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MAGPIE
Jan 14, 2008 12:37:12 GMT
Post by Chris Brown on Jan 14, 2008 12:37:12 GMT
Can anyone help with details of the archive position on ITV's "Magpie" children's programme, please? Thanks, Chris.
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MAGPIE
Jan 14, 2008 13:24:50 GMT
Post by lpmoderator on Jan 14, 2008 13:24:50 GMT
Not a lot left! A VT insert from 1969 (b/w) with the original team, a couple from around 1972 (including Bastable's final show), a dozen or more complete from the mid / late '70s on colour tape, an insert from 1977, the final show from 1980 (as an off-air VHS) and a whole load of filmed inserts from around 1971 onwards (including some filmed "specials"). That's about the lot though, apart from a few off-airs here and there. I don't have the Kal guide to hand so I can't be more specific. Hope this helps.
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MAGPIE
Jan 15, 2008 19:55:38 GMT
Post by johnstewart on Jan 15, 2008 19:55:38 GMT
Hi Yetimark - you may want to do a search on the thread 'THAMES TV - THE FIRST 3 YEARS'. That thread contains a lot of information for the early period status and MAGPIE.
It seems that during the pre 1972 period Childrens TV at Thames was not treated as being important. On the other thread I argued that maybe as they had kept nearly all their Drama output; recycling the childrens TV was a balancing economy.
This perception seemed to change mid 72 when either the marketing potential was acknowledged or a new Senior gave a new brief on holdings.
The earliest complete regular programmes of the series appear to start at the tail end of Tony Bastables run. These include his last edition and one a couple of weeks before; again 1972.
The VT Laurence mentions is a recent discovery dating from April 69 and consists of pre recorded inserts for the beginning of a show and segment following the advert break. It shows Pete Brady so is a good find.
Apart from this a film insert on ballooning form the first show exists in the last edition (1980) which was taped off air onto VHS. That edition also uses the original series title sequence.
Theres a colour film insert for late 69 and the first colour titles (1970). After this there are 'special assignment' editions made on film. Some of these were also made as VT and similar segments to the 69 one exist from 73 - 75 at which point there are a lot more complete off airs existing.
The show was generally live.
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MAGPIE
Jan 17, 2008 20:31:21 GMT
Post by johnstewart on Jan 17, 2008 20:31:21 GMT
Hi - just to add to that - todays thoughts.
There is also another film insert that looks like series 1 (68 - 69) which appeared in ITVs 'ITV 50' celebrations.
This showed Sue Stranks apparently training for the circus walking a tightrope. Her apprearence matches the other series 1 material ; and this was also omitted from the 96 KAL guide.
As regarsd what went out generally; reviewed; the general shows were surprisingly undynamic. The show was shorter and less ambitious than BLUE PETER. Like its BBC brother, it often reused previous themes over and over; such as tours in the studio behind the cameras.
The memorable moments as I recall were the occassional appearences of pop groups; the Apollo mission articles; and occassional guest stars from current TV series.
Of the latter memory suggests - ther may - have been something about 'ACE OF WANDS' featuring Mike McKenzie.
The APOLLO articles followed the same format as ITNs news coverage and the TODAY magazine. They featured Science correspondant Peter Fairley dressed in a suit either in a news studio or blank background pointing to models of the vehicles either on a table or hand held.
Rumour persists that The SPENCER DAVIS GROUP who wrote th theme tune perfomred it in the studio.
I don't recall this - my earliest memory was the space articles and a competition in which viewers chose the name of the cartoon bird in the titles - c. 1970 I think.
Later in the 70s Mick Robertson performed his own solo single ( !); and they had school bands guesting; possibly as part of a contest.
These and Sue Stranks going wrong when making home made toys are the bits that stand out in my mind.
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MAGPIE
Oct 29, 2008 19:21:38 GMT
Post by James C on Oct 29, 2008 19:21:38 GMT
Anyone know if there are plans to release a MAGPIE dvd? Maybe Network would consider it.
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MAGPIE
Oct 30, 2008 16:40:21 GMT
Post by Simon Mclean on Oct 30, 2008 16:40:21 GMT
Rumour persists that The SPENCER DAVIS GROUP who wrote th theme tune perfomred it in the studio. I don't recall this - my earliest memory was the space articles and a competition in which viewers chose the name of the cartoon bird in the titles - c. 1970 I think. Later in the 70s Mick Robertson performed his own solo single ( !); and they had school bands guesting; possibly as part of a contest. They certainly ran a film on the recording of the 7" single of the theme tune - a photo of Stranks, Bastable and Robertson with percussion instruments appears in one of the annuals. I'd love to see that film, if it still exitsts. Mick didn't just record a single, he did a whole album - quite a lavishly produced affair, with a full orchestra. Robertson's weedy voice is by far and away the weakest element, though his songwriting's passable!
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MAGPIE
Oct 30, 2008 17:15:09 GMT
Post by Peter Elliott on Oct 30, 2008 17:15:09 GMT
Mick didn't just record a single, he did a whole album - quite a lavishly produced affair, with a full orchestra. Robertson's weedy voice is by far and away the weakest element, though his songwriting's passable! I used to see that album in junk shops a lot during the 1980's as well as copies of the single. Never dared buy any of them since I shuddered at the mere thought of a Mick Robertson album since there didn't seem to be any follow up which is usually a sign of it not being at all good. But he did better than many celebs since CBS - one of the big majors - took the chance on him! (It usually tended to be Pye or smaller labels!) Wonder if Sony Legacy plan an expanded remastered CD of it...
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MAGPIE
Oct 30, 2008 20:28:17 GMT
Post by Jeff Lewis on Oct 30, 2008 20:28:17 GMT
I remember The Who coming in to the Magpie studio to promote the single "Squeeze Box" which must have been a major coup. Also Denny Laine was on the show promoting a book on learning to play guitar - something to do with colour coding for chords.
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MAGPIE
Nov 7, 2008 20:37:27 GMT
Post by johnstewart on Nov 7, 2008 20:37:27 GMT
Rumour persists that The SPENCER DAVIS GROUP who wrote th theme tune perfomred it in the studio. I don't recall this - my earliest memory was the space articles and a competition in which viewers chose the name of the cartoon bird in the titles - c. 1970 I think. Later in the 70s Mick Robertson performed his own solo single ( !); and they had school bands guesting; possibly as part of a contest. They certainly ran a film on the recording of the 7" single of the theme tune - a photo of Stranks, Bastable and Robertson with percussion instruments appears in one of the annuals. I'd love to see that film, if it still exitsts. Mick didn't just record a single, he did a whole album - quite a lavishly produced affair, with a full orchestra. Robertson's weedy voice is by far and away the weakest element, though his songwriting's passable! I thought Micks voice was very camp and seventies though. It stuck in my mind for this reason; very humourous and flaired (probably not the wished for reason).
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MAGPIE
Nov 7, 2008 22:36:46 GMT
Post by Chris H on Nov 7, 2008 22:36:46 GMT
I remember watching Slade doing Skweeze me Pleeze me in the Magpie studio as a kid..... I think it was summertime 1973 if I remember rightly (Gary?) I'd love to see that again, but I guess its probably not survived?
I also remember in that same program they said that the following week they were going to start a series of items on playing the guitar. I was really excited about this and tuned in religiously twice a week but I never saw it, guess the idea must have got scrubbed.
Chris.
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MAGPIE
Nov 7, 2008 23:25:38 GMT
Post by garyjordanbrum on Nov 7, 2008 23:25:38 GMT
I remember watching Slade doing Skweeze me Pleeze me in the Magpie studio as a kid..... I think it was summertime 1973 if I remember rightly (Gary?) I'd love to see that again, but I guess its probably not survived? Hi Chris the date of this was 22nd July 1973 on Lift off It is rummoured to have survived but I've never seen a copy do not know anybody who does have it or anybody who has seen it. I've seen most of the slade footage that survives, think the band also performed the b side kill em at the hot club tonite as well as skweeze. A slade on film & TV itinerary is being put together.
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MAGPIE
Nov 7, 2008 23:29:59 GMT
Post by garyjordanbrum on Nov 7, 2008 23:29:59 GMT
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MAGPIE
Nov 8, 2008 9:06:16 GMT
Post by Eric Lawton on Nov 8, 2008 9:06:16 GMT
Yesterday at 10:36pm, Chris H wrote:I remember watching Slade doing Skweeze me Pleeze me in the Magpie studio as a kid..... I think it was summertime 1973 if I remember rightly (Gary?) I'd love to see that again, but I guess its probably not survived? I remember seeing that clip too. I think you are probably correct in the assumption that its not around any more. However, Ive got a couple of discs around somewhere that have a ton of SLADE - FORGOTTEN TV PERFORMANCES on. ( At least, thats whats written on the discs ) I remember theres a few clips on that I couldnt identify, so, if I get chance, Ill have a browse through them. Doubt very much the MAGPIE clip will be on, and doubt very, VERY much the LIFT OFF clip will be present, but, hey, stranger things have happened.
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MAGPIE
Nov 8, 2008 11:25:31 GMT
Post by garyjordanbrum on Nov 8, 2008 11:25:31 GMT
However, Ive got a couple of discs around somewhere that have a ton of SLADE - FORGOTTEN TV PERFORMANCES on. ( At least, thats whats written on the discs ) I remember theres a few clips on that I couldnt identify, so, if I get chance, Ill have a browse through them. Doubt very much the MAGPIE clip will be on, and doubt very, VERY much the LIFT OFF clip will be present, but, hey, stranger things have happened. Eric if you could put up some screen shots of the ones you can't identify I'll be able to tell you what Programme their from
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