John Schlesinger’s An Englishman Abroad; Alastair Sim in Inspector Hornleigh; Night Train to Paris and Vincent Price in The Man From U.N.C.L.E
Joss Ackland stars in Z-Cars - Friday 7th August 7pm
Happy Families. 1964. Stars Brian Blessed, Gwen Cherrell & Joss Ackland. Explicit images have been circulating at a local school; now DCI Barlow needs John Watt's help to find the culprit.
Dear Supporters of Film and TV history,
It’s been a busy week here at TPTV HQ. Last weekend we were out filming new episodes of The Footage Detectives on location at the Amberley Museum in West Sussex. What a bunch of knowledgeable volunteers we met! Not only the location for a famous 007 film, but a real slice of ‘Life In The Past Lane’ and Mike and Noel adored meeting fellow FDs and being out of the studio. These new programmes THE FOOTAGE DETECTIVES ON THE ROAD SPECIALS will be coming soon, so keep your eyes on this space for more information.
John Schlesinger is a name familiar to many – not least because he won the Best Director Oscar for Midnight Cowboy and directed acclaimed films and dramas like Billy Liar, Marathon Man and Sunday Bloody Sunday. And on Wednesday 5 August at 8:35pm, you can join us for An Englishman Abroad - Schlesinger’s 1983 drama, written by Alan Bennett and inspired by the extraordinary true story of actress Coral Browne’s encounter with the British spy, Guy Burgess. Set in Moscow in 1958, but filmed on location around Scotland, the drama has a remarkable pedigree. Not only did it win the BAFTA for Best Single Drama, but also the Best Actor gongs for Alan Bates playing Burgess and Coral Browne playing herself. With such a stellar cast and creative team behind it, An Englishman Abroad is one not to be missed.
It was once thought lost, but thankfully, it was found – especially for all of us Alastair Sim fans! On Saturday 8 August at 12pm we’re bringing you the premiere of Inspector Hornleigh (1938) starring the brilliant double act of Alastair Sim and Gordon Harker. This delightful, British comedy-mystery is a spin-off from the popular BBC radio series of the 1930s - and was co-written by Bryan Edgar Wallace, son of the celebrated crime-writer Edgar Wallace. The film follows Inspector Hornleigh (Harker) when he’s called in to investigate a murder that may be linked to the theft of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's budget secrets. Clever, well-plotted and beautifully acted, viewers agree that Sim is hilarious as Hornleigh’s sidekick Sergeant Bingham (which comes as no surprise to us!). As with many films of its era, some of the humour reflects the attitudes of the time, so it’s best enjoyed in that historical context.
The second of our premieres this week is Night Train to Paris on Saturday 8 August at 1:30pm. This fun, gritty, low-budget spy thriller, produced in England to capitalise on the success of the James Bond films, stars Leslie Nielsen as Alan Holiday, a retired, American spy living in London. When he’s asked by Lila (Aliza Gur), a charming friend of his former boss Sir Charles Whitman (Hugh Latimer), to deliver a tape to Paris and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, Holiday finds himself drawn into a dangerous mission where things don’t go quite according to plan (honestly, why does no-one ever learn?!) It’s a real treat to see Nielsen in an early starring role, showcasing his ability to play a man of action long before his comedic performances in The Naked Gun and Airplane! The film also features Eric Pohlmann, Doomwatch star Simon Oates and Dorinda Stevens.
Starring Peter Sellers and Ian Carmichael, with a superb supporting cast including Terry-Thomas, Richard Attenborough, Margaret Rutherford, Irene Handl, Terry Scott, and Liz Fraser, I’m All Right Jack was hailed by The New York Times as "the brightest, liveliest comedy seen this year”. It also became the biggest box-office hit in Britain in 1959. Showing on TPTV on Saturday 8 August at 3:45pm, this classic comedy from the Boulting Brothers, follows Stanley Windrush (Ian Carmichael), an idealistic and gullible graduate who, after leaving the army, is determined to make his own way in the world. Taking a job at his uncle’s factory he finds himself caught in the crossfire between management and the trade unions, led by formidable Fred Kite (Sellers). Sellers’ performance was so good, that he won a BAFTA for it. With its razor-sharp script and brilliantly observed performances, I’m All Right Jack is a brilliant satire of British class divisions, industrial relations and workplace politics – and its themes still resonate today.
Last week we shone the spotlight on Francis Durbridge’s wonderfully addictive mysteries, and if you’ve yet to discover his work - or simply fancy revisiting one of his very best - we’re repeating the classic Francis Durbridge’s Melissa: Parts One and Two on Saturday 8 August at 9.05pm and 10.10pm, with the gripping conclusion following next week. It’s the ideal introduction to the work of one of Britain’s greatest masters of suspense and we feel sure you’ll enjoy it!
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 2nd August 5pm
This week, Mike and Noel have a touch of the ‘Good Life’ thanks to a lovely reel of the late Penelope Keith. She’ll be teaching Mike and Noel how to speak properly and how to sell! Then, the lads go behind the scenes of a 1960s newsroom which will take Noel back to his telecine days, cutting live news as it went out. They’ll be asking what happened to the strongwoman who tore up telephone directories, and were you a secret lemonade drinker? Great case files from you Footage Detectives too - like the link between Whiplash and Star Trek, the con in Z-Cars who changed his ways, and yet another chap’s spotted a relative in one of the channel idents! Plus, a great story about Sid James, a fish, and a cowboy outfit! So do join Mike and Noel on Sunday at 5 or Monday at 7 for... THE FOOTAGE DETECTIVES!
Mark Saber - Thursday 6th August 8pm
A Lady is Missing. 1955. Stars Donald Gray, Robert Ayres & Michael Balfour. Eddy Crane asks Mark Saber to find his wife who has disappeared. The trail leads to a hunting lodge in Norfolk.
The Lucy Show - Friday 7th August 11:10am
Lucy Gets Jack Benny's Account. 1968. Stars Lucille Ball, Gale Gordon & Jack Benny. Lucy pursues Jack Benny's bank account for Mr. Mooney and runs afoul of his legendary thrift.
Rumpole of the Bailey - Friday 7th August 6pm
Rumpole and the Younger Generation. Stars: Leo McKern, Peggy Thorpe-Bates & David Yelland. Rumpole successfully defends a teenager accused of robbery with violence.
- New Repeat Run, every Friday at 6pm
Z-Cars - Friday 7th August 7pm
Happy Families. 1964. Stars Brian Blessed, Gwen Cherrell & Joss Ackland. Explicit images have been circulating at a local school; now DCI Barlow needs John Watt's help to find the culprit.
Batman - Saturday 8th August 9am
The Great Escape. 1968. Stars Adam West, Burt Ward & Yvonne Craig. Shame escapes from prison, and together with Calamity Jan, goes to work on his newest caper.
Whiplash - Saturday 8th August 3:10pm
The Magic Wire. 1961. Stars Peter Graves, Anthony Wickert & Peter Aanensen. Workers are getting attacked and Cobb learns the truth about who is the instigator.
Dick Turpin - Saturday 8th August 6:25pm
The Hero. 1979. Stars Richard O'Sullivan, Kevin Brennan, David Daker. Dick takes pity on an unimpressive suitor, when the wealthy Phyllida is arranged to marry, helping to unite the young lovers.
Duchess of Duke Street - Saturday 8th August 8pm
Your Country Needs You. 1977. Stars Gemma Jones, Richard Vernon, John Cater. With the outbreak of war, the staff are more than ready to help. Louisa takes in a Belgian refugee and Charlie enlists.
Francis Durbridge’s Melissa: Part One + Part Two - Saturday 8th August 9:05pm and 10:10pm
Part 1. 1974. Stars Peter Barkworth, Ronald Fraser & Joan Benham. Guy Foster refuses to accompany his wife Melissa to a party, only to find that he has been implicated in her murder.
Part 2. 1974. Stars Peter Barkworth, Ronald Fraiser & Moira Redmond. Guy Foster is implicated in the death of Mary & the attack on Joyce. Inspector Carter is struggling to believe Guy's story.
- Francis Durbridge’s Melissa: Part Three - Saturday 15th August 9:05pm
Fortean TV - Saturday 8th August 11:45pm
1997. Hosted by Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe. Tonight, there is a strange electrical interference, meet duster Jesus and Dolphin Man, discover a new animal species, and visit a Thai Vegetarian Festival.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E - Saturday 8th August 4pm
The Foxes and Hounds Affair. 1965. Stars Robert Vaughn, Vincent Price & Patricia Medina. U.N.C.L.E must race against THRUSH to obtain a newly developed mind reading device.
Have you been enjoying our new series, Fortean TV with the Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe? Or perhaps you know someone who would love it but hasn't yet discovered the joys of TPTV? Either way, we have the perfect gift!
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 3rd August
5pm - Cinebox Memories: Kessler Sisters - Quando Quando Quando
A captivating jukebox film from 1963 of the Kessler Sisters performing their song Quando Quando Quando!
6:55m - Cycling Proficiency 1967 with Roy Hudd (NEW)
1967. Roy Hudd learns to ride a bike in this light-hearted short about gaining your National Cycling Proficiency.
- Repeats Sunday 9th August at 11:35am
Tuesday 4th August
4:05am - Men Against the Sea
1936. Documentary. Directed by Vernon Sewell. A fascinating short film about a trawler crew out at sea during the winter as they take on a hazardous journey and battle the elements to catch fish.
Wednesday 5th August
1:35pm - London's Canal Ride in the 1950s (NEW)
A spectacular look at the sights of London in the 1950s whilst travelling the canals of the great city.
3:30pm - Look at Life: Hyde Park Corner
1959. A look at the changes being made at Hyde Park Corner in London, in particular the construction of a new underpass.
6:10pm - So This Is London 1948 (NEW)
1948. A wonderful short film looking at London in the past, with a glance at Covent Garden, Tower Bridge, the West End, Buckingham Palace, and many more famous landmarks.
Friday 7th August
1:10am - 300 Men and a Girl
1959. A delightful training film focusing on the launch of frozen food in independent shops and the training for the 'salesgirls'.
Saturday 8th August
2:45pm - Living in a Metropolis (NEW)
1949. An intriguing film looking at the sprawling metropolis that is New York City, which explores the different people that make up the population, transportation, industry and housing.
Sunday 9th August
6am - Where Strangers Meet
1951. A magnificent travelogue about Soho, featuring the streets, businesses and people you would find in this area of London in the 1950s.
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
British director John Schlesinger took the reins on An Englishman Abroad on Wednesday 5 August at 8:35pm. Schlesinger won an Oscar for the film Midnight Cowboy, but can you name the two actors who played the starring roles?
If you know the answer, please send it to theprojectionist@talkingpicturestv.co.uk with QUIZ 2/8 in the subject line – and please don’t forget to include your postal address!
Anyway, that’s a wrap on this week’s newsletter. All that remains is to bid you a fun seven days and keep enjoying “life in the past lane”! See you next week.
Best wishes
Sarah, Noel and Neill
