Hi there,
Apologies if this has been covered in a previous thread (any simple way to search the archive on this forum?) but can anyone tell me what survives of 'Its A Square World'? I understand that 56 eps were made.
Cheers
LD
Part of the below courtesy of Matthew K Sharp - retained by me, as I also have an interest in the subject...
According to Kal' 95...
Special: 16-9-60 - Junked
Series 1: 26-4-61 to 31-5-61 (6 eps) - Episode 1 exists
Series 2: 5-10-61 to 9-11-61 (6 eps) - Episodes 5-6 exist
Series 3: 19-4-62 to 31-5-62 (7 eps) - All bar episode 4 exist, including unused film inserts for episode 7
Series 4: 4-10-62 to 8-11-62 (6 eps) - All exist
Special: 19-4-63 (Montreux entry) - Exists
Series 5: 3-5-63 to 21-6-63 (8 eps) - All exist
Series 6: 14-11-63 to 31-12-63 (8 eps) - All exist
Series 7: 27-9-64 to 20-12-64 (13 eps) - All exist
(Kal lists them all surviving on 35mm, which is apparently not correct - some are on 16mm.)
The revival edition ('Michael Bentine's Square World') from 19-4-77 also exists...
"I can honestly say that I've received thousands of letters since I last presented this program in 1963. But in spite of them all, here is another edition of It's A Square World!"
Below, taken from the BBC Guide To Comedy
It's A Square World
UK, BBC, Sketch, b/w, 1960
Starring: Michael Bentine, Dick Emery, Frank Thornton
A groundbreaking, surreal sketch show from the madcap mind of Michael Bentine. This fast-moving production combined different comedic styles, from satire to straight slapstick with an 'anything-goes' sensibility. The series also had a unique visual style, created by an elaborate use of special effects and location filming. Following the pilot show, Bentine suffered a pulmonary embolism and was laid low for six months. While he was on the road to recovery the BBC commissioned a series of 12 editions, which were to form the first two series.
During its run the series featured many memorable skits, with three ideas in particular typifying its style: sinking the House of Commons with a Chinese Junk; discovering that the source of the Thames was a dripping tap; and sending BBC Television Centre into orbit with TV astronomer Patrick Moore (one of many routines using the Television Centre). The programmes were vastly entertaining and enormously popular; a special edition, screened by the BBC on 19 April 1963, won the Golden Rose of Montreux that year; in 1962 Bentine won the Bafta award for best comedy performance.
In 1977 a one-off BBC special revisited the 'Square World'.
Researched and written by Mark Lewisohn.
Cast:
Michael Bentine
Dick Emery
Frank Thornton
Clive Dunn
John Bluthal
Deryck Guyler
Crew:
Michael Bentine - Creator / Writer
John Law - Creator / Writer
Jack Kine - Special Effects
Barry Lupino - Producer
James Gilbert - Producer
Joe McGrath - Producer
John Street - Producer
Transmission Details:
Number of episodes: 58 Length: 56 x 30 mins ยท 2 x short specials
Special 16 Sep 1960, Fri 9pm
Series One (6) 26 Apr-31 May 1961, Fri 8.30pm
Series Two (6) 5 Oct-9 Nov 1961, Thu 8.45pm
Series Three (7) 19 Apr-31 May 1962, Thu 8.45pm
Series Four (6) 4 Oct-8 Nov 1962, Tue 8.45pm
Short special part of Christmas Night With The Stars 25 Dec 1962, Tue 7.15pm
Special 19 Apr 1963, Fri 8.20pm
Series Five (8) 3 May-21 June 1963, Fri 8.50pm
Series Six (8) 14 Nov-31 Dec 1963, Fri 8.50pm
Short special part of Christmas Night With The Stars 25 Dec 1963, Wed 8.05pm
Series Seven (13) 27 Sep-20 Dec 1964, BBC1 Sun 7.25pm
;D