Adam
Adamant Lives!
BBC1 1966-67
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Adam
Llewellyn deVere Adamant ( Gerald Harper ), an aristocratic
adventurer from the Edwardian era of 1902 was frozen into a
block of ice by his arch enemy 'The Face' ( Peter Ducrow ).
His body is discovered and thawed out, unleashing him on the
criminal elements of 1966 Swinging London and, eventually, a
re-match with his old enemy who has also survived the intervening
years. He is accompanied during the 29 x 50 min episodes by
Georgina ( Juliet Harmer ) and his new valet, Simms, played
by Jack May. The series was produced by Verity Lambert and created
by Donald Cotton and Richard Harris, with various writers and
producers
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Batman
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Blam!
Zap! Pow! The caped crusaders finally hit British screens in
the shape of Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, the
Boy Wonder. The protectors of Gotham City were never short of
super-criminal opponents and always found them in sticky situations
at the end of the first of two 30 minute shows shown over two
nights. Click on the thumb nail for the Sixties City Batman
page |
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Bewitched
BBC1 1966-
Screen Gems |
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Superb
US import comedy starring the amazingly gorgeous Elizabeth Montgomery
as Samantha Stevens in 254 x 30 minute episodes of this supernatural
sit-com. 1164 Morning Glory Circle was never the same after
Samantha, a real witch, married mortal advertising executive
Darrin Stephens ( Dick York, later Dick Sargent ). Samantha
could make virtually anything happen with a twitch of her nose,
much to the dismay of Darrin and the neighbours, Gladys and
Abner Kravitz ( Sandra Gould and George Tobias ). Darrin fought
a constant, comic, losing battle against the use of witchcraft
against the fiercest of opponents - mother-in-law Endora ( Agnes
Moorehead ) |
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Chronicle
BBC2 1966-
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A
monthly 50 minute documentary programme which featured the latest
discoveries in the world of history and archaeology, usually
in co-productions with other countries and major institutions.
The original presenters were Glyn Daniel and Magnus Magnusson.
Long-time producer of the series was ex-Tonight reporter Paul
Johnstone |
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George
and The Dragon
ATV 1966-68
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Classic
26 x 30 minute sitcom series written by Vince Powell and Harry
Driver. The comedy centred around the kitchen of John LeMesurier's
household and the battle for supremacy between the battleaxe
cook-housekeeper, wonderfully played by Peggy Mount, and the
previous 'top dog' before her arrival, the cunning chauffeur,
classic Sid James. The three series were mainly produced by
Alan Tarrant, Jack Williams producing the last six episodes
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Gilligan's
Island
CBS 1966- |
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98
x 30 minute episode American sitcom in which the S.S. Minnow
sets sail on a three hour pleasure tour with the Skipper, Gilligan,
Mary Ann, Ginger, The Professor, and Mr. and Mrs. Howell. They
never thought that a storm would result in them being shipwrecked
on an island where they would have to survive, put up with each
other's idiosyncracies and try to find a way back home. The
show's stars were Jim Backus ( Thurston Howell III ), Bob Denver
( Gilligan ), Alan Hale Jr. ( Jonas Grumby, the Skipper ), Russell
Johnson ( Roy Hinkley, the Professor ), Tina Louise ( Ginger
Grant ), Natalie Schafer ( Mrs. Lovey Howell ) and Dawn Wells
( Mary Ann Summers )
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How
SOUTHERN TV 1966-81
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Highly
entertaining long-lived 30 minute childrens education programme
with experiments and demonstrations of answers to questions
on various science and intellectual subjects, ranging from very
interesting to very silly. The presenters were always excellent,
the original fousome comprising of Fred Dinenage, Bunty James
( later replaced by Marian Davies ), Jack Hargreaves and Jon
Miller. The latter two tended towards the more sensible experiments
while poor old Fred was often the victim of the sillier stunts
and not a few that refused to work properly first time
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Intrigue
ABC 1966
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A
12 x 55 minute industrial espionage drama series starring Edward
Judd as investigator Gavin Grant. Caroline Mortimer featured
as girlfriend, and occasional assistant, Val. Created by Tony
Williamson and produced by Robert Banks Stewart, the concept
of the series was interesting enough but the characters were
too lightweight and shallow to allow the series to survive |
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It's
A Knockout
BBC1 1966-82
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Best
described as 'Silly Olympics' this cult series started as a
knockout style competition between various British towns, competing
in events that contained a lot of water, foam, grease, inflatable
platforms and silly costumes. The best of the entrants were
invited into Jeux Sans Frontieres the following year, competing
with other towns in an international competition, hosted in
various countries on an unbelievably lavish scale. The real
stars of the series were presenters Eddie Waring, David Vine
and the irrepressible Stuart Hall, whose commentary on the various
games frequently subsided into uncontrollable hysterical laughter
at the on-field antics, a mood which ( from personal experience
) was nearly always transferred to the viewing audience. Although
completely inane and pointless, I have very fond memories of
this show, produced by Barney Colehan - it really was compulsive
viewing, love it or hate it. Katie Boyle also co-hosted the
international series with her multilingual talents |
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Mrs
Thursday
ATV 1966-67
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25 x 55 minute episodes of this gentle, warm-hearted series
starred Kathleen Harrison as Mrs Thursday, a charlady who inherits
control of a property empire from her late employer. Business
and financial advice was offered, but not always taken, by Richard
Hunter, played by Hugh Manning. Not really a situation comedy,
more an examination of the better side of human nature which,
in Mrs Thursday's case, refused the temptation of money and
power to corrupt her generous and common-sense nature. The series
was produced by Jack Williams
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Mystery
and Imagination
ABC / THAMES 1966-70
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Three
series of this show were made over a four year period. 13 x
50-65 minutes ( 1966 ), 3 x 60 minutes and 3 x 90 minutes (
1968 ) and 3 x 90 minutes ( 1970 ). David Buck featured as Richard
Beckett, Victorian adventurer and 'presenter' / narrator of
the series produced in Gothic settings and featuring spooky
and macabre tales, many by famous authors. The series was devised
by Jonathan Alwyn who, with script editor Terence Feely, chose
the stories from over four hundred Victorian tales. Top actors
took leading roles in the presentations which included adapted
versions of 'The Fall Of The House Of Usher', 'Frankenstein',
'The Body Snatcher', 'Casting The Runes', 'The Phantom Lover'
and the almost inevitable 'Dracula'
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Seven
Deadly Sins
REDIFFUSION 1966
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A
series of seven self-contained dramas linked by the general
theme of the series title, each production featuring one of
'The Seven Deadly Sins' - sloth, avarice, gluttony etc. One
of the interesting factors of the series was that the actual
'sin' being portrayed was not revealed until the closing credits
rolled. One episode - 'In The Night' ( 13/6/66 ) featured Joanna
Dunham and Adam Faith in the lead roles. Series producer was
Peter Willes |
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Softly
Softly
BBC1 1966-70
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A
spin-off series from the highly popular 'Z-Cars' saw 69 x 50
minute episodes feature Stratford Johns as Detective Chief Superintendent
Barlow. Other characters included DCI Lewis ( Garfield Morgan
), DC Stone ( Alexis Kanner ), DS Hawkins ( Norman Bowler )
and later Inspector Watt ( Frank Windsor ). The series was produced
by Leonard Lewis and David E. Rose. A follow-up series was made
between 1970-76 called 'Softly Softly: Task Force' consisting
of another 131 x 50 minute episodes with Barlow promoted to
Head of Thamesford Constabulary CID
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Star
Trek
BBC1 1966-
Desilu |
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Space
- the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship
'Enterprise' - its five-year mission to explore strange new
worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations - to boldly
go where no man has gone before! The mission spoken of by William
Shatner as starship captain James T. Kirk has now lasted more
than 35 years in various forms - the best science fiction series
of all time. See my Star
Trek page for pictures and episode guides to the original
Sixties series plus the 'Ladies Of Star Trek' image gallery |
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The
Baron
ATV 1966-67
ITC |
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This
'Saint'-type action series was based on a character created
by John Creasey. Steve Forrest starred as wealthy antique dealer
/ adventurer / ex-jewel thief John Mannering, assisted by the
sexy Sue Lloyd playing Cordelia Winfield, in his globe-trotting
adventures, often working for the police and government using
his trade as cover. The Monty Berman-produced series also spawned
two TV features in 1966 and 1968 from re-edited episodes 'Mystery
Island' and 'The Man In A Looking Glass'
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The
Corridor People
GRANADA 1966
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A
4 x 45 minute action / adventure / comic-strip style series
created and written by Eddie Boyd which featured the schemes
of super-villainess Syrie Van Epp, played by Elizabeth Shepherd.
Her various schemes included an amnesia perfume ( 'V'ictim As
Birdwatcher' ), resurrecting the dead ( 'Victim As Whitebait'
), kidnap of a defector ( 'Victim As Red' ) and an involvement
with some very strange Royals ( 'Victim As Black' ). Other main
characters in the series were played by John Sharp ( Kronk of
the CID ), Gary Cockrell ( A private eye called 'Scrotty' ),
Alan Curtis ( Inspector Blood ), William Maxwell ( Sergeant
Hound ) and a dwarf called Nonesuch who was played by William
Trigger.The series was produced by Richard Everitt
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The
Frost Report
BBC1 1966-67
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Not
to be confused with 'The Frost Programme' produced by Rediffusion
from 1966-68, this series featured David Frost and his team
( Ronnie Barker, John Cleese, Nicholas Smith, Ronnie Corbett,
Tom Lehrer, Nicky Henson and Julie Felix ) in another of his
satirical, light-hearted pokes at the more ludicrous side of
authority, officialdom and current affairs
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The
Informer
REDIFFUSION 1966-67
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21
x 55 minute episodes starred Ian Hendry as Alex Lambert, a police
informer with connections in the underworld made as a barrister
before he was disbarred. His information was sold to insurance
companies and a police contact played by Neil Hallett, but he
had a constant problem in trying to keep the source of his income
secret from his wife ( Heather Sears ). Alternative female interest
was supplied by Jean Marsh, playing the girlfriend of the defendant
whose case led to him losing his job and to whom he turned for
comfort and understanding. The series was created by John Whitney
and Geoffrey Bellman
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The
Liars
GRANADA 1966
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9
x 55 minute episodes were made of this series which had, as
its central connecting thread, four related storytellers trying
to outdo each other with their tall tales. 'The Liars' were
Ian Ogilvy, William Mervyn, Nyree Dawn Porter and the equally
gorgeous Isla Blair. The stories themselves were adapted for
the TV script by Philip Mackie and Hugh Leonard from short stories
by famous authors such as Oscar Wilde, Saki, Guy de Maupassant,
William Sansom, Stacy Aumonier, Lord Dunsany, Michael Arlen
and Anatole France. Philip Mackie also produced the series
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The
Man from U.N.C.L.E.
BBC1 1966- |
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U.N.C.L.E.,
the United Network Command for Law Enforcement was the only
thing which stood between evil organisation THRUSH and world
domination. Top agents Napoleon Solo ( Robert Vaughn ) and Illya
Kuryakin ( David McCallum ) bore the brunt of the action through
eight feature films and 105 x 60 minute tongue-in-cheek spy
capers under the command of organisation boss Alexander Waverly
played by Leo G. Carroll. See my UNCLE
pages for more information |
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The
Monkees
ITV 1966-68 |
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Hey we're the Monkees - zany American music show starring the
created-for-television pop group of the same name. Each of the
58 x 30 minute episodes featured the band in a slapstick adventure
situation, interspersed with their songs. The series was produced
in the U.S. by Screen Gems / NBC and starred group members Mickey
Dolenz ( remember Circus Boy? ), Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork and
singer Davy Jones, who was the only British member of the group
and had previously appeared as a character in 'Coronation Street'
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Thirteen
Against Fate
BBC1 1966
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Irene
Shubik produced this 13 x 60 minute series containing adaptations
of stories by 'Maigret' author Georges Simenon. Although all
were crime-based, the various stories were quite different in
nature. Some of the episodes were entitled 'The Traveller' (
Le Voyageur de la toussaint ), 'Trapped' ( Cour d'Assises ),
'The Suspect' ( Les Fiancailles de M.Hire ) and 'The Lodger'
( Le Locataire ). Series music was composed by Tony Russell |
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This
Man Craig
BBC2 1966-67
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A
50 minute drama series centring around the community of the
Scottish town of Strathaird, particularly the teachers, pupils
and parents of its comprehensive school. The main storylines
revolved around physics teacher Ian Craig, played by John Cairney.
The series was produced and directed by Peter Graham Scott from
material by many Scottish writers |
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Till
Death Us Do Part
BBC1 1966-68, 1972, 1974-75
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Another
all-time classic sitcom which started life as a single production
in the Comedy Playhouse series. Written by Johnny Speight, the
39 x 30 minute episodes were, for the time, extremely controversial,
leaving no subject untouched in its critique of the world at
large and London's East End docklands in particular. Warren
Mitchell starred as Alf Garnett, a patriarchal working class
Cockney with extremely strong and frequently biased and bigoted
views on every subject imaginable. His long-suffering wife Elsie
was played by Dandy Nichols and daughter Rita by Una Stubbs.
Layabout son-in-law Mike ( Anthony Booth ) was Alf's nemesis,
holding the opposite view to virtually all of Alf's, which led
to many comic lectures and tirades, usually ending with Alf
verbally backing himself into a corner where he was teased mercilessly
by the other family members. The series was revived in 1981
with the family relocated to Eastbourne and again in 1985, now
titled 'In Sickness And In Health' with Alf having moved back
near to his beloved West Ham football club after the death of
his wife. Two feature films were made by Associated London Films
- 'Till Death Us Do Part' in 1969 and 'The Alf Garnett Saga'
in 1972 |
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Vendetta
BBC1 1966-68
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A
crime drama of 36 x 50 minute episodes starring Stelio Candelli
as Danny Scipio, an ex-Mafia member helping to investigate the
underworld activities of the mafioso within our own fair shores.
His partner in the dangerous undercover operations was Angelo
James, played by Neil McCallum. The series was created and written
by Tudor Gates and Brian Degas. William Slater produced |
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Voyage
To The Bottom Of The Sea
ITV? 1966-
US Import |
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"This
is the Seaview, the most extraordinary submarine in all the
Seven Seas. Its public image is that of an instrument of marine
research. In actuality, it is the mightiest weapon afloat, and
is secretly assigned to the most dangerous missions against
the ememies of mankind." Great Irwin Allen science fiction series.
110 episodes followed the adventures of Admiral Harriman Nelson
( Richard Basehart ) and Captain Lee Crane ( David Hedison )
as they piloted the supersub 'Seaview' through various crises
and earth-threatening disasters
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Weavers
Green
ANGLIA 1966
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49
x 30 minute episodes were made of this comparatively short-lived
soap opera, supposedly television's answer to 'The Archers',
which centred around the activities of two country vets in the
fictitious East Anglian English village of the title. The series
was written by Betty and Peter Lambda and produced by John Jacobs.
Main characters were portrayed by Grant Taylor ( Alan Armstrong
), Eric Flynn ( Geoffrey Toms ), Megs Jenkins, Maurice Kaufmann,
Georgina Ward, Susan Field, Richard Coleman, Marjie Lawrence,
John Moulder-Brown, John Glyn-Jones, Gerald Young and Vanessa
Forsyth. Also seen, as youngsters, were Susan George and Kate
O'Mara. The series was initially shown on Thursdays and Saturdays
but succumbed to TV politics when ATV wanted the slot for Emergency
Ward 10 |
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