The Kinks - Deadend Street (Promo Film)

[Paul Watkins]

Came across this quote a while back

Ray Davies: Not Like Everybody Else, Thomas M. Kitts

"This lends some insight into the creation of the video as well as its reception:

The Kinks wanted to do something different to promote “Dead End Street.” Tired of the hackneyed lip-sync performance of Top of the Pops, Davies drew on his interest in film and his college experiences with Paul O’Dell to develop a promotional film, which Davies expected to air on British television.
Unfortunately, after its screening, this remarkable three-and-one-half-minute film was banned by the BBC for being distasteful. With minimal controversy, the BBC could allude to the darkly humorous treatment of widows, pallbearers, coffins, and corpses. Perhaps, however, Davies surmised the true reason for the ban: “It showed slums and poverty and so they wouldn’t run it. I guess they prefer films about running around in parks, jumping over chairs.”



Wondering where this was aired before the BBC banned it. Did they show it or ITV.?

The only other airing was on European TV but that was later during 1967.

[johnpoole]

Doug Hinman's book notes a London press screening on Tuesday 29th November followed by the BBC announcing on Wednesday that the promo film would not be used on that Thursday's Top of the Pops

I recall Ray saying that he was pleased when Panorama later used Dead End Street on a filmed report about slum housing.

[Paul Watkins]

Thanks John

[tonyrees]

For the 8th December 1966 Top Of The Pops - Talking to the NME producer Johnnie Stewart said "We are not using it this week, but it is still a possibility for next week. We are still considering it." Ray Davies later told Record Mirror "I was upset by the refusal but was pleased to see that when 'Panorama' showed a film about slums they used 'Dead End Street' as the accompanying music."

The band appeared on TOTP in person, and for their appearance on the 5th January 1967 Samantha Juste told Disc magazine "Mick Avory had a lovely velvet jacket cut like a smoking jacket."

The other manufactured controversy was Plastic Man in April 1969.
From Melody Maker 3rd May 1969. "We did an Ampex for Top of the Pops and they have decided not to use it," said an embittered Ray Davies this week. "They listened to the words and when I reached that word they shifted the camera off me. It's all very childish and I'm sure everybody who watches Top of the Pops already knows what a bum is. They even asked me to sing 'thumb' instead. It was so ridiculous and very upsetting. What makes it so absurd is that we did it on Dee Time and the record is getting played on Radio One without any complaints."

[Paul Watkins]

Good to see what actually happened with this promo, thanks Tony

[Kev Mulrenan]

I suppose there is a possibility, but a remote one, it was played on RSG!

I think they showed some Beatles promos and possibly the Happy Jack promo.

I know they showed the Supersonic Rocket Ship promo on totp once.

Makes you wonder when and where the Apeman promo was used.

Then there's the Days monochrome promo, plus the Wonderboy one and the Starstruck one!

[Ray Langstone (was saintsray)]

Feb 29, 2020 9:57:40 GMT tonyrees said:

For the 8th December 1966 Top Of The Pops - Talking to the NME producer Johnnie Stewart said "We are not using it this week, but it is still a possibility for next week. We are still considering it." Ray Davies later told Record Mirror "I was upset by the refusal but was pleased to see that when 'Panorama' showed a film about slums they used 'Dead End Street' as the accompanying music."

The band appeared on TOTP in person, and for their appearance on the 5th January 1967 Samantha Juste told Disc magazine "Mick Avory had a lovely velvet jacket cut like a smoking jacket."

The other manufactured controversy was Plastic Man in April 1969.
From Melody Maker 3rd May 1969. "We did an Ampex for Top of the Pops and they have decided not to use it," said an embittered Ray Davies this week. "They listened to the words and when I reached that word they shifted the camera off me. It's all very childish and I'm sure everybody who watches Top of the Pops already knows what a bum is. They even asked me to sing 'thumb' instead. It was so ridiculous and very upsetting. What makes it so absurd is that we did it on Dee Time and the record is getting played on Radio One without any complaints."

Indeed, the insert was never used for TOTP; Plastic Man was never played on the show.