David Niven in Carrington VC; Two Way Stretch with Peter Sellers & Bernard Cribbins and Mosquito Coast starring Harrison Ford & Helen Mirren
Dear Supporters of Film and TV history
It feels like a scene from The Smallest Show on Earth at the moment – where someone’s turned up the heating to sell more choc ices! A film very close to TPTVs heart as The Bijou is really TPTV HQ. I’ll take Margaret Rutherford’s place – not sure which one Dad is 😉
Talking of which, HERE'S Noel with his insights and suggestions of what not to miss in the coming weeks.
We know how much you are all looking forward to the new series of The Cellar Club coming to TPTV, it's currently being filmed in the new and improved Cellar Club – with a few special changes! To celebrate the new series and in particular Scream Queens – we’ve decided to put together an afternoon celebrating them!
The Cellar Club Live: An Afternoon with the Scream Queens is an intimate ‘TPTV planned get-together' on Sunday 30 August at The Water Rats, 328 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8BZ from 1.30pm till 4.30pm. This special event will give you a chance to hear fascinating first-hand stories from the careers of the wonderful Caroline Munro, Madeline Smith and Judy Matheson – all hosted by actor Linda Regan and horror psychology expert Katie Evans. Tickets are just £25 each for the whole afternoon - but availability is limited. To book your place , please call 0808 178 8212 or click HERE.
The superb thriller They Call it Murder (1971) makes its TPTV premiere on Thursday 25 June at 1:35pm. Jim Hutton stars as Doug Selby, a small-town district attorney who’s saddled with several major investigations, including a gambler’s murder and a possible insurance scam. Unlike many other DAs, this one goes out and about and gets his hands dirty! Based on a character created by Perry Mason author Erle Stanley Gardner, it’s a well-directed thriller with a decent script, puzzling plot twists, and a fantastic ensemble cast. Keep an eye out for Leslie Nielsen, years before he became a comedy icon thanks to Airplane! and the Naked Gun series.
Carrington VC (1955) on Saturday 27 June at 1:30pm is an intelligent, British, court room drama, directed by Anthony Asquith - son of the British PM during WW1. The film stars David Niven as a seemingly very successful Army Major who is court martialled on three counts including the theft of money he claims he was owed. Part of the intrigue is that you're never quite sure whether Niven's character is the victim of circumstance or hiding something. As always, Niven plays the role with aplomb and is ably supported by the two women in his life - played by Margaret Leighton and Noelle Middleton. It’s a clever character piece with a solid script, touches of humour, and raises questions about honour and integrity.
In need of a good laugh? Then look no further than Two Way Stretch (1960) on Saturday 27 June at 4:35pm starring many of Britain’s finest comedy actors, including Peter Sellers, Bernard Cribbins, Irene Handl, Wilfred Hyde-White, and Lionel Jeffries. Directed by Robert Day, this glorious prison comedy, follows a group of prisoners, led by Dodger (Sellers), who plot the perfect heist: break out of prison, steal diamonds, and get back before anyone notices! Naturally, Dodger’s convinced nothing can possibly go wrong. Full of capers, characters and comic chaos, this really is a classic so make a note in your diaries now. And if you’re a fan of Porridge – see if you can spot some similarities 😉
We’re taking you back to the dark alleys of London’s Soho district in the 1964 German Krimi crime thriller The Phantom of Soho starring Dieter Borsche, Barbara Rutting and Hans Sohnker on Monday 22 June at 11:30pm. Based on a novel by Bryan Edgar Wallace, son of Edgar Wallace, the film follows an investigation into a series of murders of high-profile Londoners by a mysterious figure known as the “Phantom of Soho”. Shot at the Spandau Studios in West Berlin and on location in London, it’s a gripping murder mystery with a slightly unusual cast of characters. Enjoy!
Margaret Leighton’s second appearance this week comes on Saturday 27 June at 9:05pm in the 1952 drama Home at Seven. She plays the wife of bank clerk David Preston (Ralph Richardson), who returns home after disappearing for 24 hours with no memory of where he’s been. When he finds himself accused of robbery and murder, he has no alibi and no idea what happened. Can he clear his name and uncover the events of those missing 24 hours? The acting from both Leighton and Richardson is superb throughout and of course, Jack Hawkins as the family doctor, is wonderful. Interestingly, this is both the first and last time Richardson would direct a feature film.
We’re heading to Central America on Sunday 28 June at 7:35pm for Peter Weir’s 1986 film The Mosquito Coast, starring Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and River Phoenix. Based on the 1981 novel by Paul Theroux, the story follows eccentric inventor Allie Fox (Ford), who, tired of modern life and chasing the American dream, moves his family into the jungles of Central America in search of a happier and simpler life. Of course, things don’t quite go to plan. Filmed partly on location in Belize, the film feels exotic and is very atmospheric. Although it wasn’t a huge success on its release, The Mosquito Coast has since gained a cult following, perhaps because the underlying storyline about consumerism and idealism is as relevant today as it was then.
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.
OTHER PREMIERES SELECTED BY THE USHERETTE
The Footage Detectives - TODAY Sunday 21st June 5pm
Join Mike and Noel this week for a rummage through the reels in the deepest, darkest archives. They’re asking you to ‘stop, look and listen’ for a brilliant road safety film, then they pop to Northern Ireland for a taste of life at a 1960s catering college. Plus, top marks for your detective work this week, from missing bags and mysterious car swaps in Mark Saber, to a possible sighting of Dracula in his younger years! The East Midlands Cinema Organ Association needs your help, and we hear about Hastings’ Town Crier and the speaking clock’s Brian Cobby. All this and so much more including Cheddar Cheese in a jar! How odd! So do join Mike and Noel on Sunday at 5 or Monday at 7 for... THE FOOTAGE DETECTIVES!
The Veil - Monday 22nd June 6:30pm
Summer Heat. 1958. Stars Boris Karloff, Harry Bartell & Paul Bryar. A man watches neighbours across a courtyard and believes he has witnessed a murder, no one will accept his disturbing claims.
The Lawless Years - Monday 22nd June 11pm
The Dutch Schultz Story. 1959. Stars James Gregory, John Dennis & Ken Lynch. A Dutchman plots a hit on Dewey after he describes the gangster as an 'evil force that has to be destroyed.'
The Rogues - Tuesday 23rd June 5am
1965. The Personal Touch. Gig Young, David Niven and Charles Boyer are The Rogues, members of two related families of international forgers and conmen.
- New Rerun. Every Tuesday to Saturday at 5am
What’s on TPTV with Noel - Tuesday 23rd June 11:20am (NEW)
Founder of Talking Pictures TV and one half of the Footage Detectives, Noel Cronin, shares shows and films not to be missed throughout the end of June and beginning of July.
- Repeats: Wednesday 3:50am
- Repeats: Thursday 8:25am
- Repeats: Saturday 4:15am
Francis Durbridge's: A Man Called Harry Brent - Wednesday 24th June 8pm
Tolly Changes His Mind. 1965. Stars Edward Brayshaw, Gerald Harper & Jennifer Daniel. Carol disappears after Harry explains what's going on, Tolly confesses to a lie.
Railway Murders - Thursday 25th June 5:20pm
Death on the Underground. 2021. Stars Nicholas Day, Judith Rowbotham & Alan Moss. The murder of 73-year-old aristocrat Countess Teresa Lubienska on the eastbound Piccadilly line platform in 1957.
Mark Saber - Thursday 25th June 8pm
No Reply from Room 17. 1959. Stars Donald Gray, Teresa Thorne & Michael Balfour. Mark Saber investigates a case of robbery and murder that happened in a hotel room.
The Lucy Show - Friday 26th June 11am
Lucy and Paul Winchell. 1966. Stars Lucille Ball & Gale Gordon. Lucy arranges for ventriloquist Paul Winchell to entertain at the annual banker's banquet.
Z-Cars - Friday 26th June 7pm
No Malice. 1964. Stars Joseph Brady, Brian Blessed & Stratford Johns. A man returns home after the court rules him not guilty but he cannot relax until he is properly cleared.
Legend of the Hidden City - Saturday 27th June 7:50am
1997. Stars Brendan Pollecutt, Fezile Mpela & Robert Finlayson. Briah & Thabo's efforts to rescue Kama from prison are thwarted by King Ram. Nina is injured in the jungle and Dean fights an attacker.
Batman - Saturday 27th June 9am
The Ogg Couple. 1967. Stars Adam West, Burt Ward & Yvonne Craig. Egghead and Olga, Queen of the Cossacks, kick off their return with several thefts from the Gotham City Museum.
Whiplash - Saturday 27th June 4pm
Ribbons & Wheels. 1961. Stars Peter Graves, Anthony Wickert & Tom Farley. A race starts between Cobb and the new partners of a feeder company. The line's new partners do not plan to play fair.
Dick Turpin - Saturday 27th June 6:25pm
The Poacher. 1979. Stars Richard O'Sullivan, Christopher Benjamin & David Daker. A poacher has cut in on Dick Turpin's territory. Dick and Swiftnick decide to bait the most obvious suspect.
Maigret - Saturday 27th June 7pm
Murder in Montmartre. 1960. Stars Rupert Davies, Freda Jackson & Aubrey Woods. Maigret investigates the murder of a stripper, finding himself mixing with the low life types of Montmartre.
Duchess of Duke Street - Saturday 27th June 8pm
A Test of Love. 1976. Stars Gemma Jones, Christopher Cazenove & Anton Rodgers. With the death of His Majesty, King Edward VII, an era ends for Britain and for Louisa Trotter.
Eurotrash - Saturday 27th June 10:50pm
1996. Antoine de Caunes and Jean Paul Gaultier interview Mike Flowers and we travel to Austria for the Nose World Championships and the Trout Circus, run by a 70-year-old man.
Fortean TV - Saturday 27th June 11:25pm
1997. Hosted by Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe. Tonight, find out what swallowing live fish does for your health, sniff out spirits and reveal exclusive footage of the mythical and mysterious Yeti.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E - Sunday 28th June 4pm
The Gazebo in the Maze Affair. 1965. Stars Robert Vaughn, David McCallum & Leo G. Carroll. G. Emory Partridge is seeking revenge on Solo and U.N.C.L.E for foiling a plot seven years earlier.
The Directors - Sunday 28th June 6pm
Howard Hawks early years began with Cary Grant in Bringing up Baby and His Girl Friday then later with The Big Sleep and Rio Bravo with John Wayne.
That’s My Boy - Sunday 28th June 7pm
Ring If You Need Me. 1984. Stars Mollie Sugden, Christopher Blake & Jennifer Lonsdale. Ida waits on bedridden Mrs. Price hand and foot, but goodwill only stretches so far.
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 22nd June
6:30am - Cinebox Memories: ‘Walk on by’ by Dionne Warwick
Enjoy an excellent performance from the fabulous Dionne Warwick as she sings the 60s tune Walk On By.
4:35pm - Low Water (NEW)
1966. Directed by Tom Scott Robson. In Northeast England men make a living collecting coal washed-up on beaches from underground seams.
- Repeats Tuesday at 3:20am
5:15pm - Look at Life: Letting off Steam
1959. A look into British Railways' technology, how its changing and the phasing-out of coal-powered steam with oil-powered and electrified trains.
Tuesday 23rd June
1:35pm - Look at Life: Fairs Please
1962. A film that looks at contemporary fairs, and explores their popularity, and diversity of entertainment.
6:10pm - Look at Life: Flood Tide
1964. A Look into the story of the ceaseless battle against the sea and shows how the Flood Warning System works.
Wednesday 24th June
1:35pm - Patricia Presents: Witness in the Dark
Witness in the Dark. Exclusive interview with Patricia Dainton who discusses her time on this film and her career in general.
Thursday 25th June
3:50am - Look at Life: The Ball at His Feet
1966. A look into what it takes to get to the top, and why football remains Britain's most popular sport. Contains lots of football stars from the clubs of the era.
5:15pm - Cinebox Memories: Vince Taylor - Shakin' All Over
The Rock and roll singer Vince Taylor bring us an entrancing performance of Shakin' All Over.
Friday 26th June
4:20pm - Look at Life: Men with Ideas
1966. A look into the inventors of today and how they go about getting their inventions accepted.
Saturday 27th June
7:15am - WACC Car Rally 1960
A charming home movie from 1960, depicting a day at a car rally.
6:20pm - Cinebox Memories: Charlie and Inez Foxx - Mockingbird
Brother and sister duo Inez and Charlie Foxx perform the spectacular hit Mockingbird.
Sunday 28th June
4:30am - Cinebox Memories: Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Frenzy
The electrifying Screamin' Jay Hawkins performs the 1957 song Frenzy.
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
A quick reminder that the clock is ticking on our special competition which closes this week, on 26 June 2026.
How do you fancy winning £76,543.21 Tax Free Cash and at the same time, help TPTV stay on air? Just imagine what you could do with that money - clear bills, get a wee break away, make home improvements or even help out the family. It’s the sort of prize that really could make a difference to your and your family’s life! To find out more, here are Noel and Mike with all the details HERE.
This week Harrison Ford stars in The Mosquito Coast on Sunday 28 June at 7:35pm. We want to know what was the name of the character he played in the Blade Runner films?
If you know the answer, please send it to theprojectionist@talkingpicturestv.co.uk with QUIZ 21/6 in the subject line – and don’t forget to include your postal address!
Right, as Looney Tunes said, “That’s All Folks”. Have a fantastic week and enjoy “life in the past lane”!
Best Wishes
Sarah, Noel and Neill
PS – Last week we asked the name of the character Bernard Lee played in the Bond films. The answer was M. If you got it right, well done, but that’s no surprise to us. Like M/Bernard said, “I’m well aware of your talents, 007.”
Best Wishes
Sarah, Noel and Neill
