Comments for THIS IS MY 1960s from Transdiffusion

Comment on Early closing day by Brian Cole

Brian Cole — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 22:46:22 +0000

My family ran a business in the 1960s that was open 6-8 7 days a week. Market Arcade Shenley Road Borehamwood.

Comment on The dreariness of the long-distance runners by Ronnie MB

Ronnie MB — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 17:09:43 +0000

What *would* he have had to say about Coronation Street still being produced and shown after 65 years?
Or that University Challenge is not only still being shown but now by the BBC?

Comment on Decadent and trashy – Is this YOUR view of Riviera Police by RATEAU Michel

RATEAU Michel — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 16:54:20 +0000

Hello, everybody in the U.K. ! I am a Frenchman of 84 and I am also that very Frenchman who worked as an assistant-régisseur with / for Noël PICARDA (Noël PICARDA-KEMP) (then locally commissioned as the English / and French, régisseur)during the 13 épisodes that lasted the filming of “Riviera Police”. To-day, reading all the bad thoughts that most of your brilliant newspapers critics of then had, it makes me burst into laughing, but in a way rather sadly for all the lack of respect that was shown for the work done as well as for the actors from the various dominions. All of the were real “gentlemen” although we all know that “Wogs begin at Calais”, as I was told when I first went over to dear London of then, to learn English language, linguistics, literature, etc. All those people were remarkable “persons”, courteous, kind and gentle, including, of course, my unforgettable friend Noël PICARDA. Well, now : thank you so much for giving me a chance to try to repair this inhuman injustice as they, all of them, in 1965, gave me a chance to improve my meagre knowledge of your fabulous language and plenty more of your civilisation of then… Michel RATEAU, in far away France.

Comment on Back in time for TV: 18-24 February 1960 by OldTony

OldTony — Sat, 24 May 2025 16:59:25 +0000

Odd episodes of Glencannon are occasionally shown on Talking Pictures TV. I remember watching it back in the sixties and never realised at the time that Thomas Mitchell and been a Hollywood star. Came as a great surprise when I later saw him in Stagecoach, Gone With The Wind and It’s A Wonderful Life.
By the way, the villain in William Tell is Landburger Gessler, played by Willoughby Goddard. Landburger is his title

Comment on This is television without any of its dignity by Peter Tyler

Peter Tyler — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 10:56:23 +0000

Though sadly a product of it’s era,neverless “The Golden Shot” was (with it’s BEST host BOB MONKHOUSE) a regular with so many.Like many of us it was a GOLDEN time for television(which may NEVER come around again).We still have those HAPPY MEMORIES though!

Comment on This is television without any of its dignity by Dici Bach

Dici Bach — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 21:44:14 +0000

In reply to Paul Wheeler. I agree Paul. The Golden Shot was a great weekend programme and at least half the length of its German counterpart!

Comment on This is television without any of its dignity by Paul Wheeler

Paul Wheeler — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 12:52:45 +0000

Fatuous and imbecilic it may have been, but I liked ‘The Golden Shot’.

I was too young to have watched Dave Allen’s chat show, but I’ve a feeling I’d have liked that too.

Wonder how we would have coped if he was still around, and someone asked him to critique ‘Deal or No Deal’.

Comment on The (too) easy laugh that kills so many TV comedy shows by Peter Tyler

Peter Tyler — Tue, 28 May 2024 12:30:33 +0000

In reply to Ken. I could not expressed this any better.This story gets right to the heart of the matter(and shows how much comedy has changed over the years).Well written piece,Sir!

Comment on The (too) easy laugh that kills so many TV comedy shows by Ken

Ken — Mon, 27 May 2024 21:20:15 +0000

Milton Shulman was very perceptive. Writing in 1967, at first sight in other words, he gets it exactly right: ‘Steptoe’ and ‘Till Death Us Do Part’ were enormously popular from the start, and are still funny today. The 1960s tv comedies of Roy Hudd and Leslie Crowther are now completely forgotten. Yet he blames the wrong people. The more feeble comedies of the Sixties were feeble because of the writers, not because Roy Hudd or Leslie Crowther were poor comedians. Hudd in particular was brilliant, given decent material. The BBC, to encourage talent, were commissioning comedy scripts from new and untested writers: this was a brave policy, and the right thing to do, but some were bound to be less talented than Galton and Simpson or Johnny Speight.

Comment on Please leave the Minstrels their cork by Paul Timothy Richard Wheeler

Paul Timothy Richard Wheeler — Sat, 25 May 2024 13:06:45 +0000

Considering Milton Shulman never liked anything, and always criticised everything, it’s even more remarkable that he had no criticism of this programme.

Comment on The group that likes to be different: The Hollies by Christopher Bentley

Christopher Bentley — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 23:48:25 +0000

When I was studying Food Technology in the Mid-Eighties at Nottinghamshire College of Agriculture in Southwell I joined the local Theatre Group as a way of getting me out of the college bounds and getting to know some of the locals, having been involved in amateur dramatics both at Belper High School and Derby College of Further Education, Wilmorton. On one Saturday lunch-time/afternoon I helped with a sort-out of the Theatre Group’s costume and props store and my attention was drawn to the ‘Teenbeat’ annual in which this article appeared, asked if the Theatre Group still needed it and they said, “no” so I took it away, which was way up my street being a bit of a Sixties music fan. Unfortunately, I had to give that up in a house move just over half-a-decade back, but I certainly enjoyed it when I had it, so thanks for bringing that memory back.

Comment on Your Arrowsmith Holidays questions answered by Chris ROBSON

Chris ROBSON — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:14:43 +0000

regarding the V Form. I have a memory that the cost of the overseas holiday had to be deducted from the permitted amount and the remainder was what you take in foreign currency plus the £15 sterling. Is this an accurate memory.

Comment on That Eamonn Andrews show – Is extermination too good for it? by Paul Wheeler

Paul Wheeler — Mon, 15 May 2023 08:05:09 +0000

I wonder if we’ll ever reach the stage when Milton Shulman finds something he actually likes.

Mind you- if you like something you can’t make loads of nasty, snide, 3rd rate jokes, so I suppose he preferred something to criticise each week.

Comment on That Eamonn Andrews show – Is extermination too good for it? by Barbara Kirk

Barbara Kirk — Sun, 14 May 2023 10:45:02 +0000

Was this also the inspiration for Tim Brooke-Taylor as the robot chat show host on Broaden Your Mind? I seem to recall it was the Round The Horne team who referred to Andrews as ‘Shamus Android’ too.

Comment on The drivel and gush of the television serial by Paul Wheeler

Paul Wheeler — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 16:06:01 +0000

Did Milton Shulman ever like anything?

Although he seemed to spend his whole life criticising the efforts of others, I suppose he had cottoned on early to the idea that to make a living as a tv reviewer he had to be totally scathing in his critiques.

‘Not too bad’ or ‘Okay’ wouldn’t sell papers and get him a commission, so arguably he was the one dumbing down, by going straight for the cheap insults every time. I can remember ‘proper’ tv reviewers like Richard Last of The Daily Telegraph, who I’m sure would have considered Shulman to be the ‘Crossroads of tv reviewers’ (very much at the low end of the market).

Comment on Back in time for TV: 5-11 May 1966 by Lockers

Lockers — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 14:09:21 +0000

Whatever happened to Shep? ;-)

Comment on Oh, that maladjusted sense of humour! by Lockers

Lockers — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 12:18:45 +0000

Now, Mr Muir may have dropped off there, but his autobiography / memoirs ‘A Kentish Lad’ is one of the loveliest reads I had for years. Evocative and beautifully written.

Comment on Hail the B.B.C. – It’s the most prolific comedy factory in the world by Barbara Kirk

Barbara Kirk — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 13:04:00 +0000

Benny Hill’s breakfast routine was reworked later on by Morecambe & Wise – as mentioned on Michael Grade’s Story Of Light Entertainment. The treatments of Little Bo Peep in the styles of Tonight, Z-Cars and Bonanza also sound to look forward to Whose Line Is It Anyway’s mock news bulletins based around nursery rhymes as well as the Muppets doing a more child-friendly version on Sesame Street.

Comment on Some of the things Burke (of Burke’s Law) can teach Sherlock Holmes by lolsworth

lolsworth — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 12:55:52 +0000

That Amos Burke made his own rules.

Comment on Lanning at Large… with boxing’s GOLDEN BOY by Denis Lucey

Denis Lucey — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 21:40:43 +0000

Met Mark when working on his gym quiet unassuming lad same age as me god rest him.

Comment on A dossier on two U.N.C.L.E. agents by SISSY PROT KARAMEROU

SISSY PROT KARAMEROU — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 13:17:54 +0000

EXCELLENT, I POSTED IT IN MY GROUP FRIENDS OF UNCLE 1964-1968 IN FACEBOOK….NICELY WRITTEN THANK YOU

Comment on Sylvia Syms by Andrew Fiorentino

Andrew Fiorentino — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 22:28:27 +0000

The most beautifully spoken beautiful talented English actress that is Sylvia Syms

Comment on Back in time for TV: 15-21 January 1968 by Joe

Joe — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 13:56:06 +0000

George & the Dragon – George is employed as the chauffeur.

Comment on Back in time for TV: 15-21 January 1968 by Arthur Vasey

Arthur Vasey — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:51:31 +0000

FOUR FEATHER FALLS: While it was on before I was born, I have got a DVD box set, Gerry Anderson: The Monochrome Years, which features the first series of Torchy The Battery Boy (Gerry Anderson was not involved in the second), Four Feather Falls, Supercar and Fireball XL5 – in Four Feather Falls, the talking voice of Tex Tucker was performed by Nicholas Parsons – unrecognisable as such, due to him having an American accent – every episode has him singing a song and Michael Holliday provides the singing voice – the horse and dog are voiced by Kenneth Connor – one actually sounds like Kenneth Connor, the other is Kenneth Connor with an American accent!

It’s an unusual setting for a Gerry Anderson series – a Western – most of his output was set in a year in the far distant future!

Comment on Rowntree’s Tokens by clive frost

clive frost — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 09:59:21 +0000

Does anyone remember Rowntree’s “POP” in a can C.1966/67 ?

Comment on Back in time for TV: 18-24 February 1960 by Alan Keeling

Alan Keeling — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 20:16:59 +0000

Glencannon was repeated once in the Midlands and North on ABC TV sometime in 1963, not sure about other regional repeats, though.

Comment on Back in time for TV: 17-22 June 1969 by Simon C

Simon C — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 10:50:56 +0000

Of course, one of An Enemy of the State’s three BBC Two broadcasts was an in-week repeat. Unusually it gained this honour on its second (and third) broadcast, not its first (and second). I wonder if that had happened to any other series before.

Comment on Wrestling by Russ J Graham

Russ J Graham — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 15:48:08 +0000

In reply to Gary Craig. It's Eleventy One by the Mike Vickers Orchestra.

Comment on Wrestling by Gary Craig

Gary Craig — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 10:03:15 +0000

Hello
Do you know what the music for the ABC
Proffesional Westling was called?

Comment on Lanning at Large… with the Honey Lane set by Joanne Gray

Joanne Gray — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 08:31:22 +0000

And that same part of Elstree Studios became exterior of Albert Square in 1985 when the BBC took over there.

Comment on Back in time for TV: 15-21 January 1968 by HE Cooper

HE Cooper — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:23:49 +0000

In reply to Paul Siviers.

A few years earlier, yes, but by 1968 things had changed.
Monday: Andy Pandy
Tuesday: Camberwick Green
Wednesday: Bizzy Lizzy
Thursday: Pogles’ Wood
Friday: Joe

Comment on Back in time for TV: 15-21 January 1968 by Paul Siviers

Paul Siviers — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 16:51:04 +0000

I’m sure
Monday was Picture Book
Tuesday Andy Pandy
Wednesday Bill and Ben Flower pot men
Thursday Rag tag and bobtail
Friday The Wooden tops

Comment on Hawaiian Eye and 77 Sunset Strip by Alan Keeling

Alan Keeling — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:38:58 +0000

Both Hawaiian Eye (1959/63) & 77 Sunset Strip (1958/64), were both produced by Warner Brothers TV. Hawaiian Eye ran for 4 seasons, whilst 77 Sunset Strip ran for 6 seasons. Efrem Zimbalist remained throughout the whole run of 77 Sunset Strip, his co-stars – Roger Smith & Ed Byrnes left the series at the end of season 5.

Comment on Introducing the folk who live in Weavers Green by Kif Bowden-Smith

Kif Bowden-Smith — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 21:17:33 +0000

In reply to Mark. Also unlikely that ABC Weekend TV in the North would be showing a Granada production! Though I’m not saying it never happened! It certainly did with Roses cricket! 🙂

Comment on Introducing the folk who live in Weavers Green by Russ J Graham

Russ J Graham — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 18:08:01 +0000

In reply to Mark. Anglia. They were going through a brief period when their frontcap was silent. Didn't last lang!

Comment on Introducing the folk who live in Weavers Green by Mark

Mark — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 01:15:18 +0000

Who produced the series? Granada? (I’m guessing because there was that bit of silence between the continuity announcement and the theme song.

Comment on Introducing the folk who live in Weavers Green by Alan Keeling

Alan Keeling — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 15:35:00 +0000

Grant Taylor, who played vet Alan Armstrong in Weavers Green, starred in the Australian made TV series The Adventures of Long John Silver as ‘Patch’, a member of Silver’s motley crew in 1955.

Comment on Hanna-Barbera by Joanne Gray

Joanne Gray — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 02:34:53 +0000

Nutty Slack, the BBC had to refer to Top Cat as “Boss Cat” to avoid legal action regarding a brand of cat food in the UK called Top Cat. Apparently, it would have violated their then strict rules about advertising? That’s what I was told as a child anyway, when I questioned the “Boss Cat” reference one day when watching telly with my fathet.

Comment on Hanna-Barbera by Nutty Slack

Nutty Slack — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 01:02:25 +0000

However, were not most of the “Tom and Jerry” cartoons broadcast on BBC-1 not from Hanna-Barbera but from the Chuck Jones team of Sib Tower 12 Productions?

When the name Hanna-Barbera is mentioned, the cartoons most associated with the production name are Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Top Cat (the latter always being deliberatly mis-tiitled as “Boss Cat” in the weekly BBC Radio Times magazine).

Comment on Shirl by Alan Keeling

Alan Keeling — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 15:58:53 +0000

Shirley MacLaine made her one and only TV series for ITC in 1971, in it Shirley played Shirley Logan a photojournalist for World Illustrated magazine, her editor/boss, Dennis Croft was played by John Gregson.

Comment on Chris Montez and Tommy Roe by Philip Stevens

Philip Stevens — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 08:21:18 +0000

The producer/director of TYLS, Philip Jones, kindly allowed me to attend the rehearsal for the show that featured Chris Montez and Tommy Row. At the time I was a very young assistant film editor with ambitions to become a director. Thankfully, I achieved that ambition and actually directed at Teddington a year or so before the studios closed. (The programmes were nothing like as prestigious at TYLS!) Brian Matthew introduced that second half of TYLS as a ‘battle royal’ between the two singers. The switch in format meant ‘Spin a disc’ with Janice Nichols was moved to Part One of that programme.