Do Not...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Appleyards (1952-1957)
This is sometimes billed as British tv's first soap opera for children, but in my view, it wasn't. These were tales about an ordinary middle class family.
Constance Fraser was Mrs Appleyard, Douglas Muir (first series: Frederick Piper) Mr Appleyard. Their children were played by Patricia Fryer /Carole Oliver (Margaret), Derek Rowe (Tommy), David Edwards (John), Dawson France (William) and Sheila Martin (Ann). Other semi-regulars: Barbara Brown as Hazel Foster, Robert Dickens as Ronnie Grant, Tommy's chum, and CB Poultney as Mr Spiller 'The Nuisance.' Also in earlier series Tessa Clarke as Janet Appleyard.
One interesting appearance came in #9.6 on April 20th 1957, with Susan Hampshire.

Here's my review of the only surviving programme:
Series 10: Family Treat (December 29th 1956, 5.15pm)

Post Christmas gloom is hovering, "I don't want to smile." Only Tommy is at all jolly, and he proposes cheering everyone up by going to the local panto... he'll pay!
The only snag is that there are several hangers-on, like Mr Spicer. No matter Mr George Appleyard is volunteered to pay for them. However the gossip is that this is the worst panto ever, which is why tickets have been so easy to come by.
Since Tommy's paying for the family, it is important everyone must pretend they are really enjoying themselves. In fact the theatre is almost empty, the Appleyards' party squashing into a box.
Undoubtedly the gossip is correct, "it's awful," admits Tommy, though everyone shows a brave face, forcing the laughter. Hazel persuades them that they must enjoy themselves. This is a dangerous premise for any story, and it is inevitable that watching the excerpts from Dick Whittington falls flat, because it supposed to be flat. Mr Appleyard is obliged to sing a solo, then a magician enlists Tommy's aid, surely an unwise move, and turns "really nasty" when he is upstaged.
As Tommy's pound note has been burned during the trickery, he cannot stand the supper planned for afterwards, but they are able to buy some fish and chips, and the gloom is lifted when Ronnie shows up to wish them all A Happy New Year

Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Garry Halliday
My review of the only surviving programme:
3.3 The Outcast (January 30th 1960)

If you are of a certain age, you will recall BBC's children's Saturday serials starring the dashing pilot played by Terence Longdon. Aided by his faithful but dim friend and co-pilot Bill Dodds (the ever reliable Terence Alexander), the sinister Voice was their arch enemy. He was played by Elwyn Brook-Jones, and I always shivered whenever Halliday brushed with him- he was the ultimate villain! He interviews his accomplices and victims via closed circuit telly. If our faded memories are sometimes over generous to old programmes, I'm pleased to report that seeing Garry Halliday again was every bit as pleasing as over fifty years ago. True I am a trifle older, but though of course this is very dated as regards the cheap sets, it's nevertheless a well done children's drama. Bill Dodds was even more entertaining than I recalled and The Voice was almost as scarey as he appeared to a young lad.
So popular was the series, that eight six part adventures were screened from 1959 to 1962. Series 4 and 6 were lucky to get one extra part, so altogether 50 half hour stories were made.
The second series in autumn 1959 had Garry Halliday running his own charter company carrying freight and occasional passengers to Paris. Filming was done at Ferry Field Airport Lydd. Jennifer Wright joined the cast as air hostess Jean, with Richard Warner as Dr Edmundo, in business with The Voice. Also appearing were Jeremy Burnham, Juno Stevas, Hamilton Duce and Frederick Treves, whom I liked very much in this programme.
Series 3 started in January 1960 and was a story of vanishing scientists. Sadly Elwyn Brooke-Jones died and he vanishes from the programme after this.
The sixth series in January 1962 was titled Garry Halliday and the Secret of Omar Khayyam. Apart from the main stars, Bill Kerr appeared as Eddie Robins, Maurice Kaufmann as Adolph Traumann, and Hugh Latimer as Temhani.
The seventh series following on from this one was Garry Halliday and the Gun Runners, again with Bill Kerr, Maurice Kaufmann and Hugh Latimer. Alan Tilvern also featured as General Hasheme. The final series were six self contained adventures.
A contemporary reviewer wrote these words of praise: "Children must have loved it. I know I did. The characters were vivid, the script was good, often witty. Bill Dodds is talking about his latest girlfriend. 'You wait till you meet her. She's not a bit like me. Just as well really, eh?'" The reviewer concluded, "Trouble has been taken over its preparation and whole sections of it were filmed... produced with good pace by Richard West."

To the Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Outcast

Here's the gist of the frightfully BBC voice which recaps the previous two episodes: "Garry Halliday is up against his old enemy The Voice, now engaged in a colossal scheme to kidnap five world famous atomic scientists and sell them to the highest bidder. Two scientists have already been kidnapped. Now The Voice plans to take another, Professor Mundt and his secretary Martin. At the suggestion of Inspector Potter, Halliday's plane has been chartered to fly Mundt back to Frankfurt, to the annoyance of Mr Smith-Clayton of the Home Office. Bill Dodds is on the plane as well as his fiancee Sonya, who is acting as stewardess. The only others in the plane are three security men, but they are headed by O'Brien, The Voice's principal lieutenant."

Prof Mundt is seized, despite protests from Smith-Clayton (Peter Myers, who does a fine impression of a British silly ass type).
"Alter course please, Captain Halliday." Has he any choice?
Sonya: "A rather gruesome chap is pointing a gun at me." But Bill does his 'card trick,' and in a filmed sequence the result of the punchup is that Garry retakes control. The victorious heroes radio the bad news to their enemy.
The Voice: "it's almost a pleasure to have you as my antagonist." But he has a card up his sleeve, for Garry's normal stewardess Jean Willis has been kidnapped, and Garry has to concede.
Bill remonstrates with his boss in vain over his mysterious change of heart: "look here, I know I'm a bit of an ass sometimes, but I'm not as stupid as all that."
Garry is forced to land in a remote mountainous area, apparently in Switzerland. O'Brien hands him £15,000 to make it seem Garry is in with the gang. Naturally he refuses, but Smith-Clayton sees it as proof that Garry must be a traitor.
With the gang clearing off with the professor, and the plane disabled, Garry Bill and Sonya start to walk. Garry reaches a telephone exchange and tries to warn Inspector Potter. But local police arrest him.
The Voice gloats to Jean, revealing this scheme to discredit Halliday. And once thoroughly disgraced The Voice is going to enjoy killing him, "humanely if possible."
There's an angry scene in the police station. Our heroes are locked in a cell, "what are we going to do, Garry?"
Sadly, I don't think we're ever going to find out
To Garry Halliday
To the Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Flower of Gloster (Granada, 1967)

Originally planned in 10 parts but shown in 13. In the title role is a 72ft canal barge, that starts its journey in Wales, making its way by 220 miles of canal to the Pool of London. It is supposed to be delivered there by a boatyard owner, who falls ill, so his children Mike aged 10 and Liz aged 12 with the help of old friends Richard and Annette, deliver it for him. Deadline date is July 14th. Actual shooting began towards the end of May 1967. The older children are: Richard O'Callaghan (Richard) and Annette Robertson (Annette). The youngsters: Elizabeth Doherty (Elizabeth) and Michael Doherty (Michael). Script: Chris McMaster- though a lot of the dialogue seems improvised, only O'Callaghan at all comfortable with this. Director: Mike Beckham. Producer: Bill Grundy.
Amazingly, this was Granada's first belated attempt at a children's drama serial, and it sure shows. The story cannot decide if it is drama, comedy or documentary, and trying to be all three, it falls between all three camps. Following the tradition of the Children's Film Foundation, little effort is made to obtain young child actors who can actually act, giving the production an appallingly amateur feel, only compensated by the fine location shooting.

1 The Accident (Wednesday September 27th 1967 5.25pm)- July 4th: restoration of the barge is complete, Jim and his eldest son Dick are to deliver it from North Wales to London when Jim collapses. We have met his children cycling on the Llangollen viaduct- Mike even falls in! Under Dick's charge, with Liz as his second in command, the barge sets off. Rival to reach London first is Evans, another barge owner (Talfryn Thomas)

2 The Cut- Along Chirk Viaduct the barge begins its (very) slow progress, Mike cycling as far as the tunnel to see them off. Is it Liz's fault that the barge gets damaged? She fetches help, while to fill in time, Mike wanders off to learn about boat restoration. Up and running again, Liz cooks a bite for Dick to eat, the result is that the barge runs into the bank. Another near disaster is when she takes the tiller, but then decides she can also do the washing up. They bump, literally, into old Charlie, a barge man through and through for some extempore chat. Then they reach their first lock. Here Dick is sent the odd message, where is Mike?

3 The Boy- The industrial landscape around the Anderton Boat Lift where the engine overheats delaying progress. Liz finds Mike hiding in the hold. Next morning we spend a lot of time watching them wake up

4 The Girl- Audlem Locks where Mike and Liz start some horseplay and leave it to Dick. Liz goes shopping and Mike learns about a coal barge. After Dick tells them off, Mike takes the tiller and runs down a dinghy. Dick rescues the nice girl in it from drowning and retrieves her things. Her name is Anne, and she's stranded. Come with us, suggests Dick

5 Betton Woods- An angry barge owner warns that these woods are haunted. Running out of fuel, they have to moor here overnight, "I don't like it." Like two babes in the wood, Mike and Liz go exploring, Dick and Anne miss them and search for them. A few spooky noises is the sum total of their scares, and these come from some badger expert who tells them all about his hobby

6 The Dog- Anne punts as Dick tows the barge "only a mile." A horse helps them reach Market Drayton where they take on fuel. To pay for repairs to Anne's dinghy, Dick strips down a rowing boat, while Mike has to peel spuds. Anne befriends a stray dog which joins the party, they name it Baskerville

7 Lost- this is actually a story! The wretched Baskerville runs off, the gormless Mike pursues and disappears. An angry Dick moors at Wolverhampton to reprimand Mike on his return, "this is not a pleasure trip." Anne's navigational skills lead them into a dead end, where yobs pelt them with stones. Dick grabs one of the horrors, forcing them to tow the barge for a distance

8 The City- Day Six, the barge is stuck in mud. They are helped to get moving by a man who tells them the history of industrial canals for ages. While Dick arranges to earn some extra cash, the children shop at the Bullring, Liz buys useless stuff, Anne helps a lost boy, Mike is carted away by police, while Dick waits impatiently for them to return

9 Life and Death- 'Chocolate' Charlie helps them tow through 50 locks to Braunston Junction. Here they meet up again with Jack. Liz has to fetch a midwife, and they make way for a funeral barge, before entering The Tunnel

10 The Tunnel- Blisworth, the longest tunnel on their journey, spookily interesting. Engine trouble strikes, "we'll never get out of 'ere." But they do, by "legging" it, then Mike explores the waterways museum

11 The Deadline- an episode with more structure. 65 miles to go, and three days to make it! But Newell the new owner of The Gloster says he wants his boat by tomorrow! However the children don't know that, and are messing about in a dinghy. Then they enjoy themselves in the maze at Woburn, an improvised game of the Frontier. After a trip to the fairground, Mike gets himself lost inside the abbey. He's found in Victoria's bedroom, and they dash off, "we'll never make it!" (Not sure if the lady who shows them round Woburn Abbey is the Duchess herself, Nicole Milinaire formerly a tv producer of series such as Sherlock Holmes, Dick and the Duchess- be nice if it was)

12 The Hitch- a torch is the only help as they travel through the night, only stopped by an obstreperous lockkeeper. Now it's a race to get to London ahead of Dan Evans' boat, The Vigilant (last seen in story #1). Some naughty sabotage sees The Gloster drifting with "a hell of a bang." The rudder is jammed, valuable hours lost releasing it

13 Late - The boat is spruced up as they travel through Little Venice. Evans on The Vigilant tries a last trick, sending his son Dai to set the locks around Kentish Town against the Gloster. The Vigilant catches them up and takes a different route to the Thames. Anne is left to steer the barge while Dick cycles to The Vigilant and shoves Evans in the canal! They find a river pilot to take them on the Thames, under Tower Bridge, past the Houses of Parliament to meet the buyer Mr Newell at Lambeth Pier. It is noticeable that by now Mike and Liz are hardly involved at all
Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

ORLANDO (1965-8, Rediffusion)
An interesting series, a spin-off from the series Crane, but screened on children's tv. Crane has quit Morocco, so his sidekick Orlando returns to Britain to run a boatyard. The opening theme music was 'Walk in a Nightmare,' (aka Hellraisers) and by contrast, the stories ended with 'Make Us Laugh.'
My review of 2.27 Rhyme- But No Reason (11th October 1966).
No sign of the divers who have been exploring the cave, Orlando and Co are scouring the seas from the cliff top. "We have to do something," but wise Orlando knows that all that can be done is wait.
One of the explorers, Trevor (John Steiner), Miss Tully's nephew, leaves Steve behind in the cave. Orlando perceives that Steve must be "in serious trouble," so descends the cliff face to the rescue.
Trevor's actions convince Jenny that he must be one who killed his uncle, but Miss Tully just cannot accept this. To find out the truth Jenny goes off to look in Cmdr Tully's yacht for his missing diary.
In the cave Orlando discovers an unconscious Steve. Trevor must have done it. Even Miss Tully has to reluctantly agree, "he might have killed you."
The secret message is now in Orlando's hands, but what on earth does it mean?
In a candle H and R
Take you to a place not far
Where the cranes can never fly
Yet they soar towards the sky
Start here go left and left once more
Which brings you to the secret door
There's no red herring to this clue
But a Jack to Gill will give it you.
"Haven't a clue what it means." After his adventures, Orlando is laid up in bed, but at least that gives him ample time to study this puzzle. Steve tumbles to the menaing of one line, Zoo, that's where cranes never fly.
In Jenny's unsuccessful search for the diary on the yacht, she stumbles on this message also, but is stopped in her tracks by Trevor, who must have that diary as well. At a chandlery, Trevor and his mate bust in, "the stakes must be very high"
To Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Barnstormers
3 The Lost Treasure 5 The Trap 6 Camberley's Quest 7 The Spanish Casket 8 A Door to Nowhere 9 Rusty in Danger, 10 Old Alexander's Secret
Good to report that the series has been partly rescued, Unlike many CFF films, the children's acting in this is not amateurish. That most interesting child star Dennis Waterman appeared as Mike, Gerald Rowland as Rusty, Peter Hempson as Philip, Patricia Wilson as Sarah, and John Pike (late of 'Ivanhoe' and 'The Old Pull n Push') as Alan. Tina Martin as Miranda, Susan Purdie as Elizabeth and Jeffrey Shankley as Peter appeared after the first story. Joy Thwaites wrote the scripts, and the director was Marc Miller.
The five children, their leader Mike, decide to form their own dramatic society and write and produce their own play. But they need to find a suitable venue and hit on a deserted 18th century water mill that stands in a stream outside their village. As the production takes shape they discover interesting facts about the mill. One rumour claims a pirate once lived here and hid his treasure within its walls. Secret passages and a concealed trapdoor confirm the tale. A property speculator hears about the treasure and attempts to buy the mill for redevelopment.
The first episode was screened March 3rd 1964. It was 'Mystery at the Mill' in which the children, wanting to make the most of their holidays, try to join The Tudor Players. They are also intrigued by a strange light in an old mill. Also in this story were Gillian Webb as Miss Brentford and Peggy Ann Wood as Mrs Smith.
Episode 2 (Mar 10th)- also appearing were Gillian Webb, and Nadine Hanwell.
Episode 3 was 'The Lost Treasure' (Mar 17th) and introduced Henry Soskin as Mr Selbourne, whom Sarah and Rusty meet as they start rehearsals for their play.
Episode 4 was 'Enter a Stranger' (Mar 24th) in which the future of the Mill is threatened.
Episode 5 (Mar 31st) The Trap
Episode 6 was 'Camberley's Quest' (April 7th) in which the mystery of the casket grows deeper. (Note- no story on April 14th due to Budget.)
Episode 7 was 'The Spanish Casket' (April 21st) in which the casket is stolen.
Episode 8 was 'A Door to Nowhere' (April 28th) featured AJ Brown as Alderman Purbeck.
Episode 9 'Rusty in Danger,' again included AJ Brown and told how Rusty did some exploring.
The tenth and final episode was on May 12th and titled 'Old Alexander's Secret.' Nora Nicholson played Mrs Herriard, and the story showed The Barnstormers thoroughly exploring the tunnel.
A finale titled Playmaking with the Barnstormers was shown on May 19th.
Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Lost Treasure

A trapdoor in the floor of the mill is pulled open. Mike leads the gang down steps which lead to the river, "nothing much to see," is the disappointing verdict. However Philip spots AM, standing for the pirate Alexander Martin, scratched on the wall.
Philip is the outsider, secretive about his family, the others feel. The children prepare for rehearsals, finding their own costumes. Mike plays Fernando, and speaks with a foreign accent. After a few technical problems are resolved, Philip shows up as chief of police, nicely overacting. He and Mike have a stage fight, "are you all right?" Rusty finds this unconvincing. He is still eager to find the treasure.
With Sarah, he goes in search of a casket suitable for a prop. On film we see them walking along the village and entering a shop owned by Mr Selbourne, who tells them how, when a lad himself, he searched in the mill for the treasure. "Did you ever find it?" No, but Martin vanished one night, nobody knows where to. He shows them a painting of Martin's daughter, he calls her "beautiful" though the children are dubious about that.
It is Philip who discovers a casket for their play, and look, it's just like the one in the painting of Miss Martin!

Barnstomers

.

.

.

.

.

.

5 The Trap
Who has slunk into the mill and destroyed the children's model of a rocket? Who was last to leave? Alan.
He is evasive, but is surprised to see the broken rocket, "it wasn't me." He admits he had gone back to the mill in search of the secret tunnel, but without success. But he remembers spotting a green van nearby. Alan notices the intruder had dropped a chewing gum wrapper. It's a clue.
At the shop, Mr Selborne is taking delivery of some furniture, from delivery lad Joe. With his nephew Edward, he speculates on the identity of a stranger who has purchased two candlesticks. This man Ludgate is very keen on buying the mill.
A fountain pen provides another clue. Three of the children go in search of the green van, they see it driving away. Eddie is able to tell the children who drives the van.
While they have gone, the stranger arrives at the mill in his Jag. Rusty is on guard, and watches the man nosing around. He picks up the casket. Seeing Rusty, he offers him ten shillings for it. The price is upped to £2, "no thank you."
Joe is back at the mill searching for his pen. He teases Rusty, and to teach him to keep away from the mill, the children set a trap. Mr Selborne and Eddie are informed by the children of a secret, which they pass on to Joe, "they think they've found the treasure."
Here comes Joe with his two mates. They are encased in a net and smothered in feathers, all jolly fun. But that stranger phones his boss Camberley, about his plans to demolish the mill

Barnstomers

.

.

.

.

.

.

Camberley's Quest
Ludgate is ordered by Camberley, his brother-in-law, to get that casket off the children. He calls at Selborne's shop to examine the painting of the woman with the casket- so he can be sure of getting hold of the right casket.
The children are making papier mache props for their play, and have scheduled it for the 20th. Tickets will sell at two shillings, and Sarah proposes they donate some of their profits to the starving of the world. Everyone will invite their families, all except Philip.
Concerned about the fight scene, they approach Eddie for advice. He agrees to come and watch their next rehearsal, "quite a play!" He suggests an ending to parallel the beginning.
While they rehearse, Ludgate sneaks into the mill, spots the casket, and takes it away. But he is stopped. "We don't want to sell it," they tell him. Eddie recognises him. "I assure you it's not for sale." Exit Ludgate, with dark muttering about the mill being pulled down. He reports back to Camberley, who is naturally not pleased.
Philip asks Mr Selborne about the casket, and learns what the letters on it mean.
Ludgate returns to the mill and seizes the casket, covering it with newspaper, and this time he gets away with it. The children find it missing- he has left a £5 note

Barnstomers

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Spanish Casket
"I've never seen a £5 note." But how much is the casket actually worth? Philip believes it to be "a priceless antique," as they start arguing about the disappearance of their casket. Sarah tells Eddie, who worries "they'll take it to London."
They scour the town in search of the thief. It's Rusty who spots Ludgate, who tells his boss Joe Camberley that he has been followed. That's true! The children accost him in a teashop, and swap the parcel he is carrying for a cheap imitation casket, wrapped in newspaper.
Ludgate warns them to keep away from the mill, because the new owner is going to pull it down. "Keep out of the mill," reiterates Joe, even though in actual fact he has not completed the purchase of it. There's a nice moment as Camberley unwraps the newspaper to discover the fake casket.
Mr Selbourne is very excited when Philip shows him the casket. The letters on it, V - II look like Roman numerals.
Back at the mill the children enjoy something like a midnight feast. Philip explains the numerals, clue to the opening of the secret passage. They discover a rusty handle and eventually get it pulled, revealing a damp passageway. Since it is so dark, they decide, perhaps improbably, to get some equipment and explore on the morrow. One snag however is that Philip's diary is missing and the children fall out when he accuses them of hiding it, "I'm not coming back."
An enjoyable episode with darkly lit scenes and lots of jolly fun

Barnstomers

.

.

.

.

.

.

A Door to Nowhere

Why has Philip gone off in a huff? The children start arguing, bad timing, with dress rehearsal tomorrow. Rusty is all for exploring the tunnel now, "I wasn't going far." He's certain they'll find a treasure in there.
Beatrice (Nora Nicholson), with whom Philip is staying, advises him "to make his own way." His resentment is better understood by the other children, when they find a newspaper cutting about his parents' death in an air crash.
Without Philip, Eddie has to help out, though rehearsals encounter some problems, exacerbated by Rusty's unintentional errors.
A young reporter comes to watch them as Eddie demonstrates how to make a person up to look old "with shadows and wrinkles."
Beatrice warns Philip that though the tunnel is "exciting," it is also very dangerous, so "forget about it, it leads nowhere." The reporter is shown the entrance by Rusty.
The Alderman (AJ Brown) investigates complaints about "hooligans" at the mill, "you've no right to be here." However they explain that they have permission from Beatrice. So he stays and watches their rehearsal.
Ever more impatient, Rusty commences to explore the tunnel on his own.
Note: end credits missing

Barnstomers

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Rusty in Danger
Rusty has left the rehearsal, to search for the treasure in the tunnel. The alderman and reporter are enjoying the play, "everything like a real theatre." Backstage Philip reflects with Alan about his parents' air crash.
The alderman allays their fears about Ludgate, "you're not hooligans," and the children resolve to get the historic barn listed. Eddie suggests a newspaper article to promote their cause.
"Where's Rusty?" They hear his dog howling below, and Mike and Philip go into the tunnel to find him. Sarah has to stay at the tunnel entrance, it's "cold, goes on for miles." Rusty creeps along, "I've been miles and miles and miles." Noises make him scared. "The sooner we find Rusty and get out of here, the better."
The alderman is teaing with Beatrice, who becomes alarmed when she hears about their exploring the "dangerous" tunnel. Her brother John had nearly died in it.
Sarah decides she's waited long enough, and goes for help, "I do hope nothing awful's happened." Inside the tunnel, Rusty slips, "I think I'm stuck." Mike finds a chocolate paper, "that means Rusty's still down here." A rumbling noise, of the swelling river. As the rumbling increases they find Rusty at last, but how to get him free?

Barnstomers

.

.

.

.

.

.

Old Alexander's Secret
"It just happened," moans Rusty, stuck in the tunnel, "I'll be here for ever and ever." But he is freed by Mike and Philip, yet a small fall blocks their quick exit, "the roof is caved in."
Sarah has dashed to get Alan to help, and they peer into the dark tunnel, and hear the noise of the rising river. Sarah goes to phone for more help- from Eddie this time. He warns her not to go down the tunnel.
The three lads "can't get back to the mill." Philip suggests they try going down the tunnel, which they do, Rusty ever hopeful of finding the treasure. It's exciting but scarey, picking their way along the damp tunnel, and they stumble on an old chest. Locked! But Rusty is triumphant.
Alan and Eddie wait at the mill while firemen, unseen, unblock the tunnel.
The chest is opened, but disappointingly all that is inside is "a real gun" and a key. But a key "to what?" They explore further and come across a ladder. Up they climb.
Beatrice is sitting quietly at home when a creaking sound greets her ears. It's the boys- "we didn't mean to frighten you."
Happy again, the Barnstormers prepare for their play, Eddie their producer. There's good news about the mill, for Beatrice has decided not to sell it.
Only the one disappointment. "There wasn't any treasure," sighs Rusty. But that key fits their casket, and inside, amazingly, they discover diamonds!

Barnstomers

.

.

.

.

.

.

ORLANDO. Details of individual stories:
SERIES ONE
Script editor: Denis Butler. Director: Hugh Munro for all these stories except 1:8, and 1:10 which were directed by John Rhodes.
Starring Sam Kydd as Orlando.
With Gregory Phillips as Long John Turner, Margo Andrew as Triss Fenton, and
Archie Duncan as Cpt Dan Cassidy (1,2,6,7,11,12), Clifton Jones as Nelson (1,2,4,5,8,9,13), Clifford Earl as Sgt Prothero (1,5,8,10,11,12,13), Paul Holdaway as Prod (1,3,4,5,12), Kevin Stoney as Adler (3,4).
1.1 The Silver Spoon, Tues 13th April 1965.
Orlando takes over a boatyard at Drake's Landing and walks into a mystery.
Script: David Butler. With Dudley Stevens as Phil Cardew.
1.2 Orlando Tells a Story, Tues 20th April 1965.
Orlando's life seems to be threatened by an enemy out of his past.
Script: David Weir. With Lindsay Campbell as Bates.
1.3 A Ring of Dogs, Tues 27th April 1965.
Orlando foils a betting coup which could spell disaster for Prod.
Script: Ludovic Peters. With Alister Williamson, and Jimmy Gardner.
1.4 Humpty Dumpty, Tues 4th May 1965.
Orlando is involved in the freeing of a convict.
Script: David Wilde. With Richard Lee.
1.5 Mask of Fear, Tues 11th May 1965.
A clown walks a tightrope to rescue an injured boy and regain his lost courage.
Script: Larry Forrester. With Sydney Arnold as Mr Hoppy.
1.6 The Black Snake, Tues 18th May 1965.
A brother, of whom Orlando has never heard, comes looking for his help.
Script: David Butler. With Barry Lowe and Wolfe Morris.
1.7 Ding-Dong Bell, Tues 25th May 1965.
A bedraggled cat leads Orlando to a smugglers' den.
Script: Julia Durell. With Denzil Ellis and Mabelle George.
1.8 Flight to Calais, Tues 1st June 1965.
An old comrade of Orlando comes to him for protection.
Script: Reed de Rouen. With John Morris and Penny Morrell.
1.9 A Load of Bilge Water, Tues 8th June 1965.
A lost boat carries a strange cargo.
Script: David Weir. With Hilary Wontner, Judith Fellows, Tony Caunter.
1.10 The New People, Tues 15th June 1965.
Orlando goes into hiding to solve the mystery of Broughton Manor.
Script: Len Herwood. With Steven Scott and Leo Maguire.
1.11 Skinny, Tues 22nd June 1965.
Only a coward can save a town from disaster.
Script: Larry Forrester. With Alan Baulch as Skinny, and Susan Richards.
1.12 A Code for Life, Tues 29th June 1965.
Coded messages lead to the trapping of an interesting crook.
Script: Ludovic Peters. With Milton Johns and Daphna Dan.
1.13 The Gold-Plated Football, Tues 6th July 1965 (final story of first series).
International complications arise when Long John and Triss find a gold-plated football in the sea.
Script: Reed de Rouen. With Michael Segal and David Baron.

The programme was so successful, it returned for two further series,
Series 2 (51 programmes, April 1966 to March 1967).
Orlando is still in London and makes new friends in the first story, who rescue him from a bunch of dockworkers. They are Steve, played by David Munro, and his sister Jenny, played by Judy Robinson. They are in all the stories of this series, along with Sam Kydd.
The first series of stories was titled A Slight Case of Pilfering
Script: David A Yallop. Directed by Adrian Cooper.
Also appearing Hugh Morton as Bishop, Hugh Cross as Insp Hersch (stories 2-7), and Trevor Martin as Burton (stories 2-7)
2.1 Packet of Trouble (5th April 1966).
Orlando comes to the London docks and runs straight into trouble. With Peter Diamond, Roger Rowland, Michael Beint, Ken Watson and Brian Anderson.
2.2 A Man Called Burton (12th April 1966).
Orlando, Steve and Jenny are on the trail of some crooked goings-on. With Reg Lye, Roger Rowland and Miriam Raymond.
2.3 The Achilles' Heel (19th April 1966). Burton renews an acquaintance, and seems to hold all the aces. With Roger Rowland, David Morrell and Irene Sutcliffe.
2.4 Check (26th April 1966). After taking some exercise, Orlando sees the light. With Roger Rowland, Michael Beint, David Morrell, Miriam Raymond and Denys Graham.
NO programe on May 3rd due to budget.
2.5 The Cookie begins to Crumble (10th May 1966). The big net is cast and some fish are caught, but the big ones swim the other way. With Roger Rowland, Michael Beint, David Morrell, and David Drummond.
2.6 Rainbow Day (17th May 1966).
2.7 Follow the Leader (24th May 1966). The big stuff is heavy. The little things mean a lot. With Roger Rowland, Michael Beint, and David Morrell.
The second adventure was titled Orlando and the Cemetery Walkers
Script: Paddy Manning O'Brine. Directed by Ronald Marriott.
Also appearing Norman Chappell as Click, Windsor Davies as Willie the Gospel (2:8, 9 and 11 12, and 13), Jon Laurimore as Duffer and Barry Linehan as Sgt Banner (2:8, 9 and 11).
2.8 The Cemetery Walkers (31st May 1966). Ghosties, ghoulies, things that go wump in the night... all that and Orlando too. With Patti Dalton.
2.9 A Body in the Basin (7th June 1966). A body, and Orlando is up the creek. With Andrew Downie as Insp Todd.
2.10 The Plot Thickens (14th June 1966). The Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat... Alice to the rescue. With Alan Lake, Donald Webster and Frank Peters.
2.11 Maiden Voyage (21st June 1966). All aboard the Betsy Lou- plus stowaways. With Alan Lake, Donald Webster, Murray Evans, Edward Ogden, Patti Dalton and Hugh Morton as Bishop (returning from his role in 2:1-7).
2.12 Break Out (28th June 1966). Fifteen men on Orlando's chest- or it seems like that. With Alan Lake, Donald Webster, Murray Evans, Edward Ogden, James Mellor, Clifford Cox, Hugh Morton.
2.13 The Tables Turned (5th July 1966). The thieves fall out... Orlando gets out in the nick of time. With Alan Lake, Donald Webster, Murray Evans, James Mellor, Andrew Downie and Hugh Morton.
The third adventure was titled The Gizzmo's Revenge
Script: Len Herwood. Directed by Adrian Cooper and produced by Ronald Marriott.
Also appearing David Cole as Dr Brown, Peter Bayliss as Podger (not 2.17, 18), Ian Ogilvy as Moz, Clifford Elkin as Crown Prince Urandi, Leonard Sachs as Valdares (not 2.17), Ronald Bridges as Luis and Cliff Diggins as Roca.
2.14 (12th July 1966)
2.15 Royalty Moves In (19th July 1966). Orlando goes visiting and Steve gets the message the hard way.
With Alan Gerrard as Det-Insp Jones, Jessie Evans as Mrs Wilkins, and Stanley Simmons.
2.16 Lady in Waiting (26th July 1966). Jenny becomes lady-in-waiting and Steve gets worried.
2.17: Corpse Diplomatic (2nd August 1966). Orlando goes fishing- and a King gets his chips. With Roger Delgado and Stanley Simmons.
2.18 Sink or Swim (9th August 1966). The Gizzmo turns up and some people miss the boat. With Stanley Simmons.
The fourth adventure was titled Now You See It- Now You Don't and with it the series became more tongue-in-cheek, yet another spy send-up, with D.A.T.U. (Disintegrating Atomising Teleportation Unit) and M.I.N.C.E. (Ministry Investigating National Crime and Espionage).
Script: David A Yallop. Directed by Fred Sadoff and produced by Ronald Marriott.
Also appearing Joyce Grant as Maximillian Birk, Peter Myers as Agent Six, Oliver MacGreery as Erroll Harold (not 2.24), Clive Elliott as Smith (not 2.24), John Cater as Professor Linger and Christopher Benjamin as Cardoni (not in 2.19).
2.19 That Was No Lady- That was the Man from M.I.N.C.E. (16th August 1966). When our heroes meet, people are nutty and new, they discover what goes on at Regent's Park Zoo. There's DATU and MINCE and even a plane, and right at the end, they all miss the train. With Clifford Earl as Pilot, and David Griffiths as Thug.
2.20 Shuffle the Pack and Up Pops the Joker (23rd August 1966). O and S go to MINCE and have fun getting through. Jenny talks to Cardini and learns something new. Let's find who the joker is, who can it be? The answer, my friends, surprised even me.
2.21 A Funny Thing Happened to me on My Way to the Prison (30th August 1966). Orlando inside? What madness! What folly! Agent Six meets the villains complete with his brolly, Jenny argues with Smith, and Smith has to bend, but why does Orlando keep quiet at the end?
2.22 And for My Next Trick (6th September 1966). The Baddies turn good, and the Goodies turn bad, has Orlando gone crazy? Has Cardoni gone mad? Horatio's sprung from a robbery slick while DATU this time does the vanishing trick. Also with Michael Balfour as Horatio Ponsenby-Smythe.
2.23 The Spies Who Went in from the Cold (13th September 1966)
2.24 Dont Go Down the Mine Chaps, it's Bursting at the Seams (20th September 1966). Agent 6! Steve's Office! and Jenny! Poor dear, and the Elephant House- why they all disappear, Orlando hunts for the villains, and find them he must, for DATU is working itself fit to bust. Directed now by Don Gale. Also in the cast: Ken Parry.
Orlando and the Dangerous Waters was the title of the fifth adventure in this series. Script: Ivor Jay. Directed by Bryan Shiner. Produced by Ronald Marriott. With Agnes Lauchlan as Edith Tulley, John Steiner as Trevor Beale.
2.25 Clue in a Clue (27th September 1966).
Where it's old and yet is new,
Nearby the stone, there lies the clue.
The yacht killed William, but alive is he,
Not beneath the spreading chestnut tree.
The dead fire is the tree you need,
And five miles west the trail will lead.
With Donald Layne-Smith as Henry Layne, and Brian Peck as Detective Inspector.
2.26 Skin Deep (4th October 1966).
2.27 Rhyme- But No Reason (11th October 1966).
Now you begin to see the light.
Once there's victory in sight
Face the north and walk quite straight
To the place where you must wait.
Many streets in front of you
In the beginning only two.
Remember to observe the law
Don't hurt yourself upon the door.
With Jack Woolgar and Ben Kingsley.
2.28 Victory in Sight (18th October 1966).
2.29 Find the Lady (25th October 1966).
Take each clue, one by one
The yacht killed William, and go on
To book and cave and paper too.
It's all there- add nothing new,
Then at last will be revealed
Where the answer is concealed.
With Shane Rimmer as Kahn, Hal Galili, Penelope Keith as Waitress, and George Little.
2.30 All in the Book (1st November 1966).
The end is here where you began,
Liquid assets for the man,
Who orbits far in outer space.
But here on earth where ends the chase,
The assets that propel a rocket
Are packed to slip into a pocket.
With Shane Rimmer, Hal Galili, and Edward Harvey.
The sixth story was titled Orlando and a Man Called Moosh Script by Paddy Manning O'Brine. Directed by Adrian Cooper and produced by Ronald Marriott. Sam Kydd also played Moosh. Others appearing in this serial: Arthur White as Ben Ali Kebab, Zia Mohyeddin as Abdul (not 2.31), Derek Sydney as Fashfash (not 2.31), Arthur Howard as Inspector Marigold (not 2.34, 35), and Dennis Chinnery as Sergeant Bond.
2.31 Has Anyone Seen Fred Kebab? (8th November 1966). Orlando gets the wanderlust and out jumps Jumbo. With Wolfe Morris as Aloysius Wong, Nellie Hanham as Mrs Nekrasov,
2.32 Come with Me to the Casbah (15th November 1966). Orlando takes off and lands with a bump! With Leo Leyden as Percy Uplightly.
2.33 The Man Called Moosh (22nd November 1966).
2.34 Only a Camel Loves a Camel (29th November 1966). Steve and Jenny get stuck while Orlando roasts Kebab. With Hugh Futcher.
2.35: Hubble, Bubble, Double Trouble (6th December 1966). Orlando and Moosh meet again and one goes over the edge. The question is, which one? With Hugh Futcher. Note- Moosh proved so popular, he returned in series three.
Adventure No.7 was Stealers Keepers
Script: Ivor Jay. Directed by Fred Sadoff. Produced by Ronald Marriott.
2.36 Storm Warning (13th December 1966). Orlando risks the treacherous voyage to the island against the advice of the local innkeeper. With Joe Wadham as Lowrie, PG Stephens as Matthew Leach, Allan Cuthbertson as Ronald Hawtrey, John Gill as Tom Ballinger, and Michael Gough as Harry Prentice.
2.37 Wake Up Screaming (20th December 1966). Orlando tries out a pair of crutches as a lame joke, but nobody thinks it is funny. They are dynamite, and when Steve goes down, Jenny blows up. With David Munroe as Steve, Judy Robinson as Jennie, PG Stephens as Matthew Leach, Michael Gough as Harry Prentice, and Allan Cuthbertson.
2.38 A Peeping Tom and a Shoe (27th December 1966). Orloano finds a shoe, but where's the body? Steve's rope trick is a vanishing act. Jenny opens a door and is shaken by a hand. With David Munroe, Judy Robinson, PG Stephens, Michael Gough,Allan Cuthbertson and Brian Badcoe as Stan Bassett.
2.39 Assassin Airborne (3rd January 1967).
2.40 In at the Death (10th January 1967). Orlando stops the show but doesn't want the spotlight... it could kill. Meantime Jenny throws a faint and Steve throws punches. With PG Stephens, Allan Cuthbertson, Michael Gough, Clifford Earl as Pilot (as in 2.19), Peter Pratt as Doctor, Brian Badcoe as Stan Bassett, Robert McBain as TV Interviewer and Royston Tickner as Commissionaire.
The eighth story in the series was Orlando and the Frightened Clown. It was written by Dino Irlandese from an original story by David Fisher. Directed by Adrian Cooper and produced by Ronald Marriott. With Harry Towb as Barnaby, Clive Dunn as Dai MacTavish (not 2.45), Louis Mansi as Tom Turtle, Dickie Owen as Tim Turtle, and John Abineri as Jingles Partridge (not 2.41).
2.41: Beginners Please (17th January 1967). Orlando goes to the theatre and meets a clown who has stage fright. With George Claydon as Ben, and Noel Davis as Percy Poopdeck.
2.42 The Show Must Go On (24th January 1967).
2.43 Clown on a Bike (31st January 1967). The Turtles get a surprise and a policeman sees double.
2.44 An Apple a Day (7th February 1967). Enter the Fairy Queen who casts a fruity spell. With Priscilla Morgan, and Noel Davis.
2.45 Send for Fred Pinwad (14th February 1967). Barnaby and Jenny get tied up while Orlando goes out with Fred. With George Moon as Fred Pinwad.
2.46 Curtain up (21st February 1967). Barnaby can't open the box until Dai gets a part. With George Moon, Noel Davis and Edwin Apps as Mr Diddybox.
The ninth and final adventure of this year long series was Irish Stew. Script: Len Herwood. Directed by Adrian Cooper, produced by Ronald Marriott. With Sheila O'Sullivan as Mrs O'Connor (Orlando's mum), Patrick McAlliney as Paddy, Maurie Taylor as Seamus, Peggy Marshall as Mrs Murphy (not 2.49 or 51), Peter Welch as Rogers.
2.47 A Tune in the Night (28th February 1967). With Shay Gorman as Liam.
2.48 The Stew Thickens (7th March 1967). Having postponed his holiday, Orlando sells flags and goes hunting. With Shay Gorman, Harry Davis and Gerry Sullivan as Flynn.
2.49 Masks Over Masks (14th March 1967). Orlando takes a leaf out of the book of Judges and finds that the Gideon treatment works. With Gerry Sullivan, Barry Keegan, Dermot Kelly and Eddie Byrne as Brady.
2.50 A Bit of a Dance (21st March 1967). With Gerry Sullivan, Eddie Byrne.
2.51 Pincer Movement (27th March 1967). With Gerry Sullivan, Eddie Byrne and Wesley Murphy.

Series 3. Orlando returned after a twelve month break, for 12 more programmes, three four-part serials, in 1968.
Orlando and the Return of Moosh.
Scenes with Bonzo the camel from Chessington Zoo were filmed in a sandpit near Reigate. Script: Paddy Manning O'Brine. Director: Adrian Cooper. All stories with Arthur White as Shish Kebab, Hugh Futcher as Hedgehog, Freddy Foote as Ben Ali, Jack May as Col Snitzenbaumer, and Richard Murdoch as Beau-Beau Geste.
3.1 Beau Geste and All That (Monday 25th March 1968). In which Orlando loses a camel and finds a car- and meets up with old friends. Roger Booth as Sheik Abu Hassan.
3.2 When Did You Last See Your Father? (1st April 1968).
3.3 Dont Look Now, There's a Djellebar Behind you! (8th April 1968). In which Orlando loses his liberty and finds a way out... With Jasmina Hamzavi.
3.4 Where Was Moosh When the Lights Went Out? (15th April 1968). In which Orlando finds a solution and finally loses the boat. With Jasmina Hamzavi and Dallas Cavell.
The second story in this series was Orlando and the Up Jungle Affair. Script: Paddy Manning O'Brine. Directed by Nicholas Ferguson. All stories with Arthur White as Shish Kebab, Robert Russell as Jeremiah Gutbucket, Michael Poole as Captain Pete Crambas, and Moyra Fraser as Lady Tapwater.
3.5 Lady Tapwater Turns It On (Mon 22nd April 1968). In which Orlando is offered a job, take it or leave it.
3.6 Who's Afraid of Piranha Fish? (Fri 3rd May 1968). In which Orlando meets the dreaded Nurglers, and Kebab goes fishing. with Antony Stamboulich as Speedy Gonzales, Bob Hornery as Fred Jeeduddah, and Tania as Kiki Benfica.
3.7 Me Tarzan - Up A Gum Tree (10th May 1968). Orlando takes a bath, and the villains take a powder. With Antony Stamboulich, Bob Hornery, and Tania.
3.8 Lets Be Hairy Together (17th May 1968). Lady Tapwater finds her husband and Orlando finds her the trouble. With Antony Stamboulich, Bob Hornery, Tania, David Kelsey as Lord Willy, and Bob Todd as Doctor Deadstone.
The final group of stories was Orlando and the Fifi Affair. Script: Paddy Manning O'Brine. Director: Adrian Cooper. All stories with Arthur White as Shish Kebab, Dennis Chinnery as Snookah Billy Yards, Rex Garner as Serge Trowzerzoff, Trevor Bannister as Toulouse Quelquechose, Maggie Jones as Brnaca McBangle, Jack Allen as Inspector Hugh Gret, and appearing also in some of this group of stories were Ronnie Stevens as Fred Froldbottom, and Gavin Reed as Alphonse Alouette.
3.9 (24th May 1968).
3.10 Aimez-vous Serge Trowzeroff? (31st May 1968). In which Kebab is offered a bath and Orlando pulls out the plug. With Vic Wise as Charlie Escalier (no R Stevens or G Reed).
3.11 Comment Allez Are You Up? (7th June 1968). Kebab loses his head, and the gendarmes a pair of feet.
3.12 Au Revoir But Not Goodbye. (14th June 1968). In which Orlando and Kebab take a walk in the sewer and come up covered in bluebells.

In all, 76 programmes were made, making it the longest running of Rediffusion's children's serials.
But with the termination of the company's contract, the series died.

To Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Railway Children by E Nesbit

A seven part BBC serial made in 1968 directed by Julia Smith.
The BBC had something of a love affair with this marvellous story, making two memorable versions in 1951 and 1957. I was brought up on this latter, and recall poignant scenes such as the terrible moment when father is taken away, the kindly Old Gentleman, and of course the happy reunion. That wonderful composition by Grieg so well fits the mood of the story.
In this version Jenny Agutter played Bobbie, a role she was to recreate in Lionel Jeffries' better known 1970 film version. The other children were replaced in the film, a pity, because the youngest Phyllis is always the best part and Gillian Bailey gives her an enthusiastic quality even if she falters at times. Neil McDermott as Peter seems not to have had any other screen roles. The reliable Gordon Gostelow is Perks, more authentic for me than the film version, though perhaps Mother (Ann Castle) doesn't make quite the appealing impact as that of Dinah Sheridan's film character.
In June 2017, Gilli Bush-Bailey (Phyll) wrote to me: "I remember the excitement of night-filming on the train and the cold of Yorkshire in March and then the sunny days too as we sat on the fence for the title sequence… the fun of it all and the strange rags put in my hair overnight so I had suitably curly hair in the morning…. I was 12 years of age…. A long time ago…. But lovely memories"

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)

To Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

1 The Visitors
Playing with Peter's new clockwork train in their cosy suburban home, young Phyllis causes the engine to crash. But rely on their father, Tom, when he comes home, he'll mend it!
When he does get in he's tired, but kindly examines the broken locomotive. "Is there any hope?" Perhaps there is for the train, but not for father when two strange men come knocking at their door. It makes for a poignant scene as heated voices can be heard in the adjacent room before father makes a hurried departure, "It's a mistake," are his parting words.
Ruth the maid (Mary Healey, not convincing) won't reveal anything to the children as she tucks them in bed. Mother looks in evidently distressed, whispering to Bobbie the eldest, "I can't tell you anything more tonight, love."
In their posh sitting room next morning, mother explains she's going to be very busy, for they are going to move to the country, adding ominously, "we're going to be very poor." The volatile Ruth is sacked for nearly blurting out the story, indeed there are to be few comforts when they quit their suburban luxury. Nevertheless they can still manage a taxi to take them to the station! Their destination, Waterloo, while a Great Western locomotive transports them a long, long way.
It's night when they reach their lonely destination, Perks the Porter, a friendly face, directs them to Three Chimneys. "It looks so dark," but kindly Perks loans them a lantern for the walk.
Housekeeper Mrs Viney ought to have got things ready, but she hasn't. The cottage is so bare compared with their London home. No fire, no food!

To Railway Children

.

.

.

.

.

.

2 The Coalminers

It's no easy job lighting a fire with damp sticks. Bobbie can't manage it. And washing is no fun either, using the pump with only cold water.
The children wave to a passing train, then walk on to the station to return Mr Perks' lantern. The friendly porter kindly gives them "a tour of inspection" before they go back home for breakfast. The house is still very cold, but mother has found where the provisions are so the food warms them up.
Mother is attempting to write stories to earn some money, but her room where she writes is very cold. Peter thinks he has an idea.
He and Bobbie help themselves to some of Mr Perks' coal supply while Phyl distracts the porter with reminiscences of his childhood. This ploy works for several visits, Perks remembering his own naughty days outwitting a farmer, nicely echoing the children's own antics.
Now mother can write in warmth, until that inevitable day when Perks catches them at it, "got you, me young varmint." Even more cutting is his "I thought you were my friend," to Phyllis.
His Nibs, the stationmaster, is apprised, he's the man to deal with them. He uses the word "stealing." But their motive strikes a chord, and Bobbie apologises, and so they are forgiven, "jolly decent."
Contrite, they return home. A nice little vignette of childhood innocence

To Railway Children

.

.

.

.

.

.

3 The Message
After returning from London, a tired mother seems to be hiding something from Bobbie. They have a heart to heart about father who is "abroad," that's what mother says. She does seem unwell and having retired to bed, Phyllis asks the doctor to visit.
Dr Forrest diagnoses a fever and prescribes medicines and food to help cure her. But how to pay?
Peter has dared to go back to the station to collect a parcel, and had been relieved to find the stationmaster promising to let "bygones be bygones."
Waving to a passing train, an old gentleman in the first class carriage kindly waves back to the children. That gives Peter an idea. He tears up a sheet and paints a message on it. When the train next passes the old gentleman sees the message to watch for Phyll at the station. She hands him an appeal for help. Bobbie has had her own scheme, asking Dr Forrest if he can be paid on an installment scheme.
Perks brings up a basket to Three Chimneys. It's sent "from your friend on the 9.15," the old gentleman. Perks adds his own offering of sweet briar cuttings.
Mother is on the mend, pronounces Dr Forrest and she is able to come downstairs, to a meal cooked by Bobbie. They have to explain how they have been helped to a shocked mother. "Who is this man?" All they can reply is, "he's not really a stranger." No, he certainly wasn't

To Railway Children

.

.

.

.

.

.

4 The Foreign Gentleman

The children are waiting for the 3.27 train, mother has gone to see a solicitor. He is advising her not to proceed.
A passenger alights from a train, he has a hat and a beard, foreign. Perks wants his ticket, but he seems not to understand. Passengers gather round, as well as the three children, trying to work out what language he speaks.
Peter has a smattering of French and this prompts the man to issue of torrent of French which Peter can't hope to grasp. Wait for Mother, she can speak the language. As they wait, Peter shows the visitor his stamp collection, and works out the man is Russian.
Mother is soon conversing with him. His name is Ivan, a famous author whose family had been deported. He's looking for them in this country having been released from prison himself. Ivan is taken to Three Chimneys, though Dr Forrest confides to Mother that he doubts the wisdom of harbouring such a person.
Peter's brilliant scheme is to ask The Old Gentleman to locate Ivan's family. They leave a letter to him with the stationmaster. Mr Inglewood that's the Old Gentleman's name, and 'His Nibs' is mightily impressed that the children know him.
Days later, Perks, seemingly the postman, delivers Mr Inglewood's reply. It's good news, he has made "all the necessary arrangements." But less good news, for among the old newspapers Perks brings, Bobbie notices an article about her father's imprisonment. Phyll notices that Bobbie is upset, in a superb scene, a tearful Bobbie doggedly keeping the dark truth to herself.
Next morning a more cheerful Ivan bids farewell and Dr Forrest sees his train off

To Railway Children

.

.

.

.

.

.

5 The Secret
"What's he done wrong?" Bobbie asks her mother about her father's imprisonment. And when told the answer is nothing, "that's not fair." But mother is fighting to get the case reopened.
Peter and Phyllis speculate on what the pair can be talking about. "A talking-to," they decide it must be.
A worried mother asks Dr Forrest privately about Bobbie. "She'll grow up," he confidently asserts."
Then it's down to the station to see Perks, only to find they must have offended him somehow. Some secret they have kept from him. Gradually he gets it out, something to do with his missing the farewell to the foreign "prince." Something about their not "letting him in on things."
Peter finally puts his request, the reason why they have come. To get his clockwork locomotive repaired. Perks says he'll "think about" it.
The three children are playing when they see a tree falling on the railway line (though it looks more a branch to me). As they fail to shift it, Bobbie and Phyll remove their red petticoats to wave and warn the driver of the next train, "it's coming!"
Rather too quickly, the express does stop. Bobbie faints. But the train is saved.
Down at the station the stationmaster and Perks are puzzling why the "fast" hasn't yet come through. Peter and Phyllis dash in to enlighten them.
Bobbie is taken home where kindly Dr Forrest pronounces she'll soon be "as right as rain." Perks brings his "hearty vote of thanks," and, more sheepishly, their petticoats, and apologises for his former abruptness. A happy scene as he confides to Phyll that there'll be an official vote of thanks shortly

To Railway Children

.

.

.

.

.

.

6 The Rescue
From Jabez Inglewood, to the three railway children, an invitation to a presentation in honour of their great deed.
They don their Sunday best for the great occasion, "you do look nice." Down at the station, it is all spruced up, Perks providing flowers from his own garden.
To rousing cheers, and a speech from their old gentleman himself, the children receive hearty congratulations, as well as presentation watches. Peter tries to reply with his thanks, off the cuff, "it was rather fun," he admits. Light refreshments follow, during which Bobbie takes aside Mr Inglewood, and shows him the press cutting about her father's imprisonment. Bobbie explains her mother had tried everyone she could to help exonerate him, and now she's "so thin and tired looking." Her rather naive appeal touches him though he is rather nonplussed, "I remember the case distinctly." He promises to look into it though he "cannot guarantee anything."
There's one further request, this from Phyllis to the "engineer," the train driver involved in that rescue. As Perks can't manage to mend Peter's broken locomotive, could he? He says he'll take it to the repair shed.
Days later, a paper chase with boys from the local school. The children watch as the hare runs past, pursued by the pack. The route goes through the railway tunnel (surely their headmaster would be sacked nowadays for infringing health and safety?). At the other end, the children watch them emerge, but for some reason there's one lad less, so the children resolve to find out if he's stuck in the pitch black tunnel.
"I want to go back," cries Phyll. As they grope through the darkness, a train hurtles into the mouth of the tunnel, and the children have to dodge into a recess in the wall

To Railway Children

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

7 The Meeting
A train flashes past in the dark tunnel, then, alone, Peter searches for the boy. Groans point him in the right direction and there's Jim (Christopher Witty) lying in the middle of the track, his ankle injured. In the dark, the two girls join them.
With another train due (how the last missed Jim, who knows?), Peter and Phyllis run to the signalbox and the signalman wires a warning to Mr Barnes. Bobbie comforts Jim who is in some pain and they talk and hold hands. Rescue arrives and Mr Perks helps Jim to Three Chimneys. A reluctant mother makes him comfy, and there's a surprise for them all when it turns out Jim is in the care of his grandfather who is none other than Mr Inglewood! He visits his grandson and thanks everyone, finishing with a quiet word to Bobbie. He's hopeful of some good news soon.
Dr Forrest is soon able to declare Jim is well enough to return to school. "A swiz," declares Peter, and Jim's sorry to leave also. So is Bobbie, as the three children bid him farewell.
But when The Green Dragon passes, all the passengers mysteriously cheer, Dr Forrest smiles over the "wonderful news," and all the locals greet Bobbie warmly as she undertakes an errand down to the station. Here Mr Perks and the stationmaster greet her royally, Mr Perks with a blushing kiss, then the famous scene of father stepping off the train, nicely understated compared with Lionel Jeffries' film version. That is dramatic and atmospheric, this is merely over in a flash, but it is equally effective with the lovely theme music gentle in the background as the two leave the station and wend their way to Three Chimneys. Peter and Phyll each receive a big hug then mother and father quietly walk into the house. Outside, the three railway children dash down to the trackside for a final happy wave to the next train

To Railway Children

.

.

.

.

.

.

Mr Pastry (BBC)
Richard Hearne was a superb children's entertainer, now unjustly neglected by a generation who thirst after crudity in humour, a thing that Richard always vehemently avoided.
His long running appearances on Children's Television made for gentle fun-loving enjoyment, that us innocent children thoroughly appreciated. He made many one off short films, but I think the first series was Mr Pastry's Progress, fifteen minute stories, shown in late 1950/ early 1951. Three series were made in the early Sixties- details. In these, I particularly liked Barbara Hicks as Miss Print, a fine foil to Pastry's antics.
It seems very few of his tv shows both for BBC and also ITV survive. If you have any of his tv programmes or can add more data, I'd love to hear from you! Most interesting to see, would be his 1957 A-R series for adults, Highland Fling. And of course, we can only speculate how his interpretation of Dr Who might have turned out. However, thankfully, some of his numerous Ed Sullivan TV Shows in America are still around as are his British feature films.
Mr Pastry Learns to Ski
A 1956 BBC film short as Mr Pastry demonstrates how not to ski. Fairly predictable clowing around on Norway's ski slopes, some scenes shot in Geilo, accompanied by a dreadfully typical running commentary of the era. Mr Pastry leaves his hotel to suffer an avalanche of snow from the roof. Then to the ski school where he knocks over all the other pupils like ninepins. Lesson One is on a slalom, after smashing through the gates Mr Pastry narrowly misses careering into a train. He takes a railway trolley and narrowly escapes crashing into a huge express. Next day on the bobsleigh he zooms downhill, faster and faster, don't panic, the steering wheel has come off in his hand! He winds up on a rooftop, in one piece. Then it's the plane home, he leans out of the cockpit to wave goodbye
Ask Mr Pastry
7 Forty Eight Hours' Rest (May 6th 1961)
According to Mrs Spindle, Mr Pastry is doing the oddest of things, he has despatched soap flakes instead of cornflakes to one mystified customer. The vicar has another complaint, instead of the underwear he has ordered, he has been sent some frilly knickers. Perhaps Mr Pastry has been overdoing it. He needs some peace and quiet for a man his age.
But to young Stoker, he proves he is at the peak of his powers. He jumps over some chairs, then leaps over a wall very acrobatically. But Miss Print insists, "get him to bed at once!"
Mr Pastry explains to Stoker that there is nothing wrong with him, though perhaps he is worried about the forthcoming band contest, as well as the need to call the plumber. However, merely to please Mrs Spindle, he does agree to take to his bed.
The spare room, she orders. Stoker is happy to sort out the bandsman who needs extra practice, and call the plumber over the faulty tap.
After some nicely timed slapstick with his waistcoat, Mr Pastry really decides he has been overdoing it, and is tucked into bed. Of course that is the start of his troubles. Miss Print kindly plugs in an electric blanket, which promptly blows up, then the vicar sends some large flowers which tickle him and droop over his bed. Then the phone rings, no rest here. Mr Pastry chucks the offending objects out of his window, so there is no rest for the poor policeman standing outside his window!
"You're being a bit baughty," he is ticked off. The phone rings yet again, in a typical Mr Pastry sequence of mayhem, building up with more objects out the window, kindly friends returning them, the plumbers badly fixing the pipes so the wall collapses, water everywhere
Return sadly to the Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

A little more about BBC Television Series with Mr Pastry
Richard Hearne's final three series were
1 Ask Mr Pastry (1961)
2 Mr Pastry's Progress (1962)
3 Mr Pastry's Pet Shop (November/ December 1962)
Richard Hearne starred in these series of six stories each. The scripts for Ask Mr Pastry were written by Patrick Campbell and Vivienne Knight. The producer was David Goddard. He also produced Mr Pastry's Progress, and Mr Pastry's Pet Shop, these scripts by James Cairncross.
Mr Pastry was supported in the series by Barbara Hicks as Miss Print. Scruffy the dog played Buckingham in series 2.

A few story details:
Ancient Rights
Saturday April 29th 1961 5.25-5.50pm
Mr Pastry turns historian and proves himself a match for big business.
Also with Barry Henderson (Stoker), John Kidd (Vicar), John Brittany (Constable), Patricia Sinclair (Susan Bell), Dandy Nicholls (Mrs Spindle), Winnifred Sabine (Miss Broome), James Cairncross (Roy Spalding), John Woodnutt (Mr Spalding), Ian Shand (Farmer Tony Young).
Cop and Robber
1961, rpt Jan 15th 1962
In tracking down a mysterious robber, Mr Pastry makes a fair cop.
Also with Barry Henderson (Stoker), John Kidd (Vicar), John Brittany (Constable), Patricia Sinclair (Susan Bell), Dandy Nicholls (Mrs Spindle), Betty Cooper (Mrs Benson), Katharine Page (Miss Bridges), Susan Crawford (Marty Spolinsky), Malcolm Butterworth (Ricky Spolinsky), Frank Ellement (Steve Spolinsky), Christopher Hodge (Mr Green).
2.5 The Trainspotters
1962, rpt March 4th 1963
Mr Pastry and the Trainspotters Club find adventure all along the line.
Also with Cambria Smith (Susan), Roger May (Michael), Tessa Wyatt (Katy), Nicholas Roylance (Jimmy), Carl Bernard (Mr Sanderson), Derek Smee (Mr Wilmer), Carl Duering (The passenger), John Dawson (Col Maitland), Joe Grieg (Driver).
Details of other stories appreciated
Mr Pastry main page

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

BONEHEAD (1960-2)
One of BBC Children's Television great comedies written and produced by Shaun Sutton, who described the series as "a weekly reminder that crime doesn't pay." A one-off made its mark in 1957, leading, after a long pause, to this run of three series, which launched three and a half years later.
The ever popular Colin Douglas was in the title role, "an amiable, gentle giant, eager to carry out The Boss' last order- if only he could remember what it was." The Boss, played by the superb Paul Whitsun-Jones, was "bursting with boyish enthusiasm," longing to be "the Napoleon of the Underworld." The absurdly named Happy was portrayed by Douglas Blackwell. He gloomily follows from disaster to disaster, pessimistically certain of failure.

1.5 Going Straight (Sat Oct 29th 1960, 5.25pm) - As Boss and Happy emerge from jail, Boney greets them with "did you have a nice time?" Efforts to keep in paid employment end in sackings but a fortuitous discovery of a stolen safe by Bonehead leads our gang to a warehouse. The Plan: drop the safe from a great height to smash it open. Posing as policemen they proceed to the tall building. However, there they meet up with an old safe cracker friend, who kindly opens their safe for them, only to learn it is empty. Arrival of the real police results in a Keystone Cops-type chase
3.1 Let's Pretend (July 14th 1962)- The Boss' latest plan: Rescue eccentric shortsighted millionaire Mr Popkiss (Reginald Barratt) and claim £50 a time for each saving act. Disguised as a plumber, a gardener and a window cleaner our gang calls at his mansion. The old bucket on top of the head trick fails, as well as falling into the lily pond, so it's desperate measures: blow the house up! But this only results in a flooding farce, into which falls quite unnoticed the pathetic Popkiss. Maybe this was nearly the pinnacle of black and white children's tv comedy

Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Freewheelers
Southern TV's most successful serial ran for 104 episodes (eight series of thirteen stories each) between 1968 and 1973. Producer Chris McMaster said Freewheelers was not intended to be "way out, with it or trendy. Scientific facts would be correct and the deadly devices within the bounds of possibility," although he did admit his plots were influenced by Danger Man and The Avengers. Certainly the first few series achieved a fine balance of thrills and fun, deserving to be placed alongside these great series, if only in a junior capacity.

The first serial entitled Menace! in 5 episodes starred Geoffrey Toone as the villain Von Gelb, and
Ronald Leigh-Hunt as Col Buchan (not episodes 1 and 2), with the children Tom Owen as Bill Cowan, Gregory Phillips as Chris Kelly (not 1.1), Mary Maude as Terry Driver, plus Ronald Govey (Monk) and Michael Brennan (Boone), Script: James Hopes.
Location shooting for series 1 was done in Portland, Botley, Portsmouth, Hayling Island, the Isle of Wight, and Southampton Docks.
1.1 The Sleepers (April 4th 1968) - my review
1.2 No Smoke (April 11th 1968) - my review
Also in this episode were: Ivan Beavis (Bryant), John Swindells (Alf), and Michael Murray (Cmdr Bell).
1.3 The Camp (April 18th 1968) - my review. Also with Howard Lang (Admiral Nash).
1.4 The Ultimatum (April 25th 1968) - my review. Also with Howard Lang.
1.5 Face to Face (May 2nd 1968)- my review. Also with Howard Lang.

The second serial following straight on from the first was called Recipe for Danger in 4 episodes, with the same main stars:
Geoffrey Toone (not story 1.6 or 1.7), Ronald Leigh-Hunt (not story 1.6 or 1.7), Tom Owen, Gregory Phillips, and Mary Maude.
Others appearing in each of the 4 episodes of this story: Nicholas Smith (Captain Nils Larsen), and Roy Patrick (Olaf),
Script: Barry Busbridge. Director: John Braybon. Producer: Chris McMaster.
1.6 Too Many Cooks (May 9th 1968)- my review. Also appearing: Norman Mitchell (Dusty), Gordon Faith (Stefan), Bruno Barnabe (Alex Dmitropolous), Peter Thompson (Carol), Arnold Beck (Kurt).
1.7 One Man's Meat (May 16th 1968) - my review. Also in this: Gordon Faith, Bruno Barnabe, Peter Thompson, Arnold Beck and Terry Wright (Policeman)
1.8 Trouble Brewing (May 23rd 1968) - my review. Plus Bryan O'Leary (Paddy), Julian Grant, Clive Taylor, and Ned Stern
1.9 Bring to the Boil (May 30th 1968) - review, plus Bryan O'Leary, John Higgins, John McNulty, Michael South, Robert Wilcox, and Michael Wrigley.

The third and final serial of this first series following on from the second was called
The Big Freeze in 4 episodes, with the same main stars: Geoffrey Toone, Ronald Leigh-Hunt, plus Ronald Adam (Prof Lawrie), Tom Owen, Gregory Phillips, and Mary Maude. Also appearing in each of the 4 episodes of this story was Chris Matthews (Dr Robert Duncan).
Script: Trevor Preston. Producer: Chris McMaster.
1.10 Icarus (June 6th 1968) - review. Also in this cast were Ronald Govey (Monk, as in the first story), Brian Wilde (Dr Spencer).
1.11 Valkyrie - review (June 13th 1968). Also in this cast was Charles Lamb (Clayton).
1.12 Anvil- review (June 20th 1968)
1.13 Gotterdammerung - (June 27th 1968) - review. Also in this cast were Ian Flintoff (TV announcer), Ronald Govey, and Jane Murdoch (Dr June Paxson).

Series 2- The Zander Plot (in 8 parts)
Chris Chittell as Nick now replaces Chris.
With Geoffrey Toone, Ronald Leigh-Hunt, plus Jeanne Moody (Terry Driver), Denys Peck (Otto), Gary Hope (Hunter: stories 5-8)
Script: Rick Trader Witcombe. Director: Peter Croft. Producer: Chris McMaster.
A review of the only surviving episode of this story, the last: 2.8 Doomsday (January 8th 1969)

Colour series 6, made in 1971 has been reissued on dvd. Ronald Leigh-Hunt is the only original cast member left, and there are now children stars in Wendy Padbury as Sue Craig, Adrian Wright as Mike Hobbs, and Leonard Gregory as Steve Walker.
6.1 Nero (September 27th 1971) - Ryan and Burke (Richard Shaw and Michael Ripper) have escaped prison and are lurking on Shanklin Pier where Steve, Mike and Sue spot them. But they run off and land in a crumbling mansion where Professor Nero (Jerome Willis) recruits them to rob a ship, The Dragon, of the cargo of gold bullion worth six million that it is transporting. Now this ship happens to be where our Three are working as waiters...
6.2 Operation Seagull - The gas Somnol has knocked out nearly everyone on The Dragon, enabling Ryan and Burke to remove the crates of gold. But Mike and Steve hide in the boxes and are able to alert Col Buchan that their hq is Bickley Manor, where the gold is melted down into frying pans. The money raised from their sale will fund Nero's ace project
6.3 Medusa - The Department of Oceanography Cambridge is where Professor John Barnet, now missing, had worked on making larger plankton to solve the world food shortage, code name Medusa, and Nero looks like the prof! His assistant Dr Jo Bell (Jenny Till) tells Col Buchan all this while the boys find out Operation Seagull is an air display. When Mike learns too much, Soapy (Lawrence James) places a bomb in the plane Mike is to pilot, but luckily his plot fails. Col Buchan takes Jo to Paris for a meeting of Achilles, a scientists' club that Barnet belonged to, but once there he is knocked out
6.4 Mayday - Ryan and Burke shoot at Steve's plane, "they've got my right wing!" He's able to land at Stockbridge, safely. All sixty scientists at the Achilles meeting have disappeared, where? Sue joins Colin (Mike Lewin) to find the answer, no luck at Hartland Point, and Col Buchan has his own methods, by joining the arrested Ryan and Burke as a fellow prisoner. A fake rescue for them is staged and they are tailed by Mike and Steve to Portsmouth, where they join a training ship
6.5 Pirates - Bodinnick Lighthouse, that's Nero's hq. Joining him is Mike and Steve's ship, The Malcolm Miller. Colin is wounded, and Sue captured near the giant machine Medusa, which is concealed under the lighthouse. She's tied up on the beach, at the mercy of the incoming tide
6.6 The Threat - Mike and Steve swim from their ship to the shore to rescue Colin and, water up to her neck, Sue, both taken by dinghy to Polperro, though en route Col Buchan picks them up. They plan to put Sue on The Churchill, sister ship to The Malcolm Miller, that Ryan and Burke are going to hijack. At the lighthouse, one scientist, Prof John McCabe (Simon Cuff) is anxious for action, but Nero is not ready yet for Medusa
6.7 Doomsday - "The world, I have decided to destroy it," cries Nero. Only those 60 scientists and the youngsters from the two ships will survive as Medusa spreads o'er the earth. Later, they'll emerge into a brave new if empty world, "he mustn't do it!" Buchan and Jo penetrate the lighthouse to prevent tragedy, and the ships' crews are rescued. An almighty explosion, only Ryan and Burke survive, and they grab Mike and Steve as hostages

6.8 Black Box - Mike and Steve get away from Ryan and Burke, given shelter by ex-Navy man Caine (Kevin Stoney). But he is now involved with the two baddies after Nero's box that tells the whereabouts of the six million in gold. The boys have grabbed this from Ryan and Burke, and on Col Buchan's yacht, they open it
6.9 Cypher - Ryan and Burke get aboard Buchan's yacht, moored on Weymouth Quay, and blow open his safe to snatch back the coded message, that was in Nero's box. Prof Gotts (Ronald Adam) has told Buchan that the script is Hittite, but it's "gibberish." Caine holds the only key to the code, and he has taken Steve prisoner
6.10 The Parcel - Steve is rescued by Mike and Sue. Caine goes to ground, but sends a parcel bomb to Col Buchan. Luckily that's chucked into the sea. It's now a race to crack Nero's code to obtain the number of the bank account that holds Nero's fortune. Operation Red Herring, that's Caine's plan to take this gold away by yacht using the Cowes Races as a cover
6.11 The Race - Caine loads the gold he's collected from The Netherlands General Bank on to his van, hiding it in a windmill- well, this is Holland. Buchan follows by car, Mark and Sue by yacht, somehow they're all in Amsterdam, and look who are also here, Ryan and Burke at a garage where Caine has placed one crate of gold
6.12 Red Herring - "It's those kid's again!" Mike and Sue tail Ryan and Burke through the streets of Amsterdam. "We've got to lose 'em." The baddies reach the ship Argus. Time to stowaway, and see the gold being carried on board. They certainly have better luck than Col Buchan, who is diverted by Caine's wiles and caught by customs with gold hidden in his tyres, put there when his car was in the garage. A neat little chase thriller
6.13 Pay Off - "We'll soon be in Rio drinking champagne," boasts Caine, the yacht race their cover for escape. Stowaways Mike and Sue start a punch up which tv cameras pick up, alerting Col Buchan. As Steve creates a diversion, Buchan clambers on board Caine's ship
Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Sexton Blake (made by Rediffusion Television)
Children's Menu
Laurence Payne was in the title role with Roger Foss as Tinker. Pedro the dog was also a regular. They appeared in all the stories.
The first adventure was The Find-The-Lady Affair in 4 parts.
Script by Max Oberman. Directed by Adrian Cooper.
The only surviving story is:
1.1 The Lady Vanishes (Monday September 25th 1967).
Florence 1927. After the Palazzo Medici closes for the night, an intruder emerges from a coffin, discards his mummy bands, and creeps to the window. Opening the shutters he lets his two accomplices in. "Mamma mia," is the incredibly corny line of the nightwatchman when he spots the ex-mummy, and he is powerless to stop the theft of the Painted Venetian Lady.
In Sexton Blake's flat, Tinker is hanging that same picture, though this is a copy of course. It's a good copy however, "she's got more clothes on than some." But an ad in The Times has intrigued SB, someone wants to contact him as the recent purchaser of this picture.
He proves to be a shopkeeper with a foreign accent, sinister, Helmut Waltz (Wallas Eaton) who offers increasingly large sums for the copy, as SB refuses to sell. Some flimsy cock and bull story is offered why he's prepared to pay so much, "that's a crazy one and no mistake," observes Tinker later.
Matt lives on a riverboat, a painter, very disorganised but an expert in art, so SB turns to him. He knows of Waltz and his dubious reputation, which opinion would be confirmed if SB could see what he's up to now. His gang have broken into SB's flat, Mrs Bardell screams and SB and Tinker interrupts the theft, Tinker gives chase with Pedro while SB takes Mrs Bardell's description of the thief, "ten foot tall." Inspector Coutts (Ernest Clark) is quite amused when SB turns to him to ask him to investigate this attempted robbery. He quickly recognises the handiwork of James Fisher, Jimmy the Fish, who has eluded the Yard for years.
Matt has examined SB's painting, a good copy, the best copy he knows belongs to the Duke of Fontwell. Under SB's picture he finds another, probably 400 years old- it's the copy that belongs to the Duke
Rest of cast: Dorothea Phillips as Mrs Bardell, who appears intermittently throughout the series, Wallas Eaton as Helmut Waltz, Fredric Abbott as Matt Carnegie, Hugh Futcher as Jimmy the Fish, Ernest Clark as Inspector Coutts.

Here are details of the rest of this long running series.
1.2 The Lady Has Two Faces (October 2nd 1967)
1.3 Search for the Lady (October 9th 1967)
1.4 The Lady Is Found (October 16th 1967)
The second story was Knave of Diamonds in 5 parts.
The script was by Peter Ling (returning to the company he had worked for in children's tv for many years, after leaving to create Compact and Crossroads). Directed by Peter Croft.
Details of the stories:
1.5 The Black Star (Monday 23rd October 1967 5.25-5.55pm). Sexton Blake is invited to a party, but where there are diamonds, there is danger. With Dorothea Phillips, Geoffrey Chater as William Passer, Basil Moss as Paul Passer, Philippa Gail as Carole Vane, David Simeon as Frank Hudson, Aubrey Woods as Inspector, Arthur Brough as Dr Anstey, Terence de Marney as 'Dutch' Vlieghen.
1.6 The White Dove (30th October 1967). 'I tell you when Mr Passer was killed, there was no human being anywhere near to him. He was quite alone...' With Dorothea Phillips, Basil Moss, Philippa Gail, David Simeon, Aubrey Woods, Terence de Marney.
1.7 The Green Demon (6th November 1967). Sexton Blake and Tinker hurriedly set off for the Continent in pursuit of Carole Vane. With Basil Moss, Philippa Gail, David Simeon, Ann Curthoys, Robin Lloyd and Roger Rowland.
1.8 The Blue Lily (13th November 1967). From the Green Demon to the Church of St Nicklaus. With Terence de Marney, Philippa Gail, Roger Rowland, Leonard Sachs as Insp Van Steen, and Martin Shaw as Piet Reinders.
1.9 The Red Waistcoat (20th November 1967). Blake finds the facts staring him in the face. The Bull/ The Dove/ and most important of all, something he'd entirely overlooked. With Philippa Gail, Dorothea Phillips, Basil Moss, David Simeon, Aubrey Woods, Leonard Sachs, Martin Shaw, and Brian Cant as Police Constable.
The third story was The Great Tong Mystery.
Script: Max Oberman. Directed by Adrian Cooper.
1.10 Ding Dong Hong Kong (27th November 1967). In which the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Scorpion, is a shortlived one for Alan Gurney- and a challenge to Sexton Blake. With Alan Gerrard as Alan Gurney, Alan Bernion as The Scorpion, David Morrell as Editor, Robert Lee as Kir Tan, Kathleen Eu as Hsi-Shih, Meredith Edwards as Insp 'Taff' Evans, and Dorothea Phillips.
1.11 Oranges and Lemons (4th December 1967).
1.12 Here Comes a Candle (11th December 1967).... to light you to bed, with a chop-chop chopper to lop off your head.... and Sexton Blake develops a sore throat. With Alan Bernion, Robert Lee, Kathleen Eu, Keith Bonnard as Tseng Fu, Meredith Edwards and Dorothea Phillips.
1.13 Ding Dong Beat The Gong (18th December 1967). In which Sexton Blake is conspicuous by his absence- until the right moment. With Tommy Yapp as Cheng Pei, Alan Bernion, Robert Lee, Kathleen Eu, Keith Bonnard, and Meredith Edwards
1.14 Special for Christmas Day -The Vanishing Snowman (25th December 1967, 5.05-5.55pm).
Script by David Edwards. Directed by Michael Currer-Briggs.
Strange happenings at Tench Hall challenge Sexton Blake and Tinker.
Cast: Laurence Payne, Roger Foss and
Bryan Pringle as Henry Brown, Hilary Mason as Mrs Abbot, Zuleika Robson as Wendy, Julia McCarthy as Lady Trevona, Derek Francis as Sir Gerald Trevona, Royston Tickner as Stanley Mears, Helen Lindsay as Diana Grant, Nicola Pagett as Patricia, John Woodnutt as Det Sgt Lace, Peter Macann as Jack, Lee Menzies as Peter, and Dorothea Phillips.
The fourth story was House of Masks.
Written by Peter Ling. Directed by Peter Croft.
1.15 The Mask of Murder (1st January 1968).
1.16 The Mask of Fear (8th January 1968). Suspect number one makes an odd move for someone who protests his innocence. With Campbell Peters as Cagliostro, Dona Martyn as Leonora Crayle, Robert Sessions as Barry Wayne, Rosamund Greenwood as Lady Kettering, Michael Latimer as Vernon Lashwood, and Edward Atienza as Mr Timmins.
1.17 The Mask of the Demon (15th January 1968). Blake finds a fire, plays a game of squash... and calls a bluff. With Campbell Peters, Dona Martyn, Rosamund Greenwood, Michael Latimer, and Edward Atienza.
1.18 The Masks Are Off (22nd January 1968). Pedro follows a scent, which leads Blake and Tinker to the end of the trail. With Campbell Peters, Dona Martyn, Rosamund Greenwood, and Michael Latimer.
The fifth story of this first series was The Invicta Ray.
Script: David Edwards. Director: Ian Fordyce.
1.19 Enter Mr.Mist (29th January 1968). The clues are P.4.C.2.x28 and a lady's fine lawn handkerchief- and again Blake has to work with Inspector Evans. With Walter Sparrow as Skeleton Sims, Veronica Hurst as Patricia Chetwynd, Denis Goacher as Mr Mist, Meredith Edwards as Inspector Evans, Mark Kingston as Randolph King, and Michael Rothwell as Mr Tapp.
1.20 Tinker Is Dead (5th February 1968). Tinker fits a standard six foot coffin, and his death certificate is signed. With Dorothea Phillips, Walter Sparrow, Veronica Hurst, Denis Goacher, Meredith Edwards, Mark Kingston, and Michael Rothwell.
1.21 Mr.Mist Has a Turn (12th February 1968). Tinker's life is in the balance, and Scotland Yard receives a most extraordinary delivery. With Archie Duncan as Sir Bernard Mackintosh, Dorothea Phillips, Walter Sparrow, Veronica Hurst, Denis Goacher, Meredith Edwards, and Mark Kingston.
1.22 Scandal in the House (19th February 1968). Sexton Blake sets an ingenious trap for Randolph King, but Mr Mist plays his trump card. With Dorothea Phillips, Veronica Hurst, Denis Goacher, Meredith Edwards, Mark Kingston, and Raymond Young as Rt Hon Spencer Chetwynd.
The sixth and final story of this first series was The Red Swordsman.
Script: Max Oberman. Directed by Peter Croft.
Pedro the dog was now joined by a rival: The Matador!
1.23 The First Matador (26th February 1968). A peaceful game of golf leads Blake into a dangerous game of dominoes... With Ballard Berkeley as John Pollock, Polly Adams as Barbara Mayne, Dominic Roche as Doctor Poole, Eric Lander as Inspector Cardish, and Dorothea Phillips.
1.24 The Third Matador (4th March 1968). Can Blake save Fennell? With David Garth as Mr Fennell, Polly Adams as Barbara Mayne, Olwen Brookes as Miss Cranber, John Hussey as Humphrey Cranber, and Dorothea Phillips.
1.25 The Matador Strikes Again (11th March 1968). With Fennell dead, the hunt for Hopwood is on. With Eric Lander, Dominic Roche, Eric Dodson as Mr Hopwood, Polly Adams, John Hussey, and Dorothea Phillips.
1.26 The Matador Unmasked (18th March 1968). The Matador and Sexton Blake come face to face... but Pedro intervenes. With Eric Lander, Eric Dodson, Polly Adams, Olwen Brookes, and John Hussey.

Sexton Blake returned for a second series in the summer of 1968:
Sexton Blake v The Organisation in six parts.
Script: Roy Russell. Directed by Peter Moffatt. Produced by Ronald Marriott.
With Dorothea Phillips (all stories except the final episode), Edward Jewesbury as Dr John Mangini, Elizabeth Bell as Julia Mangini, Morris Perry as Von Meck (stories 1 to 3, and 5), and Noel Howlett as Sir Miles Murray (stories 1 to 3, 5 and 6).
2.1 Blake Meets His Match (Wed 19th June 1968).
2.2 The Danger Sign (26th June 1968). Tinker asks how the Great Von Meck does his illusions. But Blake falls victim to a real-life trick. With John Normington as Billy John.
2.3 Up Against It (3rd July 1968) The sign on Blake's wrist means danger. So where does an illusionist vanish to when he's off stage? With John Normington, and Judy Liebert as Newspaper clerk.
2.4 Rendezvous With Death (10th July 1968). How can Blake stop Dr Mangini giving in to the Organisation- without any harm coming to Julia? With John Normington, Michael Wolf and Basil Henson.
2.5 The Secret of Hoodoo House (17th July 1968). Locked in Mangini's car, onthe brink of Clay Ridge, hands tied, handbrake disconnected. How can Blake escape? With Basil Henson, Michael Wolf, John Normington.
2.6 No Escape (24th July 1968). Pedro has found the escape hatch. Blake is on his way down. But the Commander has set a trap for him. With Basil Henson, Michael Wolf

Sexton Blake's third series in November 1968, included these stories each in 2 parts: The Case of the Gasping Goldfish, Return of the Scorpion, then in January 1969: The Great Train Robbery, and The Great Soccer Mystery (this in 3 parts).
These were now made by Thames TV, making this one of Rediffusion's only programmes to survive into the new era.

A fourth series began in October 1969 with these stories in three parts each: Sexton Blake and Captain Nemesis, Sexton Blake versus the Gangsters, Sexton Blake and the Frightened Man (only 2 parts) Sexton Blake and the Undertaker, Sexton Blake and the Toy Family (only 2 parts).

A final series began in December 1970 with Sexton Blake and the Puff Adder, in six parts.

A total of sixty programmes were made in all.
Note- this site deals mostly with programmes made up to the 1968 ITV franchise debacle, so I am only including outline information on these last adventures for the sake of completeness.
Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

BADGER'S BEND (subtitle: The Animal Hotel)
screened Fridays 5pm to 5.25pm starting at the beginning of 1963 (A-R)
Script: Suzanne Gibbs from a story by John Rhodes. Director: Adrian Brown.
The regular members of the cast were: Malcolm Patton as Tim Cordon, Gay Emma as Betsy Alder, Geoffrey Russell and Pamela Pitchford as Mr and Mrs Cordon, James Ward as Mr Francis, a vet, and Rosemary Nicols as Sheila Dicken.
The attraction of this popular series for children, was no doubt the fact that live animals were seen.
A contemporary report on the second series: "this is a well meaning but rather self conscious serial... designed to impart a great deal of information in the form of fictionalised conversation, and within its own limits it does very well. It is disarmingly unsophisticated and rather dated in atmosphere despite references to The Beatles. It reminded me irresistibly of stories about well bred upper middle class children spending a holiday by the sea... The drama school accents of Gay Emma and Kenneth Nash contributed to this, though they both gave attractive performances. As this is education masquerading as fiction, bits of plot are stuck on merely to provide an excuse for the next painting lesson. It's hardly surprising therefore that the acting looked not so much wooden as like hardboard- useful but not real. Even that accomplished character actor Ivor Salter didn't quite succeed in injecting human interest into facts and figures about oysters!" This is evidently a review of 2.11, and certainly the second series scripts are much more stilted.

My reviews of surviving episodes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.7, 1.8, 1.11, 1.16, 2.7, 2.10, 2.11
To Children's Menu

Plot summaries: 1.1: Jan 4th 1963. Because of his father's illness, Tim moves from London to the country, where he first meets his next door neighbour Betsy who has a smallholding with lots of small animals. He invites her to tea and meets the local vet. (No Rosemary Nichols).
1.2: Jan 11th 1963. Tim pays his first visit to the vet and is given some abandoned hamsters to keep. He gets the idea of forming an animal hotel. Also with Philip Newman as Mr Alder, and Amy Dalby as Mrs Brack.
1.3: Jan 18th 1963. Tim and Betsy take a cat they have found in a trap for treatment, and Tim makes a start with his animal hotel. They are keen to see a badger and go out at night to look for one. With Philip Newman.
1.4: Jan 25th 1963. Tim attends to the feet of a St Bernard dog and goes to High Tree Farm to help with a sick cow. The first guest arrives at the animal hotel. With Philip Newman, and Mary Wylie as Mrs Flower.
1.5 Feb 1st 1963. A new and talkative visitor comes to the animal hotel and Tim and Betsy meet a gypsy girl. After learning something about waxwings, Tim makes a terrible discovery. With Tony Quinn as Paddy O'Hara, Nadine Hanwel as Maria, and Mark Eden as Dick Stewart.
1.6: Feb 8th 1963. The Animal Hotel's first guests leave rather abruptly but Tim finds something to take their place when he goes to Lapton. While he is helping at Mr Francis' surgery there is an emergency call for the vet who also asks Tim to go with him and assist. With Kenneth Nash as Joe, Stephen Hancock as Mr Price.
1.7: Feb 15th 1963. Tim goes on a rescue mission with Mr Francis and Sheila and helps to bring a casualty back to the surgery. Later, the vet brings some sad news but also a wonderful present for Tim. With John Wentworth as Mr Hawkins, and Johnny Walker as Bob.
1.8: Feb 22nd 1963. Two new guests arrive at the Animal Hotel. One is quiet and looks likely to settle down without trouble, but the other gives the impression of being spoiled and temperamental. With Fiona Hartford as Susan Burton.
1.9: Mar 1st 1963. Tim learns something about kestrel hawks from a new friend, and they have a surprise enocunter in the woods with poachers. The new hotel guest turns out to be more of a handful than Tim expects. With Richard Arthore as Ivor Jones, and Sydney Bromley as Sam Wild.
1.10: Mar 8th 1963. Tim goes to the vet's surgery to see a chinchilla, but all the time he is worrying about the disappearance of his most important guest. Things becomes erious when the owner arrives to take the animal home. With Joy Stewart as Mrs Peters, and Robert Mill as Tony Burton.
1.11: Mar 15th 1963. Betsy's Uncle Fred is giving her a pony for her birthday and Mr Francis inspects it carefully before the purchase is made. Tim decides on his present for Betsy and an unexpected guest arrives at his hotel. With Anthony Howard as Fred Alder, and Damaris Hayman as Mrs Webb.
1.12: Mar 22nd 1963. Tim makes a new acquaintance at the vet's surgery, and learns some interesting things about monkeys. He hears that a new pet is on its way to him from Yorkshire, but on arrival it turns out to be an unwelcome guest. With Paul Hill as Pierre Bertrand, and Kenneth Nash as Joe.
1.13: Mar 29th 1963. Tim poodle-sits and has a more exciting evening than he expects. With Stephen Hancock as Mr Price, and Daphne Jonason as Mrs Ayr.
1.14: Apr 5th 1963. When Sheila's career receives a setback because of her mother's illness, Betsy and Tim offer to help by giving a home to her brother and sister. They meet unexpected opposition to the introduction of human hotel guests. With Peter Hutton as Mr Ayr, and Daphne Jonason.
1.15: Apr 12th 1963 (Good Friday). Tim makes the acquaintance of a conjuror called Manverdi and gets the chance of taking his parents to the theatre. He and Betsy go for a picnic and find themselves involved in an unexpected adventure. With Rick Jones as Manverdi.
1.16 Apr 19th 1963. Tim and Betsy feel they have been cheated when they open the mysterious sack, but next day they have reason to think otherwise. With Georgina Moon as Mary, and Paul Dawkins as Ted Vale.
1.17: Apr 26th 1963. In the last story, Mr Francis investigates the injuries in Badger's paw and Tim and Betsy visit Lapton Cattle Market. Tim finds his hotel so prosperous that he has no room for further guests. With Gerald James as Mr Bell, and Sylvia Davies as Milly.

The series proved so popular it returned in the autumn:
Badger's Bend (The Animal Hotel)
screened Tuesdays 5.25pm to 5.55pm.
Script: Jeremy Kingston from a story by John Rhodes. Director: Marc Miller. (Except 2:10, directed by Bob Gray.)
Gay Emma returned as Betsy Alder.
With Kenneth Nash as Oliver Crossley, plus Margaret John as Aunt Madge and Philip Stone as Uncle Steve.
2:1 October 1st 1963. Betsy goes to stay with her aunt and uncle by the sea and meets a new friend.
2.3 Ocrober 15th 1963. With Geraldine Moffat as Peggy Miller, and George Roubicek.
2:4 October 22nd 1963. With Geraldine Moffat and George Roubicek
2:5 October 29th 1963. With Geraldine Moffat, George Roubicek, Frank Williams and Roy Holder.
2:6 November 5th 1963. Same cast plus Betty Huntley-Wright as Mrs Bravington.
2:7 November 12th 1963. With Geraldine Moffat, George Roubicek, Betty Huntley-Wright, Peter Bayliss, Peggy Thorpe-Bates.
2:10 December 3rd 1963. With Geraldine Moffat, George Roubicek, Mary Kenton, Caroline Sheldon and Ivor Salter.
2:11 December 10th 1963. With Ivor Salter as Fred Beamish, George Roubicek as Mr Pym, Geraldine Moffat, Jonathan Collins as Alec Tyler, and Derek Royle as Van Driver
2:12 (final story) December 17th 1963. With Geraldine Moffat, George Roubicek, Jonathan Collins, and Archie Duncan as Capt Cusack.

Badger's Bend (The Animal Hotel)
screened Tuesdays 5.25pm to 5.55pm. Script now by Suzanne Gibbs again, directed by Bob Gray. With Gay Emma and Kenneth Nash. and Hugh Janes as Dave Banks. Also: James Ward as John Francis, Michael Beint as Mr Alder, and Jean Alexander as Mrs Alder
3:3 January 14th 1964. With David Garth as Lord Willshaw. Ocky returns to Alemouth- Betsy and Dave prepare for new adventures.
3:4 January 21st 1964. With Margaret McCourt as Irene Palmer, Richard Wilding as Mr Ramsden. Betsy meets the new vet assistant. A mystery meeting and a case of mistaken identity almost have unfortunate results.
3:5 January 28th 1964. With Margaret McCourt, Pip Rolls as Neal Brody, Amy Dalby as Mrs Russell. Betsy and David have an eventful picnic on the river bank and David receives an unexpected present.
3:7 February 11th 1964. With Margaret McCourt, Brian Hewlett as Charles Holmes and John Scott as Henry Maxwell. David and Betsy find a stray alsatian, and when nobody claims the dog, David has high hopes of being able to keep him.
3:8 February 18th 1964. With Margaret McCourt, Hugh Cross as Insp Todd and Doris Hare as Mrs Hayden. David has a big surprise, and Mr Francis helps to investigate a suspected case of cruelty to an animal.
3:9 (final story) February 25th 1964.
After 38 stories, the series with Gay Emma finally ended. It was the second longest running children's drama series the Associated Rediffusion company made.
To Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1.1
Film of a removal van leaving town for a country cottage. Mum and dad unpack, with young Timothy trying to help.
In the garden, a neighbour calls from over the wall, it's Betsy, who jumps over and tells Tim about Charlie her hedgehog. As Tim isn't used to pets, she shows him hers. Back over the wall to her "little farm," with a shed full of guinea pigs. She allows him to hold Fred, cameras picture a close up of a real animal. Then it's Percy the rabbit, plus one jackdaw with a broken wing, "the vet's coming today." Outside Tim is shown geese, as well as Bluebell.
Mr Francis the vet calls, and Tim takes the chance to play with Fred. The vets shows him a litter of rabbits before examining the bird- it will have to be brought to his surgery tomorrow. The vet warns about a fox prowling in the vicinity.
Tim's mother calls for him, and Betsy is invited to tea, since her mum is out. Over a meal, Betsy tells them how she went to London once, and all about her sanctuary called Badger's Bend.
That evening, mum and dad tidy their new house, "isn't it quiet?" Once they go to bed, Tim creeps out to feed the hedgehog. Very fortuitous, since that fox is all ready to pounce.

Note: thanks to Talking Pictures Tv for finding some of the series. This first episode has a Rediffusion logo appended to the beginning, instead of one by A-R

To start of Badger's Bend

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1.2

A night prowler, a fox, is disturbed - had Betsy shut the door, it would have been trapped and caught. "I don't like seeing animals killed," she admits. Tim is thanked for saving the animals from the fox.
In his surgery, vet John Francis examines a cat, held by Nurse Sheila Dicken. Their next patient is the unseen Georgy, with owner Mrs Brack. Then Francis examines Betsy's injured jackdaw, Tim holding it firmly, and after a few struggles it is 'treated.' While this is going on, Betsy airs her opinion that killing animals is wrong.
Tim is shown two hamsters, "soft and furry," found in the bus shelter, and he volunteers to take care of them himself. He constructs a wooden cage for them. Over lunch, he tells his parents that his idea is that he could offer to look after people's pets when they go away. "Make a good job of it," his dad encourages. Mum volunteers to supply some food, and maybe Betsy might help?
Betsy is with her goat, that has eaten the washing! She takes Tim to High Tree Farm to watch a badger's sett. "Will we see any badgers?"
They climb a tree, here a viewing platform has been constructed. "Is that a badger?" "No, it's a fox." An animal cries

Badger's Bend

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1.7
Farmer Hawkins' dog has fallen down a well, Bob (John Walke, who offers a touch of humour) climbs down, "she's still alive anyway." Mr Francis the vet climbs down also and gives the dog an injection, before the animal is hauled up- no sign of any real dog. The dog is stretchered away, with help from Tim Cordon, "gosh she weighs a ton!"
Betsy's goat has sneaked into Mrs Cordon's kitchen, and is chewing her curtains, "you naughty girl!" Betsy tidies up, but as she scrubs the floor, Tim comes in and treads all over it.
He rejoins Sheila at the vet's, getting some tips on keeping a dog. Tim wishes he had one. We learn that the parrot has left his hotel, he only has a fish at present. But he's hopeful of more customers as his advert is in the local paper, "you'll soon be worth millions," laughs Mr Francis.
Tim goes to Mr Hartley's nursery, where his dad works. They see a tame robin - on film.
When his dad gets home, he brings a surprise, Mr Hartley has given him a puppy, "can't wait to see Tim's face," he tells his wife.
When Tim comes with Betsy, after making a nesting box, dad is nonchalantly reading his paper upside down. and it is Betsy who first spots the dog. "He's yours," Dad smiles at his son. He suggests the name Bonzo, but after other ideas, Tim decides on Badger

Badger's Bend

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1.8
Tim is caring for his own mongrel named Badger. "I think he's cute," says Betsy cuddling him (the dog, that is). Tim tells her of a letter he has received from a Mrs Susan Burton, who is inquiring about the possibility of leaving her Siamese cat with him, while she takes a skiing holiday. But are his premises suitable?
John Francis has cured a dog of its tumour. He reminds Tim to get his own dog vaccinated. Tim admires a bush baby which has caught a chill, "he's appealing." Nurse Dicken relates to Tim how she enjoyed her skiing holiday.
Mrs Burton (Fiona Hartford) calls at the Animal Hotel, but Tim is still with the vet, so she talks to his mother, who relates the animals that have been cared for to date- they are a hamster, a cat, and a parrot. Mrs Burton expresses the hope that Tim isn't "a hipster," since she is expecting an older person to be in charge of the hotel. Tim returns, "I run the animal hotel," he has to admit, and she dubiously tells him of all Sammy her cat's eccentricities. They are interrupted by a Miss Fotheringay, "over thirty you know," who is actually Betsy dressed in her mum's clothes. "I've had such wonderful reports..." she blusters, asking Tim to take care of her goat Bluebell, which she has with her.
Mrs Burton agrees to let her cat stay, even though she has seen through Betsy's disguise. However, they had better make sure Sammy doesn't eat up that goldfish!

Badger's Bend

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1.11
Tim's mum faints when she hears that Tim is to board an elephant! But dad was only joking. A client has brought some white mice, "I think I'd rather have had an elephant!" Tim agrees to look after them for a fortnight.
A music sequence shows more pets coming and going, for Mrs Burton, she with the Siamese cat, has recommended the Hotel. A studio hand clearly intrudes into one scene.
It's Betsy's birthday tomorrow, and her rich uncle is going to buy her a pony, Seller is Mrs Webb who allows John Francis to examine the animal very carefully, "a good buy," he declares. Betsy saddles Smokey, explaining how to do this job properly. Then in the studio, she mounts the very patient animal.
In contrast to Betsy's uncle, the Cordons are feeling the pinch. Tim makes a birthday present for Betsy, a bird table. But she spots it before he has time to finish it. She kindly invites him to come out on her birthday, "be sure to put your best suit on."
That night Tim is awakened by sounds of splashing. A bird has fallen into the water butt, "not going to be easy to rescue, dad"

Badger's Bend

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

16
Tim and Betsy have retrieved a sack from a pond- she had thought it contains a cat. When he opens it they discover a bedraggled fur stole. It had been weighted down to make it sink. As a result Tim catches a cold, and his mum insists he stay in bed.
Mary has brought her tortoise to Mr Francis- she'd rescued it from their bonfire. Cue some instructions on how to look after such creatures. Sheila tells the vet about a robbery at The Grange.
Hearing of Tim's confinement, Francis sends Tim a book to read.
Florence Nightingale, alias Betsy, visits Tim, who has Badger the dog with him- it keeps licking the actor! Betsy tells Tim about the robbery. A policeman calls asking if Tim could care for a cat, it belongs to Miss Blake at Pear Tree Cottage- apparently she had slipped on a cabbage leaf(!). He tells the children that all the stolen property has been recovered, except for a fur stole, "worth a few hundreds." Maybe Mrs Holmes the owner might offer a reward. Betsy reveals the stole, and dons it majestically. They reckon Henry Parsons is the thief.
Oh dear, Badger gets caught in dad's mower, Tim rushes to get Mr Francis' help urgently. When the vet gets to Badger, at least dad has managed to stop the bleeding, and Mr Francis gives the animal an injection

Badger's Bend

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2.10
Uncle Steve answers Betsy's queries on history, since she finds facts hard to recall. He admits that he had been no good at maths. "I want to be a vet, not a historian," she tells him, but he offers a lesson on the need for a broad based knowledge.
They discuss the name of the pup, "we'll call him Scrap." Oliver is working on his own maths problem. As he holds his puppy, he puts the case for decimal coins. He phones Betsy, asking to borrow a school book, he in turn lends her one on history. After a stilted conversation, they abandon their work in favour of a call on the vet, who is treating Jean's cat, which has a sore mouth. He gives them a lift home in his vintage car.
Then Steve drives Oliver back to the vet, who is treating a kinkajou in the studio. We learn why its teeth ought not to be removed, "lecture's over."
The two children walk to the quay to see Mr Beamish, whose dog had been treated by the vet. Olly tries on Mr Beamish's huge boots and is told how oysters are caught. "Oysters are the laziest creatures in the world," Beamish says, this proves a joke, of sorts. Betsy has never tasted oysters, and reluctantly has to eat one, "I hope they don't make me sick." Tentatively she tries it, "quite nice"

Badger's Bend

.

.

.

.

.

2.7
Oliver and Betsy are with the vet Mr Pym, who then drives them in his vintage car 495MH to attend a calf at Mr Berry's farm, "she's looking much better." Around the animal in the studio the children learn about milk fever. Mr Berry with a rich rural accent, has to warn the animal "steady girl," which is patted profusely by the anxious cast. Having learned all about calcium, and magnesium, Mr Berry allows them to wander round his farm. Also in the studio is a pig with her piglets, and the children are told why sows die sometimes. The style of this second series of Badger's Bend is noticeably more stiltedly educational.
The talkative Mrs Bravington has brought her Siamese cat to be treated for fleas, expressing her profuse gratitude to the vet, "you'd think I'd brought it back from the grave!"
The next pet is Mrs Trumper's real monkey. She is equally chatty, telling the vet about her late husband's 1926 car while the animal receives its injection. She teaches the children a little about monkeys and drives them home as it is pouring with rain.
However the children still get soaked, running to their house, and have to get dried. They tell Uncle Steve about the animals they'd enjoyed seeing, while he relates to them a bit about the book he is writing, how life in Saxon days was so different to today

Badger's Bend

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2.11

Betsy and Oliver are lectured by Fred Beamish (Ivor Salter) about catching oysters. This is split into two parts, to make it more digestible. In between Bill the vet is also getting excited over oysters, with Peggy his assistant. But they also talk about the evening, "you going twisting?" he asks her, as he demonstrates how to do it, but only manages to crick his back.
They join the seminar on oysters before Bill gives the children a lift in his car. Uncle Stephen and Aunt Madge are sorting out clothes for the jumble sale, he discussing his book with her. A letter from Betsy's mother says that they will soon be home, and she will be able to join them again.
Oliver and his pal Alec are wearing Beatles jackets when they visit the vet, the latter bringing a rabbit which has "snuffles." Mr Pym (Derek Royle) carries in an eagle he had found in the road. Actually it's a buzzard. Oliver phones Betsy to tell her to come over and see it. Uncle Stephen is volunteered to take her. "A wonderful looking bird." It belongs to the captain

Badger's Bend

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

An ABC cartoon series made in 1960
Foo Foo
"A regular cartoon TV series has long been overdue and even without the advantages of colour, Halas and Batchelor have successfully created a fresh character who is sure to please the kiddies," wrote critic Lawrence Masidlover.
"A group of 33 fine films have been produced each lasting seven minutes and involving the adventures of Foo Foo. Two films are transmitted consecutively.
Foo Foo is an engaging little fellow and is sure to delight children from six to sixty. An amusing tramp (like Popeye), he has an arch enemy Gogo, who has an outsize beard. Gogo is a bully relying more on brute strength than cunning.
On the other hand our hero Foo Foo is small and Chaplinesque in appearance, complete with bowler hat. And like Chaplin this humorous character could last for years (well, that prophecy failed). It is not easy to make a tv cartoon series when there are so many established characters from America. Despite this Halas and Batchelor successfully took the plunge. They developed a new technique for cartoons. Each picture story is so carefully prepared that the plot could be followed easily although not a word of dialogue is spoken. A fine effort."
Only story I have seen- #20 'Beauty Treatment'

Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Sooty
with longsuffering creator, Harry Corbett.
Was the wonderful Harry the first non-standard English speaking star on the BBC?! Though of course his creation, Sooty, was the real star, and you musn't forget the mischievous Sweep. Harry knew how to entertain children, with a mixture of slapstick and naughtiness plus an element of self parody. I used to love his pained expression when Sooty or Sweep got him in the face with ink... or flour.... or.... almost everything else under the sun!
Children's Menu
A nice batch of survivors:
1.12 Sooty's Magic Shop (July 17th 1955)
1.15 Sooty's Busy Day - different in that this is all on film, with narration added afterwards, lacking much immediacy. Sooty is at the fairground, where he has whipped cream, "I don't think poor Harry will ever learn." Then on a ship, the Coronia
1.20 Sooty's Sweet Shop - Sooty wields a hammer with predictable results, a ladder is another weapon before Harry receives a soaking. Sooty also plays his theme tone on musical bottles
1.24 Sooty's Garage - The expected chaos when Harry calls at Sooty's garage and gets squirted with petrol
1.32 Sooty Engineering Company (1956)
1.34 Sooty the Champ - Sooty is training for his big fight with Butch. He pulls down the wall- on Harry. From hospital, Sweep watches the boxing on tv
3,21 Sooty and Sweep in Blackpool (1958) - Packing for the holidays, with Sooty's magic case. Harry narrates their last visit to Scarborough beach on film. Then off to sleep, Harry telling us it's the last of this series
4.15 Sooty's Pottery (1959) - Sooty "the expert" demonstrates how to make a pot, but Sweep switches up the kiln temperature, and the pot is frazzled. Sooty's magic repairs the damage, but only partly, because it now has no bottom, and when it is filled full of milk...
5.5 Sooty's Theatre
5.13 Sooty's Cobbler's Shop (1960)
5.19 Sooty the Fireman -Urgent! Harry phones the fire brigade, but gets no reply, not "a lesson in quiet efficiency." The fire is hardly noticeable at first, but it's Harry who is inevitably the one to get soaked
6.1 Sooty Goes Back to School
6.2 A Music Lesson - Prof Sooty gives Harry a singing lesson, spraying his tonsils with alarming results
6.3 Sootypresso Bar - Sooty makes Harry a cuppa, while chef Sweep serves a burnt Sweepburger. When the juke box blows up, Sooty imitates Nat King Cole, not very convincingly. It ends with cream everywhere
6.6 Sooty's Post Office Harry has difficulty getting served, before his parcel is dropped into water; another, marked Fragile, gets the inevitable treatment. Harry gives the boys their Xmas presents... arithmetic books
6.7 Sooty's Christmas Party
7.2 Sooty In the Kitchen (1961)
7.3 Music with a Difference - on a glockenspiel Sooty and Sweep play an original composition. The instrument is magical, producing objects which are subjects of tunes played- like Rain (on Harry). Sweep receives a plethora of bones before the finale, Old Macdonald
7.4 Sooty's Christmas Pantomime
7.5 Sooty's Circus
7.6 Sooty the Waiter (1962)
7.7 Sootyson Crusoe
7.8 Sooty Super Musician
7.9 Bedtime with Sooty - the boys are going to bed early, "say your prayers first." Harry's bedtime story is full of interruptions, before a pillowfight
7.10 Sooty's Pet Show - Sweep is entered in the Dog class, but is painted by Sooty, who has to pose as a dog himself to somehow win a prize
7.11 Sooty's Sweet Shop
7.12 Sooty Takes Off - Sooty is pilot, Sweep co-pilot and steward, "what a way to run an airline-" oooh, the starboard engine's stopped!
7.13 Sooty's Marionette Show - puppeteers are Sooty and Sweep themselves, obviously very amateurish, "what a mess!" In contrast with Pinky and Perky, who also perform. To finish, Sweep is a marionette
7.15 Sooty's Easter Egg - Sweep hatches out sausages while Sooty's egg incubator produces live chicks in this five minute episode
7.16 Sooty's Spring Cleaning - cleaning the coal (!), shampooing the carpet, cleaning Harry's portrait, "careful with it!" Sweeping the chimney- Sooty gets sooty, with Harry not far behind
8.2 The Adventures of Bessie- 1 - Melodrama with Harry on piano. Sweep is the unlikely heroine, facing homelessness unless Sir Jasper (Butch) is thwarted by Sgt Sooty finding the deeds. Sweep is tied to the railway line...
8.3The Adventures of Bessie-2 - Sgt Sooty is a bit late with Sweep's rescue. They all go to a haunted house, dress as ghosts to frighten away Sir Jasper. After a chase, the deeds are recovered. Narration is by Alan Broadhurst
8.4 Danger Animal at Work - Sooty is digging a hole in the road and fractures numerous pipes, much to the annoyance of Butch
8.5 Sooty's Butchers Shop
8.6 Take it Easy
8.7 Punch and Sooty Show
8.8 Teatime with Sooty
8.9 Sooty's Clock Shop
8.19 Sweep's Christmas Adventure
8.11 Sooty The Grocer (1963)
8.12 Visiting Day
8.13 Sooty the Saucy Sorceror
8.14 Sooty the Secretary
8.15 Sooty Gets the Bird - Chicken pie and bone flan feature in this cookery demonstration- with numerous discarded bones. Sooty's pastry lands on Sweep, "quite an accident"
8.16 Sooty Sings
9.1 Sweet Dreams
9.2 Sooty's Toy Shop
9.3 Inferior Decorators
9.5 The Great Corbett
9.6 Sooty's Dry-Cleaning Company
9.7 What a Jam
9.8 Sooty the Hairdresser
9.9 Sooty's Toy Factory
9.10 Magic in the Air a magic show commences with Oscar the performing flea. Then a genuione trick with Four Coins in a glass. The highlight is Sooty's magic fountain, with water springing from everywhere
9.11 Sooty's Television Shop - Sooty and Sweep's novelty sets don't impress Harry
9.12 Sooty's Fisheries - interesting silent opening minutes with background music: Sooty and Sweep prepare fish and chips. Harry turns up, posing as a salesman of a fire extinguisher, which is soon needed
9.13 Sooty's Theatre - with a dubious accent, Harry introduces Ram Jam Sooty with his Indian rope trick, then a snake charmer who conjures up a snake called Fanshaw, who nicely mocks Harry's "mouthful of aniseed balls." The snake even performs a card trick
9.14 Sooty Takes A Bath - Sweep has fallen into the duck pond and so needs "a good scrub." Sooty takes a shower, and Harry, amazingly, never gets wet
9.16 Super Musicians
10.1 Sweet Dreams (1964)
13.13 Barnacle Sooty the Sailor (1967) - On the Prince William, Sweep tries fishing but falls into the stormy sea. Then the ship rocking, he prepares a meal
14.7 This Is The Life! - Caravan Capers with Sweep causing a disaster or three
14.9 Holiday Flicks

As Harry used to say, Bye bye Everyone, bye bye- to Children's Menu or back to Sooty menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Menace! 1.1 The Sleepers (April 4th 1968)
A disjointed opening sequence, but have patience, the story does come together and gains momentum.

"Target range one mile... Stop engines." Mysterious sounds. "Course 090." Completion of a successful exercise, except for "ruddy idiot" Boone (Michael Brennan) who has failed to do his part of the job properly. Can he make amends when it's the real thing?
The packed 5.45pm London to Portsmouth train is a little unusual, an anorak's delight. For a start it's not an electric train, and the line it runs on has traffic lights as signals! But more relevant to the plot, the train also has a relief steward.
A party of sailors are enjoying themselves in the restaurant car. They are bound for a new Polaris sub, and one young passenger, Bill Cowan chats happily to them.
But the steward ejects him from the coach, and Bill spots the original steward who has been knocked unconscious. Hurriedly he fetches the guard, but by the time he's on the scene, the body has gone. The guard is sceptical, but Bill tells another young passenger, Terry Driver.
In the restaurant car, all the sailors have been drugged. At a pre-arranged location, Boone has got the signal changed to danger. Stop. One carriage, the restaurant car, is uncoupled. The train chugs onward, minus the drugged sailors.
On the alert, Bill notices the last coach has become detached. As per plan, Boone is phoning the signalbox, "this is box 106, stop the Portsmouth train." So it shunts back to pick up the errant carriage. Now on it are replacement sailors. And Bill knows it, for one, Alf whom he'd been chatting to, isn't there now. "They're not the same sailors," Bill warns Terry
Review of part 2 . . . To Freewheelers

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Menace!
1.2 No Smoke

Bill helpfully recaps the plot for newcomers, as he works out how all the sailors have changed. But why, that's the key unanswered question.
Terry takes the bull by the horns and tries to talk to the sailors, but meets a wall of silence. She agrees to split up with Bill, undertaking to follow these sailors. Bill's rather improbable task is to leap off the train as it rattles along, then, unhurt apparently, hitch a ride from a motorcyclist and catch up with the coach which is transporting the original bunch of sailors. They reach a dark isolated house, "lock them in the cellar."
Bill, and his motorcycle mate Chris Kelly find a grill by the cellar and the sailors urge them to fetch the police. Guards dressed in white chase the two lads and they are driven straight into the hands of Boone. He ushers them into the presence of the Boss, Number One ("as a name it lacks panache," he admits). The pair are interrogated. This German seems "as mad as a hatter."
"Ze problem is, what is to be done with you?" However very conveniently he also explains his plans for world domination, based on revenge for his country's defeat in ze last war. This kidnapping of sailors is but one of six simultaneous operations. All the replacements are bound for a nuclear submarine. Having been privy to these secrets, Boone escorts them to the cellar. There Chris has the bright idea of starting a small fire and this doesn't cause them all to be fried alive, for the guards dash in and our boys and the sailors escape. Though phone lines are dead, they use the coach that brought them here to make their bid for freedom.
Terry has alighted from the Portsmouth train (a different one to that in episode 1!) and has followed the sailors who are marching to the dockyard. There she is picked up by the real sailors, plus Bill and Chris, but sad to say, they arrive only in time to see the submarine submerging

To review of part 3
To Freewheelers

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Menace!
1.3 The Camp

Admiral Nash: "Thesus our latest nuclear submarine is missing." Even the PM is worried.
Col Buchan of MI6 is put in charge of the search. He admits, "we don't know who's got it." But maybe those kids do.
Bill is showing Chris his boatyard. Terry has just joined them for a meal, when the phone rings. Colonel Buchan asks the two lads to come to Portsmouth to see a film, footage from July 1944 of the Nazi programme to build a super rocket. In charge of the project is Von Gelb, and he's the Nazi who had interrogated Bill and Chris! Col Buchan adds quietly, "you see why we've got to get our hands on him." But his quest proves to be peculiarly unsuccessful.
The boys tell Terry all about the interview and speculate where Von Gelb might be based now. They test out their theory by checking on out-of-season holiday camps in the vicinity. The first is deserted, and at a second they also draw a blank.
Between Freshwater and Compton Bay, our trio discover a more active camp. There's Boone! Over a fence they climb and there in the great dining hall sits, in solitary splendour Von Gelb, surrounded by the boom of German grand music, for he is gloating over his triumph.
"Time to turn the screw a little harder," he smirks, and on a tv link he confronts Col Buchan. The sub is targetted on London, he warns, and it's loaded with nuclear missiles

To review of part 4
To Freewheelers

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Menace!
1.4 The Ultimatum

The PM has to decide whether to accede to von Gelb's extortionate demand for £100,000 in diamonds. "The fellow's a madman."
In his holiday camp, echoing to the strains of Wagner, the Nazi puffs a contented cigar. "It is time to pay some debts." On the Thesus (which looks suspiciously like a model), the crew prepare to fire missiles if so ordered.
The three kids, in attempting to run away from the camp are shot at. It brings about an interesting chase round the funfair, and then Bill and Chris hide first up the helter skelter, then in a chalet. They espy Boone in a frogman's suit with a large canister. If the lads did but know it, this is a replica of the canister that Col Buchan is to send the diamonds in. However Boone is so incompetent that von Gelb decides to entrust this mysterious mission to his impassive servant Monk.
Now von Gelb and his entourage take their leave of the camp in a Land Rover, but what they don't know is that Bill and Chris are hidden inside. Their destination is a boat, von Gelb's boat. But where has Terry got to? She's the prisoner of the Nazi, or "guest" as he terms it. "You're just a common thief," she retorts, which doesn't endear her to him. Chris is von Gelb's prisoner number two. But at least Bill Cowan has got away, to the police.
To prove his powers, von Gelb now arranges a demonstration explosion of a missile in mid-Atlantic

To review of the final part
To Freewheelers

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Menace! 1.5 Face to Face

The explosion temporarily blanks out radio communications.
The diamonds are readied for sending, plus Col Buchan's ace, a miniature radio transmitter. "Whoever picks up the diamonds will lead us straight to von Gelb." Terry and Chris are von Gelb's prisoners. They try and convince the dim Boone to rebel, but he doesn't play ball. As they wait the arrival of the diamonds, von Gelb plays chess against Terry. "The mental discipline of the game would do you good," he advises. Using the chess pieces, he illustrates his triumph- Col Buchan is the chivalrous knight, "but lacking striking power." And who is von Gelb? "The directing mind," the King!
Enter Monk with the canister of diamonds. The transmitter is winkled out of one of the jewels, and chucked overboard. only Chris manages to switch a diamond for the transmitter.
Grid ref 57244200. Von Gelb, rich beyond dreams, now plans to sail away to repeat his blackmail on another country, America perhaps? His boat makes for Thesus.
Bill has joined Col Buchan on HMS Pegasus. By helicopter they fly to the rendezvous with Thesus that von Gelb is now at. Thanks to Terry and Chris eluding their captors, von Gelb's boat has been careering wildly and Buchan is lowered by rope on to the Thesus just after von Gelb has gone aboard.
Von Gelb is boasting of his Button, his hand caressing the dangerous device. In bursts Buchan with a gun. "Surface at once," he orders. But this is stalemate, as the Nazi threatens to press the button if he is shot. Luckily, the idiot Boone interrupts the tension. But in a puff of smoke, von Gelb disappears, "check, but not I think checkmate!"

End of story. Return to Freewheelers or why not start the next adventure?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Series 1.6
Recipe for Danger
This four part serial is less tightly written than the first. Too much time is spent on setting the scene, the absence of seeing the arch villain weaving his fiendish plot is disappointing, it would be all right if the story was a ten parter, but as it is, the build up in the first two stories isn't justified by the final two episodes.

1. Too Many Cooks

The lost expanse of the sea. A ship drifts, the crew lifeless. The headlines proclaim Fifth Ship Vanishes.
Chris is going on board The Tromso. The cook Dusty (Norman Mitchell) asks Chris, "you don't think it's going to happen to this ship?"
While the ship remains in dock, Chris is given a temporary job by the captain (Nicholas Smith with what I think is a Norwegian accent). When Dusty is taken ill, Chris knows of a last minute replacement, Terry. "Women are unlucky on board ship," protests the captain, but with noone else available, he offers her a trial.
Bill and Chris carry in the necessary food supplies, plenty of potatoes. In the kitchen they spot a ladle that has been impregnated with dope. "Who would want to do it to Dusty?"
This ladle is apparently part of some new kitchen equipment purchased from the Eureka Ship Chandlers, a shop run by Dmitropulous, who also trains ships' cooks. Chris buys four similar ladles there.
Terry's cuisine has proved a big hit with the crew, but for the forthcoming voyage a cook is supplied from Dmitropulous' school.
Now Terry poses as a posh lady seeking a place on one of Dmitropulous' courses. She enlists on a crash course.
Chris snoops round the Tromso and spots the new cook...

To my review of next episode , or back to Freewheelers

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Series 1.7 Recipe for Danger 2. One Man's Meat
"Just a coincidence?" That is, the new cook just happens to be one of the trainees at Dmitropulous' school.
At this school Terry kneads dough to Italian music, "she does not strangle it," he tells the other students. Terry smuggles out the spare keys to the building in some dough, and later Chris makes impressions of them. "I hope they fit."
That night Bill and Terry break in to Eureka's premises. Chris keeps watch outside. A bobby on patrol nearly rumbles them. But what is the combination of the safe? Terry had heard Dmitropulous mumble Greek Independence Day, March 21st 1821, so they try 3211821, "no good." Try the day first, suggests Terry. 2131821, "it works."
Bill scans the documents and takes plenty of photos. However Dmitropulous returns from his party celebrating independence, thank goodness Chris stalls him, enabling Terry and Bill to get away via a skylight.
The photos are developed. A map of Ireland, lists of sailings, including the ships that have disappeared, "Tromso must be the next one on the list." Blaskin Island seems to be the key, "never heard of it."
On board Cpt Larsen is worried as the cook is feeling sick.
Next day, at the school, soup is being made. "23rd March, Tromso," Terry overhears. She phones Chris, who rushes to alert Cpt Larsen, but he never makes it

Review of next episode, or
Back to Freewheelers

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Series 1.8
Recipe for Danger
3. Trouble Brewing

Chris is taken prisoner on the Tromso, "don't try anything." Deep down in the cold room, he is locked in.
With the ship about to sail, Bill climbs on board to wish Captain Larsen bon voyage. The captain is rather upset because the new cook Olaf is not very good.
When Bill meets up with Terry again, she tells him of the radio message she had overheard. They dash to warn Larsen, but too late, for the ship has left harbour.
Bill recalls Colonel Buchan has a country cottage nearby, "I hope he's in." But he is out.
So they decide to search Eureka Chandlers again, in case Chris is kept there. But a man stops them, and he is holding a gun. It's Colonel Buchan!
He sifts through the information Terry and Bill give him, "I've been working on this case for some time now." He radios the Tromso and leaves a message for the captain, "Arrest the Cook. Do Not Eat Anything prepared by the cook." But the message is not received, the crooks intercept it. And in charge of them is Von Gelb!
Col Buchan takes a helicopter out to the ship, regretting he can't take Bill and Terry with him. But they have their own ideas about that, and stow away.
Mealtime on the Tromso. Radio operative Paddy hears tapping, it's Chris. He traces the source and releases the prisoner. All Chris can find now are drugged members of the crew. A speed boat is racing towards the ship.
"Going somewhere?" Chris is asked. He's captured once more as Von Gelb climbs aboard. He is ready and waiting to greet Colonel Buchan...

For review of the final part of this adventure
Now, back to Freewheelers

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Series 1.9
Recipe for Danger
4. Bring To The Boil
(Different opening music to the usual.)

Chris has got free and despite frantic waving, the helicopter lands Col Buchan on von Gelb's ship. The greeting Buchan receives from von Gelb is nothing if not predictable, "nice of you to drop in on us again."
Von Gelb's right hand man shoots at the departing helicopter and the pilot is hit, the helicopter careering out of control. "They were a sitting duck," moans Buchan.
But he isn't aware that Bill and Terry were on board, but luckily they bale out. Very improbably they succeed in climbing on board the Tromso, unnoticed.
Chris warns Captain Larsen of the whole plot but both are captured and locked in the cold room, only to be rescued by Bill and Terry. "We recapture the ship," that's Larsen's idea, and to do so they need to dispose of the enemy, whom they pick off one at a time. But Olaf smashes the rasio so they cannot summon help. "What are we going to do now?" They are heading for Ireland, Blaskin Island, uninhabited rocks.
Von Gelb is taunting Col Buchan as they pit their wits in a game of 3D chess. Kindly von Gelb outlines his evil scheme to start a war with his captured ships and the armaments he has ammassed, "any war with the possibility of escalation" involving the superpowers.
Larsen plans, since he seems to have watched The African Queen, to use the Tromso to ram von Gelb's fleet, thus causing an almighty explosion. The only drawback is that Col Buchan will get blown up too.
In von Gelb's cabin, Col Buchan announces "check." "I was expecting zat," von Gelb has to concede. Olaf warns von Gelb of Larsen's plan with the strains of Wagner booming in the background. Panic. The three kids whisk away Col Buchan in a dinghy. Explosion. "We've lost him!" as von Gelb also escapes, speeding away in a motor launch.
"There'll be another time"

Time to go back to Freewheelers menu. Or

On to the next adventure

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Big Freeze 1.10 Icarus
Beware of Icarus Pens. The ones supplied to Prof James Lowrie (Ronald Adam) are making him go all funny. For he is now walking zombie-like from his laboratory to his car, and driving away.
Two gallons, he asks, as he stops off at a garage, where the attendant just happens to be Bill. The professor also asks the way to Saddler's Mill, it's near Tidworth, he's told, as he mutters mysteriously to himself the one word Icarus.
"A completely blank expression" he had, Bill explains to Terry and Chris later. When they read the papers, the see the prof is headline news, having disappeared from his research establishment in Scotland. They resolve to pose as reporters, writing a feature on the mill. Dr Spendler (Brian Wilde) kindly takes them on a tour, he's very enthusiastic about spectro analysis, obviously a genuine scientist. But the head of the place turns out to be the evil Monk, Von Gelb's right hand man, and he spots Terry alone and locks her up in a cell with Prof Lowrie. The two boys are exploring the mill on their own when they bump into another 'spy' none other than Col Buchan in a disguise "like Frankenstein's uncle."
When Terry and the prof are taken from the premises in an Icarus van, the boys follow, as does Col Buchan, but the van gives them both the slip. Buchan tells them how eleven eminent scientists have disappeared recently.
The two prisoners are being transferred to a small boat and speed out to sea to be landed on board a liner, The Valkyrie. Yes it must be.... it is... as Wagner booms out, there stands the towering Von Gelb
Time to go back to Freewheelers menu. Or . . . On to the next adventure

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Big Freeze
1.11 Valkyrie
Into a bookshop, Col Buchan ushers Bill and Chris, it's his HQ.
Terry has been welcomed aboard Von Gelb's floating lab, where Prof Lowrie is imprisoned, along with his fellow scientists. Like zombies, they work for the Nazi. "What have you done with them?" And here's Icarus, a machine that controls the brain, inventor Dr Alfred Muller," their wills, not their intellects are paralysed."
Col Buchan travels to Lowrie's former workplace, to consult Dr Duncan, but this assistant of Lowrie has just been subjected to Icarus' rays and has zombied his way to his car, then grabbing a boat, SU310, winged his way towards von Gelb.
Luckily the boys have spotted his strange behaviour and followed him, rather against Buchan's instructions.
On board The Valkyrie, Lowrie is protesting against Von Gelb's plans, "you Nazi beast!" This distraction enables Terry to damage Icarus and thus Duncan suddenly becomes a free agent again, giving Bill and Chris the opportunity to escort him safe to harbour, where Buchan, somehow already back from Lowrie's lab (I thought it was in Scotland?) questions Duncan about research into mind control. "Why should they want me?" queries Duncan, for what he had been working on with Lowrie was a weather machine.
Terry is facing the wrath of Von Gelb, and is locked in a hold, alone
Get back to Freewheelers menu. Or . . . On to the next adventure

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Big Freeze
1.12 Anvil
"We'll find that damn ship if it kill us," cries Col Buchan, who has worked out that the Icarus pens are how those professors were lured to von Gelb.
On the Valkyrie Prof Lowrie is being shown The Anvil, the giant machine that will control the weather, and which is nearing completion... with Lowrie's assistance.
Buchan persuades Lowrie's assistant Robert Duncan to pretend to be under the influence of Icarus once more. He is carrying a transmitter so that von Gelb's position can be discovered. The scheme works and zombified, Duncan wends his way to the ship. With a fix on where the ship is anchored, Buchan takes Bill and Chris out to sea with him. But a "damn storm" prevents them getting near The Valkyrie, that localised storm created of course by von Gelb. Go back or else, von Gelb orders Buchan over the radio. "Operation Valkyrie abandoned." "It worked," shouts a triumphant von Gelb.
Under the influence of Icarus, Lowrie and the other zombie scientists continue their task. Soon there will be "the results that I want," smiles the Nazi.
Indeed The Anvil is quickly ready for action. Von Gelb announces his terms to Col Buchan, the "gift" of a thousand rare paintings, or Anvil will be activated. To reinforce his demand he shows its capability. A sudden inexplicable fall in temperature in one part of Britain. Unless his terms are met it will spread all over Britain. Cue, pictures of a snowy paralysis

Review of the final episode in this adventure Or, Go to Freewheelers menu.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Big Freeze
1.13 Gotterdammerung
All roads around London blocked with ice, the Thames frozen. "Von Gelb has got us over a barrel."
Sabotage, that's Buchan's plan to stop the villain. Robert Duncan devises an antidote to counter the 'fluence of Icarus. Dr JE Paxson is the next scientist that von Gelb has on his hit list, and she is Duncan's fiancee. So June Paxson is given a necklace to wear so she can resist the lure of Icarus. Soon she is responding to Icarus and marching her zombie way to Valkyrie.
The boys have used their own initiative and boarded the ship that carries provisions from land to the Valkyrie. Surreptiously they clamber on board and have soon located Terry, but, oh dear, they are captured also.
Now June Paxson is on board she is able to set the three free and enlist them in her mission of destruction. Bill radios a message to Colonel Buchan, and that is the one word Gotterdammerung, the signal for action. Our heroes are chased round the boat and this has its slapstick moments but becomes on the serious side when guns are fired at them. By now the fighting is at close quarters, but the distractions give June the opportunity to get to Anvil just as an angry Von Gelb is activating it for further paralysis of Britain.A few cut wires and it is simply immobilised. With the captured scientists no longer under the 'fluence, mutiny on board! End of the evil scheme, but as per usual von Gelb eludes his just punishment. With five of the scientists still his prisoners, he vanishes, "he's got as many lives as a cat"
Go to Freewheelers menu.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2.8 Doomsday
Explosions are to occur in every water pipeline in the country. Boone and Monk have placed the charges, due to go off in eight hours time at noon. How can von Gelb's evil plan to take over Britain while the nation sleeps drugged be prevented? On his volcanic isle, the master criminal, aided by Olga, anticipates his triumph; "everything is ready for the invasion." After London, he can invade other countries. He spouts poetry along the lines of zis sceptred isle etc.
Col Buchan suggests creating an antidote, for with but six hours left he sees it's futile to try and locate and destroy all the exploding canisters. Then he realises that von Gelb must have his own antidote at the ready.
At their lighthouse, Monk and Boon have a supply and Buchan snatches it, somehow hoping enough of the stuff can be manufactured in time.
"Achtung, ze moment for action has arrived!" Von Gelb addresses his troops, "forward to ze new vorld!" But among those troops are our three heroes. They join the troops flying by helicopters for the invasion.
Two hours to go. The PM gets the army to distribute the antidote, but it's too late, so the BBC are instructed to warn everyone not to drink any water. However, Buchan's phoned request is switched to Monk, and no warning is ever broadcast.
So soon nearly everyone is asleep, roads littered with unconscious bodies a la Day of the Triffids. In his flash Merc, MMM300C, von Gelb parades royally into London, past Big Ben to Nelson's Column. It's an impressively done scene, as von Gelb sidesteps the bodies in his hour of glory. Alas, he's in for a shock, when Buchan steps up with Bill Nick and Terry to arrest him. "Von Gelb in the bag at last"
Back to Freewheelers menu.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

THE FLIGHT OF THE HERON
The story commences in the year 1745, so you can guess the theme! Veteran Scottish star Finlay Currie played a blind soothsayer, who prophesies that a flying heron will bring together two men on opposing sides: Ewen Cameron, a highland chieftain (Ian McCulloch), and Captain Keith Windham, an English officer (Jon Laurimore). Though they are enemies, they do learn a lot from each other.
Most of the location shooting was done over a six week period around Fort Augustus and Loch Ness. (A report said this cost STV around £5,000 in hotel bills!) Indoor scenes were videoed in STV's Glasgow studios. So many props were required, a special wagon on a train from London had to be hired to transport the furnishings, cannons and costumes etc.
With all the extras, the cast amount to 187. In charge of the budget of £50,000 was master producer Francis Essex, with director Brian Mahoney. The script was by Moultrie Kelsall from a novel by DK Broster. The atmosphere breathed a kind of serious historical serial on the lines of the successful BBC prototypes, rather than something like jolly old Ivanhoe. The breathtaking outdoor scenery gives the series a fine sense of reality, only marred by the uneasy feeling that because of their limited numbers, these are after all only actors dressed up wandering round the Scotland of today. And perhaps it's not so much fun compared with the likes of The Adventures of Robin Hood. Yet it turned out as good as anything its rival BBC could have done for children, and that is praise enough.

A contemporary review by AM of the series is Headlined STV's Serial Is Worth Watching: "It is authentic. To hear longish stretches of conversation in Gaelic, is to remind us of the very different cultural heritage. After watching episode 2, she wrote, "Captain Windham was a prisoner of the laird, after being thrown from his horse, which had been frightened by a heron. Thsi incident is foreseen by Blind Angus, who had the gift of second sight. Windam was treated with every courtesy in the laird's home... he gave his parole not to escape... this episode was essentially the story of an encounter between two men of honour against a sensitively distilled background of Highland courtesy, English pride, and fey mystery... certainly this serial is one to be followed and fully deserves its wide (network) showing."

My reviews of each episode
1- Capture (28th February 1968)- with Sheila Whittingham, 2- Rebellion- with Sophie Stewart, 3- Escape- with Leonard Maguire, Bruce McKenzie, 4- Levee- with Helena Gloag, WHD Joss, 5- Retreat- with Meg Watt, Allan Craig, 6- Rescue- with James Copeland, Bill Henderson, 7- Torture- with Tom Conti and Richard Wilson making brief appearances, 8- Revenge - with John Young.

Fly back to Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

. 1 Capture
Ewen Cameron is arguing with gamekeeper Lachlan, forbidding him to shoot a heron. Apparently sighting the bird foretells a meeting with a Sassenach redcoat, both their fates interlinked. The prophecy from old Angus MacMartin is that this enemy will do you great service, but cause you also bitter grief.
A romantic farewell by the loch with Miss Alison- these are the two loves of Ewen's little world. They even see the heron Lachlan didn't shoot.
Ewen's world is to be enlarged, for news has reached the glen that the Prince has landed at Borrowdale, "he has come at last! Clan Cameron will rise!"
"A uniquely barbarous prospect" is facing Captain Windham and his redcoats on the march to Fort William. The captain bemoans the fact that he could have been in Flanders fighting against civilised troops, if it hadn't been for this Young Pretender. In a wild mountain pass, an ambush awaits. Scouts sent on ahead spot a lot of madmen with bagpipes. A gun battle follows, Windham hastens on horseback to Fort Augustus to rally reinforcements. However he is surrounded by kilted warriors who chase him across the moors. Fleeing on his horse, it suddenly shies at the sight of a heron in flight. Windham is left stunned and lamed. He staggers forward, his sword a walking stick, but unluckily meets with Ewen. He refuses to surrender and despite Ewen's reluctance, the two fight with swords. The victory is an easy one, and the weakened Windham is taken prisoner. On his word of honour, he is placed on Ewen's steed to be taken to Ewen's home, there for his wounds to be bathed
To Review of part 2
To Flight of the Heron

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2 Rebellion

The studio scenes lack a certain flow and some, not all, of the acting is weak.

Aunt Margaret supplies bandages and medicaments for the injured Captain Windham, who Ewen calls his "guest," though Windham himself more realistically describes himself as "prisoner."
After the injured Redcoat is made comfortable, the two enemies chat, there's a sense of admiring friendship, only spoiled by the Englishman getting hot under the collar when Ewen seems to suggest he might be tempted to break his parole. Ewen adds the riposte, "at morning prayers we pray for our rightful sovereign."
Bagpipes awaken Windham next morn, "that infernal row." He wanders round the estate until kilted warriors spot him seeing what he should not see. Accused of spying, Windham is brought before blind Angus, who only speaks Gaelic. His second sight warned him of the heron in the Sassenach's path, and he is ordered to be freed, though the "unmannerly ruffians" would take their own revenge, except Ewen intervenes.
With Aunt Margaret keeping a watchful eye from the window, Miss Alison Grant approaches Winham as he sits aside the loch. She really wants to know if he is only biding his time before he gets a chance to escape. He in turn pleads with her to spare his friend Ewen from embarking on this "hopeless venture." Hardly diplomatic, and she castigates his "English way of thinking," retorting that they follow the one who "has the right."
Now it is Ewen who makes an impossible demand, saying he will let Windham go free, if he promises to take no further part himself in the campaign. That cannot be accepted, so the pair agree that Windham must go with Ewen, still on parole, on his journey on the morrow.
To the skirl of more bagpipes they take their leave of the castle
To Review of part 3
To Flight of the Heron

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
3 Escape

To the noise of more bagpipes, the Scottish mini army gather "to strike terror into the hearts of a foreign people."
Prince Charles orders Lochiel to persuade Captain Windham to accept the terms of his release. But this is still refused, so terms of parole are discussed. Finally a compromise is reached, the parole will end in three days, at 9pm on the 23rd.
So Windham continues to march with the group across the bogs, wheels jarring on rutted roads as cannon and arms are dragged slowly onward. Windham jests with Ewen over this new type of military strategy.
After one night roughing it, the group settle in to a burgess' home near Corpach. Ewen is placed in charge of a baggage train by His Royal Highness, and seems to forget about the ending of his 'prisoner's' parole. But naturally, Captain Windham has not, and he lays his plans to flee once the time of his parole is over.
Disguised in a kilt, he writes a farewell note, and descends the stairs from his bedroom. Oh, he just remembers to remove his Redcoat wig.
"He's gone, my prisoner... I clean forgot," cries Ewen. The note angers him, especially the offer of three guineas for the loan of the clothing
To review of part 4
To Flight of the Heron

.

.

.

.

.

.

4 Levee
We move on. This story is really a one-off interlude after the first three episodes that flow nicely.
Ewen Cameron is now aide-de-camp to Prince Charles, while Captain Windham is in the Hanoverian garrison in Edinburgh, which is all but surrounded by the prince's army.
The victory of Prestonpans is celebrated at Holyrood House, where the prince greets Ewen and his fiancee Miss Alison. Ewen has a brush with the obnoxious Strickland over protection for the slightly foppish Scottish prince with the French accent. It is agreed that Ewen shall guard the prince as he walks to a secret rendezvous "dangeroudly near" the castle to meet... a lady. "This is an honour," the elderly host declares, the prince is actually here to seek financial support for his cause. But Ewen's alertness is justified when the house is surrounded by Redcoats, and the prince barely escapes via a secret stairway. Captain Windham and his men burst into the house.
"I know that the Pretender is here." Ewen suggests he look in Holyrood.
"Accept the fortunes of war," retorts Windham, now the positions of the two men are reversed from their previous encounter. However matters can quickly change, and the redcoats retreat in cowardly fashion, leaving Windham once more in the custody of Ewen, who is wounded after their slight scuffle.
"I lost my temper," apologises WIndham, adding by way of explanation, "I thought you had your sword out." They bandage Ewen's bleeding hand, then Windham is allowed to 'escape,' ironically via the very route that his highness had only just taken.
There's another gap before the story continues with events leading up to Culloden.
To review of part 5
To Flight of the Heron

.

.

.

.

.

.

5 Retreat
1746- after moving south to Derby, the Scots have retreated back to Scotland and Ewen makes for Lady Ogilvy's house in Inverness.
Alison has received a message from her father in France, that he is too ill to return home. She must go to see him. A boat is to depart in two days. So the hasty Ewen proposes an immediate marriage. The minister obliges and the happy ceremony takes place, his Royal Highness bestowing his gracious blessing.
Time for Alison to depart, reluctantly, and she bids tearful farewell to Ewen, sensing he is to face grave danger.
Her intuition is correct, the Redcoats strike, Ewen is injured. Gently he is carried to Glen Nevis House, his ribs cracked. He is ordered to rest. He is cared for by his doting Aunt Margaret. Then comes an order,
"Gather your men, and march at once. Cumberland is moving." The English break through to Nairn, "ill news" for the Scots who are tired, hungry, dispirited.
The Scots take their stand on the moor, against Lochiel's better judgement. "Any hope of repulsing him?" Ewen asks of the Redcoat leader. The Scots have but the "courage of despair," but no tangible hope of success.
Lochiel even plans with Ewen a suitable rendezvous when the inevitable retreat occurs (the cave behind the rock).
As winds howl over the desolate more, the troops engage in combat
To review of part 6
To Flight of the Heron

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

6 Rescue

The grim moor, guns now idle, men lying dead in mud.
Major Guthrie's men are sacking cottages, shielings, when Captain Windham prevents Guthrie from needless barbaric cruelty to an injured highlander, who indeed proves to be an officer, Lochiel's kinsman Cameron. Windam argues for Cameron's life and Guthrie finally concedes, since the man is more use alive.
In a dark room, Windham patches up the still unconscious Cameron's wounds.
Later, Windham explains to the brash Guthrie his debt to Cameron. "Friends in both camps," jibes Guthrie, adding hastily, "just a pleasantry."
Returning to Cameron with some food, the injured man screams in agony as his wounds are treated. "You saved my life, this is more than kindness." Cameron relates how the redcoats had left him for dead. Exhausted through lack of food, he had been hiding in this shieling when he had been flushed out by Guthrie's men. The pair reflect on the prophecy that they would meet five times, this is now the third.
Cameron does know of Lochiel's whereabouts, though that of course is his secret. But Guthrie wants to know it. Yet Windham concedes privately that he would be sad if Lochiel were to be captured

Review of part 7
To Flight of the Heron

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

7 Torture
Major Guthrie continues to rant, blaming Windham. Retorts the latter, "you swine, you twist everything I say." He is questioned as to his motives for assisting the highland rebel instead of spending his time on his soldierly duties. After a flare up, he is arrested for insubordination.
Thus there comes about the fourth meeting between the two men on opposite sides, this time in the depths of prison. The truth comes out that Cameron had not yielded to torture in revealing Lochiel's whereabouts, but exhausted after days of intense interrogation, in his sleep he had uttered the name of the mountain where Lochiel's cave is. "I slept and I talked." The two part, shaking hands.
But the mountain Cameron has named cannot be located, does it exist? He is further questioned, but will never reveal the real name of the place.
Good news for Windham- he is exonerated. That is, if he will testify against Cameron. But even the intervention of His Royal Highness will not persuade Windham to sink to that. "It is no part of military duty to play the informer."
Lord Albermarle berates him for his insolence to the royal personage, but he doesn't attempt to make Windham testify against Cameron at his trial which will shortly begin away in Carlisle. Instead, he commissions Windham to travel to Arisaig where intelligence suggests The Young Pretender is heading to flee the country by ship

To review of the final episode
Flight of the Heron

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

FINAL PART
8 Revenge

Cameron is being dragged off to his trial, tied up on a horse, guarded by three Redcoats. A highland lassie aids his flight and despite a hot chase, Cameron is free from his pursuers. Soaked to the skin, he gains his freedom.
As far south as Morar, Captain Windham had set soldiers on watch for the Prince. News of a drowned man has reached Windham- could it be Cameron? But there is that prophecy that they would meet five times- so Windham is as sure as he can be that his friend still lives. And it is true, though only just, for the wounded Cameron has barely struggled home. Bedraggled, step by step he had staggered, then crawled to safety.
Soon he's in better spirits under the ministrations of Aunt Margaret. Even though he would be with his wife away in France, he must warn Lochiel who is in hiding, "there's something I must tell him." But some of his kinsman cannot trust him, for they believe he did, albeit inadvertently and inaccurately betray Lochiel.
Cameron rides to Arisaig but is spotted by Redcoats. For Windham lies in wait for the prince. A Redcoat is poised to shoot Cameron, "you can't let a rebel escape."
But this is no the prince, and Windham remembers his debt of honour to the highlander and refuses to allow Cameron to be killed. However that kindness backfires when a zealous Scot runs through this gentle Sassenach with a sword.
Cameron and Windham's final meeting sees the latter dying. "Your friend... always." Windham yet has breath to warn Cameron of the approaching patrol as the pair shake hands. Sadly, Cameron takes leave of the dead soldier, barely to catch the boat for France.

A tense final episode, satisfying if sad, though the script never makes you feel the relationship between the two enemies who became friends is ever more than on the surface.

To Flight of the Heron

To Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

To Main TV Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Muffin the Mule
"We want Muffin, Muffin the Mule
Dear old Muffin playing the fool!
We want Muffin- everybody sing
We want Muffin the Mule."
Presented by Annette Mills, it even seemed creaky to me in the 1950s, now all it can offer is a quirky period glow amid the dangling puppet strings. My only favourite character was Mr Peregrine, and it's still enjoyable watching his irate snapping- I vote him the best puppet character on 1950s tv, not even excluding Bill and Ben!
Father Christmas Muffin- "we spent the whole morning decorating the Christmas tree," declares Annette Mills, though looking at what she shows us, you'd never guess it! On top is Louise as the fairy queen. Muffin is Father Christmas, but has a rival in Peregrine. Wally and Molly make the Christmas pud, then Oswald appears as Father Christmas only with a white cloak and red beard
Dick Muffington And His Cat - 5 miles to walk to London but Dick is lost in a wood. Another panto as Mr Peregrine as one of the ugly sisters has to dress up as a fairy to utter the line, "turn again Muffington." In London, Dick chases away all the mice and is knighted, "off with his head"
When Muffin met Sooty
Schoolboy Muffin - Professor Peregrine gives out homework which baffles the "very slow brain" of Oswald the Ostrich. Muffin produces a One Man Band with a song about, of all things, a timetable. When Muffin hides the professor's timetable, Peregrine has one of his splendid tantrums
Muffin's Aquarium - Peregrine warns about the dangers of an aquarium, Oswald adds three water worms, Willie, Wishy and Washy. Muffin's tadpole starts a-growing, soon it's outgrown its home- it's an octopus! Peregrine sorts him out, and with bells on his tentacles, the friendly octopus dances to his song
Muffin and the Bird Parliament- President Peregr-ine resigns, down with birds proclaims Muffin until he's elected new chairman, so it's up with birds, taking to flying. The two dispute who is chairman, best moment is when Peregrine attempts to fly
Muffin and the Squeaking Shoes - Peregrine's new squeaking shoes make him even more pompous. The grotesque Mr Bee supplies the beeswax that Annette wants to secretly put on his shoes while he sleeps. She achieves this by singing, naturally. But though his shoes do not squeak any more, he upsets everyone by "creeping up" on them. Oswald eats the shoes and starts squeaking himself
Muffin in a Jam - Muffin is making carrot jam. A queen wasp offers to pinch some honey. Oswald preserves Willie "for posterity" and Peregrine gets stuck to a plate. Louise makes friends with the wasp before a "squadron" of them fly in
Muffin's Bedtime Story - After the song Resolutions, we hear Mr Peregrine wants to "look after people." Louise is first, Annette sings Dressing Gown and Shoes, extraordinary! Next it's Monty, before Mr Peregrine himself has the song I'm In Charge. Muffin has to go to bed too, he dreams of four clowns, in a sequence with simple superimposed pictures
See also We Are Your Servants (1956)
Wave goodbye children, to Muffin and his friends, and return to the Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
Crackerjack
First appeared on September 14th 1955, running each autumn through to the spring the following year. After a summer break it faithfully would return each autumn until the first big change when Eamonn Andrews left at the end of 1964. Regular Leslie Crowther took over in 1965, and the series continued its merry way until 1984. "We never talk down, or have any of this kiddiewinkie stuff," explained Crowther. "If we did," added his assistant Peter Glaze, "we'd be out on our ear." "

Series 3: March 19th 1958: with Winifred Atwell who bangs out Piano Tuner's Boogie, Poor People of Paris, and Let's Rock n Roll. Pinky and Perky an acquired taste if ever there was, also include a weird elderly lady rockin', plus a rockin' frog. Ronnie Corbett (as Skylark Hands) and Michael Darbyshire appear in a sketch Eamonn Andrews tells us is Cops and Robbers, with James Beck appearing as a detective from the Yard. The Double or Drop quiz is there as usual, though I felt Uncle Eamonn decided the winners of the qualifiers rather arbitrarily.
Series 4: March 18th 1959 (last of the current series): There are the usual games with balloons, long sticks, parcels etc. Double or Drop has prizes such as tv aerials and kippers! First guests are "you know who," Pearl Carr/Teddy Johnson, who claims Eamonn "you'd like to hear again." They sing Sweet Elizabeth. Martin Grainger's Puppets follow them. Ronnie Corbett and Eddy Leslie act a sketch in a lighthouse with 700 steps. A tale of contraband, Ronnie getting soaked with sea water lots of times. Dickie Valentine is the top attraction, singing Simple Life, then an interesting duet with two girls in the audience In My Life. He then stars in the final sketch The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
Series 8: October 11th 1962: with Pinky and Perky, and regulars Leslie Crowther and Peter Glaze.
Series 9: May 7th 1964: the final programme hosted by long-serving Eamonn Andrews.
It includes Leslie Crowther and Pip Hinton singing Where There's You There's Me.
With omnipresent Peter Glaze, they perform two sketches which seem like something written by Ernie Wise, only without any appearance from Eric to enliven proceedings- The Stowaway, and The Prisoner of Fender.
Magic is in the hands of Vic Perry, and Peter and Gordon provide the pop music.
At the end, Eamonn is presented with a plaque and stands uncomfortably with the crowd as they sing the final song. By this date, the half-hearted shouts of 'Crackerjack!' from the children in the audience contrast with their enthusiasm from the earliest shows of this series.
Series 19: March 7th 1975 : opening depicts an incompetent highwayman. The Mystery of Moustrap Manor, and the kids cry "rubbish" and who can blame 'em? For overacted it is. The Bay City Rollers sing Bye Bye Baby. Then Annie Get Your Goon! a musical of sorts

Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.
Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School (1952-1961)

Gerald Campion was the perfect embodiment of the finest creation of that great author Frank Richards. The rest of the cast, with the exception of Kynaston Reeves as Mr Quelch, were perhaps rather a disappointment, but it's a jolly good show, you chaps, that this series hasn't been entirely lost!
Though the series was aimed at children, there is no doubt that many older fans of the pre-war Magnet were pleased to watch also. The scripts by Frank Richards himself were mostly adaptations of storylines found in his books, and the limitations of the budget and cramped studio space, meant that the atmosphere of the Magnet and the Bunter books was hinted at, rather than recaptured. It was always going to be difficult to bring out the master's fine prose style, but enough remains to make any Bunter fan enjoy it. Anyone not used to the Greyfriars' ethos might be more unsympathetic, but I like the way Frank Richards does adapt his material to suit the post war child in a way that his post war books do not, the result is more a cartoon caricature than his original, but who cares?

I say you fellows, click here for outline details of the series.

Or click on the titles below for my reviews of surviving stories:

3.1 Backing Up Billy Bunter
3.2 Bunter The Bold
3.4 Hunting Bunter
3.5 Bunter on the Warpath
3.6 Bunter's Christmas Box
5.2 Billy Bunter's Burglar
6.7 Bunter Won't Go
7.3 Double Bunter

Oh lor,' you'll have to go back to the Children's Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School (BBC)
List of programmes made with dates of first transmission