Callan

[john g]

I have to say my favourite was series three with Derek Bond as the Hunter and a rich contrasty monochrome release would suit me fine.

[Laurence Piper]

Actually, Derek Bond was in series 2 only (series 3 and 4 had William Squire, series 1 plus the pliot and a bit of 2 had Ronald Radd, Michael Goodliffe was also in the early part of series 2).

[john g]

I stand corrected Lawrence. I forgot the earlier Hunters had changed mid season, anyway it was the early 69 seires I meant with 'death of a hunter' 'the most promising girl of her year' 'lets kill everybody' etc.
marvelous stuff.

[Laurence Piper]

Yes, series 2 is possibly the strongest of the lot (as good as the other series are)! Tragic that six of that fifteen are missing.

[steve davies]

Hi Guys,

Reading this thread, one does wonder if anything had#s beendone to trace these missing b/w episodes either from possible copies sent to other regions or abroad?
We slate the bbc for what seems the lackof trying on their missing material, but has the itv companies actually tried this?
One does wonder?
That said,it would be great for sme more b/w ones to turn up
Steve

[Laurence Piper]

Well, if the BBC do little to retrieve missing material then the ITV do LESS than that! There don't seem to have been any concerted efforts made to get the stuff found (apart from the MBW / BFI initiatives on their behalf - nothing much by the companies themselves). A great shame that series as high quality as Callan and particularly Public Eye (which has far more early episodes missing) have gaps in the run. I'm sure there are some more out there.

[williamM]

What countries bought the 60's callans? And what happens when foreign archives do a BBC search and find itv material, do they just leave it or return it as well?

[Ethan Tyler]

williamM said:

What countries bought the 60's callans? And what happens when foreign archives do a BBC search and find itv material, do they just leave it or return it as well?

An interesting question. Who knows? I would imagine the BBC might tip off ITV or the BFI, but how would they know in the first place? They'd be enquiring after their own series if you see what I mean? (Say they were asking after Z Cars, Doctor Who and A for Andromeda. The archive wouldn't say "We don't have any of those, but we do have some Callan and Public Eye".)

Wasn't there a rumour recently about a lost BBC item being returned from ITV or have Chinese whispers distorted the facts (if it was ever true)?