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Sunset Strip
ITV
Warner Brothers |
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American
private detective series originally created in 1958 which starred
Efrem Zimbalist Jr ( Stuart Bailey ), Roger Smith ( Jeff Spencer
) and Edd Byrnes ( Kookie ). No doubt that the West Coast hot-rodding,
quiff-combing, jive talking Byrnes was the main interest of
the series for teenage females on both sides of the Atlantic.
Bailey and Spencer were the freelance private eyes who, along
with their secretary Suzanne ( Jacqueline Beer ), were assisted
in their enquiries by local 'head', Kookie. Kookie....Kookie...lend
me your comb.... and the theme tune was pretty snappy too
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A
Life Of Bliss
BBC 1960-61 |
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George
Cole starred in the successful carry-over of this 30 minute
comedy series from radio to television, playing the part of
David Bliss, a gullible young bachelor prone to verbal gaffes
and jumping to incorrect conclusions. His pet dog, Psyche, was
'voiced' by animal impersonator Percy Edwards. Sheila Sweet
starred as his girlfriend, Isabel Dean as sister Anne and Colin
Gordon as his brother-in-law. Two series were made, written
and produced by Godfrey Harrison
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All Our Yesterdays
GRANADA 1960-73 |
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20 minute ( later 30 minute ) nostalgia documentary programme
which showed newsreels from 25 years ago on that week. These
were made up from the twice-weekly cinema Pathe newsreels which
were shown at the time, later to include television news archive
footage and studio guests. First narrated by James Cameron and
later narrated and introduced by Brian Inglis
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Biggles
GRANADA 1960 |
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28
x 30 minute episodes featured the adventures of Air Police Inspector
Bigglesworth based on the stories by Captain W.E.Johns. A children's
action series with very definite goodies and baddies. The goodies
were Biggles ( Nevil Whiting ), Ginger ( Chart-topping pop star
John Leyton ) and Bertie ( David Drummond )
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Bonanza
ITV 1960-
NBC 1959 |
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Huge,
long-running blockbuster American western series featuring the
life and adventures of the Cartwright family, owners of the
Ponderosa ranch, and citizens in nearby Virginia City during
the wild west of the 1860s. Ben Cartwright was played by Lorne
Greene and his three sons, Hoss, Little Joe and Adam were played
respectively by Dan Blocker, Michael Landon and Pernell Roberts.
Very much a 'moral' series with the Cartwrights demonstrating
the best traits of human nature, usually with a happy ending
despite nature's setbacks and gun-toting baddies of all types.
Immensely popular series still showing on various channels today
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Bonehead
BBC 1960-62 |
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Slapstick
25 minute comedy series produced and written by Shaun Sutton
which featured Bonehead ( Colin Douglas ), Happy ( Douglas Blackwell
) and Boss ( Paul Whitsun-Jones ) as the 'Silliest and least
successful gang in the Underworld'
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Citizen
James
BBC 1960-62 |
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This
30 minute comedy series was essentially a spin-off of the character
played by Sid James in Hancock's Half Hour. The first series,
written by Galton and Simpson, presented the character as a
layabout, aided and abetted by Bill Kerr and girlfriend Liz
Fraser. The second series, written by Sid Green and Dick Hills
transformed him into a well-meaning but bungling do-gooder aided
by pal Sydney Tafler
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Coronation
Street
GRANADA 1960- |
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What
can I possibly say in a few lines that would do justice to what
started as a twice-weekly soap opera about the lives of North-western
city folk and has since turned into a British institution. It
was originally intended to be a 13 part series, written by creator
Tony Warren, to be called 'Florizel Street'. Original series
main characters included Ena Sharples ( Violet Carson ), Martha
Longhurst ( Lynne Carol ), Minnie Caldwell ( Margot Bryant ),
Elsie Tanner ( Pat Phoenix ), Len Fairclough ( Peter Adamson
), Dennis Tanner ( Philip Lowrie ), Albert Tatlock ( Jack Howarth
), Ken Barlow ( William Roache ) and the masters of 'The Rover's
Return' Annie and Jack Walker ( Doris Speed & Arthur Leslie
)
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Danger
Man
ATV 1960-61 1964-67 |
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Cult
action / adventure espionage series created by Ralph Smart which
featured Patrick McGoohan as John Drake, a top agent for the
NATO secret service ( British Intelligence M9 in the second
series ) who, unlike his American counterparts, rarely resorted
to gunplay, preferring to slug his way out of trouble. The first
series consisted of 39 x 30 minute episodes produced by Ralph
Smart and the second series of 45 x 60 minute episodes produced
by Aida Young (64/65) and Sidney Cole. Two 60 minute episodes
(1967) were made in colour - 'Koroshi' and 'Shinda Shima' which
were recombined into a 93 minute telefeature called 'Koroshi'.
The programme was networked in the U.S. by CBS under the title
'Secret Agent'
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Four
Feather Falls
GRANADA 1960
AP Films |
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39
x 15minute episodes were made of one of Gerry Anderson's early
puppet-based adventure/fantasy shows. Sherrif Tex Tucker saves
the life of Makooya, the son of indian chief Kalamakooya and
is rewarded with four magic feathers which, among other things,
enable his guns to fire by themselves and allow his dog, Dusty
and horse, Rocky to be able to talk to him. The series villains
are bandits Pedro and Fernando. Other characters included Martha
Jones, Grandpa Twink and Little Jake
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Here's
Harry
BBC 1960-65 |
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A
very popular and long-running comedy series starring the genius
of Harry Worth whose bumbling attempts at do-gooding landed
him in all sorts of hot water and strange situations. The series
followed on from the earlier BBC sitcom 'The Trouble With Harry'.
Writers included Vince Powell and Harry Driver and the shows,
like the earlier series, were produced by John Ammonds
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International
Detective
ITV 1960
Delry - A.Edward Sutherland
Associated British - Pathe |
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A
series of action / drama detective stories based on the actual
files of the William J.Burns international detective agency.
39 x 30minute episodes were made, directed by Eddie Sutherland
and featuring Arthur Fleming as private investigator Ken Franklin
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It's
A Square World
BBC 1960-64 |
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A
long-running series of satirical comedy shows masterminded by
Michael Bentine of Goon Show fame. Notable for the unusual variety
of means employed to convey the very visual gags, including
cartoons and silent-movie techniques. The series, produced by
John Street and G.B.Lupino also featured many other famous comedians
including Benny Lee, Clive Dunn, Frank Thornton, Dick Emery,
John Bluthal and the possibly less well-known Leon Thau, Anthea
Wyndham, Louis Mansi and Janette Rowselle
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Maigret
BBC 1960-63
Winwell Productions |
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51
episodes x 45/55minutes over four seasons featured Rupert Davies
in the title role as Georges Simenon's famous fictional character
after the BBC acquired worldwide rights to the creation. The
thoughtful, highly observant French detective was supported
by assistant Lucas ( Ewen Solon ) and Mme Maigret, played by
Helen Shingler. Giles Cooper wrote and edited the series scripts
and Ron Grainer composed the music which accompanied Eileen
Diss's atmospheric French settings. Davies reprised the character
for a one-off 90 minute programme in 1969 for the 'Play of the
Month' series
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On
Trial
GRANADA 1960 |
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A
series of 10 x 60minute authentic docu-dramas which chronicled
and re-enacted famous historical British trials such as those
of Oscar Wilde and Sir Roger Casement ( Peter Wyngarde ). The
shows included factual narration by Andrew Faulds and an explanatory
commentary by Brian Inglis. The series producer was Peter Wildeblood
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Our
House
ABC 1960-61 |
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Very
much in the 'Carry On' mould, this 13 episode x 55minutes and
7 episodes x 45 minutes two season series was written by Carry
On writer Norman Hudis. Nine inherently incompatible people
( Season one: Charles Hawtrey, Hattie Jacques, Norman Rossington,
Joan Sims, Frank Pettingell, Trader Faulkner, Ina de la Haye,
Frederick Peisley and Leigh Madison ) club together to purchase
and inhabit a run-down house. The disasters and belly laughs
continued into season two with the addition of Hylda Baker and
Bernard Bresslaw. The series was produced by Ernest Maxim
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Police
Surgeon
ABC 1960 |
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The
series starred Ian Hendry as Doctor Geoffrey Brent in this lightweight
straight crime drama series. Other regular participants were
John Warwick as Inspector Landon and Ingrid Hafner as Amanda
Gibbs. Michael Crawford appeared in one episode - 'Easy Money'
- as a juvenile delinquent. As it was essentially insipid, the
show was cancelled after one season but the character of Geoffrey
Brent, still played by Hendry, was revived 12 months later,
having gained a partner, as one of the two main parts in the
first series of 'The Avengers'
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Sykes
and a .......
BBC 1960-65 |
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Superb
long-running situation comedy series which starred Eric Sykes
and Hattie Jacques as brother and sister who lived at 24 Sebastopol
Terrace next door to long-suffering neighbour Charles Brown,
played by Richard Wattis. The .... of the title each week was
the object, situation or latest weird obsession which was the
cause of that episode's mayhem and disaster, frequently attended
by local beat policeman PC 'Corky' Turnbull ( Deryck Guyler
). 60 x 25-30 minute episodes were made in black and white,
written by Eric Sykes, Johnny Speight, Spike Milligan and John
Antrobus. Occasional guests on the series included Peter Sellers,
Joan Sims and Les Dawson. One episode was remade in 1967 by
Associated London Films as a 54 minute classic comedy film called
'The Plank'
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Target
Luna
Pathfinders In Space
Pathfinders To Mars
ABC 1960-61 |
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6
x 30 minute episode childrens science fiction series written
by Malcolm Hulke and Eric Paice. Sydney Newman's production
style was reminiscent of a comic-style approach and featured
children in the lead roles. This was the first of seven series
and starred David Markham, Michael Hammond, Sylvia Davies and
Michael Craze in a story revolving a trip to the moon.The series
was followed by Pathfinders In Space ( 1960 - 7 x 30mins ),
Pathfinders To Mars ( 1960/61 - 6 x 30mins ), Pathfinders To
Venus ( 1961 - 8 x 30mins ), Plateau Of Fear ( 1961 - 6 x 30mins
), City Beneath The Sea ( 1962 - 7 x 30mins ) and Secret Beneath
The Sea ( 1963 6 x 30mins )
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The
Charlie Drake Show
BBC 1960-62 ATV 1963 BBC 1967-68 |
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30
minute comedy series which followed on from the 1959-60 series
'Charlie Drake' and featured slapstick-style sketches and situations
which brought out the pathos and genius of this much underrated
comedian.Scripts were written by Charlie Drake and Richard Waring.
Ronald Marsh produced. Most, if not all of the slapstick stunts
were undertaken by Drake himself, causing him to be badly injured
on more than one occasion. The 1963 ATV series was scripted
by Drake and Lewis Schwarz and produced by Colin Clews
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The
Dickie Henderson Show
AR 1960-65 AR 1968 |
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Although
British-made, this Bill Hitchcock-directed 30 minute domestic
sitcom series had a very American feel. Featuring the multi-talented
Dickie Henderson as 'himself' with long-suffering wife June
Laverick, 10 year old son John Parsons and musical manager friend
Lionel Murton as the other main characters, plus weekly guest
stars
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The
Flying Doctor
ABC 1960-61 |
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Hands
up who thought that this was an Australian show! 39 x 30minute
episodes of stories based on the adventures of the Royal Flying
Doctor Service were made on location in Australia ( plus a lot
of stock footage ) and at the Associated British Studios in
Elstree. The lead character, Dr. Greg Graham ( an American medico
) was played by Richard Denning, carted around by pilot Charley
Wood ( Alan White ) and assisted by nurse Mary Meredith ( Jill
Adams ). Series produce was David MacDonald
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The
Splendid Spur
BBC 1960 |
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Adventure
/ drama series set during the English Civil War in 1642 starred
Patrick Troughton as cavalier Captain Luke Settle in this 6
x 30 minute episode serial. David Goddard produced, based on
a story by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch. Also appearing were Victoria
Watts, Michael Balfour and Kenneth Farrington
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The
Strange World
of Gurney Slade
ATV 1960 |
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Weird
and surreal, this short series starred Anthony Newley as an
over-imaginative young man prone to fantasising about his ideal
female and frequently finding himself in conversation with trees
and similar objects. The 6 x 30 minute episodes were written
by Sid Green and Dick Hills and produced by Alan Tarrant. Max
Harris's music was conducted by Jack Parnell
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The
Sunday Night Play
BBC 1960-63 |
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A
series of new plays specially written for television production,
and starring some very famous names, which were shown periodically
under this umbrella title between 1960 and 1963. The first one
to be seen was 'A Walk In The Desert' by John Whiting which
starred Lawrence Harvey, Tracy Lloyd and Nigel Stock. One of
the productions - David Mercer's 'A Suitable Case For Treatment'
- was later made into a feature film
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The
Untouchables
Desilu Productions |
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114
( possibly 118 ) 60 minute episodes were made of this classic
gang-busting series starring Robert Stack as F.B.I. agent Eliot
Ness, featuring the American establishment's fight against organised
crime and the likes of Al Capone during the prohibition period.
Although fairly mild by today's standards, it was considered to
be one of the most violent TV shows of all time. The stories were
essentially taken from F.B.I. files up to the end of prohibition.
The later storylines continued into the Forties although the real
'untouchables' disbanded in 1932. Other agents were played by
Nick Georgiade ( Enrico Rossi ), Abel Fernandez ( Bill Youngfellow
), Paul Percerni ( Lee Hobson ), Jerry Paris ( Martin Flaherty
) Steve London ( Agent Rossman ) and Anthony George ( Cam Allison
). Narration was by Walter Winchell
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The
World of Tim Frazer
BBC |
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18
x 30 minute episodes were made of this drama intrigue series
which were actually three individual 6-part stories although
shown consecutively. Jack Hedley starred as Tim Frazer, a structural
engineer who gets recruitede as an undercover agent by a government
intelligence department. The whole series came under the general
heading of 'Francis Durbridge Presents', Durbridge collaborating
with three different writers for the three 'series' which were
produced byRichmond Harding
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Torchy
A-R 1960-61
AP Films / Pelham Productions
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Another
early Gerry Anderson-directed puppetry series, this time aimed
at a slightly younger audience. Torchy, a clockwork toy with
a battery-powered light on his hat, travels in his space rocket
to and from Topsy-Turvy Land, where all the neglected and mistreated
toys live and come alive to join in his adventures. 3-Dimensional
sets were introduced for the first time on this series and puppets
were fitted with moving mouths and eyes. Creator Roberta Leigh
went on to make a second series of Torchy with Associated British
Pathe
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Whiplash
ATV / ITC 1960-61
Artransa Park |
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34
x 30 minute shows were made of this Wild West style action series
which was set in 1850s Australia. Peter Graves ( Mission Impossible
) starred as stagecoach company owner Chris Cobb and featured
his adventures in the constant struggle against outlawry and
competitors during the continent's formative years. Anthony
Wickert featured as his helper, Dan. The 'baddies' in the series
included George Wallace Jr and Belfast-born Chuck Faulkner,
who had actually been Australia's first newsreader and weatherman
back in 1956 for Channel 9. Did you know that Peter Graves and
James Arness of 'Gunsmoke' are brothers?
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