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Briant
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 964 Location: Liverpool England UK
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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'The Prisoner' with Patrick McGoohan, 'Columbo' with Peter Falk, '77 Sunset Strip' with Edd 'Kookie' Byrnes, 'Hawaiian Eye' with Robert Conrad, and lots of Westerns such as 'Wagon Train', 'Cheyenne', 'Rin Tin Tin' etc. I watched the TV Westerns for a glimpse of my villainous heroes, Lee Van Cleef, Leo Gordon and Jack Elam! |
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SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 11258 Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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firewirefred wrote: | I have fond memories of the original (yes, the original) series of Dr. Who, Top of The Pops (superb at the beginning but quickly got naff), Steptoe & Son, Till Death Us Do Part, etc., but........ most of all in the 60s.........The Avengers.
The best thing about The Avengers was the opening title sequence and music. In my opinion, this has never, ever been bettered. Superb. I never understood what the hell any of the episodes was about but it never mattered - just great telly! |
Yes, William Hartnell, a grumpy Doctor! I enjoyed that series too.
When the drummers were miming on TOTP, I always wondered if the BBC provided plastic cymbals? they hit them but they didn't look real to me.
I noticed the pads on the drums and sometimes the drummer would not even hit the drums, keeping their sticks about 2 inches above the skins!
Yes the Avengers were a "not to be missed" programme for me. It seems that show in particular plus a few others including the fabulous Prisoner, could only have been made by the Brits! we revelled in our British quirkyness.
So sad we're not making stuff like that anymore.
It''s like the Hammer Horror films, one after the other of good quality entertaining films, must have been world famous? then suddenly - gone! _________________ Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
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firewirefred Guest
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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SantaFefan wrote: | When the drummers were miming on TOTP, I always wondered if the BBC provided plastic cymbals? they hit them but they didn't look real to me.
I noticed the pads on the drums and sometimes the drummer would not even hit the drums, keeping their sticks about 2 inches above the skins! |
No, they were real drums - usually only half a kit though. When the show was produced live or - later - "as live" the scene-shifters had very little time to get stuff off the set and replace it with new, so they didn't want too much gear (such as guitar leads!!!). It was always funny to see band members playing the instruments that were, on the original records, played by session musicians. Many, many 60s records were made by a cobbled-together assembly of session musicians.
However, when tracks were being played in, none of the studio mics would be open so it didn't matter what noise they made. Some singers would actually sing to the track they were synching to whereas others wouldn't utter a sound.
SantaFefan wrote: | Yes the Avengers were a "not to be missed" programme for me. It seems that show in particular plus a few others including the fabulous Prisoner, could only have been made by the Brits! we revelled in our British quirkyness.
So sad we're not making stuff like that anymore. |
It's because today there are no passionate impressarios like Lew Grade who have enough clout to force through decisions without having to wait for things to go through programme committees. Lew Grade was one of the 5 people who effectively ran the ITV group (at the time it was 14 separate companies). He would commission ideas for series on the basis of whether he could sell them to US networks (usually his name was enough to guarantee this) and then he would commission one of his producers to get on with it without even mentioning money!
It just isn't done like that anymore... more's the pity. When you see "ITC" at the end of those classic programme series made by ATV, that was Lew Grade's overseas sales company. They commissioned ATV to make them and then pre-sold them, and then Lew Grade told the ITV network committee that they would be showing them. He always managed to deliver on his promises and that's why ITV was a "licence to print money" back in the late 50s and early 60s. Not so today - isn't it funny that there's so little programming resulting from a willingness to take risks?
Hopefully Lew Grade's nephew, Michael, will do something to reverse the rot in what is a truly appalling TV network!
SantaFefan wrote: | It''s like the Hammer Horror films, one after the other of good quality entertaining films, must have been world famous? then suddenly - gone! |
In the mid-70s they ceased to be marketable. A bit like the Carry On films - they were deeply uncool in the late 70s... until they were regained a cult following in the early 90s. Another example of that is Benny Hill. |
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iwarburton
Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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Muat have had medical leanings, as mine include Emergency Ward 10 and Dr Finlay's Casebook.
Stilll enjoying Ward 10's closing music, Peter Yorke's Silks and Satins, on double CD the Great British Experience.
Add Popeye, Robin Hood (with Richard Greene), William Tell (1957/8 series, not the later one), the Forsyte Saga from 1967 and Thank Your Lucky Stars.
I watched a far higher proportion of ITV in those days than I do now.
Ian. |
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SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 11258 Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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I don't remember watching Emergency Ward 10 as much as Ben Casey but I always did prefer the american shows. Dick van Dyke anyone? and of course the must see I Love Lucy
I also remember the television promotion of Kim Novak. They kept mentioning her name between programs and another I remember is chalking her name on a blackboard. I think it was all about Peyton Place?? might be wrong.
I loved the music to Robin Hood. We had it on a 78 I believe, sounded really powerful on our old valve radiogram. _________________ Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
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firewirefred Guest
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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I've never liked American comedy imports (even to this day), but two vital exceptions to that are The Phil Silvers Show (better known as Sgt. Bilko) and the cartoon derivative, Top Cat (broadcast by the BBC as "Boss Cat" because of copyright problems with the cat food maker).
For me, Bilko is as good as it can possibly get - and then some. Wonderful. |
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SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 11258 Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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Couldn't agree more with your two choices there FWF, I loved them both!
I'd love to have "met" Bilko for real!!
I still like US comedy programmes and I think they still run rings around our own home grown attempts.
The Simpsons and Family Guy are just brimming with top class humour for me.
I wonder why the UK doesn't produce quality cartoons like this? just think of all the US cartoon series over the years.
ps, thanks for all your "insider information" on the radio/tv world, it's very interesting and greatly appreciated! _________________ Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
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firewirefred Guest
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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I completely forgot about The Simpsons, and I should have put it up there with Top Cat.
I guess the reason I like them both is because they contain a very understated, ironic and subtle style of humour that's very British (there are so many coded messages in the Simpsons that lots of people don't notice - the good thing being that it doesn't detract from the humour). I cannot stand the American "in yer face" humour. The sign says LAUGH, so we'll laugh.
And I can't stand the shows that are recorded in front of over-excited audineces that are mainly consisted of "resting" actors and extras who are being paid to make a lot of noise and laugh - even after 15 takes. I hate it.
I never, ever, got "Friends", for instance. What the hell was that all about? Funny? Not to me.
I've just thought of another - The Gary Shandling Show. Excellent. Sadly missed. |
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iknewdavidjacobsmum
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 336
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Survivors.
Red Dwarf |
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Briant
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 964 Location: Liverpool England UK
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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I've just bought a box set of five Hammer Horror films. I'm too scared to watch them! Just kidding! Ah, they had real curvy women in those films, such as Valerie Leon, Jenny Handley, Yutte Stensgarde, Ingrid Pitt and Maddy Smith. |
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firewirefred Guest
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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Briant wrote: | Jenny Handley |
Jenny Hanley..... ex of "Magpie". Lovely lady. I was in the staff canteen once at Thames TV's Teddington Studios (as was, before a stupid ITC took Thames' licence away in order to appease that Thatcher woman) with a working mate of mine having lunch when a couple of women asked to share our table. One of them was Jenny Hanley. She was even more gorgeous in the flesh than on the telly - and that's saying something. Jenny was adding items to her grocery shopping list, I do recall. |
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SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 11258 Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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Curvy women! weren't they just? I remember keeping a Film Review magazine for years because it had a picture of the heaving Madeline Smith!!
But my favourite beyond doubt was the gorgeous blonde Veronica Carlson... I can't find a pic of her though... _________________ Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
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firewirefred Guest
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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Oh my god Santa - don't do this to me! I'm reminded just how sexy that cute babe was. Blimey.............. I could. Just don't tell Mrs FWF. |
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Briant
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 964 Location: Liverpool England UK
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SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 11258 Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Briant! I couldn't find one.
Just what I needed, I've looked at all of them now! _________________ Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
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Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 4088 Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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SantaFefan wrote: | Minx wrote: | Can't remember the name of Desmond's character, but he was pretty good looking by my standards at that time. |
I just had to Google it!
Starred Rosemary Miller as Nurse Pat Roberts, Jill Browne as Nurse Carole Young, Elizabeth Kentish as Sister Cowley, Charles Tingwell as Australian House Surgeon Alan Dawson, Desmond Carrington as Dr. Chris Anderson, John Carlisle as Dr. Lester Large, Richard Thorpe as Dr. Rennie, Glyn Owen as Patrick O'Meara, Ray Barrett as Dr. Don Nolan and John Paul as RSO Hughes. Enid Lindsay played the Matron. |
That was terrific! Opened up a whole new vista of memories. Thanks a lot! Now back to "Casualty" and "Holby City", though poor comparisons. Too much sex, intrigue and violence for my taste. And worryingly (forgive the Richard Allinsn quote) too much like reality I guess, |
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Cherskiy
Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 3701 Location: near Amble, Northumberland
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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The original "Outer Limits" - bought both DVD box sets last year and never regretted it. "Soldier", "Demon With A Glass Hand" and "The Invisibles" have to be some of the best TV SF ever. The first two named, of course, were used as the foundations of "The Terminator".
"Ultraviolet" - again, bought on DVD. Never got the audience numbers it deserved - but it would have if Channel 4 hadn't relegated it to a backwater slot.
"Quatermass II" and "Quatermass and the Pit" - the original BBC TV series from the 1950s, not the Hammer films.... whilst the budgets were low, the stories were wonderful. The ITV series in the late 1970s was simply depressing - scared the hell out of me at the time, though. Have both boxed sets on DVD - watched "Quatermass II" again the other week, not bad for something that's over 50 years old.
Stuff I used to watch and liked back then (but have no idea whether I'd still enjoy it now) would include "Secret Army" and "The Nightmare Man". I know SA was parodied in "Allo, Allo" but I wouldn't mind seeing it again. I did try to watch "Blakes 7" again - downloaded S1 but gave up half way through as the stories weren't that interesting - guess I'm getting more choosy as I get older. Same went for "The Six Million Dollar Man"! _________________ Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited) |
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SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 11258 Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Time Tunnel anybody? or maybe Get Smart? _________________ Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
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Briant
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 964 Location: Liverpool England UK
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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'Demon with a glass hand' by Harlan Ellison wasn't it? I always thought it prophesied mobile phones! 'The hand...tells me what to do...' |
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Cherskiy
Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 3701 Location: near Amble, Northumberland
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 6:47 am Post subject: |
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Briant wrote: | 'Demon with a glass hand' by Harlan Ellison wasn't it? I always thought it prophesied mobile phones! 'The hand...tells me what to do...' |
Which is why the credits for "Terminator" had to include his name.... _________________ Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited) |
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