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Post by johnstewart on Nov 13, 2009 20:40:04 GMT
Was David Monroe one of Orlando's sidekicks? I don't remember his screen character but there was a TV Tornado feature on the show with David painted as a bit of a pinup or something. He later was in Tightrope with Spencer Banks from Timeslip. For Sexton Blake I remember the tong one and the story of the invicta ray (?) His housekeeper was played by Dorothy someone who also presented, I think it was, the schools programme Finding Out. Hoping someone can fill in the gaps in my memory. Dave The only 'Sexton Blake' I recall was 'Tong mystery' and 'House of Masks'. The first was set in a Victorian London like DR WHO - 'TALONS OF WENG CHIANG' and the main Villain also dressed in a Klu Klux Clan type hood. I recalled the shot of Blake entering a large sinister house with many masks on the wall; including African masks. This could be confusion with an 'Adam Adamant' scene but seemed to fit in with S B. Also recall the titles in which I'm sure an ectoplasmic cloud hovered between the pillars of a Mansion Houses gate before clearing to reveal it was letters showing the series title. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2009 10:22:07 GMT
My memories of Sexton Blake are pretty much the same as yours, John.
The title sequence was as you say, I think Blake's car (a Rolls-Royce?) was outside the mansion gates at night. Tinker is outside the car with the dog on a lead. All mist shrouded and the titles emerge out of this. It was very moody, as was the theme music, which created a weird atmosphere.
The title Invicta Ray stirs memories in me, Dave. What was that one about?
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Post by davemachin on Nov 14, 2009 22:35:13 GMT
Not sure about more details on Invicta Ray I'm afraid. I remember that the Tongs made a return in the later Thames series and there was one about a scorpion or scorpions. Possibly an organisation by that name. I don't have an episode listing though to nudge my recollection.
Good to see more memory and detail coming to light. Well done John and Laurence.
Dave
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Post by johnstewart on Nov 15, 2009 21:23:55 GMT
Muriel's cat was Pussycat Willum. Was Jean Morton (Auntie Jean of 'Tingha and Tucker club'); and announcer at any time and did she also appear with the puppet at a desk? I can recall Sheila Kennedy both on Rediffusion and Thames having Olly Beak sitting at one side and Fred the other not saying anything also Philip Elsmore? |
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Post by Peter Stirling on Nov 16, 2009 10:24:40 GMT
My memories of Sexton Blake are pretty much the same as yours, John. The title sequence was as you say, I think Blake's car (a Rolls-Royce?) was outside the mansion gates at night. Tinker is outside the car with the dog on a lead. All mist shrouded and the titles emerge out of this. It was very moody, as was the theme music, which created a weird atmosphere. The title Invicta Ray stirs memories in me, Dave. What was that one about? A lot of people seem to recal a country house, an open front door and the camera passing by a ticking grandfather clock as the start of one of the adventures. Sexton also had a large dog (irish wolfhound maybe?) remember its name as Pongo. The title music made excellent use of violins which got a little weirder and a bit faster as the series progressed. Oh! its such a terrible shame this has all been lost. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2009 10:42:05 GMT
I think it was a bloodhound called Pedro (can anyone confirm this?). As you say, Peter, what a shame that the series seems to be largely gone, although I wish the programmes really had been "lost" as there would always be a chance some might turn up! The BFI have episode 1 of series 1 on (I presume) t/r though, so copies must have been made. There's always hope...
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Post by John W King on Nov 16, 2009 11:12:40 GMT
"Woomerang, boomerang this is our song,
Merrily, Merrily we sing a long
Tingha and Tucker we're two little bears.....
Something, and something and something else (I can't remember)"
Tingha and Tucker were two koala bears and they appeared on Five o'cluck club and as a link item between children's programme on Midlands television. It was on the link material that they sat behind a desk and read out birthday messages. Didn't the bears have to give a birthday nod or a wave to the kids in question or something bizarre? I can still vaguely see Jean Morton talking to them and on one occasion they wouldn't stop nodding or waving.......
And on to Sexton Blake. I think the dog was deginitely Pedro (Pongo was the dragon on Rubovia). This series arrive with quite a fanfare but I remember it as being largely studio bound and seemed fairly slow - too much talking and not enough action. Didn't the titles appear over illustation cards (a bit like the Sherlock Holmes Strand Magazine drawings or the titles to Upstairs Downstairs). I remember struggling to watch it but I think I lost interest as it wasn't that gripping. There was a series of bubblegum cards based on it. It would be interesting to see any of it that survives to see if it was as dull as I remember.
And yes. Describing a programme or series as "lost" should really be seen as a contravention of the Trades Description Act and any TV organisation using this term should be prosecuted, found guilty and made to re-make said "lost" programmes as close to the original as possible and at their own expense! But I'm just a mealy mouthed liberal......
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Post by johnstewart on Nov 27, 2009 21:14:23 GMT
My memories of Sexton Blake are pretty much the same as yours, John. The title sequence was as you say, I think Blake's car (a Rolls-Royce?) was outside the mansion gates at night. Tinker is outside the car with the dog on a lead. All mist shrouded and the titles emerge out of this. It was very moody, as was the theme music, which created a weird atmosphere. The title Invicta Ray stirs memories in me, Dave. What was that one about? That title sequence must have continued into colour though; as what I recall of the Thames ones c. 1970 had the same titles. Yes; second shot of Roger Foss as Tinker in a flat cap and raincoat I thought; standing in a brick walled side alley. Payne as Blake in a white raincoat in the back of the Rolls looking up with the small back window behind him. The Car was white; so I recall. May have got it a bit mixed up though as I thought Tinker was his Chauffeur? The only Thames ones I seem to vaguely recall were the title about 'Sexton Blake and the Puff Adder' and the sequel to the Tong Mystery. And on Wednesdays I think; returning in similar slot to the Rediffusion; me thinking 'oh I remember this from a couple of years ago I'm glad it's back'. Ehatever happened to Roger Foss? I thought he looked a bit like Harry Fowler but no moustache. |
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Post by johnstewart on Nov 27, 2009 21:17:32 GMT
Not sure about more details on Invicta Ray I'm afraid. I remember that the Tongs made a return in the later Thames series and there was one about a scorpion or scorpions. Possibly an organisation by that name. I don't have an episode listing though to nudge my recollection. Good to see more memory and detail coming to light. Well done John and Laurence. Dave The Black Scorpion - the lackies were 'odd job' type villains in brimmed hats; and as I say the mastermind in a klu klux type white hood. Sure 'Talons of Weng Chiang' (Doctor Who); drew on the same idea. I'm not sure if the Scorpion mentioned was the gang or the leaders name? I do recall they would jump out and ambush people in dark alleyways. |
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Post by johnstewart on Nov 27, 2009 21:21:59 GMT
My memories of Sexton Blake are pretty much the same as yours, John. The title sequence was as you say, I think Blake's car (a Rolls-Royce?) was outside the mansion gates at night. Tinker is outside the car with the dog on a lead. All mist shrouded and the titles emerge out of this. It was very moody, as was the theme music, which created a weird atmosphere. The title Invicta Ray stirs memories in me, Dave. What was that one about? A lot of people seem to recal a country house, an open front door and the camera passing by a ticking grandfather clock as the start of one of the adventures. Sexton also had a large dog (irish wolfhound maybe?) remember its name as Pongo. The title music made excellent use of violins which got a little weirder and a bit faster as the series progressed. Oh! its such a terrible shame this has all been lost. There was one episode salvaged by the NFA from the Rediffusion Archive. The info seems to suggest it may have been an additional viewing print from a lost master made for overseas as the titles were said to be missing. I'm sure it was the first episode. In the early series all the storylines seemed off beat. Later in the Thames ones they became variable or pedestrian ('The Great Soccer Mystery' comes to mind). |
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Post by johnstewart on Nov 27, 2009 21:27:27 GMT
"Woomerang, boomerang this is our song, Merrily, Merrily we sing a long Tingha and Tucker we're two little bears..... Something, and something and something else (I can't remember)" Tingha and Tucker were two koala bears and they appeared on Five o'cluck club and as a link item between children's programme on Midlands television. It was on the link material that they sat behind a desk and read out birthday messages. Didn't the bears have to give a birthday nod or a wave to the kids in question or something bizarre? I can still vaguely see Jean Morton talking to them and on one occasion they wouldn't stop nodding or waving....... And on to Sexton Blake. I think the dog was deginitely Pedro (Pongo was the dragon on Rubovia). This series arrive with quite a fanfare but I remember it as being largely studio bound and seemed fairly slow - too much talking and not enough action. Didn't the titles appear over illustation cards (a bit like the Sherlock Holmes Strand Magazine drawings or the titles to Upstairs Downstairs). I remember struggling to watch it but I think I lost interest as it wasn't that gripping. There was a series of bubblegum cards based on it. It would be interesting to see any of it that survives to see if it was as dull as I remember. And yes. Describing a programme or series as "lost" should really be seen as a contravention of the Trades Description Act and any TV organisation using this term should be prosecuted, found guilty and made to re-make said "lost" programmes as close to the original as possible and at their own expense! But I'm just a mealy mouthed liberal...... They must have had something similar in London then as your description of Auntie Jean ties in with memories and that of a friends from that period. Perhaps the two series of 'Sexton Blake' (Rediffusion and Thames); were different then as I recalled the 'ectoplasm' between pillars of a country Mansion titles; (not the comic strip described). Or maybe they changed them during the series. It was slow; but creepy enough to interest. there's also no reason to suppose also; there weren't other T/Rs also than the surviving one made; it's just that officially they've only got one... I hope so, and that someone has got an oddment somewhere. |
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Post by cperry on Nov 27, 2009 22:17:14 GMT
The Sexton Blake print was not salvaged by the BFI.
It was given to the BFI when Redifussion closed their sales arm.
They were offered every can but they chose to only take the first episodes of series or seasons and a selection of plays :-(
The opening titles are complete, we have shown it 3 times in the last five years and our new Sexton Blake book will be out in 2010.
c
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Post by davemachin on Nov 28, 2009 11:07:12 GMT
I'm pleased that this episode is at least complete anyway. Awful that the B.F.I. didn't want more Rediffusion items that were offered to them though.
When did Rediffusion close their sales arm, Chris? Was it at the same time they ceased transmitting or later on? I was wondering if the recordings had sat around for some time before being disposed of.
The Sexton Blake book sounds very nice. I am guessing it is focussed on the tv versions made of the character rather than about the version in the novels as well.
Dave
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Post by Philip Hindley on Dec 14, 2009 15:30:11 GMT
I remember seeing the Beatles on the five o' clock club. one of their earliest tv appearances and It appears to be lost?
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Post by Peter Stirling on Dec 14, 2009 21:36:32 GMT
I'm pleased that this episode is at least complete anyway. Awful that the B.F.I. didn't want more Rediffusion items that were offered to them though. When did Rediffusion close their sales arm, Chris? Was it at the same time they ceased transmitting or later on? I was wondering if the recordings had sat around for some time before being disposed of. Dave In answer to your old post Dave. Some say it was around 1973 and the job of decommissioning was given to Jeremy Isaacs who perhaps felt that programmes that were at least 5 years old had exhausted their sales potential? but of course Jeremy Isaacs was a very busy man at the time and maybe could not give the job his full attention? Certainly things like the circus variety show Hippodrome had the potential of a long life being made in colour and a non dating or threatening, family format. Apparently Bob Monkhouse's Mad Movies shows for ABC was still being shown in Hong Kong in the 1990s. |
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