What's on TPTV? Francesca Annis in Lillie; James Coburn in Our Man Flint; lost film The Dragon of Pendragon Castle & Can Shedflix beat Netflix?
OUR MAN FLINT starring James Coburn on Saturday 24 October at 9:10pm.
The name’s Flint – Derek Flint! Fans of James Bond and spy spoofs are in for a treat with Our Man Flint, . This colourful, action-packed American spy-fi comedy first hit the screens in 1966s with its tongue-in-cheek take on the world of secret agents. The story follows superspy Flint, who is called out of retirement by ZOWIE (Zonal Organization World Intelligence Espionage) to investigate a series of extreme, violent weather events and natural disasters threatening the world. With larger-than-life characters and Bond-inspired gags, it’s great escapism. Add a terrific music score from the legendary Jerry Goldsmith (The Omen, Rambo, Star Trek) and you have a very entertaining spy caper!
Dear Supporters of Film and TV history
I don’t want to sound like a Flea in your Fleapit but can you imagine if Shedflix beat Netflix? I know the voting takes a bit of patience – But we’re really hoping you’ll give TPTV (FAVOURITE CHANNEL) AND THE FOOTAGE DETECTIVES (BEST FACTUAL SHOW) A VOTE IN THE TV CHOICE AWARDS. Voting ends on Tuesday 20th October so please, please, please spare a moment and please give us two of your votes 🙏. Thank you. It really would mean the world to Dad and I. CLICK HERE TO VOTE!
Heating costs aren’t something we usually discuss in this newsletter, but on Saturday 24 October at 7:30am, we bring you LOST BRITISH FILM: The Dragon of Pendragon Castle (1950) offers an unusual solution to your soaring bills – albeit one that might be difficult to track down in real life! This charming family film starring Leslie Bradley, David Hannford and J.Hubert Leslie, tells the tale of an old man living with his grandchildren in a cold, draughty castle who discovers a small, sick dragon. After taking him in, they discover there are lots of benefits to having a dragon around the place! It’s a fun film with great performances, high production values and good direction – and it’s suitable for the whole family to enjoy. So set the alarm, put the kettle on and join us for a magical start to Saturday.
The nights are drawing in, so what better way to spend a dark October evening than in the company of Caroline Munro in The Cellar Club? Join her on Friday 23 October at 9pm for the premiere of the 1988 sci-fi chiller Watchers, loosely adapted from Dean R Koontz’s novel. The film stars Canadian teen idol Corey Haim at the height of his fame as Travis, a teenager who befriends a stray dog after it escapes from a secret laboratory. Little does he realise that his new four-legged friend is being hunted by a genetically engineered killing machine and a ruthless government agent. Michael Ironside and Barbara Williams co-star and keep your eyes peeled for an early appearance from Beverly Hills, 90210 alumni and heartthrob Jason Priestley. With plenty of frights, gruesome gore, and some over-the-top horror, Watchers provides a spooky night of movie thrills!
Our Julius Hagen Season continues courtesy of Mr TPTV, Noel Cronin, who introduces the 1934 musical Music Hall on Thursday 22 October at 4.40pm. If you’re fascinated by music hall history or want a glimpse of British entertainment in the 1930s, this really is well worth catching. The story follows a group of theatre workers and performers who rally together to organise a benefit show in a bid to save a struggling venue, threatened by changing tastes and the march of time. What makes the film particularly interesting is the showcase of real variety acts of the day, many of whom have since faded from public memory. From The Sherman Fisher Girls to Master Jimmy Bryant and even a football match between two men on bicycles, the film offers a wonderful snapshot of a bygone era so don’t miss it!
Newsflash : New Series Lillie begins! If you missed this series back in 1978, you missed a real gem! Lillie was quite the television event, capturing the nation’s attention, and we’re absolutely delighted to be bringing this wonderful 13-part series to TPTV for its premiere on Saturday 24 October at 8:05pm. This superb period drama tells the fascinating story of Lillie Langtry - a complex, audacious woman who was very much ahead of her time and went on to become one of the most celebrated and talked-about actresses of the Victorian era. The performances are exceptional, particularly Annis in the title role – she won a Best Actress BAFTA for her performance - and Egan as Oscar Wilde. Add in the stunning costumes and captivating story, and you have all the ingredients of truly memorable television. Really do make this an appointment to view!
We’re used to seeing Tony Curtis in comedies and as a romantic lead but on Sunday 25 October at 10:10pm, he takes on a very different role as Albert DeSalvo, the very unpleasant, self-confessed Boston Strangler in The Boston Strangler. Directed by Richard Fleischer, this gripping 1968 drama is very loosely based on the notorious Boston murders of 13 women in the early 60s which left a city gripped by fear. Shot in a documentary style with a split-screen technique, the film is an unsettling and unconventional take on a real-life case. Critics have been divided over its approach and historical accuracy, but Curtis’ performance is widely regarded as standout. Henry Fonda and Sally Kellerman also star. Curtis and Fonda’s scenes together are outstandingly dramatic despite Curtis’s claims he allegedly didn’t get along with his co-star.
FULL SCHEDULE
For a printable schedule for the week ahead click HERE
To see more HIGHLIGHTS, click HERE
For those of you who would like to see a full list of this week’s programming WITH SUBTITLES AVAILABLE click HERE
For FOUR WEEKS of advance schedules click HERE
For those of you who like to plan your TV viewing and find out what new films and series are coming to TPTV, we have the schedules for the next few weeks up on our website. On the schedule page, click on the dates for your chosen week. The first week will be the current one, and you can select the next week on the tab.
SELECTIONS FROM THE USHERETTE FOR THIS WEEK’S VIEWING
William Tell - Tuesday 20th October 1pm
The Black Brothers. 1959. Stars Conrad Phillips, Roger Delgado & Warren Mitchell. Three Italian bandits steal arms intended for the Swiss resistance and then attempt to sell them to William Tell. [S]
Mark Saber - Thursday 22nd October 8pm
The Law and the Lawless. 1957. Stars Donald Gray, Sandra Dorne & Amy Dalby. Actress Jean White moves to London, but when her mother stops receiving letters she calls on Mark Saber to investigate. [S]
Railway Murders – Friday 23rd October 9.15am
The First Railway Murderer. 2021. Stars Nicholas Day, Matthew Green & Alan Moss. The first ever murder on a British train. 70 year old victim Thomas Briggs was murdered in 1864 by Franz Muller. [S]
(Repeat Run) – Every Friday 9.15am
Scales of Justice - Saturday 24th October 3:25pm
1963. Undesirable Neighbour. Stars Vanda Godsell & Bridget Armstrong. Based on a real case, a newly married woman becomes very friendly with her male neighbours. [S]
Dick Turpin - Saturday 24th October 6:25pm
Sentence of Death: Part 1. 1982. Stars Richard O'Sullivan & Alfie Bass. After spending years imprisoned in Jamaica, Barnaby Husk seeks revenge. Isaac Rag takes King George's cousin under his wing. [S]
The Man from U.N.C.L.E - Sunday 25th October 4pm
The Very Important Zombie Affair. 1965. Stars Robert Vaughn, David McCallum & Claude Akins. The team travel to the Caribbean to investigate a strange plot to turn people into zombies using voodoo. [S]
Enemy at the Door - Sunday 25th October 6pm
The Polish Affaire.1978. Stars: Alfred Burke, Bernard Horsfall & Emily Richard. Retired diplomat Sir James Prideaux resists Reinicke's efforts to make him divulge British government information. [S]
Fox - Sunday 25th October 9:05pm
Stick or Twist. 1980. Stars Ray Winstone, Larry Lamb & Mark Wingett. After stealing all of his possessions, Lee and Rita discover Kenny's identity and demand a ransom for his safe return. [S]
We’re all aficionados of home movies here at TPTV Towers, and we know many of you are too! Whether you enjoy watching them at home, sending them in for The Footage Detectives to investigate and share on screen, or simply have a collection tucked away in a cupboard, waiting for the day you work out how to view them, these little pieces of celluloid are precious time capsules. They capture bygone eras, everyday life and those happy family moments that might otherwise have been lost to time.
SHORT FILMS, Glimpses and Look at Life
(THESE MAY NOT BE LISTED IN TV GUIDES)
These lovely little films are often missed out in the listings so be sure to make a note in your diaries – or set your recorder – so as you catch them!
Monday 19th October
4.45am – What’s On TPTV with Noel Ep76
Founder of Talking Pictures TV and one half of the Footage Detectives, Noel Cronin, shares shows and films not to be missed throughout October. [S]
9.30am – A Piece of Cake
1948. Comedy. Director: John Irwin. Stars Cyril Fletcher, Betty Astell, Laurence Naismith. A magical guest, who can conjure anything one can wish for, causes trouble for a writer and his wife. [S]
3.15pm – Cinebox Memories: Colette Magny – Basin St Blues
Take a trip to the 60s as Colette Magny performs the song Basin St Blues.
Tuesday 20th October
4.40am – NEW! NASA Spaceborne 1978
Oscar nominated short about a space mission during the mid-seventies, with intriguing images of Skylab, the brave astronauts and the Earth, later followed by footage from Apollo 17.
1.35pm – NEW! The English Riviera
1958. Produced and directed by Harold Baim. A magnificent short film touring the beauty spots, historical buildings and resorts within the county of Devon, also known as the English Riviera.
6.50pm – Cinebox Memories: The Hollies – Little Lover
1964. English rock and pop band The Hollies perform the wonderful hit Little Lover.
Wednesday 21st October
2.55pm – Look at Life: Men in the Mode
1961. A look into the story of the male fashion world and how it is slowly moving toward gaiety and decoration.
Thursday 22nd October
10.35am – Fools Rush In
1955. Drama. Director: Victor H. Komow. Stars Frank Silvera, Ken Buckridge & Jean Alexander. A ship with a cargo full of diamonds gets taken over by pirates. [S]
11.30am – Screenagers! – Glimpses
Early 1960s documentary into the spending habit of 'screenagers' and the cinema goers of the 60s. Brilliant footage of 50s and 60s cinemas and the 'screenagers' themselves.
Friday 23rd October
6.05pm – Look at Life: Through Glass
1960. A look at the interesting profession of window cleaning and the various problems they may face.
Sunday 25th October
3.50am – The Brigitte Bardot Story
French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot rose to fame with films that challenged conservative norms. This documentary tells the story of her becoming an international icon and sex symbol. [S]
4.30am – Calling All Cars
1954. Starring Cardew Robinson, Adrienne Fancey, John Fitzgerald and Pauline Olsen. Comedy documentary, centring on the Dover Harbour car terminal. Directed by Maclean Rogers. [S]
7.20am – Look at Life: The Dance of Life
1960. A look at English folk dancing, including the Hobby Horse Dance and the Furry Dance.
10.20am – Sheffield Anglers in the 1960s
Charming documentary made in the 1960s following the exodus of 100s of men every Sunday from Sheffield to Lincolnshire, Kirkstead for the weekly fishing competition.
7.05pm – Look at Life: Char and Wad
1961. A look at the services of NAAFI as they continue to supply the armed forces around the world.
Huge news! The TPTV Encore App is now available via the Google Play app store. If you've been waiting for an Android launch, you can now download and enjoy our app for your Android devices. That includes Samsung phones and tablets, Google phones and tablets, Lenovo phones and tablets, Motorola phones and tablets + loads more. It’s available on 100s of Android devices. Just search ‘TPTV Encore’ in Google Play to find us.
For non-Android users you can also still find the app on the Amazon Firestick, the Apple App Store, Apple TV, loads of brands of TV that use Fire TV or Android TV OS and the Red Button via Freeview 82.
Watching TPTV Encore, the channel’s catch up & on demand service has never been easier.
TPTV PODCAST
Please tune in to the popular podcast for news, views and reviews of upcoming films and shows on your favourite channel. Click below to listen, or search for us in your favourite podcast app.
https://talkingpicturestvpodcast.libsyn.com/
QUIZ TIME
On Saturday 24 October at 8:05pm, our new series Lillie begins. It tells the story of Lillie Langtry, but here's a little question for you. Can you tell us which future king she was said to have had an affair with?
If you think you know the answer, please send it to theprojectionist@talkingpicturestv.co.uk with QUIZ 18/10 in the subject line – and please don’t forget to include your postal address.
Before we go, we’ve been hearing from quite a few of you who are prepared for Christmas already! Goodness, you’re all very organised!
But if you’re not quite there yet, don’t worry, because we’ve got lots of lovely TPTV goodies in our Christmas shop that might be just the thing for someone you know (or even for yourself! There are mugs, books, compacts, T-shirts, DVDs, sweatshirts, hats, and all sorts so hopefully there’s something you’ll like.
So, do have a look and see what you think. And if you want to ask us anything, or you’d rather order over the phone, just give us a bell on 0808 178 8212. We’re always happy to hear from you!
Thank you all again for your support – we couldn’t do it without you.
Best Wishes
Sarah, Noel and Neill
