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Post by Paul C on Feb 14, 2006 20:06:12 GMT
Hi there
Just wondered if anyone knows what the archive status is regarding the BBC's 'Pebble Mill at One'.
I guess alot of the seventies edition's don't actually exist anymore???
Regards
Paul
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Post by Mark Dragicevic on Feb 15, 2006 7:12:42 GMT
Hi, If you look on www.tv-ark.org.uk in chat shows, you'll find the opening titles from the first series in 1972, which suggests that some early ones do still exist, unless this was from an off-air. Being 1972, however, I would doubt that. Good luck in your search. Cheers Mark
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Post by Laurence Piper on Feb 15, 2006 10:01:30 GMT
This is the place to ask, bearing in mind Paul Vanezis is one of the moderators (who worked at Pebble Mill, I think). You'll find a thread buried a few pages back, I think, as this subject was talked about in the past. The survival rate isn't great though as many editions went out live and were not recorded. I think some do though.
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Post by andrew martin on Feb 15, 2006 10:19:28 GMT
There are a very few PasBs, some inserts on VT and film. As you say, Laurence, most were probably never recorded, especially in the 70s.
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Post by Paul Vanezis on Feb 19, 2006 17:16:52 GMT
Hi there Just wondered if anyone knows what the archive status is regarding the BBC's 'Pebble Mill at One'. I guess alot of the seventies edition's don't actually exist anymore??? Hi Paul. There are several editions surviving from the 70's but obviously not the whole lot. That said, I think the best material to have been kept has been kept, just not catalogued on the BBC computer system as yet. The earliest surviving recording is the pilot, the second pilot in fact. The first pilot was called 'Drop In'. Basically, the title reflected the fact that during the live programme, guests would just 'Drop In' to the foyer. This recording was lost at the end of the 1990's when the then BBC librarian at Pebble Mill had a skip filled with Quad tapes. I'm afraid I was able to save most of these but this particular one was at the bottom and the rain filled it up and waterlogged it. Frustratingly I have played the tape but never did make a safety copy. There are several others from 1973/4 which are mainly complete recordings. The bulk of the film inserts survive also for the 70's run. Additionally, the VT inserts tapes also survive, or a compilation of what they wanted to keep. This includes sections of live programmes where interviews and the like are recorded as a PasB, and of course these are not catalogued. Some programmes actually do have a lot of material surviving although you wouldn't know that looking at the BBC computer. I shall one day when I get the time have a look through and see what survives. Cheers, Paul
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Post by Gary Critcher on Feb 19, 2006 17:50:53 GMT
'This recording was lost at the end of the 1990's when the then BBC librarian at Pebble Mill had a skip filled with Quad tapes.' That is just bluddy UNBELIEVABLE that someone should junk a load of 2" tapes so late in the day! How on Earth did that happen?? (I trust he lost his job??)
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Post by Mark Dragicevic on Feb 19, 2006 20:37:40 GMT
Throwing away Quads at the end of the 90's!!! Geez!!! Surely the National Film and Video Archive were given a chance to have a look at them before they were dumped? BTW, Pebble Mill .... fantastic 70's theme tune. Was it available on record anywhere?
Cheers Mark
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Post by Alan J on Feb 19, 2006 22:28:47 GMT
I have a small segment from one show from 1980. Well, I think it's from P.M. It's a Doctor Who segment with Peter Davison being interviewed about his upcoming role in the show. Costumes are discussed and questions are asked from the audience. It's not in best condition though with a fair bit of dropout. I have no idea if this still exists or not. I guess someone here could tell me.
Alan
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Post by Laurence Piper on Feb 20, 2006 10:30:57 GMT
Throwing away Quads at the end of the 90's!!! Geez!!! Surely the National Film and Video Archive were given a chance to have a look at them before they were dumped? BTW, Pebble Mill .... fantastic 70's theme tune. Was it available on record anywhere? Cheers Mark Well, as we know, this shocking sort of thing happened in the '90s with other types of programming too (e.g. Adam Lee's wiping of some children's shows) although it wasn't commonly known at the time. The NFTVA would have been a waste of time when it came to offering them the Pebble Mill tapes though, I think, as they have a clear agenda as to what constitutes "important TV" and a lot of stuff they clearly aren't interested in. Despite overtures to collectors that they are on the lookout for missing material, the BFI only want to cherry pick the cream of what's offered to them; in reality, beggars can't be choosers though!
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Post by Simon Mclean on Feb 20, 2006 21:43:30 GMT
BTW, Pebble Mill .... fantastic 70's theme tune. Was it available on record anywhere? It was 'As You Please' (aka 'If You Sing About That') by Raymond Lefevre and his Orchestra - the Beeb took it from the LP 'Raymond Lefevre vol 2' which turns up in charity shops every so often!
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