Olivia de Havilland & Alan Ladd in The Proud Rebel; Deux Hommes Dans La Ville with Alain Delon; New series The Directors: Alfred Hitchcock
Directors are often seen as the driving force behind films – and our new series The Directors takes a fascinating look at the life and work of some of Hollywood’s most iconic filmmakers. First in the spotlight is Alfred Hitchcock on Sunday 10th May at 6pm. A master of suspense with films like The 39 Steps, Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest and Psycho under his belt, the Leytonstone-born director, defined his own unique style from the very outset of his career - this is one documentary not to miss.
Dear Supporters of Film and TV history
We start this week with a quick Public Service Announcement for those of you who watch on Sky and are wondering where Talking Pictures TV has gone - we’ve moved! But ONLY on Sky. YOU CAN NOW FIND US ON SKY CHANNEL 324. That’s right: Sky channel 324 is your new home for all things Talking Pictures. NONE OF OUR OTHER CHANNEL NUMBERS HAVE CHANGED SO IGNORE IF YOU DON’T WATCH US ON SKY!
Now, you might remember that a few weeks ago we asked for ideas about how we could let more people know about TPTV. Thank you all so much for all your suggestions - this one from Lee in Harold Hill gave us a giggle!
Lee said, “My idea to share TPTV to a wider audience is for Mike and Noel to climb Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square in London, unveil a Talking Pictures TV banner, and put a Footage Detectives Badge on Lord Nelson. If John Noakes could do it on Blue Peter, I'm confident Mike and Noel can get to the top!!!!”
I’ll put your idea to Mike and Noel, Lee, but we’ll keep a nice, comfy armchair, a cuppa and some biccies ready at the bottom of Nelson's Column just in case 😉
Now onto all the goodies we’ve lined up for you this week – and believe you me, there are lots! Between new film premieres, new series, and re-runs of your favourites like A Family At War, Take A Letter Mr Jones and Hannay, we’re sure you’ll find something to tickle those telly tastebuds!
Our first new film this week is the documentary, Sharon Stone: Survival Instinct (2024) airing on Tuesday 5th May at 4:05pm. Many of you will remember Sharon for her breakthrough role as the seductive and sociopathic novelist, Catherine Trammell in Basic Instinct, starring opposite Michael Douglas. But there’s a lot more to Stone than that iconic performance. Having transitioned into film from modelling, she initially took on the “dumb blonde” stereotype to establish her career - one that would go onto include standout roles in films such as Casino and Sliver. In reality however, Stone is a strong, independent character who’s never shied away from speaking out against Hollywood’s patriarchy. Alongside her acting talent, she’s also cultivated a public persona rich in humour and sharp repartee. She truly remains one of Hollywood’s leading ladies.
Two icons of French cinema - Alain Delon and Jean Gabin - go head-to-head on Thursday 7th May at 9:20pm - in Deux Hommes Dans La Ville (Two Men in the City). Directed by Jose Giovanni - who himself was once sentenced to death for three murders, before having his sentence commuted to life imprisonment and later being released – the film brings a personal perspective to its themes. It follows a former bank robber (Delon) attempting to rebuild his life after a ten-year prison sentence with the help of a caring social worker (Gabin). Determined to go straight, he finds reintegration challenging and is not helped by the judicial system that seems stacked against him. Ultimately, he’s forced to confront his fate. As you’d expect, the film is an excellent character study from its two leading men and a reflection on justice and the death penalty. Keep an eye out for a young Gérard Depardieu too.
On Saturday 9th May at 12pm, tune in for Kim - a classic tale of high adventure from Nobel Prize winning author Rudyard Kipling. This colour adaptation was first shown on television in 1960 as part of Shirley Temple’s Storybook. Narrated by Temple herself, it stars British actor Michael Rennie and Joseph Wiseman of Dr No fame. If you’re new to the story, it follows a young, orphaned boy (Kim) travelling through colonial India who goes undercover as a spy to stop a war. Directed by William Asher - known for his work on I Love Lucy and Bewitched - it’s a lively introduction to a much-loved literary classic.
Variety described The Proud Rebel as a "suspenseful and fast-action post-Civil War yarn" and it gets its TPTV premiere on Saturday 9th May at 4:35pm. This 1958 Western from director Michael Curtiz, stars Alan Ladd, David Ladd and Olivia de Havilland in a tale of a widowed Confederate veteran and his mute son who struggle to make a new life among neighbours who are sometimes hostile. The chemistry between real-life father and son Alan and David Ladd, the beautiful Technicolor cinematography showcasing Utah and Olivia de Havilland’s performance are three great reasons to tune into this film – not forgetting the memorable musical score. Enjoy!
Now we know lots of you are active on the internet, so why not follow Talking Pictures TV on social media? We share lots of announcements and clips - on our “socials,” its quite a community - and there’s often lively chat about the shows and stars, from like-minded viewers too. So, click the links below to follow us and join the conversation!
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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 Vise - Monday 4th May 6am
One Just Man. 1954. Stars Joan Haythorne & Alexander Knox. Judge Craig had always been ruthless to the criminals he sentenced but when dealing with his own family will he be as unrelenting? Repeat Run, Every Monday at 6am
Take a Letter Mr Jones - Monday 4th May 8:30am
The Interview. 1981. Starring John Inman & Rula Lenska. Joan is about to do an interview with a reporter about being a successful woman in business and she is becoming concerned. Repeat Run, Every Monday to Thursday at 8:30am
Park Ranger - Monday 4th May 9am
1978. New Boy. Featuring Norman Bowler as a trainee warden in a national park. Repeat Run, Every Weekday at 9am
(NEW) What’s on TPTV with Noel - Monday 4th May 11:50am
Founder of Talking Pictures TV and one half of the Footage Detectives, Noel Cronin, shares shows and films not to be missed throughout May. Repeats: Tuesday 5th May 7:50am & Thursday 7th May 7:50am
Sergeant Cork - Repeat Run - Monday 4th May 12pm
The Case of the Reluctant Widow. 1963. Stars John Barrie, William Gaunt & Christopher Guinee. Meeting at Scotland Yard, Bob helps Cork on a poisoning case of a young woman and a rich man. Repeat Run, Every Weekday at 12pm
(NEW) The Veil - Monday 4th May 6:30pm
Visions of Crime. 1958. Stars Boris Karloff, Robert Hardy & Jennifer Raine. On a Channel crossing a man foresees his brother's murder. Once the vision proves real he hunts the killer.
(NEW) Francis Durbridge: A Bat Out of Hell - Part 3 - Monday 4th May 8pm
1966. Stars Sylvia Syms, John Thaw & Dudley Foster. Miss Tracey contacts Mark to tell him that she knows everything. Mark and Diana hatch another plan.
(NEW) Murders In… - Tuesday 5th May 9pm
Murders in Maussane - Crime dans les Alpilles. 2017. Director: Eric Duret. Stars Florence Pernel & Vincent Winterhalter. Police are investigating the murder of Caroline Autiero, wife a mill owner.
Give Us a Clue - Wednesday 6th May 6:30pm
1985. The classic game show hosted by Michael Parkinson. Celebrity guests Keith Barron, Emma Thompson, Keith Chegwin & Derek Nimmo mime iconic titles and phrases to compete and win points!
- Repeat Run, Every Wednesday at 6:30pm
(NEW) Buccaneer - Wednesday 6th May 8:05pm
Eldorado. 1980. Stars Bryan Marshall, Clifford Rose & Pamela Salem. Burton is warned about his finances. Mason's marriage is still in trouble and Janet's ex-husband visits.
(NEW) Mark Saber - Thursday 7th May 8pm
Wrong Face. 1957. Stars Donald Grey, Diana Decker & Michael Brill. Mark Saber is called to investigate the successful burglary of a bank.
A Family at War - Friday 8th May 5pm
The Facts of Life. Created by John Finch. Stars Colin Douglas & Shelagh Fraser. Plans are made for Edwin and Jean's surprise party while in desperation for work David turns to the R.A.F. Repeat Run, Every Friday at 5pm
Hannay - Friday 8th May 6pm
The Fellowship of the Black Stone. 1988. Stars Robert Powell, Christopher Scoular & Gavin Richards. Hannay is recognised as an officer in military intelligence, an engineer & a prospector. Repeat Run, Every Friday at 6pm
(NEW) Z-Cars - Friday 8th May 7pm
Scare. 1963. Stars Sydney Arnold, Fred Beauman & Sidonie Bond. A ship coming from Gibraltar is quarantined for a possible smallpox outbreak but two sailors disobey orders and head for shore.
(NEW) Legend of the Hidden City - Saturday 9th May 7:50am
1997. Stars Brendan Pollecutt, Fezile Mpela & Robert Finlayson. Dean seeks help from the forest healer but is soon stopped. Can he get back in time to help Thabo complete the third mission?
(NEW) Batman - Saturday 9th May 9am
The Ogg and I. 1967. Stars Adam West, Burt Ward & Yvonne Craig. Egghead and Olga kidnap Gordon, demanding egg tax. Batman infiltrates but faces a deadly wedding trap with dire stakes.
(NEW) Whiplash - Saturday 9th May 4pm
The Day of the Hunter. 1961. Stars Peter Graves, Anthony Wickert & Rachel Lloyd. Cobb gets involved in a land dispute between two squatters and one of the squatters is not interested in reason.
(NEW) Duchess of Duke Street - Saturday 9th May 8pm
Trouble and Strife. 1976. Stars Gemma Jones, John Cater & Maureen O'Brien. A woman from Starr's past, down on her luck, begs him to use his influence to obtain a job for her at the Bentinck.
(NEW) Fortean TV - Saturday 9th May 11:05pm
1997. Hosted by Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe. Tonight, get carried away with the art of alien abductees, find out how maggots are assisting surgeons and search of Christianity's most allusive relic.
(NEW) EuroTrash - Sunday 10th May 12:15am
1995. Hosted by Antoine de Caunes and Jean Paul Gaultier. It is time for the Eurovision fan club New Years get together and EuroTrash watch Italian telesales hosted by Maurizia Paradiso.
(NEW) The Starlost - Sunday 10th May 3:30am
Deception - Part 2. 1973. Stars Keir Dullea, Gay Rowan & Robin Ward. A mysterious, bewitching art gallery proves to be the creation of Magnus, said to be the greatest mind in the universe.
(NEW) Give us a Clue - Sunday 10th May 3:30pm
1985. The classic game show Give us a Clue hosted by Michael Parkinson, this week's guests are Emily Bolton, Jo Brown, Anita Harris, Geoffrey Hughes, Patrick Mower & Beryl Reid.
(NEW) The Man from U.N.C.L.E - Sunday 10th May 4pm
The Bow-Wow Affair. 1968. Stars Robert Vaughn, David McCallum & Leo G. Carroll. A relative of Waverly's is being threatened if he does not sell shares in a company at a fraction of their value.
(NEW) The Vise - Sunday 10th May 7:30pm
The Search for Martha Harris. 1955. Stars Ron Randell, Jenny Laird & John Horsley. Fred Harris is distraught when his wife goes missing. When someone else is found murdered, Fred is a suspect.
(NEW) Sergeant Cork - Sunday 10th May 8pm
The Case of the Wounded Warder. 1964. Stars John Barrie, William Gaunt & Charles Morgan. When a Prison Warden is thrown from a landing at a prison, Sergeant Cork is called to investigate.
(NEW) Who Do You Do - Sunday 10th May 9:05pm
1972. With Freddie Starr and Peter Goodwright, guest acts such as Joan Turner, Johnny Hackett and Barry Cryer play a number of roles in a series of sketches and songs!
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!
Tuesday 5th May
4:20am - Look at Life: All Through the Night
1960. A look into the trunk roads with the night lorries, following the night drivers, all night, to see where they eat and who they meet.
11:50am - Look at Life: Scooter Commuter
1960. A look into how, in ten years, the scooter became so popular, from solo use to big group days out. From the 'corgi to the Vespa'.
Wednesday 6th May
03:05am - 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'.
11:45am - Look at Life: Kings of Speed
1959. A look into British racing drivers, that have always been at the forefront of this exciting sport. This film examines what has helped to put them in this winning position.
(NEW) 3:15pm - The Isle of Man 1958
A short film showing the charming sites of the beautiful Isle of Man in 1958.
6:20pm - Look at Life: Top People
1960. A look into a new generation in the City of London, from the crane drivers helping rebuild it, to the flat-dwellers overlooking this throbbing heart of commerce.
Thursday 7th May
3am - Tell Me Another: True Stories About Working and Holidaying Overseas
1976. Personal anecdotes as told to Dick Hills. This episode stars Jimmy Jewel, Jimmy Logan, and Barbara Windsor.
3:30am - Will You Stop
1937. Comedy. Directed by William Watson. Stars Tim Ryan, Irene Ryan & Hugh Cameron. Tim has written a skit about Antony and Cleopatra for the department store's annual employee show.
4:50am - Look at Life: Jobs with a Thrill
1961. A look into some exciting careers, one of which being the most exciting job, being a steeplejack. Think your job is too boring? See what these men do for a living.
11:55am - Cinebox Memories: Wayne Gibson - I Like It
Pop singer Wayne Gibson performs the phenomenal hit I Like It.
Friday 8th May
7:45am - Look at Life: A Car is Born
1960. A look into the success of the British car. Featuring Triumph, Morris and Austin, from design, building and testing, to the open road. A fascinating look at the industry.
Saturday 9th May
3:50am - Look at Life: Getting a Move On
1961. A look into the science of removals, following a family's move from Suffolk to Edinburgh.
1pm - 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.
(NEW) 3:35pm - Pete Murray Takes You to Hastings 1983
1983. Pete Murray takes you along his travels through the picturesque and historical coastal town of Hastings.
6:40pm - All The Glitters
Directed by Peter Burdett. A charming short film about a couple who go fishing, but end up in a race to find treasure after catching a Will in a bottle.
Sunday 10th May
2:40am - 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.
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
No usual quiz for this newsletter. This week I'm awarding a special prize to the TPTV fan that comes up with the best ideas for pages and features in the TPTV 2027 Calendar, which I'm working on at the moment – I need ideas for each month and the front page, so put your TPTV themed thinking caps on and let me know 😊.
Please email your ideas to us on theprojectionist@talkingpicturestv.co.uk with QUIZ 03/05 in the subject line.
Thank you all very much for tuning into the channel – your support keeps us going! Have a fantastic bank holiday weekend and we’ll see you next week.
Best Wishes
Sarah, Noel and Neill
P.S. Last week we asked you which screenplay won an Oscar for actor and writer Colin Welland. The answer was: Chariots of Fire. If you got it right, you’ve won a gold medal!🏅
