Big
Breadwinner Hog
GRANADA 1969
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The
superb Peter Egan played the title role in this London gangland
underworld series noted for its unprecedented violence. This
led to many viewer complaints, even after the first episode,
which is probably the reason why the otherwise brilliant series
was so short lived. Ruthlessly ambitious, long-haired and flash,
Hog was the nemesis of the old-style London gangs as well as
the police. Robin Chapman produced and wrote the 8 x 60 minute
episodes with Mike Newell and Michael Apted directing
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Civilisation
BBC2 1969
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13
x 50 minute documentary programmes presented by Sir Kenneth
Clark which charted the events and ideologies from the fall
of the Greek and Roman empires which led to current 20th century
Western civilisation. The series, which took two years to make
in 13 different countries, was produced by Peter Montagnon and
Michael Gill
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Counterstrike
BBC1 1969
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A
science fiction series created by Tony Williamson featuring
Jon Finch as Simon King. After an alien invasion of Earth by
the Centaurans, King is sent along by the Intergalactic Council
as an undercover agent to help us fight the alien menace. He
is assisted in his mission by a doctor called Mary ( played
by Sarah Brackett ) after she discovers his true origin. Although
10 x 50 minute episodes were made, produced by Patrick Alexander,
only 9 were actually transmitted. The episode postponed due
to other broadcasting needs was never rescheduled
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Curry
and Chips
LWT 1969
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Extremely
controversial for its time, written by who else but Johnny Speight,
this sitcom series tried to deal with racial and class hatred
and bigotry in a light-hearted manner, not always successfully.
Produced and Directed by Keith Beckett, the 6 x 30 minute episodes
featured Eric Sykes as the liberal, somewhat confused factory
foreman who suddenly has thrust upon him a new worker in the
shape of a Pakistani called Kevin O'Grady, played by the brilliant
Spike Milligan
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Dear
Mother ... Love Albert
THAMES 1969, YORKSHIRE 1970 - 1971
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Northern
lad moves to London and manages to scrape a living, but exaggerates
his success and experiences in letters home to his mum. Rodney
Bewes starred as the bemused Albert Courtnay in 19 x 30 minute
episodes of this 'Billy Liar' type sitcom, with Garfield Morgan
as his boss, A.C.Strain. Bewes wrote and produced with Derrick
Goodwin, John Duncan also co-producing. 7 x 30 minute episodes
were made by Yorkshire in 1972 of a follow-up series in the
same vein simply called 'Albert!'
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Department
'S'
ATV / ITC 1969
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Classic
action / adventure / espionage television series created by
Monty Berman and Dennis Spooner. Featuring Joel Fabiani as Stewart
Sullivan, Rosemary Nicols as Annabelle Hurst and, of course,
Peter Wyngarde as the fashion conscious playboy, part-time writer,
part-time agent Jason King. The three agents were called into
action by Department 'S', an off-shoot of Interpol to deal with
'Avengers' type situations which no other official agencies
could handle. Dennis Alaba Peters also featured as boss Sir
Curtis Seretse in the 28 x 50 minute episodes produced by Monty
Berman. Wyngarde later featured in his own series 'Jason King',
also produced by Berman, for ATV/ITC 1971-72, taking the character
into more of an adventurer-type role
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Doctor
In The House
LWT 1969 - 1970
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Hilariously
funny classic comedy series brought to TV by Frank Muir of LWT
in consultation with Richard Gordon, author of the original
books. The stories and characters were brought bang up to date
for the late Sixties, featuring Barry Evans ( Michael Upton
), George Layton ( Paul Collier ), Geoffrey Davies ( Dick Stuart-Clark
) and Robin Nedwell ( Duncan Waring ) as the boozy, girl chasing
medical students of St.Swithins, the nemeses of Professor Loftus
( played wonderfully by Ernest Clark ) and The Dean ( Ralph
Michael ). Other 'students' occasionally appearing in the series
were Martin Shaw, Jonathan Lynn and Simon Cuff as well as notable
appearances by the gorgeous Yutte Stensgaard as one of their
girlfriends. Follow-up series from LWT included 'Doctor At Large'
( 1971 ), 'Doctor In Charge' ( 1972-73 ), 'Doctor At Sea' (
1974 ) and 'Doctor On The Go' ( 1975-77 ) all produced by Humphrey
Barclay. Series writers included Graham Chapman, John Cleese,
Graeme Garden, Barry Cryer and Bill Oddie
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Fraud
Squad
ATV 1969 - 1970
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26
x 60 minute episodes created by Ivor Jay and produced by Nicholas
Palmer showcased the crimebusting adventures of Detective Inspector
Gamble of the Fraud Squad, played by Patrick O'Connell assisted
by the waif-like Detective Sergeant Vicky Hicks in the lovely
form of Joanna Van Gyseghem
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H
R Pufnstuff
NBC 1969 |
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17
x 30 minute episodes featured the adventures of a young English
boy Jimmy, played by Jack Wild, who was beckoned out to sea
in a colorful boat bound for Living Island. The boat turned
out to be a trap set by the evil Witchiepoo, who wanted to add
Jimmy's flute, Freddie, to her collection of magical belongings.
Jimmy narrowly escaped by jumping overboard, only to wash up
on the beach of an enchanted isle. He was rescued by the local
mayor, H.R. Pufnstuf, a giant orange and green cowboy / dragon
and Jimmy and Freddie found themselves stranded on Living Island,
where everything was alive and talked, houses had hay fever
and money was measured in buttons. Brilliant stuff, produced
by Sid and Marty Krofft who also made a feature film with the
same cast in 1970
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Hadleigh
YORKSHIRE 1969 - 1976
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James
Hadleigh, the suave, sophisticated country squire ( earlier
seen as the proprietor of a country newspaper for 12 x 60 minute
episodes in the YTV programme 'Gazette' ) was played by Gerald
Harper. Other members of the cast included Joyce Carey, Judy
Campbell, Roland Culver and Mary Peach. The champion of the
underdog was created by Robert Barr and produced by Jacky Stoller
and Terence Williams
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Hark
at Barker
LWT 1969-70 |
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Comedy
series starring the talents of Ronnie Barker, expanding on the
lecherous 'Lord Rustless' character he portrayed in one of the
'Ronnie Barker Playhouse' episodes. The series, written by Peter
caulfield, Bill Oddie, Chris Miller, Gerald Wiley ( Barker )
and Bernard McKenna, also starred Josephine Tewson ( Bates,
the secretary ), Frank Gatliff ( Badger the butler ), David
Jason ( Dithers the gardener ), Moira Foot ( voluptuous maid
Effie ) and Mary Baxter as 'Cook'
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Holiday
69
BBC1 1969 -
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This
long-running informational travelogue and holiday programme
which changed its title ( Holiday 70, etc ) year by year was
originally presented by Cliff Michelmore who unfailingly highlighted
the downside to various holiday offers and operators in a kind
of 'watchdog' capacity. Covering both Winter and Summer options,
this programme was the template for all similar shows which
followed
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Judge
Dee
GRANADA 1969
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The T'ang dynasty of 7th century China was the unlikely setting
for this unusual detective series which only survived for 6
of its planned 7 x 60 minute episodes. Michael Goodliffe starred
in the title role as a travelling judge, jury and sometime private
detective assisted by Garfield Morgan, Norman Scace, Arne Gordon
and three wives. The series was produced by Howard Baker and
scripted by John Wiles from the original historically-based
stories by Robert Van Gulik
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Me
Mammy
BBC1 1969 - 1971
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19
x 30 minute episodes of this sitcom featured Milo O'Shea as
an Irish lad, Bunjy Kennefick, living in London with his caustic-tongued
widowed mother who was intent on protecting him from evil influences,
mainly women. Produced by Sydney Lotterby and James Gilbert,
the series script was written by Hugh Leonard. Other main characters
were played by Anna Manahan ( mammy ), Yootha Joyce( his girlfriend
Miss Argyll ), Ray McAnally and David Kelly
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Monty
Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python
BBC1 1969 - 1970, 1972 - 1974
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What
can I say about this all-time classic series - everything the
collection of comic geniuses had achieved before this paled
into insignificance when compared to the utter lunacy and hilarity
of this sketch-based comedy series. 45 x 30 minute episodes
were made, plus five feature films on varying subjects which
involved the Python team which consisted of John Cleese, Graham
Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin with Carol
Cleveland providing the female interest. The surreal cartoon
graphic comedy slots were brilliantly conceived and constructed
by Terry Gilliam. Who will ever forget 'The Ministry of Silly
Walks', 'The Spanish Inquisition', 'The Parrot Sketch', 'Hell's
Grannies', the lumberjack song, the gumbies, twit of the year
and a myriad of other comedy classics. And now for something
completely different... The series was produced by John Howard
Davies and Ian MacNaughton from an original concept created
by Barry Took
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Nationwide
BBC1 1969 - 1984
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Presented
by Michael Barratt and Frank Bough, later joined by Richard
Dimbleby, this popular, long-running current affairs programme
which took over the early evening slot from the 'Tonight' show
hardly left a subject untouched in its regular whistle-stop
tour of the BBC television regions. Created by Derrick Amoore,
editors of the programme included Richard Tait, John Gau, Tim
Gardam, Michael Bunce, Paul Corley, Huw Williams, Ron Neil,
Paul Woolwich and Roger Bolton, supported by many researchers
and journalists
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On
The Buses
LWT 1969 - 1973
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Hilarious,
ridiculous, close to the bone comedy series based at Luxton
and District bus company, featuring Reg Varney as bus driver
Stan Butler and Bob Grant as his conductor. Not enough that
his life was plagued by Inspector Blake ( brilliantly portrayed
by Stephen Lewis - 'I 'ate you Butler! ), his home life was
equally manic, living with mother Cicely Courtenidge ( later
Doris Hare ) along with sister Anna Karen ( Olive ) and brother-in
law Michael Robbins ( Arthur ) who constantly managed to thwart
his attempts to connect with the opposite sex, usually in the
form of long-legged, short-skirted, large-chested clippies.
73 x 30 minute episodes were made, plus two feature films -
'On The Buses' ( 1971 ) and 'Mutiny On The Buses' ( 1972 ),
both produced by Hammer films. Brilliant script writers were
Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney
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Parkin's
Patch
YORKSHIRE 1969 - 1970
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John
Flanagan played Yorkshire country policeman PC Moss Parkin in
26 x 30 minute episodes of this rural police drama series dealing
with issues from sheep rustling to army deserters. Devised by
Elwyn Jones, the series boasted a curiously high number of writers
and directors. Also appearing in the show were Heather Page
and Gareth Thomas while Terence Williams produced
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Paul
Temple
BBC1 1969 - 1971
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Originally
a 30s radio serial created by Francis Durbridge, the character
was brought to the small screen by Francis Matthews who played
the suave novelist - amateur detective. Wife 'Steve' was played
by Ros Drinkwater through 46 x 50 minute episodes produced by
Peter Bryant, Alan Bromly and Derrick Sherwyn
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Pot
Black
BBC2 1969 - 1984
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Now
that we've got colour TV, what do we show with it? The obvious
sporting answer was snooker! BBC producer Philip Lewis devised
a competition using a one-frame format and invented the title
'Pot Black'. Recording began at the BBC's studios in Birmingham
and, on the 23rd July 1969, the first televised programme of
Pot Black went out on BBC 2, the only television channel on
which colour was available. The rest, as they say, is history.
This programme alone, introduced by Alan Weeks, was responsible
for the meteoric rise in popularity of the sport. The series
was originally produced by Reg Perrin, David Kenning and Philip
Lewis. A junior version, 'Junior Pot Black' was introduced in
1981, presented by Eamonn Holmes
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Randall
and Hopkirk ( Deceased )
ATV 1969 - 1970
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Another
series I loved - comedy and action/adventure rolled into one.
When partner Marty Hopkirk ( Kenneth Cope ) is killed by a speeding
car in suspicious circumstances, private investigator Jeff Randall
( Mike Pratt ) decides to carry on the business in partnership
with Marty's wife Jean ( Annette Andre ). Marty refuses to stay
dead and comes back to assist his former partner in the form
of a white-suited ghost, invisible to everybody but Jeff, still
very protective of his wife's virtue and 'cursed' to walk the
earth for a hundred years! Created by Dennis Spooner, 26 x 55
minute episodes were made produced by Monty Berman. The series
was also successful in America, where it was transmitted under
the title 'My Partner The Ghost'
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Saturday
Night Theatre
ITV 1969 - 1970
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Many
ITV companies contributed to this anthology of self-contained
plays which included the first TV play by Colin Welland 'Bangelstein's
Boys' (pictured), made by three producers of BBC's 'Wednesday
Play' series ( Kenith Trodd, James McTaggart and Tony Garnett
) who formed Kestrel Productions. Fabulous cast lists included
Sean Connery, Michael Caine and Michael Bates
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Scott
On ......
BBC2 1969 - 1974
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Following
on from a couple of one-off 'specials' written by Marty Feldman
and Barry Took - 'Scott On Birds' ( 64 ) and 'Scott On Money'
( 65 ) - this 45 minute comedy series starred Terry Scott investigating
a variety of other topics including superstitions, habits and
the seven deadly sins with the assistance of June Whitfield
and Peter Butterworth
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Special
Branch
THAMES 1969 - 1974
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Classic
police drama series, sort of a forerunner to 'The Sweeney',
featuring the 'toughs' of the Special Branch division investigating
activities of undesirables including spies, anarchists and other
fanatics. 52 x 60 minute episodes starred Derren Nesbitt as
Detective Chief Inspector Jordan and Wensley Pithey as Superintendent
Eden. Four series were made, produced by Reginald Collin, Robert
Love, Geoffrey Gilbert and Ted Childs
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Stars
on Sunday
YORKSHIRE 1969 - 1979
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Light
entertainment show that combined a religious message with top
of the line artists who performed an amazingly wide variety
of songs and hymns which were all requested by viewers. Harry
Secombe was a regular on the programme which was also blessed
with guests such as Terry Waite and Anna Neagle. The series
was produced and introduced by Jess Yates
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Strange
Report
ATV - NBC TV 1969
Arena Productions
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Seen
in some regions earlier but networked in 1969, this spy / detective
/ action / adventure series starred Anthony Quayle as freelance
forensic investigator Adam Strange who specialised in solving
cases that had been left 'open file' by various government departments.
Other characters were played by Kaz Garas ( Hamlyn Gynt ) and
Anneke Wills ( Evelyn McLean ). 16 x 60 minute shows were made,
a UK/US collaboration produced by Buzz Berger
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Take
Three Girls
BBC1 1969 - 1971
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Drama
series about the lives, loves and activities of three single
girls sharing a flat in London, with incidental music provided
by Pentangle. The original series featured Liza Goddard as violinist
Victoria, Angela Down as art student Avril and Susan Jameson
as actress Kate. The latter two were replaced in the second
series by Carolyn Seymour ( journalist Jenny ) and Barra Grant
( psychology graduate Lulie ). The original cast were reassembled
in 1982 for a further 4 x 55 minute episodes titled 'Take Three
Women'
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The
Champions
ITC 1969 - 1971
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Excellent
spy / adventure / fantasy series in which three people gain
extraordinary powers from a monk who rescues them after their
plane crashes in Tibet. ESP, enhanced strength and speed and
heightened natural senses lead to them becoming top agents for
the ultra secret intelligence organisation Nemesis. The trio
were played by William Gaunt, Stuart Damon and the delicious
Alexandra Bastedo in 30 x 60 minute episodes created and produced
by Monty Berman and Dennis Spooner
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The
Complete and Utter
History of Britain
LWT 1969
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Absurdly
funny Pythonesque series of 6 x 30 minute shows poking a light-hearted
finger at events and social customs of British history. Humphrey
Barclay produced and Maurice murphy directed. Highly eccentric
historical figures were played by Terry Jones and Michael Palin
( series writers ) aided and abetted by Roddy Maude-Roxby, Wallas
Eaton, Melinda May and Colin Gordon
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The
Dave Allen Show
BBC1 1969
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Another
of many successful television series for the irreverent Irish
comedian and storyteller Dave Allen - his first for the BBC.
The show consisted of Dave's extended comedy stories and anecdotes,
interspersed with short one-liner sketches. Subsequent shows
included 'Dave Allen At Large' ( BBC1 1971-73 and BBC2 1975-76),
'Dave Allen And Friends ( ATV 1977 ) and 'Dave Allen' ( ATV
1978 )
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The
Doctors
BBC1 1969 - 1971
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A
soap-type twice weekly serial produced by Colin Morris featuring
the public and private goings on in an NHS practice. The main
characters were Dr John Somers ( John Barrie ), Dr Elizabeth
McNeal ( Justine Lord ), Dr Roger Hayman ( Richard Leech ) and
Dr Bill Conrad ( Barry Justice ) with Maureen O'Reilly, Pamela
Duncan and Lynda Marchal also appearing regularly during the
show's 160 x 30 minute episodes
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The
Dustbinmen
GRANADA 1969 - 1970
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Rowdy,
hilarious comedy about a team of workshy antagonistic refuse
disposal operatives, the 'crew' of dustcart 'Thunderbird 3.
The leader was 'Cheese and Egg' ( Bryan Pringle ), fighting
a constant battle against the enemy in the form of depot manager
'Bloody Delilah' ( John Woodvine, later Brian Wilde ), supported
by loyal cohorts 'Heavy Breathing' ( Trevor Bannister ), 'Winston'
( Graham Haberfield ), 'Smellie Ibbotson' ( John Barrett ) and
'Eric' ( Tim Wylton ) through 20 x 30 minute episodes written
by Jack Rosenthal and directed by Les Chatfield. The series
originated from a 1968 90 minute Playhouse production titled
'There's A Hole In Your Dustbin, Delilah' also written by Jack
Rosenthal
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The
Fossett Saga
LWT 1969
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7
x 30 minute episodes starred Jimmy Edwards as James Fossett,
a Victorian writer of 'penny dreadfuls' accompanied by manservant
Herbert Quince played by Sam Kydd. Other characters included
June Whitfield as music hall artiste Millie Goswick. The series
was produced and directed by David Askey from scripts by Dave
Freeman
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The
Gold Robbers
LWT 1969
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13
x 60 minute episode crime drama loosely based on the Great Train
Robbery starred Peter Vaughan as Detective Chief Inspector Cradock
featuring his successes and failures in tracing the perpetrators
of a multi-million pound bullion robbery. Other characters,
mainly villains or suspects, were played by George Cole, Roy
Dotrice, Alfred Lynch, Ann Lynn, Joss Ackland and Katharine
Blake. The series was written by Johnny Hawkesworth ( who also
produced ) and Glyn Jones with technical advice being provided
by Ex DCI Arthur Butler who was involved in the real train robbery
investigation
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The
Liver Birds
BBC1 1969 - 1979
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Very
much a chronicle of 60s and 70s fashion and culture in Liverpool,
this sitcom originated from a Comedy Playhouse production wrotten
by Carla Lane, Myra Taylor and Lew Schwartz. The bedsit-sharing
girls, victims of life's various ups and downs, originally featured
Pauline Collins as Dawn and Polly James as Beryl, the roles
later being superseded by Nerys Hughes as Sandra and Elizabeth
Estensen as Carol, respectively. Sydney Lotterby, Doiuglas Argent
and Roger Race produced 79 x 30 minute episodes plus another
two of 35 minutes and 40 minutes. The series writing was credited
to Carla Lane, early scripts being edited by a certain Eric
Idle
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The
Main Chance
YORKSHIRE 1969 - 1975
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John
Stride played a chancing, outspoken, brilliant young solicitor
in 32 x 60 minute episodes of this superb legal drama series
which was produced by David Cunliffe and John Frankau and created
by Edmund Ward
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The
Mind of Mr J.G.Reeder
THAMES 1969 - 1971
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Based
on the character created by Edgar Wallace in a series of 1925
short stories of the same title, Hugh Burden played the title
role as an investigator with the Public Prosecutor's office.
16 x 60 minute episodes also featured Willoughby Goddard as
department head Sir Jason Toovey and Mona Bruce as assistant
Mrs Houchin. Series producers were Kim Mills and Robert Love
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Wheel
of Fortune
SOUTHERN 1969 - 1971
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Following
on from his ultra-succesful 'Take Your Pick' programme, this
half hour game show was hosted by Michael Miles, again assisted
by Bob Danvers-Walker, Alec Dane and organist Harold Smart.
The format, as in the successful American ( 75 ) and Scottish
TV ( 88 ) versions featured contestants spinning a giant wheel
in pursuit of cash or prizes. Producer of the original show
was Stephen Leahy
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Who-Dun-It
ATV 1969
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Audience
participation TV where the viewers were invited to try and name
the guilty party before the final credits. This 'Cluedo' type
mystery game programme made in a 1930's 'Agatha Christe' style
was a suspense/humour hybrid created by Lewis Greifer and produced
by Jack Williams. 13 x 60 minute shows were broadcast
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Wild
Wild Women
BBC1 1969
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Not
quite as the title suggested - this Ronald Wolfe and Ronald
Chesney written comedy series featured the workers in a Victorian
milliners in much the same vein as their earlier 'Rag Trade'
sitcom. Paul Whitsun-Jones starred as the sweatshop overseer,
Mr Harcourt, with Barbara Windsor ( Millie ), Daphne Heard,
Pat Coombs, Jessie Robbins and Toni Palmer amongst the girls
under his charge. This G.B.Lupino production was yet another
series that came from a Comedy Playhouse production, shown in
1968
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