Huge UK TV find at U.S Library of Congress!

[Deleted]

You and me both, Andrew! There is more detail on the actual content of the programmes to be found in an article in today's Observer:

www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/sep/12/lost-tapes-classic-british-television

[cperry]

Actually that's a non-story just picked up from someone reading this thread lol.

They have just gone to the Radio Times and TV Times to see who was in the plays.

The 'quote' from me is just a lift from my post on here, no reporter has contacted me or Dick Fiddy.

I don't mind of course, its a good piece, but shows where the media gets its info from lol.

c

[cperry]

Hi Paul

We didn't actually travel to the US you were quite right in that.

The Library of Congress contacted us and we helped with identification of materials. They then didn't know what next to do, so we went to the BBC and ITV and recommended the BFI handle to case. The smaller companies representing A-R and Southern also thought that was the best way forward.

We then contacted Dick Fiddy and Steve Bryant has taken over the actual physical handover of material, which is only right and proper.

I am glad that we have played a small but significant role in this big recovery.

c

[Deleted]

Thanks for that, Chris. On the point of Rediffusion material though, are the BFI taking all that companies' stuff to archive it themselves then?

[cperry]

Yes they are Laurence. Archbuild will have the option to access the material.

c

[Paul Vanezis]

Sept 12, 2010 11:35:33 GMT @cperry said:

Hi Paul

We didn't actually travel to the US you were quite right in that.

I am glad that we have played a small but significant role in this big recovery.

There is nothing wrong in just being a go-between.

[Ian Watlington]

Sept 12, 2010 10:10:14 GMT Andrew Doherty said:

I trust that the Television and radio channels will give out this stupendous news

TV will probably only bother giving it any more than a passing mention if there are any obvious hooks to interest the general public, such as early appearances by actors who have since gone on to become extremely famous.

Otherwise, the unfortunate truth is that to non-archive-TV buffs, it's just a load of old black-and-white plays that most people have never heard of.

[Alan Hayes]

Not TV, but yesterday's Observer ran nigh on a full page feature on the discovery and quoted Chris Perry into the bargain!

EDIT: Just realised I'm a page late to the party on that one...

[Philip Hindley]

Once I get to see the 1965 version of 1984' I will be in a BIG..BIG...BIG state of Europa.!

[cperry]

I believe the plan is for the BFI to do a season on the South Bank of recovered material.

Certainly I will encourage Network to consider releasing some ITV stuff and Dick Fiddy has indicated that we can show some aswell so as much as possible gets revisited.

I agree though that there are many gems that have existed for years that should be reseen aswell, which is why we do our events. Sadly from the limited turn outs we get (40-60 people normally) that encourages DVD companies to feel there is no market. Indeed it makes me think that old TV fans would prefer to stay at home rather than support events that do try to reshow old TV shows. I know its a wider problem than just us as well as some BFI / other events also find low turn-out numbers. So I urge people to come to MBW in November and other similar events to show the media that we are serious about wanting to see stuff again.

c

[Deleted]

Speaking personally, Chris, i'll be at MBW come hell or high water!

Seriously though, you people at Kal and also Dick Fiddy and others do a great and tireless job in the cause of archive TV and although from your point of view it may sometimes seem like we take it for granted, we don't (I know I don't anyway)! Your work (which now includes archiving costs) relies on generating money to continue so it's worth people bearing this in mind when we choose to merely sit at home and wait for something to be released on to DVD! A vote for going to a Kal event (or one with a Kal presence or input) benefits us all indirectly. End of plug!

I know that time / work / money / distance / other commitment constraints affect most people's decisions to attend events (as they do mine) but I personally believe that interest in vintage TV is wider than attendances show. I suspect that it's in the nature of TV as being something we like to curl up with at home (especially so with the dark winter evenings approaching when it's the ideal time to settle down with a Network DVD box set or two!). However, I do also enjoy seeing recovered stuff on a big screen in good quality (e.g. at the NFT), sometimes a special guest or two and a chat with a few like minds at the bar afterwards to swap info and stories - so there are advantages in venturing out to watch!

I'm glad you'll be trying to get Network to release some of the recovered programmes though. Is there any vague chance they can ever consider Rediffusion material? Apart from the new found items, there are several series which have enough episodes surviving to make it worthwhile such as A Man Of Our Times, Half Hour Story, Blackmail, No Hiding Place, various single plays or This Week (or even samplers of miscellaneous orphaned episodes).

[cperry]

The Redifussion issue is not insurmountable. I believe that its the amount of money involved in restoring the original materials held by the NFTVA that makes the process quite expensive. Plus I think that the rights to shows like No Hiding Place have been a bit over-priced. Part of the problem is the lack of artists' contracts so some buyers are put off at the thought of having to renegotiate material.

c

[paulebbs]

This news made me so happy I joined the forum.

It's a list that just makes me lick my lips with anticipation.

*stunned*

Ebbsy

(So, there's no Doctor Who in the Library of Congress then? Hmm?)

[Deleted]

Sept 13, 2010 9:36:08 GMT @cperry said:

The Redifussion issue is not insurmountable. I believe that its the amount of money involved in restoring the original materials held by the NFTVA that makes the process quite expensive. Plus I think that the rights to shows like No Hiding Place have been a bit over-priced. Part of the problem is the lack of artists' contracts so some buyers are put off at the thought of having to renegotiate material.
c

That's promising anyway, Chris. I'm wondering if the latest find might make it easier to retrieve copies of other UK material from the USA in future? I'm thinking of things like The Hippodrome Show episodes and also other Rediffusion stuff that resides at places like UCLA?

[cperry]

The BFI and LOC are partners in FIAT, both national archives so they enjoy a unique relationship. At the end of the day this process of returning stuff costs money and the BFI and LOC wont see a profit from this good deed I reckon.

UCLA etc are private archives and rights will have been granted to them when deposits were made. They will expect paperwork and cash to part with their shows.

Who says A-R own The Hippodrome Show? I have seen no paperwork at the IBA or BFI so the Americans could argue they own it, property being nine tenths of the law. It's a legal minefield sadly Laurence, one that BBC Heritage and ITV don't really pursue.

c