Post by silverscreenpost on Jun 18, 2012 5:59:05 GMT
I worked on this show as a sound assistant doing the playback of the musical numbers. It was filmed in the late summer of 1965 on 16mm B&W. The director was Charlie Squires who was a well known Rediffusion staff director at the time, known for a number of fly on the wall social documentaries. The editor was his assistant Beryl Wilkins. Cameraman Tony Mander did the formal music numbers and Chris Menges did the actuality sequences. The version showing on RuTube was probably taken from a 16mm combined optical sound print that was made for programme sales. The original slot was a 2 hour film (with commercial breaks) so it would have played for about 105 minutes. As far as I know it was only shown the once.
It was very unusual at the time to spend so much time and money on what effectively is a pop video and it contains many of the elements that eventually came into later pop videos. However sales prints may well be out there perhaps in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who bought a lot of Rediffusion's stuff. Look out for "No Hiding Place" and "Riviera Police" too.
Donovan was not shy but took his talent seriously, justifiably in my view. He was not at ease with all the technical requirements of film making, which was more cumbersome and less familiar than today. I have always liked his stuff and it is good to see that he is still around.
It is a pity that the Rediffusion's library is so untapped as they made a lot of programmes between 1955 and 1968 which would now be of cultural interest, including this one.
It was very unusual at the time to spend so much time and money on what effectively is a pop video and it contains many of the elements that eventually came into later pop videos. However sales prints may well be out there perhaps in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who bought a lot of Rediffusion's stuff. Look out for "No Hiding Place" and "Riviera Police" too.
Donovan was not shy but took his talent seriously, justifiably in my view. He was not at ease with all the technical requirements of film making, which was more cumbersome and less familiar than today. I have always liked his stuff and it is good to see that he is still around.
It is a pity that the Rediffusion's library is so untapped as they made a lot of programmes between 1955 and 1968 which would now be of cultural interest, including this one.
