The Major is very angry at finding their radio. Will he believe that they were merely sending messages to friends on the island?
Thankfully, he gives them the benefit of the doubt. But he will be watching them, he warns. However Jean Delamere, Carol and Cliff's wiser elder sister, gets her own back,
shouting at the Major. "She's got a nerve." She tells him that in future he will have to take off his muddy boots before entering her home. That shows him!
A strategically placed tin tack on the floor catches the bare footed man. Then a little more sabotage when his field telephone line is cut. However
Cliff's booby trap above the cupboard door backfires, when the Major spots it and forces Terry to walk right into it.
The three children decipher the final message they have received, before the radio had been smashed. It tells to go to a rendezvous at midnight.
"Out On Important Business," announces a note they leave for Jean. A tough crawl through undergrowth to the place. Guns are blazing as they hear a plane.
It must be British. A parachute descends, and with whistles blowing, the children grab the package and run for it.
Safe, they examine the contents, which are titled, Important Mission, Contact Us.
But how can they do that, as their radio is broken?
The answer is in the package, which includes valves and spare parts. As well as Cliff's stink bombs, plus, more mysteriously, tobacco and razor blades.
But there's bad news. The Major has learned of Tom's escape and arrests Jean Delamere for aiding him. As the children scream, she's lead away.
To avoid any trouble, go back to the Counter Attack start
or, if you want to read hear about the Secret Agent,
you can go to Episode Four of Counter Attack
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4 Secret Agent
"We know everything that happens on this island," the Major tells Jean Delamere. At least he thinks he does! Jean plays a trump card-
the major will have to look after her children. Faced with such a prospect, he relents, and Jean is permitted to stay at home.
Terry has now repaired the smashed radio and is able to transmit to the mainland. There's a job for them. Hide a British Intelligence Officer who is being landed tonight at 11pm.
Here he is! He gets rather a surprise when his young contacts give the correct password! "You're only kids- holy mackerel!"
Cliff has not been allowed out so late, and feels left out, so he decides on his own action, putting a stink bomb in the major's bed- "happy dreams, major!"
"Es stinkt hier!" cries Major Wolf, who teaches Clifford, as he calls him, a lesson. Cliff has to stay in that smelly room.
A radio message to the mainland advises of the safe arrival of agent Hugh (Oliver Neville). But someone is listening in to their message- it's Mr Prout.
It turns out Hugh is an old school friend of Jean's, but whilst they happily chat, Mr Prout has been listening at their door....
Phew, get back quick to the start of Counter Attack.
Or to find out the truth about Mr Prout, continue to Episode 5
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5 Traitor's Mark
"No-one must know I'm here," agent Hugh warns Jean and the children. But there is Mr Prout listening in at the keyhole. He enters and tells them he's on their side. As an ex British Intelligence Officer, he promises them his assistance. He cites Col Richardson as a contact and his bona fides is established. Cue- jolly music.
But it's a swizz for the children, for now Hugh doesn't need their help. However they're pleased to be allowed to continued their practical jokes, so as to distract the Nazis away from Hugh's task, which is to locate and destroy the enemy arms dump.
Thus, next morning "some young rips," as Mr Rowley the milkman (Edward Palmer) describes them, have painted large V signs on the curfew notices. "Who has done all this?" demands the goaded Major Wolf. "Funny isn't it?" comments Cliff, though the Major doesn't look at all amused.
The children note that Mr Rowley has a V sign on his back, showing he must be a collaborator.
Prout has found out that the German arms dump is in the cellars of their headquarters- surely a rather dangerous location! Cliff shows them his secret passage in there, but it's too narrow for Hugh to negotiate.
But Terry has broken in there. He's trying to remove any evidence that it was Cliff who had painted those V signs on the chairs. But as he enters, he's pounced on by Major Wolf himself.
Wow.... back to Counter Attack start .
Or to learn of Terry's fate, go to Episode 6
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6 Guard Duty
"Where is Clifford?" demands the major of Terry, "move!"
The major has found Cliff's hanky at the scene of the crime, and not only Cliff, but Carol and "one of the workmen", Hugh actually, are caught. Luckily the major dismisses Hugh, not realising his importance, as he rounds on Clifford.
"I'm going to punish you," he rants. But his bark seems worse than his bite, for the penalty is that all three children are confined to their house for one week.
Prout hides Hugh in a deserted barn, where Jean takes him provisions, plus a gun. Whilst Prout then tries to retrieve the radio from the mill, the children divert Kurt, the major's batman, by locking him
in the bathroom and hiding his clothes. The kindly Kurt seems to take it in good humour, and warns the children not to go near the mill again. He even tells them why- because it's the new place where the ammunition is stored. Carol seems to take quite a shine to him.
Prout takes this as misinformation when the children excitedly break him this news, but the children are able to succeed where he cannot because of his size, and squeeze through a gap in storage boxes in the mill, and rescue their hidden radio.
England is contacted and they are entrusted with the important task of telling Hugh that he must rendezvous at 22.00 tonight after destroying the dump.
However once more the major catches them. "This time, this is it... you will be sent to France, a prison camp." Kurt is in trouble too for spilling the top secret information: "I shall have you shot for this."
Flee back to Counter Attack start .
Or to find out how the serial concludes, go to The Final Episode
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7 Last Chance
"You will obey my orders," rants the major, shouting wildly in German. The three children and Kurt are locked in the old mill, but of course they know the secret way out!
"We've got to hide," urges Terry. "But what about Kurt?" Carol asks. To save his life, they take him with them as a prisoner of war. Kurt goes willingly.
When it's all explained to Jean, she gets them to pack their belongings to leave with Hugh.
There are more rants from Major Wolf when he finds his prisoners have flown.
Hugh and Prout break into the German headquarters and set the explosives. But Hugh realises this is not the main arms dump, and Prout persuades him to make for his rendezvous. Prout will blow up the mill.
"This is a surprise!" Quisling Mr Rowley finds the children have got away, and insists they tell him all they know: "if you've got any sense, you'll keep in with them" (the Germans), he tells the youngsters.
They refuse, as you'd expect, and he dashes to headquarters to get help.
In the mill Prout is captured by the major. "Herr Prout, where is the bomb? If you don't tell me, I shall shoot you." As the German hq explodes, Prout and Major Wolf struggle violently.
As the fight rages, the mill blows up.
Cheers from the children as they watch from the waiting submarine- "mission accomplished." It's left to Jean to add a touch of sobriety as she concludes
"that's the thing about war, there never is a complete victory."
To Counter Attack start
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Pathfinders in Space
Pathfinders to Mars (1960)
Pathfinders to Venus (1961, ABC)
starring Gerald Flood as Conway Henderson; his charismatic charm was used by ABC in further children's serials;
George Coulouris ('To Mars') as Harcourt Brown, a free thinker, a kind of serious Zachary Smith from Lost in Space;
with Stewart Guidotti, who continued with Flood in later serials. As Geoffrey Wedgwood, he plays his part with intense boyishness.
Pathfinders in Space: 1 Convoy to the Moon- At a Scottish rocket research station Conway Henderson (Gerald Flood) meets Valerie Jimmy and Geoffrey, children of Prof Wedgwood (Peter Williams) who's doing "something men have dreamed of for centuries," that is, flying to the moon. Sighs Jimmy "gosh I wish I was going." When Geoffrey accidentally leaves a screwdriver in the backup ship, the auto pilot short circuits and so, of course, Henderson has to fly it, along with his crew, hip hip, the two boys. Girls complain now. But fear not, is that a stowaway.....?
Pathfinders to Mars 4: "Lichens!": "We're approaching Mars- stand by!" Harcourt Brown: "I've dreamt of this moment all my life." Margaret is first to set foot on Mars- the first task is to find some water, urgently. But "nutcase" Brown is convinced there's life on the red planet. Martian rainfall solves both these problems- but this causes giant lichens to sprout everywhere. Comments Brown: "I see life, but it's not the sort of life I thought it was"
Pathfinders to Venus 2: "Into the Poison Cloud" (Sun March 12th 1961): "No-one can survive down there," but, three cheers, the British rocket manages to land on Venus! The search commences for Wilson's rocket, but beware, "I don't think any of us should be alone on this planet." Yes, look out, another rocket is landing, "it's almost as though it had been trying to find us." The children go exploring and discover the rocket but, oh dear, "the rocket's been ransacked by some creature!"
Pathfinders to Venus 3: "The Living Planet": "I've got a feeling someone's watching!" No comment. "There's something in the rocket! It's smashing things up."
To our Children's Menu
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City Beneath the Sea (1962, ABC)
In this ABC children's serial, Gerald Flood stars again, this time as Mark Bannerman. My only gripe -the underwater scenes, whilst adding authenticity,
are overlong and not entirely convincing. Unfortunately there are no fish in the sea!
The script was by John Lucarotti whose "method is to take a known scientific fact and enlarge on it." In this case it was the concept of a whole city able to live under the ocean.
1 The Pirates -An ex Nazi Uboat commander, Swendler (played with a swagger by Denis Goacher) steals a British sub. Hidden on board are mag editor Mark Bannerman and his youthful assistant Peter. They summon the Navy to the rescue
2. Escape To Aegira - "I wouldn't want to be in their shoes when Swendler finds them!" It's Swendler v. The Royal Navy! An exciting cat and mouse for viewers who risked switching on after the slowish first scene setter.
First round goes to Swendler, as Bannerman is taken to an underwater city
3 Tide Of Evil - Mark and Peter are set to work in the underground laboratory where they discover many scientists who had disappeared. In an escape attempt, Mark "gums up the works", but he's ordered
out into the ocean to repair his sabotage. Peter gets swept away by the current - and that of course is the End of Part Three!
4 Cellar Of Fear - Peter is rescued and the sabotaged air system repaired so work can speed ahead with Professor Westfield's worldwide transmitter, the last experiment needed for boss Professor Ziebrecken's
"complete conquest of the sea." Ziebrecken (Aubrey Morris - was this his finest hour?) explains he's doing it all for altruistic reasons. But, asks Peter, "suppose he didn't tell everyone about his work?" Mark travels to 35,542ft to the underwater cellar, where he sees what
Ziebrecken has stored there - warheads for a nuclear missile
5 Power To Destroy - Ziebrecken desires "a world free of tension and strife." Unfortunately he also wants "a world united, with me as its leader." "The frightening thing is," Marks tells Peter, "that Ziebrecken thinks it's quite possible."
To try and attract international attention, Peter throws out an oxygen cylinder, which implodes, and damages a bathyscape. Ziebrecken sentences him to death
6 Operation Grand Design - Whilst Swendler prepares an "accident" to befall Mark and Peter, our heroes finally alert the world by exploding a warhead - BOOM!
7 Three Hours To Doomsday - "My name is Ludwig Ziebrecken. I am speaking to you from Aegira, my city beneath the sea. I have a series of nuclear missiles directed at the capitals of the world." Will we have to submit to his demands?
Aubrey Morris provides an endearing study of a paranoid dictator- "which shall I destroy first, Bannerman? London, New York or Moscow?"
For the sequel Secret Beneath the Sea . . . or . . . Children's Menu
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Secret Beneath the Sea (1963) -
1 The Mysterious Metal - Swendler escapes the authorities, and in the guise of a showman exhibits the "eighth wonder of the world" Phoenissium. After his secret are a man calling himself George Smith (Reginald Smith in a kind of Hitch imitation) and Dr Deraad, architect of Aegira. Eluding Smith's henchmen, Swendler passes his secret to Bannerman. Orders Smith: "this time I want no mistakes...."
2 Voyage Into Danger - A thief breaks into Bannerman's office, stealing the plate of Phoenissium, but neglecting to take the all-important research notes. Taking Peter and Janet, Bannerman sets sail for Aegira to look for the important Phoenissium deposits. But Sir George orders a ship to ram their sub, and though the attempt's unsuccessful Deraad locks Peter and Janet in a compartment which has now started to flood....
3 Sabotage - "Mark, there's nothing you can do." But Peter and Janet are "jolly lucky" and at Aegira Peter 'helps' dour Prof Gordon (Robert James) who is designing a spectrascope camera until it is sabotaged. Peter is accused, though it's nasty Dr Deraad who's the culprit. With Janet, Peter searches Deraad's lab to prove his guilt, but the pair are spotted....
4 The X - Layer - So Peter and Janet are hauled before Cpt Payne: "that wasn't very clever was it?" Exonerated, Janet's underwater exploration nearly ends in tragedy when it appears she has forgotten to replenish the gas supply. Mark goes underwater too, as he thinks he knows where the Phoenissium is.....
5 The Take-Over "Bannerman's in trouble... I think he's dead!" gasps Dr Deraad. He's not, naturally, and the search is on for Mark's mysterious attacker. After another explosion, Captain Payne resigns
6 The Death Trap - "You completely fooled them!" All is revealed in this final episode. Working "twice as hard," the phoenissium is located, though we never hear any more about the evil Smith (see episode one). But at least the saboteur is captured: "if it hadn't been for you, I might have succeeded," Bannerman is told
If you're not too scared, return to the Children's Menu .
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The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe (ABC)-
with Elizabeth Crowther as Lucy.
1. What Lucy Found in Her Wardrobe (9th July 1967)
The adventure starts
8. The Triumph of the Witch (27th August 1967)-
Aslan (Bernard Kay) saves Edmund from the Witch (Elizabeth Wallace)
Hey presto, to return to the Children's Menu - click here!
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The Railway Children
A seven part BBC serial shown in 1968
directed by Julia Smith.
Jenny Agutter starred as Bobbie, a role she was to recreate in Lionel Jeffries' better known 1970 film version.
Episode 1- The Visitors (May 12th 1968)
Episode 2- The Coalminers (May 19th 1968)
Episode 3- The Message (May 26th 1968)
Episode 4- The Foreign Gentleman (June 2nd 1968)
Episode 5- The Secret (June 9th 1968)
Episode 6- The Rescue (June 16th 1968)
Episode 7- The Meeting (June 23rd 1968)
Children's Menu
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Object Z (Rediffusion) -
Although a serial for children, shown Tuesdays at 5.25pm commencing 19th Oct 1965,
writer Christopher McMaster, a one time director on Coronation Street, originally wrote it as an adult programme!
Producer Daphne Shadwell got him to adapt it for the children's slot.
The stars were Trevor Bannister as tv commentator Peter Barry, and Celia Bannerman as his assistant
Diana Winters. Other regulars were
Margaret Neale as June Challis,
Denys Peck as Robert Duncan,
Ralph Nossek as Prof Ramsey,
Brandon Brady as Brian Barclay,
William Abney as Ian Murray,
Julian Somers as Sir John Chandos (PM),
Terence J Donovan as Capt Wade (eps 1,2 and 6).
Mr review of the first episode: 1. The Meteor
Trevor Bannister: "A nova? The only nova I'm familiar with, is a bossa nova!"
But this is a new object, not a nova, but what is it, seen in the night sky? It's several million miles away, at present, but it must be six miles across.
It's approaching Earth! "I've never seen anything like it before... in fact, it's heading straight for us!"
The Prime Minister looks serious. Cooperation with America (now where have you heard that before?), and a more unlikely alliance with Russia might enable a machine to be constructed to divert the meteor.
News of the impending calamity is broken on U-K tv. Then the PM makes his solemn announcement in a seemingly unintentional parody on Churchill in 1939.
This is an impressive start to the serial. Well acted with the tension maintained, yet still time to portray the central characters in some detail.
Brief details of the remaining stories:
Episode 2: The World in Fear, October 26th 1965: death and destruction approach the earth. Can it be averted?
with Terence Woodfield, Penny Morrell, Roger Rowland, Hugh Munro, Arthur White, John Newman.
Episode 3: Flight from Danger, November 2nd 1965: the world's leaders learn the truth.
With Roy Herrick.
Episode 4: The Aliens, November 9th 1965: the aliens are coming closer. What do they want?
With Lindsay Campbell, Jeffrey Wickham, Robert O'Neil and Dmitri Mackaroff.
Episode 5: Too Late, November 16th 1965.
With Arthur White and Bernard Kay.
Episode 6: The Solution, November 23rd 1965: everything becomes clear- or does it?
With Richard Bidlake, Milton Johns, Lindsay Campbell, Jeffrey Wickham.
The sequel was:
OBJECT Z RETURNS,
a six part story which commenced in February 1966.
The same team were behind the scenes, while the stars returned,
Trevor Bannister and Margaret Neale.
Other regulars also continued- Denys Peck, Ralph Nossek,
Brandon Brady, Julian Somers and Arthur White (Keeler).
New face was Toni Gilpin as Terry.
Episode 1: The Voice from Space, February 22nd 1966.
Are the invaders real this time? Do they really exist? With William Abney (as in series 1).
Episode 2: March 1st 1966.
Episode 3: The Monsters, March 8th 1966. With Paul Armstrong and Terence Woodfield.
Episode 4: The Menace from the Depths, March 15th 1966.
Something strange is going on in the oceans. What can it be? With William Abney.
Episode 5: The Big Freeze, March 22nd 1966. Barclay sets out on a hazardous quest.
With William Abney, Barry Lowe, and David Saire.
Episode 6: The Eleventh Hour, March 29th 1966. The world freezes, and Robert must find an answer.
With William Abney, and Barry Lowe.
Children's Menu
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The Terrific Adventures of The Terrible Ten
Made starting 1960 in Melbourne, these short stories consisted of narration with the occasional bout of childish acting, a sort of amateur version of The Forest Rangers. Somehow it was very popular on Children's TV in England.
Roger Mirams directed this series, on a shoestring budget: "it was like the early days of the cinema all over again."
He even roped in his own family to act in the series. His wife Gwen had the unenviable task of looking after all ten child stars.
The Terrible Ten Build a Town - Old packing cases are built into a set of a frontier town by the kids, using impressive DIY skills and much cleverer than anything Barry Bucknall could do, or any of those toffee nosed infants on Your Very Own. But jealous enemy Rex Jackson swears he will capture the town.
The Enemy Attack- "This means war!" With the aid of flour bombs and the like, a jolly time is had by all, and the enemy have to retreat.
The Terrible Ten Fire Brigade! - The TT obtain an old jalopy and, a la Scrapheap Challenge, convert it into a red fire engine, horse drawn to boot. "Sound the fire alarm!"
The Terrible Ten Fire Brigade in Action! -Some comedy as the girls practise their first aid before the alarm is sounded. Pop Jones' old shack is alight. Overcoming the natural reluctance of their steed to pull the old banger, the TT rattle and race to save the old timer from the licking flames. Their First Aid nearly finishes him off!
A Horse Named Joe Part One - The narration is dropped here in favour of all dialogue which is terribly badly done. Old enemy Ofoot challenges the TT to a horse race at the forthcoming fair
A Horse Named Joe Part Two - Return of some narration! A wandering wild horse proves the TT's best bet to beat Ofoot. They call it Joe after Joanna who had found it. Training begins in earnest
A Horse Named Joe Part Three - Bad news! Joe is a missing racehorse called The Emperor. Says the owner- "I can't let a little girl like you ride him," as he leads Joe away.
A Horse Named Joe Part Four - "They couldn't keep you away." Joe returns and is allowed to race. Sing to him, the owner explains to Joanna and "there's nothing in this world that can catch him." So it's all pats and smiles- "the most wonderful day of my life."
Children's Menu
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Adventure Weekly (BBC 1968/9)
This was the name of a newspaper run by five enterprising children, lead by Peter (Brent Oldfield).
Produced by Shaun Sutton, and directed by Barry Letts.
Shot mostly on 16mm film, it was a fun series, with typically stereotyped, but nevertheless very enjoyable
caricatures of incompetent but lovable police, and bumbling criminals.
Several episodes have survived- here is the only one however, that I have seen...
The Great Treasure Hunt -
Train Robbers Hiding In Cliffsea, are the headlines, but unfortunately it's The Recorder that has scooped this story.
After the £100,000 are the police, with PC Cullis (Michael Wisher) ordered to scour the children's playground for suspicious characters! He keeps watch at the Children's Paddling Pool.
Adventure Weekly has a great wheeze- a Treasure Hunt. Five clues: send one shilling for the first clue. This is: Look for a Man in Whiskers.
Actually, it's poor Mr Filling (Bartlett Mullins) who is 'volunteered' for the role, and he has to don a false beard for the part.
Charles Boyd and Eddie Wheeler, the two robbers, are lying low, planning to hire a motor boat to cross the Channel to France. But they had better go in disguise. "Is my beard on straight?"
Ah! PC Cullis spots that false beard on Mr Filling: "just come down to the station." His mistake is soon evident. But later he happily chats with the crooks, without pentrating their disguises. But a member of the public spots
that beard, mistaking it for Clue No1. "Quick, run for it!"
A chase across the beach, the robbers speeding away in their boat, with the staff of Adventure Weekly in hot pursuit. Bringing up the rear, in a pathetic rowing boat is PC Cullis- "hoy, wait for me!"
It is lucky that Charles and Eddie have a dud boat. It breaks down, and PC Cullis effects his arrest, though not before he has fallen into the sea. Adventure Weekly really has got a scoop now.
Children's Menu
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Tom's Midnight Garden (BBC, 1968) -
This was a serial in the best Reithian tradition, uplifting, upright, with an educating use of background classical music, in short, not for today's generation - but of its day, wonderful!
It perfectly encapsulates the old BBC, and a forgotten era.
Children's Menu
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Quizzes / Game Shows/ Panel Games etc
Click titles for more details:
Double Your Money (A-R)
Opportunity Knocks (ABC)
Criss Cross Quiz (Granada)
The Golden Shot (ATV)
BBC Series
(Animal Vegetable Mineral,
Ask The Family,
Top of the Form,
This is Your Life)
The picture is of ATV's Dotto.
Question- can you name the first host, pictured in the middle?
Answer.
Dotto was consistently in the weekly Top Ten listings.
It had a simple format- two contestants faced a screen which concealed, in 50 dots, the outline of a famous personality. By answering correctly a question worth 5, 8 or 10, that number of dots were filled in. First to identify the person won £5 for each dot NOT filled in.
Filling in the dots behind the white screen, unseen, were Charles Stewart and Terry White.
The first show on Sunday September 14th 1958 at 9pm was directed by Colin Clews and produced by John Irwin. Jerry Allen and his quartet supplied the music. It was made at the Hackney Empire London.
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Criss Cross Quiz
. . . Quiz Menu
My brief review of final 1967 edition- Questions seem pretty tough! At the end sadly quizmaster Barbara
Kelly can't invite the winner to return next week, as the show is ending.
Here are details I have unearthed about this long running show, and its junior counterpart...
Criss Cross Quiz
"This is probably the best quiz programme on television today," wrote Derek Hoddinott. "The object is rather ingenious. Two contestants play the old game of noughts and crosses by answering simple questions on a set number of subjects. Each correct answer is worth ten pounds and a cross or naught in the appropriate square. Generally the quiz is slick and well directed. The contestants are interesting enough
in themselves, and Jeremy Hawk has exactly the right approach. He moves the programme along at a good pace and gives the impression that you haven't been watching it for anything like thirty minutes. I give this show top marks!"
Granada's quiz, which ran to nearly 350 programmes, was first aired on Monday June 18th 1957 at 8pm.
Initially it was shown each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this time.
"This is probably the best quiz programme on television today," wrote critic Derek Hoddinott. "The object is rather ingenious. Two contestants play the old game of noughts and crosses by answering simple questions on a set number of subjects. Each correct answer is worth ten pounds and a cross or naught in the appropriate square. Generally the quiz is slick and well directed. The contestants are interesting enough
in themselves, and Jeremy Hawk has exactly the right approach. He moves the programme along at a good pace and gives the impression that you haven't been watching it for anything like thirty minutes. I give this show top marks!"
Every question was worth £10, and the winner who completed
a game as in Noughts and Crosses, continued to play another game. At first the show was billed as The Quiz with No Prize Limit,
though when one clever contestant scooped over two grand, this rule was changed.
Actor Jeremy Hawk was the first presenter, and David Main the first director.
The format continued until the Friday edition was dropped, on and from September 20th 1957.
By next month, the bi-weekly quiz became limited to Mondays only at 8pm. But it remained popular and continued in its 8pm slot.
Max Morgan-Witts was the new director by the end of the year, and correct answers were increased in value to £20.
Another new director in the new year, saw one of the quiz's stalwarts Wilfred Fielding in charge behind the scenes.
The show moved to Tuesdays at 8pm as from February 18th 1958, then to 9.30pm in that spring, before a summer break.
Jeremy Hawk however did not rest, he went straight on to Junior Criss Cross Quiz.
Series 2 began at the start of 1959 on Wednesdays at 8pm. The director was again Wilfred Fielding. It ran until June, at which time Wigan
contestant Angela Fleming had to be 'retired' as she had won £1,200, and the maximum prize was now limited to £1,000.
There was a year's gap until the third series commenced on
Tuesday June 15th 1960 at 8pm.
As in a previous series, there were two shows per week, the second being screened next day at 8.25pm.
After two weeks the times were changed
on June 27th 1960 to Monday at 7.30pm
and then Wednesday 7.30pm.
Graeme McDonald directed and David Main was producer.
In the autumn the series was transmitted only once a week, on Wednesdays,
Eric Harrison and Wilfred Fielding now directing, and an 'On the Spot Judge' David Ensor (from The Verdict is Yours) on hand in case of dispute.
This series continued in 1961, at 7pm (Coronation Street of course bagging its 7.30 time), director was now Philip Casson.
In the summer it moved to Mondays at the same time, but not now fully networked. The third series came off air in October 1961, possibly as a result
of the ITV dispute with Equity. Jeremy Hawk had hosted the shows in these first three series.
A fourth and final series did not make an appearance until Wednesday July 1st 1964 at 7pm, once again not fully networked.
New quizmaster was Bill Grundy, and old hand Wilfred Fielding was the director. The show now ran continuously for over three years.
Producer was Patricia Lagone. Top prize was again limited to £1,000. Grundy's run ended on September 2nd 1964, the following week Barbara Kelly took over, and
remained hostess until the end the series folded. "I shall enjoy invading a field previously occupied mainly by men," she commented.
Patricia Owtram was producer. From September 20th 1964, the show went out on Tuesdays at 7pm. Pauline Shaw, who was also producing the junior show, took over as producer
for two weeks on November 10th 1964, long term director Wilfred Fielding continued in his role. Patricia Owtram returned on Nov 24th 1964, but two weeks later on December 8th, Philip Casson took over as producer.
Next change behind the scenes came in the June 15th 1965 edition, when John Hamp became the new producer, and David Warwick the director.
With the autumn schedules, the show moved to Thursdays at 7pm in September 1965, personnel as before.
It was not fully networked, some regions not screening the quiz at all now. During 1966 the times it was shown varied from region to region, those that screened it at all, Granada now placing it in their own area in a slot on Fridays at 7pm.
About a year on, in summer 1966, the first change in personnel for a long while came with Richard Guinea taking over the directing.
More changes at the start of September 1966, with Barry Davis the next director, and a new producer in Peter Mullings.
By early 1967 Don Bennetts was directing the quiz, now on Mondays at 6.30pm to those regions showing it.
After Easter 1967 it had moved to Wednesdays at the same time then on Fridays at the same time for the summer.
Other regions that still showed it treated the long running quiz with some disdain, Rediffusion screening it after 11pm! No wonder prizes had now dropped back to the original £10 per correct answer.
John Hamp who had worked on the show two years previously was now the producer for the final programmes, the last being on September 22nd 1967, this show being one of only four surviving
in Granada's archive.
Junior Criss Cross Quiz
For children aged 12 to 15.
Jeremy Hawk moved from the adult version to start this children's series off, late in 1957 on Wednesdays at 5pm.
Unlike the senior version, contestants did not compete for cash, but points.
50 points could win you a pair of skates, 100 a tool kit, 150 a record player,
200 a cine camera, and 250 a portable typewriter. Wow!
The biggest prizewinner in the first year of shows was Rosalind Hilson, daughter of a doctor from Ashton, near Manchester who won 850 points,
and two prizes, a radiogram and a bicycle.
Contestants were 'organised' by Reg Marsh whose task was rather difficult. He explained,"we have to restrict contestants to those living in a ten mile radius
of the studios; it is important they should not miss school." I am not sure children over most of the country would have agreed!
First Criss Cross Quiz director, David Main, was in charge behind the scenes.
Tom Spaulding as well as Wilf Fielding, from the senior version, were also directors.
During the summer of 1958, now at 5.15pm, Jeremy was taking a rest, and the quiz was hosted by Elaine Grand, and directed by Claud Whatham,
starting on July 9th 1958 (after a two week break when Wimbledon tennis had been shown).
Then in September 1958 Chris Howland took over the quiz, now on Wednesdays at 5pm, directed variously by Mike Wooler, Wilfred Fielding and Claud Whatham.
By next August, Bill Grundy took over the role of question master,
with Eric Harrison and later Eric Price directing.
Bill's last show was on March 2nd 1959 at 5pm, after which time Elaine Grand returned, with Peter Mullings directing, until on Wednesday May 4th
Jeremy Hawk returned to host the series. Before long, he was joined by his old partner, producer David Main, though Graeme McDonald was now directing the actual quiz.
However after a run of a year and a half, this first long series finished, partly because Jeremy was to start the senior version again.
The final programme was on June 8th 1960.
A second series began in May 1961, Jeremy Hawk kicking it off, though Gordon Luck, who had hosted It's Wizard in the same slot soon took over- the time was Thursdays at 5pm,
the most regular slot Junior Criss Cross Quiz enjoyed.
Philip Casson, who was concurrently directing the 'senior' version, was in charge behind the scenes.
Eric Harrison was a later director, with Pamela Brown the producer.
Claud Whatham and David Warwick also directed some editions during 1962. The run came to the end in July 1962.
Series 3 was actually billed as "Criss Cross Quiz" and began on Thursday February 14th 1963 in that familiar 5pm slot. The new quizmaster was Australian Mark Kelly, Pamela Brown continued as producer, with Wilfred Fielding now the director.
Despite this name change it was for children only, aged 12 and above. Robert Holness, who was also hosting Take a Letter, took over during September 1963, with Pamela Brown still producing and Wilfred Fielding still directing.
The name reverted to "Junior Criss Cross Quiz" in early June 1964, because the grown up version returned to the screen at the end of that month.
Pauline Shaw took over the producer's job on September 24th 1964.
A special edition on Christmas Eve 1964, though called Junior Criss Cross Quiz still, was a special "grown-ups" edition. Mike Sarne asked the questions, and five sports stars competed for presents to be donated to children's hospitals.
Answering questions were Ian Ure, Trevor Bailey, Derek Ibbotson, Madeleine Ibbotson, and Linda Ludgrove.
Sarne continued hosting the show in 1965, which moved to Fridays at 5pm from March 5th that year. March 26th 1965 marked the debut of new quizmaster Danny Blanchflower.
On Friday June 18th 1965, John Hamp became the new producer, and David Warwick the director, both also at this time had started on the senior version.
Leslie Chatfield became the new director from December 23rd 1965, the date having been switched to Thursdays at 5pm (the same day as the adult version) as from December 9th.
Another change of directors came on June 2nd 1966, when Richard Guinea took over. As was now traditional, he also was directing the senior Criss Cross Quiz at the same time.
Danny Blanchflower left in July 1966 (to watch the World Cup?!), and Peter Wheeler was the new host for the remainder of the programmes.
From September 1st, again mirroring the senior version, a new producer started work- Peter Mullings. The director was now Barry Davis, though by November 1966, David Warwick had returned for a while to the role.
But by early 1967 Don Bennetts was directing.
The final throes of the series saw John Hamp return as producer on May 25th 1967, with new director Eric Prytherch. Peter Wheeler was still asking the questions up to the final ever edition on Thursday June 29th 1967.
This final series had run continuously for over four years. Today, despite Granada's laudable archival policy,
only three of around 460 shows seem to remain in their archive. If you were lucky enough to appear, do let me know your memories!
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Opportunity Knocks
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Hughie Greene in a black/white edition. That suspicious Clapometer is the best part!
Those seeking your Vote were:
The Headliners (teenage pop group),
Anthony Graham (hip crooner at piano),
Duggie Clark (comedian, Frankie Howerd style),
Lisa Gordon (singer),
Caribbean All Steel Band,
James Gilhooley (opera singer),
The Flying Paulos (trapeze artists).
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Double Your Money
Good old Hughie Greene with a good old fashioned quiz where the jackpot was -do I hear you swoon?- a thousand pounds.
To be frank, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire's questions look frightfully easy in comparison with these - for £32 you almost sell your soul to Hughie.
But Hughie links it well, like a real old pro.
This was the junior relation to Michael Miles' Take Your Pick. Both series had started on Radio Luxembourg, but as
host Hughie Green was often reminded, his show started second.
In fact the first edition of Double Your Money was on
Monday September 26th 1955 at 8pm. At the organ was Alex Leader.
This show has survived and it is interesting to watch a much more restrained Hughie than in his later programmes.
First question on your chosen subject was worth £1, and each correct answer doubled up the prize, before eventually, for the £64 question,
you were put
on 'The Treasure Trail,' actually a soundproof box where you could win £128, £256, £500 or even reach the jackpot of £1,000.
This first series ran each Monday, later moving to Wednesdays at 7.30pm and running until June 1956. Like many A-R series, it was
commissioned, made by 'Arlington Television and Radio.' For the summer season, Hughie hosted Opportunity Knocks.
Series 2 commenced in September 1956, again shown on Wednesdays at 7.30. A-R's studio designer John Clements was responsible for the set, and Audrey Starrett
directed. Amongst the hostesses were Verna, Sheena Marshe, Cherie Danton (series 2), and Pat Goddard.
There were many other hostesses during the 1950's, but TV Times did not often list any names, and I am only including those whose names I have definitely been able to verify myself.
However if you can supply additional names and give me sources- but not merely regurgitating other internet sites- I'd be pleased to hear from you.
One of the first winners to reach the £1,000 jackpot in Feb 1957 was Lynda Sympson.
This series ended on June 12th 1957.
Series 3 began on Thursday September 19th 1957, now in the peak 8pm slot.
New director was Ronald Marriott, though Eric Croall took over after a few weeks. Robin Richmond played the organ. After the usual summer break, the programme returned for
Series 4 on Thursday September 18th 1958, now at 8.30pm. During 1959 starting times moved around, first 7pm then 8pm.
Robin Richmond returned on the organ,
hostesses were Jean Clarke and Suzanne Lee. Eric Croall was now producer, director being Bill Turner.
A special edition on Christmas Day that year had all contestants as children.
After the summer break, Hughie returned with
Series 5 commencing on Monday September 14th 1959 at 7.30pm. For a few weeks it was sceened at 8.35pm, before settling in to a 7.30pm slot.
The personnel were the same, but a new hostess joined Jean Clarke in early 1960, Janine Gray.
The final programme was on Monday June 20th 1960.
Series 6 returned that September with the same personnel, the series reaching the 200th show on
Thursday December 1st at 7.30pm. To mark the occasion, new contestants were all teenagers interested in become scientists.
This series ended on June 8th 1961.
Series 7 was in the same time slot, with the same personnel, except Nancy Roberts was now hostess, starting on Thursday September 14th 1961. However at the start of 1962, in the midst of a prolonged Equity strike,
it moved to Fridays at 7pm, swapping places with rival Take Your Pick. But by the following month it had returned to Thursdays, now at 8pm.
The final show on June 7th 1962 showed clips from the funniest moments of the series. Nancy Roberts played the bagpipes.
Hughie returned on Thursday September 13th 1962 at 7pm for the eighth series. A special TV Times cover showed him and Michael Miles.
Nancy Roberts (custodian of the questions) was now joined by Julie de Marco (in charge of the money), with Robin Richmond on the organ as usual, and Eric Croall still the director, though Don Gale took over early in 1963.
The final show was on June 6th 1963.
Series 9 began in September 1963 with the same hostesses in the now familiar Thursday 7pm slot. However Jackie Brown was the new organist.
Linda Christian replaced Nancy Roberts during October, while Julie de Marco was now billed as "the singing hostess with the notes - top C and £sd."
At the end of October, Barbara Roscoe became the figure with the questions.
In February 1964, Double Your Money's best remembered face, ex-contestant (she won a mere £8) Monica Rose became the "mod-est" new hostess "with the answers." She enjoyed a cheeky
rapport with Hughie. Barbara Roscoe soon replaced Julie de Marco as the second hostess.
In common with Take Your Pick, some special programmes began to vary the studio based format. In March 1964 there was a series of Commonwealth Editions, with specially
selected teenagers answering questions on different Commonwealth countries. The angle was- the £64 was asked in India, the £125 question in New Zealand,
the £250 in Australia, the £500 in Antigua, with the final £1,000 question in Canada. On April 30th 1964, that £1,000 question was posed by the Niagara Falls.
Following on from this success, Canadian contestants appeared in the show, and even better for Hughie, a version of the series was sold to Canadian TV.
At the end of this run, the hostesses included Julie de Marco back "with the songs," as well as Monica Rose,
"the thorn in Hughie's side." Newcomers included, doing the original hostess' roles, Eleanor Calbes, in charge of the money, and Terry Coubay, with the questions.
After the traditional summer break,
TV Times marked the returned of the series with another front cover, shared with Michael Miles.
The first show of series 10 was on Thursday September 17th 1964, now at 7.30pm with Don Gale again directing. Julie de Marco and Monica Rose continued, as did Jackie Brown at the organ.
By that November, the show was back at its most familiar 7pm time, and Helena Donaher became a new keeper of the money. An American holiday contest was a special prize at the end of this year.
This series finished its run on June 10th 1965.
Tuesday September 14th 1965 at 7pm marked the start of series 11. Monica Rose now "rises to every occasion," whilst "her friend" looks after the money.
Jackie Brown also returned, and the show was again produced by Don Gale. Musical requests were sung by Allun Davies, to prove this was not merely a quiz.
Specials included a commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain on September 28th, and a "Sentimental Journey" ran throughout November, visiting places viewers had requested.
Other hostesses included Alexandra Stephenson, looking after the money,
replaced in early 1966 by Lesley Langley. About this time Barry Langford started directing the show.
Anita West was a hostess in February,
at which time the show was offering science students a Travel Research Scholarship worth £500,
the prize finally being awarded on the April 12th show.
Peter Croft directed shows at this period, but old hand Don Gale returned once the Travel Scholarship had been decided.
Monica Rose even made the cover of TV Times in the May 21st edition, before the final show on June 7th, which had her and Hughie
on a trip down the Clyde, stopping off to rope in locals as contestants.
The penultimate series, series 12, began on Tuesday September 27th 1966 at 7pm with Monica Rose, Anita West and Jackie Brown again, Peter Croft now directing. Bill Costello was the programme editor.
The first programme promised that six contestants would win the chance to take part in the programme to be recorded in Moscow.
Two shows were made in The House of Friendship in Moscow, and shown on November 8th and 15th 1966. Hughie and Monica made the long trip, Bill Hall was at the piano, and Natasha Vasylyeva was an additional hostess.
Russian contestants participated (presumably ones who could speak English) in this "first ever Western quiz game in the Soviet Union."
TV Times marked the occasion with a photo of Hughie with Moscow in the background.
After such high jinks, it was back to the London studio, Audrey Graham now joining Hughie Green who was still "annoyed by" Monica Rose.
More excitement however in early 1967, with the "Hostess with the Mostest" competition.
The finals were included in the March 14th programme, recorded at the Top Rank Suite in Croydon.
After a telephone vote, Karen Cornish joined the programme, and Mary Bygraves replaced the irreplaceable Monica Rose.
Mary was, like Monica, an ex-contestant. She had won £250, but she was a little different, she was 76 years young.
With Hughie now heavily involved with Opportunity Knocks, this series, like the last, was slightly curtailed compared with previous years.
In fact for this reason, the final series 13 did not start until January 1968.
Monica Rose returned as hostess, alongside Judy Monks. Audrey Graham returned during February. Suzanne Dobson was at the organ.
Don Gale was producer.
The programmes were shown on Mondays at 7pm, though some regions screened the programmes on Wednesdays at 7pm.
No exotic locations this winter or spring, but the series ended on a high with the chance to win a trip to Australia, the lucky contestant drawn from
'the travel drum.'
The final programme was shown in London on Monday July 22nd 1968 at 7pm, made in Adelaide, Australia.
Double Your Money had run to over 450 programmes, Hughie Green hosting every one of them.
Double Your Money and try to get rich,
Double Your Money without any hitch,
Double Your Money, it's your lucky day,
Double your Money and take it away.
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The Golden Shot (ATV)
* 1967 show with Jackie Rae, the first host of ATV's live show. Guest Tom Jones.
* Show compered by Bob Monkhouse. Guest Clive Dunn.
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Miscellaneous BBC Series
This is Your Life (BBC)
Detailed reviews of these programmes. Click where highlighted.
July 1955: first programme, Eamonn Andrews
March 1958: Harry Secombe
c1960: Stirling Moss
1960: Sybil Thorndike
c1962: Stratford Johns
February 1963: Hattie Jacques
March 1964: Barbara Mullen
Panel Games/ Quizzes
Animal Vegetable Mineral - Erudite BBC mateyness amongst the experts, utterly baffling to non cogniscenti
Ask The Family - Mr BBC himself, Robert Robinson with his own brand of avuncular headmasterfulness
Top of the Form - Social history- innocent intelligent middle class youth about to be swept away by the pop revolution
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Eamonn Andrews (1955)
This was the first ever British show, and the host and mastermind behind the American series, Ralph Edwards, was flown over to introduce it. He's clearly not quite au fait with some Britishers.
In the audience he teases us by introducing Boris Karloff. Is he the subject of this programme? No, so how about Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon. No.
Edwards approaches Eamonn Andrews who has brought Freddie Mills along. The latter knows that Eamonn is to be the subject of the show, but Eamomn thinks it's to be Freddie. A neat trick, one that Eamonn was to do to others many a time.
His big breakthrough had been in February 1950, taking over as MC of the radio programme Ignorance is Bliss at the Paris Theatre London, and an exuberant panelist reminds him of the occasion.
Childhood faded photos serve to introduce his mother then the rest of his family. Eamonn looks decidedly worried, as though some awful revelation might be sprung on him. But family anecdotes brush away the possible tears and he's more cheerful as we hear of his start as an amateur boxer in 1944. His semi final opponent comes on stage, no wonder Eamonn can't place that voice; it seems Eamonn had time to do some radio commentary on the other semi final, before going on to win the competition.
1949 in Double or Nothing he met his future wife, it wasn't a whirlwind romance.
Then we hear of Ignorance is Bliss, and at the same time Eamonn started Sports Report. In 1951 began his long association with the tv panel game What's My Line?
Irish music plays quietly in the background as a boxer recalls what was considered to be the "finest sports commentary ever heard," a radio broadcast relayed from a San Francisco boxing match. One needs to recall that sports commentary up till then had been staid affairs, observant but dispassionate. Eamonn changed all that
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Harry Secombe (March 1958)
Hand in pocket, Eamonn Andrews reveals that tomorrow is April Fools Day, and it seems to have come early as we have a long wait at the entrance to the studio before we hear Harry's voice, and finally see him in person, as he enters the stage door with Peter Haigh. Inside, as he takes off his overcoat he threatens Peter with "you wait!"
Eamomn starts by talking of Harry's twin talents, Clown or Caruso? On film, Adele Leigh explains how they first met on a tv show, singing a duet from Madame Butterfly. "One of the finest tenor voices," she says in true show biz speak.
The first studio guests are his mother and father, "he was always larking about the house." Then his elder brother, chalk and cheese you might say. Finally his sister, with whom Harry had performed an amateur act.
One of his teachers talks of his lively class, Harry the ringleader. War service- and an army buddy comes on, then one from the Royal Artillery. He muddles his lines talking about North Africa in December 1942, but thanks Harry for writing a letter home to his wife when the buddy went missing. A third buddy, Len, worked with him as a pianist, they still do.
He met his wife in 1946 at the Mumbles Dance Hall, and we see their two children watching this programme at home.
1948 he teamed up with scriptwriter Jimmy Grafton, 'Cogros,' who describes Harry as "a great comic and singer," that's about right. A chance meeting with a BBC producer gave him his break. She reveals all.
After voice coaching he performed many concerts. After one charity do in 1951 he crashed his car, the unlucky victim being Katy Boyle, unscathed, she says. Then film of a Manchester hospital ward complete with waving children, after which a nurse comes on (in uniform naturally) to explain Harry had donated a tv set for the kids.
On the morrow he's off to Africa. Escorts come on stage to carry him there, they are Spike Milligan, Ray Ellington and not announced Peter Sellers. Eric Sykes is announced by Eamonn but never appears. Amid chaos, Eamonn tries to present Harry with the Red Book
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Stirling Moss c1960
Waiting on the street at Bush Green, a small growd gathers as a car eventually draws to a halt. Eamonn opens the door to surprise Stirling Moss.
In the studio, we start with 25 year old film of "the vituoso of the steering wheel," here on his pedal car. Then to today's newspaper, 99mph in the headlines. First guest dug up is his old schoolmistress who gives quite bit away when she says, "he had more than his share of energy."
Though his father and mother urged him to be a dentist, Stirling always knew he wanted to be a racing driver, and his parents were indeed keen amateur racers themselves. From Paris, Lance Macklin tells of a few escapades chasing round France, and praises Stirling's powers of concentration on the racetrack too.
A journalist explains how it happened that SM drove a Jag for the first time, "he walked the race." 1951 film of a win in the Gold Star British Championship only led to a frustrating period according to Ken Gregory his personal manager. 1954 was a glorious failure with his mechanic Alf Francis, "we worked like two brothers." Alf calls him "the greatest living racing driver."
1955 with Mercedes starts the years of fulfilment. 1956 Vanwall, 1957 marriage. Katie says he never relaxes.
A clip is shown from the A-R tv series with Daniel Farson, People in Trouble. SM had helped a grateful Paul, seen in this extract, providing him with a disabled vehicle.
On film, perhaps the greatest driver of the time, Fangio, greets Stirling on film. Eamonn translates.
Stirling Moss OBE is greeted by one final voice, his first mechanic an ex German POW, who concludes, "one of the greatest racing drivers in the world." Seems they all agreed on that, and certainly his name has passed into British folklore
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Hattie Jacques
(February 12th 1963)
Hiding behind a newspaper in the stalls of the BBC Theatre, Eamonn Andrews surprises Hattie, who is walking down the aisle with Eric Sykes. He's the first guest, "I've been dying to tell you!"
We learn that she was born in Sandgate Kent, went to school in Hammersmith, where she was stagestruck. Indeed she has this surprised smile she wears throughout the programme, which sometimes appears just a little too put on.
We learn of her fine work with the Red Cross which she joined in 1940. A guest tells of her work in wartime hospitals and at bomb incidents.
A clip from the 1959 Carry On Nurse serves to introduce Shirley Eaton who is the archetypal This Is Your Life gushing guest.
Leonard Sachs recounts her audition for the Players Theatre in which she sang the Marie Lloyd song A Little of What You Fancy. There is also film of Hattie singing My Old Man.
Her first important film was Chance of a Lifetime (1950) and producer Bernard Miles describes Hattie as "a born actress." He adds, "she was worth every penny."
John Le Mesurier strolls on, the couple had married in November 1950. She "makes every moment count," says John, describing her as "a whirlwind," a contrast to himself no doubt.
A ship had adopted Hattie and she meets first one of the sailors, then all her adopted family.
A clip from the 1961 In The Doghouse brings in Leslie Phillips, "I always enjoy working with Hattie."
He'd been rather jealous of her in this film, for she had rather hit it off with Rosie, a chimp, said Rosie now comes on stage to a big hug.
Charity work for the East London Spastics, one mother tells of her kindness raising over £5,000 as their president.
A guest who'd last seen Hattie in 1946 tells of her songwriting. Max Bygraves has a holiday tale from Paris, and he ends by praising her professionalism.
The programme finishes with her family joining her
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ATV Back Room Boys No.11
An ABC cartoon series made in 1960
1.5 Face to Face