Kaleidoscope event to screen rare and recently recovered Associated-Rediffusion shows

“This is Rediffusion, broadcasting on the London station of the Independent Television Authority.”

Kaleidoscope’s 25th year begins with Rediffusion Rewind, an event celebrating the London broadcaster of the fifties and sixties. As well as a special panel on Sexton Blake, we have former Rediffusion continuity announcer Keith Martin on stage to discuss his time at the company and a video interview with veteran director Christopher Hodson. Little of Associated-Rediffusion and Rediffusion’s programming survives today and we are pleased to present a schedule full of rare items, including some recent recoveries by The Tim Disney Archive and Kaleidoscope.

The event will take place on Saturday 9th March 2013 between 12:00 – 7:00pm at our usual venue, The Talbot Hotel, High Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 1DW. Admission is free, but voluntary donations to our designated charity, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution are encouraged.

THE MAIN ROOM

• 12:00 pm Recreated Associated-Rediffusion start up – the famous London broadcaster lives again, thanks to some modern technical wizardry…
• 12:05 pm Crime Sheet – “The Superintendent Hedges A Bet”. Ordinarily the second Associated-Rediffusion series to feature Raymond Francis as Det. Supt. Tom Lockhart, due to Francis contracting mumps this fourth episode featured Chief Supt. Carr, played by Gerald Case. An episode of No Hiding Place, the third Lockhart series can be seen in the Second Room at 1.00pm (TX: 29/04/1959).
• 12:30 pm Hodson’s Choice – in this comprehensive video interview, veteran director Christopher Hodson reminisces about his career with particular focus on his years at Associated-Rediffusion and Rediffusion.
• 1:00 pm Our Man at St. Mark’s – “A Previous Conviction”. Recovered by The Tim Disney Archive and Kaleidoscope in 2012, this rare episode of the sixties ecclesiastical comedy stars its original lead, Leslie Phillips. Rev. Parker’s attempt to give an ex-convict a new start has unexpected complications. Also featuring Joan Hickson, Warren Mitchell and Freddie Jones (TX: 23/10/1963).
• 1:30 pm Half Hour Story – “George’s Room”. John Neville and Geraldine Moffatt star in a two-hander scripted by Alun Owen and directed by Alan Clarke. Made in 625-line colour as an engineering experiment, only the last twelve minutes survive, shot directly on film rather than telerecorded. A rare chance to see material in colour from this period, including a colour Rediffusion animated ident (TX: 30/08/1967).
• 1:42 pm Break
• 2:00 pm Guest Panel – Sexton Blake Lives! – A celebration of the much loved Rediffusion adaptation. Roger Foss, Tinker in the series and other surviving cast members talk with Paul Ross, author of a forthcoming book on Sexton Blake. The panel also features surviving clips and photographs from stories now lost.
• 3.00 pm Break – accompanied by Fusion, a compilation of classic Associated-Rediffusion and Rediffusion moments and title sequences including Benny Hill, Woody Allen, The Rat Catchers, Boyd QC and Object Z.
• 3:30 pm Betjeman’s London – “The Royal Mint”. Future Poet Laureate John Betjeman presents this documentary series covering the landmarks of his home city. Copies of the original Rediffusion publicity booklet for the whole Betjeman’s London series will be available to own on the day, in return for a donation to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. There will also be duplicated copies of the final Rediffusion programme schedule, a very colourful leaflet giving details of the final month of the station’s output, again available for a donation to our designated charity.
• 4:00 pm Guest Panel – This is Rediffusion… – Continuity announcer Keith Martin talks about his time at the company and others later in his career. Keith also has the distinction of being one of the regulars “in the bar” on Stars and Garters! Some very rare examples of Rediffusion continuity will feature in the panel.
• 4:30 pm Uncle Charles – “Gentle Counsels”. Based on the stories of Nigel Balchin, Uncle Charles is the endearing rogue and raconteur propping up the bar, always with a compelling tale to tell. Raymond Huntley heads the cast, supported by David Morton, Alfie Bass and Dudley Foster. This programme was recovered by The Tim Disney Archive and Kaleidoscope in 2012. The series, which has never been shown in the Midlands before now also features music by Ron Grainer (TX: 13/01/1967).
• 5:30 pm Stars and Garters. The hugely popular Rediffusion variety show hosted by comedian Ray Martine and set in a fictional public house. This edition features The Alan Braden Band and Quartet, Susan Maughan, Kim Cordell, Steve Perry, Luciano, Johnny Sheldon, Sulky Gowers, Tommy (Pudden) Wright and Diana Dors (TX: 01/02/1965).
• 6:00 pm Maps & Men – “Falkland Islands”. An Associated-Rediffusion schools programme (TX: 20/01/1959).
• 6:10 pm Small Time – Wally Whyton sings in the sole surviving clip, located as an insert in an ITV programme. Followed by Muskit and Dido, the only remaining adventure of this loveable duo.
• 6:15 pm The Hippodrome Show. Rediffusion variety show, with Frank Foster as the Ringmaster and also featuring Alan Sherman, Linda Bennett, The Zombies, The Herculeans, Alma Paia, Tagora, Moni The Elephant, The Three Ghezzis and The Band of The Grenadier Guards (TX: 20/10/1966).
• 7:00 pm Closedown – coverage of the 1959 General Election coverage ends with the Associated-Rediffusion clock and a closedown announcement from Redvers Kyle.

 

THE SECOND ROOM

• 12:00 pm Blackmail – “Cut Yourself A Slice Of Throat”. Dramatic anthology drama with stories constructed around the theme of blackmail. This episode features Diane Cilento, Aubrey Richards, Dudley Jones and future Doctor Who producer Derrick Sherwin in an acting role (TX: 15/10/1965).
• 1:00 pm No Hiding Place – “The White Stick”. An early episode of the celebrated drama series following the cases of Det. Chief. Supt. Tom Lockhart, played by Raymond Francis. Lockhart is assisted by Det. Sgt. Harry Baxter (Eric Lander). Also featuring Terence Alexander, Pauline Jameson and Jack Smethurst in a script by Bill Strutton (TX: 14/07/1961).
• 2:00 pm Women in Love – a series of short plays on the theme of women in love, with linking introductions by the actor George Sanders. The plays are After So Long by Bridget Balfour, Song Without Words by Michael Meyer and The Stowaway by Charles Terrot. Produced by Peter Graham Scott and directed by Julian Amyes, Peter Graham Scott and Ronald Marriott (TX: 24/09/1958).
• 3:00 pm At Last the 1948 Show. Before Monty Python or The Goodies, John Cleese and Tim Brooke-Taylor edited this famous satirical show, bringing Cambridge Footlights humour to a wider audience. Masterminded by David Frost, the programme was written by and starring John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graham Chapman and Marty Feldman and also featured Aimi MacDonald. The edition presented here was not on the DVD release or seen in more recent repeat showings (TX: 31/10/1967).
• 3:30 pm Orlando – “Dangerous Waters 3: Rhyme – But No Reason”. Sam Kydd’s character from Crane, ex-Foreign Legionnaire Orlando O’Connor was so successful he was granted his own spin-off series, aimed at children and young adults. An episode of Crane also featuring Orlando will be shown at 6.00pm (TX: 12/10/1966).
• 4:00 pm Badger’s Bend – “The Animal Hotel episode 1”. First episode of the children’s serial about a girl who moves to the country and becomes interested in caring for animals (TX: 04/01/1963).
• 4:30 pm Double Your Money – a later edition of the long running quiz show, in its day one of the most popular programmes on British television. Presented by Hughie Green, assisted by Monica Rose and Audrey Graham (TX: 22/11/1966).
• 5:00 pm The Dickie Henderson Show – “The Maid”. Sitcom starring the famous entertainer at the height of his fame. Also featuring June Laverick as Dickie’s wife and John Parsons as Richard, his son (TX: 10/04/1961).
• 5:30 pm London – A New Look. Brian Connell presents a discussion programme about the plan to replace the old London County Council with the proposed Greater London Council. Guests are Sir Edwin Herbert KBE, Lord Morrison of Lambeth, Sir Percy Rugg, Professor W. A. Robson, Sir Cyril Black MP, Alderman Leslie Room OBE, Alderman G. A. Pargiter and Alderman W. J. Ridd. This programme has survived on original 405-line videotape (TX: 24.11.1960).
• 6:00 pm Crane – “The Cannibi Syndicate”. An early episode of the adventure series starring Patrick Allen as Richard Crane. As well as series regulars Sam Kydd, Gerald Flood, Bruce Montague and Laya Raki, David Graham and Derek Benfield also feature (TX: 16/04/1963).
• 7:00 pm Closedown

 

All material at Kaleidoscope events is screened with the permission of the copyright holders.
Programmes and timings may be subject to change before the day.
Guests appear subject to professional and personal commitments.

In 2013 Kaleidoscope is supporting the
Royal National Lifeboat Institution once again.

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John Henshall to appear at Kaleidoscope music-themed summer event

CLASSIC TV organisation Kaleidoscope has announces the schedule for its summer event, which will be focusing around music on television.

The special guest at the event, taking place on Saturday, June 9, in Stourbridge, will be John Henshall – a pioneering cameraman and director of photography who had a long association with many top musical acts.

Henshall is an avid collector of archive television material – the recently recovered Top of the Pops clip of David Bowie performing The Jean Genie came from him – and Kaleidoscope have been busy cataloguing the missing TV treasures within his collection, some of which will be screened at the forthcoming event.

The full schedule for the free event is below.

LIFT OFF AT THE TALBOT!

Saturday 9th June 2012, 12:00 – 7:00 pm
Function Suite, The Talbot Hotel,
High Street, Stourbridge,
West Midlands DY8 1DW, UK
Free Admission

THE MAIN STAGE

* 12:00 pm The opening of Channel Four. Following months of test transmissions, the opening moments of Britain’s fourth terrestrial television channel.
* 12:05 pm Russell Harty Plus Pop. The popular presenter is joined by top musical acts of the day. Featuring Gary Glitter, Alan Price, Wizzard, Elton John, The Who, Mary Wilde, Cliff Richard, Albert Hammond, Chris Jagger, Ronnie Laine and Slim Chance, David Essex, Rod Stewart and David Bowie (TX: 19/01/1974).
* 1:00 pm Top of the Pops – 22/11/1973. Jimmy Savile introduces the edition from 22nd November 1973 with Alvin Stardust – My Coo Ca Choo, Barry Blue – Do You Wanna Dance, Cliff Richard – Take Me High, Donny Osmond – When I Fall In Love, Mud – Dynamite, Roxy Music – Street Life, New Seekers – You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me, Gary Glitter – I Love You Love Me Love live in the studio and recordings of Eddie Kendricks – Keep On Truckin’, Mott The Hoople – Roll Away The Stone and Wings – Helen Wheels. This 16mm telerecording was found at the National Film Archive in 2011 (TX: 22/11/1973).
* 1:30 pm Today. Recovered from a Philips 1500 cassette held by David Hamilton. Tommy Vance, Jonathan King and David Hamilton discuss the music business frankly in this extract from 1975 (TX: 18/06/1975).
* 1:45 pm Break
* 2:00 pm Guest Panel – John Henshall: Life Through a Lens. The pioneering cameraman and director of photography who invented many of the leading optical effects used in musical performances on television talks about his career and extensive personal collection of classic appearances.
* 3.00 pm Afternoon Tea
* 3:30 pm The John Henshall Years – volume one – John’s collection is packed with rare pop material, missing programmes and fascinating television trivia. John didn’t just collect music, he also kept variety shows, drama, adverts and continuity. This compilation contains the first dip into John’s personal vault.
* 4:30 pm Galaxy. An untransmitted music show made by John Henshall and Mike Mansfield, with Kenny Everett as the DJ and appearances by Average White Band, E.L.O., Hot Chocolate, Catherine Howe, Grace Jones, Peter Straker and Sweet plus ABBA and David Bowie on video (TX: 19/08/1980).
* 5:30 pm Lift Off with Ayshea. A rare treat as we are pleased to present this 1972 edition missing from official archives. Ayshea Brough is joined by The Feet, John Pontry, Christie and The Tremeloes. Fred Barker is voiced by Ivan Owen, Mr Basil Brush himself (TX: 13/12/1972).
* 6:00 pm Top of the Pops – 18/11/1971. Jimmy Savile introduces the edition from 18th November 1971 with Cliff Richard – Sing A Song Of Freedom, Gilbert O’Sullivan – No Matter How I Try, Jason & Jerome – Santa Monica Sunshine, Labi Siffre – It Must Be Love, Olivia Newton-John – Banks Of The Ohio and Slade – Coz I Luv You live in the studio and Pan’s People dancing to The Who – Let’s See Action. Also featuring recordings of Cher – Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves, John Kongos – Tokoloshe Man, T.Rex – Jeepster, and Piglets – Johnny Reggae. This recording now held by the BBC originated on the Philips 1500 format (TX: 18/11/1971).
* 6:35 pm The Bonzos on Bob Pratt. Two performances (of Noises for the Leg) from Ten Years of What? (TX: 28/12/1969).
* 6:50 pm Closedown – Dudley Moore plays us out in a 1976 Parkinson appearance.

THE DANCE FLOOR

* 12:00 pm Oscar Peterson Words and Music. Oscar Peterson appears with Niels Henning Pedersen, Martin Drew, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Richard Rodney Bennett, Louie Bellson, Laurie Holloway, Alan Walley and Alan Ganley in this BBC2 programme (TX: 13/11/1980).
* 1:00 pm It’s Little Richard. The legendary entertainer appears with The Shirelles and Sounds Incorporated in this Granada programme from 1964 (TX: 08/01/1964).
* 1:45 pm One In Ten. Sandy Denny appears in this BBC2 programme from 1971 (TX: 15/09/1971).
* 2:00 pm Good Evening, Salford. BBC2 music and entertainment show featuring Vincent Kane, Tony Warren, Freddie Davies, Arlene Phillips, Wayne Chuck Allen, St Winifred’s School Choir, Bryan And Michael, Hot Gossip and Northern Radio Orchestra (TX: 30/07/1979).
* 2:40 pm Ed and Zed – Ed Stewart and Zed The Robot are joined by Peter Noone, Herman’s Hermits and Roger Spear’s Giant Kenetic Wardrobe in this BBC children’s show from 1970 (TX: 19/12/197).
* 3:00 pm Top of the Pops. A real rarity, an untransmitted and re-versioned pilot from 1980. Peter Powell and B.A. Robertson were the DJs on this edition where Paul McCartney, Darts and Olivia Newton-John appeared only on pop videos. Other bands were identified as being live on the show, but crew stood in their places pretending to be the real musicians. Legs & Co. appeared live, performing a proper dance routine in groovy legwarmers!
* 3:30 pm Johnnie Ray Sings – An ATV show with Johnnie Ray, missing from official archives (TX: 29/06/1959).
* 4:00 pm Price to Play – The Alan Price Set and Chris Barber feature in this BBC1 production from 1968, held on 625-line black and white videotape (TX: 29/07/1968).
* 4:30 pm Look! Hear! Well remembered music show from BBC Birmingham featuring Black Sabbath, Patrick Murphy, John Holmes, Chris Phipps, Roy Palmer, Martin Briggs and The Coventry Mummers (TX: 06/01/1978).
* 5:00 pm The Great British Pop Machine. Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders present Bros, Kim Wilde, Erasure, Bananarama, Eurythmics, Wet Wet Wet, Joe Elliott, Brother Beyond and Yazz in this Granada show from Christmas 1988 (TX: 25/12/1988).
* 6:00 pm Rock Around The Docks – Episode 1. Gary Davies introduces Ruby Turner, Spandau Ballet, Feargal Sharkey, Run DMC, The Damned, Five Star, Cameo, Chaka Khan, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, UB40, Status Quo, Dee C. Lee, Dan Hatman, The Style Council and The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in this Granada production from New Year’s Day 1986 (TX: 01/01/1986)
* 7:00 pm Closedown

All material at Kaleidoscope events is screened with the permission of the copyright holders. Programmes and timings may be subject to change before the day. Guests appear subject to professional and personal commitments.

In 2012 Kaleidoscope is supporting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution once again.

The Talbot Hotel is offering a special room rate for anyone coming to Kaleidoscope events, so if you wish to stay the night before or after the event, please mention Kaleidoscope when booking. Telephone 01384 394350  or visit  www.thetalbot-hotel.co.uk.

Full details of this event and Kaleidoscope’s other activities can always be found on their website: www.kaleidoscope.org.uk.

Power of the Daleks Re-imagined

THE first episode of a fan-made re-imagining of lost Doctor Who story The Power of the Daleks has been released online.

The unofficial remake of the 1966 Patrick Troughton adventure has been produced by the same team responsible for successful stage versions of other missing classic Who stories including Evil of the Daleks and The Dalek Masterplan, with support from TNT films.

The production features Nick Scovell as the Doctor, reprising the role some 15 years after his debut as the Time Lord in acclaimed 1997 fan production “The Millennium Trap”, and guest stars Barnaby Edwards, Nick Briggs and Lisa Bowerman. Music has been provided by regular Big Finish Productions composer Martin Johnson.

Episode two of the three-part remake will be released online on July 14, followed by the final installment in September.

There will be a chance to see all three episodes together as a high-definition ‘movie’ version (with added post-production effects) at special charity convention Power: Reimagined, taking place in Fareham on September 1, 2012. Confirmed guests include the Doctor Who Restoration Team, Michael Troughton and Anneke Wills, who appeared in the original Power of the Daleks serial as companion Polly.

Tickets are available now and proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK and Children In Need. For more information visit www.power-convention.co.uk or the Power of the Daleks Facebook Page.

TV TREASURE TROVE COMES TO STOURBRIDGE

TV treasures lost for over 40 years will get a rare showing in Stourbridge this weekend.

Acclaimed 1960s’ crime anthology series 13 Against Fate and star-studded dramas featuring the likes of Derek Jacobi, Leonard Rossiter and Jeremy Brett are among the vintage shows being screened at the Talbot Hotel, High Street, on Friday and Saturday.

They come from an incredible collection of nearly 150 hours’ worth of British TV programmes found in an American archive last year and only recently returned to the UK.

Also on the bill is a 1965 BBC adaptation of George Orwell’s classic sci-fi novel 1984 by celebrated screenwriter Nigel Kneale.

The event is being organised by Midlands-based TV research group Kaleidoscope, which worked alongside the British Film Institute (BFI) in recovering the haul, described as the “most important” find of its kind in over 20 years.

There will also be talks with special guests Colin Edmonds, a comedy writer for the likes of Bob Monkhouse and Paul O’Grady, and 1984 actress Jane Merrow.

Chris Perry of Kaleidoscope said: “It’s a fantastic line-up packed with genuine classics, many of which were only located last year by Kaleidoscope and the BFI in the archives of the Library of Congress in Washington, America.

“It’s wonderful to be able to enjoy again first-rate dramas such as The Typewriter, starring a young Jeremy Brett, farce Dr Knock, with Leonard Rossiter and John le Mesurier, and a lavish 1967 version of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing boasting Derek Jacobi and Michael Gambon.

“This marks their first showing outside of London and we are grateful to the BFI for their assistance in making this possible.”

The event runs from 9pm to 12.30am on Friday, September 9, and 12 – 7pm on Saturday, September 10. Admission is free and all proceeds will go to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute. For more information visit www.kaleidoscope.org.uk

UnLOCked: The Library of Congress Discoveries at the BFI

SELECTED highlights from the treasure-trove of early British TV dramas unearthed at the Library of Congress are to be screened by the BFI.

Over 100 hours of lost British TV dramas were discovered in the archives of The Library of Congress (LOC) last year, in what was hailed as the “most important” retrieval of material since the search for such footage began.

Now, the British Film Institute (BFI), which orchestrated the recovery of the shows from America, has announced that it set to screen a number of the recovered gems during a two-month season dedicated to the finds.

UnLOCked: The Library of Congress Discoveries runs across June and July at BFI Southbank, with the first month dedicated to 20th century dramas and the second focused on pre-20th century.

Screenings scheduled for June are as follows: Theatre 625: “World of George Orwell – 1984”, Theatre 625: “Dr Knock” (starring Leonard Rossiter), Twentieth Century Theatre: “Colombe” (starring Sean Connery), Play of the Week: “The Typewriter” (starring Jeremy Brett), and Twentieth Century Theatre: The Insect Play.

Dick Fiddy of the BFI says the forthcoming season demonstrates the institute’s determination to provide access to the finds.

He said: “When such material is found, there are concerns expressed in some quarters that the footage will just disappear into various archives,
never to see the light of day, partly because of the perceived reluctance on the part of broadcasters and product releasers to exploit vintage black-and-white material.

“Indeed, many similar titles to those found in the LOC have survived intact but remain unseen and unreleased on archive shelves.

“However, the BFI – which has mounted numerous
seasons over the years to exploit such materials and encouraged various regional venues to do the same – was determined to provide access to these finds.

“Accordingly, June sees the launch of a two-month season of highlights from the collection, which will then be followed by regular screenings of further titles through various stranded programming.”

READ ON:

Lost Sean Connery TV footage found in US – BBC News (September 14, 2010)

Footage of British stars unearthed in lost archive in America – The Telegraph (September 14, 2010).

Pete Murray joins Kaleidoscope for music-themed TV event

VETERAN DISC jockey and TV presenter Pete Murray is to make his final public appearance this June, at a celebration of vintage TV and music.

Pete Murray

BBC Radio 1 original Murray, 85, will be joined by fellow DJs Mike Read, Ed Stewart and ‘Diddy’ David Hamilton at the one-day event, organised by classic TV research organisation Kaleidoscope.

Junior Campbell of sixties Scottish pop rockers Marmalade will also be there to introduce some vintage appearances by the Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da chart-toppers.

TV highlights at the event, taking place on Saturday, June 4, will include screenings of a previously-missing edition of Top of the Pops from 1976, a long-lost performance by Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, and the sole surviving episode of 1968’s Discs A Go Go.

The full line-up is as follows:

THE MAIN ROOM

* 12:00 pm Thames television start up film.

* 12:10 pm Music Peter – a special compilation of musical highlights from fifty years of Blue Peter. Acts include the Merseybeats, Girls Aloud, ABBA, Musical Youth, Slade and The Goodies.

* 1:00 pm Top of the Pops – this recovered 1976 edition is presented by Noel Edmonds and also features performances by Billy Ocean, Marmalade, Guys ‘N’ Dolls, The Walker Brothers and Electric Light Orchestra. A domestic Philips N1500 video recording of the show was purchased from an internet auction site by a consortium including classic TV organisation Kaleidoscope in December 2010 (TX: 12/02/1976).

* 1:30 pm Junior Campbell introduces highlights from performances he did with Marmalade. Guest Junior Campbell looks back on a couple of editions of Anatomy of Pop and an edition of Television Club called “Making a Record”. He was also in Jock and Roll from 1982 which includes some of the Anatomy of Pop material of Marmalade. Marmalade appearances include Julie Felix (TX: 03/05/1970) and It’s Lulu (TX: 25/07/1970). The presentation will be followed by a short question and answer session with the audience.

* 2:00 pm Break

* 2:15 pm Guest Panel – DJ Heaven. Kaleidoscope are delighted to welcome old friends and new to today’s panel celebrating the art of the disc jockey. Mike Read, Ed Stewart and Pete Murray are interviewed by David Hamilton. This is Pete Murray’s last ever public appearance and it will be filmed by ITV local news. The panel will be illustrated by clips including Crackerjack, Saturday Superstore, Six Five Special and Pete Murray appearing in Maigret as an actor.

* 3:45 pm Afternoon Tea accompanied by a Quantel demo tape from 1979. This remarkable technology became a staple of pop shows in the eighties and makes for fascinating background wallpaper.

* 4:15 pm Sing Me a Fantasy – A one off musical film from TWW, believed wiped until it was found at Ulster Television in 2010. Featuring Tony Crane, Kenny Lynch, Joan Savage, The Jay Gee Dancers and The Millerman Orchestra (TX: 03/03/1968).

* 4:45 pm Top of the Pops – material from 1967-68 recovered by the National Film and Television Archive. Acts appearing including Pink Floyd.

* 5:00 pm Discs A Go Go – the only recorded edition of TWW’s pop show. This one-off Bristol Special is hosted by Tony Blackburn and features The Symbols, Paul and Barry Ryan, Tomorrow, Keith West, Steve Howe, Solomon King, The Gojos, Samantha Lee, Engelbert Humperdinck and Bob Miller and the Millermen (TX: 02/03/1968).

* 6:00 pm See You Sunday – a selection of musical performances from the 1974 BBC religious show that featured many well known contemporary pop groups.

* 6:30 pm Time for Blackburn – join compere Tony Blackburn for this Southern Television show featuring The Who. Produced and directed by Mike Mansfield with Johnny Pearson as musical director. The programme includes original off-air continuity (TX: 26/10/1968).

* 7:00 pm Closedown – from Thames Television, featuring Barbara Dickson.

THE BAR

* 12:00 pm The Bacharach Sound – this Granada programme survives as uncut studio sequences only. Composer Burt Bacharach is joined by Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, The Searchers, The Merseybeats, Chuck Jackson and Hal David (TX: 14/04/1965).

* 1:00 pm Doing Their Thing – Labi Siffre.

* 1:30 pm Pop Quiz – Episode 6. Mike Read hosts the show where teams of musicians test their knowledge of the music scene. Featuring Phil Lynott, Paul Nicholas, Gary Tibbs, Chas Chandler, Hazel O’Connor and Nicky Tesco. This 1-inch videotape was written off by the BBC Archives and scrapped before transfer, but Kaleidoscope have paid for an outside contractor to restore it and make a new Digibeta copy (TX: 08/08/1981).

* 2:00 pm Cliff! – Cliff Richard and The Shadows are joined by The Vernon Girls, Jack Parnell and His Orchestra and Petula Clark in this ATV production (TX: 16/02/1961).

* 2:30 pm Pop Goes Guy Fawkes – Granada special from 1983 featuring Roman Holliday, Spandau Ballet, The Flying Pickets, Culture Club, Carmel and Dave Edmunds. Presented by Gary Byrd and Bob Carolgees (TX: 05/11/1983).

* 3:30 pm D’Abo – an untransmitted BBC pilot presented by Michael D’Abo with Derek Griffiths. Recorded on 30/07/1971.

* 4:00 pm The Old Grey Whistle Test – an edition from Christmas Eve 1980 featuring Ian Dury and the Blockheads (TX: 24/12/1980).

* 5:00 pm Jazz Scene… at the Ronnie Scott Club. The Clarke-Boland Big Band, Guitar Workshop, The Miles Davis Quintet, The Stéphane Grapelli-Teddy Wilson Quartet, Sarah Vaughan and Her Trio, The Charlie Shavers Quartet, The Oscar Peterson Trio, The Gary Burton Quartet, The Stars Of Faith and Buddy Rich and His Orchestra are introduced by Ronnie Scott himself for this BBC show (TX: 26/12/1969).

* 6:00 pm On The Road – an untransmitted edition from the 1979 Granada series devoted to singer-songwriter Kate Bush.

* 7:00 pm Closedown

• The Kaleidoscope summer event takes place at The Talbot Hotel, High Street, Stourbridge, on Saturday, June 4, 2011, from 12-7pm. Admission is free and all proceeds from the day will be going to Kaleidoscope’s chosen charity for 2011, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. For more information, visit www.kaleidoscope.org.uk.

Kaleidoscope Christmas Event and Grand Charity Auction 2010

THE LINE-UP for the next Kaleidoscope event has been announced.

Highlights for the Christmas event, taking place this Saturday, November 27, include screenings of a vintage seasonal episode of Top of the Pops and Margaret Rutherford TV play The Two Wise Virgins of Hove.

It will be taking place at the Talbot Hotel in Stourbridge, West Midlands, from 12noon until 7pm.

The schedule will also include classic TV organisation Kaleidoscope’s Grand Charity Auction 2010, with proceeds going to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Entry is free.

Kaleidoscope Christmas Event schedule:

* 12:00 pm Southern Television start-up – the station opener for New Year’s Eve 1981.

* 12:05 pm Family Fortunes – “Give Us a Clue v It Ain’t Half Hot Mum”. Festive celebrity edition of the long running gameshow hosted by Bob Monkhouse, featuring Michael Aspel, Lionel Blair, Una Stubbs, Roy Kinnear, Anna Dawson, Windsor Davies, Melvyn Hayes, Donald Hewlett, John Clegg and Michael Knowles (TX: 26/12/1981).

* 12:45 pm The Two Wise Virgins of Hove – A vintage Anglia play especially for Christmas starring Margaret Rutherford as a woman who has a vision which sends her on a journey of discovery that changes her life forever (405-line conversion, TX: 22/12/1960).

* 1:35 pm Jackanory – “The Studio Ghost”. The much loved storytelling series for children brightened many a Christmas in years gone by. Here, Christopher Biggins tells the story and William Rushton features at the Ghost.

* 2:00 pm Break

* 2:15 pm Kaleidoscope Grand Charity Auction 2010 – a selection of items donated by our guests, supporters and attendees throughout the year are up for grabs in our annual charity auction, with all proceeds going to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Please note we will be accepting bids in person only.

* 3:15 pm Break

* 3:55 pm Christmas Oneupmanship – adapted by Barry Took from a series of spoof self-help books by Stephen Potter, Richard Briers, Peter Jones and Frederick Jaeger star in this comedy from Christmas 1974 (TX: 19/12/1974).

* 4:25 pm In Memoriam 2010. Kaleidoscope’s own special tribute to those from the television industry who have passed away during 2010.

* 4:35 pm Cinderella – The Shoe Must Go On – Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the fun of a pantomime and here the story of Cinderella is brought to life by an exceptional all-star cast including Danny La Rue, Brian Murphy, Faith Brown, Cheryl Baker, Basil Brush, Roy Hudd, Mike Reid, Roy Kinnear, Les Dennis, Caroline Munro, William Rushton, Bob Carolgees, Shaw Taylor and Jim Bowen! Written by Barry Cryer and Dick Vosburgh (TX: 25/12/1986).

* 6:10 pm Top of the Pops – The edition from Christmas Eve 1981 featuring Wizzard – “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”, Adam & The Ants – “Ant Rap”, Elvis Costello – “Sweet Dreams”, Bucks Fizz – “The Land Of Make Believe”, Kool & The Gang – “Get Down On It”, ABBA – “One Of Us”, Altered Images – “I Could Be Happy”, Dollar – “Mirror Mirror” and The Human League – “Don’t You Want Me” (TX: 24/12/1981).

* 6:45 pm The Wombles play us out as usual (TX: 24/12/1974), followed by Closedown – a BBC1 end of evening animation from from Christmas Day 1985.

• Kaleidoscope Christmas Event and Grand Charity Auction takes place on November 27, 2010, 12noon – 7pm, in the Function Suite, The Talbot Hotel, High Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 1DW. Visit www.kaleidoscope.org.uk

Newsnight on new cut of sci-fi epic Metropolis

IN advance of the UK-wide cinema re-release of restored silent sci-fi epic Metropolis later this month, BBC’s Newsnight has reported on how Fritz Lang’s masterpiece came to be reunited with 30 minutes’ of long-lost footage found in an Argentinian film archive:

BBC News – Newsnight – What makes sci-fi epic Metropolis so influential?.

Unknown Chaplin Film Discovered

A LOST Charlie Chaplin film has been discovered at an antiques show in America.

Early Days: A still from "A Thief Catcher".

The 10-minute silent film – a Keystone comedy called A Thief Catcher – features the English comic actor in a cameo role. It is reckoned to be one of the first, if not the first, cinematic outing for his famed ‘Tramp’ character.

The 16mm print was found last year in Michigan by internationally respected film historian and collector Paul Gierucki.

Gierucki says he didn’t get round to viewing the print until March this year – thinking it was just another old Keystone comedy.

But when he did, he spotted an unmistakable moustached Keystone Kop and realised he was watching a previously unknown Chaplin film.

He confirmed his find with fellow collector Richard Roberts, sending along a frame grab.

Though Chaplin’s Tramp character was first presented to the public in Kid Auto Races at Venice (released Feb 7, 1914), it was filmed AFTER Mabel’s Strange Predicament, which hit cinemas two days later, on Feb 9.

A Thief Catcher, though, began production on January 5, 1914 – one day before Mabel’s Strange Predicament started shooting.

Roberts said: “It’s either his second moustache picture or his first. It cements the concept that he had the character before he came to Keystone and didn’t slap it together on the way to the shooting stage one day.

“Even when he’s doing a minor part he’s doing that character. It’s a new brick in the Chaplin biography. And this opens up the door to other unknown Chaplin appearances at Keystone.”

A Thief Catcher stars Ford Sterling, Mack Swain and Edgar Kennedy. It was the 36th film Chaplin made and he appears on-screen for around three minutes.

It was filmed about a month after Chaplin started work at Keystone Studios, in Edendale, California, and was released by the Mutual Film Corporation on February 19, 1914.

According to Roberts, the film “fell through the cracks pretty quickly” and was not included in a Chaplin filmography compiled by the British Film Institute in the late 1930s.

Until its discovery, the short – which is said to be in “decent” condition – was thought to be among the estimated 75 per cent of all silent films that have not survived to the present day.

• A Thief Catcher will get its first showing in over 90 years at Slapstickon, a comedy film convention in Rosslyn, Virginia, on July 17. You can read more about the discovery on the Washington Post website.

Weekly Round-up – 02/05/10

FRAGMENTS OF HOLLYWOOD

SNIPPETS from missing silent-era movies were screened as part of the first TCM Film Festival, held in Hollywood, last Sunday (April 25).

The program “Fragments (1916 – 1929)” featured a rare collection of scenes, reels and segments from lost silent films restored by the Academy Film Archive and the UCLA Film and Television Archive.

Included in the line-up were tantalizing clips from Clara Bow silents Red Hair and Three Weekends, early John Ford film The Village, Colleen Moore comedy Happiness Ahead, and Roman Novarro romance A lover’s Oath.

Trailers for 1928’s The Patriot, directed by Ernst Lubitsch and particularly notable for being the only best picture Oscar nominee that no longer exists as a complete or near-complete print, and Beau Sabreur, starring a young Gary Cooper, were also screened.

There’s a story on “Fragments” over at The Los Angeles Times.

MORE OUT OF THE UNKNOWN ON YOUTUBE

Last week’s round-up featured a link to the only surviving clips from Out of the Unknown episode Liar!, this week’s features a link to what’s left of Satisfaction Guaranteed.

YouTube user ‘snhbuk’ has uploaded the only extant footage from the series 2 episode, broadcast 29/12/66. The Isaac Asimov story was adapted for the small screen by High Leonard.

The clip lasts for 1’22” and is a scene featuring Wendy Craig (Claire Belmont) being introduced to her new domestic robot TN-3 or Tony (Hal Hamilton). Basic audio restoration work has been on the soundtrack:

http://www.youtube.com/snhbuk#p/a/u/1/zhqrdxooOd0

Also, ‘snhbuk’ has updated his video containing the remaining footage from ‘The Caves of Steel’ (tx 4/5/64), a BBC adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s novel of the same name broadcast as part of BBC2′s anthology strand Story Parade. We now get to hear star Peter Cushing speak:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3HXyJhXpPo

RARE COMPUTER GAME ON EBAY

ONE OF only three copies of PlayStation 1 game NBA 2 Ball still in existence has come to light and is being auctioned on eBay.

Between 500 – 1,000 copies of the PSP game were given away at the 1998 NBA All Star Game at Madison Square Garden, New York, but almost all have been lost.

As Multiplayer Games.com posts, only two others are left, “one in the hands of the original programmer, and the other in the hands of a writer at Game-rave, his copy now unfortunately cracked in two.”

The third copy was bought at the time by an NBA fan for $5 from a friend, whose father had won two copies of the ultra-rare demo at the event.

It is now being sold on auctioning site eBay, with a starting bid of $300.

DOCTOR WHO HOAX

There was a minor flurry of excitement this week among Doctor Who fans after a poster on forum Gallifrey Base claimed to have footage from two missing TV adventures.

Writing on the Shada section of the forum, ‘Jethryk’ asserted that he had come into possession of 8mm home recordings of episodes of Patrick Troughton stories “The Abominable Snowmen” and “The Ice Warriors”, following the death of his grandfather.

It later emerged ‘Jethryk’ was a hoaxer. The thread on OG has now been deleted.

Looking back, the signs that this was another Who hoax (there are many, unfortunately), were clear:

1. The poster claimed not to have much knowledge of Doctor Who, but at the same time knew enough to name himself after an item mentioned in Tom Baker story “The Ribos Operation”, one specifically concerned with a confidence trick.
2. The poster said he would have access to the material shortly and would update the forum accordingly. In other words, dangling a carrot and making the gullible drool in anticipation.
3. When the day came to prove his claim, the poster failed to provide clear evidence.
4. He then tried to back out by further claiming the footage had gone to a private buyer – a trick to keep the flame of hope burning regardless of the current outcome.

This is a cruel deception but the lesson is clear: don’t be lured in by stories of discoveries until confirmed by a member of The Doctor Who Restoration Team. The best procedure is to point the poster in the direction of the RT, who have strong links with the BBC, and then wait for things to take their course.