ORLANDO (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.' 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). 2.38 Peeping Tom (27th December 1966). 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 Missing Menu . . . . . .

SATURDAY SERIALS were a high spot of the night's viewing in the 1950's on ITV. I would suggest that many owed their origins to the success of Francis Durbridge on 'the other side.' Details of these serials, click where highlighted: My Sister and I (ABC 1956) The Man Who Was Two (ABC 1957) Joyous Errand (BBC 1957) Electrode 93 (ABC 1957) Motive for Murder (ATV 1957) The Schirmer Inheritance (ABC 1957) Five Names for Johnny (ATV 1957) Web (ATV 1957/8) The Man Who Sold Death (ABC 1958) The Man Who Finally Died (ATV 1959) Epilogue to Capricorn (ATV 1959) The Voodoo Factor (ATV 1959/60) Brief details of five other ITV Saturday serials. Missing Menu . . . . . . . Death to The First Lady A serial shown on ITV in 5 parts, written by Peter Key. The first episode, The Red White and Blue, was shown on Saturday August 18th 1956, 9-9.30pm. John Knight was the Producer, and music was composed by Tommy Reilly. John Loder starred as Tom Abel, President of the Pacific Federation. He is visiting Britain, accompanied by his daughter Kim (Maureen Connell) to sign an agreement covering the sale of a strategic possession. Kim is kidnapped. Also starring was Dermot Walsh as Bill Anderson, others appearing including Graham Stuart as Prime Minister Robert Sturgess, John Ruddock as Foreign Secretary John Bridger, and James Raglan as Colonel Jason of Internal Security. The final episode Danse Macabre was screened on September 8th 1956. The Strange World of Planet X Made into a feature film, this tv serial starred Helen Cherry as Fenella Laird, William Lucas as David Graham, and David Garth as Gavin Laird. The script was by Rene Ray. Director: Quentin Lawrence, Producer: Arthur Lane. The stories were: 1 The Formula (September 15th 1956), 2 The Terrible Cabinet (September 22nd 1956), 3 The Unholy Threshold (September 29th 1956) - "was it just a dream? Or have you been to the strange world of Planet X?" 4 The Dimension Discovered (October 6th 1956), Episode 5 (October 13th 1956), Episode 6 (October 20th 1956)- with Paul Hardtmouth as Prof Kollheim, Episode 7 (October 27th 1956). Note- though originally advertised as in "six episodes," this seventh episode is billed as such in TV Times. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde shown in 6 parts from November to December 1956 on Saturdays at 8.30-9pm. Adapted for tv by James Parish. Directed by Philip Saville. The title role was played by Dennis Price, with Ian Fleming as Dr Lanyon and Philip Ray as Utterson. The Trollenburg Terror Perhaps the best remembered of ATV's serials, being turned into a feature film. This 6 part serial starred Sarah Lawson as Sarah Pilgrim and Laurence Payne as Philip Truscott. The script was by Peter Key, and it was directed by Quentin Lawrence. Episode 1, The Mind of Ann Pilgrim, was shown on December 15th 1956 from 8-8.30pm, the following episodes followed: 2 First Blood, 3 The Giggle of Madness, 4 The Power of the Ixodes, 5 The Trap, and 6 Final Episode. As this serial is better documented than most, I am not giving fuller info here. The Gentle Killers (1957) stars: Dermot Walsh as Paul Donaldson, Hazel Court as Stella Manning, and Sydney Tafler as Dr Julian Goldsworthy. Others in the cast included Brian Oulton as Prof Millington Arkwright, Tony Church as Insp Fellowes, and Frank Hawkins as Sgt Maybrick. Script by Lewis Greifer and Leigh Vance. Director: Quentin Lawrence. General synopsis: Forty people have disappeared, and now oil engineer Paul Donaldson thinks he is witness to the kidnapping of a peer. It leads him to a world ranging plan by The Gentle Killers to carry out simultaneous assassinnations in numerous countries. Saturday Serials Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyous Errand (BBC, 1957) A serial in six parts. Script: Ian Dallas from the novel by Denis Wylie. Designer: Lawrence Broadhouse. Producer: Peter Lambert. The stars were Ursula Howells as Ruth Blair and Peter Arne as Richard Kendal. Others regulars were Jacqueline Hill (Carrie Dean), and Michael Warre (Max Parrott). Details of some episodes: Episode 1: Saturday April 6th 1957 Also in the cast was Ernest Thesiger. Episode 4: Saturday April 27th 1957, 7.30pm Also in the cast: Henry Longhurst (Doorman), Horace Sequeira (Old Man), Geoffrey Tyrrell (Barman), Jose Richard (Ruby), Marriott Watson (Glad), Mark Daly (Eddy Toddy), David Lander (Spayer). Episode 5: Saturday May 4th 1957 Also in the cast: Geoffrey Wearing (Adrian Millom). Episode 6: Saturday May 11th 1957 Also in the cast: Geoffrey Wearing, and Kevin Stoney now as Richard Kendal (Peter Arne was ill so not in this final story- the perils of live telly!). Saturday Serials Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Motive for Murder (ATV) A six part serial shown on summer Saturdays in 1957, 9-9.30pm. Script: Jimmy Sangster Director: Leonard Brett Starring Vincent Ball as John Blackmoor with Gene Anderson as Jean Blackmoor. The author described his hero thus, "he's young, reasonably well off and has a charming and attractive wife." Critic D Hoddinott wrote of this serial, "ATV are proud of the fact that they are tv's serial kings, and although they have presented some pretty grim ones in the past, this looks like being one of the best they have ever done. Enough mystery, plenty of suspense and good taut dialogue... I am, for one, waiting anxiously for Saturday to know how Mr Ball will get himself out of his present predicament." Episode details: 1 The Homecoming Saturday June 15th 1957 Rest of cast: Ian Ainsley... Hotel under manager Peter Hughes... Man in phone booth Barbara Lott... Miss Douglas Geoffrey Chater... Harry Manners Victor Brooks... Det Insp Wrigley Humphrey Morton...Sgt Martin Synopsis: John Blackmoor and his wife Jean return to London after two years abroad. In two days' time, John is due to collect a large sum of money. What happens provides the Motive. 2 The Man Named Jacques Saturday June 22nd 1957 Rest of cast: Barbara Lott... Miss Douglas Geoffrey Chater... Harry Manners Victor Brooks... Det Insp Wrigley Humphrey Morton...Sgt Martin Ed Powell... Joe Marks George Street... Porter Betty Bascombe... Miss Gosling Margot McMenemy... Airport hostess Peter Allenby... Frenchman Peter Hughes... Furneaux Synopsis: John Blackmoor, in an effort to clear himself of a charge of murdering his twin sister, sets out to trace the whereabouts of a man named Jacques. 3 The Clay Pigeon Saturday June 29th 1957 Rest of cast: Barbara Lott... Miss Douglas Geoffrey Chater... Harry Manners Victor Brooks... Det Insp Wrigley Humphrey Morton...Sgt Martin Ian Ainsley... Hotel under manager Timothy Grey... Valet Synopsis: John Blackmoor, returning from Paris, learns there was a great deal about his sister that he didn't know. 4 The Doctor Saturday July 6th 1957 Rest of cast: Geoffrey Chater... Harry Manners Victor Brooks... Det Insp Wrigley Humphrey Morton...Sgt Martin Dennis Edwards... Doctor Pearl Catlin... Policewoman John Harvey... Frimley John East... Carl Michael Ashwin... Dr Meinster Synopsis: John Blackmoor decides that Dr Meinster is a man to be watched. 5 The Face on the Photograph Saturday July 13th 1957 Rest of cast: Geoffrey Chater... Harry Manners Victor Brooks... Det Insp Wrigley Pearl Catlin... Policewoman John Harvey... Frimley Patrick Connor... Dave Acton Frank Williams... Photographer Synopsis: John Blackmoor receives a visitor and decides to pay a visit to the photographers. Final episode: Saturday July 20th 1957 Anyone with a very long memory say how the serial ended? Saturday Serials Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Man Who Was Two (ABC) was a serial in six episodes written by Lester Powell and directed by John Nelson Burton. It was the first drama production to come out of ABC's Birmingham studios. It was shown starting on Saturday January 26th 1957 at 8pm, then weekly. The stars were Ronald Howard- whose name was mysteriously not revealed by ABC before the first episode was screened- he played David Metcalf, William Devlin, who played John Fairburn, Maxwell Shaw as Willi Bloch, and Alan Cuthbertson as Brigadier Dickerson, a career minded British officer, plus the Sinister Man. The story was set in the Berlin of the present. A refugee to all appearances, David Metcalf, is repatriated by the Russians. But Bloch threatens to expose his true identity. Saturday Serials Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Schirmer Inheritance (ABC) Shown on summer Saturdays 1957 9-9.30pm Script: Kenneth Hyde based on the novel by Eric Ambler Sets: Rex Spencer, Director: Philip Dale Producer: Stuart Latham. The stars in each story were William Sylvester as George Carey, and Vera Fusek as Kolin (both pictured in the Saturday Serial page) with Jefferson Clifford as Robert L Moreton. The story of a New York lawyer's search for the rightful heir to the fortune of an old woman who has died intestate. Eight thousand false claimants apply, before Carey finds his quarry in the bandit infested mountains of Greece. Episode 1 August 3rd 1957 Rest of cast: Errol John... Charlie Manning Wilson... Mr Lange James Dyrenforth... John J Sistrom Roger Winton... Harry Budd David Cargill... Doctor Laurie Garner... Kathy Moreton Colin Croft... Hacker Sherry Winton... Hacker's secretary James Lloyd... Waiter Richard Dunn... Judge Synopsis: The Schirmer inheritance, worth $4,000,000 was a lawyer's headache. George Carey sets out to find a claimant, and receives advice but a sinister lack of help. Episode 2 August 10th 1957 Guest star: Irene Handl as Frau Gresser Rest of cast: John G Heller... Barman Otto Diamant... Heingst Gerard Heinz... Father Weichs Synopsis: George and Kolin start their search in Bonn. A clue in the regimental archives leads them to Father Weichs and Frau Gresser. Episode 3 August 17th 1957 Guest star: Elwyn Brook-Jones as Col Chrysantos Rest of cast: Gerik Schjelderup... Monsieur Hagen Andreas Antonious... Greek lieutenant Harry Tardios... Greek barman Alan Tilvern... Arthur Frederick Schiller... Barfly Oliver Burt... Phengaros Ernst Ullman... Sweet pedlar Synopsis: Colonel Chrysantos introduces George and Kolin to his prisoner, who is not much help in the search. They are involved in a holdup, and with the aid of an unexpected ally, find an important clue. Episode 4 August 24th 1957 Rest of cast: Alan Tilvern... Arthur Paul Stassino... Captain Streftaris Andreas Malandrinos... Cafe proprietor Golda Casimir... Mme Vassiotis Synopsis: The smooth Captain Streftaris interferes in the search. George's most valuable piece of evidence mysteriously disappears- and he walks straight into danger. Final Episode, September 7th 1957 with Alan Tilvern Rest of cast: Steve Plytas... Truck driver Richard Shaw... Sgt Franz Schirmer Edmund Assalay... Sentry Synopsis: George has a narrow escape, but it brings him to the end of the trail, and finally disposes of The Schirmer Inheritance. Saturday Serials menu Missing Menu .

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THE SWORD IN THE WEB This very interesting but forgotten 1962 ABC drama series recounted true stories of the French Resistance. The tales were based on the memoirs of Philippe Vomecourt. This series was produced by Michael Mills. Scripts were by Arthur Swinson. Sets designed by Patrick Downing. Incidental music composed by Jean Wiener and played by the Orchestra of the Garde Republicaine de Paris. French TV expressed an interest in buying at least some of the stories, anyone know if they ever did so? Certainly other British TV companies spurned the series. Inexplicably it was screened in ABC's own tv area late on Saturday nights, later moving to Sunday afternoons, and was not networked. The cast included the regular stars Alex Scott and Roddy McMillan, with others appearing in most stories- Paul Curran, David Kelsey, Maxine Holden, and Angela Halley. Details of the 12 stories. I am most grateful to Des Martin for some of the episode titles. 1 A Foot in the Door (September 29th 1962, 11pm-11.45) 2 The First Air Drop (October 6th 1962, 11pm) 3 The British Pilot (October 13th 1962, 11.15pm-midnight) Synopsis: A man in the uniform of an RAF pilot walks into a little town in unoccupied France in the summer of 1941. Has he really been shot down by the Luftwaffe, or is he a Gestapo stooge? The local Resistance group needs time and obscurity to organise resistance to the Germans; nevertheless they try to save him from internment, but are nearly destroyed by the English pilot. Cast: Alex Scott (Jacques St Martin), Roddy McMillan (Antoine Roche), Paul Curran (Henri Morin), David Kelsey (Marc Fielding), Angela Halley (Pat Vyner), Miriam Raymond (Madelaine Roche), Joseph Tomelty (Drunk), George Curtis (Redon), Eric Dodson (Station sergeant), Leon Peers (Flt-Lt Dickson), Michael Collins (Policeman), Ralph Nossek (Vibraye), Paul Dawkins (Police sergeant), Edward Cast (Longue), Nellie Hanham (Mme Rubin). 4 The Priest of St Quentin (October 20th 1962, 11pm) 5 The Senegalese (October 27th 1962, 11pm-11.45) Synopsis: The Germans in occupied France hunt down and execute French colonial troops without trial. When four Senegalese soldiers, hiding in woods near Choleau, begin murdering the Germans in the town, the Mayor, the German Commandant and the Resistance face a situation which can only end in tragedy. Cast: Alex Scott (Jacques St Martin), Roddy McMillan (Antoine Roche), David Kelsey (Marc Fielding), Angela Halley (Pat Vyner), Maxine Holden (Alix de la Cour), Michael Mellinger (Pierre Durrand), Ruth Kettlewell (Mme Matours), Yemi Ajibade (Jean), Louis Mahoney/ Alaba Peters/ Alien Bahow (Senegalese), George Carter/ Brian Sheehy (German Soldiers), Robert Sansom (Mayor), Graeme Bruce (Connard), Carl Duering (German Commandant), Carl Conway (German Adjutant), Philip Madoc (Sgt Wassner). 6 The Informer (November 3rd 1962, 11pm) Synopsis: The greatest danger to the men and women of the Resistance is not the Gestapo, the police, or the Milice. It is the ordinary Frenchman who will sell them to the enemy for money. The greatest enemy is the informer. Cast: Alex Scott (Jacques St Martin), Roddy McMillan (Antoine Roche), David Kelsey (Marc Fielding), Paul Curran (Henri Morin), Maxine Holden (Alix de la Cour), Jane Eccles (Old lady), Blaise Wyndham (Touvois), Donald Morley (Alphonse Chavrier), Ian Macnaughton (Perichon), Louis Haslar/ Peter Mason (Vichy Policemen), Cyril Shaps (Claude Garnier), Max Brimmel (Troppot), Diana Davies (Waitress), Robert Hunter (Dupont), Jerry Jardin (Contact). 7 The Alibi (Sunday November 11th 1962, 2.40-3.25pm) Synopsis: To new members of the resistance dropped in from Britain, it is the first few hours in occupied territory which are the most dangerous. Alix's first assignment is to provide two new agents with their alibi. Cast: Alex Scott (Jacques St Martin), Roddy McMillan (Antoine Roche), David Kelsey (Marc Fielding), Maxine Holden (Alix de la Cour), Angela Halley (Pat Vyner), Jeremy Ure (Pierre), Barry Keegan (Marcel Auray), Robin Parkinson (Felix), Ann Tirard (Mme Felix), Aubrey Morris (Hedges), Patrick Troughton (Tournay), Clifford Earl/ Paul Stockman/ Royston Tickner (Policemen), Reginald Jessup (Gestapo Officer), Norman Pitt (Railway porter), William Buck (Jean-Marc). 8 The Railway Job (Sunday November 18th 1962, 2.40pm) 9 The Double Agent (Sunday November 25th 1962, 2.40pm) Synopsis: The leader of a Resistance group needs a sixth sense if he and the group are to survive. This sense arouses the suspicions of Jacques St Martin when he meets a new agent. Cast: Alex Scott (Jacques St Martin), Roddy McMillan (Antoine Roche), Paul Curran (Henri Morin), David Kelsey (Marc Fielding), Maxine Holden (Alix de la Cour), Angela Halley (Pat Vyner), David Cargill (Yves), Robert James (Roland), David Lodge (Lasalle), Joan Pethers (Louise), Dallas Cavall (Margnet), John Boyd Brent (Otille), George Galsworthy (Gaston). 10 The Munition Factory (Sunday December 2nd 1962, 2.40pm) 11 The Hazard (Sunday December 9th 1962, 2.40pm) 12 The Tunnel (Sunday December 16th 1962, 2.40pm) - final story Appearing in one of the stories for which I have not got cast lists were: Laurie Leigh, Ronald Radd, Jeffrey Segal, and Tony Thawnton. If you can add any information on The Sword in the Web, I would be pleased to hear from you. Missing Menu

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Shadow Squad If you wanted a really tough quiz question, it might be this- which TV series was originally made in London (by A-R) but then continued its existence in the Manchester Studios (of Granada)? Shadow Squad would be the correct answer, a serial story, normally in two parts that began on 17th June 1957. For 15 stories, Rex Garner starred as Vic Steele 'the Man with a Mission'. It was a typical studio bound series of the era, producer Barry Baker claiming the aim was to get "as near to theatre presentation as possible." This summed up A-R's general approach to programme making: "I won't be using a foot of film in the whole series... it holds up the action. I'm intending to shoot the majority of the scenes in close-up. The stories will be told on the actors' faces." Baker went on to write and direct a new series in the autumn of 1957, Murder Bag, which developed into the celebrated No Hiding Place. On 7th October 1957, from the North now, amazingly after only the shortest of short breaks, Peter Williams was the new star playing Inspector Don Carter. Other regulars in both series were George Moon as Ginger Smart, who continued this role in Granada's Skyport which began in July 1959, John Horsley who played Supt Whitelaw and Kathleen Boutall as landlady Mrs Moggs. In June 1958, Don Carter finished this long series by going to Montreal to crack a big case. A new series began on 15th September 1958 as Don and Ginger solve some trouble on the liner home. The final story, Swan Song, was on 24th June 1959. Although I have never found any prints of stories from this series, it seems that though originally made live, Granada must have recorded some shows on to videotape as some of series three was repeated in their local late night slot during 1959. But it's most probable that after these showings the tapes were then wiped.... In all there were 93 stories, making up a total of 179 half hour programmes. Information on other actors in the series- unfortunately TV Times rarely provided cast lists but Raymond Francis said he did appear in a Shadow Squad story, but I do not know which one. Jimmy Hanley also appeared in an unknown story, playing a detective. Others who stated they appeared in Shadow Squad, though I have been unable to trace in which story, are: John Barron, Richard Burrell, Fanny Carby, Sandra Caron, Rupert Davies, Ina de la Haye, Shelagh Fraser, Arthur Goullett (series 2 or 3), Melvyn Hayes ("guest lead"), Jack Howarth, Jill Ireland, Maurice Kaufmann, Ronald Leigh-Hunt, Alfie Maron, Bernadette Milnes, Ambrosine Phillpotts, Sheila Raynor, Rachel Roberts (series 2 or 3), Cyril Shaps, Michael Ward. Here are details of some stories from the 1957/8 seasons. Throughout this first series, made by A-R in London, Rex Garner starred as Vic Steele. 1.1 First Blood (17th and 20th June 1957, 7.30pm). The story of an unsolved murder mystery. Ginger joins the Bendix Gang. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Also with Kenneth Thornett (Steve Moray), Max Brimmel (Ferdy Black), Charles Farrell (Gus Gore), Elizabeth 'Liz' Fraser (Gilda). In the second part Frederick Schiller (Monty Judge) also appeared. Produced and directed by Barry Baker 1.2 Boomerang (24 and 27th June 1957). A visitor from Australia inolves Vic in an old feud with a new twist. What is the secret of Owls Holt, and who is trying to kill Bill Linton (Alex Scott)? Also with Neil Hallett (Phillip Buckland), June Thorburn (Janet Falconbridge), Harold Lang (Edwin Reece), Hal Osmond (Foxy Drake), Leslie Weston (George Thorpe), George Hirste (Gaffer Green) and Neil Wilson (Fred Armstrong). Produced by Barry Baker, directed by Bill Hitchcock. Derek Hoddinott described these two opening stories as "a disaster to say the least." He lays the blame with "the scriptwriter who remains apparently anonymous. His dialogue has to be heard to be believed and how the actors managed to speak their lines, and some of them convincingly, I shall never know." But this critic had winkled out the better news that producer Barry Baker was taking over the editing of the stories and from #1.5 would be writing the stories himself, "assisted by Bert Chapman." 1.3 Soho Serenade (1st and 4th July 1957). Dan Cutler is out of jail and out for revenge on the woman who shopped him. With George Moon, also: Sidney James (Spinner Burke), Michael Golden (Dan Cutler), Patricia Burke (Goldy Finch), Roberta Woolley (Bonny Finch), Edwin Richfield (Joe Tracey), Neil McCallum (Link White), Charles Rolfe (Sgt Dean), Maggie McGrath (Elsie). Produced and edited by Barry Baker, directed by Jean Hamilton. 1.4 Murder in Mink (8 and 11th July 1957). A beautiful girl is threatened with murder, and then seems to commit suicide. With John Horsley, also: Leslie Weston (Harry Hoxton), Anthony Nicholls (Randolph Condor), Geoffrey Dunne (Adrian Curling), Vanda Godsell (Stella Curtis), Lewis Wilson (Sgt Hope), Michael Corcoran (Salty), Arnold Bell (Hotel manager), Barbara Archer (Receptionist), Penny Morell (Isobelle Hughes, 2nd episode only). Produced and edited by Barry Baker, directed by Bill Hitchcock. 1.5 Safe Bet (15 and 18th July 1957). 1.6 The Switch Trick (22nd and 25th July 1957). 1.7 Dead Letter (29th July and 1st Aug 1957). There are strange people in the village of Molton, and Vic Steele learns many secrets as he tries to find out who has written poison pen letters. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Jean Hamilton. 1.8 The Reverend Marcus Field (5 and 8th August 1957). Vic deals with a man who is not breaking the law, and yet his every activity is against the public interest. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Bill Hitchcock. 1.9 The Rent Racket (12 and 15th August 1957). Shadow Squad deals with a Rent Racketeer. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Bertie Chapman. Edited and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Jean Hamilton. 1.10 A Case of Blackmail (19th and 22nd August 1957). Vic unearths the identity of a blackmailer, but the dilemma is, will the revelation destroy his victim? He poses as an old lag to square accounts for the victim. With George Moon and John Horsley. Written by Bertie Chapman. Edited and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Bill Hitchcock. 1.11 The Happy Holiday (26 and 29th August 1957). 1.12 Smart Work (2nd and 5th September 1957). A burglary brings Vic's toughest case to date. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and directed by Bill Hitchcock. Produced by Barry Baker. 1.13 Marry in Haste (9 and 12th September 1957). Bitterness and misery not to mention financial ruin in a marriage. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Bob Kellett. Produced by Barry Baker, directed by Hugh Munro. 1.14 Judge Without Jury (16th, 19th and 23rd September 1957) -in three parts. The death of Frank Bennett is neither sudden nor unexpected, but only Vic Steele supects he's been murdered. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and produced by Barry Baker. 1.15 Robbery Without Violence (26 and 30th September 1957). A-R's final story before the showed moved north. Series 2 now made in Granada's Manchester studios, all stories starring Peter Williams as Insp Don Carter. 2.1 Pearls of Great Price (7, 10 and 14th October 1957- in three parts). A valuable pearl necklace is stolen and when Don Carter investigates, he finds a body. To recover the pearls he enlists Ginger's help to set a trap. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. Written and produced by Barry Baker, directed by Herbert Wise. 2.2 It's in the Bag (17th and 21st October 1957). June, a beautiful young model, has been kidnapped by agents of a smuggling ring. Don Carter searches for her mysterious chauffeur Jock. With Kathleen Boutall, George Moon, John Horsley. 2.3 Race Against Time (24 and 28th October 1957). One man wins a great deal of money when an outsider wins a race. With Kathleen Boutall (whose final appearance is about this time), George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Barry Baker. Directed by Herbert Wise. (Note- the first of the two episodes has survived in the Granada archive.) 2.4 Vicious Circle (31st October and 4th November 1957) 2.5 Needle in a Haystack (7 and 11 November 1957) 2.6 Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (14 and 18th November 1957) 2.7 Lost in a Shuffle (21st and 25th November 1957) 2.8 The Missing Cheese (28th Nov and 2nd December 1957). The petty theft of cheese from a saloon bar, provides a clue to a long series of unsolved robberies. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Lloyd Barclay, directed by James Ormerod. (The first episode of this story exists in Granada's archive.) 2.9 The Mortimer Millions (5 and 9th December 1957). Don Carter has to discover who is the rightful heir to a fortune worth five million pounds. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Barry Baker, directed by Claude Whatham. 2.10 Double and Quits (12 and 16th December 1957). 2.11 There's No Place Like ... (19th and 23rd December 1957). Crooks have devised the perfect scheme for robbing a bank, but they overlook the element of chance. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Alan Cooper, designed by Stanley Mills, directed by Herbert Wise. 2.12 Double Exposure (26 and 30th December 1957). With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Lloyd Barclay, directed by Claude Whatham. 2.13 The Big Steal (6 and 9th January 1958). Small parcels of goods are disappearing from Hutchinson's, a big organisation of shipping agents. Don Carter tries to foil the Havelock Gang who are after bigger fry- gold bullion. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by James Ormerod. 2.14 Without a Trace (13 and 16th January 1958). A wealthy woman named Judith Lawson disappears from a London hotel. Her nephew is the one to benefit from her will, yet he asks Don Carter for help! In a dilapidated building in Richmond, Ginger Smart stumbles on the truth. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Herbert Wise. 2.15 The Female of the Species (20th and 23rd January 1958). A new carburettor will halve the costs of motoring! Only two men know the secret, but a rival firm abroad also have the formula. Don Carter's attentions turn on the only woman in the men's office. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Lloyd Barclay, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Claude Whatham. 2.16 Safe Conduct (27 and 30th January 1958). Ginger Smart's intimate knowledge of the underworld helps him tracks down the brains behind a series of safe robberies, Ricky Monahan, but Ginger is cunningly trapped by a mystery woman. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Alan Cooper, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 2.17 Vital Statistics (3rd and 6th February 1958). Whitehall asks Don Carter to stop the leak of secret information concerning ballistic missiles. Among the characters he interrogates are two pretty girls with heads for figures and a country parson who is sympathetic towards the plight of displaced persons. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Lloyd Barclay, designed by John Dilly, directed by James Ormerod. 2.18 Positive Proof (10 and 13th February 1958). Warren R Low, millionaire rubber king, has flown from America to London and immediately finds himself being blackmailed. Don Carter has to give up his long awaited holiday to solve this case. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Edward Dryhurst, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by David Main. 2.19 The Search for Linda Morgan (17 and 20th February 1958). A glamorous vaudeville dancer disappears, and is later found murdered. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Stanley Mills, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 2.20 A Trick Worth Two (24 and 27th February 1958) 2.21 The Man Who Wasn't There (3rd and 6th March 1958). Mysterious noises from an empty room terrify Betty Wilson in her boarding house. Ginger moves into the house and finds "the man who wasn't there" seems to have committed a murder! With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by David Carr, designed by Stanley Mills, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 2.22 The Artistic Touch (10 and 13th March 1958). Dud cheques flood into banks across London. With George Moon, John Horsley. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by John Dilly, directed by Herbert Wise. 2.23 Under the Counter (17 and 20th March 1958). With George Moon, John Horsley (who disappears from the series about this time). Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Claude Whatham. 2.24 Clown for a Day (24 and 27th March 1958) 2.25 Where There's a Will (31st March and 3rd April 1958) 2.26 Black Angel (7 and 10th April 1958) 2.27 Gift Horse (14 and 17th April 1958) 2.28 The Profit Motive (21st and 24th April 1958). A "near van Gogh" painting is bought by Andrew Murray. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by John Dilly, directed by David Main. 2.29 Illegal Entry (28th April and 1st May 1958) 2.30 The Man on Top (5 and 8th May 1958) 2.31 Double Trouble (12 and 15th May 1958). Don and Ginger piece together a spilt glass of beer, a busybodying friend, a box of matches and an anonymous telephone call. Paul Fletcher is arrested for attacking someone and when Don is attacked also, Fletcher's blamed for this also, but Don isn't convinced. With George Moon. Written by George E Pepper, designed by Darrell Lass, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 2.32 Pillar of Society (19th and 22nd May 1958) 2.33 Trouble in the Sun (26 and 29th May 1958) 2.34 Mark of the Mantis (2nd and 5th June 1958) 2.35 Lost and Found (9 and 12th June 1958) 2.36 Road to Nowhere (16 and 19th June 1958) 2.37 From Natural Causes (23rd and 26th June 1958) Series 3- all stories starring Peter Williams as Insp Don Carter. 3.1 Return Passage (15 and 18th September 1958). On the boat back from Canada, there are an odd assortment of passengers, plus a couple of racehorses, one of which is poisoned. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by David Main. 3.2 Sweet Poison (22nd and 25th September 1958). Marion Selby, matron of a small hospital, receives some strange gifts. Are they simply from a practical joker? With George Moon. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Stuart Latham. 3.3 Beside the Seaside (29th Sept and 2nd October 1958). A party of friends are making their annual visit to a seaside boarding house, but this year jealousy and suspicion mar the atmosphere. and there's an 'accident.' A second accident causes Don and Ginger to try and find out who is attempting to murder Mary Dodds, and why. With George Moon. Written by George E Pepper, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 3.4 No Way Out (6 and 9th October 1958, rpt: Aug 25 and 26th 1959). Connie Sutton is anxious her teenage sister is getting in with the wrong crowd and asks Don and Ginger to help.They find a disillusioned daughter who wants revenge, as they uncover the brain behind a gang of teenage thieves. With George Moon. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Robert Tronson. 3.5 Rainbow's End (13 and 16th October 1958, rpt: 18 and 19th Aug 1959). £40,000 had been embezzled from a client of the American Insurance Company. Harry Pearce, the thief, had been convicted, and is now being released from prison after serving his four year sentence. The company asks Don and Ginger to trace the missing money. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 3.6 The Doll Merchant (20th and 23rd October 1958, rpt: 27 and 28th Aug 1959). Karl van Mers brings his wife and young daughter from Amsterdam to London on a business trip. The little girl runs away on the night they arrive, taking her teddy bear. Don and Ginger search for her, little guessing that her teddy is filled with smuggled diamonds.It's a doll merchant who finds her and takes her home. While repairing the teddy he finds three diamonds... With George Moon. Written by John Warwick, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by David Main. 3.7 Double Shuffle (27 and 30th October 1958, rpt: 1st and 2nd Sept 1959). Lucy Sparling and a cousin from South Africa, whom she has never met, inherit a fortune. But Lucy claims the man claiming to be her cousin Jonathan West is a fraud. However a court upholds Jonathan's claim to a stake in the fortune and Lucy persuades Don and Ginger to continue their investigation. The man's wife provides a clue which leads to a team of confidence tricksters. With George Moon. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 3.8 Streets of Gold (3rd and 6th November 1958, rpt: 3rd and 4th Sept 1959). Shirley Gardiner is seventeen, with a steady job, living at home with her family. But she's restless and unhappy, and leaves home, disappearing in the middle of London. She has little money and does not want to work. Don and Ginger are hired by the girl's family to find her. With George Moon. Written by Tony Warren, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by David Main. 3.9 The Kovacs Affair (10 and 13th November 1958) 3.10 Brought to Book (17 and 20th November 1958, rpt: 20th and 21st Aug 1959). Sylvester Lane, noted authority on old books, thinks he has found a priceless volume. He seems to have found a wealthy American buyer, but Don Carter suspects the book is a fake. With George Moon. Written by Basil Francis, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by David Main. 3.11 The Little Rebel (24 and 27th November 1958, rpt: 10 and 11th Sept 1959). An alsatian, the mascot of the SS van Druton, escapes as the ship docks in the Thames. The dog has rabies. With George Moon. Written by John Warwick, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 3.12 Blind Corner (1st and 4th December 1958) 3.13 Method in Her Madness (8 and 11th December 1958, rpt: 15 and 16th Sept 1959). Don's young cousin Valerie has been receiving anonymous letters and she asks Don to investigate. She's a student at a drama school, and finds herself in great danger. With George Moon. Written by Victor Gordon, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by David Main. 3.14 The Painting (15 and 18th December 1958, rpt: 17 and 18th Sept 1959). A thief steals a valuable painting in a country house robbery. Pavement artist buys it, neither of them realising its true value. Don and Ginger race with a mysterious stranger to retrieve it first. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Francis Coleman. 3.15 A Song for Christmas (22nd and 7pm on 26th December 1958) In Pentecost Road there lives a Scrooge, and the Young People's Association teach him the spirit of Christmas. With George Moon. Written by Philip Grenville Mann, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by James Ormerod. 3.16 You Can't Win All the Time (29th Dec 1958 and 1st January 1959, rpt: 22nd and 23rd Sept 1959). Bookie Brad Foster loses heavily, and resorts to blackmail in order to pay his clients. A scared ex-crook later walks into Don's office with a £1,000 diamond necklace. Trying to trace the owner, Don tangles with the blackmailer, while Ginger finds his old trade as a cracksman very useful. With George Moon. Written by Bevis Winter and Peter Cagney, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by David Main. 3.17 Lost, Stolen or Strayed (5 and 8th January 1959, rpt: 24 and 25th Sept 1959). Nicholas Boaz loses his umbrella and asks Don to find it. What a waste of time, thinks Ginger. But two shady characters are also after it. With George Moon. Written by Geoffrey Bellman and John Whitney, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 3.18 Cry Wolf (12 and 15th January 1959, rpt: 29 and 30th Sept 1959). A hysterical young blonde asks Don "Find out who I am!" The only clue to her identity is a business card, which leads Don to a frightened merchant named Seeler and an old friend Wolf. A packet of diamonds deposited by the girl in a left luggage office turns out to be the vital clue. With George Moon. Written by Keith Dewhurst, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Herbert Wise. 3.19 The Refugees (19th and 22nd January 1959, rpt: 1st and 2nd Oct 1959). Don and Ginger grapple with an organisation smuggling refugees into Britain With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Stuart Latham. 3.20 Car for Sale (26 and 29th January 1959, rpt: 7 and 9th Oct 1959). Don and Ginger are hired to prove the innocence of Tom Swinbourne, accused of stealing a car. Ginger puts his safecracking skills to use again, and Don meets a frightened man. With George Moon. Written by Jim Brown, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Max Morgan Witts. 3.21 The Smiler (2nd and 5th February 1959) 3.22 The Fatal Trap (9 and 12th February 1959, rpt: 13 and 14th Oct 1959). It looks suspicious when Ginger disappears after a crime. But the real crook Carter is finally cornered. With George Moon. Written by John Warwick, designed by Denis Parkin, directed byStuart Latham. 3.23 The Travelling Lady (16 and 19th February 1959, rpt: 15 and 16th Oct 1959). A firm of solicitors asks Don to find a lady who has been bequeathed a large sum of money. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by James Ormerod. 3.24 Solo for Ginger (23rd and 26th February 1959, rpt: 20th and 21st Oct 1959). Don is away and learns of these two "private detectives" who are doing him out of a job- their names are Don Carter and Ginger Smart! This makes the case of the blackmailed lady even more difficult to solve, especially when too many suspects spoil the broth. With George Moon. Written by Peter Yeldham, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Michael Scott. 3.25 The Dark Stranger (2nd and 5th March 1959, rpt: 22nd and 23rd Oct 1959). Van Blankenberg is so terrified when he sees The Dark Stranger that his daughter Elsa appeals to Don Carter for help. With George Moon. Written by Henry Marshall, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Stuart Latham. 3.26 One White Lie (9 and 12th March 1959, rpt: 27 and 28th Oct 1959). A white lie threatens Henry Adams with a heavy prison sentence. Don Carter is called in to be confronted by a tangle of evidence. Why are so many people supporting what he knows to be a lie? Can find he the one man in London who can break the lie? With George Moon. Written by John Warwick, designed by Paul Bernard, directed by Claude Whatham. 3.27 The Directors' Dilemma (16 and 18th March 1959, rpt: 29th and 30th Oct 1959- the last story to be repeated). The theft of sugar begins a case which ends with attempted murder, ruining a good bottle of whisky with poison. With George Moon. Written by Victor Gordon, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Michael Scott. 3.28 The Last Letter (23rd and 26 March 1959) 3.29 The Silent Witness (30th March and 2nd April 1959) 3.30 (6 and 9th April 1959) 3.31 The Blind Gunner (13 and 16th April 1959) 3.32 Hero on the Run (20th and 23rd April 1959) 3.33 The Reckless Motorist (27th April 1959)- remaining stories only one part. 3.34 Out of the Blue (4th May 1959) 3.35 The Dark Years (11th May 1959) 3.36 The Amazing Mr Shane (18th May 1959) 3.37 The Wedding Dress (25th May 1959). There's a suspected case of witchcraft in an exclusive fashion house. With George Moon. Written by Geoffrey Bellman and John Whitney, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Graham Evans. 3.38 The Family Affair (3rd June 1959) 3.39 One Step to Murder (10th June 1959) 3.40 The Kick-Back (17th June 1959) 3.41 Swan Song (24th June 1959) - final story. Details of George Moon in Skyport which started the following week on July 2nd 1959. To Missing Menu . . . . . Skyport (Granada TV) Tales of the World Wide Travel agency, with Ginger Smart, played by George Moon. When it started transmission on July 2nd 1959, it was predictably badly received: "although Granada claim that this is a new programme it is nothing more than 'Shadow Squad' with wings. The plot is just as corny though an attempt has been made to humanise some of the characters by setting the story against an air terminal background with passengers bringing their travel and human problems into focus without being too dramatic. It is surprising how believable George Moon makes his dialogue and it is even more surprising that John Whitney and Geoffrey Bellman have written it." Other regulars in the cast: Lisa Gastoni played an interpreter (her last appearance was in story 11) and Gerald Harper also appeared as the airport duty officer (up to story 14). Other duty officers were: Edward Woodward in stories 18 to 23, before Manning Wilson as Jim Wilson became the regular duty officer, co-starring in stories 24-32, 34-41, 44-52. Edward Judd was First Officer Freddie Lock in stories 38-41, 43-46, 48-52. Katherine Page played Miss Harker, Ginger's secretary in several unspecified early episodes. Jane Parsons played one of the earlier air hostesses, named Sally Grant, again in unknown stories. Pauline Stroud was a later hostess Katie, in stories 42-52. Joy Stewart was another occasional hostess, Miss Jackson in 42, 47, 49 and 52. With the plays being recorded live, regrettably TV Times had no details of the casts for any of the earlier stories, but what there is has been reproduced here. Others who stated they appeared in Skyport, not listed below were: Peggy Ann Clifford, Lorenza Colville, Hugh Cross, and Endre Muller. Several sites state Barry Foster appeared at some point, but I have not yet myself found any definite evidence for this. Programme Details: (For some details on this list, my thanks to Des Martin) A total of 52 stories were broadcast weekly, for one whole year. 1 (2nd July 1959)- without a break, the series continued on from Shadow Squad. A report stated "extensive" filming was done at London Airport. 8 (20th August 1959) written by Owen Holder, directed by Graham Evans. A man from their past causes some anxious moments for Ginger and David. 9 (27th August 1959) written by Donal Giltman, designed by Tom Spaulding, directed by Adrian Brown. How can anyone be in danger in the transit lounge? 11 (10th September 1959) Lady Susan Hayward is vague about her luggage 12 (16th September 1959) written by Jan Read, directed by Graham Evans. Lady Hayford accepts without question the make-up box she is handed. 13 (23rd September 1959) written by Owen Holder, directed by Claude Whatham. A national idol flies out, hoping to start a new career. 14 (30th September 1959) written by Hilary Cookson, designed by Denis Parkin, directed by Graham Evans. Mr Justice Thirkell is off on a holiday to Majorca. 15 (7th October 1959) written by Hilary Cookson, directed by David Main. Has Andre Lavand a double- or is he playing a double game? Two attractive young women come to the airport to see him off to Paris, but he tells one of them he has never seen her before. 16 (14th October 1959) written by Owen Holder, directed by Graham Evans. A brilliant medical specialist arrives at the airport the worse for drink. The airport's doctor knows him well, and learns his secret. 17 (21st October 1959) written by Cedric Wallis, directed by Christopher McMaster. A colonel with two tickets to Paris puts Ginger in a spot of bother with a mother and an angry husband. 18 (28th October 1959) written by Louis Marks, directed by Graham Evans. There's a Very Important Person arriving at the airport. 19 (4th November 1959) written by Cedric Watts, directed by Christopher McMaster. Ginger finds it's easier to sell something than give it away. 20 (11th November 1959) written by Lewis Davidson, directed by Graham Evans. Ginger is asked to lock a black case in the safe. Three times he comes to collect it. Ginger begins to think he's being taken for a fool. 21 (18th November 1959) written by Owen Holder, directed by Christopher McMaster. One time ace racing driver Jeff Murray is trying to make a comeback. At the airport with his wife Jane, he meets an old friend by chance, who causes him to have second thoughts about his career. 22 (25th November 1959) written by LF Lampitt, directed by Douglas Hurn. Patricia Castle is rather too high spirited for her Swiss finishing school, and creates a big problem at Skyport. A report stated this episode (or maybe programme 21) was titled The Runaway, and featured Elizabeth Zinn. 23 (2nd December 1959) written by Jan Read, directed by Herbert Wise. A brother and sister ballroom dancing act are leaving Skyport for South America and plan some publicity, which ends in unfortunate consequences. 24 (9th December 1959) written by Owen Holder, directed by Douglas Hurn. New duty officer Jim Wilson arrives at Skyport and has a difficult start dealing with a ticket for Paris. 25 (16th December 1959) written by Louis Marks, directed by Chris McMaster. Ingram, who has pioneered a new approach to brain surgery, is flying to America to receive an award in recognition of his research. But before he can board his plane, a crisis catches up with him. 26 (23rd December 1959) written by Owen Holder, directed by Graham Evans. Pilot Bob Reeves is flying to Paris and back, but it's no ordinary night flight. 27 (30th December 1959) written by Cedric Watts, directed by Adrian Brown. Holden is an unsuccessful artist who is flying to America to make his name. One of his paintings causes a rumpus at Skyport and to help restore peace, Ginger comes to grips with the fundamentals of art. 28 (6th January 1960) written by Owen Holder, directed by Graham Evans. Mr Chapman is due to fly to Kuwait on business. But his chance of bringing off a big deal seems lost when his ticket is sold in error. 29 (13th January 1960) written by Jan Read, directed by Adrian Brown. Monsier Plessey, a couturier, arrives at Skyport with his mannequins for his important fashion show in London, but finds his collection has disappeared. 30 (20th January 1960) written by Keith Dewhurst, directed by Chris McMaster. A pale girl is waiting at Skyport, nervous, tense. 31 (27th January 1960) written by Owen Holder, directed by Adrian Brown. A new sales director and a tearful girl spell trouble for Ginger. 32 (3rd February 1960) written by Jan Read- no George Moon in this story. Fog at Skyport. It is thwarting a plane from landing, and on it is a small boy. A surgeon waits impatiently below unable to treat him. (Note- Paul Maxwell claimed his first UK part, playing a Canadian pilot, was in Skyport in Feb 1960, and this seems the most likely story.) 33 (10th February 1960) written by Jan Read, directed by Derek Bennett. This story sees Ginger beginning his new career as an air steward, and his experiences at training school are seen. 34 (18th February 1960) written by Tony Yates, directed by Adrian Brown. Ginger Smart's first flight as a steward is to Dusseldorf. So excited is he, that he fails to notice everything taking place around him. 35 (25th February 1960) written by Cedric Watts, designed by Seamus Flannery, directed by Derek Bennett. Good friends Miss Price and Miss Wentworth are off on holiday. 36 (3rd March 1960) written by Louis Marks, designed by Seamus Flannery, directed by Jean Hamilton. It's a night to remember for Ginger on his first night in a strange country. 37 (10th March 1960) written by Neil Kingsley, designed by Roy Stonehouse, directed by Derek Bennett, producer: Michael Scott. Jim Wilson helps an attractive German girl in distress. But in London's West End with her, even with Ginger for company, he's out of his depth. Note: in fact George Moon fell ill during rehearsals, and did not appear in this story. 38 (17th March 1960) written by Barry Letts, designed by Tom Spaulding, directed by Jean Hamilton. A man with a stiff leg causes trouble on the Rome flight. 39 (24th March 1960) written by Harry Driver, designed by Roy Stonehouse, directed by Derek Bennett. A mild unassuming little man almost misses his plane. Had he not made the flight, there might have been no murder. 40 (31st March 1960) written by Leonard Fincham, designed by Seamus Flannery, directed by Jean Hamilton. A killer is waiting for a VIP on his way to England. Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd and June Parsons. Others in the cast: Laine Winters (Air hostess), Joy Stewart (Miss Jackson), Andre Dakar (Dr Ambrose), Ewen Solon (Insp Collins), Nona Williams (Young girl) and Brian Rawlinson (Peter Mansell). 41 (7th April 1960) written by Lewis Davidson, designed by Seamus Flannery, directed by Derek Bennett. A stranger named Laslo is obstructing passengers painting a mural in the lounge. Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd and June Parsons. Others in the cast: Melvyn Hayes 42 (14th April 1960) written by Owen Holder, designed by Roy Stonehouse, directed by Jean Hamilton. Miss Jackson is taking a modest holiday abroad but finds herself at the most expensive hotel, with glamorous clothes provided, and a Portuguese count as escort. Ginger comes to the rescue when things get out of hand. Starring George Moon, Pauline Stroud and Joy Stewart. With Julian Somers (Mr Bowles), Susan Travers (Miss Van Reinn), Charles Lloyd Pack (Charles), Michael Collins (Saunders) and Ferdy Mayne as the Marquiss Camillo de Castillo. 43 (21st April 1960) written by Jan Read, designed by Roy Stonehouse, directed by David Main. Katie is out to get her man- the captain on the plane on which she is air hostess. Their petty squabble threatens to leave Katie Ginger and Freddie stranded in Madrid- unless Cpt Jarvis can be persuaded to make peace. Starring George Moon Edward Judd and Pauline Stroud. Others in the cast: Ronald Leigh-Hunt (Captain Bill Jarvis), June Cunningham (Melinda Murray), Dorothy Bath (Mrs Ford-Jones), and Reginald Lang (Barajos station manager). 44 (28th April 1960) written by Leonard Webb, designed by Roy Stonehouse, directed by Jean Hamilton. What is the reason behind Dr Haltbrecht's desperate flight to Athens? Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd, Jane Parsons and Pauline Stroud. Others in the cast: Joseph Furst as Dr Haltrecht with Paul Hardmuth (His brother), Martin Sterndale (Waldman), Derren Nesbitt (Phillipe), Jennifer Wilson (Diane), Pauline Letts (Miss Holmes). 45 (5th May 1960) written by Owen Holder from an idea by Fenton Bresler, designed by Terry Pritchard, directed by Eric Price. Two American newspapermen are chasing the same scoop, and a tough battle is made more complicated by a young girl. Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd, and Pauline Stroud. Others in the cast: Suzanne Fisher (Judith), Stratford Johns (Lloyd Calvert), Alison Bayley (Mrs Bartington), Angela S... (Tina, her daughter), Michael Barrington (Passport Officer). 46 (12th May 1960) written by Keith Dewhurst, designed by Seamus Flannery, directed by Jean Hamilton. Ginger has an odd assortment of passengers, including a man with a passion for ships, a drunk, and a newly wed couple. Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd, Jane Parsons and Pauline Stroud. Others in the cast: Brian O'Higgins, George Pravda, Ewen MacDuff, Andre van Gyseghem, Ray Mortt and Renny Lister. 47 (19th May 1960) written by Peter Caldwell, produced by Jack Williams, directed by Eric Price. Why is Scotland Yard interested in the emigration of the Connell family? Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson and Jane Parsons. Others in the cast: Gerald Case (Mulligan), John Ruddock (Flint), Patrick Newell (George Connell), Hazel Douglas (Jenny Connell), Ann Chapman (Claire, their daughter), Robert Cawdron (Insp Davies), and Joy Stewart (Miss Jackson). 48 (26th May 1960) written by Leonard Fincham, designed by Roy Stonehouse, produced by Jack Williams, directed by Jean Hamilton. A beautiful film star is on Ginger's plane, but trouble comes in the shape of a mysterious baby passenger. Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd, and Pauline Stroud. Others in the cast included Betty Huntley-Wright (Mrs Langdon). 49 (2nd June 1960) written by Owen Holder, designed by Peter Caldwell, produced by Jack Williams, directed by Eric Price. A boy is caught running away from the plane just arrived from Jamaica. Ginger suspects he was a stowaway. But why is he so pleased at being sent back again? Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd, and Pauline Stroud. Among others in the cast: Johnny Sekka (Sampson) and Lloyd Lamble (Chief-Insp Prior). 50 (9th June 1960) written by Terry Pritchard, produced by Jack Williams, directed by Jean Hamilton. A retired film star meets her ex-husband, a film director, flying back from Italy. He is planning her comeback when he receives some vital news which sends him rushing off to Hollywood. Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd, and Pauline Stroud. Others in the cast: Guest star Patricia Roc as Iris West, with Alan Tilvern as Phil Harvey and Michael Aldridge as Dr Michael Davis, Iris' husband. 51 (16th June 1960) produced by Jack Williams, directed by James Ormerod. An enchanting little girl called Caroline tries to smuggle her puppy through customs, but Ginger soon finds there's a much more serious matter on his hands- espionage. Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd, Jane Parsons and Pauline Stroud. Others in the cast included: Arnold Diamond (who wrote the script and plays Chief Preventive Office), Elaine Miller (Caroline), Jack Wollgar (Patterson), Mercy Haystead (Miss Bourn), Henry Longhurst (Westwell) and Dudley Sutton (Deans). 52 (23rd June 1960) written by Owen Holder, designed by Terry Pritchard, produced by Jack Williams, directed by Jean Hamilton. In this very last story, Ginger buys some property shares abroad on behalf of the travel company, but are they worth anything? Starring George Moon, Manning Wilson, Edward Judd, Jane Parsons, Joy Stewart and Pauline Stroud. Others in the cast: Barry Letts (Fitzmaurice), Laine Winters (Fatima), Norman Pitt (Hendrix), Moira Kaye (Marion) and Daphne Oxenford (Matron). Note- According to Granada's archive, one story does survive, but the date given for the programme is two months before the first episode. To Missing Menu . . . . . . The Odd Man The main character, Steve Gardiner, was played by Geoffrey Toone in the first Odd Man serial from Granada in autumn 1960. Other regulars in this half hour serial written by Eddie Boyd were Steve's wife Judy (Jan Holden), with the police represented by Chief-Insp Gordon (Moultrie Kelsall) and Det-Sgt MacBride (Alan Tilvern). Others in the cast included Judith Furse, Jemma Hyde and Geoffrey Palmer. In this first serial, music was by Bill le Sage, the producer was Jack Williams and the director Gordon Flemyng. Synopsis of this serial: "whoever attacked Dorothy Berridge in her flat is now a murderer, following her death in hospital. The two main suspects are Dorothy's financier husband Bernard and Charles Ormiston (Richard Vernon), a petty crook who is also suspected of having poisoned his wife. Steve Gardiner traces Ormiston to his hideout and hears Ormiston practically confess to both crimes before pulling a gun and making his escape." A second serial of 8 episodes of 55 minutes duration began in May 1962 now with Edwin Richfield as the theatrical agent Steve Gardiner and Sarah Lawson as Judy. Lawson described her part as a terribly unhappy person whose marriage is falling to pieces. In the final story she is murdered. Moultrie Kelsall continued as the chief inspector, but with a new assistant, a young Keith Barron as Det-Sgt Swift. Stuart Latham was the producer with Derek Bennett directing. Others appearing in this serial were a mute multi-assassin called South (Christopher Guinee), who some decided was The Odd Man, though Granada always insisted this was Steve. Another regular was South's unnamed landlord (Patrick Newell). Other one off roles in series two included the double barrelled Hugesson-Vachell (Anton Rodgers), Sarasin (Philip Latham), Dickinson (Godfrey Quigley) and Goodson (John Abineri). The third series was again produced by Stuart Latham, but the director was now Richard Everitt. Granada's Derek Hilton supplied the music. These were more self-contained stories lasting 55 minutes beginning on 5th April 1963. Richfield continued as Steve, while Sarah Lawson made an amazing return as the double of Steve's late wife, the sophisticated Anne Braithwaite. Keith Barron also continued as Swift, though now under Chief-Insp Rose, played by William Mervyn. Anna Cropper was another regular as Ruth Jenkins. Guest stars included Lynne Furlong (12 April) in the title role of The Last Bright Hours of Georgia Snow. On April 26th John Stratton and Joan Newell, who had appeared in the first series, played a married couple in Yesterday is for Psychiatrists. This Stuff's Thicker than Water on 10th May featured James Bolam as the "very determined" Juke Justice, with Alfred Drake as Brother Paul. Ingrid Hafner co-starred the following week in The Betrayal of Ambrose Fleech (Aubrey Morris), whilst Kay Callard and Peter Butterworth were the guests on 24th May in the final story Prince on a White Horse. A fourth and final series of eight stories came in the summer of 1963. This was a hugely popular series, and, unusually, was repeated in peak viewing time. It seems the whole of the 1960 serial is still in existence, thankfully, a couple of the second series, and all of the third and fourth series. It's Dark Outside was a 1964 sequel to The Odd Man, with William Mervyn and Keith Baron reprising their police roles. Steve Gardiner had gone but new characters starring were Anthony and Alice Brand (John Carson and June Tobin). The scripts were now mostly by Marc Brandel, with the production in the hands of Derek Bennett. The start of a second series was celebrated on the cover of TV Times for 20th Feb 1965. William Mervyn had one final outing for his character in his own series Mr Rose. To Missing Menu . . . . . Tracey and Me (Associated Rediffusion, 1956) A situation comedy starring Joan Heal as Tracey and Leslie Phillips as Me, that is husband Wally. He is a successful architect, easy going, always a little mystified by his exuberant wife. Other regulars in the series were George Benson, playing Wally's best client, and Nicolette Roeg as a close friend of Tracey's. The script was by John Crilley and the director Peter Croft. The first of this series was shown on ITV London (but not, I think, in the Midlands/North) on Tuesday July 17th 1956 at 10pm. The episode was titled The Personal Secretary, with Sandra Dorne in the title role, far too glamorous Tracey feels, to be Wally's new secretary. Also appearing were Robert Webber, and Edna Fryer as Wally's personal secretary. If you can add any details of this rare forgotten series, I would be very pleased to hear from you, and acknowledge your help To Missing Menu . . . . . .

Top Secret "The public is ready for a new setting," claimed producer Jordan Lawrence, and A-R provided just that in this 1961 series set in Argentina. But even I watching at the time, realised that most of the action took place in the studio! But A-R did get some location filming done in the country by director Ian Fordyce, and the picture here is a still from this visit, with star William Franklyn. He played Peter Dallas, on leave from British Intelligence to work for extremely rich local businessman Miguel Garetta (Patrick Cargill). Garetta's nephew Mike (Alan Rothwell) usually assisted Dallas, when that is, he did not get in the way. One other regular was Tina, played by Frieda Knorr. The opening story on August 11th, Destination Buenos Aires, introduced Dallas to his native Argentina, and included Honor Blackman high up the cast list. Further down were stalwarts Reginald Marsh and Geoffrey Bayldon. The following week, with guest stars William Devlin, Barry Keegan, Basil Dignam and Bill Nagy, Dallas was searching Buenos Aires for a potential assassin, whilst future stories saw him destroying a drug pedalling gang, preventing a revolution (8th September) and exposing a traitor. Among well known faces appearing in one-off stories were Hazel Court, Paul Eddington, Janette Sterke (tv comeback May 30th 1962), Adrienne Poster (then aged 13), and Robert James. 26 episodes were planned, but a long Equity strike interrupted production, so that the series went off-air in November 1961, but unlike some other series, did return to complete the run, starting in May 1962. The stories were exciting, and with writers the calibre of Roger Marshall, that's no surprise, though the biggest hit was that memorable theme tune by Laurie Johnson, Sucu Sucu. To Missing Menu . . . . . . . . . Biggles - In 1960 Granada produced a series of 30 minute stories of WE Johns' famous hero. Regulars in the cast were Nevil Whiting as Biggles, David Drummond as Bertie and John Leyton as Ginger, with Martin Boddey as Inspector Gaskin. Carl Duering played arch enemy Von Stalhein, with John Gabriel as his henchman Laxter. "It's giving me a big thrill to play the part on tv," declared Nevil Whiting, "it will be an action packed series after the first episode that will be an introduction to the characters." Stories were produced by Harry Elton. First scripts were adapted for tv by HV Kershaw, with the programme directed by Stuart Latham. We give the 1960 dates of transmission. Granada also repeated the stories 9 to 29 in their own region the following year at 5.25pm. Episode 1 on Friday April 1st 1960 Biggles at the Home Front: Biggles goes into action against jewel thieves. The second story on 8th April continued investigations into the £100,000 robbery, leading to an old country manor in Hertfordshire. Episode 3- April 15th: Biggles comes face to face with Von Stalhein. 4- A new story began on April 22nd, Biggles Flies North, directed by Christopher McMaster. Biggles Ginger and Bertie fly North to help an old friend. 5- April 29th: Biggles & Co walk into a trap and are wanted for murder. 6- May 6th: Ginger is sheltering in a trappers' hunt whilst Biggles and Bertie make a forced landing. Alick Hayes now writing the scripts. 7- May 13th: Angus shoots at a plane landing on Eskimo Island, not realising his daughter is on board. 8- May 20th: A showdown with McBain. 9- A new adventure began on May 27th, Biggles Follows On, written by HV Kershaw and directed by Stuart Latham. Wreckage of an aircraft is picked up in the North Sea. 10- June 3rd: a hard fought duel with Von Stalhein. 11- June 10th (repeated May 25th 1961): Von Stalhein is the mastermind behind an international plot. 12- June 17th (repeated May 26th 1961): Biggles & Co fly to Hamburg. 13- June 24th (repeated June 1st 1961): Police are led on a wild goose chase as Biggles comes face to face with Von Stalhein. 14- Wed June 29th (repeated June 2nd 1961): 2,000 miles up the Amazon our heroes stop Von Stalhein. Series now bi-weekly. 15- Fri July 1st (repeated June 8th 1961) Biggles Takes Charge: Thomas Clarke now writing this new story, with Douglas Hurn producing. On holiday in Monte Carlo, Bertie and Ginger get involved in the disappearance of a Crown Prince. 16- July 6th (repeated June 9th 1961): Von Stalhein strikes a bargain with Count Prutski, the Moldavian Minister of the Interior. 17- July 8th (repeated June 15th 1961): Bertie and Ginger are still carrying on alone fighting Von Stalhein. 18- July 13th (repeated June 16th 1961): Biggles helps Count Prutski against Prince Boris and Prince Karl. 19- July 15th (repeated June 22nd 1961): Count Prutski is on the trail of the Moldavian bullion. Biggles is trapped on a yacht. 20- July 20th (repeated June 23rd 1961): final episode. Biggles and Prince Boris are on their own. Von Stalhein is in complete control. Have the enemies of freedom triumphed in Moldova? 21- July 22nd (repeated June 29th 1961) A new story written by Tony Warren and directed by Eric Price. Could the Germans have developed a foolproof anti-radar device at the end of the war? MI5 think they did, and Biggles must find the plans. 22- July 27th (repeated June 30th 1961) Biggles on Mystery Island: The mystery of the island of Orotavia is discovered by our heroes as their retreat is cut off. George Mikell appeared in this story. 23- July 29th (rpt July 6th 1961): Prisoners on Mystery Island, our heroes are prevented from escaping by Hara's vicious dogs. 24- Aug 3rd (rpt July 7th 1961) Biggles Baits the Trap: Now written by Harry Kershaw, this new adventure directed by Christopher McMaster. Biggles looks for the plans of a German anti-radar device. 25- Aug 5th (rpt July 13th 1961): Biggles gets an old friend to get Von Stalhein to lead them to the missing blueprints. With Alan Rolfe as Abel, Ian Colin as Rawlinson, Arthur Lovegrove as Pybus and Marianne Hesketh, Geoffrey Frederick. 26- Aug 10th (rpt July 14th 1961): A mysterious lady from America is the link to finding the top secret plans. With Alan Rolfe, Ian Colin, Steve Plytas as Keller, Arthur Lovegrove, and Philip Carr, Nancy Manningham, James Cheshire. 27- Aug 12th (rpt July 20th 1961): Von Stalhein races with Biggles to find the blueprints. 28- Aug 17th (rpt July 21st 1961) 29- Aug 19th (rpt July 27th 1961) end of this adventure. 30 Aug 24th Biggles at World's End, 31 Aug 26th, 32 Aug 31st 33 Sept 2nd Biggles Turns the Scale, 34 Sept 4th, 35 Sept 9th 36 Sept 14th Biggles Springs the Lock, 37 Sept 16th, 38 Sept 21st 39 Sept 23rd Biggles in the East, 40 Sept 28th, 41 Sept 30th 42 Oct 5th Biggles on the Nile, 43 Oct 7th, 44 Oct 12th (final story finishes) Note: Apart from actors listed above, the following have stated they appeared in Biggles: Robert Henderson, Lloyd Lamble, Endre Muller, Oliver Reed, and Ernst Ulman. To Missing Menu

. . . . . . . . . The Gay Cavalier was a very rare foray by Associated-Rediffusion into film series, though in reality it was made by veteran independent producer George King. Filmed in 1956 at Shepperton Studios, and shown during the summer of 1957 on British television, it was based on the real character of Captain Duval, a French officer turned highwayman in the cause of the exiled Charles II. "England is locked in civil war. From this struggle emerged men like Cpt Duval, who loved and laughed at danger. He is known to every secret Royalist in the land- and sought by every Roundhead, for he is in touch with his friend, the exiled king, who trusts Duval above all others." Christian Marquand was the star. Other semi regulars in this series were: Larry Burns as Dinny O'Toole, Duval's faithful and wiley henchman, and Sydney Bromley as Purdy. The obligatory 'villain' was Major Mould, chief of Intelligence under Cromwell, played by Ivan Craig. That fine star Greta Gynt who played Julia Peckstaff, wife of the Mayor of Brixham, was in three stories, #1, #6 and #11. The only others to appear in the same character more than once were Joyce Linden as Katie (stories #2 and #13), Simone Silva as Clo in #5 and #10, and Charles Farrell as The Deacon, also in #5 and #10. Charles Stuart does eventally appear in the final story, played by Richard Bebb, but it's a shame the action never got beyond the year 1651, for the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 would have made a grand story! The thirteen films made were: 1 Springtime for Julia, 2 Dragon's Heart, 3 The Lady's Dilemma, 4 The Masked Lady, 5 Angel Unawares, 6 Flight of the Nightingale, 7 The Sealed Knot, 8 The Lost is Found, 9 Girl of Quality, 10 The Little Cavalier, 11 Return of the Nightingale, 12 Forsaking All Others, 13 A Throne at Stake. Script supervisor was Katherine Strueby, and directors of the films were Terence Fisher, Lance Comfort and George King himself. To Missing Menu

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JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME
This was a 15 minute ABC 1961 filmed series, originally shown at 5.20pm, but later, more sensibly, used to fill up part of the 'God Slot.' Each film was loosely based on the adventures of John and Anne Browning played by John Bonney and Anne Lawson, who on a kind of honeymoon, go round places mentioned in the bible. Dr Eric Fletcher MP, deputy chairman of ABC devised the series which was mostly made in Jordan. However the critics were less than impressed: "well meaning but mindless," wrote one, whilst another claimed it was "so vapid that it does endless harm to religious television as a whole."

39 films were made, including a pilot Tents in the Desert, which may not have been shown. Here is a possible order of the films, with the first transmission dates where known.
The journey began on February 12th 1961 with 2 Taxi to Nazareth. John and Anne go to the city standing on a hill, while John acts as a Good Samaritan, Anne explores by herself.
3 The Sacred Mountain - A visit to Mount Tabor where Deborah routed the armies of Sisera. Two old donkeys transport Anne and John to the top where they meet an old priest who shows them the site of the Transfiguration.
4 The Shores of Galilee
5 Fire from Heaven - John and Anne visit a collective farm on the slopes of Mount Carmel. They see a statue of Elijah and a cave named after him, where sick children are still brought to receive a blessing from a Rabbi.
6 The Witch of Endor. John and Anne try to understand why Saul's army was beaten by the Philistines. They see the site of the battle and go to nearby Bethshan where were taken the corpses of Saul and his sons.
7 Miracles at Capernaum were examined on March 12th 1961, with a journey by boat across the Sea of Galilee.
8 The Faith of the Fishermen showed Anne and John crossing Lake Galilee on the ferry to Ein Gev. John, something of an unbeliever still, tries an experiment with St Peter's fish, and is startled when it succeeds.
9 The Mines of Solomon- with two Israeli girls, John finds Solomon's mines and finds traces of the men who worked there 3,000 years earlier.
10 The Floor of the World - With a geologist, John and Anne descend 1,300 feet below sea level to the Dead Sea. They see the sites of Sodom and Gomorrah, and a pillar of rock still called Lot's Wife.
11 Ark of the Covenant - Anne and John explore the valley where David fought Goliath. A boy shows them the cave where David hid from Saul and takes them to Bethshemesh, where the Philistines returned the Ark.
12 Voice in the Wilderness - John and Anne take a boat on the River Jordan. Anne tells him of her visit to Ein Karem, and the birthplace of John the Baptist.
Easter Sunday 1961, April 2nd, saw John and Anne travelling by train to the
13 Gates of Jerusalem and seeing David's tomb, with pilgrims carrying a canopy inside.
14 The Promised Land
Anne and John journey to Bethlehem in the first of the second batch of stories on December 17th 1961, retracing 15 The Road of Ruth.
On December 24th it was appropriate the story was
16 A Child is Born in a tour of modern Bethlehem.
17 The Innocents of Bethlehem were remembered on December 31st.
18 Bethesda: House of Mercy - January 7th 1962.
On January 14th 1962 Anne and John drive through Samaria, covering the story of Joseph's 19 Coat of Many Colours.
20 The Teacher in the Temple explored the ruins of the temple in Jerusalem.
In the Kidron valley on January 28th, the story is recalled of 21 David and Bathsheba.
On February 4th the visit was to 22 Jacob's Well, in which Anne and John visit the land of the Samaritan.
Still in Samaria, John showed Anne round the 23 City of Jezebel on February 11th.
A modern day recreation of 24 The Good Samaritan was the subject of the film on February 18th. A child knocked down on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho claims Anne and John's attention. They take her to the Police Post at the site of the Inn of the Good Samaritan, and are reminded of the famous parable.
February 25th was titled 25 Scrolls of the Dead Sea, with an interview with Yusif Saad. A discussion in the Sunday Break series followed.
26 Baptism in the Jordan was shown on March 4th, with a tour of the Monastery of St George and a tour of modern Jericho.
(the next two are probably: 27 Temptation in the Wilderness, and 28 Alone in the Desert)
29 Water for Jerusalem on March 25th 1962. A visit to Job's Well, the Pool of Siloam, and King Hezekiah's tunnel.
April 1st saw a visit to 30 Jerash including the temple of Artemis.
On April 8th Anne and John walked through the Kidron Valley, meeting Rev David Fletcher. While Anne went shopping round the streets of Jerusalem John discusses his religious doubts with David in the gardens of St George's Cathedral, in 31 Meeting in Jerusalem.
Then they retired on April 15th to 32 The Garden of Gethsemane.
33 The Prison on the Hill was the offering for Easter (April 22nd), John and Anne visiting The Kidron Valley.
They then toured Syria before returning to Jordan to discuss
Tactics in 37 The Battle of Jericho, which were examined by John on May 20th. Anne and John give a lift to a Jordan army officer who has studied historical battles.
38 Petra, this rose red city in Jordan, was toured on May 27th.
The final film on June 3rd 1962 was 39 Into All The World. At the Jerusalem gateway where Stephen was stoned to death, Anne and John reflect on Ascension and Pentecost. Then they drive towards Damascus and think about Paul's conversion, and how he carried the gospel into all the world.
Note- the earlier programmes were not networked and the dates shown here are for the ABC region.

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SEEING SPORT

This long running children's programme began about June 1956 replacing an earlier sports magazine called Sportspot. It was produced by ATV, always on Mondays, normally from 5pm to 5.25/5.30pm.
The first host was no less than Billy Wright, though the regular presenter Peter Lloyd was soon in charge, certainly from September that year. He was the usual commentator, though others also introduced the programmes in the early years, and again starting in 1964 and more particularly 1965.
Ned Sherrin directed some 1956 programmes though the show's chief claim to fame seems to be that sometime in the late 1950's a young Mick Jagger appeared, uncredited of course, in one of the programmes with his father Joe. If you remember appearing in any of these Seeing Sport, I'd be pleased to receive your memories.
In 1965 the regional companies produced their own rival programme called 'Go!' (click for details) which lead to the eventual demise of this long running show which must have run to about 450 programmes.
To restore regional compliance, ATV started a new programme in Seeing Sport's slot in 1966, it was titled Action, in which Pete Murray hosted a show on fashion, pops, offbeat etc. It was a sign of the times. Maybe it signalled the start of that generation of overweight children.

Here are details of some of the many Seeing Sport programmes. There are many gaps, if you can fill any, please email me.
(Note- where personnel were exactly the same, this is indicated, though TV Times did not state they were repeats, and it could well be that these were new programmes.)
The earliest programmes simply described the programmes as having "items of interest to all younger sports enthusiasts."
The first specific programme devoted to one theme was:
Oct 15th 1956 - Boxing, principles of self defence
Oct 22nd 1956 - Fencing (Producer- Ned Sherrin)
Nov 19th 1956 - Football, with the England team
Dec 10th 1956 - Riding from Windmill Hill Academy, Stratford-on-Avon
Dec 24th 1956 - Christmas Party (last programme produced by Sherrin)
Dec 31st 1956 - Judo
Jan 7th 1957 - Table Tennis
Jan 14th 1957 - Roller Skating
Jan 28th 1957 - Cricket, from a "famous indoor cricket school"
Feb 25th 1957 - Table Tennis, with Emlyn Jones and including Johnny Leach and Victor Barna
Mar 11th 1957 - Swimming, from Ironmonger Row Baths, including life saving
Apr 8th 1957 - Skating, return visit to Richmond Ice Rink
April 29th 1957 - Chelsea Football Club with Walter Winterbottom at a coaching session
May 27th 1957 - Archery at London Archers Club Regents Park with Joyce Warner, George Brown, Howard Wiseman, Robin Seymour, Bill Ward
June 3rd 1957 - Golf, from Wentworth with Tom Haliburton
June 10th 1957 - Riding at Stanmore Riding School with Jimmy Younghusband
June 17th 1957 - Tennis with Tony Mottram
Note a two week break on June 24th and July 1st 1957, to make way from Tennis at Wimbledon.Peter Lloyd seems to have taken a holiday for a few weeks too.
July 8th 1957 - Table Tennis from Butlin's Metropole Hotel Blackpool with Emlyn Jones and Johnny Leach
July 29th 1957 - Riding from Bispham Court Riding School Blackpool, with Emlyn Jones and Pat Bebbington
August 5th 1957 - Archery with Emlyn Jones and Howard Wiseman and the Lancashire Archery Association
August 12th 1957 (Peter Lloyd returns to host from this show)- Sailing from Tamesis Club Teddington
August 19th 1957 - with Emlyn Jones (who hosts as indicated) as July 8th 1957
Sept 2nd 1957 - Judo, from Metropole Hoel, Blackpool
Sept 9th 1957 - with Emlyn Jones as July 8th 1957
Sept 16th 1957 - Soccer from Arsenal Football Club, with Water Winterbottom
Oct 7th 1957 - Swimming from Thimblemill Baths Smethwick, with AH Owen
Oct 21st 1957 - Table Tennis with Emlyn Jones and Johnny Leach
Dec 2nd 1957 - Boxing, an instruction-demonstration
Dec 23rd 1957 (4.45pm to 5.30pm) - Christmas Party, comperes Peter Lloyd and Emlyn Jones. With Alf Gover and children from Barnardo's homes.
Jan 6th 1958 - Fencing/Weight Lifting - Emlyn Jones with Ann Craig, Gillian Sheen and Shirley Bloomer
Jan 13th 1958 - Roller Skating at Brixton Roller Skating Rink with Vera Tadman, Sheila Wilkinson, Howarth Hargreaves and Mr and Mrs Sydney Cooper
Jan 20th 1958 - Judo with John Dresler and members of the Budokwai
Jan 27th 1958 - Table Tennis, as Oct 21st 1957
Feb 3rd 1958 - Gymnastics. Emlyn Jones with Ann Craig
Feb 10th 1958 - Cricket from Gover's Indoor Cricket School with guest star Brian Close
Feb 17th 1958 - Boxing with Lawrie Higgins and AJP Martin
Mar 3rd 1958 - Fencing, Emlyn Jones with Charles de Beaumont and Prof RJG Anderson
Mar 10th 1958 - Ice Skating from Streatham Ice Rink with Peggy Tomlins
Mar 17th 1958 - Netball from RAF Sports Stadium Stanmore with Ann Craig and Rena Stratford
Apr 21st 1958 - Soccer as April 29th 1957
May 12th 1958 - Swimming from Pear Tree School Stevange with George Fryer and Margaret Edwards. (This was the 100th programme)
July 7th 1958 - Equitation from the Fulmer School of Equitation. Shaw Taylor introduces Robert Hull
Aug 11th 1958 - Golf as June 3rd 1957
Aug 18th 1958 - Tennis from Guiness Sports Club Park Royal. Emlyn Jones introduces Tony Mottram
The programme had a break during September, Emlyn Jones Peter Lloyd and others introduced 5 programmes 'Sky High,' on flying.
Oct 13th 1958 - Cricket at Alf Gover's Cricket School. Peter Lloyd now the sole host except as stated.
Oct 20th 1958 - Ice Skating from Richmond Ice Rink
Nov 3rd 1958 - Fencing with Charles de Beaumont
Nov 17th 1958 - Cricket as Oct 13th 1958
Dec 22nd 1958 - Swimming, second in a new series from Ironmonger Row Baths, with Alf Price. The breast stroke. (Note- no Christmas Party of previous years)
Jan 5th 1959 - Badminton with Warwick Shute and Nancy Horner
Mar 16th 1959 - Equitation from the Fulmer School of Equitation as July 7th 1958 except hosted by Peter Lloyd
May 25th 1959 - Cricket from Battersea Grammar School with Alf Gover - this edition: attacking strokes and bowling swingers
Aug 17th 1959 - Cricket general details as May 25th 1959, final lesson of series
Aug 24th 1959 - Baseball from Bushey Park with Major Joseph Tyndall and Hank Drammis
Aug 31st 1959 - Judo with John Dresler
Sept 7th 1959 - Junior Wimbledon Tennis Championships with Tony Mottram
Sept 14th 1959 - Rock Climbing from High Rocks with John Disley
Sept 21st 1959 - Table Tennis with Johnny Leach
Sept 28th 1959 - Roller Skating from Brixton Skating Rink with Mrs Harvey. Commentatior: Lawrie Higgins
Oct 12th 1959 - Ice Skating from Queen's Ice Club London with Gladys Hogg
Oct 19th 1959 - Rugby from Whitgift School with Gerwyn Williams
Oct 26th 1959 - Swimming from Ironmonger Row Baths, with Roger Burrell
Nov 2nd 1959 - Table Tennis with Johnny Leach and Diana Rowe. A new proficiency competition
Nov 9th 1959 - Boxing with boys from St Luke's Maidenhead, with Pat Martin, commentator Lawrie Higgins
Nov 16th 1959 - Netball with Rena Stratford
Nov 23rd 1959 - Soccer with Walter Winterbottom
Nov 30th 1959 - Badminton as Jan 5th 1959
Dec 7th 1959 - Cricket with Alf Gover from his indoor school at Wandsworth
Dec 14th 1959 - Ice Skating with Gladys Hogg. Intermediate steps in figure and free-skating, preliminary movements in dancing
Dec 21st 1959 - Swimming with Roger Burrell. Also under-10 year olds attempt to beat Bertie Furze over one length
Dec 28th 1959 - Table Tennis with Johnny Leach, Diana Rowe and Bobby Stevens
Jan 4th 1960 - Boxing with Pat Martin
Jan 11th 1960 - Rugby as Oct 19th 1959
Jan 18th 1960 - Judo with Geoffrey Gleeson at The Budokwai, London
Jan 25th 1960 - Basketball with Joe Jagger
Feb 1st 1960 - Soccer with Walter Winterbottom and Tommy Docherty
Feb 8th 1960 - Ski-ing with Robin Brock-Hollinshead from Hanwell Community Centre
Feb 15th 1960 - Horse Riding with Robert Hall at the Fulmer School of Equitation Bucks
Feb 22nd 1960 - Cricket with Alf Gover and Willie Watson at Wandsworth
Feb 29th 1960- Swimming as Oct 26th 1959
Mar 7th 1960- Table Tennis with Johnny Leach from Tottenham Town Hall
Mar 14th 1960- Fencing with Charles de Beaumont and Gillian Sheen
Mar 21st 1960- Hockey with Miss G Flew at Mayfield School London
Mar 28th 1960- Rowing with Derek Drury at Barn Elms Putney
Apr 4th 1960- Athletics with Geoff Dyson, John Disley
Apr 11th 1960- Rugby with Gerwyn Williams as Oct 19th 1959
Apr 18th 1960 (Easter)- Camping with H Littlewood from St Mary's College Twickenham
Apr 25th 1960- Life Saving with Supt F Fenn
May 2nd 1960- Tennis with Tony Mottram
May 9th 1960- Boxing (as Jan 4th 1960)
May 16th 1960- Cricket with Alf Gover
May 23rd 1960- Table Tennis with Johnny Leach and Diane Rowe
May 30th 1960- Athletics with Geoff Dyson, John Disley and Chris Brasher
June 6th 1960- Trophy. The second annual final of the Seeing Sport competition to encourage initiative
There was a short break until
July 18th 1960- Athletics with Geoff Dyson at Motspur Park
July 25th 1960- Cricket with Alf Gover- lesson 3
Aug 1st 1960 (Bank Holiday)- Canoeing with Joe Jagger at Ham Dock
Aug 8th 1960- (200th edition) Golf with Tom Haliburton from Wentworth
Nov 28th 1960- Netball with Rena Stratford at Bedford College London
Dec 5th 1960- Gymnastics from Ebbisham Sports Centre Epsom
Dec 19th 1960- Ice Skating with Peggy Tomlins at Streatham Ice Rink
Mar 13th 1961- Goalkeeping with Walter Winterbottom and Ron Springett
Apr 3rd 1961 (Easter)- Life Saving (as Apr 25th 1960)
Apr 17th 1961- Canoeing (as Aug 1st 1960)
May 8th 1961- Tennis with Tony Mottram and David Potter from Ebbisham Sports Club. Forehand and backhand drive.
May 22nd 1961 (Whit Monday)- Athletics with Geoff Dyson Michael Leary and David Wilson. High jumping.
May 29th 1961- Sailing with Charles Currey at Tamesis Club Teddington
June 5th 1961- Cricket with Alf Gover at Battersea Grammar School
June 12th 1961- Riding (as Feb 15th 1960)
June 19th 1961- Trophy- final. Over 100 groups entered this year's competition. Winner Aberaman YMCA
June 26th 1961- Lawn Tennis - introduced by Emlyn Jones who shows play from Wimbledon
July 3rd 1961- Lawn Tennis (continued from last week)
July 10th 1961- Middle Distance Running with Geoff Dyson Joy Jordan and John Disley at Mostpur Park
July 17th 1961- Golf (as Aug 8th 1960)
July 24th 1961- Angling with Harvey Torbett at Ham Dock
July 31st 1961- visit to National Spinal Injury Centre at Stoke Mandeville
Aug 7th 1961 (Bank Holiday)- Sailing (as May 29th)
Aug 14th 1961- Lawn Tennis (same as May 8th 1961)
Aug 28th 1961- Archery with W Howard Wiseman at Duke of York's Headquarters London
Sept 4th 1961- Diving with Wally Orner and Brian Phelps
Sept 11th 1961- Badminton with Nancy Horner John Havers Iris Rogers Warwick Shute and Audrey Stone at Ebbisham Sports Club
Sept 18th 1961- Rugby (as Jan 11th 1960)
Sept 25th 1961- Hockey with Gladys Flew. Goalkeeping.
Oct 30th 1961- Boxing with Pat Martin
Nov 20th 1961- Ice Skating with Diana Clifton French and Gladys Hogg
Nov 27th 1961- Rugby (as Jan 11th 1960) 3rd of series
Dec 4th 1961- Netball (as Nov 28th 1960)
Dec 18th 1961- Hockey with Gladys Flew and Melvin Hickey. Forwards.
Jan 1st 1962- Rugby with Gerwyn Williams. Fourth of series English Public Schoolboys v Scottish Public Schoolboys from Richmond Athletic Ground.
Jan 15th 1962- Fencing (as 14 March 1960)
Jan 29th 1962- Judo, third programme
Feb 5th 1962- Hockey, last of series, with Gladys Flew analysing South v East at Park Royal
Feb 12th 1962- Rugby with Gerwyn Williams. Last of series analysing Wimbledon College v St Benedict's Ealing
Feb 19th 1962- Ice Skating with Betty Callaway at Richmond Ice Rink
Feb 26th 1962- Table Tennis with Johnny Leach
Mar 5th 1962- Boxing (as Jan 4th 1960)
Apr 2nd 1962- Swimming with Roger Burrell- 1st of series from Beginners to Swimmers
Apr 16th 1962- Gymnastics with Nick Stuart
Apr 23rd 1962- Life Saving (as 25th Apr 1960) from Hounslow Swimming Club
May 21st 1962- Cricket (as June 5th 1961) from Battersea Grammar School
May 28th 1962- Sailing with Charles Currey from Ichenor Sailing Club
June 4th 1962- Tennis with Tony Mottram- Forehand and backhand drive (as May 8th 1961)
June 11th 1962 (Whit Monday)- Diving (as Sept 4th 1961) from Ironmonger Row Baths London
June 25th 1962- Lawn Tennis with Tony Mottram, explaining play from Wimbledon
July 16th 1962- Cricket with Alf Gover
July 30th 1962- Camping from a site near Chalfont St Giles
Aug 6th 1962 (Holiday Monday)- Riding (as Feb 15th 1960)
Aug 20th 1962- Golf with Dai Rees at the South Herts Club Totteridge
Aug 27th 1962- Sailing (as May 28th 1962)
Sept 3rd 1962- Riding (as Feb 15th 1960) lesson 2
Sept 10th 1962- Boxing (as Jan 4th 1960)
Sept 17th 1962- Badminton (as Sept 11th 1961) with Nancy Horner. "It is hoped" these will also appear: John Havers Warwick Shute
Oct 8th 1962- Judo at Renshuden Judo Club
Oct 15th 1962- Table Tennis (as Feb 26th 1962)
Oct 22nd 1962- Soccer with Walter Winterbottom and pupils from Hillside School Boreham Wood
Oct 29th 1962- Trophy- finals. Littlegreen School Chichester, Havant Trasnant Junior School and Churchdown Secondary School.
Nov 12th 1962- Ice Skating with Arnold Herschwiler and Sjouke Dijkstra from Richmond Ice Rink
Nov 26th 1962- Basketball from USAF Gymnasium South Ruislip
Dec 24th 1962- Ice Skating with Roy Lee and Ann Palmer at Richmond Ice Rink
Feb 11th 1963- Table Tennis with Johnny Leach and Mary Shannon and Diane Rowe
Feb 18th 1963- Swimming with Roger Burrell and Barbara Flewitt at Ironmonger Row Baths
Mar 11th 1963- Archery with Howard Wiseman and Ann Brien, Derek Ashcroft and Michael Crook at RAF Sports Centre Stanmore
Mar 18th 1963- Ice Skating with Arnold Herschwiler and Roy and Betty Calloway from Richmond Ice Rink. Ice dancing.
Mar 25th 1963- Boxing (as Jan 4th 1960)
Apr 8th 1963- Golf (as Aug 20th 1962)
Apr 22nd 1963- Horse Riding (as Feb 15th 1960)
May 6th 1963- Athletics with John le Masurier (AAA coach) with children from Royal Masonic School Bushey and Watford Technical School: sprinting and javelin throwing with David Jones, Robbie Brightwell, Colin Smith, Sue Platt.
May 13th 1963- Cricket with Alf Gover and Godfrey Evans from Royal Masonic School. Wicket keeping.
May 20th 1963- Lawn Tennis (as June 4th 1962) from RAF Station Stanmore
May 27th 1963- Riding with Robert Hall
June 3rd 1963- Life Saving (as 25th Apr 1960) from Hounslow Swimming Club
June 10th 1963- Athletics with John le Masurier Vic Matthews and Mary Bignal-Rand. Hurdling and discus throwing
June 17th 1963- Cricket with Alf Gover and Willy Watson
June 24th 1963- Lawn Tennis with Tony Mottram who explains play from Wimbledon
July 1st 1963- Sailing with Calcott Reilly
July 8th 1963- Riding with Robert Hall- trotting cantering and jumping
July 15th 1963- Swimming with Roger Burrell and Judy Gegan at Ironmonger Row Baths
July 22nd 1963- Athletics with John le Masurier (AAA coach) and with Ron Jones Fred Alsop and children from Royal Masonic School Bushey and Watford Technical School
July 29th 1963- Lawn Tennis with Tony Mottram from RAF Station Stanmore- forehand and backhand volley
Aug 5th 1963 (Holiday)- Sailing with Callcott Reilly at Tamesis Club Teddington
Aug 12th 1963- Riding (as Feb 15th 1960)
Aug 19th 1963- Cricket with Alf Gover and Richie Benaud at Battersea Grammar School
Aug 26th 1963- Golf (as Aug 20th 1962)
Sept 9th 1963- Judo with John Newman
Sept 16th 1963- Rugby with Gerwyn Williams- first of series. Fitness training
Sept 23rd 1963- Basketball from RAF Sports Arena Stanmore with Joe Jagger
Sept 30th 1963- Badminton with Nancy Horner at RAF Sports Arena Stanmore
Oct 21st 1963- Tenpin Bowling with Lee Kates
Oct 28th 1963- Rugby (as Jan 11th 1960). Kicking
Nov 4th 1963- Trophy finals
Nov 11th 1963- Judo with John Newman at Renshuden Judo Club
Dec 2nd 1963- Swimming with Roger Burrell and Elizabeth Long at Ironmonger Row Baths> Front crawel, first of new series
Dec 16th 1963- Rugby with Gerwyn Williams- third of series. Scrummaging and line out play
Dec 23rd 1963- Ice Skating with Arnold Herschwiler from Richmond Ice Rink
Programme now hosted by Liam Nolan.
Jan 13th 1964- Swimming, (as July 15th 1963)
Jan 20th 1964- Skating with Roy Callaway
Programme again hosted by Peter Lloyd.
Jan 27th 1964- Basketball with Joe Jagger from RAF Stanmore
Feb 17th 1964- Swimming with Roger Burrell, Steela Mitchell, Judy Gegan and Linda Ludgrove
Mar 16th 1964- Swimming with Roger Burrell, from Ironmonger Row Baths. Diving
Apr 6th 1964- Clay Pigeon Shooting with Clarrie Wilson. Gun safety
Apr 13th 1964- Table Tennis with Johnny Leach and Diane Rowe from Hillside School Borehamwood
Apr 20th 1964- Tenpin Bowling (as Oct 21st 1963)
Apr 27th 1964- Cricket with Alf Gover and Freddie Titmus (Introduced by Martin Locke)
May 11th 1964- Camping with Cliff Harris
May 18th 1964 (Whitsun)- Lawn Tennis with Tony and Joy Mottram
May 25th 1964- Athletics with John le Masurier Robbie Brightwell and Mary Rand
June 1st 1964- Cricket with Alf Gover (Introduced by Martin Locke)
June 15th 1964- Sailing with Charles Currey. Dinghy sailing
June 22nd 1964- Golf with Dai Rees from South Hertfordshire Club (Introduced by Liam Nolan)
June 29th 1964- Athletics with John le Masurier Mary Rand Gordon Miller and Michael Parker at Welwyn Garden City Stadium
July 7th 1964- Riding (as Feb 15th 1960)
July 27th 1964- Lawn Tennis with Tony Mottram from RAF Stanmore, third of series. Volleying
Aug 3rd 1964 (Holiday)- Life Saving (Apr 25th 1960) at Hounslow School of Life Saving
Aug 24th 1964- Rugby (as Jan 11th 1960)
Aug 31st 1964- Riding (as Feb 15th 1960)
Sept 7th 1964- Golf (as June 22nd 1964)
Sept 14th 1964- Table Tennis with Johnny Leach and Chester Barnes from Hillside School Borehamwood
Sept 21st 1964- Rugby with Gerwyn Williams and boys from Whitgift School at Crystal Palace Centre
Sept 28th 1964- Trophy- annual awards. Bradley Rowe Junior Exeter, St Joseph's Secondary Coleraine, Shipley Cof E nr Horsham. Judges: Olive Newsome, John Disley, Joe Jagger.
Oct 5th 1964- Boxing (as Jan 4th 1960)
Oct 19th 1964- Swimming with Roger Burrell, from Ironmonger Row Baths (Introduced by Liam Nolan)
Oct 26th 1964- Basketball with Joe Jagger at RAF Stanmore, with boys from Lyndhurst School Boreham Wood (Introduced by Liam Nolan)
Nov 2nd 1964- Rugby (as Jan 11th 1960)
Nov 9th 1964- Judo with John Newman (Introduced by Liam Nolan)
Nov 16th 1964- (no programme)
Nov 23rd 1964- Volleyball with Peter Wardale at RAF Stanmore (Introduced by Liam Nolan)
Nov 30th 1964- Archery with Howard Wiseman
Dec 7th 1964- Tenpin Bowling (as Oct 21st 1963, Introduced by Martin Locke)
Dec 14th 1964- Basketball with Joe Jagger (as Jan 27th 1964). Shooting and dribbling
Dec 21st 1964- Ice Skating (as Dec 24th 1962)
Jan 4th 1965- Boxing with Pat Martin at Woodside School Slough (Introduced by Liam Nolan)
Jan 11th 1965- Table Tennis with Johnny Leach Chester Barnes Dennis Neale Mary Shannon Di Rowe at Crystal Palace. Commentator Athole Still
Jan 18th 1965- Ski-ing with Anni Maurer
Jan 25th 1965- Sailing with Charles Currey
Feb 1st 1965- Table Tennis with Johnny Leach. (With Martin Locke)
Feb 15th 1965- Boxing with Pat Martin (Introduced by Liam Nolan)
Feb 22nd 1965- Snooker and Billiards with Sydney Lee
Mar 1st 1965- Badminton with Jack Warwick at RAF Stanmore, (With Martin Locke)
Mar 8th 1965- Basketball with Joe Jagger (With Martin Locke)
Mar 15th 1965- Soccer with Alan Wade Johnny Byrne and boys of Tulse Hill School
Mar 22nd 1965- Golf (as June 22nd 1964)
Mar 29th 1965- Rugby with Gerwyn Williams analysing England Schoolboys v Wales (no host)
Apr 5th 1965- Skin Diving with Blue Sea divers at Crystal Palace
Apr 12th 1965- Soccer with Alan Wade George Eastham and boys of Tulse Hill School
Apr 19th 1965- Pony Club with Raymond Brooks-Ward at Ferney Hill Farm Barnet
Apr 26th 1965- Boating with Ian Dow and Wendy Smith
May 10th 1965- Table Tennis (as Feb 26th 1962)
May 17th 1965- Lawn Tennis with Tony and Joy Mottram from RAF Stanmore. First of four programmes (with Liam Nolan)
May 24th 1965- Cricket with Mike Smith. (With Peter Carver)
June 7th 1965 (Whitsun)- Table Tennis with Johnny Leach, Mary Shannon, Di Rowe
June 14th 1965 - Swimming with Roger Burrell and Darryl Jones, from Ironmonger Row Baths. First of three
June 21st 1965 - Lawn Tennis with Tony Mottram who analyses play from Wimbledon
July 5th 1965 - Cricket, host: Peter Carver, with Alf Gover and guest Colin Cowdrey at Royal Masonic School Bushey
July 12th 1965 - Athletics, host: Peter Carver, with John le Masurier, Mary Rand and Mike Parker at Royal Masonic School Bushey
July 26th 1965 - Swimming with Roger Burrell, from Ironmonger Row Baths. Crawl. Second of three
Aug 2nd 1965 - Cricket with Alf Gover from Royal Masonic School Bushey (with Peter Lorenzo)
Aug 23rd 1965 - Table Tennis (as Apr 13th 1964)
Aug 30th 1965 (Holiday) - Horse Riding with Robert Hall and Joanna Hall at the Fulmer School of Equitation
Sept 27th 1965 - Horse Riding (as Aug 30th 1965) Fourth of series. I think this may have been the final edition.

GO! ATV's Seeing Sport enjoyed a regular spot on children's tv on Mondays from 1956 until 1965. But in this latter year, the regional companies took the unique step of rejecting the network en masse and producing their own regional alternative which was shown in all the regions except the Big Four. The idea proved such a success that eventually, just for once, the Big Four actually had to capitulate and show it, starting in October 1965. Was this the high spot of regional anarchy?? The weekly programmes contain a fascinating variety of regional enterprise, on a wide variety of children's activities. Below is a sample selection to give you the flavour of the series, with all the eleven regional companies contributing, listed in brackets.

April 19th 1965- Gliding at Sutton Bank nr Thirsk (Tyne Tees TV) May 3rd 1965- Fitness with Ron Pickering. Power in Sport with Tony Clemo and pupils of Waterhall School Cardiff (TWW) May 31st 1965- Canoe Building with George Glasgow (Ulster TV) June 21st 1965 - Golfing at Gleneagles, introduced by Arthur Montford. Roy Castle v Eric Brown (Scottish TV) June 28th 1965 - Sea-fishing with Major Moore, Christopher Glover and Richard Carter, introduced by Stuart Hutchison (Westward TV) July 5th 1965 - Pony Trekking with Hugh MacGregor, introduced by David Webster (Border TV) July 12th 1965 - Hydroplaning with Dick Graham at Oulton Broad (Anglia TV) July 19th 1965 - Off-Shore Cruising with Jock Kerr-Hunter (Scottish TV) Aug 9th/16th 1965 - Water Ski-ing with Bob Panton and Fred Dinenage (Southern TV) Aug 30th/Sept 6th 1965 - Freshwater Fishing with Arthur Oglesby and James Lloyd at Pauperhaugh Bridge Rothbury (TTTV) Sept 13th 1965 - Aeromodelling with James Spankie (Grampian TV)

One of the smaller company's contributions- from Westward TV, introduced by Stuart Hutchison (June 28th 1965)

Sept 20th 1965 - Archery with Hector Simpson and Kevin Flanagan (Ulster TV) Oct 11th 1965 - Surf Riding with Bob Armstrong (Channel TV) Oct 18th 1965 - Shotgun Shooting with Percy Stanbury and Major Baillie, introduced by Jack Hargreaves (Southern TV) Oct 25th 1965 - Diving with Norman Scarsfield and Brian Phelps, introduced by James Lloyd from Felling Baths (TTTV) Nov 1st/8th 1965 - Golfing with Eric Brown and Bruce Forsyth and Ronnie Carroll at Gleneagles (Scottish TV) Nov 22nd 1965 - Sand Yachting with Ted Benson, introduced by James Lloyd from Felling Baths (TTTV) Dec 6th 1965 - Railway Modelling with Stuart Hutchison and Kenneth Macleod (Westward TV) Dec 13th 1965 - Ski-ing with James Spankie (Grampian TV) Dec 20th 1965 - Boat Building with Frank Dye and Chris Kelly (Anglia TV) Dec 27th 1965 - Learning to Fish with Jack Hargreaves on the River Stour, and Fred Dinenage (Southern TV)

The series finished at the end of 1965 Missing Menu . . . . . . . . . CRANE - This was one of the replacement series whilst No Hiding Place was being given a breather, running spasmodically from 1963-1965. Crane had been a successful city businessman, who has traded in his old suburban home for the excitement of a new life as an importer and exporter in Morocco. Patrick Allen was a natural for the part. Explained writer Patrick Alexander "he looks like a real smuggler!" It seems shooting the series was fun too. Patrick explained he played many dangerous scenes, but usually came through without a scratch. But the night before he was flying back to England, in a hotel bar someone got off a stool and knocked it over on to Patrick's foot, with a broken toe for his troubles! Other cast regulars in each story were Sam Kydd as Orlando O'Connor and Gerald Flood as Mahmoud, and Laya Raki as Halima. Jordan Lawrence was the producer. Patrick Alexander script editor. Film sequences were directed by Christopher Hodson and Peter Moffatt. 1.1 A Death of No Importance (Tuesday April 2nd 1963 8pm) 1.2 Bad Company (April 9th 1963) Script: Eric Allen. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Peter Moffatt. Orlando said 'pick up a strange woman and you pick up trouble.' But neither he nor Crane knew a dead man was involved. Remainder of cast: Arthur White (Pirelli- he recurs in series three in 3.2, 3.6 and 3.11), Desmond Jordan (Insp Slimene), Katharine Blake (Sonia Dajos), Graham Suter (Police doctor), Charles Tingwell (Albert Ringwood), David Nettheim (Chavez). 1.3 The Cannabis Syndicate (April 16th 1963) 1.4 My Deadly Friend (April 23rd 1963) Script: Patrick Alexander. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson. Someone is very anxious for the Moroccan police to catch Crane. To find out who, Crane sets a trap. Remainder of cast: Bruce Montague (Insp Larbi- also in some other stories), Geoffrey Colville (Aubrey Feltham), Anthony Steel (Gil), Thalia Kouri (Rosamaria), Arnold Yarrow (Louis Barreto), Richard Davies (Willie Jones), Richard Montez (Omar), Guy Deghy (Primo), Henry Soskin (Arab guide), Peter Allenby (Ali). 1.5 The Executioners (April 30th 1963) 1.6 Yesterday's Woman (May 7th 1963) Script: Bruno Christian. Designer: John Emery. Director: Geoffrey Hughes. By the time Madeleine Tissot returns to Casablanca, someone has devised an ingenious plan for murder. Cast also includes: Donald Morley (Georges Latour), Madi Hedd (Madeleine Tissot), Bruce Montague (Insp Larbi), Rex Garner (Sgt Fazil), Joe Enrika (Ali), Horace James (Tommy), Ian Gardiner (Krim), Terry Bale (First policeman), Louis Raynes (Second policeman), John Atkinson (Sam Bennett). 1.7 The Price of Friendship (May 14th 1963) Script: Leo Lehman. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Peter Moffatt. When Haufman's boat docks at Casablanca, the police are inquisitive. They are looking for two thieves- one a murderer. Remainder of cast: Dermot Walsh (Haufman), Desmond Newling (Roberts), Louis Raynor (Arab boy - in a few other stories also), Bruce Montague, Mellan Mitchell (First customer), Sally Nesbitt (Jacqueline), Edmund Bailey (Fatim), Frank Singuineau (Second customer). 1.8 Three Days to Die (May 21st 1963) Script: Max Marquis. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson. The man in the condemned cell maintains his innocence, but all the evidence supports the verdict of the courts. Remainder of cast: Charles Carson (Jean Collard), Margot van der Burgh (Maitre Zem), Peter Bowles (Nikkola Drax), Bruce Montague, Barbara Assoon (Raya Drax), Jose Berlinka (Fourth guard), Reginald Barratt (Insp Misrai), Michael Peake (Brun), Gertan Klauber (Habbas), Margaret Denyer (Therese Severin), Edward Cast (First guard), Brian Cant (Kramm). 1.9 My Brother's Keeper (May 28th 1963) Script: Max Marquis. Designer: Frank Gillman. Director: Richard Doubleday. Somewhere in Casablanca a callous murderer is in hiding. But the police are faced with the traditional loyalties of the Foreign Legion. Remainder of cast: Maitland Moss (Priest), Barry Keegan (Ferenc Szabo), Bruce Montague, Andreas Malandrinos (Patriarch), Bernard Rebel (Bishop)< Alec Mango (Dr Abbib), Frank Tregear (Taxi driver), Richard Marner (Alexis), Maria Andipa (Lise), Roy Patrick (Ludwig). 1.10 The Unwanted (June 4th 1963) Script: Phyllis and Robert White. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Geoffrey Hughes. Crane decides to look after a homeless, hungry little boy, and he unwittingly puts himself and Orlando in grave danger. Others in cast: Peter Newton (Abba), Dalia Penn (Lakita), John Hollis (Hamid), Christopher Carlos (Imam Alhaj Ali), James Wellman (Midge), Steve Plytas (Krussos), Paul Gillard (Policeman), Lloyd Reckord (Feisan), Bill Hepper (Ahmul). 1.11 Return of a Hero (June 11th 1963) Script: Alan Plater. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Peter Moffatt. A man is running from a danger in the darkness and Crane discovers the menace of a yellow rabbit. Others in cast: Louis Raynor (Arab boy), Edgar Wreford (Matthews), Bruce Montague, Tony Cyrus (Barman), Arthur Hewlett (Colonel), John Rumney (Mickey the Greek), Tom Gill (Bertie). 1.12 The Golden Attraction (June 18th 1963) Script: David Cumming. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Richard Doubleday. A corpse is found in a palm grove, and Crane has reasons of his own for refusing to be involved. Also in this cast: Nicholas Evans (Boy), Bruce Montague, Jacqueline Ellis (Alison Harrington), Alan Tilvern (Paul Harrington), Peter Arne (Michael Harrington), Nadja Regin (Maria Cortez), Richard Gatehouse (Griffiths), Nisar Husen (Policeman). 1.13 A Case of Dolls (June 25th 1963) Script: Frank Harbourne. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson. When Crane and Orlando find a box floating in the sea, its contents form the first of a number of surprises. Others in cast: Bruce Montague, John Bennett (Smith), George Coulouris (Dr Jackson), Alec Mango (Chatterji), Gautam Mukerjee (Boy), Dallas Cavell (Customs official), John Quayle (First policeman), Ray Roberts (Second policeman), Michael Mellinger (Hotel receptionist). Second series: principals as for the first series. 2.1 The Death of Marie Vetier (Monday January 13th 1964 8pm) Script: Patrick Tilley. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Richard Doubleday. Crane meets a desperate woman. Remainder of this cast: Patricia Haines (Marie Vetier), Louis Rayner (Abdul, also in series one), Michael Hawkins, Martin, Gertan Klauber (Darius), Leonard Trolley (Shaab- in many other stories), Peter Vaughan (Max Godard). 2.2 Epitaph for a Fat Woman (January 20th 1964) 2.3 Dead Reckoning (January 27th 1964) Script: Bruno Christian and Reed de Rouen. Filmed sequences: Richard Doubleday. Director: Christopher Hodson. The man in Tallal prison is a storm centre. One attempt to rescue him ends in death. Crane has no wish to be involved but nearly gets killed himself. Rest of cast: Edward Higgins (Chief warder), Louis Raynes (Warder), Bartlett Mullins (Governor), Leonard Trolley (Shaab), Richard Vernon (Wolsey), Diana Chappell (Solange), Brandon Brady (Russian sailor), Alfred Edwards (Russian musician), Terry Gilbert (Russian dancer), Sheila Keith (Mrs Ambrose), Edward Harvey (Fuentes), Chinks Barucha (Tamir), Colin Gordon (Lang), Jan Waters (Liz), Brian Cant (Man), Richard Davies (Willie Jones). 2.4 Picture of My Brother (February 3rd 1964) 2.5 Two Rings for Danger (February 10th 1964) 2.6 Death Is a Black Camel (February 17th 1964) Script: Gerald Wilson. Designer: John Emery. Director: Ronald Marriott. Crane keeps a rendezvous with death- and Mahmoud solves a baffling case. Rest of cast: Philip Latham (Salbiere), Ric Hutton (Vanel), Lee Richardson (Corto), Jon Rumney (Sgt Zartar), Reg Lye (Stanley), Allen Helder (Police sergeant), Gabor Baraker (Fat policeman), Mel Fahri (Young policeman), Patrick Godfrey (Dr Launay), Ian MacNaughton (Mackenzie), Leonard Trolley (Shaab), Helen Lindsay (Christine Vanel), Robert Crewdson (Doctor Ramesh). 2.7 The Secret Assassin (February 24th 1964) 2.8 A Mouthful of Ashes (March 2nd 1964) 2.9 Recoil (March 9th 1964) 2.10 Gypsy's Warning (March 16th 1964) Script: Alan Plater. Director: Richard Doubleday. Philippe plans revenge on a police informer, but Gypsy sees violence in the cards and the shadow of death falls on Crane's cafe. Rest of cast: John Woodvine (Philippe), Howard Goorney (Gypsy), Anthony Blackshaw (Warder), Harold Innocent (Jacko), Leonard Trolley (Shaab), Len Russell (Shop proprietor), Frank Singuineau (Ali), Jose Berlinka (Customer), Olga Lowe (Woman). 2.11 Knife in the Dark (March 23rd 1964) Script: Phyllis and Robert White. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Ian Fordyce. Orlando goes out into the night, and the morning finds him with blood on his hands. Rest of cast: Rex Rashley (Samaka), Thalia Kouri (Rosamaria), Raymond Miller (Emile Brillon), Derek Sydney (Arif), Stephanie Bidmead (Annette Brillon), John Bonney (Charles Cabet), Michael Mellinger (Aboul), Leonard Trolley, Zoe Zephyr (Mokahl), John G Heller (Bartender), John de Marco (Waiter). 2.12 Murder Is Waiting (March 30th 1964) Because somewhere in Casablanca there is a ruthless killer, Crane receives an unexpected invitation. Also in this cast: Basil Dignam (Raswani). 2.13 Man Without a Past (Monday June 15th 1964 8pm) Script: Carl Nystrom. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Peter Croft. The only way to stop Crane helping a thief is by killing him. Rest of cast: Patrick Troughton (Hugo Krantz), Joby Blanshard (Rahman), Antony Baird (Sgt Miraz), Leonard Trolley, Alan Wheatley (Michaud), Lucille Soong (Yasuma), Malya Nappi (Auntie), Hal Dyer (Hostess), Royston Tickner (Sgt Khatib), Michael Allaby (Doctor). Third series- same principals as before. 3.1 Death Is a Closed Door (Monday October 26th 1964, 8pm) Script: Max Marquis. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson. Murder can be prevented if a door can be opened. Crane is in no position to help. Rest of cast: Valerie Sarruf (Zena Fahmy), Camilla Hasse (Raya), Sandor Eles (Shafik), Leonard Trolley (Shaab, in several stories), Dean Francis/ Jeffrey Isaacs (Policemen), Russell Waters (Doctor), Robin Chapman (Sr Maher), Eric Francis (Undertaker), Aleksander Browne (Sgt Mansour), Beverley Cohen (Sgt Hamdi), Harcourt Curacao (PC Karam). 3.2 T.N.T. (November 2nd 1964) Script: Anthony Scott Veitch. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Marc Miller. Crane handles dynamite. Rest of cast: Edwin Richfield (Steve Hanna), Henry Soskin (Mogista), Leonard Trolley, Peter Bayliess (John Arrowsmith), Arthur White (Pirelli), Delphi Lawrence (Lisa Martens), Barry Lineham (Harvey Troop). 3.3 The Third Bullet (November 9th 1964) Script: Gerald Wilson. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson. When Crane receives a telephone call from an unknown woman, the first bullet is aimed at him. Rest of cast: Margaret Whiting (Tina Mondrego), Philip Gilbert (Official), Felix Felton (Major Calvao), Leonard Trolley, Laurence Hardy (Dr Jorge Salas), Peter Halliday (Eladio), Paul Danquah (Faro), Peter Birrel (First guard), Bruce Wightman (Second guard), Brian Badcoe (Raoul). November 16th 1963 - no programme. 3.4 A Danger to Others (November 23rd 1964) Script: Guy Morgan and Doreen Montgomery. Designer: Fred Pusey. Director: James Ormerod. Julie disappears into the night- and the most likely consequence is murder. Rest of cast: Sally Home (Julie Lamotte), Leonard Trolley, John Bryans (Dr Mustapha), Eric Pohlmann (Dr Knudsen), Zoe Starr (Yasmin- also in 3.12 and 3.13), Golda Casimir (Concierge), Diane Lambert (Francine Lebon), George Mcgrath (Smith), Michael Godfrey (Perez), Liam Gaffney (Captain O'Hallorhan). 3.5 Death Walks Beside Me (November 30th 1964) Script: Gerald Wilson. Designer: John Emery. Director: Ian Fordyce. Johnny is desperate. Crane is prepared to help but what Johnny asks is impossible. Rest of cast: Edward Harvey (Doomsday Man), John Nicholas (Harry), Christopher Carlos (Jericho), Gabor Baraker (Cairo), John Bonney (Johnny), Leonard Trolley, Peter Honeywell (Doctor), Victor Baring (Sgt Hidis), John Cazabon (Perrichon), Dallia Penn (Dr Djamila), Monique Lewis (Girl), Reginald Barratt (Public Prosecutor), Beaufoy Milton (Judge), Virginia Dignam (Hilda), Conrad Monk (Guard). 3.6 The Man with the Big Feet (December 7th 1964) Script: Ludovic Peters from a story by Donald Giltinan. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodson. The Master may possess strange powers but when he prophesies death, Crane is not the only sceptic. Rest of cast: Bruno Barnabe (The Master), Campbell Singer (George Lewis), Vanda Godsell (Ida Lewis), Zakes Mokae (Achmet), Leonard Trolley, Lloyd Lamble (Denning), Arthur White (Pirelli), Peter Laird (Halima's cousin), Philip Ridgeway (Landlord). 3.7 In Trust Find Treason (December 14th 1964) Script: Max Marquis. Designer: Frank Gillman. Director: Richard Doubleday. When Crane hears the news about Mahmoud, his first reaction is to laugh. 3.8 The Painted Lady (December 21st 1964) Script: Ludovic Peters from a story by David Ellis. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Richard Doubleday. Crane meets Louise by chance, but what happens later is cold-blooded and deliberate. Rest of cast: George Pravda (Carl Hassler), Richard Carpenter (Laurent Barjou), Harvey Hall (Otto), Moira Redmond (Louise Gerard), Maxine Holden (Maxine Duret), Leonard Trolley, Steven Morris (Boy). 3.9 Moving Target (December 28th 1964) 3.10 A Cargo of Cornflower (January 4th 1965) Script: Denis Butler. Designer: Barbara Bates. Director: Ian Fordyce. The job is too simple and Crane is suspicious. Rest of cast: David Nettheim (Aziz), Terence Soall (Frem), Leonard Trolley, Peter Bowles (Vincent Moro), Edina Ronay (Carmena), John Hollis (Djiba), Robert Lanen (Jussef), Mark Kingston (John Florio). 3.11 A Violent Animal (January 11th 1965) Script: Arthur Swinson. Designer: Frank Nerini. Director: Marc Miller. Crane meets a trained killer. Rest of cast: Keith Barron (Rene Leclerc), Suzanne Neve (Hilary Grantley), Arthur White (Pirelli), Peter Dyneley (Peter Garvey), Leonard Trolley, Michael Mellinger (Achmet), Michael Allaby (Policeman), Kenneth Nash (Eton Boy), John Cater (Afiz), Jolyon Booth (Gibbah), Rick Jones (Mogat), Arthur Blake (Sgt Zahaz). 3.12 The Death of Karaloff (January 18th 1965) Script: Ludovic Peters. Designer: Barbara Bates. Director: Marc Miller. Crane is involved in an attempt to keep Karaloff alive. Rest of cast: Denys Graham (Karaloff), Tony Steedman (Brig Harris), Danvers Walker (Perlington), Robert Gillespie (Ames), John Garvin (Doctor), Philip Stone (Boris), Brian Cobby (Lev), Frank Tregear (Sir Pelham Forster), Leonard Trolley, Zoe Starr (Yasmin), Artro Morris (Prof Ikbal), Aubrey Morris (Mustafa), Hazel Terry (Lady Julia). 3.13 The Man in the Gold Waistcoat (January 25th 1965, last ever story, though Orlando returned with his own series in April that year) Script: James Mitchell. Designer: Henry Federer. Director: Christopher Hodsony. The murder in the desert would not have involved Crane at all if it had not been for the waistcoat. Rest of cast: Leonard Trolley (a regular in this series), Steve Plytas (Franz Bauer), Frank Singuineau (Ali), Nicholas Chagrin (Selim), William Devlin (Sheik Gamal), Annette Carell (Giulia Bauer), Alan MacNaughton (The Major), Ayton Medas (Didi), Zoe Starr (Yasmin), Alan Wheatley (Dr Hilfe). Missing Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . Stryker of The Yard These were cinema second features made by Republic at Nettlefold Studios in 1953/4. The star was Clifford Evans who played Chief Inspector Robert Stryker, and his assistant was the genial George Woodbridge. Narrator was ex policeman Tom Fallon, who went on to be adviser on Dial 999. The films were screened on British television in the 1960's. THEY MUST BE STILL AROUND TODAY! WHO'S GOT ONE??? The stories were, in no special order- 1 The Case of The Studio Payroll (Cinema release date, with #2, Jan 18th 1954)- with Jack Watling and Susan Stephen. An unpremeditated crime on the part of a young man who takes £10,000. 2 The Case of Uncle Henry- with Eliot Makeham. The story of an old man whose good heart leads him to steal cash to help others. 3 The Case of Canary Jones- A nightclub singer is found dead in her apartment. 4 The Case of Gracie Budd- The sad tale of Gracie whose parents were killed in the war. 5 The Case of Soho Red- with Sebastian Cabot and Esma Cannon. Stryker investigates The Kataro Marriage Bureau in London. Kathy O'Hara, a lovely orphaned Irish girl, had answered one of their advertisements. The boss had embarked on an evil plan, after reading her letter which gave her complete financial details. 6 The Case of The Burnt Alibi- with Joss Ambler, John Chandos and Avis Scott. Written by Lester Powell. Directed by Arthur Crabtree. An explosion in a deserted barn- and Stryker finds the charred remains of an unidentified man. 7 The Case of the Two Brothers- (Cinema release, 1954 with #8 as 'Companions in Crime.') with Maurice Kaufmann and Kenneth Haigh. Also in cast- Gaylord Cavallaro, Ian Fleming, Jack Lambert, Fred Griffiths, Russell Napier, Billie Whitelaw, Christine Silver, Patrick Jordan, Gillian Lutyens, Cyril Chamberlain. Arnold helps his young brother to find a job with a haulage company. But John soon realises the company is just a cover for a more sinister business. 8 The Case of The Black Falcon- with Tim Turner, Dorothy Alison, David Perrin, Guy Deghy, Eliot Makeham and Philo Hauser. A tale of smuggled diamonds. 9 The Case of the Bogus Count- with Anthony Newley as a singer, Gerry Barnes, who gets a job at a crooked night club. Stryker exposes a racket involving burglars. 10 The Case of The Express Delivery- with Sandra Dorne, a bad time girl who leads astray a once reliable mechanic Wally Ross. 11 The Case of Diamond Annie- with Hugh Moxey. Stryker smashes a stealing and receiving gang. 12 The Case of the Pearl Payroll- with Mary Merrall,Joan Newell and Russell Waters. Written by Lester Powell. Directed by Arthur Crabtree. Stryker chases a gang of bank robbers- and the final showdown comes in a lonely warehouse.... 13 The Case of the Second Shot- with Irene Handl. To pay for his wife's medical treatment, Joe turns to crime. Missing Menu . . . . . . . . . King of Diamonds Starring John Lupton Director: Robert Lynn Devised and produced by Harry Alan Towers. A ZIV production. Date- 1960. 39 stories presold to A-R in London, ABC in the Midlands and Granada in the North. A half hour series shot in Hollywood, but with location scenes in London and Europe. Story 1 shot in early 1960 and finished by March, was Appointment in Pelikan Straat Others in the cast: Audrey Dalton, Bill Owen, Douglas Wilmer, Claire Gordon, John van Eyssen, Jean Long. Scenes were shot in the Criterion Restaurant and Festival Hall London as well as in Antwerp. My guess is that this was an unused pilot for the American series which was to have as its star Broderick Crawford. I'd be pleased if you can add anything, about this particular story. Pilot Menu Missing Menu . . . . . . . . . Rendezvous Executive producer Edwin Knops, a veteran movie man, was in charge of his first tv series, made by the Rapallo Pictures company. The series was jointly financed and distributed by CBS in America and A-R in Britain. The host of the series, Charles Drake, also made the commercials for the American sponsor Rheingold- these were made at MGM Studios, the set consisting of a study, leading out on to a sunny patio. In a report published on the first day of 1959, it was stated that 12 of the series had already been completed in USA (however, it does seem that 13 were made in America), the remaining 27 to be filmed at Elstree, though it was claimed a few had been made in Germany. Altogether, it appears 41 stories were made, this possibly includes two pilots? Rendezvous sadly remains today an extraodinarily elusive series, at least for the present. 4 British stories had already been completed by the end of 1958. In production at this period was Markheim, a reporter noting the shooting of an elaborate Mardi Gras scene. Stray Cat starring Gladys Cooper was one story shot in January 1959, she shared top billing with a leopard! This was hired from the Farrar Zoo in Southport. At the start of February that year, the shooting of Two Per Cent Inspiration was completed, this starred Ian Bannen. Then followed Next Time We'll See Venice. Missing Menu . . . . . . . . . . The Locked Book (working title) At the height of the 'pilot craze' in 1959, this pilot was made for a possible series of 13 half hour films based on the writings of Harry Price. The Hon Derek E Winn and Bill Luckwell formed Winwell productions and made "The Case of the Devil Girl" at St John's Wood Studios. That fine actress Ann Todd was the linking narrator and the film starred Dennis Price as Harry Price. Others in the cast included Ellen Pollock and Jean Dawnay. Co-producer and scriptwriter was Paul Tabori. The plan was to make the remaining twelve films (The Locked Door was the finally agreed title for the series) at Walton Studios - directors Henry Katz and Laurence Huntingdon were named as probable directors. So what happened to that filmed pilot? An American TV network is alleged to have bought the series for £130,000 in August 1959- was anything ever shown there? Missing Menu Pilot Menu . . . . . . . . DICK TURPIN I'd be very pleased to hear from anyone who has a print of this 1959 pilot film, or even remembers ever seeing it. The stars were Alan Browning (1926-1979) as the celebrated highwayman and Jane Hylton who played Lady Elizabeth. With a script by Alan Reeve-Jones, it was directed by Max Varnel. The theme music was written by Frank Cordell (1918-1980). The producer was Bert Page an enterprising bookie (yes really), who was younger brother of the singer Jill Day (real name Yvonne Page). He was an amateur jockey, riding his sister's horse Christella for a while. With Denton de Gray as associate producer, Page formed Four Seasons Productions Ltd and splashed out £15,000 for this film, which was sent to America with six further scripts. However there do not seem to have been any takers. Alan Browning "took over the lead at a day's notice" when an accident on the first day of shooting befell the original star David Davenport (1921-1995, best known perhaps for his role in Crossroads).... Alan had been due to play the second lead, Turpin's friend 'Tom King'. Much of the filming was done in August 1959 with "the full cooperation of the Brighton Council". I doubt whether Brighton Studios were used at all, but certainly since Jill Day's horse was stabled near Lewes, this explains why much of the filming was done on location near here, in particular at East Chiltington. Perhaps it was Jill Day's horse that was used in the film? Pilot Menu . . . . . . All Aboard The story of the Adriana cruise ship. During the run of 26 episodes there were several crossings of the Atlantic plus a tour of the Med- in the studio at least! This series started on 6th December 1958 in the ABC region only, but was networked from 24th January 1959, replacing Southern TV's Mary Britten MD. Amongst the stars in All Aboard were Avril Angers as Joan Harrison a stewardess, and the then little known Arthur Lowe as a steward, Sydney Barker. Included in familiar faces on the passenger list was Susannah Yorke (see picture) who falls in love with a violinist (seated next to her). Others on board for some stories were Gordon Jackson, Gerald Flood, Leslie Sands, Terence Alexander and Richard O'Sullivan. The script was by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples, and directors included ABC's regular, Guy Verney. Also seen here is an ad in a trade paper by the producer- who applied, and who got the part? To Missing Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DIAL RIX - Brian Rix was the master of farce in post war Britain. His contract with the BBC started in 1956, and classics such as Dry Rot were adapted from their Whitehall Theatre origins for showing on telly. Rix was a shrewd actor manager and he also arranged for the BBC to show one act of his latest play, which certainly sent me off to the Whitehall to see the rest! Perhaps the cream of the plays was the hilarious One for The Pot. In his autobiography My Farce from My Elbow, Rix wrote (p139)- "Negotiating with the BBC for another TV excerpt.... once more the effect on the box office was electric and this started me thinking yet again about a regular series of full-length farces on television. On this occasion, though, my timing was spot-on for the spectre of ITV was haunting the BBC and they needed some popular old rubbish such as mine to put them on even terms." In 1962-3 Brian Rix appeared in a regular 50 minute series of nine plays under the title Dial Rix, starring in some new farces for tv but still using his trusted team - who can forget Leo Franklyn often as the original grumpy old man, or chirpy little Larry Noble or indeed Rix's wife Elspet, who always seemed to be being pushed into some cranny or cupboard. In an interview, Rix once put his success down to the fact that "as a team we know each other and don't need to waste any time warming up." The climate for the farce has sadly gone, along with tv's innocence. But Brian Rix will be remembered for the sidesplitting pleasure he provided by the bucketful in his day. Thankfully some of Rix's output was put on to feature film, the best being 'The Night We Got the Bird', but where have his BBC plays gone? Among the many plays specially made for tv, before Dial Rix, were: Love in a Mist (January 29th 1956)- by Kenneth Horne. With Brian Rix and Elspeth Gray as newly weds, and Basil Lord and Diana Calderwood, a more experienced couple, all stranded by fog at an Exmoor duck farm. "Joan Sanderson gave a fascinating study of a duck farmer's wife, and John Slater made some brief but highly effective appearances as her spouse." You Too Can Have a Body (March 3rd 1957) by FA Robinson. Two scriptwriters retire to the peace of Creekwood Castle to write a comedy thriller for the telly. The script starts to take on a life of its own, when a corpse materialises....Note that for the first time, all the cast of the current Whitehall farce, Dry Rot, were able to appear, Brian Rix, Basil Lord, Leo Franklyn, Larry Noble, Charles Cameron, Cecily Paget-Bowman, Diana Calderwood, Beryl Ede, Hugh Douglas, and Peter Mercer Jane Steps Out (April 28th 1957) by Kenneth Horne. Described as a modern Cinderella story of Jane Wilton (Ann Firbank) who, goaded by her lazy selfish sister, sets out to ensnare her sister's boy friend. The cast also included the current Whitehall Dry Rot team. What the Doctor Ordered (October 6th 1957) by Vernon Sylvaine and Lawrence Huntingdon, directed by Jack Williams. Leo Frankyn had the starring role as hypochondriac JG Van Velt, who has a casket of many pills, only the labels have come off. He's most interested in the one that offers rejuvenation, and his trial and error method of finding it gives ample scope for Brian Rix and Basil Lord as JG's nephews to create a lot of fun. Peter Mercer also starred as an escaped criminal, Hazel Douglas as a slighted girl friend, Barbara Hicks as a would-be breach of promise plaintiff, and Eunice Gayson as a gold digger. Completing the cast were Larry Noble (butler), Elizabeth Chambers (maid), Garth Adams (policeman), and Charles Cameron (solicitor) A Policeman's Lot (March 1959) Nap Hand (May 17th 1959) by Vernon Sylvaine. "The cast, working beautifully as a team, showed many of the profession what perfect timing does" A Cup of Kindness (Dec 20th 1959) by Ben Travers Doctor in the House (June 5th 1960) based on Richard Gordon's book, this story was adapted for TV by no less than Ted Willis. "A very jolly evening. Dickie Henderson was superb as Tony Grimsdyke. He took the limelight from Brian Rix's Simon Sparrow by sheer force of personality. Still, Rix being the unselfish actor that he is, must have expected it." Others in the cast included Liz Fraser, Fabia Drake, Sheila Hancock and Charles Cameron. Directed by Wallas Eaton. Reluctant Heroes (September 11th 1960) - tv script by Colin Morris, celebrating 10 years of Whitehall farce Missing Menu . . . . . . . . Jezebel ex U.K. The byline of this forgotten 1963 ABC series was: "A Ship- the Sea... and People." This followed a similar concept to ABC's earlier All Aboard. It was only partially networked, but must have been quite a success as other regions showed recordings later in 1963. Regulars in the series were Ernest Hare as the ship's Captain, Alan Browning the Chief Officer Steve Rettar, Emrys Jones as the purser Lawton, with Cavan Kendall his assistant Carr and Patrick Bedford the barman Pomeroy. Guy Verney was producer and directors included Jonathan Alwyn. Theme music was by ABC's Robert Earley First story was transmitted on Saturday 30th March 1963 at 6.30pm (ABC Midlands/ The North) and was Sea of Doubt starring Heather Sears and Pete Murray. The series started in Sydney with the Jezebel returning to England, with newlyweds Larry and Maxine (the two stars), others in this opening story being Mark Dignam, Patrick Holt and John Bonney. others in the cast were Margaret Courtenay, Reg Lye, Keith Anderson, David Webb, Fredric Abbott, Walter Sparrow (a semi regular as a sailor), and Jeffrey Ashby (semi-regular as a dining steward). Problems arise when Larry starts to suspect his wife has murdered a child back in Australia. Send a Telegram was story no 2, with Guy Doleman, Jennifer Wright, Mark Eden and Shirley Lawrence. Also with John Trenaman, Roy Stephens, Haydn Jones, Terence Brook, Morris Perry, Timothy Parkes. An everyday story of a live nuclear warhead getting lost in the Pacific. Story no 3 on April 13th was Sister Ship about ex- racing driver Robert Steele (Terence Alexander) and his wife (Miranda Connell). Also starring were John Turner and George Coulouris, with in smaller roles, Garfield Morgan, John Forbes-Robertson, Dudley Jones, Morris Perry, and Jeffrey Ashby. Things go mysteriously wrong with the Jezebel's new radar system. The problem is no unconnected with Robert Steele. others in the cast were Gordon Sterne, Job Stewart, Philippa Gail, Robert MacLeod, Gillian Raine, Roberta Huby and Mavis Villiers. Story number 4 was The Unforgotten Country (20 April). The fifth story (27 April) was Slow Boat to Niniveh and starred George Pravda, Neil Hallett, Richard Carpenter, Margaretta Scott and Noel Howlett. Also appearing were Linda Marlowe, Sheila Brennan, Frederick Piper, Anthony Viccars, Maurice Durant, Walter Sparrow, and Bill Nagy. By now the ship was entering the Atlantic but a mysterious Frenchman causes "strange things" to happen. Sanderson and the Sea was the sixth story, and starred Maurice Good in the title role, with Hugh Paddick and Juliet Cooke. Amanda Barrie also appeared, along with Michael Wynne, Ian Clark, Stephen Thorne, Margo Croan, Peter Hager, and David Webb. Story 7, now shown at 9.10pm on 11th May was Return to Look Behind, with Charles Hyatt as Gabriel Thompson, on his way home to Trinidad. However his warm overcoat hides something.... Also starring were Margaret Anderson and Jacqui Chan. The eighth story on 18th May was Return to Look Behind. Next week, the ninth story was The Long Cool Drop (25th May) which starred William Sylvester and Helen Lindsay. With Gordon Sterne, Phillipa Gail, Robert MacLeod, Gillian Raine, Roberta Huby, Mavis Villiers, and Job Stewart (as Dr Stannard the ship's doctor, a semi-regular character). One of two Canadian Air Force Officers returning home on the Jezebel, falls mysteriously ill. On June 1st the tenth story Bitter Lemon in Biscay written by Hugh Leonard had a strong cast of Gwen Watford as Miss Beecher and Maurice Denham. Others appearing were Maitland Moss, Ewan Roberts, Betty Hare, Anthony Verner, Bridget Wood, and Job Stewart. Mr Appleby is a difficult passenger with a bulging briefcase. Story No 11 on 8th June was Love and Let Love with Richard O'Sullivan as Paul Brooks and Kika Markham as Ruth who fall in love on board. Ernest Clark and Georgina Cookson as Paul's parents are not too keen. Also in the cast were Lisa Daniely, Alan MacNaughtan, Anna Wing and Geoffrey Palmer. This was also scheduled for June 22nd, so it is probable transmission of these last two stories was delayed. On 15th June the final story was The Long Voyage, the ship now docking at Gibraltar where a high pressure businessman, Byrne (Brian Nissen), comes on board. He seems obsessed with retired architect George Gladstone (Kynaston Reeves). Other stars in this story are Joan Haythorne and Elizabeth Shepherd. Also in this story were Brian Nissen, Victor Platt, June Ellis, and Bart Allison. Others to appear in one of the stories, details not to hand of which, were Jane Asher, Donald Hewlett, and Muriel Pavlow. Missing Menu . . . . . . . . Dick and the Duchess (1957) It's scarcely possible to imagine this comedy series, filmed at MGM Elstree Studios, hasn't survived. With Hazel Court as the star, here's one seriously neglected series. Maybe this was producer Sheldon Reynolds best filmed series, for with a supporting cast that included Richard Wattis, Michael Shepley and Beatrice Varley it must be worth another look today! Another character who made occasional appearances was the police sergeant played by the fine Peter Butterworth. OK, so the star was more forgettable, Patrick O'Neal playing an insurance agent, married to The Duchess of the title, but one feels that any series that could attract Margaret Rutherford as a guest star, must be due for resurrection. Margaret Rutherford appeared in The Kissing Bandit as a much married widow. Amongst others appearing in one of the stories were Sydney Tafler, William Mervyn, Irene Handl, Michael Medwin, Kenneth Williams and William Franklyn. Also involved was the only rival to top female tv executive Hannah Weinstein- executive producer Nicole Milinaire. Michael Winner in his own entry in a 1960's Film and TV Year Book states he was "director" on this series, but probably this means of the second unit? There were 26 twenty five minute films made. Where are they all hiding? Hazel Court went to New York in late 1957 for a four day "exposure and promotional trip." Let's expose this series again! Picture- On the left is Patrick O'Neal, with Hazel Court on the right, whilst caught in the middle is Richard Wattis Missing Menu . . . . . . . . Discs a Gogo (first opened in 1961) "The gayest coffee bar in town," created by Harry Hargreaves. A lot of independent tv stations attempted to cash in on the pop music bandwagon. In Wales and the West, TWW persuaded Kent Walton, better known for his wrestling commentaries, to compere their weekly swinging show. Some famous names appeared on the half hour show, and it became so popular that it was taken by a number of the lesser ITV companies (TTT, Anglia and Westward periodically), but as far as I recall it was never screened by the Big Four companies. Geoff Leonard tells me that Starfire by The John Barry Seven & Orchestra was the signature tune for the programme. On many of the episodes they would show a sequence of cartoons, almost like an early pop video. David Hoey can recall some of these cartoons, "one of which was The Girl from Wolverton Mountain by Jo Ann Campbell (1962), another was Do you hear what I hear? by Bing Crosby (1963), this one being shown for two consecutive weeks. Three other songs I remember were Starfire by the John Barry Seven (1961), Bambino by the Springfields and Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel (1965)." Geoff says "the cartoon was a fox called Gogo, animated by Harry Hargreaves, which accompanied a different record each week. One I remember was I won't Go Hunting With You Jake, But I'll Go Chasing Women, by Jimmy Dean." A Discs a Gogo bonus if you came to dance on the show was the gift of a badge. They are quite common today, so they must have been dished out fairly liberally! There was also a dance troupe, The Gojos, the brainchild of choreographer Jo Cook. Geoff remembers the girl who looked after the coffee bar with 'Frank' was "a dumb blonde, possibly called Connie. She literally never spoke, it was a kind of gimmick." Thank you David and Geoff, If you can supply more information, I'd be very pleased to hear from you, and acknowledge your help here. Details of a few of the shows: Please note that transmission dates varied in the regions that even showed Gogos. TWW started showing it on Mondays at 7pm, but in 1964 for example Anglia screened it on Tuesdays. In Autumn 1965 it moved to Wednesdays on TWW /Thursdays is some other areas. KENT WALTON introduced the shows, except where stated otherwise. (For later programmes, he was joined by Tony Prince, a DJ at The Top Rank in Bristol.) Monday October 16th 1962 with Mike Cotton and His Jazzmen, Russ Sainty, Christine Quaite (singing Your Nose is Gonna Grow). Plus Frank Harding, Connie Greengrove. Script: Ken Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer. 100th show: Monday September 23rd 1963 with Frank Ifield, Susan Maughan, Johnny Dankworth Quintet. Producer- Chris Mercer. Monday March 30th 1964 with Alma Cogan, Ian McCulloch, The Mojos, Jackie and Jill. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Monday July 6th 1964 with The Mojos, Freddie and The Dreamers. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Monday August 24th 1964 with The Dave Clark Five, Mose Allison, The T-Bones. Script- Ken Robertson. Producer- Ned Kelly. Monday October 5th 1964 with The Dave Clark Five, Anita Harris, Tommy Quickly, The Chants. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Tuesday October 27th 1964 with Marianne Faithfull, The Plebs, Lorne Gibson, Spencer Davis Group. Script- Ken Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Monday December 14th 1964 with Lulu, The Four Pennies, The Barron Knights. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Tuesday January 26th 1965 with Cilla Black, Cliff Bennett, Dev Douglas, The Gojo's, The Syndicats. Script- Ken Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Tuesday February 2nd 1965 with Donovan, Anita Harris, The Frays. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Monday March 8th 1965 with The Dave Clark Five, Anita Harris, The Messengers, Rick and Sandy, The Gojo's. Monday April 19th 1965 with Sounds Incorporated, Cliff Bennett, Donovan. Script- Ken Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Tuesday June 1st 1965 with Cilla Black, Cliff Bennett, Dev Douglas, The Gojo's, The Syndicats. Script- Ken Robertson. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Tuesday June 29th 1965 with The Fortunes, The Moody Blues, Solomon Burke. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Tuesday July 6th 1965 with Dave Berry, Millie, Eden Kane, Spencer Davis Group. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Tuesday July 20th 1965 with Tom Jones, Vikki Carr, Terry Butler, Simon and Garfunkel, The Quiet Five, The Fourmost. Producer- Christopher Mercer. Tuesday August 10th 1965 with The Moody Blues, The Pretty Things. Producer- Chris Mercer. Tuesday September 7th 1965 hosts Tony Blackburn and Tony Prince: with Cliff Bennett, The Hollies, The Measles. Director- Terence Lacey. Producer- CM. Wednesday October 13th 1965 with Jackie Trent, The Fortunes, Bo Diddley, The Pack, The Candy Dates. Producer- Chris Mercer. Wednesday October 20th 1965 with Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, Barry McGuire, Millie, PF Sloan, The Hedgehoppers Anonymous, The Yardbirds. Producer- Chris Mercer. Wednesday November 3rd 1965 with The Animals, Susan Maughan, Ben E King, Paul & Barry Ryan, Amita Harris, The Moody Blues. Producer- Chris Mercer. Thursday November 25th 1965 with Sir Douglas Quintet, Russ Sainty, The Keys. Producer- Chris Mercer. I have been unable to trace the date the series ended, but it was some time after this last listed show. However, to mark the channel TWW's demise, Gogos, with host Tony Blackburn, was reopened for one final show on Saturday March 2nd 1968. TWW stopped broadcasting that Sunday, and Gogos sadly closed its doors for good. It would appear probable this final show is the only Gogos to survive, unless you know better... To 'Missing' Menu . . . . . . . . . . . BBC Children's Serials Click, where highlighted, for details: 1953: Robin Hood 1956: Rex Milligan, Potts 1957: Sara Crewe, The Railway Children 1958: Captain Moonlight Man of Mystery 1959: Garry Halliday, The Golden Spur, Redgauntlet, Three Golden Nobles, The Young Lady From London, Great Expectations 1960: The Adventures of St Ives, The Long Way Home 1963: No Cloak- No Dagger Most people would agree that 'Auntie' BBC lead the way in Children's serials in the 1950's and 1960's. At one stage Studio E at the BBC were making three children's serials each week. Despite a lot of effort, and a bit of money, ITV never quite managed to wrest the laurels from their rival. For the BBC had a long experience of producing quality children's drama, admittedly mostly of the rather superior classical genre adapting not only Dickens but more ethereal classics by John Buchan, E Nesbitt and the like also. However they did attempt some lower brow material, if I can call it that, though always to high production values (by the standards of those days). If you have memories of any other serials, if you, like me, hid behind the sofa when the bagpipes skirled in Huntingtower, I would be pleased to hear from you, and acknowledge any contribution you make (not Dr Who, please). Picture- one of the better remembered popular heroes, Captain Moonlight with his bubble car Missing Menu . . . . . . . Great Expectations (BBC) Of the numerous adaptations of Dickens' novel, this 1959 children's serial (repeated in 1960) starred Colin Spaull as Pip, and Dinsdale Landen as the grown up Pip. Estella was portrayed by Sandra Michaels, while as a grown up Helen Lindsay played her. Colin Jeavons was Herbert Pocket, Nigel Davenport Bentley Drummle, and Marjorie Hawtrey played Miss Havisham. Most people, according to producer Dorothea Brooking, found Michael Gwynn's performance as Joe Gargery the one that gave them most pleasure. To BBC Children's Menu . . . . . . . The Adventures of St Ives (BBC) Robert Louis Stevenson's novel had previously been adapted for children's tv in 1955 by Rex Tucker. This new version was serialised in 1960, and shown on Sundays at 5.5pm commencing on June 12th 1960. William Russell again starred as St Ives, with other parts taken by Audrey Nicholson as La Belle Flora, and Denis Goacher as the evil Alain. To BBC Children's Menu . . . . . . . . Robin Hood Before ever ITV introduced us to Richard Greene, in 1953 the BBC serialised the legend of Robin Hood in 6 parts, Max Kester writing the script, and Joy Harington producer. The main cast were Patrick Troughton in the title role, Wensley Pithey as Friar Tuck, Kenneth Mackintosh as Little John, John Breslin as Alan-A-Dale, Philip Guard as Will Scarlett, and Dudley Jones as Much the miller's son. It began on Tuesday March 17th 1953 with Episode 1: Gathering the Band. Episode 2: The Abbot of St Mary's (March 24th 1953) also had in the cast Raymond Rollett as the Abbot of St Mary's, Guy Verney as Sir Richard at the Lee, Maurice Jones as Sir Guy of Gisborne, and Mark Daly as Prior. Also appearing were Miles Brown, Peter Doughty, Eric Evans, and David Askey. Episode 3: Who is Robin? (March 31st 1953) also included David Kossoff, rather improbably cast as the Sheriff of Nottingham, with Christopher Hodge as Cook, Jimmy Vernor as Kitchen boy, Ronald Marriott, Anthony Marriott, and David Askey. Episode 4: The Silver Arrow was shown on April 7th 1953, Episode 5: A King Comes to Greenwood on April 14th with the final episode called The Secret shown on April 21st 1953. To BBC Children's Menu . . . . . . . Rex Milligan (April/ May 1956) The scripts by author Anthony Buckeridge were produced by Pharic Maclaren. The opening theme music by Bob Farnon was called Playtime. The regular cast included Paul Streather as Rex Milligan, Anthony Bryant as Jigger Johnson, Anthony Valentine as JO Stagg, William Simons as Alfie Cutforth, The Tech Juniors: Wilfrid Downing as Spikey Andrews, Melvyn Hayes as Bubblegum Tucker, with Anthony Sharp as Mr Hunter, Headmaster of Sheldrake Grammar School (in #5). Cast details of the last 3 stories: Programme 4: Rex Milligan Keeps The Flag Flying (May 6th 1956). Also in this cast: Maud Long (Mrs Tucker), Lane Meddick (Builder), Douglas Chapman, Graham Larkin, Roger Page, Kenneth Tyllsen, Andrew Vale, and James Warren. Programme 5: The Bogus Formula (May 13th 1956). Also in this cast: Philip Ray (Dr Stallybone), Reginald Barratt (Mr Pavlowski), Joan Sanderson (Mrs Pinkney), Tom Bowan (Policeman), Jack Bond, Barry Knight, Larry Dann, Maurice Lane, David Higson, and Derek Hodgson. Programme 6: Rex Milligan Raises the Roof (May 20th 1956). Also appearing: Jefferson Clifford (Mr Birkinshaw), Philip Ray, Jack Bond, Derek Hodgson, Larry Dann, Barry Knight, David Higson, Maurice Lane, Colin Wall, and John Rhodes. To BBC Children's Menu . . . . . . . Sara Crewe A 6 part serial, the first episode shown on Tuesday April 30th 1957. Adapted by Penelope Knox. Produced by Naomi Capon. Frances Hodgson Burnett's story was originally adapted in 1951, the tale of Sara who lives happily with her father in India until she is sent to Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies. In the title role as The Little Princess was Carol Wolveridge, with Peggy Livesey as Miss Minchin and Rosamund Greenwood as Miss Amelia. Other parts were taken by David Aylmer as Captain Crewe, Julie Desmond as Lavinia, Susan Lyall Grant as Ermengarde, Andre Maranne as M Dufarge, and Hamlyn Benson as Mr Barrow. BBC Children's Menu . . . . . . . The Young Lady From London (BBC) Sundays commencing November 22nd 1959. Anne Castaldini starred as the London girl Jane, who wins a trip to Paris, and there discovers she has a double, Anna Jortzeroth, a young pianist with a brilliant reputation. Anna is madly in love with Prince Laszlo (Sandor Eles), son of the exiled King of Soldania, Anna's father has taken over as dictator in Soldania. Others in the cast included Hugh David as Klipel and Steve Plytas as Otto, two disreputable journalists. Some location shooting was done in Paris with Anne Castaldini and Sandor Eles. To BBC Children's Menu . . . . . . . The Railway Children (1957) The BBC produced several successful adaptations of this memorable E Nesbit novel, this 1957 version was given the honour of appearing on the cover of Radio Times at the beginning of March 1957. Jean Anderson reprised her role of Mother from the earlier 1951 BBC version, whilst Norman Shelley made a fine Old Gentleman. The children, seen here, were: Anneke Willys as Bobbie, Cavan Kendall as Peter and Sandra Michaels as Phyl. The music perfectly fitted the mood of the story, Grieg's Norwegian Dance No.2. Producer was Dorothea Brooking, who wrote in Radio Times about some of the production difficulties: "filming in 1957 for the period of 1906 means finding a station and a bit of line that is not electrified. After quite a long search.... we have found a country station and a line that winds through a tunnel between high wooded hills." In the tradition of the time, she does not of course reveal that location. Edwin Laming Macadam kindly informs me that the line was the Horsham to Guildford line, and that the tunnel was probably Baynards Tunnel. Edwin is fairly certain that the station in this photo is thus Baynards. To BBC Children's Menu For my review of the 1968 BBC Railway Children serial . . . . . . . Garry Halliday If you are of a certain age, you will recall BBC'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. 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. 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 BBC Children's Menu . . . . . . . No Cloak- No Dagger A six part serial starting Sunday September 1st 1963, script by Duncan Ross, produced by Christopher Barry. Synopsis: Ian Lambert (William Franklyn) and Emma Cresswell (Lana Morris) help Pat Penmore (Caroline Blakiston) clear her father's name. Their quest takes them to Cornwall and those mysterious man-made caves, the fogous. At an old Cornish hotel, the Trevone Arms, they encounter Donald Fraser (Jack Stewart), a former friend of the imprisoned Prof Penmore (Keith Pyott). But more informative still is an old miner, now a handyman at the hotel, named Trev (Patrick Troughton): "that's the man who knew the professor better than anybody." The serial also starred Cyril Luckham as Det Chief Supt Gage. To BBC Children's Menu . . . . . . . . . Potts (1956-8) My favourite ever BBC children's serial starred ex-Whirlygig stalwart Humphrey Lestocq as ex-Flight Lieutenant Peter Potts. The four serial adventures were: Potts in Parovia (1956), Potts and the Phantom Piper (1957), Potts and The Night Whistlers (1957), and Potts, Gangbuster Some details: Potts in Parovia: script by Ingram D'Abbes. Potts and the Phantom Piper: written by Lane Meddick. It concluded on March 9th 1957 with Episode 6 The Stranger in the Dungeon. The interesting cast comprised George Tovey as Mike Moroney, John Rae as Angus McDrew, Hilary Mason as Mrs Flint, Mac Picton as James McWhissle, Oliver Burt as Prof Spenser, Maureen Beck as Terry Spenser, Maurice Durant as Herr Spitzbauer, John Saunders as Lloyd, Neil Hallett as Mulaney, Peter Vaughan as Stannard and John Dunbar as PC Buchanan. As a young lad, I recall being thoroughly absorbed by this gripping adventure. Potts and The Night Whistlers, written by Desmond O'Donovan, which began with Episode 1 Diamonds in the Rough (May 4th 1957). The cast included Alastair Hunter as Inspector Power, John H Watson as Sgt Rogers, Yah Ming as Ho Lim, Ellen Pollock as Captain Tempest, Geoffrey Denton as Fairweather, Michael Corcoran as Sprig, Frederick Schiller as Van Mallen, Richard Shaw as Helder, Ronald Wilson as Dick Hamilton, Patrick Connor as Brennan, Roger Winton as Capricorn Jones, and George Tovey as Mike Maroney. Episode 2 The Mystery of Black Lodge Creek (May 11th). The cast: Yah Ming, Ellen Pollock, Pauline Olsen as Anne Fisher, Geoffrey Denton, Michael Corcoran, Frederick Schiller, Guy Deghy as a Dutch Skipper, John Law as Evans, Alastair Hunter, John Watson, Roger Winton and Richard Shaw. If you can add to the above, I would be for ever grateful, and will acknowledge your help on my site To BBC Children's Menu . . . . ITV Children's Serials and Plays I'm recording here details of some mostly forgotten children's drama- if you can add anything, I would be very pleased to hear from you, especially if you appeared in any of the series, or worked behind the scenes. Below are all serials that are being covered in a fair amount of detail. Where highlighted, please click for fuller information. Info on the other series listed will follow. Colour code in the chart below only: A-R ATV ABC GRANADA SOUTHERN

1955 on	1960 on	1961 on	1963 on	1965 on	1967 on
WRITE IT YOURSELF	FORMULA FOR DANGER	ROMANO THE PEASANT	SIERRA NINE	ORLANDO	DANGER ISLAND
DEAD GIVEAWAY	TARGET LUNA	THE SECRET OF THE NUBIAN TOMB	SMUGGLERS' COVE	THE MASTER	MYSTERY HALL
MYSTERY OF CARRICK HOUSE	MILL OF SECRETS	THE SKEWBALD	EMERALD SOUP	THE NEW FOREST RUSTLERS	SEXTON BLAKE
THE DIAMOND BIRD	FRANCIS STORM INVESTIGATES	SUGGESTION OF SABOTAGE	BADGER'S BEND	SEND FOSTER	THE FLOWER OF GLOSTER
THE LITTLE SHIP	THE ROVING REASONS	THE HANDY GANG	MIKE	WESTWARD TV DRAMAS	DEVIL-IN-THE-FOG

See also for my own reviews of some serials that have survived:

COUNTER ATTACK (ABC 1960), CITY BENEATH THE SEA (ABC 1962), SECRET BENEATH THE SEA (ABC 1963)

OBJECT Z (Rediffusion 1965)

FREEWHEELERS (Southern 1968)

A-R, later Rediffusion, was perhaps the best of the ITV companies at producing children's serials in the early years of independent television. Click here for brief details of some A-R children's plays for which I have only got scant details. Here are details of another: FRONTIER DRUMS (1961)
Script: Peter Hayes. Director: Jim Pople, Fridays 5pm-5.25pm.
Set in the north west frontier of India in 1879. Kardar Khan the Maharajah of Ghurkistan (Derek Sydney) is plotting against the British Raj. Starring Bernard Brown as Major Neville Chrichton and Edmond Bennett as Sgt Ramdass.
Others in the cast were Ronnie Raymond as Nigel Chrichton, Daphne Johnson as Lucy Chrichton, Kika Markham as Helena Chrichton, Peter Bathurst as Major-Gen Anderson, Roy Purcell as Col Courtenay, Norman Claridge as Henry Marchbanks, William Lyon Brown as Sultan Ahmed, Joseph Cuby as Abu, David Spenser as Azim Khan, Bill Burridge as Akbar and Ivan Craig as Sayid Lal.
The serial began with episode 1, Soldier of the Queen, on September 22nd 1961
And here are a few brief cast lists of ATV children's serials
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Other ATV Children's Serials
Brief notes

No Man's Island (ATV)
in seven parts, shown October to December 1960 on Sunday afternoons.
Script: Alan Reeve-Jones
Producer: Cecil Petty.
Stars: Vincent Ball as Denis Barker,
AJ Brown as Captain Cork,
Rosemary Miller as Miss Ellis,
Dan Meaden as Mr Dyson, and
Douglas Livingstone as Leo.
Also appearing Frazer Hines as Tim.

Strange Concealmeants (ATV)
Subtitled: An Adventure in 7 clues.
Script: Barbara Clegg. Producer: Cecil Petty.
Starring: Barbara Clegg as Kate George, Frederick Jaegar as David Stimpson, Victor Platt as John Harmer, Henry Soskin as Ambrose Lemmon, Clare Asher as Victoria Lemmon, Robin Walker as Boyd George.
1 The Clue in the Lockets - Saturday September 29th 1962 5.15pm, 2 October 6th 1962, 3 Tongues in Trees, - October 13th 1962, 4 October 20th 1962, 5 Sermons in Stones - October 27th 1962, 6 November 3rd 1962, 7 November 10th 1962

ATV stopped producing serials after this until 1966

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Children's drama began with enthusiasm from the inception of A-R's broadcasting. During the first week this drama was shown in the 5.30pm slot:
Hand in Glove
Monday September 26th 1955, written by Mary Cathcart Borer.
The tale of some village schoolchildren who become involved with a gang of crooks on the run. But the children eventually help police round up the criminals.
Cast: Janet Harrison as Jean, Diana Beavers as Ann, Fella Edmonds as Peter, Ross Goodall as John, Huw Evans as Lance, with Sylvia Marriott as Mrs Harris, Olga Dickie as Miss Talbot, Lloyd Pearson as PC Summers, Arthur Lovegrove as Bert, Len Sharp as Joe, Betty Wolfe as Mrs Anderson, Margaret Sawyers as Margaret, Pamela Lagg as Janet and Doreen Season as Miss Bennett.
The first ever A-R serial was in the Friday slot at 5.45pm, aimed at the five to nine age group. It was the fifteen minute
The Little Round House, adapted for tv by Peter Ling.
Episode 1 was on 30th September 1955.
It was about Robin (Michael Bryant) who gets a big surprise when he is posting his letter, for the pillar box turns into a little house. Mr Papingay (Toke Townley) lives in this strange home, and he invites Robin to meet the strange people there.
June Kirkham played Penny, others in the cast included Jocelyn Britton as The Home-made Fairy, Jack Howard as the Farmer, Catherine George as the Little Girl, Robert Bardwell as the Fat Boy, Vi Stevens was Mrs Tupp with Charles Rea as the Narrator.
A sequel to THE LITTLE ROUND HOUSE was
Mr Papinjay's Ship
This seven part sequel started on 7th February 1956
Robin is looking wistfully at the pillar box remembering his enjoyable adventures, and it is only when he goes to the seaside that he meets all his friends again. The narrator and main parts were the same though John Douglas now played Fat Boy. Beatrice Varley appeared as The Baker's Grandmother and Patience Collier as Aunt Boffin.
Steve Hunter, Trouble Merchant (1955/6)
Shown Mondays at 5.30pm. Script by Gerald Kelsey and Stefan Ricardo.
Produced and Directed by Hugh Rennie
Alan Edwards starred in the title role. Other regulars were Harry Towb as Wally Smith and Carl Duering as Carlo.
There were several adventures, the first shown from October to December 1955.
A second serial began in January 1956, entitled The Mystery of the Marshes.
In this, the formula of a secret fuel and a special fuel adaptor have been stolen from Dr Badel the inventor. The Admiralty commissions Steve and the crew of Sea Wolf to recover the formula.
The second serial in A-R's Friday 5.45pm slot shown during November and December 1955 was
The Snow Queen, written by Suria Magito and Rudolph Weil, based on the well known fairy tale.
The Storyteller was Tony Sympson, with Sheila Ward as Klara and A-R announcer Redvers Kyle as Karl.
Maureen Davies played Princess Christina, Bruce Sharman appeared as Prince Klaus and Hugh Manning was The King.
A serial for older children screened in seven parts from October to December 1955 on Tuesdays at 5.30pm was Barbie
written by Diana Noel from the book by Kitty Barne. The great veteran star Zena Dare played Miss Fothergill, with Marcia Manolescue in the title role.
The story was about the daughter of a famous conductor who has to go on a world tour, so sends Barbie to stay in the country with her uncle (David Markham) and her two cousins Simon (Jonathan Swift) and Laurel (Erika Markham). A wealthy neighbour and music lover, Miss Fothergill, befriends the child and pays for Barbie's violin lessons with Vascoletti a famous teacher.
The Ambermere Treasure by Malcolm Saville, adapted in six parts by Derek Hoddinott. Director: David Eady. December 1955- January 1956.
Top Secret shown in July/ August 1956 was a six part serial by Peter Hayes.
The children were Malcolm (Christopher Sandford) and Dicky (Tony Ford) with Nicholas Selby as Inspector Maclean. Liz Fraser had a small part as Linda Hanssen.
Note- not to be confused with A-R's 1961/2 series with William Franklyn
Passport to Danger was a seven part serial beginning on Friday 28th September 1956 and shown fortnightly.
It was written by Peter Ling and Jonathan Alwyn, who also directed the stories.
Michael Pelham (Paul Streather) is travelling on the Orient Express to join his parents in Belgrade. An adventure for any boy to dream of. But no sooner has he left Paris, than there follows a mysterious train of events. A spy ring! He meets a Roumanian travel courier who tells Michael he's working for British Intelligence, and interrogates a suspect in Michael's compartment. But when Michael returns he finds the suspect dead, and the courier nowhere to be seen.
The File on Voronov was a half hour play shown on Christmas Day 1956.
Peter Ling wrote it with his wife Sheilah Ward, and David Eady was the director.
Synopsis: Russian military attache Maxim Voronov (George Murcell) leaves his embassy to attend a hush-hush international conference. What begins as a practical joke by three small boys, Joe (Glyn Dearman), Charlie (Anthony Green) and Steven (Ian Hobbs) has Scotland Yard, MI5 and the security forces involved...
The serial McFarlane's Way was set in Scotland and began on April 28th 1959. The stars were Peter Furnell and Gay Gordon who were later to appear in different roles in The Diamond Bird. Peter Furnell starred as Andrew McFarlane, Gay Gordon as Flora Donald. Others appearing included Douglas Muir, Barrie Ingham and Ralph Nossek. The story was written by Elisabeth Beresford and directed by Marion Radclyffe.
The Highwayman
was a one-off musical adventure set in the 18th century. It was shown on August 25th 1959 from 5.45pm to 6.15pm.
This was a bold attempt at a musical play for children written by Elisabeth Paine with lyrics by David Dearlove and music by Ron Grainer (one of his less remembered efforts?). Marion Radclyffe directed.
Denis Martin starred in the title role with Miriam Karlin as Lady Sedgewick.
Also in the cast were Pat Laurence as Sarah Grey, Nevil Whiting as Lord Sedgewick, Brian Alexis (who also arranged the choreography) as Peter Potts and Doris Littel as Martha.
The Missing Mercury
written by Anthony Sheppard, directed by Marion Radclyffe.
Tues Oct 20th 1959 5.25pm.
A one-off story about two children and a mysterious stranger who join in the search for an aircraft which vanishes on a trial flight over the Bristol Channel.
Cast: Ruth Kettlewell as Mrs Green, Peter Collingwood as Mr Jones, Michael Logan as Bill Cotton, June Ellis as June Cotton, Gay Gordon as Penny, Sam Jephcott as Jim, Ross Hutchinson as Mr Thorpe, Anthony Parker as Flt Lt James, Edmond Bennett as Police sgt, Bill Cartwright as RAF sgt, and Paul Streather as Aircraftman.
The Cornet Player
Tuesday 22nd December 1959, 5.25-5.55pm
Written by SL Hastings, directed by Rollo Gamble.
A boy named Graham (Michael Caridia) finds himself in difficulties but there's an unexpected way out.
Others in the cast of this one-off story:
Edward Dewsbury... Mr Knight
Barbara Ogilvie... Mrs Knight
Sylvia Davies... Susie
Anthony Valentine... The Cornet Player
The Old Pull 'N Push
(A-R) Tuesdays 5.25pm. 6 episodes in November and December 1960.
Script: Elisabeth Beresford. Director: Bimbi Harris.
Theme music played by Terry Lightfoot's New Orleans Jazzmen.
The children: John Pike as Andrew, Waveney Lee as Judith. Joe Gibbons plays kindly stationmaster Uncle Joe, and Ann Wrigg Miss Bunch the village postmistress. Nicholas Amer played the Italian villain Perelli.
Set on a fictional branch line at Coudhurst, (actually Goudhurst in Kent) the train runs to Mill End. Ironically the real life railway through Goudhurst was closed on June 12th 1961 the day before the final episode of the second series was screened!
The Return Of The Old Pull 'N Push
Same personnel, May- June 1961. Perelli however was now a reformed character. Gerald Harper appeared in the later episodes.
Bimbi Harris explained "the new series is being recorded and I expect it will be shown in many children's programmes overseas." So there's a good chance that this series exists somewhere, but where?
A Brother For Joe. Script: Eric Allen. Director: Vladek Sheybal.
The search by 15 year old Joe May (William Victor) for his missing brother Francesco takes a dramatic turn when he joins an international school in Rome.
With Colin Spaull as Roddy, Penny Watts as Susanne Monnier, Joanna Craig as Miss Wisdom, John Gardiner as Lawrence Shapiro, Anthony Morton as Bruno Pugi and Edina Rona as Gina.
Six episodes on Tuesdays at 5.25pm running from episode 1 The Knife (14th March 1961) to episode 6 The Morning After (18th April 1961)
Due to the Equity strike, production of A-R children's serials ceased before the end of 1961. During 1962 A-R concentrated on quality schools drama, and their next dramatic production for children's tv was not screened until Friday December 28th 1962 at 5pm.
It was Mr Toby's Christmas
and starred Andrew Sachs in the tile role, with Carol Dilworth as Sarah, Gareth Robinson as Jeremy and Johnny Lamont as Juggler.
The story included carols sung by the Orpington Junior Singers, a dance by Ronnie Curran and Greta Hanby and a puppet show titled The Three Wishes performed by John Wright's Marionettes.
That was a lot to squeeze into this 25 minute programme, which was directed by Marc Miller.
The Barnstormers
Cast: That most interesting child star Dennis Waterman appeared as Mike, Gerald Rowland as Rusty, Peter Hempson as Philip, Patricia Wilson as Sarah, 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.
Joy Thwaites wrote the scripts, and the director was Marc Miller.
The first episode was screened March 3rd 1964.
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)
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.
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Rediffusion's children's serials ended with a bang, as the company was making two serials per week when their contract expired.

Devil-in-the-Fog was a six part serial made in the summer of 1968.
Stanley Miller dramatised the story by Leon Garfield. Michael Currer-Briggs was producer. The star was Nicholas Evans who appeared in each story playing George Treet. He is sixteen years old (even though Nicholas who portrayed him was aged 28!), when he learns he is heir to Lord Dexter's estate at Ightham Mote. He has to put aside his former life as a rough strolling player, to pretend to be a man-of-the-world, all dressed up in lace and fine clothes.
1 Some Are Born to Greatness... (Friday 21st June 1968)
In the beginning this tale tells how I, George, the eldest born son of Master Salathiel Treet, strolling player and man of genius, came to have greatness thrust upon me.
With Valentine Dyall... The Stranger, Martin Dempsey... Salathiel Treet, Diana Simpson... Jane Treet, Keith Skinner... Edward Treet, John Moulder-Brown... Hotspur Treet, Verina Greenlaw... Ross Treet, Jeremy Longhurst... Breath, a highwayman, Kenneth Thornett... Manager, a tavern keeper, Richard Shaw... Rummage, a beadle, George Desmond... Camber, a gate keeper, and Milton Johns... Joseph.
2 Some Have Greatness Thrust Upon Them... (28th June 1968).
From a night of fog and mystery to a future of promise and prosperity, and yet at what price.
With Martin Dempsey... Salathiel Treet, Milton Johns... Joseph, Diana Simpson... Jane Treet, Keith Skinner... Edward Treet, John Moulder-Brown... Hotspur Treet, Verina Greenlaw... Ross Treet, John Baskcomb... Dr Newby, Stephanie Bidmead... Lady Dexter, Peggyann Clifford... Mrs Goater, Richard Leech... Sir John Dexter, Donald Eccles... Rev Mr Rumbold, and Henry Moxon... Mr Bennett.
3 O My Prophetic Soul: My Uncle! (5th July 1968).
Fog darkness and mystery follow me still. All my questions however natural, have met with no real answer.
With Gary Watson... Captain Richard Dexter, Peggyann Clifford... Mrs Goater, Stephanie Bidmead... Lady Dexter, and Richard Leech... Sir John Dexter.
4 That One May Smile, and Smile, And Be a Villain... (12th July 1968).
A miasma of fog and skullduggery attended my birth and abduction, and now I find myself deep in a midnight wood and face to face with a murder.
With Gary Watson... Captain Richard Dexter, Peggyann Clifford... Mrs Goater, Martin Dempsey... Salathiel Treet, Diana Simpson... Jane Treet, Keith Skinner... Edward Treet, John Moulder-Brown... Hotspur Treet, Verina Greenlaw... Ross Treet, Milton Johns... Joseph, Stephanie Bidmead... Lady Dexter, and Richard Leech... Sir John Dexter.
5 Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair... (19th July 1968).
Why should I,the accepted son and heir of a noble baronet, listen to my ruffianly uncle and whey-faced old witch, known liars both? With Patsy Rowands... Mrs Dexter, Denis Gilmore... Bertram Dexter, and Gary Watson, Peggyann Clifford, Martin Dempsey, Diana Simpson, Keith Skinner, John Moulder-Brown, Verina Greenlaw, Milton Johns, Stephanie Bidmead, and Richard Leech.
6 ... This Fell Serjeant, Death... (26th July 1968, Rediffusion's final month of broadcasting).
With the immediate departure of my foster family, leaving me alone to face the unknown enemy, I came near despair. With Valentine Dyall (as in story 1), Jeremy Longhurst (as in 1) Patsy Rowands, Denis Gilmore, Gary Watson, Peggyann Clifford, Martin Dempsey, Diana Simpson, Keith Skinner, John Moulder-Brown, Verina Greenlaw, Milton Johns, Stephanie Bidmead, Richard Leech, and John Baskcomb as Dr Newby.
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Associated Rediffusion tried to encourage new young writers to contribute to various children's serials. Budding authors were invited to 'write the next episode.' No doubt it was a cheap way to produce programmes, but there seemed no shortage of entrants!
Write It Yourself began a fortnightly run in October 1955 and was the story The Tale of Two Halves. The director was Clare Ash. Apparently the author of the winning submission was made a member of the Flickwiz Playwrights' Guild, and runners up received "certificates." (Flickwiz was the umbrella name for the children's programmes on Thursdays.) Presumably some talent was uncovered because the idea continued over the years.
The format was modified for the next serial from April 1956, Peter in the Air.
This time viewers were invited to send "ideas and suggestions" how the story could continue. Prizes were again offered for the best.
The idea was revived in 1957 starting on September 24th, when Daphne Shadwell directed a fortnightly thriller serial Dangerous Cargo. This time A-R opted for a mixture of the two previous formats, for viewers were offered prizes for "the best scripts or ideas showing how the story should be continued." Keith Faulkner played the hero Dick Davidson, and Anthony Ford was Greg. Lawrence James played Toby and John Martin was Jacob.
World of Darkness began a fortnightly run on 10th January 1958 again directed by Daphne Shadwell with Peter Ling introducing the story. This was a space serial with prizes offered as before with the invitation to Write it Yourself. Robert Cartland starred as Dr Mark Starr with Anneke Willys as Susan Carpenter and Robin Willett as Chip Carpenter. There were about 8 or 9 episodes before a new story began on May 2nd 1958
Trouble at Northbrook was again introduced by Peter Ling, but directed by Prudence Nesbitt. It was 'a 3 J's adventure' with John Allen (Pearson Dodd), Jacko Eccles (Keith Davis) and Jimmy 'Specs' Davis (Peter Soule). The three lads lasted 5 fortnightly episodes and then began another 6 part adventure on 11th July 1958 called Northbrook Holiday.
October 3rd 1958 saw the final programme of the "successful" Write It Yourself introduced by Peter Ling and directed by Prudence Nesbitt. This was a New Play "full of surprises" written by young viewers. Unfortunately TV Times was unable to give more up to the minute details.

The Write a Play idea was resurrected by Rediffusion after a gap of six years, in a new series of this name at the start of 1965. It was a competition for the under 15's. "Out of the hundreds of plays written by you and sent to us," each week Rediffusion chose two. Long time children's favourite Jimmy Hanley introduced the rather distinguished resident cast of Peter Halliday, Geraldine Newman, Kanneth Nash, Jonathan Collins, Gerald Rowland and Carla Challoner. Script editor was Denis Butler- it's not stated how much editing was needed- and Michael Segal produced.
If you were a winner, or even a loser, and can tell us more about this competition, please email me

These are the plays that were screened:
January 5th 1965: The Golden Feather by Lesley Dear, and Treasure Hunt by Stephen Batty. Marc Miller directed.
January 12th 1965: The Witch of the New Forest by Susan Ames, and The Basnji by Kenneth Lingford. Henry Soskin also starred.
January 19th 1965: Four minutes To... by Derek Webb and Christopher Gillings, and The Frog Ling by Janet Mitchell.
January 16th 1965: The Changing World by Jill Povall, and The Compartment by Nicholas Gray and Frances Allan.
February 2nd /9th 1965: Hail to the Queen by Carol Waite, and The Blue Flower by Jayne Brownsword. (possibly the first transmission postponed?)
February 16th 1965: Time and Time Again by Philip Egner, and So You're the Leader Now by Susan Lees. Now directed by Hugh Munro.
February 23rd 1965: The Deadly Stage Coach by Brian Lead, and It's Funny After All by Christopher Ellis.
March 2nd 1965: Mr Timbrel's Reckoning by Margaret Whiteley, and Freedom Railway (unknown author).
March 9th 1965: The Waiting Room by Marilyn Ford, and The Messengers by Annabel Burbrook. Daphne Shadwell now directed.
March 16th 1965: Here We Go Round by Godfrey Smith, and Poetic Justice by Anthony Suggitt.
March 23rd 1965: A Rebellion by Gerald O'Hagan, and The Box by David Thompson.
March 30th 1965 was the last in the series and Lord Willis presented the prizes to the winners. The final play was The Beat Caterpillar by Gabrielle and Maeve O'Mahoney.
Stage One "for Older Children" followed during summer 1965, and this series, introduced by Gwyneth Surdivall, gave children "all the facilities of a television studio" so they could improvise their own productions. After a break in October, on 30th November 1965 Stage One Contest began, "an inter-city contest in play making." Ronald Marriott directed, as he had done many of the earlier programmes, and five stories came from
Birmingham (programme 1- The Sound Mixer by Dorien Argent, with guest Heinz),
Glasgow (Dec 7th- Caroline by Jennifer James with Eric Burden of The Animals),
Manchester (Dec 14th- The Party by Beverley Williams with Graham Nash of The Hollies),
Bristol (Dec 21st- The Monster by Bradley Nicholas with Billie Hutton of The Fourmost) and
London (Dec 28th- The Sad King by Jean Mageean with special guest Donovan).
Write a Play returned after a year's break in 1967 now introduced by Clive Goodwin. Ronald Marriott produced. This series did not have a resident cast, but instead some famous names appeared. The plays included:
April 4th 1967: 1 The Prehistoric Man by Laurence G Dion. 2 Thrice Upon a Night-time by Jane Harwood. Directed by Fred Sadoff. Casts: Patrick Barr, John Cater, Jimmy Gardner, David Rowlands, Judith Smith, and Elizabeth Weaver.
April 18th 1967: 1 Johnny Dies at War by Elizabeth Logsdon. 2 The Legend by Janice Chegwin. Directed by Adrian Cooper. Casts: Simon Prebble, Anne Stallybrass, Karin MacCarthy, Clive Merrison, and Roger Rowland.
April 25th 1967: 1 Revenge is Not So Sweet by Peter Oxendale. 2 Shoplifting by Anthony Bash. Directed by Adrian Cooper. Casts: 1 with Basil Moss, Jonathan Elsom, John Carlin and Bill Meilen. 2 With Carolyn Moody, John Carlin and Peter MacKriel.
May 2nd 1967: 1 I Say James by Gordon Hay. 2 The Geranium Boy by Lynn Martin. Directed by Fred Sadoff. Casts: James Cossins, Ann Castle and Alan Wade. In story 1 only, also appearing were Pamela Strong, Anthony Howard and Julian Orchard.
May 9th 1967: 1 A Question of Moral Values by Form 4L1 Plant Hill Comprehensive School Blackley. 2 To Sleep, perchance to Dream by Theresa Flynn. Directed by Fred Sadoff. Cast: Jessie Evans, David Kelsey, Dorothy Reynolds, Annette Robertson, John Garrie (story 1 only), Darryl Read (2 only).
May 16th 1967: 1 The Escape by John O'Hannon. 2 Death Sentence by Christopher Morray-Jones. Directed by Vic Hughes. Casts: 1 Ken Parry (Mumsey), Larry Noble (Weasel), William Kendall (Head warder), Michael Balfour (Warder), and Peter Bayliss (Visitor). 2 Richard O'Callaghan as Youth, William Kendall as Judge.
May 23rd 1967: 1 The White Christ by Angela Simmons. 2 The Freeze Man by Richard Wood Smith. Directed by Fred Sadoff. Cast: Donald Eccles, Paul Williamson, Derren Nesbitt, Bruce Purchase, Michael Ripper. Also Christopher Matthews (story 1 only).
May 30th 1967: 1 The Mind of Man by Margaret Eldridge and Jacqueline Pragnell. 2 Poetic Justice. Directed by Vic Hughes. With Tim Brooke-Taylor (as 1 Mr Hogarth, 2 Fred), Beatty Walters, Aubrey Morris, John Blythe, Hazel Hughes and Dudley Jones.
June 13th 1967: 1 The Dim by Janet Ward. 2 Eight Minutes to Go by JS White. Directed by Fred Sadoff. Cast: Peter Eyre, Allan Cuthbertson, Jack Smethurst, Valerie Taylor, Frances Cuka, also Pippa Lowe (1) and Clifford Earl (2).
June 20th 1967: 1 The Masterpiece by David Hardie. 2 To an Audience of Cork-Lined Ears by Robert Mason. Directed by Peter Croft. Cast: Sydney Tafler, Kynaston Reeves, Rosamund Greenwood and Henry Soskin. Also Aimi MacDonald (in 1) and Michael Rothwell (2).

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THE HANDY GANG (A-R) ('Odd Men for Odd Jobs')
Written by David Edwards and Johnny Hutch. Norman Murray also helped on some stories. Directed by Pat Baker (nos 1-3), Harry Sloan (4-9), J Murray Ashford (10-13). The stars were: Johnny Hutch as Johnny, Dave Jackley as Dave and Bob Bryan as Tiny. Co-starring Freddie Foss as Mr Arkingshaw (stories 1-7) or Reginald Marsh as The Colonel (8-13).
Episode 1 May 3rd 1963.
2- May 10th 1963 The Distempered Soprano. With Dorothea Phillips as Madame Coloratura. The Handy Gang, in an effort to please Mr Arkingshaw, take on an unusual decorating job.
3- May 17th 1963 In the Soup. Arkingshaw is short of staff and the Handy gang manage to talk him into letting them run the restaurant in his block of flats.
4- May 24th 1963 Window Cleaners. The Handy Gang are involved in a crash programme to get the windows cleaned for Arkingshaw.
5- May 31st 1963 Clean Sweep. Mr Arkingshaw soon realises his mistake when he asks the Gang to make a clean sweep.
6- June 7th 1963 Too Many Cooks. The Gang discover that many hands do not always make light work.
7- June 14th 1963 Danger Gang at Work. The Gang attempts a simple repair job with riotous results.
8- June 21st 1963 A Close Shave. The Gang take over the hairdressing salon- and the Colonel has great difficulty keeping his hair on.
9- June 28th 1963 Green Gingers- Red Faces. Everything in the garden is not quite so rosy when the Gang help the Colonel to weed his prize blooms.
10- July 5th 1963 Fire! Fire! The Gang practise their fire drill and first aid, but in the end it is they who need rescuing from the Colonel.
11- July 12th 1963 Old Crocks. The Gang have a smashing time when the Colonel orders them to help with stock-taking.
12- July 19th 1963 Danger! Gang at Work. The Gang try their hand at building and manage to drop quite a few bricks.
13- July 26th 1963 (final story) Uncertain Curtain. The Gang volunteers to put on a show for some Very Important Persons, but soon discover that practice does not always make perfect.

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Emerald Soup

A serial for children from ABC TV.
Script: Martin Woodhouse. Director: Bill Bain
Starring: Jessica Spencer as Jessica Maxwell, and William Dexter as John Maxwell, with
Janina Faye as Jo Maxwell, Karl Lanchbury as Gally Lloyd, and Gregory Philips as Tim Maxwell.

I think this was the last of ABC's children's serials.
Details of some of the stories
Episode 1 (Sat Nov 9th 1963 5.15pm.)
In the Maxwell laboratory an exciting experiment is under way, but unexpected results occur. The children discover that mysterious parties are interested. Also with Annette Andre... Penny Dalton, Michael Bangerter... Poynter, Ethel Gabriel... Mrs Evans, Allan McClelland... Gaunt, Fredric Abbott... Lee, Blake Butler... Pascoe
Episode 3 (Sat Nov 23rd 1963) - on the 'other side' at 5.15 a new series began.... Dr Who!
Episode 5 (Sat Dec 7th 1963)
The Gaunt gang make final preparations for leaving the country with stolen samples. Their plans are unexpectedly upset. Also with Allan McClelland, Fredric Abbott, Blake Butler, Michael Bangerter, Annette Andre, Ethel Gabriel and Robert Sansom... Chorley
Final Episode (Dec 21st 1963)
John sets out to discover what caused the explosion in his laboratory. What can the children do to recover the stolen samples, or is this the end of project Emerald Soup? Also with Michael Bangerter, Annette Andre, Ethel Gabriel, Allan McClelland, Fredric Abbott, Blake Butler.

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THE LITTLE SHIP (1960)
The Little Ship is the name of a model made in 1600 by Giles Kendall (Jimmy Ray) of his dad's ship The Phoenix.
The serial is about this boy, who is searching in Southwark for news of his father when he meets the wily Dr Pietro, an alchemist (Peter Collingwood). Giles rescues the tough Sam Gilburne (Colin Wall) in a fight and Sam, a young actor, takes a liking for Giles, showing him round The Globe Theatre. There he meets actor Richard Burbage (Nicholas Brady), and Robin Goffe (John Forrest) a handsome actor in love with Pietro's stepdaughter Elizabeth (Shan Lawson). Stagekeeper Jenkin (Martin Wyldeck) engages the lad to help with the props.
Script: Joy Thwaytes, Director: John Rhodes.
Others in each week's cast: Kenneth Adams and Neville Jason.
1 The Alchemist, January 5th 1960 also with Steven Scott.
2 The Rivals, January 12th 1960.
3 Secret of the Phoenix, January 19th 1960, plus Eric Dodson as Master Will.
4 Conspiracy, Jan 26th 1960, plus Eric Dodson and Edward Harvey.
5 Trapped! Feb 2nd 1960.
6 The Phoenix, Feb 9th 1960, same cast plus Edward Rees and John Kidd.

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FRANCIS STORM INVESTIGATES
A-R Tuesdays 5.25pm (30 minutes)
starring Brian Worth as Francis Storm, a 'Professional Investigator of the Unusual.' His office is in a mews flat in cobbled Kensington Palace Close. He has three helpers- his personal assistant, 17 year old Robin (William Simons), 18 year old Penelope 'Penny' Worth (Sarah Long), and handyman 04129 Sgt Pilcher (Robin Wentworth).
Scripts were by Peter Elliott Hayes. The Director was Grahame Turner for all stories except for story 2, which was Jim Pople.

There were only six stories, which were:
1 The Black Mermaid, March 1st 1960. Cast also included: Robert Raglan, Richard Vernon, Bruce Seton.
2 The Clock That Struck Thirteen, March 8th 1960, with Bartlett Mullins, Peter Swanwick, Elsie Wagstaff, Carmel McSherry, Anthony Sagar.
3 The House in the Fog, March 15th 1960, with John Laurie as Colonel Monckton.
4 The Trail of the Spaniard, March 22nd 1960, with Charles Carson.
5 The Vengeance of Colonel Sartory, March 29th 1960, with Ian Fleming, Kynaston Reeves as Col Sartory.
6 The Sealed Room, April 5th 1960, with Ronald Ibbs.

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A Rediffusion children's serial from 1964:

MIKE
In the title role was Denis Gilmore (the former star of the William tv series). Script: Dickens Crouch. Director: Bob Gray.
Regulars in the cast: Laurie Heath as Pete, Leslie Hart as Alfie, Billy Hamon (earlier in A-R's Smugglers' Cave) as Joey, Deborah Cranston as Kate. With Sheila Shand Gibbs as mum (Edna), Geoffrey Matthews as dad (Jim Willis) and John Barrard (Ron Coggins).
Part 1: A Black Wash-Out, Sept 29th 1964. With Edward Evans as Mr Godfrey. Mike decides to help his dad by inventing something new for the building trade.
Part 2: A Night to Remember, Oct 6th 1964. In spite of Mike's efforts to help, mum and dad eventually get to go out for the evening.
Part 3: Oct 13th 1964.
Part 4: The Spirit of Flung Tu Lo, Oct 20th 1964. With Damaris Hayman as Aunt Jemima. Mike ventures into the realms of hynoptism, and brings a taste of the Mysterious East into Stilton Street.
Part 5: Oil... Black Gold! Oct 27th 1964. With Archie Duncan as Mr Paterson. Mike trains Joey for athletic laurels, leading to trouble with a different plant.
Part 6: One Swallow Does Not a Summer Make, Nov 3rd 1964. An artistic and cultured peace descends on Stilton Street- for a while
Part 7: The Return of Stockpot Johnson, Nov 10th 1964. With Geoffrey Hibbert as Stockpot. There is a hint of magic in the disappearance of the entries for the local baking contest.
Part 8: The Quiet Little Restaurant, Nov 17th 1964. With Peter Swanwick as Jocelyn Waterberry. In order to help Kate, the boys enter the world of good food and ladies' fashions.
Part 9: What a Motley Lot, Nov 24th 1964. With John Wentworth. In which the gang prove the play's the thing with a vengeance.
Part 10: It's a Good Job Dummies Can't Speak, Dec 1st 1964. With Barbara Hicks as Lady Springup. The gang goes to Ron's rescue with some very strange allies.
Part 11: From Berlin with Love, Dec 8th 1964. With Brian Hawksley. Mike and his friends set out to prove that the age of chivalry is not past.
Part 12: How to Get in a Pickle Without Really Trying, Dec 15th 1964. With Michael Balfour as Squeaky Jenkins, and Stewart Guidotti. A monetary misfortune leads Mike and his friends into a misguided commercial enterprise.
Part 13: The Big Beat Contest, Dec 22nd 1964. With Stewart Guidotti as Billy Elkes. Alfie, aided by the rest, discovers that it takes more than music to soothe a savage beast.

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The first children's serial proper from A-R for over a year was

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 Putchford as Mr and Mrs Cordon, James Ward as Mr Francis, a vet, and Rosemary Nicols as Sheila Dicken.
I only have details of these stories (if you can add any information your help will be gratefully received):
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).
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.
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.
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.
11: Mar 15th 1963. Betsy's Uncle Fred (Anthony Howard) 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.
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.
13: Mar 29th 1963. Tim poodle-sits and has a more exciting evening than he expects.
15: Apr 12th 1963 (Good Friday). Stories now directed by Eric Croall. Tim makes the acquaintance of a conjuror called Manverdi (Rick Jones) 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.
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.

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.
2:4 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.
2:12 (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.
3:8 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.
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Danger Island (A 1967 Southern TV children's serial in 6 parts)
The tale of a twelve year old boy, holidaying on a Mediteranean island, who overhears two sinister men plotting to assasinate their country's ruler.
Script: John Gray Music: Ron Grainer Director: John Brayburn
The regular cast were
Mervyn Joseph as Nicholas
Robert Gillespie... Jose Sirena
Garard Green... Father
Pearl Hackney... Mother
Norman Mitchell... Augustus Jones
Araby Lockhart... Mrs Ridout
Nicholas Smith... Sgt Marena
Linda Marlowe... Helga (not episode 4)
Bruno Barnabe... Insp Molina
Neville Barber... Major Herve de Sang
and Eric Barker as The President (stories 2 to 6)

Here are details of the individual episodes of Danger Island :
1 The Conspirators
Thursday July 6th 1967 5.25pm
Nicholas hears more than is good for him.
also with Antonia Pemberton... Anna

2 The Holiday Continues
Thursday July 13th 1967
Nicholas is on the run, not only from his parents, but the police.
Also in this cast:
Ian Ricketts... Garage owner
Jean Marlow... Margaret Gonzales
Steve Arneil... Miguel
Hugh Futcher... Porter
Christopher Wray... 'Maria' engineer
and Antonia Pemberton.

3 Help Wanted
Thursday July 20th 1967
At last Nicholas has found an ally, but is he much help?
with Jean Marlow, Steve Arneil, Antonia Pemberton and Anthony Eady as a soldier.

4 Captured
Thursday July 27th 1967
The President has arrived. Can Nicholas and Augustus do anything to save him?
with Jean Marlow.

5 The Assassin
Thursday August 3rd 1967
Father is asked to use his imagination and pretend he is wrong!
with Jean Marlow.

6 All at Sea
Thursday August 10th 1967
Augustus finds himself in deep water.
with Jean Marlow and Robin Fletcher as a messenger.

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Sexton Blake (made by Rediffusion Television)
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.
1.1 The Lady Vanishes (Monday September 25th 1967). Helmut Waltz runs a small art gallery. He offers Sexton Blake a good sum to buy back the painting he has just sold him. Blakes refuses so sneak thief Jimmy tries to steal it. Artist Matt believes the canvas is at least 400 years old though the actual painting is quite modern. But behind this painting is a much older one.
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.
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 we are only including outline information on these last adventures for the sake of completeness.

To Children's Menu

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Formula for Danger (ATV)
March-April 1960.
Script: Vivian Milroy. Producer: Cecil Petty.
Stars: John Carson as Landauer (stories 1, 2, and 4 only) and
Gene Anderson as Nina Sjapary (stories 2 to 7)
with the three kids, Joseph Cuby, David Langford and Jeanette Bradbury.
A boy escapes from Ostonia with the secret formula developed by his scientist father.
The authoress produced a new language called Ostonian for the programme, a mix, she said, of Russian, Swedish, and German.
Episode details-

1 A Red Dawn Tomorrow Sunday March 6th 1960 5.15-5.45pm. Synopsis: It's 1959. Under the shadow of tyranny, leading scientist Otto Stahl is working on his top secret formula, code number 987. Can he and his son prevent it from falling into enemy hands? With Stratford Johns as Otto Stahl, and Janek Smigielski, Irene Sutcliffe, John Abineri as Malovicz, Donald Tandy, John Ringham, Ronald Harwood, Malcolm Ranson as Titch, John Adan as Jonah, and Kenneth Watson as Mr Winston. 2 The Ostonian Lecture Sunday March 13th 1960 Synopsis: Why has Landauer come to England? Is Nina Sjapary, the Hungarian schoolmistress, anything more than a teacher? Erik's father has said Trust Nobody. With John Abineri, Malcolm Ranson, John Adan, and Kenneth Watson. 3 An Interview with the Press Sunday March 20th 1960 Synopsis: The formula has now been successfully demonstrated. But how do the Press get to hear of it? With John Adan, Kenneth Watson, William Forbes, Larry Burns and Robert James. 4 Big Business and Shady Business Sunday March 27th 1960 Synopsis: A message is pinned to the school notice board. Who has put it there, and what does it mean? With John Adan, Kenneth Watson, William Forbes, Larry Burns, Robert James, Peter Stephens, John Abineri, James Donnelly, Irene Sutcliffe, Ronald Harwood, and Malcolm Ranson.

5 A Face At the Window Sunday April 3rd 1960 Synopsis: Erik has disappeared. Why is Petersen so keen to find him? With John Adan, Kenneth Watson, William Forbes, Larry Burns, Robert James, Peter Stephens, John Abineri, Irene Sutcliffe, Ronald Harwood, and Malcolm Ranson. 6 Pat the Accuser Sunday April 10th 1960 Synopsis: How much does Nina know about Erik's disappearance? With James Donnelly, Kenneth Watson, William Forbes, Larry Burns, Peter Stephens, and Irene Sutcliffe. 7 An Experiment with Danger Easter Sunday April 17th 1960 Synopsis: Malovicz has followed Roger and Pat to the school. What is waiting for them there? With John Abineri, James Donnelly Kenneth Watson, William Forbes, Larry Burns, Peter Stephens, and Ronald Harwood.

To the sequel, Mill of Secrets . . . . to Children's Menu . . . . . . Mill of Secrets (ATV) was a 1960 sequel to Formula for Danger, with David Langford as Simon and Jeanette Bradbury as Amanda, returning. They go on holiday with Aunt Joanne (Gene Anderson again) and meet a boy from down under, Claude 'Snow' Nolan, played by Sean Scully, his first tv role. The story is about Tom Briereley (Ken Watson again) and his rival the mysterious Douglas Wallace (Glyn Houston), who are out to learn the secret of an old barn. Buried underneath it is an old mill. Script: Diana K Watson and Peter Johnston. Producer: Cecil Petty. Episode details: 1 The Auction Sunday June 5th 1960 5.15pm Synopsis: Simon and Amanda's holiday in Kent with their Aunt Jo becomes a thrilling adventure when they make a startling discovery in an old barn. They are digging for the remains of a seventeenth century watermill, but find more than they bargained for. Also in this cast are John Ringham... Auctioneer. Nicholas Grimshaw... Farmer 2 The Secret of The Golden Horn Sunday June 12th 1960 Digging in the old barn, Jo and the children have found a golden horn. They meet Mr Wallace again, and find out what the horn contains. 3 Mr Wallace Shows his Hand Sunday June 19th 1960 Simon and Mandy, disgruntled by the loss of the map showing the site of the Plague Pit, are photographing the golden horn. Snow and Auntie Jo get trapped by the collapse of the old water wheel. And why is Tom Briereley acting in such a peculiar fashion? 4 A Headache for Mr Briereley Sunday June 26th 1960 Mandy and Simon have found that map which Mr Briereley had told them had disintegrated, is still in existence. In the underground room that Snow and Auntie Jo have discovered, Snow finds himself alone. Auntie Jo has disappeared. 5 Jo gets Down to Business Sunday July 3rd 1960 Simon, having found the missing book, returns it to Wallace. But Snow, infuriated that his discovery has been given away so easily, snatches it away and runs. Cornered by Wallace, he throws it into the lion's cage. with Rex Graham... Percy Clements 6 final episode Sunday July 10th 1960 anyone know how it finished? To Lost Menu . . . to Children's Menu . . . . . . Joan and Leslie ITV's first home grown domestic situation comedy starred Leslie Randall and his wife Joan Reynolds. It began on Sunday afternoon, October 2nd 1955 as a fortnightly 15 minute series. It was called Leslie Randall Entertains and was produced by Bill Ward, directed by Dicky Leeman. It ran until April 1956. By this date, ATV had now begun in the Midlands, and the programme was doubled in length that summer, retitled Joan and Leslie, and shown on Tuesdays at 9pm. Harry Towb and Noel Dyson were regular supporting stars. However, an early networking impasse resulted in London viewers no longer seeing the programme they had helped to popularise! But the husband and wife team just had to return, and were offered a £7,000 annual contract for a new networked series starting in September 1956 on Mondays at 8.30pm. This was scripted alternate weeks by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples, and the next week by John Law and Bill Craig. The producer was Hugh Rennie. The long run of weekly shows ended on Whit Monday June 10th 1957. But the same cast with Joan and Leslie now on a reported £12,000 annual contract, returned for a final series, again on Mondays at 8.30pm in December 1957, though it moved to Wednesdays for the last few shows in March 1958. That was the end of their tv series, and talk of a film never materialised. It's difficult for us today to realise their popularity, a kind of English version of I Love Lucy, though Joan claimed, "it's unfair to compare us with that show. We're completely different. Wheareas Ricky is a foil for Lucy, I'm a foil for Leslie." Joan and Leslie returned during the 1960's for the long running Fairy Snow commercials, and made a final series of Joan and Leslie down under in the 1970's. Note- regrettably TV Times never mentioned any supporting actors in this show (apart from regulars Harry Towb and Noel Dyson), but the programme on Feb 25th 1957 did also include Bill Shine and Gerton Klauber. The April 8th 1957 show was "cancelled" as Leslie Randall had contracted mumps (Harry Towb had missed the previous two shows with the same complaint). To 'Missing' Menu . . . . . . Adventures of a Jungle Boy In 1957 Gross-Kasne filmed 13 adventures in this series made on location in Kenya and produced by George Breakston. The theme was composed by Phil Green, and with scripts from the likes of Basil Dawson, this series deserves resurrecting! The young star was Michael Carr-Hartley, in stories of an orphan boy whose home is a treetop, his friends the wild animals. Each story was about his befriending the jungle animals and always managing to save them from some danger. His main companion is the fully grown Cheetah, whilst other close friends are Simba, a lion cub, and Quaggo a young zebra. Other animals to feature are two friends, Jimmy, a black rhino and Lula Behiti an elephant. Korai and Mumpo are other elephants and Jezebel is a rock python. Ninga is a mother baboon, Nanny a milk goat, and Lanui an eland doe. The cast was made up of locals and British actors who included Ronald Adam, the only semi-regular in the series who played Doc Laurence. Others in one-off appearances include Gross-Kasne regulars: Peter Dyneley in the first story, Meet Jungle Boy, Conrad Phillips in Child By the River, and Monica Stevenson in Young Love. Others appearing include Leonard Sachs in The Burial Ground, Patrick Holt in Missing Son, and Child By the River, Patricia Plunkett in The Ways of a Witch Doctor and Eric Pohlmann and Andrew Faulds in Kidnapped. To Dinosaur TV 'Missing' Menu . . . . . . . . Mary Britten MD. This was a brave bid by a regional company to break into the ITV network. Southern TV soon learned the hard facts of life. Starring Brenda Bruce in the title role with Ronald Howard as her husband Stephen Britten. Also in most of the stories were Henry Vidon (Dr Bishop), Olive Milbourne (Miss Wicker), Jessica Spencer (Miss Jackson), James Raglan (Walter Davis), and Bernard Archard (Councillor Pyke). Gillian Lind (Winnie Bishop) was a regular also, until she fell ill and missed the final programmes. The opening scene showed a scene on the footpath by the river at Winchester. 1 Opening story- Home Saturday 13th September 1958 6.30pm 2 Like a House on Fire Sat 20th September 1958. Mary Britten is trying to settle in to domestic life. Stephen her husband finds having two doctors under one roof spells trouble. With Coral Fairweather (Mrs Wigg). 3 A Day's Fishing Sat 27th September 1958, with Irene Handl as Mrs Levy, plus: George Dudley as 'Bandages,' Humphrey Heathcote as Bar customer, Ruth Kettlewell... First neighbour, Henrietta Russell... Second neighbour, Ronald Cardew... Old soldier, and Basil Beale... Police constable. 4 The Imperfect Secretary October 4th 1958: Stephen discovers that even the best of intentions can be misconstrued. And Mary shows how medical advice need not be confined to the sick. With Jemma Hyde as Julia Haynes, Violet Gould as Mrs Pink. 5 The Wrecker October 11th 1958: with Humphery Heath, Peter Vaughan and Margaret Long. 6 The Man from the Sea Sat 18th October 1958: Although Mary is doing her best not to practise as a doctor, an occasion arises when she has to fight to keep an unexpected patient, and this time Stephen agrees. Also in cast: Murray Hayne... Ian, Alexis Chesnaker... Marinu, Edward Kelsey... Aleko, and Ian Macnaughton... Mr Fraser. 7 The Brothers Sat 25th October 1958: Mystery surrounds David, one of Stephen's first-term pupils, when he is sent home from school. Mary investigates, but the question is eventually solved by a surprise visitor to Dr Bishop's house. With Richard O'Sullivan as David/ Jimmy, plus John Symonds... Pyke Jr, Elsie Wagstaff... Granny, and Robert Crewdson... Bar customer (also in next story). 8 The Wanderers 1st November 1958: with Angela Owen, David Franks, Ann Cooke, Celia Hewitt and Robert Crewdson. 9 Bonfire Night 8th November 1958: Dr Mary Britten MD, who for reasons of health is helping her husband with his work, unearths a Guy Fawkes plot. Also in the cast: Hal Osmond as Fred. 10 English Without Tears 15th November 1958: with John Symonds and Christopher Hey. 11 The Doctor in the Dark Sat 22nd November 1958: Mary helps Dr Bishop to see things clearly- and he knows what he has to do. With Nancy Roberts... Grannie, Sheelah Wilcocks... Mrs Bates, Frazer Hines... Geoff Bates, Donald Finlay... First chemist, and Geoffrey Goldsmith... Second chemist. 12 A Partner From The Past This was the final episode to be fully networked, and was shown on Saturday 29th November 1958. With Neil Hallett and Susan Maryott. ABC replaced it the following week with their own drama All Aboard, and this really sounded the death knell for the programme. However it did continue on Southern TV and in some other regions. The very last story was number 19, and was shown on 17th January 1959. A report in the trade press announced that "after nineteen weeks Southern TV is to drop its weekly serial. It was one of the first local stations to network a programme from the beginning of its existence." Maybe it was the last. Thanks to Keith Campbell for some of this data. If you can add any further details, your help will be acknowledged. Return to Missing TV Menu . . . . . . . . Some Abortive Series Some interesting projected series that never made it into production. Can you add any data? Ali Baba or Arabian Nights, planned as early as 1956 by the Danzigers, was finally scheduled for filming in 1962, but was stillborn when the studios were closed. Rumours suggested Daniel Massey would have been the star. Max Varnel said he directed some sequences, presumably location scenes. A1 at Lloyds - This troubled project was first mooted in 1957 and finally scheduled for starting filming on 6th July 1959. But delays pushed this date back until September. Producer was James Swan, associate producer: Jesse Corallo, script editor: Doreen Montgomery, script for pilot by Leigh Vance, and it was to be made by Sydney Box Productions, part of the Rank Organisation. When Sydney Box suffered a stroke and had to retire from the business, the writing was on the wall for this projected series in October 1959. As far as I can ascertain, no complete episodes were ever finished. The Lives of Frankenstein - This 39 part series was announced at the start of 1958, with Anton Diffring in the lead. The first episode was to have been made in Hollywood, the remainder in Bray Studios. Was anything ever made? Continental Patrol - Broderick Crawford, star of the long running and successful Highway Patrol, came to London in the summer of 1959 to drum up support for an international version of his popular American series. John Nasht, an experienced European Producer (Orient Express etc) was booked as the producer, and a provisional starting date for filming at Pinewood was scheduled for 16 November that year. As however this was to be another Sydney Box production, the plan collapsed when Mr Box fell ill. A Man of the World - Ubangi Film Productions were formed by Dan Jackson and Russell Enoch (aka William Russell) and in January 1959 a report stated "the pilot is being made in Naples now. Balbina, Russell's pretty French actress wife, will be in it too." It's not known if this pilot was ever completed. Russell stated his idea was to sell it to the BBC. Women in Love - Sapphire Films planned to make this series in the autumn of 1959 following on from their ambitious The Four Just Men. Whether this latter series was less of a financial success than expected I don't know. What is certain is that this project, Women in Love, was abandoned. Basil Appleby was casting director. Louis Marks was Script Editor and Marc Brandel definitely wrote a script for the proposed programme. According to a report in August that year, Sapphire had already got "several completed scripts." Production had been tentatively scheduled to start in November 1959 at Walton Studios. Sapphire had planned two other series at this time, but both seem to have fallen through and made less progress than Women in Love. The series were 'Stingaree' to be made on location in Australia, and 'Underground,' the theme being the French Resistance in the last war. (Whether these two bore any relation at all to Whiplash and Sword in the Web respectively, anyone know?) But The Four Just Men was Sapphire's last film series, and the company eventually decided to cease production in favour of starting a writing school for aspiring writers, Women - was the title of a proposed series by Anna Neagle and Herbert Wilcox. They announced a series of six one hour dramas to be shot starting in February 1960. Based on classic women writers (Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Anne Bronte), Doreen Montgomery (again!) definitely wrote three of the proposed scripts, and in January that year, Wilcox claimed four had been written. Anna Neagle planned to read an introduction portraying the author of the story, and speaking as the author in the first person. Herbert Wilcox flew to America in February, when his American backers wanted to turn the stories into half hour ones. Probably an impasse was reached and I don't think the project ever got off the ground. Soho - starring Richard Basehart. Following on from the success of his long running series, this was the proposed title for a new series from Douglas Fairbanks Jr. In an interview, he stated he was starting negotiations in January 1960. Unlike his earlier marathon series this never got going. Hong Kong Harbour - (Cable Dragon-Fly had been the original proposed title for this series)- February 1960 was the starting date for production scheduled by producers Sam Bischoff and Dave Diamond. After planned location shooting in Hong Kong, the series of 13 hour long colour films was to have been made in Britain. Hammer Films' executive producer Michael Carreras announced "at least 12 scripts will be completely cut and dried before beginning production." He added that Gordon Wellesley had already completed the first. Another writer was said to be Joyce Bellack. Visa to Canton starring Richard Basehart and Lisa Gastoni was definitely made, but with the series aborted as early as June that year, it was turned into a 75 minute feature film. Shooting for this story was definitely done during June 1960 both at Bray Studios, and on Monkey Island in the Thames. This is the only physical relic of this aborted series, as I think the 1961 Hammer feature film Terror of the Tongs, was never intended to be part of this project. The World is My Beat - Godfrey Grayson confirmed he had done some location shooting in 1960 for Danzigers' 78 episode series about a roving reporter writing syndicated stories from all over the world. Missing Menu . . . . . . . . The Fox - NBC announced in February 1957 that a deal had been struck for ITP (later ITC) to film this series in England starring Anthony Dexter as an eighteenth century French royal. David Diamond (of Sam Bischoff-David Diamond company) was in charge of production, which never got beyond the pilot, which does seem to have survived. Pilot Menu . . . . . . . . Crime Club In 1959 Towers of London announced work was starting at the end of June on this proposed series of one-off stories that aimed to repeat the success of Towers' earlier successful radio series. First in production was planned to be You'll Never See Me Again. This was the story of an American architect living in England, who is suspected of murdering the wife he says he loves. Her dying words had been 'You'll never see me again.' The script was by Cornell Woolrich, adapted for TV by Joel Murcott. Director: Ted Post. The strong cast consisted of: Ben Gazzara as Jim Mason, Leo Genn as Inspector Stillman, Brenda de Banzie as Mrs Alden, James Hayteras Joe Alden, Derek Aylward as Bob Roberts, Jacqueline Ellis as Myra, Ivor Salter as Sgt Mitchell and Betty McDowall as Anne Roberts. However, the first of the series to be made was definitely Invitation to Murder. The director was Robert Lynn, the writer Joel Murcott. Robert Beatty starred as Michael Steel, Ernest Thesiger as Sadouris Andrade, Lisa Daniely as Joan, and Douglas Wilmer as Insp Marquand. Others in the cast were Catherine Feller, John Howlett, Bud Knapp, Denis Shaw, Guy Kingsley Poynter, Keith Pyott, Tony Thawnton and Olga Dickie. A bed ridden eccentric leaves his money to the last beneficiary to survive him: one of his two grand-daughters, or his lawyer, his secretary or his nurse. A private eye (Robert Beatty) vies with the police to solve the crimes. As far as I can ascertain these two films were all that were made in this Crime Club series, and rather improbably they were screened in the 'Summer Armchair Theatre' slot in August 1959. Presumably the project was abandoned? Pilot Menu . . . . . . . . Professor Tim was completed in April 1957 and given a private showing in Dublin that month. It was made for American TV by Dublin Film and Television Productions: "if it is a success the company plan to film short versions of 39 other Abbey plays." The famous Abbey players were the stars of this film, with Seamus Kavanagh in the title role, others appearing included Ray McAnally. Dialogue director was Ria Mooney from a script by Robert S Baker, with Englishman Henry Cass also brought in to direct. The same group also made the film Boyd's Shop with Geoffrey Golden as Boyd. This received a press screening in Dublin on April 7th 1958. A report stated, "the play is one of 13 Abbey successes to be filmed for the American market." Henry Cass again directed, with Ria Mooney as dialogue director. Pilot Menu . . . . . . . . Trader Horn - This 1958 series was first announced in August 1957, when it was stated that Hollywood producer Michel Kraike had acquired the rights to Trader Horn. "Filming is to be done in London and Kenya," he added. Ronald Kinnock was probably the writer. The company Gross-Kasne made at least a pilot, and it is mentioned in the 1959 Film Review Annual. Clifford Evans and John Turner both said that they had appeared in it, and Jane Asher also put in print that she appeared in this "tv film." However no-one has seen it in living memory, to my knowledge... Unless you can tell me otherwise Pilot Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . Calling All Lovers Nicholas Parsons made a curious light situation comedy in 1959 in Antwerp, for the Belgian United Continents company. Lana Morris was his leading lady in this pilot film completed in August that year. Paul Tabori wrote the script, and also wrote two further stories for the proposed series of 39, which however seems to have not got off the ground. But this pilot was definitely completed, by producer Jacques Verdicjk, a Flemish tv producer. Several of the technicians were British, including Eric Bast (lighting) and Peter Tabori (camera). Does Mr Parsons himself recall anything of this abortive project? Missing Menu Pilot Menu . . . . . . . Rogue for Hire was one of a number of projects by the company Gross-Kasne. In the 1950's Jack J Gross and Philip Kasne made some low budget feature films, and had a string of successful television series behind them, several starring Thomas Mitchell, another being The Lone Wolf with Louis Hayward. In 1957 they became more ambitious making Adventures of a Jungle Boy and African Patrol both on location in Africa, before a 1958 attempt to film a series Trader Horn, which never got beyond a pilot. Then further problems in 1959 with a series that was to have been titled Fate (the first idea had been to call it Destiny). Gross-Kasne planned to shoot at Elstree two of the planned 39 half hour films, "not bothering with the expensive and often disheartening custom of making pilots," though what else these films were to have been only JG and PK know. However that project also collapsed before this troubled series, Rogue for Hire, set them back still further. Despite this failure Jack Gross did manage to make one further series with Louis Hayward, The Pursuers. Originally Rogue for Hire was to have been called by the imitative title Have Plane Will Travel. Filming began in 1959 with star Jerome Thor in Hollywood, the plan had been to make this one of those American/British co-productions, with ABP Elstree Studios being used by producer Donald Hyde. However I do not believe any of the proposed films were ever made in the UK, though the schedule drawn up was to start in November that year. Certainly Philip Levene confirmed that he had written some scripts for this series. As regards the American episodes of Rogue for Hire, movie stunt pilot Paul Mantz contributed some sequences, about which it was reported in June 1959 that "several episodes have been completed." It does seem six were actually finished. The script for one episode, Operation Jaguar, survives, what else, who knows? At the end of 1959 G-K axed the project, Thor being summoned back from Japan where he was shooting sequences for Rogue for Hire. A statement claimed "the American-made films were not approved, and did not get a sale." Missing Menu Pilot Menu . . . . . . . Mr Riviera - A 25 minute ITC pilot that was originally titled Sirocco was scheduled for shooting starting June 14th 1960. ITC held screen tests at the start of that month, choosing Charles Drake as the star. It would be interesting to know who else tested for the series. Although production did not actually start until the following month, it was made at MGM Studios Elstree, by producer Dennis O'Dell. Location shooting was done that month also, at Monte Carlo "with a cast of 20 people." The script was by Bill Strutton and the film was directed by Peter Graham Scott. I remember it was actually screened on British television, by ATV. However this projected series never got beyond this pilot. Charles Drake played freelance reporter and photographer Neil McCrea, with guest star for this story Anna Gaylor as Annette Brosse. Others in the cast were Warren Mitchell, Kenneth Griffith, Harry Locke and Michael Peake. The storyline: The Sirocco is a yacht, which sails into the harbour at Monte Carlo. On board is McCrea who receives this message from one of his editors: 'Planning feature on plastic surgeon, Jules Brosse killed in crash over Corniche. Appreciate new piece on him.' To Pilot Menu . . . . . . . . The Adventures of an Elephant Boy Three pilot films were made starting late 1958, and finishing early April 1959, for a projected series starring 14 year old David Wyman. The scriptwriter and director was Kenneth Hume and the producer John Kennedy. The series was shot on location in Ceylon, but the team encountered problems with their Cingalese extras, who were allegedly paid in beer, but when this ran out, so did the extras! Worse, two cameramen were said to have died during the filming, as a result of snake bites. Less serious was the problem illustrating that old adage, Never Work with Animals or Children, for claimed Hume, "shots relying on the antics of animals took up a lot of time." John Kennedy claimed that the series had been made in Ceylon because "within the Commonwealth, there is a feast fit for a king of television material." He also wanted to avoid the "vice like grip on British screens held by American productions," a very laudable aim, but one which may have lead to the downfall of the project. Anyone know if any tv station bought up these pilots, and even more boldly, screened 'em? Pilot Menu Missing Menu . . . . . . . . ABC Variety and Comedy Shows This section is on ABC (Midlands and The North). Managing director of ABC, Howard Thomas, was for ever trying to compete with the more powerful ATV, and occasionally he won a national victory with his comedy and variety offerings, as with Mike and Bernie Winters in Big Night Out. But quite often these ABC shows failed to achieve full networking, and maybe anyway ABC were at their best when they concentrated on Northern humour with which ATV couldn't compete, and with which the other local ITV company Granada, initially proved generally inept at doing so, until they had seen off their local rival. Here are the shows covered in some detail. Click where highlighted; for those not yet highlighted details will be added in due course.

ABC Outside Broadcast Unit Bid For Fame Holiday Town Parade After Hours (1958/9) Saturday Bandbox Big Night Out (1961-5) The David Nixon Show (1965) Those Two Fellers (1967)

Time Out for Peggy For Love Or Money Our House (1960-2) Happily Ever After (1961) Best of Friends (1963) Just Jimmy (Clitheroe) (1964-8) Miss Adventure (1964) Vacant Lot (1967)

Pictured: Steamboat Shuffle from 1960. For brief details of this and some other ABC shows

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Hometown Saturday Night (1956)
A 'Meet the People' show on Saturdays at 7.30pm on ABC Midlands who had announced that Ken Platt was to be the compere of the first four shows, though he decided not to do the job, so McDonald Hobley became the regular compere. The series was produced by David Southwood. The resident band was that of Joe Loss.
The first show came from the Leofric Hotel, Coventry on February 18th 1956. Coventry-born John Hanson was an appropriate choice as one of the stars, Phyllis Calvert also starred- her first stage appearance had been with Coventry Repertory. Another local to feature, albeit on film, was local lad made good Reg Dixon who'd once been in the Sunshine Serenaders Concert Party in town. Then there was Reg Matthews of Coventry Football Club and 18 year old Graham Symonds, currently training to represent Britain in the forthcoming Olympics. Billie Whitelaw, also Coventry born, completed the line up.
Some other venues were: Woverhampton (Feb 25th), Leicester, Leamington Spa. Ashby-de-la Zouche (Apr 28th), and Warrington (May 26th).
That summer, the programme was renamed and revamped as Holiday Town Saturday Night.

Time for Rhythm
Autumn 1956.
On Saturdays from 4.02pm to 4.30, Jerry Dawson hosted this series produced by David Southwood.
Live outside broadcasts from a different venue each week. On Sept 29th the show came from Borough Hall Stafford, whilst on October 20th, it was Queen's Hall Preston. The venue on October 27th was the Town Hall Walsall.

On 12th March 1960 at 6.30pm, ABC began their own the half hour variety series
Make A Date made by their top producer Ernest Maxin (pictured), who also introduced his guests. Scripts were by Denis Goodwin. Newcomer Cedrik Monarch appeared each week.
The first programme scored something of a coup with guest star Anna Neagle. Naturally her picture graced the front of TV Times. Other guests were Toni Dalli and Maria Pavlou.
On March 19th Dave King, ironically "by permission of Associated TeleVision," was top guest, with The Kaye Sisters.
Show 3 on March 26th starred Jill Day and included an interview with Charlie Drake, "by permission of the BBC!"
April 2nd saw Petula Clark and Craig Douglas starring, whilst the following week the guests were Yana and Adam Faith.
The sixth and final show on April 16th had Michael Holliday as guest star with ABC's own Julie Stevens.

On April 16th 1960 at the odd time of 9.47pm, ABC offered viewers in The Midlands and The North a one-off special titled Clubland Saturday Night. Top of the bill was Ronnie Hilton, ahead of rising stars Morecambe and Wise. Jimmy Gay and The Littlewood Songsters also featured with the Harry Hayward Quartet and Lloyd Lewis at the electronic organ. This outside broadcast was recorded at the British Legion Club in Leigh, Lancashire by producer Ronnie Taylor.

On August 6th 1960, began four weeks of a series Steamboat Shuffle with resident band Kenny Baker and the Swamplanders with Peter Elliott as the regular vocalist. The series was made at ABC's Teddington Studios using a specially constructed riverboat named Cottontail.
Guests on the first show were the Alex Welsh Band, the Mike Daniels Delta Jazz Band, Cy Grant, Joanne Scoon and Kenny Lynch.

Buckaroo! was a wild west-type show with Tessie O'Shea, Jim Dale and Joyce Blair shown on June 10th 1961 (in the 'Big Night Out Slot'). The series appeared irregularly, on July 1st 1961 the same cast were joined by Stubby Kaye. A fortnight later the next show again included Stubby and came from "the Golden Horse Ranch" in Sussex.

On Saturday June 2nd 1962, ABC had something of a coup, with the hour long This is Sinatra! Introduced by David Jacobs, this was his first ever personal appearance on British TV. The show was recorded at The Royal Festival Hall.

The Dave King Show starred this hugely popular comedian, running for six shows in 1963 and lasting 34 minutes starting at 8.30pm, produced by Ernest Maxin. Patsy Ann Noble was a regular, starting on May 4th. On May 11th and May 25th guest star was Bernard Bresslaw whilst on May 18th it was Patrick MacNee, and June 1st Martin Benson. There was no special guest advertised for the final show on June 8th.

Life and Al Read (ABC)
Musical director- Bob Sharples. Produced by Ronnie Taylor.
The series started on Sunday 29th September 1963 at 4.5pm.
Guests- Shani Wallis & The King Brothers. Directed by Helen Standage.
On 20th October 1963, Guests- Susan Maughan, The Temperance Seven. Directed by David Main.
On 27th October 1963, Guest- Annie Ross.
On 3rd November 1963, Guests- Don Riddell Four, Dalmour Trio.
A second series followed in the autumn of 1964, now at 5.10pm.
Ronnie Taylor was again the producer, with Ronnie Baxter as director.
On 1st November 1964, Guest was Susan Maughan.

Room at the Bottom
A comedy of television errors starring Lionel Jeffries as Nesbitt Gunn, who once produced Hamlet with great success with a very important minority. Or Confessions of a Television Producer. Written by John Antrobus and directed by Dick Lester.
It Came From Outer Hollywood (14th June 1964, 3.35pm) with guest stars John le Mesurier, Patience Collier and Clive Dunn. With Wendy Craig, Monty Landis and John Wood. Victor Platt as the Superintendant from Scotland Yard.
A Job With the Other Lot (28th June 1964) with guest stars Dick Emery, Pamela Harrington, Ellen Pollock and John Wood. Valentine Dyall as the BBC doctor.
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Bid For Fame
Jimmy Hanley introduced one of tv's many local talent contests in the autumn of 1956.
Joe Loss provided the musical accompaniment and David Southwood was producer.
The series began on Sunday September 16th 1956 from Wallasley Town Hall (originally announced as from the Tower Theatre New Brighton). The glamorous location for the second show on September 23rd was the Moseley and Balsall Heath Institute! September 30th visited Borough Hall Stafford, and October 7th Central Hall Derby. On October 21st the programme came from Queen's Hall Preston, whilst on November 18th cameras were at the Hotel Leofric in Coventry. December 9th saw the team searching for talent at the Palais de Danse in Bury, with special host Dickie Henderson.
Jan 27th 1957 included Lorna Brown, 16 year old table tennis champion playing with Benny Casofsky, at the Casino Ballroom Leigh. With the 'filling in' of the blank slot from 6-7pm, the show's run of 13 shows was extended, now screened on Saturday nights at 6.20pm. The new host was Paul Carpenter. March 2nd saw cameras at King's Hall Stoke on Trent, with a Grand Final held April 20th 1957. One finalist was Margaret Joyce who played the xylophone with her feet, amongst other feats, but the overall series winner was Bob Hatch, whose prize was a seven week tv contract. However an unfortunate car accident stalled his career.
The second series started in autumn 1957 on Sunday September 15th, shown from 4.15pm to 4.45pm. McDonald Hobley, fresh from Holiday (No Walter or Hedda Tell ) ade, was the host, alongside Joan Edwards, with Joe Loss and His Orchestra supplying the music. Producer was Eddie Kebball. The ABC studios were used for this new series.
An early winner was 25 year old singer George Walton. The third show on September 29th included pianist Rena Baillie. The October 6th Show (4.35pm) also included Kathryn Greenaway, and the talent on display was: Ann Coppen, the Basil Kirchin Group, Olive Dewhurst and Clive Willis, Pat Howard, Syd Walton, John Padbury, Brenda Vickers. A fortnight later on October 20th (4.15pm) the artists were Scot and A'scot, the Cordonian Trio, The Bernies, Scott Campbell, Johnny Stevens, Jackie White. The next week, October 27th included ventriloquist Len Belmont, then Johnny Warner and his Hells Angels appeared on the November 3rd show, and versatile Lancashire comedian Colin Norman, "the chattering whistler," was on the November 10th show. December 1st 1957 welcomed these acts: The Bombshells, Denby and Grant, Jo Peters, Brian Budge, Lee Cardi, Roy Gibbs and his Live Jive Five. The first show of 1958 on January 5th included these: Lyndy Lou, Susan Sorrell, Tino Christidi, Roberts and Knight, The Alley Cats Skiffle Group, Sujata Jayawardena. From the next week the artists are not mentioned in TV Times, though The Helen Caine Bid For Fame Singers are credited for the January 12th 1958 show.
However in mid February 1958, the show was on the road again, ABC stating that this was due to "pressure on studio space." On March 2nd it came from Hotel Leofric Coventry. Artists are also noted, viz Val and Laurie Ashley, Valerie Kleiner, Fred Shaw, Pat Dawson and Arnold Crowther, Colin and Christine Campbell. Next week on March 9th, the outside broadcast came from the Adelphi Ballroom West Bromwich, March 16th from Town Hall Leeds, with the final held the following Sunday.
The third and final series began in September 1958 with McDonald Hobley again the host. Joe Loss and his Orchestra were joined by the George Mitchell Singers. Eddie Kebbell was again in charge behind the scenes. The prize for the series winner was announced at £1,000, while viewers could win £5 for voting "and appear on the programme." Hostess Marilyn Davis had the task of escorting the winning viewer.
Details of some programmes. September 14th 1958 (4.30pm)- Eileen Higgins, Jimmy Nolan, Kit Lassett, Leslie Lynes, Pat Laurence. September 21st- Charles Arnold, David Anthony, Carol Jenner, John Adams, Eric Granville, The Ferisons, Deirdre Pleydell, Leon Maure. September 28th- Anne Lorraine, Roger and Coward, Lee Kenton, Pauline Mee, Ken and Dolly Noble, Charles Arnold, The Foo Foo Fuseliers. October 19th- Bill Crompton, Roberta Kirkwood, Alan Bruce, Morgan Jones, Michel and Vivienne, Ann Field. November 16th- The Glyn Thomas Trio, Tommy Wright, Tommy Thompson, Barbara Walter, Harry Benet, Michael Skinner. The George Mitchell Singers are no longer participating now. January 4th 1959- The Monograms, The Avon Sisters, Sylvia Rowlands, Robert Guard. March 15th 1959- Gloria Gale, Pamela Bean, Eduardo Asquez, Glen Wilcox, The Planets, Pat Ross.
The semi-finals took place on May 17th and 24th, among those seeking your vote were Pat Howard, Eileen Higgins, Jack and Eddie Swan, Claudius Powell, George Walton, Doreen Beales.
The Grand Final was shown on May 31st 1959, with the Prize Giving Ceremony on June 7th 1959.

If you are able to add any more details, or even appeared on Bid for Fame, do drop me a line, or even two

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Miss Adventure
A comedy thriller with Hattie Jacques as confidential investigator Stacey Smith.

The first adventure in six parts was: Strangers in Paradise, which started July 5th 1964, in six parts ending 16th August.
With Maurice Kaufmann as Andreas, Bill Kerr as Max Parrish, Yvonne Romain as Sophia and Jameson Clark as Henry Stanton.
Synopsis- Stacey boards a number 22 London bus and ends up stranded on a Greek island. But what of the man who paid her fare? An unsolved jewel robbery is complicated by murder. Stacey enjoys a cocktail party where she meets the corpse!
Others appearing in one of the episodes included Michael Griffiths, Steve Plytas, Simon Lack, Ann Sears and Arthur Gomez. George Coulouris was in the final story as Sgt Papas.

The Velvet Touch in four parts began on 23rd August 1964 and featured Tony Britton, John Arnatt, Jennifer Jayne and Tom Bowman. Jameson Clark continued as Henry Stratton.
In small parts in one of the stories were Robert Raglan as Insp Reid, John Stone, Alan Browning and Raymond Young appeared as Rex in the final story.
Brief synopsis- Stacey seeks a handsome chaperone and is hired by a man who has a motive for murder.

Journey to Copenhagen in three parts began on 20th September 1964 and featured Paul Whitsun Jones as Alexei Adamov, with faces from the previous stories returning- John Stone as Philip Costain, Alan Browning as Roberts and Jameson Clark.
Basil Henson, Frederick Farley, Sheila Barker and Barry Wilsher also appeared. Others in one episode included Diana Hope, Eric Flynn and David Davies.
Synopsis- A new assignment sees Stacey all at sea en route to Denmark.

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Our House
ABC produced a cast to die for, in this Sunday afternoon 55 minute comedy in 1960, including Hattie Jacques as Georgina Ruddy, Charles Hawtrey as Simon Willow and Frederick Peisley as Herbert Keene. Ina de la Haye, Frank Pettingell, Norman Rossington, Trader Faulkner, Leigh Madison and Joan Sims also starred in this first series which ran to 13 episodes. Producer: Ernest Maxin.

The stories were:
1.1 Moving In (11th September 1960)- here's a contemporary review by James O'Toole: "We were introduced to a number of old gags and a number of people. There were: the newly weds who won't live with in-laws. A librarian and a bank clerk who are thrown out of their digs by the landlady for playing the wireless too loud. An elderly husband and wife. A young man studying law and an odd-job girl. They have something in common - nowhere to stay. Inevitably they buy a broken down house. The episode closes with the difficult local government man wanting to take a room. This part is played beautifully by Charles Hawtrey, Hattie Jacques is the librarian and also her brilliant self. She has to make the laughs with her personality. Joan Sims is in the cast too, but after this showing she probably wishes she wasn't. Canned laughter doesn't make a show funny. And the director badly needed a less heavy hand."
Some of the visual gags in this episode included: throwing a shoe at a chamber pot- ping! A sneeze which blows off someone's headpiece. Ink spilled on a chair, which someone then sits in. A foot stuck in a wastepaper basket, and a character covered with plaster.
1.2 Simply Simon (18th September 1960)
1.3 A Thin Time (25th September 1960)
1.4 The Man Who Knew Nothing (2nd October 1960)
1.5 Annie Does Live Here (9th October 1960)
1.6 Surprise for Stephen (16th October 1960)
1.7 All in a Good Cause (23rd October 1960)
1.8 To Please Louise (30th October 1960)
1.9 Speechless (6th November 1960)
1.10 Day Time (13th November 1960)
1.11 Love to Georgina from Our House (20th November 1960)
1.12 Things of the Past (27th November 1960) - guest star McDonald Hobley. (Hattie Jacques not in this story.) Script by Norman Hudis. Artwork for Stephen means character work for everyone!
1.13 And Then There Was One (4th December 1960) - time for almost everyone to go from Our House. But parting is not all sweet sorrow. Script by Norman Hudis. (No Ina de la Haye in this episode.)

Our House must have been quite a success as a second series of 26 forty five minute stories was shown on Saturday nights in 1961/2, the stars now being Bernard Bresslaw as a struggling ham actor, veteran Northern comic Harry Korris as a retired ship's captain, with Hylda Baker as his sister. Returning from the earlier series were Hattie Jacques Frederick Peisley and Leigh Madison, whilst also featured were Johnny Vyvyan and Eugenie Cavanagh.
An Equity dispute did not directly affect this programme, although oddly it was shown in London before the dispute, but not when the dispute began!
2:1 Not for Sale (16th September 1961, 7.40-8.25pm) - Our House is not for sale, but only if Herbert can find enough people to help him keep the old place going. Result? Some old familiar faces, some new faces, and Our House is in business again. Script by Norman Hudis.
2:2 Vote for Georgina (30th September 1961) - With Luke as her committee chairman, Henrietta as canvasser, Marina and Linda adding a bit of glamour, William as speech coach and meetings steward, and Herbert organising the whole affair, it's Vote for Georgina. How can she fail to be elected councillor? With Frank Thornton, Frank Sieman, Mark Singleton, Bill Maxam, Raymond Newell and Derek Hunt. Script by Norman Hudis.
2:3 A Quiet Time (14th October 1961)
2:4 Revolution in Walthamstow (28th October 1961)
2:5 Best Man (11th November 1961)
2:6 Battle of the Borough (25th November 1961) - Our House object to an increase in local rates, and find themselves fighting a battle. With Cameron Hall, Ernest Bale and Eric Nicholson. (no Hylda Baker.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:7 Knocko (9th December 1961)- Knocko relaxing pills can be obtained without presecription. Their effect on Our House beggars the imagination. With Heron Carvic. (No Hattie Jacques.)
2:8 Willow the Winger (16th December 1961)
2:9 Complications of the Season (23rd December 1961 6.30-7.15pm) - Preparations for Christmas. Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:10 Treble Mischance (30th December 1961) - When Our House tries its luck on the football pools, 1, 2 and X add up to a treble mischance. Script by Bob Block.
2:11 Where Is Everybody? (6th January 1962) - Simon Willow decides to make a casual call, but as he is unable to let anyone know of his plans, he is mistaken for a burglar. With Charles Cameron. (no Bernard Bresslaw.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:12 Riviera Incident (13th January 1962)
2:13 Georgina Goes to Press (20th January 1962) - Georgina gets a new job, leaving Our House with a lots of problems to sort out. With Stella Moray and Henry Longhurst. (No Hylda Baker.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:14 Simon Comes to Stay (27th January 1962)
2:15 Hobbies Galore (3rd February 1962) - When Our House find themselves without a television, they decide to occupy themselves with hobbies. But these hobbies prove more exhausting than watching tv. (No Hylda Baker.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:16 There's No Business Like (10th February 1962) - William gets his big chance in show business at last, and the rest of Our House all lend a hand to make sure of his success. (No Hylda Baker.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:17 Off the Rails (17th February 1962) - Our House go into the railway business. (No Hylda Baker.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:18 The Tooth Will Out (24th February 1962)- When William loses a tooth, he worries about the effect it will have on his romance with a wealthy girl friend. (No Hylda Baker.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:19 Economy Wave (3rd March 1962) - Everyone gets the economy bug and Henrietta's no exception- but her friends take a more extravagant view. Script by Norman Hudis.
2:20 Horse Power (10th March 1962) - Simon suggest Our House should buy a small car. But what can they get for only £40? (No Hylda Baker.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:21 Uncle Silas (17th March 1962)
2:22 The Den of Vice (24th March 1962)
2:23 First Night (31st March 1962) - Our House goes to a first night. Preparing for his first appearance on a London stage, William is well aware that he must be careful not to get incapacitated in any way. He lives at Our House. What would you give for his chances of emerging unscathed? (no Leigh Madison) With Leonard Sachs, Alex Gallier and Harry Brunning. Script by Brad Ashton.
2:24 Safari (7th April 1962) - William becomes interested in making documentary films, and with the rest of Our House as his production team, he sets off for Africa. (No Hylda Baker.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
2:25 Oh, Julie! (14th April 1962)
2:26 Talking Shop (21st April 1962)- To give Georgina some practical experience for an article she is writing, Our House decides to open a shop, but before very long the spirit of rivalry creeps in. (No Hylda Baker.) Script by Brad Ashton and Bob Block.
Note- Charles Hawtrey and Hylda Baker returned in 1963 to make Best of Friends for ABC.
Note- 3 episodes are alleged to have survived the dreaded 'wiping', so they are presumably now in the custody of Canal Plus. Come on, dig em out for us, please!
If you can add to any of the above details, I would be pleased to hear from you.
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Early ABC Outside Broadcasts - (the Midlands and the North).
The scene of ABC's first ever outside broadcast on their opening night, February 18th 1956, was the Hotel Leofric in Coventry.
This show was the first in the series Hometown Saturday Night, introduced by the well known McDonald Hobley and produced by the Head of OB's, David Southwood (pictured left).
That summer, the show was transformed into Holiday Town Saturday Night, now in essence a beauty contest.

Beside the Seaside (1956)
Another ABC Outside Broadcast, shown live on summer Sunday afternoons, directed by David Southwood. Details of a few shows:
Programme 1 (July 15th 1956) from Berengaria Theatre at Middleton Tower Holiday Camp with 12 Florence Whiteley Zio Angels and Celia Nicholls, plus guest artist Jon Pertwee.
'Highlights' starring veteran Roy Barbour from Rhyl, shown on August 5th, 4-4.30pm.
August 19th from Cambridge Hall Southport, with The Four Southlanders singing Hush a bye Rock, In an Old Shanty Town, and We'll Keep a Welcome. Others in the show: Reg Daponte, Eddie Morrell with Harold Graham, Jimmy Hampson, and the Horler Twins.
August 26th 'Buoys and Gulls' from the Palladium Theatre Llandudno, with Max and Maisie Norris, Jack Storey, Jean Ward, The Denis Brothers and June, and Betty Emery, with George Mitchell Quartette and Harold Graham at the organ.

David Southwood Presents
In February 1957, ABC's head of outside broadcasts, David Southwood, received top billing when on Feb 2nd David Southwood Presents Snakes Alive was shown at 4.02pm, live from the Reptile House in Dudley Zoo. Southwood had been producing ABC OB's since the station opened, everything from wrestling to pantos, but this was the first time I have noted he received an equal billing with the name of the programme. After this there followed on March 2nd at 10pm: David Southwood presents Round the Ring, ie wrestling, from The Victoria Hall Hanley.
Mar 16th at 4pm David Southwood presents The White Rose Parade of Fashion, "live" from the Queen's Hotel Leeds. Then a quick shift to later that night at 9.30pm for another David Southwood presents Round the Ring, from Cambridge Road Baths Huddersfield.
On April 13th 1957 there was a two and a half hour David Southwood presents Motor Cycle Scramble from Bentley Springs, Emley, whilst on May 4th, there was something completely different for ninety minutes, David Southwood presents Variety Showtime from the NCO's Club Ballroom, USAF Base, Burtonwood. Regrettably, the acts appearing were not identified in TV Times.
At 2pm on June 1st 1957 was another marathon two and a half hour show, entitled Festival of Stars presented by David Southwood, the Variety Club of Great Britain at the Festival Gardens in Battersea Park. Only the hosts were named, McDonald Hobley, Peter Lloyd and Jacqueline Mackenzie.
Though Holiday Town Saturday Night was keeping David busy during the summer, he still had time on July 13th whilst in Scarborough for this show, to present in the afternoon Tennis Tournament presented by David Southwood, though his name was now in slightly smaller print. The matches shown were part of the Red and White Rose Inter-County Match.
With the summer over, he returned for Round the Rings presented by David Southwood though by now his name, as noted, was no longer 'top of the bill.'
Two O'Clock Trip saw a further downgrading, as it were, as the byline stated "David Southwood and the Outside broadcast Unit invite viewers to join people who are out and about." This 45 minute Sunday afternoon programme came from Sheffield on October 6th 1957. David continued to directed numerous OB's, everything from horse racing to church services, but 1957 was the only year which saw him with this top billing. By the time The White Rose Parade of Fashion for 1958 came round again, on January 18th 1958, his name was down at the foot of the credits again.

It was a hectic schedule, dashing from one venue to another, sometimes two shows to be made on one day! For example on August 16th 1958, after Holiday Town Parade ended at 6.30pm in Rhyl, there was a rush along the coast to Craigside Hydro in Llandudno for Wrestling starting at 9pm. Next year, after Steeplechasing at Market Rasen on October 17th 1959, with the final race at 4.30pm, cameras moved swiftly to the Corn Exchange Doncaster for the 9pm Wrestling, David Southwood producing both programmes.

One of David Southwood's most acclaimed programmes was a communion service from Liverpool Cathdral in September 1959. "The film is considered so important that arrangements are being made for it to be shown to interested people in this country and overseas."
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Holiday Town Parade (original title: Holiday Town Saturday Night)
was a regular summer attraction attracting audiences of up to 20 million, even though it was not fully networked. It started in ABC's first year of broadcasting in 1956, and was hosted from the outset by McDonald Hobley.
The theme Holiday Town Parade march was composed by Danny Miller and Bill Oliver. The show was, don't laugh, "the contest for Great Britain's Television Bathing Beauty Queen, Fashion Queen and Adonis."

Avril Angers and Billy Ternent were also part of the team for this 1956 season.
In 1956, 'bloopers' included a contestant at the Colwyn Bay heat fainting on screen on August 11th. An ABC official was seen to carry her off. At the New Brighton heat, a strap of a bathing costume snapped... Other venues for the show in this first season were Morecambe (first programe on July 14th), Llandudno, Rhyl, Southport, New Brighton and Blackpool. Though McDonald Hobley was the regular host, he was temporarily replaced by Eddie Morrell (manager of Morecambe's Central Pier) for the show from Southport on August 18th, and the following week's programme also.
Winner of the 1956 series, with chief judge being Errol Flynn, was Marion Lewis who came from Douglas IOM, winner of the Llandudno heat.

The winning 1957 Beauty Queen won a Morris car, the Adonis an auto scooter and the Fashion Queen a holiday wardrobe from Dorville's. All three also received a return flight to Bermuda plus £100 spending money.
The 1957 series began on June 15th at the same venue as 1956, coming from Central Pier Ballroom Morecambe. Future venues included Floral Hall Southport (June 22nd 1957), Tower Theatre New Brighton (June 29th), Norbreck Hydro Ballroom Blackpool (July 6th), Olympia Ballroom Scarborough (July 13th 1957- even though BBC tv engineers had claimed the town presented "immense technical difficulties for a live transmission"), Town Hall Rhyl (Aug 3rd), Pier Pavilion Colwyn Bay (Aug 10th), Palladium Theatre Llandudno (Aug 17th), Marine Hall Fleetwood (Aug 24th), Palace Ballroom Douglas IOM (Aug 31st) before the Grand Final in Blackpool (Sept 7th). The 1957 winner was Christine Gregg.

The 1958 series included a prize fund of £5,000 and followed the successful format of the previous season. The 1958 winner was Caroline Thomas.

For the fourth series in 1959, a theme tune was specially composed for the series called Coastride, the incidental music when the OB camera travels down the prom - the composer was Brian Fahey.
It was this season that the prize Fund was raised to the highest ever, £5,500. Derek Roy joined the team for this series. Here are details of some of the shows: Aug 22nd 1959 from Spa Royal Hall Bridlington, Aug 29th 1959 from Embassy Ballroom Skegness- guest Mr Pastry. Then the final on Sept 5th 1959 which was from the Spa Grand Hotel Scarborough. Barbara Smith was crowned Queen, whilst Jean Barber was declared Fashion Queen and Earl Maynard was Adonis.

For the fifth series in 1960 the prize fund was set at £5,160. However the top prize was actually the maximum £1,000 for the Beauty Queen with £250 each for the other prizes. In each heat, the three winners received a humble £25 each! Second got £20, third £15 and a consolation of £10 was handed to disappointed runners-up.
The Larry Gordon Dancers were also regulars in this series which was directed by ABC's Chief of Outside Broadcasts, David Southwood.
It began on June 25th at the Floral Hall Morecambe with Stromboli (the sword swallower). Show 2 on July 2nd came from the Norbreck Hydro Blackpool, on July 9th from the Floral Hall Southport, July 23rd from Town Hall Rhyl with Jacko the monkey and Rosita, and July 30th from the Pier Pavilion Colwyn Bay with Henry Zeisal and his violin. On August 6th the venue was down the coast at the Winter Gardens Ballroom Llandudno, whilst the following week, the production moved across to the Spa Grand Hall Scarborough. The 1960 finals were held on September 3rd, the winners being Marny Birchall, Joan Boardman and Maureen Hayden.

Series 6 in 1961 started on June 24th at Morecambe's Central Pier Shrimpway again with Hobley hosting, and resident band Joe Loss. David Southwood was the producer once more. Peter Lloyd introduced a new 'live' feature, Out and About, meeting local characters and holidyamakers.
Other venues included The Floral Hall Southport (July 1st), the Norbreck Hydro Blackpool (July 8th), The Tower Ballroom New Brighton (July 15th), the Town Hall Rhyl (July 22nd), the Winter Gardens Ballroom Llandudno (July 29th), Butlin's Pwllheli (August 5th), over to the Spa Grand Hall Scarborough (August 12th) with Max Jaffa, and the Spa Royal Hall Bridlington (August 19th).
The 1961 finals returned to Morecambe on September 2nd with Patrick MacNee as chief judge. The contenders for the main title included Joyce Kay, Jackie White, Dorothy Hazeldine, and Lynda Dickman (Llandudno winner). The overall winner was Sue Burgess.

The 1962 prize fund was actually lowered to £4,000 and the Adonis section dropped. Keith Fordyce, fresh from Thank Your Lucky Stars, was the new compere, and formation dancers replaced the famous line of dancing girls. Coastride continued with Peter Lloyd. Resident band was directed by ABC's Bob Sharples.
The series started at Morecambe on June 30th 1962, with the remaining heats at Blackpool (July 7th), Prestatyn (July 14th), Colwyn Bay (July 21st), Pwllheli, Southport, Embassy Ballroom Skegness (Aug 11th), Great Yarmouth, Filey, Bridlington (Sept 1st), Marine Hall Fleetwood (Sept 8th) and Olympia Ballroom Scarborough (Sept 15th). The 1962 final, the last ever, with 24 entrants on September 22nd was judged by Norman Hartnell and Richard Todd and came from The Norbreck Hydro Blackpool. If you can supply the name of the winner, or make any corrections, do please email me.

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For Love or Money

'The show where contestants can win from £'s to pennies or take away wonderful prizes.' Keith Fordyce introduced this summer 1959 Sunday night series. Then on Sunday afternoons, starting 13th September 1959, this quiz was hosted by Bob Monkhouse. Hostess- Ann Taylor who had also acted in a similar role on Spot the Tune and appeared in The Army Game for Granada.
For the final few shows in January 1960, Dickie Henderson introduced the quiz. Assisted in the final show of the series by hostess Ann Parson on 24 January.
The series returned on June 26th 1960 in the prime time 7.30pm slot on Sunday evenings. Bob Monkhouse was back as host, with hostess Joy Webster and Prize Girls Nicky Allen and Janette Buckingham. The Voice, previously anonymous was now identified as Barry Faber. Eddie Kebbell directed this series.
A third series began in Spring 1961 with a new host, Des O'Connor, though Joy Webster continued as hostess, and Nicky Allen was the Prize Girl. Barry Faber continued as The Voice, and Marjorie Ruse directed the shows. However it was now screened in the Sunday teatime slot. From about Easter, Julie Stevens became the new hostess, also with Peter Hoy (who was never given a credit in TV Times). After a 5 week break the show continued for a ten week run from 25th June 1961, back in its Sunday evening slot of 7.30pm.
In a feature in June 1961, Des O'Connor claimed his favourite prize was a cine camera and projector: "I admired them so much that after the show I bought a set." Nicky Allen liked "a lovely beaver lamb coat.. I had to go through the torment of modelling it, then hand it back. It was won by a man from Liverpool." And Peter Hoy liked "a collapsible boat." Julie Stevens, however, was more of a gambler: "I love mysteries and go for the surprise packet. This to me is the highlight of every programme."

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The David Nixon Show-
an ABC series of 6 shows in 1965, with the first programme on April 17th from 8.25-9pm. It was only shown in a few ITV regions.
Each week included a guest magician, whilst others appearing weekly were Barbara Evans and Billy Dainty.
In the first show it was Al Koran, then on May 8th Johnny Hart and Dennis Lotis joined Nixon.
Billy Dainty wasn't in any further shows, but on the May 15th show Ted Ray was, along with Clinton Ford and Claudine.
Next week for the final programme on May 22nd Stanley Unwin, Ronnie Hilton, van Buren and Greta joined David Nixon.

The five minute Here's David Nixon programmes, which were shown by ABC on Sunday nights in 1963 at 10.35pm, were possibly edited highlights of some earlier shows featuring Nixon. Of course for many years before this, he had been a stalwart of BBC Television.

Details of David Nixon's Comedy Bandbox (1966) will be found in the Saturday Bandbox section

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After Hours
ABC's 25 minute late Sunday night entertainment in 1958 hosted by Michael Bentine with Dick Emery, Benny Lee and Clive Dunn.
Bentine wrote the script with Dick Lester who also produced the programmes. Music was by Reg Owen. It was described as "a late night mixture of comedy, music, personalities and sports." Today, After Hours can be seen as a pioneer for many of the later better remembered late night weekend shows.
Some of the 1958 series, which began on 5th October 1958 and ran for 15 weeks, were:
Programme 2- 12th Oct 1958 with guest star Brian Hewson. Plus Shirley Bassey, June Cunningham and David Lodge.
3- 19th Oct 1958 with guest stars Brian London and Mike Hawthorn. Plus Shirley Bassey June Cunningham and David Lodge.
5- 2nd Nov 1958 with guest stars Shirley Bassey, Bernard Braden and Stirling Moss, plus Dave Lodge (no Dick Emery).
7- 16th Nov 1958 with guest stars Alfred Marks and Humphrey Lyttelton. Also with Rosemary Squires.
12- 21st Dec 1958 with guest stars Dave King, Rose Hill and Judy Grinham. Also with Rosemary Squires.
13- 4th Jan 1959 with guest stars Michael Craig and Eric Bedser. Also with Rosemary Squires.
A second series followed in 1959, now on Saturday nights late, and lasting 30 minutes. Here are details of all thirteen shows:
Programme 1 Sept 12th 1959 at 11pm with Mel Charles and Sir Donald Wolfit.
2 Sept 19th 1959 at 11.30pm with Tommy Cooper, Godfrey Evans and Cleo Laine.
(No shows on Sept 26th/Oct 3rd due to election coverage.)
3 Oct 10th 1959 at 11pm with John Bentley, Henry Cooper, Monty Babson and Janet Waters.
4 Oct 17th 1959 at 11.10pm with Lonnie Donegan, Joan Greenwood and Cleo Laine.
5 Oct 24th 1959 at 10.50pm with Ann Todd.
6 Oct 31st 1959 at 11.30pm with Brian Hewson, Shane Rimmer and Cleo Laine.
7 Nov 7th 1959 at 10.50pm with Ronnie Clayton and Janet Waters.
8 Nov 14th 1959 at 10.50pm with Dora Bryan, Jack Brabham and Cleo Laine.
9 Nov 21st 1959 at 11.5pm with Lonnie Donegan, John Surtees and Janet Waters.
10 Nov 28th 1959 at 10.50pm with Sylvia Sims, Ronald Howard, Shane Rimmer and Cleo Laine.
11 Dec 5th 1959 11pm with Christine Truman, Frankie Howerd and Janet Waters.
12 Dec 12th 1959 10.50pm with Judy Grinham, Bernard Bresslaw, Cleo Laine, Shane Rimmer.
13 Dec 19th 1959 11pm with Jayne Mansfield, Jimmy Greaves, Janet Waters, Cleo Laine, Shane Rimmer. (Last programme)
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FILMED PILOT PROGRAMMES
Pilot shows were all the rage at the end of the 1950's.
Click titles for details of a few were definitely made though they never made it into a full series.
Professor Tim (1957)

The Fox (1958)

The Highwayman (1958)

Trader Horn (1958)

Elephant Boy (1958/9)

The Locked Door (1959)

Dick Turpin (1959)

Rogue for Hire (1959)

Calling All Lovers (1959)

Crime Club (1959)

Mr Riviera (1960)

King of Diamonds (1960)
See also my review of The Man Who Walks By Night (1949)
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The Highwayman (1958)
A one-off ITC 25 minute film film that never got beyond the pilot, sadly.
Directed by Robert Day, this was the story of an eighteenth century gentleman who assumed the disguise of a highwayman to save victims of injustice.

The cast included several old hands of historical tv series, apart from its swashbuckling film star. These included Richard O'Sullivan (later to be in Dick Turpin), Adrienne Corri (co-star of Sword of Freedom), and Stanley van Beers (the evil Chauvelin in Scarlet Pimpernel).
The complete cast was:
Louis Hayward... James Macdonald
Richard O'Sullivan... Luke
Adrienne Corri... Lady Sylvia
Sam Kydd... Jerry Badger
Peter Coke... Lord Harrington
Anne Blake... Mrs Badger
Thomas Heathcote... Willetts
Carl Bernard... Crouch
Jack May... Cowley
John Dearth... Somers
Michael Peake... Pendleton
Peter Retey... Fletcher
Stanley van Beers... Chief Judge

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