final show is the only Gogos to survive, unless you know better...
Note: featuring on a 1963 record of the programme were Karl Denver, Jet Harris, and Billy Fury. Tom Jones made an appearance some time in autumn 1964
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BBC Children's Serials
Click, where highlighted, for details:
1953:
Robin Hood
1956: Rex Milligan,
Potts
1957:
Sara Crewe,
The Railway Children
1958:
Captain Moonlight Man of Mystery
1959:
The Golden Spur,
Redgauntlet ,
Three Golden Nobles,
The Young Lady From London,
1960:
The Adventures of St Ives
1963: No Cloak- No Dagger
Most people would agree that 'Auntie' BBC lead the way in Children's serials in the 1950's and 1960's. At one stage Studio E at the BBC were making three children's serials each week.
Despite a lot of effort, and a bit of money, ITV never quite managed to wrest the laurels from their rival.
For the BBC had a long experience of producing quality children's drama, admittedly mostly of the rather
superior classical genre adapting not only Dickens but more ethereal classics by John Buchan, E Nesbitt and the like also.
However they did attempt some lower brow material, if I can call it that, though always to high production values
(by the standards of those days).
If you have memories of any other serials, if you, like me, hid behind the sofa when the bagpipes
skirled in Huntingtower, I would be pleased to hear from you, and acknowledge any
contribution you make (not Dr Who, please).
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Captain Moonlight, Man of Mystery
A 1958 BBC children's serial, its dashing hero created by Terry Sheldon.
"When the British Government are worried... when MI5 is baffled... whom do they send for?"
He was the childhood hero par excellence, I was enthralled.
The first series starred Jeremy White as Captain Moonlight.
In the 1960 six part serial, Bernard Horsfall played our hero, whose alter ego is actor
Stephen Sycamore. For a hundred episodes he has played the gallant Captain, who, aided by his faithful assistants
Lofty and Taffy, defeats the machinations of his arch enemies who plan to rule the world.
In his immaculate evening dress, sword stick and mask, Moonlight travels the world in his private helicopter, though Stephen's real life transport
is more prosaic- a bubble car (see picture). Heron Carvic was his inscrutable opponent.
Young and pretty reporter Maggie Hart of the Daily News, who accompanies Stephen on his adventures, was played by Pamela Buck,
with Denise Coffey playing one of Moonlight's devoted fans.
John Brooking also appeared in this series.
The script was by EJ Bell and music composed by Lawrence Leonard. First episode was shown on Saturday March 12th 1960 at 5.25pm.
To BBC Children's Menu
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The Golden Spur
A six part BBC serial set at the time of the Wars of The Roses. Part one was shown on Sunday July 5th 1959.
It was written by Constance Cox and produced by Kevin Sheldon. Declared critic G Taylor, "this was one of the best children's serials ever seen on television."
The story of young Tom Fenton (Edward Vaughan-Scott) and how he helps King Edward IV (Michael Kilgariff) and Richard of Gloucester (Oliver Reed) win back the crown for England, defeating the villainous Duke of Clarence. Others in the cast included Jill Tracey as the heroine Gillian, John Brooking as Sir Edmund Fenton, Ronald Fraser as Simon Chandler, Wilfred Grantham, Haron Varvie, and Alan Judd.
Scenes from The Battle of Barnet were filmed on Hadley Common, the medieval roads on the army manoeuvring grounds near Aldershot provided sequences on the road, while Maxstoke Castle in Warwickshire was used for shots of a castle
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Three Golden Nobles
A seven part serial screened on Saturdays starting November 7th 1959 (BBC).
Script by David Goddard, who also produced the serial, based on the novel by Christine Price.
Set in the Middle Ages, the story of a serf called Stephen Bellinger (Cavan Kendall), who dreams of becoming a painter.
But his lot in life means there is little chance. However an artist painting a mural in his local church inspires the lad to dare to run away to London.
This is risky because the penalty for running away is death, and the cruel baliff (Colin Douglas) who runs the manor is after Stephen!
With the aid of Marian, the lady of the manor (Victoria Watts), Stephen does reach London, where he is fortunate to be apprenticed to a master painter.
But back in his village Marian and Stephen's dad (Nigel Arkwright) are involved in a rebellion by the serfs.
Elton Hayes appeared as a minstrel, and wrote music for the story. Among others appearing during the serial were
Frazer Hines as Tom, Michael Crawford as Harry, and John Woodnutt as Master Hugh of St Albans.
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Redgauntlet
Script by EJ Bell. Settings by Fanny Taylor. Music composed by Lawrence Leonard.
Producer: Kevin Sheldon.
A six part serial, with part one shown on Sunday October 11th 1959 at 5pm (BBC).
The cast included Tom Fleming in the title role, John Cairney as Alan Fairford and Donald Douglas as his friend Darsie Latimer.
Others appearing included James Copeland as the Quaker Joshua Geddes, Claire Ibister as Lilias,
Bryden Murdoch as Poor Peter Peebles, and Roddy McMillan as smuggling Captain Nanty Ewart.
The final part on November 16th 1959 also included in the cast Terry Baker (Cristal Nixon), Brown Derby (Prince Charles Edward), Michael Logan (Tom Crackenthorpe), John Grieve (General Campbell), Alan Judd (Sir Richard Glendale), John Brooking (Dr Grumbell), Wilfred Fletcher (Mr Pengwinion), and Edward Vaughan-Scott (Young Nobleman).
To the BBC Children's Menu
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The Adventures of St Ives (BBC)
Robert Louis Stevenson's novel had previously been adapted for children's tv in 1955 by Rex Tucker.
This new version was serialised in 1960, and shown on Sundays at 5.5pm commencing on June 12th 1960.
William Russell again starred as St Ives, with other parts taken by
Audrey Nicholson as La Belle Flora, and Denis Goacher as the evil Alain.
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Robin Hood
Before ever ITV introduced us to Richard Greene, in 1953 the BBC serialised the legend of Robin Hood in 6 parts,
Max Kester writing the script, and Joy Harington producer.
The main cast were Patrick Troughton in the title role,
Wensley Pithey as Friar Tuck,
Kenneth Mackintosh as Little John,
John Breslin as Alan-A-Dale,
Philip Guard as Will Scarlett,
and Dudley Jones as Much the miller's son.
It began on Tuesday March 17th 1953 with Episode 1: Gathering the Band.
Episode 2: The Abbot of St Mary's (March 24th 1953) also had in the cast
Raymond Rollett as the Abbot of St Mary's,
Guy Verney as Sir Richard at the Lee,
Maurice Jones as Sir Guy of Gisborne, and
Mark Daly as Prior.
Also appearing were Miles Brown, Peter Doughty, Eric Evans, and David Askey.
Episode 3: Who is Robin? (March 31st 1953)
also included David Kossoff, rather improbably cast as the Sheriff of Nottingham, with
Christopher Hodge as Cook, Jimmy Vernor as Kitchen boy, Ronald Marriott, Anthony Marriott, and David Askey.
Episode 4: The Silver Arrow was shown on April 7th 1953,
Episode 5: A King Comes to Greenwood on April 14th with
the final episode called The Secret shown on April 21st 1953.
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Rex Milligan (April/ May 1956)
The scripts by author Anthony Buckeridge were produced by Pharic Maclaren.
The opening theme music by Bob Farnon was called Playtime.
The regular cast included
Paul Streather as Rex Milligan,
Anthony Bryant as Jigger Johnson,
Anthony Valentine as JO Stagg,
William Simons as Alfie Cutforth,
The Tech Juniors:
Wilfrid Downing as Spikey Andrews,
Melvyn Hayes as Bubblegum Tucker, with
Anthony Sharp as Mr Hunter, Headmaster of Sheldrake Grammar School (in #1, 5).
Programme 1: Introducing Rex Milligan.
Also in this cast: Anthony Marlowe as Mr Milligan and Margaret Ward as Mrs Milligan.
Programme 4: Rex Milligan Keeps The Flag Flying (May 6th 1956).
Also in this cast: Maud Long (Mrs Tucker), Lane Meddick (Builder),
Douglas Chapman, Graham Larkin, Roger Page, Kenneth Tyllsen,
Andrew Vale, and James Warren.
5: The Bogus Formula (May 13th 1956).
Also in this cast: Philip Ray (Dr Stallybone), Reginald Barratt (Mr Pavlowski),
Joan Sanderson (Mrs Pinkney), Tom Bowan (Policeman), Jack Bond,
Barry Knight, Larry Dann, Maurice Lane,
David Higson, and Derek Hodgson.
6: Rex Milligan Raises the Roof (May 20th 1956).
Also appearing: Jefferson Clifford (Mr Birkinshaw),
Philip Ray, Jack Bond, Derek Hodgson,
Larry Dann, Barry Knight, David Higson, Maurice Lane,
Colin Wall, and John Rhodes.
To BBC Children's Menu
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Sara Crewe (BBC)
A 6 part serial starting on Tuesday April 30th 1957.
Adapted by Penelope Knox. Produced by Naomi Capon.
Frances Hodgson Burnett's story was originally adapted for tv in 1951, the tale of Sara who lives with her father in India until she is sent to Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies.
In the title role as The Little Princess was Carol Wolveridge, with Peggy Livesey as Miss Minchin and
Rosamund Greenwood as Miss Amelia.
Other parts were taken by David Aylmer as Captain Crewe, Julie Desmond as Lavinia,
Susan Lyall Grant as Ermengarde, Andre Maranne as M Dufarge, and Hamlyn Benson as Mr Barrow.
BBC Children's Menu
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The Young Lady From London (BBC)
Sundays commencing November 22nd 1959.
Anne Castaldini starred as the London girl Jane, who wins a trip to Paris, and there discovers she has a double, Anna Jortzeroth,
a young pianist with a brilliant reputation. Anna is madly in love with Prince Laszlo (Sandor Eles), son of the exiled King of Soldania,
Anna's father has taken over as dictator in Soldania. Others in the cast included Hugh David as Klipel and Steve Plytas as Otto, two disreputable
journalists. Some location shooting was done in Paris with Anne Castaldini and Sandor Eles.
To BBC Children's Menu
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The Railway Children (1957)
The BBC produced several successful adaptations of this memorable E Nesbit novel, this 1957 version was given the honour of appearing on the cover of Radio Times at the beginning of March 1957.
Jean Anderson reprised her role of Mother from the earlier 1951 BBC version, whilst Norman Shelley made a fine Old Gentleman. The children, seen here, were: Anneke Willys as Bobbie, Cavan Kendall as Peter and Sandra Michaels as Phyl. Clive Dunn appeared in 5 Saviours of the Train as the District Railway Supervisor. The music perfectly fitted the mood of the story, Grieg's Norwegian Dance No.2.
Producer was Dorothea Brooking, who wrote in Radio Times about some of the production difficulties: "filming in 1957 for the period of 1906 means finding a station and a bit of line that is not electrified. After quite a long search.... we have found a country station and a line that winds through a tunnel between high wooded hills." In the tradition of the time, she does not of course reveal that location. Edwin Laming Macadam kindly informs me that the line was the Horsham to Guildford line, and that the tunnel was probably Baynards Tunnel. Edwin is fairly certain that the station in this photo is thus Baynards.
To BBC Children's Menu
For my review of the 1968 BBC Railway Children serial
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No Cloak- No Dagger
A six part serial starting Sunday September 1st 1963,
script by Duncan Ross, produced by Christopher Barry.
Synopsis: Ian Lambert (William Franklyn) and Emma Cresswell (Lana Morris) help Pat Penmore (Caroline Blakiston) clear her father's name.
Their quest takes them to Cornwall and those mysterious man-made caves, the fogous. At an old Cornish hotel, the Trevone Arms, they encounter
Donald Fraser (Jack Stewart), a former friend of the imprisoned Prof Penmore (Keith Pyott). But more informative still is an old miner, now a handyman at the hotel, named Trev (Patrick Troughton):
"that's the man who knew the professor better than anybody."
The serial also starred Cyril Luckham as Det Chief Supt Gage.
To BBC Children's Menu
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Potts (1956-7)
My favourite ever BBC children's serial starred ex-Whirlygig stalwart
Humphrey Lestocq as ex-Flight Lieutenant Peter Potts.
He enjoyed four serial adventures in a total of 19 episodes:
Potts in Parovia (1956),
Potts Gangbuster (1956),
Potts and the Phantom Piper (1957), and
Potts and The Night Whistlers (1957).
Sadly none of the episodes survive in the BBC archive.
Potts in Parovia
Script by Ingram D'Abbes. Producer: Desmond O'Donovan.
Regular cast in each episode:
Humprehrey Lestocq as Peter Potts, George Tovey as Mike, Walter Gotell as General Schmidt, Raymond Rollett as Don Miguel Perrera y Quiva,
Barrie Martin as Tony Quiva, Trefor Jones as Pedro, and
Lynette Mills as Laura Mendavo,.
1 Send for Potts! (Oct 6th 1956)
Also in the cast:
Andreas Malandrinos as Don Julio Alonzo Mendavo, Niki Iveria as Donna Isabella, John H Watson as Claude Eaton-Smythe,Jay Denyer as Marsh, Douglas Storm as Henry, Ross Pendeleton as Tino, Kenneth Thornett as Pat, Patricia Lehan, and Ian Wilson.
2 The Warning Note (Oct 13th 1956)
Also in the cast:
Andreas Malandrinos,
Raymond Rollett,
John H Watson,
Douglas Storm,
Ross Pendeleton,
Kenneth Thornett, and Max Faulkner
3 Out of Action (Oct 20th 1956)
Also with:
Arthur Goullet as Don Julio Alonso Mendavo,
and Harry Lane as Captain Marius.
4 Enter the Condors (Oct 27th 1956)
Also with:
John H Watson,
Arthur Bentley as Pilot,
Innes Hirson as Carlos,
Arthur Goullet,
Niki Iveria,
Harry Lane, and
Edmund Warwick as Jose.
5 The Leaflet Raid (Nov 3rd 1956)
Also with:
Edmund Warwick as Jose, Arthur Goullet, John H Watson,and Innes Hirson.
6 Potts to the Rescue (Nov 10th 1956)
Also with:
John H Watson,
Arthur Goullet,
Niki Iveria,
Harry Lane, and
Edmund Warwick.
Potts Gangbuster:
written by Ingram D'Abbes.
Producer: Desmond O'Donovan.
1 Double Identity (Dec 8th 1956)
2 Miss Travers' Secret (Dec 15th 1956)
3 Face to Face (Dec 22nd 1956)
Potts and the Phantom Piper:
written by Lane Meddick.
Producer: Desmond O'Donovan.
As a young lad, I recall being thoroughly absorbed by this gripping adventure.
1 The Castle on the Crag (Feb 2nd 1957)
2 The Secret Formula (Feb 9th 1957)
3 Under Suspicion (Feb 16th 1957)
4 The Secret Agent (Feb 23rd 1957)
5 Potts Sets a Trap (Mar 2nd 1957)
6 The Stranger in the Dungeon (March 9th 1957)
The cast comprised
George Tovey as Mike Moroney,
John Rae as Angus McDrew,
Hilary Mason as Mrs Flint,
Mac Picton as James McWhissle,
Oliver Burt as Prof Spenser,
Maureen Beck as Terry Spenser,
Maurice Durant as Herr Spitzbauer,
John Saunders as Lloyd,
Neil Hallett as Mulaney,
Peter Vaughan as Stannard and
John Dunbar as PC Buchanan.
Potts and The Night Whistlers:
1 Diamonds in the Rough (May 4th 1957). The cast included
Alastair Hunter as Inspector Power,
John H Watson as Sgt Rogers,
Yah Ming as Ho Lim,
Ellen Pollock as Captain Tempest,
Geoffrey Denton as Fairweather,
Michael Corcoran as Sprig,
Frederick Schiller as Van Mallen,
Richard Shaw as Helder,
Ronald Wilson as Dick Hamilton,
Patrick Connor as Brennan,
Roger Winton as Capricorn Jones, and
George Tovey as Mike Maroney.
2 The Mystery of Black Lodge Creek (May 11th). The cast:
Yah Ming,
Ellen Pollock,
Pauline Olsen as Anne Fisher,
Geoffrey Denton,
Michael Corcoran,
Frederick Schiller,
Guy Deghy as a Dutch Skipper,
John Law as Evans,
Alastair Hunter,
John Watson,
Roger Winton and
Richard Shaw.
3 Captain Tempest (May 18th)
4 The Riddle Unravelled (May 25th)
BBC Children's Menu
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Colour code in the chart below only:
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A-R
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ATV
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ABC
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SOUTHERN
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See also for my own reviews of some serials that have survived:
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Photo: from Rediffusion's very last serial, Devil-in-the-Fog.
Brief details of numerous A-R children's plays
for which I have only got scant details.
A little about four ATV children's serials.
Westward TV Drama
In this section are serials shown at weekends, as well as many in the Tuesday children's serial slot. In the 1950's a lot of the Associated Rediffusion plays were not fully networked.
If you can add your own reminiscences, I would be very pleased to hear
from you, especially if you appeared in any of the series, or worked behind the scenes.
To the 'Missing' Menu
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Other ATV Children's Serials
Dangerous Holiday (ATV)
Saturdays 5pm commencing November 10th 1956
Script David Carr. Director: Antony Keary.
With the boys, Warren Hearnden as Mitch, James Doran as Tracker, and Vernon Morris as Andy. Also Richard Burrell as Baxter, AJ Brown as Mr Hinks, Peter Bathurst as Colonel Gregory, and Sidney Vivian as Wilson.
No Man's Island (ATV)
in seven parts, shown October to December 1960 on Sunday afternoons.
Script: Alan Reeve-Jones
Producer: Cecil Petty.
Stars: Vincent Ball as Denis Barker,
AJ Brown as Captain Cork,
Rosemary Miller as Miss Ellis,
Dan Meaden as Mr Dyson, and
Douglas Livingstone as Leo.
Also appearing Frazer Hines as Tim.
Strange Concealments (ATV)
Subtitled: An Adventure in 7 clues.
Script: Barbara Clegg. Producer: Cecil Petty.
Starring: Barbara Clegg as Kate George,
Frederick Jaegar as David Stimpson,
Victor Platt as John Harmer,
Henry Soskin as Ambrose Lemmon,
Clare Asher as Victoria Lemmon,
Robin Walker as Boyd George.
1 The Clue in the Lockets
- Saturday September 29th 1962 5.15pm,
2 A Precious Jewel- October 6th 1962,
3 Tongues in Trees,
- October 13th 1962,
4 October 20th 1962,
5 Sermons in Stones
- October 27th 1962,
6 The Uses of Adversity- November 3rd 1962,
7 November 10th 1962
Once Aboard the Lugger- A Modern Tale of Smuggling (ATV)
Episode 1: Saturday January 5th 1963, 5.15pm
Script by Barbara Clegg and Henry Soskin. Producer: Cecil Petty.
Starring Vincent Ball as Dennis Barker, AJ Brown as Captain Cork, Jane Griffiths as Tinou and John Hurt as Jobey Todd.
To Children's Menu
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Children's drama began with no little enthusiasm,
Associated Rediffusion producing several one-off children's plays in their formative weeks, made on film in the months leading up to their opening day, since TV Times was unusually able to include pictures from some of them.
During the first week this one-off drama was shown in the 5.30pm slot:
Hand in Glove
Monday September 26th 1955, rpt Apr 16th 1957, written by Mary Cathcart Borer. Director: Cliff Owen.
The tale of some village schoolchildren who become involved with a gang of crooks
on the run. But the children eventually help police round up the criminals.
Cast:
Janet Harrison as Jean,
Diana Beavers as Ann,
Fella Edmonds as Peter,
Ross Goodall as John,
Huw Evans as Lance,
with Sylvia Marriott as Mrs Harris,
Olga Dickie as Miss Talbot,
Lloyd Pearson as PC Summers,
Arthur Lovegrove as Bert,
Len Sharp as Joe,
Betty Wolfe as Mrs Anderson,
Margaret Sawyers as Margaret,
Pamela Lagg as Janet and
Doreen Season as Miss Bennett.
The Night River (Tues Sept 27th 1955, rpt Apr 2nd 1957)
Script: Bill Wellings. Director: Cyril Coke.
Starring Bruce Beeby as Uncle Jim,
and Rachel Gurney as Betty Crane.
The picture shows Ewen Solon as Skipper Rose (left), with David Tilley as Peter Crane, and
Rosemary Berridge as Sheila Crane.
Set in a remote part of Australia, two English children make friends with an old prawn fisher. They help him overcome a gang of rival fishers to re-establish his claims.
High Flying Head (Tues Oct 18th 1955, rpt Mar 14th 1962)
Script: William Harris. Director: Tania Lieven.
With Joan Young, Freda Bamford and Walter Horsbrugh.
Two ordinary schoolgirls, Philippa (Marcia Ashton) and Desiree (Helen de Crespo), stumble across an old book of magic recipes and decide to test one or two, with extraordinary results.
Passage of Arms
(Mon Oct 3rd 1955, 5.30-6pm A-R, rpt Mar 26th 1957)-
This story by Gwendoline Courtney was set in the time of the wars against Napoleon. Prisoner Andre is sent to live with an English family- an unscrupulous neighbour kidnaps him, and his friends have to stage a rescue.
The cast: Robert Alalouf as Sous-lieutenant Andre Saurin, Kerry Gardner as Louis de Chamborde, Pat Garwood as Jane Worthing, Anneke Willys as Henriette de Chamborde, Gerald Andersen as Sir Thomas Worthing, Richard Warner as Sir Humphrey Travers, Renee Bourne Webb as Lady Worthing, Arthur Lowe as Servant, and Frederick Hall as Soldier
Flying Visit (1955, rpt Wed Feb 28th 1962)
Script: Sheila Hodgson. Director: Cyril Coke.
A mysterious and naughty little girl lands on the seashore from a flying saucer, where she is found by two children. They smuggle her home, but she escapes, back to her flying saucer.
The Seventh Dungeon (Dec 30th 1955, repeated Mar 28th 1962, 5.25pm)
starring Alfred Burke, script: John Redman Walshaw, directed by Cliff Owen.
The mysterious prisoner in the seventh dungeon does not want to be set free, so what is Lord Falsgrave (Guy Verney) to do when Warwick the King Maker demands his release?
The first ever A-R serial was in the Friday slot at 5.45pm, aimed at the five to nine age group.
It was the fifteen minute
The Little Round House, adapted for tv by Peter Ling.
Episode 1 was on 30th September 1955.
It was about Robin (Michael Bryant) who gets a big surprise when he is posting his letter, for the
pillar box turns into a little house. Mr Papingay (Toke Townley) lives in this strange home,
and he invites Robin to meet the strange people there.
June Kirkham played Penny, others in the cast included Jocelyn Britton as The Home-made Fairy,
Jack Howard as the Farmer, Catherine George as the Little Girl, Robert Bardwell as the Fat Boy,
Vi Stevens was Mrs Tupp with Charles Rea as the Narrator.
Episode 7 on Nov 11th 1955 had this cast: Charles Rea, Michael Bryant, June Kirkham, Toke Townley, Michael Hitchman as The Lodger, Patience Collier as Aunt Boffin, Robert Bardwell, George Howell as Cuthbert and
Vi Stevens.
A sequel to THE LITTLE ROUND HOUSE was
Mr Papinjay's Ship
This seven part sequel started on 7th February 1956
Robin is looking wistfully at the pillar box remembering his enjoyable adventures, and it is
only when he goes to the seaside that he meets all his friends again.
The narrator and main parts were the same though John Douglas now played Fat Boy. Beatrice Varley appeared as
The Baker's Grandmother and Patience Collier continued as Aunt Boffin.
The Feb 21st episode (A Barrel of Herrings)
included Charles Rea, Wolfe Morris (Buttery Dick), Michael Briant, Toke Townley, June Kirkham, Patience Collier, Bunny May (Cuthbert), Beatrice Varley, Ronald Radd (Rudolph), and Norman Mitchell (The Baron). Robin meets a band of pirates.
Steve Hunter, Trouble Merchant (1955/6)
Shown Mondays at 5.30pm.
Script by Gerald Kelsey and Stefan Ricardo.
Produced and Directed by Hugh Rennie
Alan Edwards starred in the title role. Other regulars were Harry Towb as Wally Smith and Carl Duering as Carlo.
There were several adventures, the first shown from October to December 1955.
A second serial began in January 1956, entitled The Mystery of the Marshes.
In this, the formula of a secret fuel and a special fuel adaptor have been stolen from Dr Badel the inventor.
The Admiralty commissions Steve and the crew of Sea Wolf to recover the formula.
The second serial in A-R's Friday 5.45pm slot was
The Snow Queen, written by Suria Magito and Rudolph Weil, based on the well known fairy tale.
The Storyteller was Tony Sympson, with Sheila Ward as Klara and A-R announcer Redvers Kyle as Karl.
Maureen Davies played Princess Christina, Bruce Sharman appeared as Prince Klaus and Hugh Manning was The King.
Episode 1 November 18th 1955
Others in this cast included Dorothy Marks (Gerda), and Carl Bernard (The Chancellor).
A serial for older children screened in seven parts from October to December 1955 on Tuesdays at 5.30pm was
Barbie
written by Diana Noel from the book by Kitty Barne.
The great veteran star Zena Dare played Miss Fothergill, with Marcia Manolescue in the title role.
The story was about the daughter of a famous conductor who has to go on a world tour, so sends Barbie to stay in the country
with her uncle (David Markham) and her two cousins Simon (Jonathan Swift) and Laurel (Erika Markham).
A wealthy neighbour and music lover, Miss Fothergill, befriends the child and pays for Barbie's violin lessons with Vascoletti
a famous teacher.
The Ambermere Treasure by Malcolm Saville, adapted in six parts by Derek Hoddinott. Director: David Eady. December 1955- January 1956.
Afternoon Post (February 10th 1956, 5.40-6pm, A-R)
Script: Frederick H Wiseman.
Cast: Robert Sansom (Rev Stuart Austin), Gwynne Whitby (Mrs Austin), Cavan Malone (Noel), Wendy Adams (Joanna), Michael Caridia (Colin) and Lane Meddick (Policeman).
Noel is the eldest of the Austin family, and he makes a film of the family preparations for his sister Joanna's birthday. However the postman has strong views on amateur film makers, but when a local crime comes to light, the secret of The Afternoon Post is revealed
Running Jimmy (March/April 1956)
Shown Tuesdays, 5.40-5.55pm only in the London area.
Cast included: John Hall as Jimmy, Judy Raymond as Laura, with Percy Herbert, Harold Kasket, and Betty Romaine. Script: CE Webber. Director: Julia Bull.
In this serial, Jimmy is pursued by two villains who have stolen a stamp album.
Top Secret
shown in July/ August 1956 was a six part serial by Peter Hayes.
The children were Malcolm (Christopher Sandford) and Dicky (Tony Ford) with Nicholas Selby as Inspector Maclean.
Liz Fraser had a small part as Linda Hanssen.
Note- not to be confused with A-R's 1961/2 series with William Franklyn
Passport to Danger
was a seven part serial beginning on Friday 28th September 1956 and shown fortnightly.
It was written by Peter Ling and Jonathan Alwyn, who also directed the stories.
Michael Pelham (Paul Streather) is travelling on the Orient Express to join his parents in Belgrade.
An adventure for any boy to dream of. But no sooner has he left Paris, than there follows a mysterious train of events.
A spy ring! He meets a Romanian travel courier who tells Michael he's working for British Intelligence, and interrogates
a suspect in Michael's compartment. But when Michael returns he finds the suspect dead, and the courier nowhere to be seen.
The File on Voronov was a half hour play shown on Christmas Day 1956.
Peter Ling wrote it with his wife Sheilah Ward, and David Eady was the director.
Synopsis: Russian military attache Maxim Voronov (George Murcell) leaves his embassy to attend a hush-hush
international conference. What begins as a practical joke by three small boys, Joe (Glyn Dearman), Charlie (Anthony Green) and Steven (Ian Hobbs)
has Scotland Yard, MI5 and the security forces involved...
Jim Whittington and His Sealion (see picture, right)
(December 26th 1956 5.00-5.55pm, Associated Rediffusion)
Described as a "super colossal extravaganza" written "by mistake" by Peter Ling with music "by accident" by Eric Spear.
The programme was "misdirected" by Roger Jenkins.
"Miscast" in order of appearance were:
Dorothy Smith as The Fairy Queen, Rolf Harris as The Demon King, Muriel Young as Alice Fitzwarren, Jack Edwardes as Michaela the Cook, Charlie Drake as Idle Montmorency, Jimmy Hanley as Jim Whittington, Peter Ling as The Sea Captain and Eric Spear as The Sultan of Morocco
The Red Dragon (September 14th 1958)
This was the starting date for this A-R serial which was not fully networked.
It was written and directed by John Rhodes.
Some of the cast were Ann Castaldini as Ann Rogers, Scot Finch as Michael Rogers, Louise Howard as Del Hager and John Bloomfield as Tod Hager. With Janet Joye as Mrs Williams and Edward Rees as Mr Williams.
The Silver Coin
(A-R, Tues Nov 4th 1958)
Script: Mary Plumbly. Director: Penny Wootton.
Cast: Paul Taylor as Nickie Smith, Francesca Annis as Ann-Marie Clare, Sylvia Vaughan as Jenny Wilson, Fred McNaughton as PC Bob Harris, Barbara Ogilvie as Med Cooper, and Malcolm Knight as Sparks Pearson.
Synopsis: When someone tries to steal a valuable picture from Mrs Cooper, young Nickie Smith is suspected. But Nickie has more friends than he realises, and they help find the real culprit.
Note this seems to be Francesca Annis' television debut, aged 13, unless you can tell me otherwise
Let's Get Together
This long running A-R children's series from the 1950s included a series of three programmes starting on Friday December 12th 1958 with the sub title Harlequinade.
These programmes showed how "this unusual entertainment started" and how it developed to "its present position as a recognised part of Christmas entertainment."
Script by Redvers Kyle, directed by Prudence Nesbitt. In the first show Percy Press gave an excerpt from the "TV Magical Comedy of Punch." This led on to Pulcinella, Pantaloon, Harlequin, Columbine and Silvio and Beatrice. The final programme on Boxing Day was the fantasy Jukebox Harlequinade, "a Victorian pantomime in a 1958 setting."
The House of Carols (December 23rd 1958, 5.25-5.55pm)
A Christmas fantasy devised by Margot Grainer, with music by Ron Grainer. Script by Diana Noel. Director: Penny Wootton.
With Keith Pyott as the Old Man, Janet Miller as Sue, Kevin Kelly as Bob, and Ron Grainer as Ron. Soloists: Michael Garson and Ricky Vaughan. Choristers: Frank Olegario, Howard Short and Christopher Keyte.
Two young carol singers are invited into a house and are shown with the aid of a globe, other parts of the world where carols are sung. Places visited included Vienna, Naples, Venezuela, the American prairies, the Australian bush, Mexico and Russia.
The Money Mountain (from Tues Mar 3rd 1959, 5.25pm, A-R)
Set in Austria, where two English children are on holiday in the Alps. They discover the innkeeper is forging Swiss money and smuggling it into Switzerland with the aid of an accomplice who is the chief operator of a cable lift. (A set of a cable car was built in the studio.)
Directors: Grahame Turner/John Rhodes. Script: Hugh Pitt, who said, "A-R want to put on plays set in other countries to give children an idea of local customs, costumes and languages."
Cast: Valerie Smith as Anne Thomas, Michael Briant as Simon Thomas, Mary Barclay as Mrs James, Frederick Schiller as Otto Hoffmann, John G Heller as Franz Amstetten, Sydonie Platt as Gretchen.
The serial McFarlane's Way
was set in Scotland and began on April 28th 1959.
The stars were Peter Furnell and Gay Gordon
who were later to appear in different roles in The Diamond Bird.
Peter Furnell starred as Andrew McFarlane, Gay Gordon as Flora Donald.
Others who were in at least one episode included Alex Scott, Mavis Walker, Dorothy Smith, Barry Ingham, Douglas Muir, Barrie Ingham and Ralph Nossek.
The story was written by Elisabeth Beresford and directed by Marion Radclyffe.
The Sword and the Lute (A-R serial commencing July 1959)
Script Joy Thwaites. Director: John Rhodes.
Episode 1 (July 7th 1959, 5.45pm) Cast: Richard Greenford (Simon), William Young (Sir Richard Brockhurst), Margaret McCourt (Lady Philippa), Neville Jason (Sir John Matrevis), Anthony Sheppard (Lord Cudham), Hestor Paton-Brown (Aunt Isabel), John Wentworth (King Henry IV), Richard Carpenter (Prince Henry), Kenneth Adams (Wilkin) and Hugh Cross (Captain of the Guard).
The Highwayman
was a one-off musical adventure set in the 18th century.
It was shown on August 25th 1959 from 5.45pm to 6.15pm.
This was a bold attempt at a musical play for children written by Elisabeth Paine with lyrics by
David Dearlove and music by Ron Grainer. Marion Radclyffe directed.
Denis Martin starred in the title role with Miriam Karlin as Lady Sedgewick.
Also in the cast were Pat Laurence as Sarah Grey, Nevil Whiting as Lord Sedgewick,
Brian Alexis (who also arranged the choreography) as Peter Potts and Doris Littel as Martha.
The Missing Mercury
written by Anthony Sheppard, directed by Marion Radclyffe.
Tues Oct 20th 1959 5.25pm.
A one-off story about two children and a mysterious stranger who join in the search for
an aircraft which vanishes on a trial flight over the Bristol Channel.
Cast:
Ruth Kettlewell as Mrs Green,
Peter Collingwood as Mr Jones,
Michael Logan as Bill Cotton,
June Ellis as June Cotton,
Gay Gordon as Penny,
Sam Jephcott as Jim,
Ross Hutchinson as Mr Thorpe,
Anthony Parker as Flt Lt James,
Edmond Bennett as Police sgt,
Bill Cartwright as RAF sgt, and
Paul Streather as Aircraftman.
The Cornet Player
Tuesday 22nd December 1959, 5.25-5.55pm
Written by SL Hastings, directed by Rollo Gamble.
A boy named Graham (Michael Caridia) finds himself in difficulties
but there's an unexpected way out.
Others in the cast of this one-off story:
Edward Dewsbury... Mr Knight
Barbara Ogilvie... Mrs Knight
Sylvia Davies... Susie
Anthony Valentine... The Cornet Player
The Christmas Tree
Three programmes around the Christmas tree, introduced by Geoffrey Frederick.
A-R's regulars made this a family affair. Compiled by Peter Ling, directed by Jim Pople.
The Orpington Junior Singers sang carols.
1 December 20th 1960: The Christmas Story with Cleo Laine, Howard Williams and Wally Whyton.
With William Lyon-Brown as Caspar, Ronald Giffen as Melchior, Ayton Medas as Belthazar, Denis Cleary as Joseph,
June Speight as Mary and Lawrence Archer, Guy Gordon and Nicholas Evans as shepherds.
2 December 27th 1960: St George and the Dragon, and the final scene of Scrooge. With Muriel Young and Redvers Kyle.
3 January 3rd 1961: with Steve Race, who tells the tale of little Clare in the Kingdom of Sweets,
plus Janet Nicholls and Bert Weedon.
Party games and a panto, Peter Ling's Cinderella in rhyme.
The Blackness
This six part serial that started on January 17th 1961.
Script by Howard Williams and Barry Pevan.
Director: Jim Pople.
With Rosalie Westwater as Anne Owens, Diarmid Cammell as Donald Owens and Shandra Walden as Mary Owens (the latter two pictured). With Ralph Nossek as Mr McGhee.
A Brother For Joe
Script: Eric Allen. Director: Vladek Sheybal.
The search by 15 year old Joe May (William Victor) for his missing brother Francesco takes a dramatic turn
when he joins an international school in Rome.
With Colin Spaull as Roddy, Penny Watts as Susanne Monnier, Joanna Craig as Miss Wisdom,
John Gardiner as Lawrence Shapiro, Anthony Morton as Bruno Pugi and Edina Rona as Gina.
Six episodes on Tuesdays at 5.25pm running from episode 1 The Knife (14th March 1961) to episode 6 The Morning After (18th April 1961)
Due to the Equity strike, production of A-R children's serials ceased before the end of 1961. 
During 1962 A-R concentrated on quality schools drama, and their next dramatic production for children's tv was not screened until
near the end of 1962.
It was the mini series
Mr Toby's Christmas (A-R, Friday December 14th, 21st and 28th 1962 at 5pm)
starring Andrew Sachs as Mr Toby, a toymaker, with Carol Dilworth as Sarah,
Gareth Robinson as Jeremy.
The children visit the toymaker who shows them things they can do for themselves instead of getting their parents to do everything for them. The stories included carols sung by the Orpington Junior Singers, and dances by Ronnie Curran and Greta Hanby. Also in the cast were Raymond Mason as Sam Bundy, Sid Daniels as Simon, Will Stampe as Oliver Gilding, Derek Roye as Tom and Johnny Lamonte as a Juggler.
The three 25 minute stories were directed by Marc Miller.
In the first programme, Sarah visits the village baker where she learns how to make mince pies. The second programme showed how to make a non-intoxicant punch to drink, and the children visit the shop of a picture framer who shows them old paintings of the Christmas story. In the final story, the children watch a puppet show
titled The Three Wishes performed by John Wright's Marionettes. It ends with Mr Toby unveiling his elephant a present for the village children.
To Children's Menu
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Dead Giveaway (A-R)
was another Peter Ling serial, from an idea by Jonathan Alwyn, a comedy thriller.
Daphne Shadwell directed the six stories.
The star was a young Donald Hewlett who played Larry Haines host of the popular tv quiz Good Fortune.
Other regular members of the cast were Christine Pollon as blonde tv hostess Jane Kimball,
Michael Walker as Alexander Kimball, Jane's 15 year old bumptious brother, and
Robert Cartland as Det Insp Forbes of Scotland Yard.
The setting is a tv quiz show, and viewers were promised a look behind the scenes at A-R's Wembley studios. Usually it's the contestants who get the surprises, but in this particular programme things go fatally wrong.
For one contestant, Maffin, is murdered in the soundproof box before he could answer the £1,000 question.
The jackpot question now is- who murdered him? Larry is the prime suspect, but to clear himself, Larry breaks into Maffin's house
looking for clues, but is knocked unconscious. When he comes round, there is Inspector Forbes to ask him what he's up to!
Larry suspects the dead man's housekeeper, the sinister Mrs Bowling, but then she is done in. Maffan turns out to be Mafalda, and Alexander
finds a picture of the tv producer Paul Anderson talking to this man, but then in walks Anderson catching him looking at the photo.
Part 1: The Rules of the Game (Wednesday 7th August 1957, 5pm-5.30pm).
- with Otto Diamant as Arthur Maffin,
Jeffrey Segal as stage manager Billy Archer and
Philip Ashley as the producer, Paul Anderson.
Part 2: The First of the Questions (14th August)-
With Ruth Kettlewell as Mrs Bowling.
Part 3: The Middle of the Night (21st August)
with Jeffrey Segal and Ruth Kettlewell.
Part 4 (28th August)
Part 5: The Facts of the Matter (4th September)
with Jeffrey Segal, Philip Ashley, and Patrick Connor as Police sgt.
Final Part: The End of the Trail (11th September)
with Jeffrey Segal and Philip Ashley.
Even the cast, apparently, did not know the identity of the murderer until this final story. Peter Ling explained, "the artist who plays the murderer won't be inclined to be too sinister during the plot or to exaggerate a casual air of innocence."
Peter Ling wrote a sequel, Dead Trouble, which A-R screened in seven episodes starting July 15th 1958
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The Secret of Carrick House (A-R)
Tuesdays during September/October 1959.
Written by John Rhodes, directed by Marion Radclyffe.
The star was
Barry MacGregor as Ken Brodie,
and also appearing were
Judy Bloom as Pilar Cortella,
Lilian Grassom as Peggy Myers,
David Waller as Richard Adams,
Roderick Lovell as Uncle Manuel,
Hugh Evans as Simon Greeb,
Gordon Whiting as Carlos, and
Brenda Saunders as a waitress (stories 1-4), and
with Michael Browning as a policeman (stories 4-6).
Ken takes up
his first job as a reporter on the South Cornish Echo.
Always on the lookout for a scrap, he is soon in hot water...
Episode 1: Hot Water- 1st September 1959, 5.45-6.15pm, Also with Nicholas Light as Brian Field.
Episode 2: The Intruder- 8th September 1959
3: The Hostage- 15th September 1959 (now at 5.25-5.55pm).
4: The Boss- 22nd September 1959
5: Marooned- 29th September 1959
6: The Scoop- 6th October 1959 (final episode).
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Frontier Drums (1961)
Script: Peter Hayes. Director: Jim Pople, Fridays 5pm-5.25pm.
Set in the north west frontier of India in 1879. Kardar Khan the Maharajah of Ghurkistan (Derek Sydney)
is plotting against the British Raj. Starring Bernard Brown as Major Neville Chrichton and Edmond Bennett as Sgt Ramdass.
Others in the cast were Ronnie Raymond as Nigel Chrichton, Daphne Johnson as Lucy Chrichton, Kika Markham as Helena Chrichton,
Peter Bathurst as Major-Gen Anderson, Roy Purcell as Col Courtenay, Norman Claridge as Henry Marchbanks,
William Lyon Brown as Sultan Ahmed, Joseph Cuby as Abu, David Spenser as Azim Khan, Bill Burridge as Akbar and Ivan Craig as Sayid Lal.
Episode 1: Soldier of the Queen (September 22nd 1961) Khardar Khan is plotting against the British Raj. Despite the warning signs, the Government seems to be unaware of the situation
2: The Claw of the Tiger (Sept 29th) Captain Chrichton begins training the tribesmen in gunnery, but finds that some charges of gunpowder are missing. In Khardar Khan's fortress, Nigel discovers that rolled carpets are not always as harmless as they look
5: The Night of the Flame (Oct 20th) showed the success of Kardar Khan's plot in luring the army out of The Garrison
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The New Forest Rustlers (Southern TV, in 6 parts)
Script: Stephen Mogridge, consultant: John Gray
Director: John Brayburn (also producer), Ian Curteis for later stories.
The main cast: Ronan O'Casey starred as Chief, and
Anita Harris as Maureen, an ice-skater (story 1 and 6)
Reginald Marsh as Inspector Foster (stories 2 to 6)
Plus the children, two brothers and two sisters:
Daphne Foreman as Patricia Deverill
Paul Guess as Bill Deverill
Gina Clow as Fiona Guise
Michael Sarson as Freddy Guise.
The children who live near Lymington, are on their school
holidays, when they become involved with a gang of international
crooks who are planning the theft of a valuable painting.
1 The House in the Trees
Thursday September 29th 1966 5.25pm
Odd happenings in a disused airfield- is it smuggling or rustling?
Rest of cast:
Stephen Moore... Jack
Malcolm Taylor... Joe
Neville Barber... Pierre
Tom de Ville... Ginger
3 Enter the Law
Thursday October 13th 1966
The gang in Ridgeway House is definitely smuggling, so the
children contact the police.
also with Patrick Westwood... Mr Guise
and Malcolm Taylor, Neville Barber, Tom de Ville
5 Operation Stampede
Thursday October 27th 1966
The children rescue Star the foal, but look like losing him again.
also with
Malcolm Taylor, Neville Barber, Tom de Ville, Patrick Westwood
6 The Round Up
Thursday November 3rd 1966
Dt Insp Foster gets his men, but will Patricia get her foal?
also with Kenneth Thornett... Insp Maskell
Monica Stewart... Mrs Guise
and Malcolm Taylor, Neville Barber, Tom de Ville, Patrick Westwood.
Also appearing: John Holmes, David Watson, Marcel Boyd, Alan Stuart, Elvin Hood.
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The Sacred Seeds of Tangla Tuk (a serial in 6 parts starting Thursday September 19th 1957 5-5.30pm, ATV)
Script: Howard Jones. Director: first Jack Barton, later Michael Redington.
Cast:
Reginald Hearne (David Halliday, Uncle David, a well-known explorer and botanist),
Jonathan Bailey (Jack Ellis),
Margaret Sawyer (Peggy Ellis),
Everley Gregg (Mrs Gibbings) - later Bertha Russell played Mrs Gibbings.,
Jerry Verno (Professor Sigmund), Michael Golden (Dan Quirk), Jan Muzurus (Tsao Lak).
Also from episode 2 Freddie Vale (Nick Patch), and Bernard Spear (Joe Martini).
Peggy and Jack's Uncle David is a botanist and explorer, and he brings from Tibet the seeds of an unknown giant black poppy. These valuable seeds disappear mysteriously, so Jack and Peggy try to find clues to lead to their recovery.
Some episode details:
1 The Gentleman from Tibet (Sep 19th).
2 A Date with Danger (Sep 26th). The sacred poppy seeds have mysteriously disappeared. Peggy and Jack, who are staying with their Uncle David, are already half way to finding strange and valuable clues.
4 In The Spider's Web (Oct 10th).
By now Jack has recovered four of the seeds, and three more turn up in the shop of a shady character called Joe Martini. Jack had worked here as a delivery boy, but Tsao Lak kidnaps him, as he regards the seeds as sacred.
6 The Journey is Ended (Oct 24th). Jack and Peggy have traced the ten sacred seeds, now in the possession of the mysterious Tsao Lak. The children compete with two crooks Dan Quirk and Nick Patch who are also trying to regain the seeds.
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David Flame Secret Agent (6 part serial starting on February 21st 1957, 4.45-5.15pm, ATV)
Script: Derek Hoddinott, from a thriller by Eric Leyland. Director: Jack Barton.
Starring John Fabian in the title role. "Flame's playground is the world," said Hoddinott, "his diet- adventure. His main aim in life? To bring to justice all those who abuse it."
Also in the cast were Shaun O'Riordan and Charles Laurence.
Synopsis: An MI5 agent is sent to Exminster to uncover the hq of a foreign spy ring. When he unaccountably disappears, Scotland Yard call in David Flame to unravel the mystery.
Part 2 (Feb 28th 1957) The Cottage. The trail leads David to a cottage on the moors.
Part 3 (March 7th 1957) Tor Castle. An MI5 agent is sent to Exminster to uncover the headquarters of a foreign spy ring. He unaccountably disappears, and David Flame is called in by Scotland Yard to unravel the mystery. He is soon involved in a chain of suspicious events. Who is Mr X?
Part 4 (March 14th 1957) Allies. David has recovered the top secret atom papers but X is lurking in the house which is the gang's hq.
Part 6 (March 28th 1957) Double Bluff. Trapped in desolate Tor Castle by the gang working for X, David Flame and Co are surely defeated.
A second 6 part serial commenced on April 4th 1957
Episode 2 (Apr 11th 1957) Flashpoint. Tony Ginger and Hoffman are prisoners of Hiraz, the dreaded terrorist movement operating in Jemel, and in their bid for escape they do not realise that one of them will die.
Episode 3 (Apr 18th 1957) Flight into Danger. David Tony and Ginger leave Jidda to fly to the troubled island of jemel. Their journey is uneventful until a fighter with strange markings emerges out of the darkness with terrifying results.
Episode 5 (May 2nd 1957) Lone Hand. David, Ginger and Tony are in Jemel to capture the island's terrorist leader The Ghost. They get mixed up in an anti-British riot, but Flame works out a daring plan to get information.
A third and final serial of 5 parts with a story and screenplay by Eric Leyland, began on May 16th 1957: episode 1 King's Ransom. On holiday in Spain, David Flame and Co find themselves up against Korski, an international crook, who is prepared to risk everything in his search for the King's Ransom, worth haf a million pounds. What is this mysterious King's Ransom and why is Korski so anxious to liquidate Flame and his friends?
Episode 3 (May 30th 1957) Danger Ahead. Where is the King's Ransom hidden? The only man who knew its hiding place is dead, but David Flame has a clue.
Episode 4 (June 6th 1957) The Trap. David now knows where the fabulous King's Ransom is hidden, but his arch enemy Korski has also discovered the secret. It's a matter of bluff and counter-bluff.
Episode 5 (June 13th 1957) Treasure Trove. The last round is fought. Flame and Co edge towards victory, but then Korski plays his master card.
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The Secret of the Nubian Tomb (ATV, 1961, in 5 parts)
Script from a story by Mary Cathcart Borer.
Producer: Cecil Petty.
Stars: John Carson as Sheikh Ahmed,
Jerry Stovin as Jud Blackwell
Shirley Lawrence as Ann Newman,
with Mark Burns as Mike Newman,
Henry Soskin as The Omda,
Peter Hempson as Tony Newman,
Aleksander Browne as Policeman.
1 The Unexpected Visitors
Sunday April 30th 1961
2 Plot and Counter-Plot
Sunday May 7th 1961
There are two days left to finish the dig and find the sepulchre
of Lady Nefermaat. Then the tomb will be flooded. The diggers have got
unexpected help from Mike's friend, Sheikh Ahmed, but suddenly a policeman
arrives and arrests Mike.
3 Sunday May 14th 1961
4 The Tomb and the Cellar
Sunday May 21st 1961
Sheikh Ahmed has seen Mike in prison without rousing the Omda's suspicions.
But he and Jud still think the Sheikh is hiding somewhere, and decide to
interrogate Ann and Tony. This time the Omda seems to make them all talk.
5 The Sheikh and the Omda
Sunday May 28th 1961
Jud has found the store of engine oil for which Sheikh Ahmed has been searching. The oil is in
the Omda's cellar, where he has trapped Jud. But Sheikh Ahmed, Tony and Ann,
who have found Lady Nefermaat's burial chamber, have discovered another entrance to the cellar.
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The Master
A Southern TV children's serial from 1966.
Written by TH White, adapted for tv by Rosemary Hill.
Directed by John Frankau and John Braybon.
Set on tiny Rockall, headquarters of The Master who plans to dominate the world.
He is alleged to be aged 150, and his nightmarish scheme would have been undiscovered, except for two children
who land on the island while on a sailing expedition.
The regular stars were John Laurie as McTurk in stories 1 to 4, and
Olaf Pooley as The Master.
Children were Adrienne Poster as Judy,
and Paul Guess as Nicky, with
Fruchan as Jokey their dog.
Richard Vernon also starred in stories 1 and 6 as Father.
George Baker also starred from story 2 to story 6 as Squadron Leader Frinton.
1 The Yellow Hands (Tuesday January 11th 1966, 5.25pm)
Rockall... deserted, 500 miles out in the Atlantic. But is it?
Two children, Judy and Nicky, with their dog discover otherwise.
Also with semi-regulars Terence Soall as Chinaman,
and John Woodnut as Jim,
and another regular
Thomas Baptiste as Pinkie.
Plus: Roy Patrick as Skipper,
John Bown as Pierrepoint, and
Anthony Eady as Mate (also in 2 and 6).
2 Totty McTurk (January 18th 1966)
Nicky and Judy meet the secret inhabitants of Rockall.
Some seem friendly, but others...?
Remainder of cast:
Morris Perry as Jo,
Anthony Eady as Bert.
4 The Squadron Leader (February 1st 1966)
Judy and Nicky are now without ther help of Totty McTurk, but find a new ally
in Frinton
Remainder of cast: Terence Soall as Chinaman,
Thomas Baptiste as Pinkie.
5 World of Disbelief (February 8th 1966)
The Master's plan for world domination has been revealed.
Can Frinton and the children stop him?
With Patrick Moore as Himself,
remainder of cast:
Terence Soall as Chinaman,
Thomas Baptiste as Pinkie,
John Woodnut as Jim,
Leonard Woodrow as Sub Editor,
Frank Jarvis as Reporter,
Lewis Jones as TV Man,
Margaret Ashcroft as Fish Fryer, and
Jennifer Stuart as Customer.
6 Death by Misadventure (February 15th 1966)
The world is the the grip of an unknown terror.
Can Judy and Nicky, with Jokey save it?
Remainder of cast:
John McGavin as Newcaster,
Joe Gibbons as Newsagent,
Yvonne Wlash as Customer,
Anthony Eady as Bert,
John Woodnut as Jim,
Alex MacIntosh as TV Reporter,
Zena Blake as Woman,
Rowena Torrance as Teacher,
Ian Lindsay as Office Worker, and
Thomas Baptiste as Pinkie.
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The Diamond Bird
Shown live on Tuesdays 5.25pm (30 minutes) during Nov/Dec 1959.
Some filmed sequences on an East Anglian beach.
Script: Elisabeth Beresford. Director: Prudence Nesbitt.
Cast in most stories:
Peter Furnell as Nicky Wheeler,
Gay Gordon as Isobel,
Edward Dentith as Cedric Harper,
Paul Hardtmuth as Peter Schmidt,
Ronald Ibbs as Hans de Witt,
Robert James as Norris Hardwick,
Harry Littlewood as Willy the Weasel,
Arthur Lowe as George Goodman (billed for one episode in TV Times as Harry Lowe!),
June Monkhouse as Gladys Johns.
Synopsis:
Isobel meets Nicky, "a born romancer" according to Mr Goodman who runs a jewellery shop.
But Nicky claims he's on the track of some smugglers, though his guardian Mr Hardwick,
who edits the local paper doesn't believe him. But what does the sinister stranger Schmidt
mean by his announcement in the personal column, The Bird Is Returning?
'The Bird' proves to be a precious diamond brooch saved from treasure looted by the Nazis in Amsterdam.
1 The Warning (Nov 3rd 1959) - Isobel Ross and her aunt, Miss Gladys Johns, go to Ludborough,
a small seaside town in East Anglia for 15 year old Isobel to recover from whooping cough.
They have no idea that they are about to get involved in a strange mystery.
2 Willy the Weasel (Nov 10th 1959) - Isobel, mystified by Nicky's stories about being involved in the
Mystery of the Diamond Bird, is unsure whether to believe him.
3 (Nov 17th 1959)
4 A Small Brown Parcel (Nov 24th 1959) - Nicky receives a ticket by post: with it Isobel collects
a small parcel from the Yacht Club. They agree to hide it and substitute a faked one, which causes
strange reactions.
5 Willy in Danger (Dec 1st 1959) - Isobel meets Hans de Witt, Nicky's dad, who is anxious
for his son's safety. Norris Hardwick and Hans at last come face to face, with far-reaching results.
6 (Dec 8th 1959)
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Calling All Boys
(episode 1: Monday April 9th 1956, 5-5.30pm, ATV)
A serial written by Pamela and Newton Branch. Director: Stephen Joseph.
Cast: Alan Robinson (Inspector Hawke), Ralph Nossek (Inspector Blake), Ronald Wood (Constable Smith), Fella Edmonds (Bill), Glyn Dearman (Dan), Jonathan Swift (Mike), Michael Maguire (Phil), Leo Phillips (Bash).
In addition on May 14th and 21st 1956, episodes 6 and 7 included Michael Corcoran (Paddy) and John Sherlock (The Kid), while Ian Hendry (Mr X) was definitely in eps 1, 4, 6 and 7.
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Target Luna (ABC 1960)
Script: Malcolm Hulke and Eric Paice.
Director: Adrian Brown. Producer: Sydney Newman
Set on a rocket isle off Scotland (filmed sequences actually made off the Essex coast),
Professor Wedgewood (David Markham) is preparing to send the first man
(William Ingram) into space.
The professor's three children, Valerie (Sylvia Davies), Geoff (Michael Craze), and
Jimmy (Michael Hammond) share the adventure when Jimmy accidentally sets off the alarm
in the control room. His pet hamster Hamlet also gets involved.
Also starring John Cairney as radio engineer Ian Murray and Frank Finlay as Henderson.
With Deborah Stanford as Jean Cary.
With a mostly different cast, Professor Wedgewood and family resurfaced in the serial Pathfinders in Space etc.
Episode details:
1 The Rocket Station
Sunday April 24th 1960 5.15pm
Also in the cast are Roger Ostime, Annette Kerr, Robert Stuart,
Michael Verney, Phyllis Kenny, and William Ingram
When Professor Wedgewood's children spend their Easter holiday at his rocket station,
they become involved in a daring experiment.
2 Count Down
Sunday May 1st 1960
Also in the cast are
Michael Verney,
Phyllis Kenny, and
William Ingram
The first manned flight round the moon. Jimmy is too young, but his chance comes when the
great experiment seems about to fail.
3 The Strange Illness
Sunday May 8th 1960
Also in the cast are
Michael Verney,
Robert Stuart,
Phyllis Kenny, and
William Ingram
The pilot had been too ill and Jimmy secretly takes his place.
The rocket is about to be launched.
4 Storm in Space
Sunday May 15th 1960
Also in the cast is
Robert Stuart
Electrical storms cut the radio link from rocket to Earth. But Jimmy must operate the
heating system, otherwise he will freeze to detah.
5 Solar Flare
Sunday May 22nd 1960
Also in the cast are
Annette Kerr, and
Robert Stuart
Jimmy has circled the moon and is returning to earth.
He faces more danger from a bombardment of particles. if he
increases his speed, he could overshoot earth and become lost in space.
6 The Falling Star
Sunday May 29th 1960
Jimmy, first 'man' round
the mood is about to re-enter the
earth's atmosphere. But only a trained pilot could possibly
handle the rocket's instruments.
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Mystery Hall
(A Southern TV children's serial in 6 parts)
Script: Donald Tosh
Music: Wout Steenhuis
Directed by John Braybon
Jimmy is spending a holiday at a remote hotel on the Dorset coast.
He sees a guest shoot the hotel owner, but this person returns unharmed.
The adventure turns into a search for treasure hidden under the 15th century mansion.
Starring: Alan Wheatley as Alex Ramsey, a writer,
with Philip Newman as Zebediah Gast, odd job man at the hotel and
Mark Colleano as Jimmy Brent.
1 Jimmy Brent
Thursday September 28th 1967 5.25pm
Jimmy saw a man- or did he?
Also in cast:
Hilary Mason... Mrs Thompson
Michael Lynch... Mr Berridge
Bernard Davies... Mr Fothergill
Anthony Woodruff... Mr Blake-Clanton
Paddy Glynn... Jane
Neville Barber... Constable Jeffrys
Ken Haward... Police driver
5 False Bait
Thursday October 25th 1967
Jimmy finds the treasure but loses his liberty.
Also in this cast:
Hilary Mason... Mrs Thompson
Michael Lynch... Mr Berridge
Paddy Glynn... Jane
6 Spring Trap
Thursday November 2nd 1967
Zebediah Gast does his bit.
Also starring
Shelagh Fraser... Mrs Blake-Clanton
Rest of this cast:
Neville Barber... Constable Jeffrys
Hilary Mason... Mrs Thompson
Paddy Glynn... Jane
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Fact and Fiction
Ex-teacher Redvers Kyle introduced a magazine about new books for children, each week the programme included an excerpt from a 'Star Book of the Week.'
Drum and Trumpet Sound (November 11th 1960)
Book by Sutherland Ross, adapted by Joy Thwaytes. Directed by Jim Pople.
Cast: Colin Spaull as Simon Aycliffe, Edward Higgins as Peter Thake, Sharon Sharp as Barbara Tempest, Roy Spencer as Sir Richard Clifton, Hal Dyer as Elizabeth Clifton and Neville Jason as Nigel Ashford.
Jascha (November 18th 1960)
Book by Franz Hutterer, adapted and introduced by by Eric Leyland. Directed by Sheila Gregg.
Cast: Terry Raven as Thomas, Donna Clow as Anka, Barbara Bolton as Mother and David Landen as Timothy.
The Birds of Thimblepins (December 2nd 1960).
Book by Margaret J Baker, adapted and introduced by Eric Leyland. Directed by Sheila Gregg.
Cast: Peter Sanders as David, Wendy Turner as Elisabeth, John Stirling as Jason, Jacqueline Brodin as Jemima, and Michael Lewis as Jonathan.
Seraphina (December 9th 1960).
Book by Mary K Harris. Adapted by Joy Thwaytes. Directed by Tig Roe.
Cast: Sandra Michaels as Seraphina, Valerie Fletcher as Stephanie, Sally Murrell as Jenny, Lynda Evry as Lydia, and Lee Rowe as Miss Jason.
Thunder of Valmy (December 16th 1960)
Book by Geoffrey Trease. Adapted and introduced by Eric Leyland. Director: Sheila Gregg.
Cast: Michael Crawford as Pierre Mercier, Anna Castaldini as Pauline, Nicholas Selby as Marquis de Morsac, and Edwin Brown as Jacques.
In the Window Seat (December 23rd 1960).
Edited by Gillian Avery. Adapted by Joy Thwaytes. Directed by Tig Roe.
Cast:
David Lott as Auguste, Eithne Milne as Porcelain figure, Paul Whitsun-Jones as Dealer, Raymond Mason as Father, Edward Malin as Old Man, and Sandra Michaels as Dorothea.
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Send Foster (Rediffusion)
starred Hayward Morse (son of Barry) as Johnny Foster, a junior reporter on the Redstone Chronicle. He is sent out on all the routine jobs, that
invariably turn into big stories, travelling there in his 1932 Morris, the love of his life.
The series also starred Patrick Newell as the crusty chief reporter Harding, and Polly James as Susan the office girl.
The series was produced by Geoffrey Hughes.
One viewer (TV Times, 4th Aug 1967) declared it was the best children's tv programme for years. However there was a complaint concerning Johnny
Foster's "bizarre clothing." he is said to have worn "white jeans and a flowered shirt."
Susan Maughan, who wrote a fashion article in the magazine, responded: "Hayward Morse and Polly James are two of the snappiest dressers I know...
both raid the Chelsea boutiques and wear a lot of their own fashions in the series."
Here's a contemporary account: "He is a cub reporter, Foster, and the series is concerned with his troubles and triumphs in getting stories for his local newspaper. Susan the efficient little girl in the front office, is Foster's conscience, and his girl friend on and off. She protects him from the wrath of Arthur Harding Chief Reporter.
There was a very cheerful bounce about Morse's performance, and it was easy to sympathise with those who treated his blunders kindly. But indulgence was shown to Foster to a degree that no young writer has a right to expect."
Comments on the first story:
"if I were twelve or thirteen, or even fourteen to twenty, Hayward Morse would be my idea of heaven... He is a cub reporter, Foster, and the series is concerned with his troubles and triumphs in getting stories for his local newspaper. Susan (Polly James) the efficient little girl in the front office, is Foster's conscience, and his girl friend on and off. She protects him from the wrath of Arthur Harding Chief Reporter played nicely by Patrick Newell. There was a very cheerful bounce about Morse's performance, and it was easy to sympathise with those who treated his blunders kindly. But indulgence was shown to Foster to a degree that no young writer has a right to expect"
Children's Menu
Here are details of the eleven stories:
1: Hole in the Road (July 6th 1967 5.00-5.25pm). Johnny thought a reporter's life would be full of excitement and glamour.
A hole in the road isn't very glamorous, but it nearly proved a bit too exciting.
Also in the cast: Garfield Morgan as Security Man, Frank Tregear as Mr Smith, Peter Macann as Alfie,
and Michael Lees as Det Sgt Riley. Script: George Markstein. Director: Geoffrey Hughes.
2: Once a Thief (July 14th 1967). When a boy is expelled from school from stealing, his colleagues stage a strike.
Also in the cast: Raymond Platt, Andre Van Gyseghem, Marianne Stone, Roger Hammond and Peter Hempson.
Script: Victor Pemberton. Director: William G Stewart.
3: Family Likeness (July 21st 1967). Elaine Morris won every race in the school sports and Johnny has unearthed a good story. But it left him
with a problem- should a newspaperman have a cosncience?
Also in the cast: Renny Lister and Michael Turner. Script by Ann de Gale. Directed by Fred Sadoff.
4: Henry Wasn't There (July 28th 1967). Johnny wants to write about the experiences of two old soldiers, but Mr Harding
thinks they're just a couple of nutcases.
Also in the cast: William Corderoy, Clive Dunn as Perce, Clive Elliott, Robert Raglan as Colonel Regan, and Eric Dodson.
Script: Mike Watts. Directed by Ronald Marriott.
5: Henry Wasn't There (August 4th 1967). When Johnny finds that a colour bar is operating in Redstone,
he goes to work to expose it. And to do this he has to go to work- as a waiter.
Also in the cast: Linbert Spencer, Vic Wise, Peter Welch and Brian Wilde.
Script: Mike Watts. Directed by Adrian Cooper.
6: The Peg (August 11th 1967). When Johnny's story isn't strong enough to make the front page,
he starts making the news instead of reporting it.
And that spells trouble.
Also in the cast: Christine Hargreaves, Michael Hall and Bernard Brown.
Script: George Markstein. Directed by Nicholas Ferguson.
7: The Drama Critic (August 18th 1967). A visit to the amateur dramatic club seems a pretty boring assignment
but when drama critic Johnny wields his savage pen, trouble follows.
Also in the cast: Geoffrey Hibbert, Rosamunde Burne, Helena de Crespo, Alan Bennion and Peter Mackriel.
Script: Geoffrey Hughes. Directed by William G Stewart.
8: Which Wedding Were You At? (August 25th 1967). It's a happy wedding for Sandy and Anne Potter (Roger Rowland and Gay Cameron),
but for reporter Johnny Foster it's the start of a story that is 'too hot to handle.'
Also in the cast: John Franklyn Robbins. Script: Mike Watts.
9: The Accident (September 1st 1967).
Johnny discovers a damsel in distress and is offered a bribe to forget about it.
Also in the cast: Liz Gebhardt as Liz Ellis, Gerald Sim as Dr Ellis and
John Franklyn Robbins as Sgt Thomas.
Script: Mike Watts. Directed by William G Stewart.
10: Off The Record (September 8th 1967).
Johnny gets caught up in the Redstone pop scene, and a competition for the best group.
Also in the cast: Clive Colin-Bowler, Michael Craze, Harry Littlewood and Eric Francis.
Script: George Markstein. Directed by Hugh Munro.
11 (final story): Just Read That Back to me, Young Man (September 15th 1967).
Johnny's shorthand was never his strong point and when a great actor and a lady councillor
start slanging each other, Johnny gets caught in the middle.
Also in the cast: Anthony Newlands, Charles Lamb, Patsy Rowlands, Peter Bartlett and Liz Ashley.
Script: Max Oberman. Directed by Nicholas Ferguson.
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SIERRA NINE (A-R)
with David Sumner as Dr Peter Chance, Deborah Stanford as Anna Parsons, and Max Kirby as Sir Willoughby Dodd.
Script: Peter Hayes. Director: Marc Miller.
There were four stories lasting a total of 13 programmes-
The Brain Machine,
The Man Who Shook the World,
The Elixir of Life, and
The Q-Radiation.
Episode 1 The Brain Machine (May 7th 1963). Also in cast:
Ronald Ibbs as Prof Howard Portman, Ann Rye as Jane Brightside, Robert Mill as Beamish and Robin Chapman as an Arab spy.
Having successfully completed a research project into self-homing missiles, Peter Chance is astounded when told
by his chief, Prof Portman, to scrap all his work and start again. Later, chance sees Portman
taking micro-photographs of the apparently useless data.
Episode 2 The Brain Machine (May 14th 1963).
With Harold Kasket as The Baron, and Henry Soskin, Julian Sherrier, Raymond Mason, and Oswald Laurence.
On arrival in El Arish, capital of Mirzan, Chance and Anna seem no nearer to solving the
mystery of the Brain machine until their attention focuses on the Medical Centre.
Episode 3 The Brain Machine (May 21st 1963). With Harold Kasket, Henry Soskin and Julian Sherrier.
Now fully aware of the Brain machine's location and potential, Chance attempts to warn Sierra Nine in London.
To complicate matters further, King Sharifa (Henry Soskin) asks Sierrna Nine for help in squashing an attempted revolution.
Episode 4 The Brain Machine (May 28th 1963).
With Harold Kasket, Henry Soskin, Julian Sherrier, and John Trenaman.
Selim's revolution begins- and Chance, Anna and King Sharifa are in grave danger.
Episode 1 The Man Who Shook the World (June 4th 1963). Also in cast David Garth, George Roubicek, Norman Mitchell, Timothy Bateson,
Peter Thomas, Gordon Tanner. Sir Hugo Petersham (David Garth), an eminent nuclear scientist invents a minute atomic warhead
which is to be tested in the USA. On its way to London Airport, the device is stolen- and Chance and Anna Parsons are called in to investigate.
Episode 2 The Man Who Shook the World (June 11th 1963). Also in cast David Garth, George Roubicek, Timothy Bateson, Peter Thomas.
With the bomb still missing, Chance's attention suddenly centres on the mysterious small island called Dantosa.
Episode 3 The Man Who Shook the World (June 18th 1963). Also in cast David Garth, George Roubicek, Timothy Bateson, Peter Thomas.
Unaware that the detonator circuit of the bomb has gone into action, Ernie and Scowse escape to the country,
taking the bomb with them. Can Sierra Nine get to the bomb before it explodes?
Episode 1 The Elixir of Life (June 25th 1963). With Brian Poiser and Blake Butler.
Sir Willoughby has an unexpected visitor and as a result, Chance and Anna Parsons are trying
to solve a mystery in a French monastery.
Episode 2 The Elixir of Life (July 2nd 1963). With Brian Poiser, Blake Butler and Charles Laurence.
Who is trying to steal Brother Victor's formula? Chance and Anna begin to tighten the net...
Episode 1 The Q-Radiation (July 9th 1963). With Peter Halliday as Dr John Quendon, Rodney Bewes as Tom Batley,
John Gabriel and Ivor Salter.
What has Dr Quendon invented? Why did Professor Tudor Owen resign?
Episode 2 The Q-Radiation (July 16th 1963). With Harold Kasket as The Baron,
Peter Halliday, John Gabriel, Ivor Salter and Alan White.
Unaware of the Baron's reappearance, the Government decide to develop Quendon's invention. In order to keep Prof
)wen's machine in the race, the vital acceleration unit must be stolen from Quendon's machine.
Episode 3 The Q-Radiation (July 23rd 1963). With Harold Kasket as The Baron,
Peter Halliday, Rodney Bewes, and Ivor Salter as Prof Tudor Owen.
Despite elaborate precautions, Owen has stolen the vital unit... Chance and Anna
visit Llanmaris.
Episode 4 The Q-Radiation (July 30th 1963- final story). With Harold Kasket as The Baron,
Robert Brown as Galliver, Peter Halliday and Ivor Salter.
Trapped on Llanmaris by the Baron, Chance and Anna face Owen's deadly ray.
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The Secret of Carrick House (A-R)
shown on Tuesdays in September/October 1959.
Written by John Rhodes, directed by Marion Radclyffe.
The star was
Barry MacGregor who played Ken Brodie,
and also appearing were
Judy Bloom as Pilar Cortella,
Lilian Grassom as Peggy Myers,
David Waller as Richard Adams,
Roderick Lovell as Uncle Manuel,
Hugh Evans as Simon Greeb,
Gordon Whiting as Carlos, and
Brenda Saunders as a waitress (stories 1 to 4), and
with Michael Browning as a policeman (stories 4 to 6).
Ken takes up
his first job as a reporter on the South Cornish Echo.
Always on the lookout for a scrap, he is soon in hot water...
Episode 1: Hot Water- 1st Sept 1959 5.45-6.15pm, With Nicholas Light as Brian Field.
Episode 2: The Intruder- 8th September 1959
3: The Hostage- 15th September 1959 (now at 5.25-5.55pm).
4: The Boss- 22nd September 1959
5: Marooned- 29th September 1959
6: The Scoop- 6th October 1959 (final episode).
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Over to William (ATV, 1956)
Keith Crane starred as Richmal Crompton's hero, with the other outlaws played by Meurig Wyn-Jones (Ginger), John Symonds (Henry) and Michael Saunders (Douglas). Other semi regulars were Frank Sieman as Mr Brown, and Sylvia Marriott as Mrs Brown. Cavan Malone played Robert and Shirley Lawrence played Ethel in a few stories. Ditto Jeanette Phillips as Violet Elizabeth.
Donald Wilson adapted the tales for tv. The producer was Cecil Petty.
Programmes included:
Episode 1: September 16th 1956.
Episode 2: Claude Finds a Companion (September 23rd 1956). William and the Outlaws make the first sardine toffee ever. With Howard Vaughan as Claude. Also Oliver Johnston as Gardener.
Episode 5: Aunt Louie's Birthday Present (October 18th 1956). William goes shopping for Mrs Brown. With Hedi Schnabel as Aunt Louie.
Episode 6: William and the Three-Forty (October 25th 1956). William's good deed for the day has some very unexpected results.
Episode 10: Cats and White Elephants (November 22nd 1956). Where once again one learns never to rely on William. With Kenneth Gilbert as Archie.
Episode 12: The Begging Letter (December 6th 1956). In which William tries to turn an honest penny. Also with J Trevor-Davis as Colonel Pomeroy, Ann Poole as Phillipa Pomeroy and John Myer as Mr Peters.
Final Episode: William Meets a Professor (December 13th 1956). In which William gets away with it. With Charles Houston as Professor Golightly.
Note: This was child actor Keith Crane's finest hour. He had little acting opportunity after this, perhaps his biggest part was as a wronged boy in The New Adventures of Charlie Chan (1957), #21 Three Men on a Raft
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Rediffusion's children's serials ended with a bang, as the company was making two serials per week
when their contract expired.
Devil-in-the-Fog
was a six part serial made in the summer of 1968.
Stanley Miller dramatised the story by Leon Garfield. Michael Currer-Briggs was producer.
The star was Nicholas Evans who appeared in each story playing George Treet.
He is sixteen years old (even though Nicholas who portrayed him was aged 28!),
when he learns he is heir to Lord Dexter's estate at Ightham Mote. He has to put aside his
former life as a rough strolling player, to pretend to be a man-of-the-world,
all dressed up in lace and fine clothes.
1 Some Are Born to Greatness... (Friday 21st June 1968)
In the beginning this tale tells how I, George, the eldest born son of Master
Salathiel Treet, strolling player and man of genius, came to have greatness thrust upon me.
also with
Valentine Dyall... The Stranger,
Martin Dempsey... Salathiel Treet,
Diana Simpson... Jane Treet,
Keith Skinner... Edward Treet,
John Moulder-Brown... Hotspur Treet,
Verina Greenlaw... Ross Treet,
Jeremy Longhurst... Breath, a highwayman,
Kenneth Thornett... Manager, a tavern keeper,
Richard Shaw... Rummage, a beadle,
George Desmond... Camber, a gate keeper, and
Milton Johns... Joseph.
A contemporary account of the opening episode: "this introduced the Treets a gay, penniless family of travelling actors, headed by father Salathiel, who needed little excuse to display their repertoire. Held up on a lonely road by a dingy highwayman, they first disarmed the poor man and then befuddled him with the performance of an excerpt from Christopher Marlowe's works. All this established the characters of the Treets, even if it seemed to take a disproportionate amount of time to do so. The second half of this half hour episode moved rather more quickly"
2 Some Have Greatness Thrust Upon Them... (28th June 1968).
From a night of fog and mystery to a future of promise
and prosperity, and yet at what price.
also with
Martin Dempsey... Salathiel Treet,
Milton Johns... Joseph,
Diana Simpson... Jane Treet,
Keith Skinner... Edward Treet,
John Moulder-Brown... Hotspur Treet,
Verina Greenlaw... Ross Treet,
John Baskcomb... Dr Newby,
Stephanie Bidmead... Lady Dexter,
Peggyann Clifford... Mrs Goater,
Richard Leech... Sir John Dexter,
Donald Eccles... Rev Mr Rumbold,
Henry Moxon... Mr Bennett,
Gary Watson... Capt Richard Dexter, and
George Woodbridge... Cribbage.
3 O My Prophetic Soul: My Uncle! (5th July 1968).
Fog darkness and mystery follow me still. All my questions however
natural, have met with no real answer.
also with Gary Watson... Captain Richard Dexter,
Peggyann Clifford... Mrs Goater,
Milton Johns... Joseph,
Stephanie Bidmead... Lady Dexter, and
Richard Leech... Sir John Dexter.
4 That One May Smile, and Smile, And Be a Villain... (12th July 1968).
A miasma of fog and skullduggery attended my birth and abduction, and now I find myself
deep in a midnight wood and face to face with a murder.
With
Gary Watson... Captain Richard Dexter,
Peggyann Clifford... Mrs Goater,
Martin Dempsey... Salathiel Treet,
Diana Simpson... Jane Treet,
Keith Skinner... Edward Treet,
John Moulder-Brown... Hotspur Treet,
Verina Greenlaw... Ross Treet,
Milton Johns... Joseph,
Stephanie Bidmead... Lady Dexter, and
Richard Leech... Sir John Dexter.
5 Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair... (19th July 1968).
Why should I,the accepted son and heir of a noble baronet,
listen to my ruffianly uncle and whey-faced old witch,
known liars both?
With Patsy Rowands... Mrs Dexter,
Denis Gilmore... Bertram Dexter,
and Gary Watson,
Peggyann Clifford,
Martin Dempsey,
Diana Simpson,
Keith Skinner,
John Moulder-Brown,
Verina Greenlaw,
Milton Johns,
Stephanie Bidmead, and
Richard Leech.
6 ... This Fell Serjeant, Death... (26th July 1968, Rediffusion's final month of broadcasting).
With the immediate departure of my foster family,
leaving me alone to face the unknown enemy,
I came near despair.
With
Valentine Dyall (as in story 1),
Jeremy Longhurst (as in 1)
Patsy Rowands,
Denis Gilmore,
Gary Watson,
Peggyann Clifford,
Martin Dempsey,
Diana Simpson,
Keith Skinner,
John Moulder-Brown,
Verina Greenlaw,
Milton Johns,
Stephanie Bidmead,
Richard Leech, and
John Baskcomb as Dr Newby.
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The Chequered Flag (A-R)
A serial in six parts written by Ivan Berg (his only tv script). Director: Jim Pople.
World racing champion Tony Gregory (Geoffrey Frederick) discovers a possible future star in 17 year old Mike Brown (Jeremy Bulloch) and persuades his parents to allow Mike to join him as an apprentice.
Other regulars were Joan, Gregory's attractive wife (Sheila Robins), Mike's parents (Irene Richmond and Anthony Woodruff) and two argumentative mechanics Tim (Larry Burns) and Charlie (Tony Hilton).
Episode 1: Mike Goes Karting (Tuesday September 6th 1960).
The tale opens at Brands Hatch where the mad about racing Mike is hanging around
just avoiding getting in everyone's way.
After the Formula Junior race he is spotted by Tony who is looking for a replacement for a school's demonstration as one lad hasn't turned up. Though Mike has never driven a kart before, he sets off like a rocket. Also in this story as Commentator was James Grout.
One episode showed Mike having to assemble a kart kit. Later Mike enters the Round Britain car rally.
Final episode: International Event (October 11th 1960), this was set at the Formula Junior Monaco Grand Prix. Though Tony Gregory and his team make an all-out effort to win, when they arrive in Monte Carlo things don't quite go according to plan. Also appearing: Peter Zander as Foreign Radio Announcer, and Robert Mill and Robert Perceval as Race Commentators.
Michael Crawford appeared in three of the six episodes.
Described as the first motor racing series on British TV, this was "a career-documentary-cum-adventure series." An A-R spokesman added "if the first six episodes are a success, the series may be continued."
Note- originally Mike's name and that of the series was to have been 'Elroy Brown'
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Westward Television
only very rarely contributed drama to the network.
Playbill - programmes included The Christmas Market Place (Sunday Dec 18th and Sun Dec 25th 1966)
Script: Henry Gheon. Producers: Miranda Leger and John Bartlett.
Presented by the young stage hands youth group, Topsham. Part 1: The Annunciation Part 2: The Nativity. A crowd of gypsies arrive in a market place. They perform the Christmas story. They gradually identify themselves with the characters.
Some local amateur talent was on show in these half hour offerings for children produced by John Bartlett:
Jamaica Inn (26th January/ 3rd February 1967) from Westhill County Secondary School St Austell.
Cast: Penny Wilton (Mary Yellan), Laurence Martyn (Jass Merlyn), Peter Barker (Harry the Pedlar),
Geoffrey Honeywell (Jem Merlyn), Helen Plowman (Aunt Patience) and Martyn Crowle (Francis Davey).
The Deterrent by Charles Mander (14th June 1967) from Millfield School Somerset.
Henry IV (21st/28th June 1967) from Wellington School Somerset. "Freely adapted" by Joe Storr. The director adapted Shakespeare to fit a First World War theme."
Clive Turpin who was in the title role, tells me that the cast "went to the Westward studios in Plymouth. I think we performed the play in November or December 1966 at the school, and it was recorded by Westward a few months later, perhaps March 1967.
A curiosity was the 15 minute Tam O'Shanter on Sunday May 22nd 1966, performed by Sexey's School Bruton, geography teacher James Hanwell operating the camera, and English teacher Kenneth Parker as producer. Burns' character was renamed Jock McBruton, and the setting changed to Bruton.
Westward adult dramas:
Tension (Dec 19th 1966, 10.05pm not networked)
Script: Gregory Page. Producers: Tony Lister and John Bartlett.
Presented by the Ile Youth Club, Ilminster with Ruth Weir as Anya, Nigel White as Meredith, Mary Weir as Elena, Philip Sparks as Krotac, and Sally Riste as Irina.
A spy story about Meredith, on holiday in the Balkans who rescues Anya, who is scared of the police. She helps him recover microfilm stolen from Britain, but two women are out to foil them, as well as the unpleasant villain Krotac
The Pearl - Tuesday June 6th 1967 (10.57-11.27 London region)
Script: John Gay. Director: Derek Fairchild.
The true story of Eliza Emma Crouch (1835-1886) who found fame as Cora Pearl. She was the daughter of a poor musician, born in Union Street Plymouth. It was in Paris that she reached the top of 'the oldest profession.' In the title role was Alethea Charlton, also appearing were John Abineri and Roger Warrod. Narration was by Paul Rogers.
If you have details of any other Westward originated drama, or can throw more light on the above, I'd be very pleased to hear from you.
Westward Television page
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School of Secrets
(5 part serial starting January 17th 1957, 5-5.30pm, ATV)
Script: David Carr. Director: Cecil Petty.
Set in a small private Cornish school. The new headmaster introduces changes to the running of the school which look normal enough only on the surface.
Cast: Charles Morgan (Mr Maxwell, the headmaster), Louise Grant (Mrs Maxwell), Maurice Lane (Mike Williams), Vernon Maurice (Peter Blackett), Barry Knight (John Hodges), Christopher Sandford (Phillip Scott), Kenneth Gilbert (Mr Fellows), and Mark Bellamy (Sam Rappaport).
Jan 17th: Episode 1 The New Headmaster
Jan 24th: Episode 2 The Gold Cigarette Case
Jan 31st: Episode 3 The Draycott Diamonds
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Associated Rediffusion tried to encourage new young writers to contribute to various children's serials. Budding authors were
invited to 'write the next episode.' No doubt it was a cheap way to produce programmes, but there
seemed no shortage of entrants!
Write It Yourself began a fortnightly run in October 1955 and was the story The Tale of Two Halves. The director was Clare Ash.
Apparently the author of the winning submission was made a member of the Flickwiz Playwrights' Guild, and runners up received
"certificates." (Flickwiz was the umbrella name for the children's programmes on Thursdays.) Presumably some talent was uncovered because the idea continued over the years.
The format was modified during the next serial, which commenced on April 5th 1956, Peter in the Air.
This time viewers were invited to send "ideas and suggestions" how the story could continue. Prizes were again offered for the best. The story was shown fortnightly. Director: Daphne Shadwell.
The idea was revived in 1957 starting on September 24th, when Daphne Shadwell directed a fortnightly thriller serial Dangerous Cargo.
This time A-R opted for a mixture of the two previous formats, for viewers were offered prizes
for "the best scripts or ideas showing how the story should be continued." Keith Faulkner played the hero Dick Davidson, and Anthony Ford was Greg.
Lawrence James played Toby and John Martin was Jacob.
World of Darkness began a fortnightly run on 10th January 1958 again directed by Daphne Shadwell with Peter Ling introducing the story. This was a space serial with prizes offered as before with the invitation to
Write it Yourself. Robert Cartland starred as Dr Mark Starr with Anneke Willys as Susan Carpenter and Robin Willett as Chip Carpenter.
There were about 8 or 9 episodes before a new story began on May 2nd 1958
Trouble at Northbrook was again introduced by Peter Ling, but directed by Prudence Nesbitt. It was 'a 3 J's adventure' with John Allen (Pearson Dodd), Jacko Eccles (Keith Davis) and
Jimmy 'Specs' Davis (Peter Soule). The three lads lasted 5 fortnightly episodes and then began another 6 part adventure on 11th July 1958 called Northbrook Holiday.
October 3rd 1958 saw the final programme of the "successful" Write It Yourself introduced by Peter Ling and directed by Prudence Nesbitt.
This was a New Play "full of surprises" written by young viewers. Unfortunately TV Times was unable to give more up to the minute details.
The Write a Play idea was resurrected by Rediffusion after a gap of six years, in a new series of this name that began at the end of 1964. It was a competition for the under 15's. "Out of the hundreds of plays written by you and sent to us," each week Rediffusion chose two. In fact around 200 plays were submitted.
Long time children's favourite Jimmy Hanley introduced the rather distinguished resident cast
of Peter Halliday, Geraldine Newman, Kenneth Nash, Jonathan Collins, Gerald Rowland and Carla Challoner. Script editor was Denis Butler- it's not stated how much editing was needed- and Michael Segal produced.
If you were a winner, or even a loser, and can tell us more about this competition, please email me
These are the plays that were screened:
December 29th 1964: The Fall of Saebras by Robert Mills and The Truth about Cinderella by Angela Hughes. Also in this cast: Lally Bowers, Barbara Mitchell and David Dodimead. Marc Miller directed.
January 5th 1965: The Golden Feather by Lesley Dear, and Treasure Hunt by Stephen Batty.
January 12th 1965: The Witch of the New Forest by Susan Ames, and The Basnji by Kenneth Lingford. Henry Soskin also starred.
January 19th 1965: Four minutes To... by Derek Webb and Christopher Gillings, and The Frog Ling by Janet Mitchell.
January 16th 1965: The Changing World by Jill Povall, and The Compartment by Nicholas Gray and Frances Allan.
February 2nd /9th 1965: Hail to the Queen by Carol Waite, and The Blue Flower by Jayne Brownsword. (possibly the first transmission postponed?)
February 16th 1965: Time and Time Again by Philip Egner, and So You're the Leader Now by Susan Lees. Now directed by Hugh Munro.
February 23rd 1965: The Deadly Stage Coach by Brian Lead, and It's Funny After All by Christopher Ellis.
March 2nd 1965: Mr Timbrel's Reckoning by Margaret Whiteley, and Freedom Railway (unknown author).
March 9th 1965: The Waiting Room by Marilyn Ford, and The Messengers by Annabel Burbrook. Daphne Shadwell now directed.
March 16th 1965: Here We Go Round by Godfrey Smith, and Poetic Justice by Anthony Suggitt.
March 23rd 1965: A Rebellion by Gerald O'Hagan, and The Box by David Thompson.
March 30th 1965 was the last in the series and Lord Willis presented the prizes to the winners. The final play was
The Beat Caterpillar by Gabrielle and Maeve O'Mahoney.
Stage One "for Older Children" followed during summer 1965, and this series, introduced by Gwyneth Surdivall,
gave children "all the facilities of a television studio" so they could improvise their own productions.
After a break in October, on 30th November 1965 Stage One Contest began, "an inter-city contest in play making."
Ronald Marriott directed, as he had done many of the earlier programmes, and five stories came from
Birmingham (programme 1- The Sound Mixer by Dorien Argent, with guest Heinz),
Glasgow (Dec 7th- Caroline by Jennifer James with Eric Burden of The Animals),
Manchester (Dec 14th- The Party by Beverley Williams with Graham Nash of The Hollies),
Bristol (Dec 21st- The Monster by Bradley Nicholas with Billie Hutton of The Fourmost) and
London (Dec 28th- The Sad King by Jean Mageean with special guest Donovan).
I would like to thank Peter Kelly, who writes:
"As a member of the Glasgow Team which appeared, I am proud to confirm that the Glasgow Team won the contest. Their prize was a return trip to London to improvise another play, ‘One Man Four Shadows’ which, unlike ‘Caroline’, was broadcast live (probably January 4th 1966 -ed). The guest pop star was Paul Jones of Manfred Mann.
‘Caroline’ not only won Stage One; it also went on to win an international children’s television award.
At 13, I was the youngest member of the team. The oldest was David Hayman, 17 at the time, who has gone on to have a successful television and stage career (including the Series ‘Trial and Retribution’). Others included Caroline McGregor (the ‘Caroline’ of the play’s title) and Joe MacDonald."
Head of Rediffusion Children's Programmes, Michael Segal said of this final show, "the contest has gone splendidly. I think we have achieved our aim of showing that with two days rehearsals, children who don't know each other and who haven't done this kind of thing before, can put on an excellent and enjoyable performance"
Write a Play returned after a year's break in 1967 now introduced by Clive Goodwin.
Ronald Marriott produced. This series did not have a resident cast, but instead some famous names appeared.
The plays included:
April 4th 1967: 1 The Prehistoric Man by Laurence G Dion. 2 Thrice Upon a Night-time by Jane Harwood.
Directed by Fred Sadoff. Casts: Patrick Barr, John Cater, Jimmy Gardner, David Rowlands,
Judith Smith, and Elizabeth Weaver.
April 18th 1967: 1 Johnny Dies at War by Elizabeth Logsdon. 2 The Legend by Janice Chegwin.
Directed by Adrian Cooper. Casts: Simon Prebble, Anne Stallybrass, Karin MacCarthy, Clive Merrison, and Roger Rowland.
April 25th 1967: 1 Revenge is Not So Sweet by Peter Oxendale. 2 Shoplifting by Anthony Bash.
Directed by Adrian Cooper. Casts: 1 with Basil Moss, Jonathan Elsom, John Carlin and Bill Meilen.
2 With Carolyn Moody, John Carlin and Peter MacKriel.
May 2nd 1967: 1 I Say James by Gordon Hay. 2 The Geranium Boy by Lynn Martin.
Directed by Fred Sadoff. Casts: James Cossins, Ann Castle and Alan Wade.
In story 1 only, also appearing were Pamela Strong, Anthony Howard and Julian Orchard.
May 9th 1967: 1 A Question of Moral Values by Form 4L1 Plant Hill Comprehensive School Blackley.
2 To Sleep, perchance to Dream by Theresa Flynn.
Directed by Fred Sadoff. Cast: Jessie Evans, David Kelsey, Dorothy Reynolds, Annette Robertson,
John Garrie (story 1 only), Darryl Read (2 only).
May 16th 1967: 1 The Escape by John O'Hannon.
2 Death Sentence by Christopher Morray-Jones.
Directed by Vic Hughes. Casts: 1 Ken Parry (Mumsey), Larry Noble (Weasel), William Kendall (Head warder),
Michael Balfour (Warder), and Peter Bayliss (Visitor). 2 Richard O'Callaghan as Youth, William Kendall as Judge.
May 23rd 1967: 1 The White Christ by Angela Simmons.
2 The Freeze Man by Richard Wood Smith.
Directed by Fred Sadoff. Cast: Donald Eccles, Paul Williamson, Derren Nesbitt, Bruce Purchase, Michael Ripper.
Also Christopher Matthews (story 1 only).
May 30th 1967: 1 The Mind of Man by Margaret Eldridge and Jacqueline Pragnell.
2 Poetic Justice.
Directed by Vic Hughes. With Tim Brooke-Taylor (as 1 Mr Hogarth, 2 Fred), Beatty Walters,
Aubrey Morris, John Blythe, Hazel Hughes and Dudley Jones.
June 6th 1967: 1 The Compartment by Richard Everton. 2 The Ace of Spades by Christopher Jones. Directed by Fred Sadoff.
Casts: 1: John Gill (Ticket collector), Robert James (First victim), John Clark (second victim), Jeremy Burnham (Young man), Brian Badcoe (Country man), Walter Gotell (Military man), and Griffith Davies (Rough man). 2: Robert James (Captain Briggs), Jeremy Burnham (Lieutenant Smythe), Griffith Davies (2nd Lt Evans), Walter Gotell (Kapitan Schulz), Brian Badcoe (German soldier), and John Clark (American GI)
June 13th 1967: 1 The Dim by Janet Ward.
2 Eight Minutes to Go by JS White.
Directed by Fred Sadoff. Cast: Peter Eyre, Allan Cuthbertson, Jack Smethurst, Valerie Taylor, Frances Cuka,
also Pippa Lowe (1) and Clifford Earl (2).
June 20th 1967: 1 The Masterpiece by David Hardie.
2 To an Audience of Cork-Lined Ears by Robert Mason.
Directed by Peter Croft. Cast: Sydney Tafler, Kynaston Reeves, Rosamund Greenwood and Henry Soskin.
Also Aimi MacDonald (in 1) and Michael Rothwell (2).
Thank you to Joy Cavanagh who wrote to me about one of the plays shown on May 16th 1967.
'My husband Ed Cavanagh wrote the play 'The Escape' with his friend John O'Hannan when they were 14. They wrote it as the Christmas play for St Bedes School, Cambridge. There was a report on it in the Cambridge Evening News at the time. Ed says,
"Unfortunately I was not allowed a credit as I was just above the age limit for entry, I was sixteen at the time."
"Unbeknown to John, I adapted it for the Write a Play competition." He says he was notified about their success when a big brown envelope came through the door from Rediffusion, and he took it straight round to show John. He continues, "One of the girls at school typed it out for me. When it was accepted for the competition, my headmaster rang the TV people explaining my age situation. They finally invited me to watch the play being filmed. John and I met Arthur Askey in the canteen and had a nice chat with him.
I believe we came 4th or 5th overall in the competition. It was an exciting and fun day out."
John added that he remembers the lift doors opening and seeing Tommy Cooper inside which he found funny as the lift was full and the doors closed so it was just a fleeting moment'
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THE HANDY GANG (A-R)
('Odd Men for Odd Jobs')
Written by David Edwards and Johnny Hutch. Norman Murray also helped on some stories. Directed by Pat Baker (nos 1-3),
Harry Sloan (4-9), J Murray Ashford (10-13).
The stars were: Johnny Hutch as Johnny, Dave Jackley as Dave and Bob Bryan as Tiny.
Co-starring Freddie Foss as Mr Arkingshaw (stories 1-7) or Reginald Marsh as The Colonel (8-13).
1 May 3rd 1963 The Inspection. Dave and Johnny prepare for an inspection by the manager, Arkingshaw, of their work at the block of flats. Their friend Tiny doesn't help matters.
2- May 10th 1963 The Distempered Soprano. With Dorothea Phillips as Madame Coloratura.
The Handy Gang, in an effort to please Mr Arkingshaw, take on an unusual decorating job.
3- May 17th 1963 In the Soup. Arkingshaw is short of staff and the Handy gang manage to talk him into
letting them run the restaurant in his block of flats.
4- May 24th 1963 Window Cleaners.
The Handy Gang are involved in a crash programme to get the windows cleaned for Arkingshaw.
5- May 31st 1963 Clean Sweep. Mr Arkingshaw soon realises
his mistake when he asks the Gang to make a clean sweep.
6- June 7th 1963 Too Many Cooks. The Gang discover that many hands do not always make light work.
7- June 14th 1963 Danger Gang at Work. The Gang attempts a simple repair job with riotous results.
8- June 21st 1963 A Close Shave. The Gang take over the hairdressing salon-
and the Colonel has great difficulty keeping his hair on.
9- June 28th 1963 Green Gingers- Red Faces.
Everything in the garden is not quite so rosy when the Gang help the Colonel to weed his prize blooms.
10- July 5th 1963 Fire! Fire! The Gang practise their fire drill and first aid,
but in the end it is they who need rescuing from the Colonel.
11- July 12th 1963 Old Crocks. The Gang have a smashing time when the Colonel orders them
to help with stock-taking.
12- July 19th 1963 Danger! Gang at Work. The Gang try their hand at building
and manage to drop quite a few bricks.
13- July 26th 1963 (final story) Uncertain Curtain. The Gang volunteers to put on a show
for some Very Important Persons, but soon discover that practice does not always make perfect.
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SMUGGLERS' COVE (A-R)
An adventure set in Cornwall written by Jean McConnell and directed by Richard West.
Location filming was done in Looe. The story was about robberies from lobster pots.
The children, pictured here, were Ingrid Sylvester as Patricia and Billy Hamon as Beetle. Frazer Hines also starred as Tim.
Others in the stories were: John Dearth, Annette Kerr, Nigel Jenkins and Anthony Sagar.
Episode 1 Sailors' Warning (August 6th 1963).
Patricia and Beetle arrive at the Cove for their summer holiday, but the place doesn't seem the same somehow
as when they came last year. There is an air of uneasiness and tension in the village.
Episode 2 The Moonlight Folk (August 13th 1963).
There is a mystery about Uncle Jem's missing lobsters. Why should he be so unlucky when Tregellet's pots are always full?
Tim is determined to find out.
Episode 3 Frog in Deep Water (August 20th 1963).
Beetle sets a trap for the lobster thief and makes an unsatisfactory catch.
Tim is more than ever determined to solve the mystery of Uncle Jem's lobsters
and before long success seems to be at hand.
Episode 4 A Sign of the Hand (August 27th 1963).
The lobster mystery is cleared up in part, but Tim and his friends find themselves
facing something bigger and more dangerous.
Episode 5 (September 3rd 1963).
Episode 6 (September 10th 1963).
With John Horsley as Blanchard, and Richard Dare as Customs Officer.
With the smugglers on the run and things moving quickly to a climax, Beetle finds himself playing
an unexpected part in proceedings.
Children's Menu
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Emerald Soup
A serial for children from ABC TV.
Script: Martin Woodhouse. Director: Bill Bain
Starring: Jessica Spencer as Jessica Maxwell, and William Dexter as John Maxwell, with
Janina Faye as Jo Maxwell, Karl Lanchbury as Gally Lloyd,
and Gregory Philips as Tim Maxwell.
I think this was the last of ABC's children's serials.
Details of some of the stories
Episode 1 (Sat Nov 9th 1963 5.15pm.)
In the Maxwell laboratory an exciting experiment is under way, but
unexpected results occur. The children discover that mysterious parties are interested.
Also with Annette Andre... Penny Dalton,
Michael Bangerter... Poynter,
Ethel Gabriel... Mrs Evans,
Allan McClelland... Gaunt,
Fredric Abbott... Lee,
Blake Butler... Pascoe
Episode 3 (Sat Nov 23rd 1963) - on the 'other side' at 5.15 a new series began.... Dr Who!
Episode 5 (Sat Dec 7th 1963)
The Gaunt gang make final preparations for leaving the country
with stolen samples. Their plans are unexpectedly upset.
Also with Allan McClelland, Fredric Abbott, Blake Butler,
Michael Bangerter, Annette Andre, Ethel Gabriel and
Robert Sansom... Chorley
Final Episode (Dec 21st 1963)
John sets out to discover what caused the explosion in his
laboratory. What can the children do to recover the stolen
samples, or is this the end of project Emerald Soup?
Also with Michael Bangerter, Annette Andre, Ethel Gabriel,
Allan McClelland, Fredric Abbott, Blake Butler.
To Children's Menu
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The Old Pull 'N' Push (A-R)
Tuesdays 5.25pm. 6 episodes in November and December 1960.
Script: Elisabeth Beresford. Director: Bimbi Harris.
Theme music played by Terry Lightfoot's New Orleans Jazzmen.
The children: John Pike as Andrew, Waveney Lee as Judith.
Joe Gibbons played kindly stationmaster Uncle Joe, and Ann Wrigg Miss Bunch the village postmistress. Nicholas Amer played the Italian villain Perelli.
Set on a fictional branch line at Coudhurst (actually Goudhurst in Kent), the train runs to the fictional Mill End.
1 Confusion at Coudhurst (Nov 1st 1960)
3 Knock-Out Blow (Nov 15th 1960) Others in this cast: Melvyn Baker (Simon Hearst),
Michael Collins (Percy Miller), Leon Sinden (Reginald Hearst), Philip Stone (Sid Martin), and Douglas Bradley-Smith (Mr Lambkin). Who is behind the mystery of the leaflets? Judith suspects Sgr Pirelli, and Mr Lambkin comes to Coudhurst to investigate
5 The Race (Dec 6th 1960, postponed from Nov 29th) Others in this cast: Melvyn Baker (Simon Hearst), Leon Sinden (Reginald Hearst), Michael Collins (Percy Miller), Philip Stone (Sid Martin), and Douglas Bradley-Smith (Mr Lambkin). Perelli has the brilliant idea of a race between the Old Pull 'n' Push and a lorry. Which will get to Mill End and back to Coudhurst station in the shortest time?
6 Danger Signal (Dec 13th 1960) Others in this cast: Melvyn Baker, Leon Sinden, Michael Collins, Philip Stone, and Douglas Bradley-Smith. The result of the race, and the discovery of who was behind the leaflets advocating closing the railway.
The Return Of The Old Pull 'N' Push
6 episodes, May-June 1961. Same personnel, Perelli however was now a reformed character.
Ironically the real life railway through Goudhurst seen in the series was closed on June 12th 1961, the day before the final episode was screened!
Bimbi Harris said, "the new series is being recorded and I expect it will be shown in many children's programmes overseas." So maybe this series exists somewhere, but where?
Episode 1 (May 9th 1961)
Others in this cast: Rosemary Dorken (Miss Spinks), and Peter Hughes (Neale). The little engine is ready to bring Judith and Andrew diwn for another holiday. The village postmistress and Mr Perelli are waiting to greet them in Coudhurst.
Episode 2 (May 16th 1961).
Episode 3 (May 23rd 1961)
Others in this cast: George Tovey (Porty), Rosemary Dorken, Peter Hughes, and Gerald Harper (Gerrard) (no Ann Wrigg).
In an attempt tyo avoid Miss Spinks, Judith and ANdrew take a trip to Mill End. On the way they meet a suspicious character called Porty.
Episode 4 (May 30th 1961).
Others in this cast: George Tovey, Rosemary Dorken, Peter Hughes, and Gerald Harper (no Ann Wrigg).
There is a big jewel robbery in Coudhurst. Is Porty as innocent as he pretends to be, and why does Miss Spinks want to avoid the police?
Episode 5 (June 6th 1961).
Others in this cast: George Tovey, Rosemary Dorken, Peter Hughes, Gerald Harper and Anthony Sheppard (Policeman).
The police investigate the jewel theft. Is Miss Spinks a fraud? Who kidnaps the Old Pull 'n' Push, and why?
Episode 6 (June 13th 1961).
Others in this cast: George Tovey, Rosemary Dorken, Peter Hughes, and Gerald Harper.
Perelli loses Miss Spinks. Is she on the runaway train? Who is driving it, and where?
To Children's Menu
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THE LITTLE SHIP (1960)
The Little Ship is the name of a model made in 1600 by Giles Kendall (Jimmy Ray) of his dad's ship The Phoenix.
The serial is about this boy, who is searching
in Southwark for news of his father when he meets the wily Dr Pietro, an alchemist (Peter Collingwood).
Giles rescues the tough Sam Gilburne (Colin Wall) in a fight and Sam, a young actor, takes a liking for Giles,
showing him round The Globe Theatre.
There he meets actor Richard Burbage (Nicholas Brady), and Robin Goffe (John Forrest) a handsome actor in love with Pietro's stepdaughter Elizabeth (Shan Lawson).
Stagekeeper Jenkin (Martin Wyldeck) engages the lad to help with the props.
Script: Joy Thwaytes, Director: John Rhodes.
Others in each week's cast: Kenneth Adams and Neville Jason.
1 The Alchemist, January 5th 1960 also with Steven Scott.
2 The Rivals, January 12th 1960.
3 Secret of the Phoenix, January 19th 1960, plus Eric Dodson as Master Will.
4 Conspiracy, Jan 26th 1960, plus Eric Dodson and Edward Harvey.
5 Trapped! Feb 2nd 1960.
6 The Phoenix, Feb 9th 1960, same cast plus Edward Rees and John Kidd.
To Children's Menu
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Peril in the Air
(ATV, Thursdays 5pm, commencing December 20th 1956).
A serial in four parts with
Maurice Lane as Michael Williams,
Malcolm Kirby as Roger Williams,
Vernon Morris as Peter Blackett,
Betty Henderson as Mrs Makenzie (not #4),
John Brooking as Wing-Cdr Marten,
Geoffrey Lewis as Flt-Sgt Bradshaw, and
Paul Hardtmuth as Franz Schulter.
Script: David Carr. Director: Antony Keary.
Episode 1 (Dec 20th 1956)
2: Discovery (Dec 27th 1956). Mike Roger and Peter discover that the airfield is not deserted but is being used for secret tests.
3 (Jan 3rd 1957). The boys are certain that Schulter, the missing rocket scientist, is somehow involved in the events at the airfield, but they fail to convince the authorities and so decide to take a hand themselves.
4: Flight into Danger (Jan 10th 1957). In a desperate attempt to prevent Franz Schulter from leaving the country, the boys are caught and taken off in the plane with him on a flight into danger.
Children's Menu of Lost Dinosaur TV
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THE SKEWBALD (A-R)
Script: Jean McConnell. Director David Gardiner. Tuesdays 5.25pm.
The story of Penny (16 year old Maris Tant) who has always been afraid of horses.
She befriends a horse (real name Sixpence) nervous as it had been mistreated. She feels an outsider among other riders, but soon she finds herself competing with
her nemesis Eva (Jenny Russell). Other regulars were Derek Needs as Timothy and Margaret Denyer as Mrs Anderson.
1 Odd One Out June 27th 1961. This year, Penny's holidays
are to be spent with strangers whose lives revolve around horses. But though she is scared of these terrifying animals, she makes an unexpected friend.
2 First Foot Wrong July 4th 1961. Penny meets a new friend Yvonne (Maureen Davis) at a gymkhana. There's trouble when she causes Eva to miss a major event.
3 Penny and Sixpence July 11th 1961. Penny takes drastic steps not to lose the Skewbald, but Eva ruins her plans.
Rosemary Nicols appears as Wendy.
4 A Strange Success July 18th 1961. Penny faces a strange accusation.
5 Surprise Encounters July 25th 1961. Penny finds there might be some truth in Eva's tale of ghosts at Brattles Grange. With Dermot Kelly as Phizachaly.
6 Sevenpenny Victory Aug 1st 1961. With Dermot Kelly. With the help of Sixpence, Penny finally challenges Eva on her own ground.
To Children's Menu
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FRANCIS STORM INVESTIGATES
A-R Tuesdays 5.25pm (30 minutes)
starring Brian Worth as Francis Storm, a 'Professional Investigator of the Unusual.'
His office is in a mews flat in cobbled Kensington Palace Close.
He has three helpers- his personal assistant, 17 year old Robin (William Simons),
18 year old Penelope 'Penny' Worth (Sarah Long),
and handyman 04129 Sgt Pilcher (Robin Wentworth).
Scripts were by Peter Elliott Hayes. The Director was Grahame Turner for all stories except for story 2, which was Jim Pople.
There were only six stories, which were:
1 The Black Mermaid, March 1st 1960. Cast also included: Robert Raglan, Richard Vernon, Bruce Seton.
2 The Clock That Struck Thirteen, March 8th 1960, with Bartlett Mullins, Peter Swanwick, Elsie Wagstaff, Carmel McSherry, Anthony Sagar.
3 The House in the Fog, March 15th 1960, with John Laurie as Colonel Monckton.
4 The Trail of the Spaniard, March 22nd 1960, with Charles Carson.
5 The Vengeance of Colonel Sartory, March 29th 1960, with Ian Fleming, Kynaston Reeves as Col Sartory.
6 The Sealed Room, April 5th 1960, with Ronald Ibbs.
To Children's Menu
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A Rediffusion children's serial from 1964:
MIKE
In the title role was Denis Gilmore (the former star of the William tv series).
Script: Dickens Crouch. Director: Bob Gray.
Regulars in the cast:
Laurie Heath as Pete, Leslie Hart as Alfie, Billy Hamon (earlier in A-R's Smugglers' Cave) as Joey,
Deborah Cranston as Kate.
With Sheila Shand Gibbs as mum (Edna), Geoffrey Matthews as dad (Jim Willis) and John Barrard (Ron Coggins).
Part 1: A Black Wash-Out, Sept 29th 1964. With Edward Evans as Mr Godfrey. Mike decides to help his dad by inventing something new for the building trade.
Part 2: A Night to Remember, Oct 6th 1964. In spite of Mike's efforts to help,
mum and dad eventually get to go out for the evening.
Part 3: Oct 13th 1964.
Part 4: The Spirit of Flung Tu Lo, Oct 20th 1964. With Damaris Hayman as Aunt Jemima.
Mike ventures into the realms of hynoptism, and brings a taste of the
Mysterious East into Stilton Street.
Part 5: Oil... Black Gold! Oct 27th 1964. With Archie Duncan as Mr Paterson.
Mike trains Joey for athletic laurels, leading to trouble with a different plant.
Part 6: One Swallow Does Not a Summer Make, Nov 3rd 1964.
An artistic and cultured peace descends on Stilton Street- for a while
Part 7: The Return of Stockpot Johnson, Nov 10th 1964. With Geoffrey Hibbert as Stockpot.
There is a hint of magic in the disappearance of the entries for the local baking contest.
Part 8: The Quiet Little Restaurant, Nov 17th 1964. With Peter Swanwick as Jocelyn Waterberry.
In order to help Kate, the boys enter the world of good food and ladies' fashions.
Part 9: What a Motley Lot, Nov 24th 1964. With John Wentworth.
In which the gang prove the play's the thing with a vengeance.
Part 10: It's a Good Job Dummies Can't Speak, Dec 1st 1964. With Barbara Hicks as Lady Springup.
The gang goes to Ron's rescue with some very strange allies.
Part 11: From Berlin with Love, Dec 8th 1964. With Brian Hawksley.
Mike and his friends set out to prove that the age of chivalry is not past.
Part 12: How to Get in a Pickle Without Really Trying, Dec 15th 1964. With Michael Balfour as Squeaky Jenkins, and Stewart Guidotti.
A monetary misfortune leads Mike and his friends into a misguided commercial enterprise.
Part 13: The Big Beat Contest, Dec 22nd 1964. With Stewart Guidotti as Billy Elkes.
Alfie, aided by the rest, discovers that it takes more than music to soothe a savage beast.
To Children's Menu
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Into the Net
(A-R, May-June 1958)
A serial in 6 parts shown on Tuesdays at 5.25pm.
Script: Tony Peters.
Director: John Rhodes.
The main cast, pictured, were
Susan Farmer as Liz Gray and
Ian Keill as Gerry Somers.
Leonard Rossiter played Dennis in at least some of the episodes.
To Children's Menu
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Danger Island (A 1967 Southern TV children's serial in 6 parts)
A twelve year old mischievous boy, holidaying on a Mediteranean island, with his feeble parents
overhears two sinister men plotting to assasinate their country's president. In vain he tries to warn of the danger, but he is such a pest nobody believes him, including the police chief Molina, who is in on the plot.
Script: John Gray
Music: Ron Grainer
Director: John Brayburn.
Some location shooting was done in Chichester Harbour, on board The Southerner.
The regular cast were
Mervyn Joseph as young Nicholas with
Pearl Hackney... his mother
Garard Green... his father
Robert Gillespie... Jose Sirena
Araby Lockhart... Mrs Ridout, a rich American, patron of
Norman Mitchell... Augustus Jones, an artist
Bruno Barnabe... Insp Molina
Nicholas Smith... Sgt Marena
Linda Marlowe... Helga (not episode 4)
Neville Barber... Major Herve de Sang
and Eric Barker as The President (stories 2 to 6)
Here are details of the individual episodes of Danger Island :
1 The Conspirators
Thursday July 6th 1967 5.25pm
Nicholas hears more than is good for him.
also with Antonia Pemberton... Anna
2 The Holiday Continues
Thursday July 13th 1967
Nicholas is on the run, not only from
his parents, but the police.
Also in this cast:
Ian Ricketts... Garage owner
Jean Marlow... Margaret Gonzales
Steve Arneil... Miguel
Hugh Futcher... Porter
Christopher Wray... 'Maria' engineer
and Antonia Pemberton.
3 Help Wanted
Thursday July 20th 1967
At last Nicholas has found an ally, but is he much help?
with Jean Marlow, Steve Arneil, Antonia Pemberton and Anthony Eady as a soldier.
4 Captured
Thursday July 27th 1967
The President has arrived. Can Nicholas and Augustus
do anything to save him?
with Jean Marlow.
5 The Assassin
Thursday August 3rd 1967
Father is asked to use his imagination and pretend he is wrong!
with Jean Marlow.
6 All at Sea
Thursday August 10th 1967
Augustus finds himself in deep water.
with Jean Marlow and Robin Fletcher as a messenger.
To Children's Menu
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Suggestion of Sabotage
(an ATV serial in in three parts)
Script: Michael Bancroft. Producer: Cecil Petty.
Cast: Oliver Johnston as Sir Edward Rigby,
Larry Burns as McCabe,
Geoffrey Matthews as Jim Granville,
Audrey Nicholson as Carol Stokes,
Mavis Ranson as Penny, and
Hennie Scott as Peter.
1 Start of Suspicion
Sunday June 4th 1961 4.50pm
Jim Granville's trials of his pilotless aircraft are meeting with disaster.
The first two flights have ended with the planes crashing in the air.
Then his son Peter suggests it might have been sabotage.
2 The Trap Closes
Sunday June 11th 1961
Jim Granville, with his children Penny and Peter, and his technical assistant Carol
are visiting his old chief Sir Edward Rigby, at Borhurst Castle. Jim's invention of radio
controlled aircraft is being sabotaged, and he asks Sir Edward's advice, not knowing that
his old chief is the saboteur.
3 Failure or Success?
Sunday June 18th 1961
Sir Edward and McCabe are preparing to crash Jim Granville's third plane.
Carol Peter and Penny have been locked up by McCabe and must escape
to tell Jim what Sir Edward is doing.
To Children's Menu
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Formula for Danger (ATV)
March-April 1960.
Script: Vivian Milroy. Producer: Cecil Petty.
Stars: John Carson as Landauer (stories 1, 2, and 4 only) and
Gene Anderson as Nina Sjapary (stories 2 to 7)
with the three kids, Joseph Cuby, David Langford and Jeanette Bradbury.
A boy escapes from Ostonia with the secret formula developed by his scientist father. This formula enables ordinary water to burn! He goes to school, then one day sees a lecturer on Eastern Europe is a man named Landauer, who had been a member of the police back in his homeland. Can he be trusted? Then there's the shady Malovicz, obviously not to be trusted.
The authoress produced a new language called Ostonian for the programme, a mix, she said,
of Russian, Swedish, and German.
Episode details-
1 A Red Dawn Tomorrow
Sunday March 6th 1960 5.15-5.45pm.
Synopsis: It's 1959. Under the shadow of tyranny, leading
scientist Otto Stahl is working on his top secret formula, code number 987.
Can he and his son prevent it from falling into enemy hands?
With Stratford Johns as Otto Stahl, and
Janek Smigielski, Irene Sutcliffe, John Abineri as Malovicz, Donald Tandy, John Ringham, Ronald Harwood,
Malcolm Ranson as Titch, John Adan as Jonah, and Kenneth Watson as Mr Winston.
2 The Ostonian Lecture
Sunday March 13th 1960
Synopsis: Why has Landauer come to England?
Is Nina Sjapary, the Hungarian schoolmistress,
anything more than a teacher?
Erik's father has said Trust Nobody.
With John Abineri, Malcolm Ranson, John Adan, and
Kenneth Watson.
3 An Interview with the Press
Sunday March 20th 1960
Synopsis: The formula has now been successfully demonstrated.
But how do the Press get to hear of it?
With John Adan, Kenneth Watson, William Forbes, Larry Burns and Robert James.
4 Big Business and Shady Business
Sunday March 27th 1960
Synopsis: A message is pinned to the school notice board.
Who has put it there, and what does it mean?
With John Adan, Kenneth Watson, William Forbes, Larry Burns,
Robert James, Peter Stephens, John Abineri, James Donnelly,
Irene Sutcliffe, Ronald Harwood, and Malcolm Ranson.
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5 A Face At the Window
Sunday April 3rd 1960
Synopsis: Erik has disappeared. Why is Petersen so keen to find him?
With
John Adan,
Kenneth Watson,
William Forbes,
Larry Burns,
Robert James,
Peter Stephens,
John Abineri,
Irene Sutcliffe,
Ronald Harwood, and
Malcolm Ranson.
6 Pat the Accuser
Sunday April 10th 1960
Synopsis: How much does Nina know about Erik's disappearance?
With
James Donnelly,
Kenneth Watson,
William Forbes,
Larry Burns,
Peter Stephens, and
Irene Sutcliffe.
7 An Experiment with Danger
Easter Sunday April 17th 1960
Synopsis: Malovicz has followed Roger and Pat to the school.
What is waiting for them there?
With
John Abineri,
James Donnelly
Kenneth Watson,
William Forbes,
Larry Burns,
Peter Stephens, and
Ronald Harwood.
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To the sequel, Mill of Secrets . . . . to Children's Menu
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Mill of Secrets (ATV) was a 1960 sequel to Formula for Danger,
with David Langford as Simon and Jeanette Bradbury as Amanda,
returning. They go on holiday with Aunt Joanne (Gene Anderson again) and meet a boy from down under, Claude 'Snow' Nolan,
played by Sean Scully, his first tv role.
The story starts with Aunt Joanne who is writing a history of a manor house, used three hundred years previously as hq for the Royalsists. Tom Briereley (Ken Watson again) starts an archaeological dig in an old barn. Buried underneath it is an old mill. Also after the secret contained in a parchment scroll map, is the mysterious Douglas Wallace (Glyn Houston).
Script: Diana K Watson and Peter Johnston. Producer: Cecil Petty.
Episode details: 1 The Auction
Sunday June 5th 1960 5.15pm
Synopsis: Simon and Amanda's holiday in Kent with their Aunt Jo becomes a thrilling adventure
when they make a startling discovery in an old barn. They are digging for the remains of a
seventeenth century watermill, but find more than they bargained for.
Also in this cast are
John Ringham... Auctioneer. Nicholas Grimshaw... Farmer
2 The Secret of The Golden Horn
Sunday June 12th 1960
Digging in the old barn, Jo and the children have found a golden horn. They meet Mr Wallace
again, and find out what the horn contains.
3 Mr Wallace Shows his Hand
Sunday June 19th 1960
Simon and Mandy, disgruntled by the loss of the map showing the site of the Plague Pit,
are photographing the golden horn. Snow and Auntie Jo get trapped by the collapse of the old water wheel.
And why is Tom Briereley acting in such a peculiar fashion?
4 A Headache for Mr Briereley
Sunday June 26th 1960
Mandy and Simon have found that map which Mr Briereley had told them had disintegrated,
is still in existence. In the underground room that Snow and Auntie Jo have discovered, Snow finds himself alone.
Auntie Jo has disappeared.
5 Jo gets Down to Business
Sunday July 3rd 1960
Simon, having found the missing book, returns it to Wallace. But Snow,
infuriated that his discovery has been given away so easily, snatches it away and runs.
Cornered by Wallace, he throws it into the lion's cage.
with Rex Graham... Percy Clements
6 final episode
Sunday July 10th 1960
anyone know how it finished?
To Lost Menu
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ROMANO THE PEASANT
(A-R, 1960) Tuesdays 5.25pm.
Script: Hugh Pitt. Directed by Bimbi Harris. Film sequences directed by Jim Pople.
Producer John Rhodes arranged for location shooting in Catara, Italy, Acitrezza Sicily, and off the coast near Catania, Sicily.
He explained it was "the first play in the New Look-No Violence policy," that somehow Associated Rediffusion promoted. "If it proves successful," claimed Rhodes, "it will pave the way for many more." Episode one coincided with the launch of A-R's Children's Week.
Seen in this photo is
15 year old Kenneth Collins who played Romano in all stories. 23 year old Rowena Torrance, a veteran of 40 television roles, played a 17 year old Italian peasant girl.
A serial set in a small Italian fishing village. When his father is badly hurt in a boating accident, young Romano
has to get jobs to help his family survive.
1 The Accident May 3rd 1960
with Steve Plytas as Father Giaccomo, Nancy Nevinson as Mother Savio, Rowena Torrance as Francesca Savio, John Barrard as Angelo, David Ludman, Malya Nappi as Maria,
Norman Bowler as Cpl Augustini, Frank Shelley.
2 The Donkey and The Boat May 10th 1960 with Steve Plytas, Nancy Nevinson, Rowena Torrance, Malya Nappi,
Norman Bowler, Joseph Levine
3 The Storm May 17th 1960 with Steve Plytas, Nancy Nevinson, Rowena Torrance, Malya Nappi,
Norman Bowler, Joseph Levine, John Barrard, David Ludman
4 Salvage May 24th 1960 with Steve Plytas, Nancy Nevinson, Rowena Torrance, Malya Nappi,
Norman Bowler, Joseph Levine, John Barrard
5 A Loss for Luciano May 31st 1960 with Steve Plytas, Nancy Nevinson, Rowena Torrance, Malya Nappi,
Norman Bowler, Joseph Levine
6 Romano's Return June 7th 1960 with Steve Plytas, Nancy Nevinson, Rowena Torrance, Malya Nappi,
Norman Bowler, John Barrard, Bruno Barnabe.
Children's Menu
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THE ROVING REASONS (1960, Associated Rediffusion)
This 1960 serial written by Peter Ling (the first story is also credited to Allan McLelland) was shown on Fridays at 5pm
Each 25 minute story starred
Noelle Middleton as Mary Reason,
Charles Morgan as her husband Simon, a roving reporter on The Daily Post, with
young Cavan Kendall as 16 year old Jonathan Reason, who has just sat his GCEs.
Cavan said that he enjoyed location shooting on "a flying visit" to Italy, Sicily and Malta.
The only other regular in the series was Gerald Andersen as foreign editor John Boult.
The directors were: odd numbered episodes Prudence Nesbitt. Even numbered episodes: Jim Pople.
The stories were:
1 (Friday 1st April) The Dublin Double, with Tony Quinn, Mignon O'Doherty,
Sheila Ward, Anthony Wilson, Declan Harvey.
2 (Friday 8th April) with Steve Plytas, Edward Rhodes, Arthur Gross, Jane Lamb, Nicholas Brady. Episode title not stated, but set in Holland.
3 (Good Friday 15th April) The Civil Sevillian with Graydon Gould, Laurence Payne, Jill Booty, Carter Douglas, Michael da Costa.
4 (Friday 22nd April) The Maltese Malefactor.
5 (Friday 29th April) The Oslo Ostler with Olaf Pooley, Milo Sperber, Dixon Adams, Graham Carnow- the family are now in Norway.
6 (Friday 6th May) The Neat Neapolitan with Alexander Archdale, Rashid Karaplet.
7 (Friday 13th May) The Paris Parasol with Terence Soall, Daniel Thorndike, Carlos Douglas.
8 (Friday 20th May) The Catanian Catastrophe with Nicholas Amer, Steven Scott, Amanda Grinting - in Sicily.
9 (Friday 27th May) The Salzburg Salesman with David Lander, Murray Yeo, Gisela Birke, Bernard Kay.
10 (Friday 3rd June) The Gibbering Gibraltarian with Donald Hewlett, Norman Mitchell, Tony Hilton, Arnold Yarrow.
11 (Friday 10th June) The Copenhagen Copperplate with Elizabeth Hart, Tony Bateman, John Gatrell, Miranda Connell.
12 (Friday 17th June) The Athenian Athlete with Andre Charles, David Cole, Jacqueline Henry, Robert James.
13 (Friday 24th June) The London Lunch Basket- The family have completed their roving assignment and find one further adventure on their London doorstep.
To Children's Menu
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Joan and Leslie
ITV's first home grown domestic situation comedy starred Leslie Randall and his wife Joan Reynolds.
It began on Sunday afternoon, October 2nd 1955 as a fortnightly 15 minute series. It was called Leslie Randall Entertains and was produced by Bill Ward, directed by Dicky Leeman. It ran until April 1956.
By this date, ATV had now begun in the Midlands, and the programme was doubled in length that summer, retitled Joan and Leslie, and shown on Tuesdays at 9pm. Theme music: Roll the Carpet Up, by Derek Nelson. Harry Towb and Noel Dyson were regular supporting stars.
However, an early networking impasse resulted in London viewers no longer seeing the programme they had helped to popularise! But the husband and wife team just had to return, and were offered a £7,000 annual contract for a new networked series starting in September 1956 on Mondays at 8.30pm. Leslie played a magazine editor in charge of the lovelorn column, under a feminine name.
This was scripted alternate weeks by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples, and the next week by John Law and Bill Craig. The producer was Hugh Rennie.
The long run of weekly shows ended on Whit Monday June 10th 1957. But the same cast with Joan and Leslie now on a reported £12,000 annual contract, returned for a final series, again on Mondays at 8.30pm in December 1957, though it moved to Wednesdays for the last few shows in March 1958.
Retitled The Randall Touch, Joan and Leslie returned during summer 1958, with the same scriptwriters alternating.
That was the end of their tv series, and talk of a film never materialised. It's difficult for us today to realise their popularity, a kind of English version of I Love Lucy, though Joan claimed, "it's unfair to compare us with that show. We're completely different. Wheareas Ricky is a foil for Lucy, I'm a foil for Leslie."
Joan and Leslie returned during the 1960's for the long running Fairy Snow commercials, and made a final series of 13 programmes of Joan and Leslie in Australia at the end of 1969.
Note- regrettably TV Times never mentioned any supporting actors in this show (apart from regulars Harry Towb and Noel Dyson), but in the programme on Dec 10th 1956 was Frederick Schiller, on Dec 17th 1956 was Jack Macgowran, while on Dec 24th Arthur Lovegrove appeared. Jan 21st 1957 included Cameron Hall and Julian Strange, while Feb 25th 1957 did also have Bill Shine and Gerton Klauber, and on March 18th 1957 among the cast were Kenneth Edwards and Bruno Barnaby.
The April 8th 1957 show was "cancelled" as Leslie Randall had contracted mumps (Harry Towb had missed the previous two shows with the same complaint).
To 'Missing' Menu
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Mary Britten MD
This was a brave bid by a regional company to break into the ITV network. Southern TV soon
learned the hard facts of life. The series was announced in April 1958: "Mary Britten MD will soon be the best-known, and probably the best loved, doctor in southern England."
Starring Brenda Bruce in the title role
with Ronald Howard as her husband Stephen Britten, jeadmaster of the local secondary school.
Also in most of the stories were Henry Vidon (Dr Bishop),
Olive Milbourne (Miss Wicker), Jessica Spencer (Miss Jackson), James Raglan (Walter Davis), and Bernard Archard (Councillor Pyke).
Gillian Lind (Winnie Bishop) was a regular also, until she fell ill and missed the final programmes.
Script: Peter Kay (a name for the joint writing team of Giles Cooper, Stanley Miller, and Kenneth Hyde). Producer: Hugh Munro.
The fictional setting was the town of Farrant, "seventeen and a half miles south west of Casterbridge." The opening scene was actually shot on the footpath by the river at Winchester. The exterior of Dr Bishop's house, and the Britten flat were also filmed in this city, while Petersfield was used for pub and school shots.
1 Opening story- Home
Saturday 13th September 1958 6.30pm (originally planned for transmission on August 30th, Southern's opening night) - a boy is knocked down by a car, the son of a man who had opposed Britten's appointment.
2 Like a House on Fire
Sat 20th September 1958.
Mary Britten is trying to settle in to domestic life.
Stephen her husband finds having two doctors under one roof spells trouble.
With Coral Fairweather (Mrs Wigg).
3 A Day's Fishing
Sat 27th September 1958,
with Irene Handl as Mrs Levy, plus:
George Dudley as 'Bandages,'
Humphrey Heathcote as Bar customer,
Ruth Kettlewell... First neighbour,
Henrietta Russell... Second neighbour,
Ronald Cardew... Old soldier, and
Basil Beale... Police constable.
4 The Imperfect Secretary
October 4th 1958:
Stephen discovers that even the best of intentions can be misconstrued. And Mary shows
how medical advice need not be confined to the sick.
With Jemma Hyde as Julia Haynes, Violet Gould as Mrs Pink.
5 The Wrecker
October 11th 1958: with Humphery Heath, Peter Vaughan and Margaret Long.
6 The Man from the Sea
Sat 18th October 1958:
Although Mary is doing her best not to practise as a doctor,
an occasion arises when she has to fight to keep an
unexpected patient, and this time Stephen agrees.
Also in cast:
Murray Hayne... Ian,
Alexis Chesnaker... Marinu,
Edward Kelsey... Aleko, and
Ian Macnaughton... Mr Fraser.
A contemporary review by DH: "I looked in... to see whether it had improved. It hasn't. In fact, if anything, it's got considerably worse.
The acting remains consistent with that of a third rate repertory company, while the production is still disjointed, slow and unprofessional. As for the script, the less said about that the better...Production: There were long pauses and fade outs between scenes, just as if the producer was fumbling for the right page in the script. This had the effect of leaving the actors looking up wondering whether they could get out of camera shot before actual fade out...
This week's story concerned a foreign sailor taken ill, who lands in Mary's flat. Being from the other side of the Iron Curtain, some of the crew and a diplomat try to kidnap him. This brings me to acting faults. Those members of the cast who portrayed the foreigners acted with heavy overtones of villainy, stony faces and unemotional voices. Then Mr Britten comes home to find his wife being rough handled. What does he do? He stands in the door and calmly asks, 'Oh Mary, did he hurt you?' Really!"
7 The Brothers
Sat 25th October 1958:
Mystery surrounds David, one of Stephen's first-term pupils,
when he is sent home from school. Mary investigates, but the
question is eventually solved by a surprise visitor to Dr Bishop's house.
With Richard O'Sullivan as David/ Jimmy,
plus John Symonds... Pyke Jr,
Elsie Wagstaff... Granny, and
Robert Crewdson... Bar customer (also in next story).
8 The Wanderers
1st November 1958: Mary takes a night call, giving Stephen a problem to which there seems no answer. With David Franks as Ben, Nan Marriott-Watson as Ma, Ann Cooke as Lil, Celia Hewitt as Liz, Coral Fairweather as Mrs Wigg, Angela Owen as Miss Edwards, and Robert Crewdson as pub customer.
9 Bonfire Night
8th November 1958:
Dr Mary Britten MD, who for reasons of health is helping her husband with his work,
unearths a Guy Fawkes plot.
Also in the cast: Hal Osmond as Fred.
10 English Without Tears
15th November 1958: In Shakespeare's plays the women often have a knack of getting their own way. Stephen finds that this is true in real life, and Mary takes a hint from the classics. With John Symonds... Pyke Jr, Christopher Hey... John Brand, Cameron Hall... Mr Wilberforce, and Katherine Parr... Mrs Pyke.
11 The Doctor in the Dark
Sat 22nd November 1958:
Mary helps Dr Bishop to see things clearly-
and he knows what he has to do.
With Nancy Roberts... Grannie,
Sheelah Wilcocks... Mrs Bates,
Frazer Hines... Geoff Bates,
Donald Finlay... First chemist, and
Geoffrey Goldsmith... Second chemist.
Note: Ronald Howard fell ill and was unable to appear. The play was rescripted during rehearsal by producer Hugh Munro, with actor William Abney standing in for the school scenes that would have featured Stephen Britten
12 A Partner From The Past
This was the final episode to be fully networked,
and was shown on Saturday 29th November 1958.
With Neil Hallett... Alex Farrell, Angela Owen... Miss Edwards,
Susan Maryott... Mavis.
Mary's partner may be new, but he is by no means a stranger.
ABC replaced the series the following week with their own drama All Aboard,
and this really sounded the death knell for the programme.
However it did continue on Southern TV and in some other regions including London.
13 Help
Sat 6th December 1958. Mary seeks help in the house, and unexpectedly gets it.
15 No Room for Janet
Sat 20th December 1958. It seems there is 'no room' for Janet this Christmas time, but Mary intends to avert a tragedy
18 The Microscope
Sat 10th January 1959.
Mary takes a class, and three people learn something they would rather not have known.
The very last
story was number 19, shown on 17th January 1959. A report in the trade press announced
that "after nineteen weeks Southern TV is to drop its weekly serial. It was one of the first local stations to
network a programme from the beginning of its existence." Maybe it was the last.
Thanks to Keith Campbell for some of this data.
If you can add any further details, your help will be acknowledged.
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Abortive Series
Interesting projected series that never made it on to our screens, in chronolgical order
Ali Baba or Arabian Nights, planned as early as 1956 by the Danzigers, was finally scheduled for filming in 1962, but was stillborn when the studios were closed. Rumours suggested Daniel Massey would have been the star. Max Varnel said he directed some sequences, presumably location scenes.
A1 at Lloyds -
This troubled project was first mooted in 1957 as The Man from Lloyds, and finally scheduled for starting filming on 6th July 1959. But delays pushed this date back until September.
Producer was James Swan, associate producer: Jesse Corallo, script editor: Doreen Montgomery, script for pilot by Leigh Vance, and it was to be made by Sydney Box Productions, part of the Rank Organisation. September 1959 brought news that the half hour format had been changed to an hour long one. "All half hour scripts have been scrapped." The star of the series was revealed: Anthony Quinn.
But when Sydney Box suffered a stroke and had to retire from the business, the writing was on the wall for this projected series in October 1959. As far as I can ascertain, no complete episodes were ever finished. Rank did go on to make Interpol Calling as well as Ghost Squad, but their putative The Marx Show never got going either.
In February 1958,
Herbert Wilcox and Anna Neagle announced a tv series of films on Anna Busselmans, heroine in Brussels who helped many RAF men who had been shot down over Belgium, to return to Britain.
This came to nothing, though the project Women (qv) was developed more fully two years later
Continental Patrol -
Broderick Crawford, star of the long running and successful Highway Patrol, came to London in the summer of 1959 to drum up support for an international version of his popular American series. John Nasht, an experienced European Producer (Orient Express etc) was booked as the producer, and a provisional starting date for filming at Pinewood was scheduled for 16th November that year. As however this was to be another Sydney Box production, the plan collapsed when Mr Box fell ill.
A Man of the World
- Ubangi Film Productions were formed by Dan Jackson and Russell Enoch (aka William Russell) and in January 1959 a report stated "the pilot is being made in Naples now. Balbina, Russell's pretty French actress wife, will be in it too."
It's not known if this pilot was ever completed. Russell stated his idea was to sell it to the BBC.
Staircase 13 - ABC (Midlands/The North) were said to be in discussion with Alastair Sim over a series of this name during the summer of 1959. What a pity that it never came to anything!
Man of a Million Faces
was a proposed ATV series set to start production in May 1959 with executive producer Ralph Smart. The hero was to be a Michael Hathaway, head of an old established firm of theatrical costumiers, who led a double life
Vance, Grumer and Connell
was a new company formed in early 1959. In February that year, Dennis Vance flew to America to seal a deal for their plan to make 39 tv films starring Gracie Fields and Stanley Holloway. The films would be scripted by TEB Clarke, and shown by Columbia TV, and BBC in Britain
Women in Love - Sapphire Films planned to make this series in the autumn of 1959 following on from their ambitious The Four Just Men. This latter series seems to have been less of a financial success than expected. As a result this project, Women in Love, was postponed and though Sapphire stated that they were still working on the series in autumn 1960, it was eventually abandoned. Basil Appleby was casting director. Louis Marks was Script Editor and Marc Brandel definitely wrote a script for the proposed programme. According to a report in August that year, Sapphire had already got "several completed scripts." Production had been tentatively scheduled to start in November 1959 at Walton Studios.
Sapphire had planned sveral other series at this time, which fell through making even less progress than Women in Love.
These series were
'Stingaree' to be made on location along Australia's Murray River, with script editor Raymond Bowers, the writing team to include Julian Symons. Hannah Fisher had planned to go down under in 1959 to see the lie of the land. She stated that she hoped Keith Michell would be the star.
'Underground,' the theme being the French Resistance in the last war
(Whether these two bore any relation at all to Whiplash and Sword in the Web respectively, anyone know?).
Sapphire's final attempt to make another tv series came in February 1960, when an agreement was announced with the trustee of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's estate (his son) to make a number of feature and tv films based on the great writer's novels and short stories. "The Conan Doyle properties will be filmed by Sapphire at Walton Studios. Mrs Hannah Fisher will act as Executive Producer, and Eugene Gutowski and Henry E Lester will act as Associate Producers."
Thereafter, Sapphire and their subsidiary Foxwarren Productions planned to move into feature films, the first was scheduled for shooting at Walton Studios on Nov 14th 1960. It was to have been titled Kick-Back, scriptwriter Louis Marks, producer Henry Passmore. But that too came to nothing.
So, The Four Just Men was Sapphire's last film series, and the company eventually decided to cease production in favour of starting a writing school for aspiring writers.
The Monte Carlo Story was a series mooted in summer 1959 by Seymour Dorner, who had recently left Sapphire Films to form Command Films Inc. A series of 39 half hour films were projected.
VC Productions, Dennis Vance and Howard Connell (later they were joined by R Rowson), were hatching plans in early autumn 1959 for numerous series which never came to fruition. These included:
Gentlemen in Retirement a half hour comedy series, which would be part financed by the BBC. In January 1960 it was described as "a suspense series round retired police chiefs!"
Title undecided, a pilot for a series about plastic surgeon Dr Maxwell Maltz. The star would have been Eric Portman, and the pilot was to be made in New York. Their publicity the following January fails to mention this project.
The Company of Four was announced in January 1960, four 90 minute plays: "Peggy Ashcroft, Ralph Richardson, Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans have agreed to act."
Soho
- starring Richard Basehart. Following on from the success of his long running series, this was the proposed title for a new series from Douglas Fairbanks Jr. In an interview, he stated he was starting negotiations in January 1960. Unlike his earlier marathon series this never got going.
The Rolling Stones
This 1960 six part ABC series was scheduled to start on Saturday January 23rd 1960. The stars were Barbara Kelly and Bernard Braden, along with their children Chris and Kelly Braden.
The story was based around father Sandy Stone, a maker of film travelogues, his family helping him shoot them in various spots around the world. Based in London, he might be phoned by his New York boss to go anywhere in the world. He takes his family with him, only leaving behind Kim his youngest at school.
The first scripts were by Tom Espie and Stanley Myers. Incidental music was written by Paddy Roberts. The producer was Anthony Finigan.
But the series was never shown, the quiz For Love of Money replaced it. Why? ABC stated the show "was not quite what they expected." Another reason offered was that the programmes had not yet been recorded! Another that Braden had to fly urgently back to his home country of Canada in connection with a television station there. However the truth emerged that summer when ABC admitted the the scripts "were found to be unsatisfactory," although two episodes had been taped. Braden said, "one good thing is that The Rolling Stones will be definitely gathering moss. None of us were happy with the scripts." Anyone seen any mossy tapes of the show???
Women -
was the title of a proposed series by Anna Neagle and Herbert Wilcox. They announced a series of six one hour dramas to be shot starting in February 1960. Based on classic women writers (Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Anne Bronte), Doreen Montgomery (again!) definitely wrote three of the proposed scripts, and in January that year, Wilcox claimed four had been written. Anna Neagle planned to read an introduction portraying the author of the story, and speaking as the author in the first person. Herbert Wilcox flew to America in February, when his American backers wanted to turn the stories into half hour ones. Probably an impasse was reached and I don't think the project ever got off the ground. (Note: as early as October 1955, it had been announced that Wilcox had teamed up with Bernard Delfont, "to produce British made films for television," and that "scripts for the first series are already being completed," but whether this was the same project as 'Women' is unknown.)
No. 13 Golden Square was at the planning stage in February 1960. "This will be the first time an American network goes into partnership with a British producing company." The companies in question were the American ABC Network and ATV. The address of the title is a tourist information bureau, and the series was planned as a "light comedy." Clearly the strains of a co-production lead to the abandonment of the idea, though it is said a pilot script had been written, by a Canadian named Alex Guiness.
Hong Kong Harbour -
(Cable Dragon-Fly had been the original proposed title for this series)-
February 1960 was the starting date for production scheduled by producers Sam Bischoff and Dave Diamond. After planned location shooting in Hong Kong, the series of 13 hour long colour films was to have been made in Britain. Hammer Films' executive producer Michael Carreras announced "at least 12 scripts will be completely cut and dried before beginning production." He added that Gordon Wellesley had already completed the first. Another writer was said to be Joyce Bellack.
Visa to Canton starring Richard Basehart and Lisa Gastoni was definitely made, but with the series aborted as early as June that year, it was turned into a 75 minute feature film. Shooting for this story was definitely done during June 1960 both at Bray Studios, and on Monkey Island in the Thames. This is the only physical relic of this aborted series, as I think the 1961 Hammer feature film Terror of the Tongs, was never intended to be part of this project.
Sinbad the Sailor- Charles Schneer Productions announced this half hour series in March 1960, to be shot in colour in England and Spain. Ray Harryhausen's Dynamation system was to have been employed, as used in the 1958 film The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad. Production under Sidney Cole was to have commenced in summer 1960.
The Ambassador's Daughter was a pilot that ITC announced that they would film in May/June 1960. It sounds like part of their ill fated attempt at Anglo-American co-operation for the writers were to be Seeman and Rose
The World is My Beat- Godfrey Grayson confirmed he had done some location shooting in 1960 for Danzigers' 78 episode series about a roving reporter writing syndicated stories from all over the world: see Brian Taylor's reminiscence
Brainwaves (1960)
- After Eric Sykes starred in his successful BBC series Sykes and A... in 1960, he made an effort to break into the American market with a pilot to be made by Roxy Films. "The series will be based on Sykes' reactions to the peculiar, crazy, or bizarre inventions of the last century," said Basil Charles-Dean, head of Roxy.
He described it as "intelligent Goonery with a theme. There is already enough material for 26 half hour films," he claimed in July 1960, adding that filming of the pilot would commence very shortly. Dail Ambler provided the outline for this, as well as full scripts for the rest of the series. In September that year it was announced that Paul Merton (not today's comedian) was to write the scripts, and music would be provided by Norrie Paramor.
Interesting that Sykes stated that he "won't make another long tv series," this would be his last, he saw the future in feature films. Fortunately, for us, his career with MGM didn't take off and he returned to the BBC, though what became of Brainwaves, who knows? The last report I have found, is from February 1962, which states, "the pilot is not yet complete. It is now being edited, an excerpt has already appeared on the little screen."
(This photo shows Sykes in costume discussing the project with B Charles-Dean)
Fleet Street (1960)- Apparently unrelated to ATV's Deadline Midnight, the plan was for ITC to make this filmed series, and naturally one of the characters would have been an American correspondent attached to the Fleet Street office. By the middle of the year the proposed title of this hour long series had been altered to London Bureau, and Julian Bond had done some background research for it, and Bob Musel of United Press was brought in to provide authentic story backgrounds, but maybe the idea was just a little too similar to the ATV series
The Man from Monte Carlo- though this was never anything more than an idea, Crestview Productions who made the series The Pursuers had announced this series would be shot at Elstree "back-to-back" with The Pursuers starting December 1960. Nothing seems to have come of it. Crestview directors were Ian Warren (1913-2009) and Tom Donald.
According to a report in spring 1961, author John Creasey had submitted three scripts for film pilots to an American tv company. "If any one of them is accepted, "he told a reporter, " I shall be the first writer in Britain to 'get in' over there on a series." Alas, it seemed it never came to fruition
Captain Cat
This was to have been the first of six productions planned by the company Arena Productions, run by Basil Appleby and Leslie Linder.
The story of teenage boys who join the army, shooting was scheduled to start in 1961. The script was by Clive Exton, and the producer was to be Silvio Narizzano.
Travelling Light (1961)
was the provisional title for a series to be made by Robert Stigwood Productions. This was to be made at the Granville Studios, a pop series aimed at teenagers. Eleven dancers under the direction of Peter Durrell were to support the stars from European countries. Signed up were Scott Peters, and Micheline Ramette. Director: 19 year old Charles Blackwell.
The same company also announced a series of ad-lib historical interviews, the first being with Richard III played by Paul Daneman
The drawn out Equity dispute with ITV that began in late 1961, resulted in several casualties.
ITC had a number of projects in the pipeline, and though they managed to salvage one, Man of the World
The Amazing Dr Thorndyke
was a series being considered by ITC at the end of 1961, when the Equity dispute scuppered any chance of this project getting started. Script editor was appointed: Julian Bond
Collector's Item
was an ITC series scheduled for 1962, but never made due to the Equity dispute. The stories featured a young art expert (cp The Baron??) named Paul Winston, who is retained by museums and the wealthy to purchase collections of antiques, paintings and statues. Val Parnell was quoted as saying, "although this will be an entertainment series, we intend that it should also be authentic and informative." Producer was Anthony Bushell
Waltzing Matilda
In early 1962, Kieron Moore developed the idea for a series with writer John Kruse, about an ancient bus, which two ex-paratroopers have rescued from a scrapyard. They recondition it, and now carry passengers and freight between London and Singapore, the longest land route in the world, through 16 countries. Many of the travellers on the outward leg are emigrant Australians.
Kierara Productions planned to interest the BBC and NBC International in a pilot film. Evidently they were not interested enough
Alpine Pilot
In January 1962, Robert Hartford-Davis, of Cesar Film Productions, in conjunction with Atlantic Films of Zurich, announced this series about the unique and exciting adventures of a pilot who operates a flying service high in the Swiss Alps. Shooting of a pilot film was scheduled to start in the March, in the Bernese Oberland. Before then Hartford-Davis went to America to secure a financial deal, alas it seems that his mission failed.
The plan was to produce 26 half hour stories. Frank Driscoll wrote the script for the first one.
To appeal to American audiences, the plan was to secure an American star, the storyline being that this American had been a war time flyer who had crashed in Switzerland
The Dreamworld (1962)
After ending his Brain Waves project (see 1960 above), Basil Charles-Dean planned to make a pilot entitled The Dreamworld, shooting to commence in late March 1962.
The theme was unusual dreams and strange events that follow.
26 half hour self-contained films were planned, linked by one personality called The Dreamer, who introduces each story. Dean stated, "I will start casting for this pilot in the third week of February."
Ideally this actor would be a person unknown to the public, who could "create a feeling of wonder without overdramatising."
Pulse (ABC 1963)
An ambitious project promoted by new Drama Executive at ABC, George Kerr. The 25 minute plays were to "distill the very essence" of a situation. Among those interested in contributing was Samuel Beckett, while Kerr planned a trip to Paris at Easter 1963 to talk to Sartre and Francois Sagan. William Kotcheff was the obvious choice as director. Kerr had also contacted Tennessee Williams, Frederick Durrenmatt, and Graham Greene. I found no trace of the series getting off the ground
London Independent Television Producers
announced itself in mid December 1963. The company was specifically formed to "give minds more control over what is seen on commercial tv." They had applied for a network licence, but in practice the 1964 round of ITV companies' contracts was held over, so the scheme came to nothing.
Sydney Box was chair, directors included Norman Fisher, James Carr, and Ted Willis. Shareholders included Peggy Ashcroft, John Betjeman, Edith Evans, Jack Hawkins, John Mills, Michael Redgrave, Flora Robson, and Peter Ustinov.
The programmes envisaged included using repertory companies staging shows, an opportunity for young writers and directors. Student shows from RADA and LAMDA would be shown, in return the company would offer scholarships. A Seed Money scheme would pay a young writer, producer and director to go away and produce a couple of shows a year. Most ambitiously the company would set up a symphony orchestra, "we think it a scandal," said Box, "that the whole of the ITA organisation is without one."
Freedom Prison was announced to start production in April 1964, a first tv series for Anna Neagle (although she had been chosen to appear in another abortive series, Women in 1960, see above). In these 60 minute stories, she was to have played the prison governor. It was to have been made by Winwell Productions, themselves no stranger to abortive series- see The Locked Door
Six Star Television - the name was imitative of the American Four Star company, but there was no other connection. This ambitious company was set up in 1964 by a consortium of actors to produce major tv series for the world market. The actors were: Richard Attenborough, Honor Blackman, Curt Jurgens, Herbert Lom, Hayley Mills, and John Mills. Bryan Forbes was involved as story supervisor. In charge of production would be Ronald J Khan. The format of their first series would have been on the lines of The Four Just Men, with all six appearing in an opening story, then each would star in at least four other stories. Alas! The series never got off the ground
Jason's Kingdom
This series went into production during September 1964. It was based around international banking, set in Switzerland. It was produced by a company with Jon Luxton, Ron Bruce, David Donabie and John Leek. Luxton explained, "there is a strong comedy theme, and is very suitable for family viewing." However it never got as far as any tv screen
The Unusual Miss Mulberry (Rediffusion 1965)-Announced just before Christmas 1964, Stuart Hood, Controller of Programmes for Rediffusion wrote about it in the first TV Times for 1965. This was to have been 13 part series was set for screening starting on August 2nd 1965, but it was never shown. "Legal difficulties" were given as the reason. The star was Diana Dors, the series built around her playing the senior partner in a private enquiry agency, assisted by a younger handsome ex-copper. Diana's father was a CID officer. According to the tv company, six of the programmes had already been taped. A Rediffusion executive explained in May 1965, "legal arguments have been dragging on for months," but there must have been more to it than that, given that production had advanced so far. Stills of the series can be found on the net, but presumably those rare videotapes went the way of all flesh...
In December 1966, Arthur Haynes was to start rehearsals for his new ATV series, which would be different from his previous shows, as it was a situation comedy in which he would co-star with Joan Sims. Alas Arthur sadly died the month previous
Carthay Centre Productions announced a series planned to start shooting in autumn 1967. 39 hour long episodes were to be made for a series based in London, but filmed on the continent also. Described as a modern adventure series, the company was a subsidiary of the National General Corporation of America, which made the Tarzan tv series.
Cost per episode was calculated at £55,000.
Producer: Sy Weintraub.
Studio Eight Film Productions were based in Jersey. In June 1968 they announced they were to shoot a pilot, in colour, for an adventure series.
The producer was John Brason (1924-2003), director Lindsay Shonteff (1935-2006). Sidney Garner, managing director of the studio stated that lower costs, thanks to tax savings, would encourage the development of these Channel Island studios.
Star of this series was Lauriston Shaw, whose tv career all but ended after this enterprise came to naught
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The Fox
NBC announced in February 1957 that a deal had been struck for ITP (later ITC) to film this series in England starring Anthony Dexter as an eighteenth century French royal.
David Diamond (of Sam Bischoff-David Diamond company) was in charge of production, which never got beyond the pilot, which, it's good to report, has definitely survived.
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Professor Tim
Location shooting began in Ireland in mid January 1957, then on Jan 20th the cast moved to a British studio. It was completed in April 1957 and given a private showing in Dublin that month. It was made for American TV by Dublin Film and Television Productions: "if it is a success the company plan to film short versions of 39 other Abbey plays."
The famous Abbey players were the stars of this film, with Seamus Kavanagh in the title role, others appearing included Ray McAnally, Marie Keane, Philip Flynn, Maire O'Donnell, Geoffrey Golden, Michael O'Brien, Brid Lynch, and Bill Foley. Also involved: John Hoey and Eileen Furlong.
Dialogue director was Ria Mooney from
a script by Robert S Baker, with Englishman Henry Cass brought in to direct. Producer: Emmet Dalton.
The same group also made the film
Boyd's Shop with Geoffrey Golden as Boyd. Also in the cast: Aideen O'Kelly as Agnes, Vincent Dowling as John Haslett, and Aiden Grenell and Gearoid O'Lochainn as two minsters. Henry Cass again directed, with Ria Mooney as dialogue director. This received a press screening in Dublin on April 7th 1958. A report stated, "the play is one of 13 Abbey successes to be filmed for the American market."
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Trader Horn
This 1958 series was first announced in August 1957, when it was stated that Hollywood producer Michel Kraike had acquired the rights to Trader Horn. "Filming is to be done in London and Kenya," he added.
Ronald Kinnock was probably the writer.
The company Gross-Krasne made at least a pilot, and it is mentioned in the 1959 Film Review Annual.
Clifford Evans and John Turner both said that they had appeared in it, James Hayter was named as co-star, and Jane Asher also put in print that she appeared in this "tv film." However no-one has seen it in living memory, to my knowledge... Unless you can tell me otherwise
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Calling All Lovers
Nicholas Parsons made a curious light situation comedy in 1959 in Antwerp, for the Belgian based United Continents company (whose accomodation address was given as 46 Hoevensebaan, Kapelle, Antwerp).
Lana Morris was his leading lady in this pilot film completed in August that year.
Paul Tabori wrote the script, and also wrote two further stories for the proposed series of 39, which however seems to have not got off the ground. But this pilot was definitely completed, by producer Jacques Verdyck, a Flemish tv producer based in Deurne, Antwerp.
Several of the technicians were British, including Eric Bast (lighting) and Peter Tabori (camera).
A forgoten segment of the career of Nicholas Parsons
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Rogue for Hire
was one of a number of projects by the company Gross-Krasne.
In the 1950's Jack J Gross and Philip Krasne made some low budget feature films, and had a string of successful television series behind them,
several starring Thomas Mitchell, another being
The Lone Wolf with Louis Hayward. In 1957 they became more
ambitious making Adventures of a Jungle Boy and
African Patrol both on location in Africa,
before a 1958 attempt to film a series Trader Horn, which never got beyond a pilot.
Then further problems in 1959 with a series that was to have been titled Fate
(the first idea had been to call it Destiny).
Gross-Krasne planned to shoot at Elstree two of the planned 39 ("and maybe more") half hour films, "not bothering with the expensive and often disheartening custom of making pilots,"
though what else these films were to have been only JG and PK know. Scriptwriters working on the series in late 1958 included Basil Dawson, Barry Daker, Stanley Miller and Ian Dallas. "I'm up to my ears in scripts," producer Donald Hyde commented, though the project collapsed before the troubled Rogue for Hire set Gross-Krasne back still further. Despite this failure Jack Gross did manage to make one further series with Louis Hayward, The Pursuers.
Originally Rogue for Hire was to have been called by the imitative title Have Plane Will Travel.
Filming began in 1959 with star Jerome Thor in Hollywood, the plan had been to make this one of those American/British co-productions, with ABP Elstree Studios being used by producer Donald Hyde.
However I do not believe any of the proposed films were ever made in the UK, though the schedule drawn up was to start in November that year. Certainly Philip Levene confirmed that he had written some scripts for this series.
As regards the American episodes of Rogue for Hire, movie stunt pilot Paul Mantz contributed some sequences, about which it was reported in June 1959 that "several episodes have been completed." It does seem six were actually finished. The script for one episode, Operation Jaguar, survives, what else, who knows?
At the end of 1959 G-K axed the project, Thor being summoned back from Japan where he was shooting sequences for Rogue for Hire, in which Beverly Garland stated she was to appear. A statement claimed "the American-made films were not approved, and did not get a sale"
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Mr Riviera
A 25 minute ITC pilot that was originally titled Sirocco was scheduled for shooting starting June 14th 1960.
ITC held screen tests at the start of that month, choosing Charles Drake as the star. It would be interesting to know who else tested for the series, since a female lead could not be found.
As a result, production did not actually start until August 4th 1960. This pilot was made at MGM Studios Elstree, by producer Dennis O'Dell.
Location shooting was done that month also, at Monte Carlo "with a cast of 20 people."
The script was by Bill Strutton, the film was directed by Peter Graham Scott and produced by Denis O'Dell.
I remember it was actually screened on British television, by ATV. However this projected series never got beyond this pilot.
Charles Drake played freelance reporter and photographer Neil McCrea, with guest star for this story Anna Gaylor as Annette Brosse.
Others in the cast were Warren Mitchell as Valgo, Kenneth Griffith as Martin, Harry Locke as Marius and Michael Peake as Sancha.
The storyline:
The Sirocco is a yacht, which sails into the harbour at Monte Carlo.
On board is McCrea who receives this message from one of his editors:
'Planning feature on plastic surgeon, Jules Brosse killed in crash over Corniche. Appreciate new piece on him.'
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The Adventures of an Elephant Boy
Following the success of the 1956 film Elephant River, three pilot films were made starting late 1958, and finishing early April 1959, for a projected series of 26. The star of the film and these pilots was 14 year old English lad David Wyman, who had lived in Ceylon all his life, who had won the part from, it is said, 120 boys who auditioned.
The scriptwriter and director was Kenneth Hume and the producer John Kennedy. The series was shot on location in Ceylon, but the team encountered problems with their Cingalese extras, who were allegedly paid in beer, but when this ran out, so did the extras! Worse, two cameramen were said to have died during the filming, as a result of snake bites. Less serious was the problem illustrating that old adage, Never Work with Animals or Children, for claimed Hume, "shots relying on the antics of animals took up a lot of time."
John Kennedy claimed that the series had been made in Ceylon because "within the Commonwealth, there is a feast fit for a king of television material." He also wanted to avoid the "vice like grip on British screens held by American productions," a very laudable aim, but one which caused the downfall of the project. For Kennedy himself admitted, "I need to sell this series to America. In Britain I would only get £4,000 for a film from ITV and £2,000 from the BBC. They cost anything from £12,000 to £16,000 each to make." (As manager of Tommy Steele, Kennedy added, "If this series is a success, I will set up another company and bring in Tommy Steele and Larry Parnes, his ex-partner.")
Anyone know if any tv station bought up Elephant Boy, and even more boldly, screened it? They were offered to Lew Grade, but I think he must have said No!
Details are on the net of
one film shown on US tv in 1971 and repeated in 1972 that did star David Wyman that must be one of these pilots. Others in the cast were Joe Kiel as David’s Friend, Tissa Weerasinghe as David’s Mother, John Gibson as Lester, and Marjorie Murdock as Mrs. Lester.
Plot outline: When David's widowed mother dies, he runs into the jungle with his pet elephant to live off the land. He comes across elephant poachers and tries to set one of the animals free but is shot. His elephant pet saves him
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PILOT PROGRAMMES
Pilot shows were all the rage at the end of the 1950's.
Click titles for details of a few that were definitely made though none made it into a full series.
Professor Tim (1957)
The Fox (1958)
The Highwayman (1958)
Trader Horn (1958)
The Adventures of an Elephant Boy (1958/9)
The Locked Door (1959)
Dick Turpin (1959)
Rogue for Hire (1959)
Calling All Lovers (1959)
Rainbow (1960)
The Eyes (1960)
Have Jazz- Will Travel (1960)
Mr Riviera (1960)
King of Diamonds (1960)
Night Call (1961)
Holiday Camp (1963)
A 1967 filmed comedy pilot
Though this site is about UK productions, I'm including these next two as they starred British actors:
North of '53 (1959) - made in Vancouver, starring Archie Duncan. He played a bush pilot named Archie McNab, posted at Lost Lake in the present day Yukon.
Jonnie and me (1960) - made in Mexico, with Richard Greene - see my review.
See also my reviews of 2 pilots that have survived:
The Man Who Walks By Night (1949),
The Lives of Frankenstein (1958)
The Film Detectives (2016)
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The Film Detectives (2016)
I don't normally include recent tv programmes on this page, but this is one exception. Here is a twelve minute 'teaser,' a pilot that was not aired, offering a mouth watering prospect of searching out and finding missing tv programmes, on the lines of Missing Believed Wiped.
Appearing were the detectives: Chris 'The Teacher' Perry, Dick 'The Expert' Fiddy, Simon 'The Enforcer' Winters and Amanda 'The Farmer' Huntley. Director: Abigail Moore. Produced by Phil McIntyre Television.
Despite the gimmicky approach, which offers its own modern charm, this was a potentially priceless programme. Perhaps the introduction is too long, but when it gets into its stride with Jimmy Tarbuck's first tv appearance, Tarby himself watching, it demonstrates what a potential goldmine this programme could have been. It continues with the discovery of Associated Rediffusion continuity tape recorded on the night of Kennedy's assassination.
Sadly Channel Four did not take it up, and it's left to Talking Pictures TV to gallantly bring us many gems from the big and small screens
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A 1967 Pilot film
starring Mike Newman and Freddie 'Parrotface' Davies.
Featuring members of the York Theatre Company, Kenneth Gilbert, Beth Harris, Howard Bell, Sally Sanders, and Peter Schofield. Director: Peter Seabourne.
Made in colour, shot in Flamingo Park Yorkshire, this pilot was about a boy who lives in a zoo, his pal is a chuckling chimp named Joey.
Producer Bill Anderson stated, "we have a formula which is very closely allied to the comedy films of the Thirties."
It was reported as nearing completion at the end of 1967, but who knows if the final film was ever submitted to the tv companies?
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This series was never shown:
Night Call (BBC)
"It may be a sudden illness, a child screaming in the dark, or an accident, a dozen doctors are waiting in their cars to be alerted by radio. They are members of an organisation to which over three-quarters of the General Practitioners in London subscribe. It contracts to cover doctors' calls when they are away or otherwise unavailable."
Scripts were by Arthur Swinson, the stars were John Barrie and Jerold Wells.
A half hour series based on doctors deputising on emergency calls was planned for showing in May 1961. But after approaches from the British Medical Association, the series was cancelled before the first programme was ever shown. A BBC spokesman stated, "it would give a too restricted picture of doctors' deputising arrangements."
Thus, despite Radio Times announcing the first two programmes, these were never shown, replaced by Spycatcher.
In fact ten of the planned thirteen programmes had already been taped.
Anyone got any more details? The first two programmes were to have been:
1 I Want My Cabbage (May 2nd 1961)
2 The Case for a Referee (May 9th 1961)
An elderly man has heart trouble, another man a strange fever, an uncertain diagnosis requires a second opinion.
Director: William Slater
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The Highwayman (1958)
Premiered on ATV London on Saturday June 14th 1958 at 6pm, several repeat showings followed though this 25 minute ITC film never got beyond this pilot, sadly.
The storylines were to revolve round an eighteenth century gentleman who assumed
the disguise of a highwayman to save victims of injustice.
Synopsis of this pilot titled The Chimneysweep: Luke, a young chimney sweep, is accused of stealing a valuable emerald. James Macdonald does not believe the evidence and sets out along the Brighton Road, in disguise, to find the proof that will save the boy from the gallows.
The cast included several old hands of historical tv series, apart from its swashbuckling film star.
These included Richard O'Sullivan (later to be in Dick Turpin), Adrienne Corri (co-star of Sword of Freedom), and
Stanley van Beers (the evil Chauvelin in Scarlet Pimpernel).
The complete cast was:
Louis Hayward... James Macdonald
Richard O'Sullivan... Luke
Adrienne Corri... Lady Sylvia
Sam Kydd... Jerry Badger
Peter Coke... Lord Harrington
Anne Blake... Mrs Badger
Thomas Heathcote... Willetts
Carl Bernard... Crouch
Jack May... Cowley
John Dearth... Somers
Michael Peake... Pendleton
Peter Retey... Fletcher
Stanley van Beers... Chief Judge
Directed by Robert Day.
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Rainbow (1960)
This was a film series for which as many as nine pilots were made in colour, intended for showing on television, or even in the cinema. As each story lasted 13 minutes, the British tv slot targetted might well have been A-R's Small Time.
It was the brainchild of Honoria Plesch (1919–1990), a Hungarian born stage designer and producer.
"She has shown both taste and financial courage," critic Margaret Cowan wrote in January 1960.
But did anyone buy up the programmes? Certainly it seems doubtful if the projected series of 39 ever got completed. However one episode, 'The Artist,' was entered in the 1960 Venice Festival.
The central character was a radio controlled doll, and you can find an article by AM Atton on the net about how it operated. A book entitled Eight Rainbow Tales was issued in that year, written by Diana Marr-Johnson who had scripted the films. So the project wasn't entirely wasted.
Most interestingly, the action consisted of humans interacting with the doll. Cyril Chamberlain played "opposite Rainbow" in some of the tales, and others who made appearances included Nick Bond, son of writer Julian Bond, Robin Gannell, and Daphne Forman. Other children were extras, if you know of any, please let me know. Some were no doubt Swiss, since the films seem to have been made there, the Rainbow doll being known there as Monsieur Arc-En-Ciel.
Miss Plesch directed the films and stated, "I have had much help and advice from Frank Launder."
But no buyer?
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The Eyes
A 1960 pilot that was made at Merton Park, obviously intended for the American market. It starred
Reed de Rouen as Carl Watson, and
Jean MacDonald as his wife Mary, pictured here.
Others in the cast:
Tommy Duggan played Dr Heller
Diana Hope was Irene, and
Joe Farrell was the DA.
Script: Sigmund Miller. Directed by Ken Hughes.
Producer: Albert Margolies
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Have Jazz- Will Travel (1960)
A pilot for this series was definitely made and is at BFI. Whether any more of the planned 26 or 39 half hour programmes were ever made is uncertain. Completion of this pilot was announced in March 1960, those appearing were Chris Barber's Band and the Tony Kinsey Quartet, with scenes around various locations in London. It was stated that production on the series would commence that June. However at the Marquee Club on April 19th and 20th filming was definitely done of four numbers by Chris Barber and three by Joe Harriot.
Ron Rowson Associates stated that Dick Lester would direct this series, he had already made the pilot. Steve Race was musical director, and Bob Krasker the lighting and camera supervisor.
As the title suggests, it was all about jazz both trad and modern. To go with the jazz, filmed shots of the locations were initially planned to include London, Paris, Rome and Oslo. Later plans were firmed up to have two shows in London, two in Paris, two in Rome, with also two in Rome and two in Stockholm, and more ambitiously one each in Warsaw and Moscow. So, no surprise that Rowson was able to claim there was strong interest for the series not only in USA but also in Germany and Australia. "We are going out to show the working calibre of European music," Rowson claimed, "the camera will be the guide of the series and bandleaders will introduce the numbers.... We will be shooting the series at live sessions so as to capture the atmosphere of a jazz club."
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The Verdict is Yours (Granada)
The woman on trial for this crime was Elizabeth Redding, played by Shirley Lawrence. She was found not guilty.
3.8 Regina v Derbyshire
In March 1958, the 'break' in Sunday broadcasting when ITV shut down at 6.15pm was finally closed when ABC began
Five O'Clock Club and other Rediffusion TV attempts to rival BBC's Blue Peter
McCreary Moves In (ABC)
The Man Who Finally Died (ATV 1959)
The Man Who Was Two (ABC)
SEEING SPORT
