Retrospace

Illustrated Retrospace: Norman Stanley Fletcher's Stir Of Porridge

2012-02-12T17:26:00.004Z

This Radio Times Cover from September
1974 dispays a photofit of Ronnie Barker
as Fletcher and also wrongly credits
Porridge as starting on Wednesday!

One of my all-time favourite sit-com's has to be Porridge. Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement's comedic look at life behind bars in HM prison Slade kicked off as a pilot entitled Prisoner and Escort in 1973 as part of Ronnie Barker's series Seven Of One. In Prisoner and Escort Ronnie Barker took on the role of lovable lag Norman Stanley Fletcher sentenced to five years at Her Majesty's pleasure. Fletcher is seen making his way to Slade Prison accompanied by Prison Officers Mr MacKay and Mr Barrowclough.

The first full series of Porridge began with the
episode New Faces, Old Hands - Radio Times, September 1974

A recent reissue of two classic episodes on audio by Vintage Beeb prompted me to dig out some memorabilia from the series.

All three series of Porridge were novelised by BBC Books
during the 1970s, these two examples represent the
first two series.

Prison can seem an unlikely place to set a comedy series, however La Frenais and Clement's mix of dramatic storytelling sprinkled with dashes of comedy proved a winner when actors Ronnie Barker (as lovable lag Fletcher), Richard Beckinsale (as cell-mate Godber), Fulton Mackay (as stern Prison Offer Mr MacKay) and Brian Wilde (as the gentle Mr Barrowclough) were added to the mix.

February 1978 saw Fletcher's third and final appearance
on the front of Radio Times as he leaves Slade Prison
in Going Straight

Porridge ran for three seasons on BBC1 between 1974 and 1977 and even spawned a spin off series about life after prison for Fletcher in Going Straight in 1978.

Porridge regulars Fulton Mackay and Tony Osoba featured
in the first episode of Going Straight. Richard Beckinsale
would join Ronnie Barker for subsequent episodes.

Going Straight launched on BBC1 in February 1978 accompanied by a Radio Times cover and feature artwork by celebrated cartoonist Bill Tidy. There was also a BBC single of the series theme tune recorded by Ronnie Barker and a novelisation.

The first episode of Going Straight was accompanied by a feature
in Radio Times written by former old lag Frank Norman about
coming out of prison.The article was accompanied with a cartoon
by Bill Tidy who used to feature regularly on TV's Quick On The Draw.

I always associate Porridge with Thursday night television during the 1970s, a great evening that usually began with Tomorrows World followed by Top Of The Pops and ultimately a classic sitcom before been packed off to bed! Several stirs of this classic sit-com certainly brought much laughter in my home as a child and even now I love revisiting these classic shows on DVD!

Going Straight was published
by BBC books in 1978

It's fascinating to find that Porridge's popularity saw several spin off book releases in the 1970s. Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement penned four novels for BBC books while Ronnie Barker also lent his name to Fletcher's book of cockney rhyming slang. In the last 15 years author Richard webber also compiled several books on the series looking at the stars, quotes and scripts.

Robin Bootell provided this superb illustration
for Pan Books edition of Fletcher's Cockney
Rhyming Slang by Ronnie Barker in 1979

Both Porridge and Going Straight have continued to be repeated on television over the years and releases on video and DVD have guaranteed its longevity. The series even transferred to a film in 1979 and was completed just before Richard Beckinsale died. There was a further adaptation in 2009 when Calibre Productions enlisted the series writers to adapt Porridge for the stage.

Porridge reappeared on the stage in 2009, written by
Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and starring Shaun
Williamson from EastEnders as Fletcher.
The above is a flyer, ticket and my review from The
South Wales Argus.

Read On:

Badge Friday: I'm Into Fire Safety (Fireman Sam)

2012-02-10T23:12:00.002Z

Here's a little gem from the 1980s courtesy of Rachel's badge collection featuring none over than our hero next door - Fireman Sam!

Anyone who hasn't caught Sam's adventures will know about his ongoing message of fire safety in the Welsh village of Pontypandy.

Three decades and several series on, the adventures of Sam still educate children on television and stage!

More On Fireman Sam: Make A Fireman Sam Mask
Fireman Sam - Pontypandy Rocks Stage Show Review

Laugh Again With Bob Hope in The Laugh Makers

2012-02-09T00:53:00.000Z

The Laugh Makers - Courtesy of Joe Bev.Com

Bob Mills worked on comedian Bob Hope's television specials for over three decades, writing scripts, gags and even quotes for the legendary entertainer.

Despite the fact that many of these shows have never made it to DVD they can at least be recalled in spirit like the persona of Hope himself in the memoir / biography The Laugh Makers.

For more on this insightful audiobook read: Audiobook Review: The Laugh Makers by Bob Mills

To purchase the Laugh Makers on audiobook visit Joe Bev's website

Illustrated Retrospace: Just A Minute at 45

2012-02-05T21:26:00.001Z

Nicholas Parsons has hosted Just A Minute
since December 1967 - Radio Times 1973

Tomorrow without repetition, hesitation or deviation the the 62nd series of Just A Minute will commence on BBC Radio 4 at 18:30 Hrs. The series, created by Ian Messiter will celebrate its 45th year on air, the first Just A Minute having been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1967.

As ever, Nicholas Parsons continues to present and is joined by series regular Paul Merton, but here's a brief trip through some golden moments of the show courtesy of Radio Times cuttings...

A Radio Times Billing from
November 17, 1969

In the above listing from Radio Times regular Just A Minute panelists Kenneth Williams, Clement Freud and Derek Nimmo are joined by actress Fenella Fielding. Notice the plug for Derek Nimmo's stint in Charlie Girl.

Radio Times Cutting from February 1971

The Rt. Hon Barbara Castle joined the Just A Minute Regulars in February 1971...

Radio Times Cutting From September 1974

The dream team of Just A Minute regulars for its first few decades consisted of Clement Freud, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams and Peter Jones. Several of these shows are now available on Compact Disc from AudioGO.

Radio Times Cutting
- February 1979

Kenneth Robinson and Goodie Tim Brooke-Taylor joined the Just A Minute team for half an hour of fun in February 1979.

Radio Times Cartoon From 1978

Kenneth Williams and Derek Nimmo featured alongside this delightful cartoon commissioned for Radio Times in 1978 alongside guest panelists Bernard Cribbins and Sheila Hancock.

A recent image of series host with regular Paul
Merton who has made frequent appearances on Just A Minute
since the 1980s - BBC Media

Just A Minute enters its 45th year with a new radio series and talks of a tv series also to be fronted by Nicholas Parsons. Happy Birthday Just A Minute!

Read On: Just A Minute Website
Review: Just A Minute: The Classic Collection
Review: Just A Minute The Best Of 2011

Badge Friday: Mistar Urdd

2012-02-03T23:23:00.002Z

Mistar Urdd Badge

The 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Urdd Gorbaith Cymru literally the Welsh Language of Hope but usually translated as the Welsh League of Youth (referred to in Wales as The Urdd) was celebrated across many Welsh language schools last Friday.

For the past 36 years the triangular red,white and green logo has had a personification in the form of Mistar Urdd, created by Wynne Melville Jones.

Mistar Urdd has subsequently toured schools and visited the Eisteddfod to the delight of many children and even had a tongue-in-cheek homage paid to him by The Super Furry Animals.

This gem from Rachel's badge collection reflects the early days of Mistar Urdd (possibly 1970s/80s) and a pleasure to feature on Badge Friday!

Love These Goon Shows!

2012-02-03T11:18:00.000Z

Goon Show Classics - Vintage Beeb / AudioGO

The Beatles, Monty Python's Flying Circus and even HRH Prince Charles have all confessed to been fans of the 1950s radio series The Goon Show.

Over the years many episodes have been made available from AudioGO, now as part of their Vintage Beeb releases AudioGO have turned the clock back to 1975 and reissued the first BBC records album with two episodes The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler of Bexhill-On-Sea and The Histories of Pliny the Elder on Compact Disc and audio download.

The release comes with vinyl looking CD and original artwork by David Machell.

Read On: Audio Review: Goon Show Classics
Audiobook Review: The Goon Show: The Indigestion Waltz
Audiobook Review: The Goon Show Compendium Volume Six

Ronnie Barker Serves Time On Vintage Beeb

2012-02-02T00:00:00.002Z

Porridge - Vintage Beeb

Fans of those old BBC albums from the 1970s will no doubt welcome digitally remastered versions of these albums now available from AudioGO's Vintage Beeb label.

Two classic episodes of the comedy classic Porridge featuring Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay and Brian Wilde that were originally released on BBC Records in 1977 have been reissued as an audio soundtrack on AudioGO's Vintage Beeb label.

The collection comprises of An Evening In (A Night In) and Heartbreak Hotel.

Read on: Review: Porridge Featuring Ronnie Barker

It's The Lad Himself... On Vintage Beeb!

2012-02-01T14:14:00.001Z

Hancock's Half Hour - Vintage Beeb

My introduction to Tony Hancock was a series of television repeats of classic Hancock's Half Hour shows on BBC1 during the mid 1980s.

I have to admit, after a couple of weeks of watching programmes like The Blood Donor and The Missing Page I was hooked and quickly set about checking out further classic Hancock moments from radio and television.

At the time, the BBC were releasing a collection of radio Hancock's Half Hours on record, and one of these releases has just been reissued on AudioGO's Vintage Beeb label with its original 1980 artwork by Michael Lye.

Read my review of Hancock's Half Hour: Sid's Mystery Tours / The Poetry Society

Travel Back To A Time Before Audiobooks In The TARDIS

2012-01-31T00:00:00.003Z

Doctor Who Sound Effects - Vintage Beeb

Doctor Who fans are rather spoilt these days with multitudes of DVD and audiobook releases every month representing all eras of the classic sci-fi series.

Back in the 1970s fans weren't as well served...

Apart from the Doctor Who theme tune on a 7 inch single and an album release of an all original full cast Doctor Who story entitled Doctor Who And The Pescatons there was very little for Doctor Who fans to play on the turntable between series unless of course they recorded the soundtracks of the TV episodes.

In 1978 a new audio release from BBC Records was the unusual Doctor Who Sound Effects. Neither soundtrack or music this wonderfully weird album still succeeded in taking Doctor Who fans to other worlds courtesy of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

Fans can once again hear this album as its re-released on AudioGO's Vintage Beeb label tomorrow (complete with original sleeve artwork and misleading liner notes about story titles) on compact disc and audio download.

Read on: Audio Review: Doctor Who Sound Effects

Vintage Beeb Revisits The Two Ronnies

2012-01-30T19:47:00.001Z

Two Ronnies Vol.2: Me and Him - Vintage Beeb

Before the days of video and DVD the only way you could relive classic moments from your favourite BBC television programme was if BBC Records released a vinyl album featuring a certain series classic moments.

Such was the case back in the 1970s of The Two Ronnies.

Some of the funniest sketches including monologues, two handers and songs performed by Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett made the cut on several volumes of BBC releases.

Wednesday will see the re-release of The Two Ronnies Vol.2: Me and Him on Compact disc and audio download from AudioGO's Vintage Beeb label.

Originally released in 1977 on BBC Records the album features classic sketches like Your Nuts Milord, The Castaway. Minister Of Mispronunciation, Train Of Thought , Cricket Commentators and the news according to The Two Ronnies.

Regular Retrospace readers will notice the album cover artwork appeared in the Those Radio Times:12 Days Of Christmas feature recently. The photograph of Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett originates from the 1972 Christmas edition.

Read on: Audio Review- The Two Ronnies Vol.2: Me and Him

Illustrated Retrospace: Desert Island Discs at 70

2012-01-29T18:04:00.001Z

"I do believe it's the man from
Desert Island discs" - Roy Plomley's
Desert Island Book - David & Charles, 1979

Today is the radio series Desert Island Discs 70th Birthday, so what better way to launch a new feature on Retrospace than with a new series of posts celebrating a variety of subjects through the medium of illustrations.

These can form the basis of pretty much any form of gathered ephemera from newspaper cuttings, programme billings, drawings, photographs, autographs. I'll be diving through my collection of material to share items in coming posts and of course if you see anything you can add to with a scan please get in touch!

So on with Desert Island Discs... I'm shipwrecked, armed with 8 gramophone records, a luxury and the complete works of Shakepeare, the Bible and a favourite book... Lets look back over a remarkable 70 years!

Comedian and entertainer Vic Oliver was
Roy Plomley's first castaway in January 1942
- Radio Times, 1983

Vic Oliver was the first Castaway on Desert Island Discs in January 1942, a documentary about him broadcast on BBC Radio 4 this week revealed how he annoyed the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and earned Adolf Hitler's enmity... Read More about Vic Oliver at BBC News

Singer Adelaide Hall is
the castaway on 2 December 1972,
she would be castaway again in 1991
- Radio Times, 1972

Singer Adelaide Hall was castaway to the mythical desert island twice. The first time on December 2, 1972 then nearly two decades later in January 1991. Read more about her choices at The Desert Island Discs website.

Dad's Army actor John Le Mesurier was a castaway
in 1973 - Andy Howells

Here's a rough illustration of castaway John Le Mesurier I drew for an article on Dad's Army's Desert Island Discs for the DAAS newsletter Permission To Speak Sir! I never finished the illustration to a satisfactory standard and so it got filed away. I thought some Desert Island Discs and Dad's Army fans might enjoy seeing it! Read more about Dad's Army's Desert Island Discs at Walmington-On-Sea 333.

Cover artwork for Roy Plomley's
Desert Island Book - David & Charles, 1979

I love the front cover of this book compiled by Roy Plomley in 1979, totally summing up the concept of been a castaway on Desert Island Discs. The book itself is filled with a wide variety of Desert Island illustrations.

Roy Plomley - The creator and original
presenter of Desert Island Discs, 1975

A nice portrait of Desert Island Discs Roy Plomley which features on the rear of his 1975 book about the history of the programme.

Autograph of Roy Plomley from my signed copy
of Plomley's Pick of Desert Island Discs - 1982

A few years ago I purchased a signed copy of Roy Plomley's Pick Of Desert Island Discs which features a selection of Plomley's favourite interviews from the programme. One wonders if he hadn't died a few years later if there would have been further volumes!

For much more on Desert Island Discs including an archive of programmes and all the castaways choices visit the official Desert Island Discs website. Also check out Andy Walmsley's Random Radio Jottings for more Desert Island Discs treats and my article on Suite101 for a brief history on the programme.

Badge Friday: Country Life English Butter

2012-01-27T00:00:00.013Z

"You'll Never Put A Better Bit Of Butter On Your Knife!"crooned the animated butter men in their West Country farmers accents during several adverts for Country Life English Butter in the 1970s and 1980s.

They're delightful ditties brightened up many a TV commercial break during this era and here is a badge featuring the infamous stars.

Buttery renditions of songs such as There's A Tavern In The Town and D' Ya Ken John Peel made their way into the public consciousness making the Butter Men popular mainstays of television advertising for many years.

We don't see much of The Butter Men on TV screens anymore but rumour has it they went their separate ways after creative differences (and a lucrative recording deal with Lurpak!)

Badge Friday: We Heart Our Real Coal Fire

2012-01-20T00:00:00.014Z

Following on from last weeks Badge Friday featuring a Smokeless Fuel product here's a badge promoting coal fires.

Interesting that there were obviously pros and cons to going for smokeless fuel or real coal fires during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It's still a debatable point over 30 years on but as this badge proves, the Coal industry weren't taking the battle lying down using a love heart to show their loyalty to coal fires!

Note the use of a heart instead of the word love, an all too common expression used within context of badges these days.

A bit of a slow burner this one!

Saturday Superstore: More Pages From Ceefax

2012-01-14T16:10:00.003Z

BBC Ceefax Guide - Radio Times, March 1987

Tomorrow it will be a year since I introduced the Saturday Superstore section on Retrospace. It's been an interesting year dipping into elements of advertisements from decades past, but I'll be pulling the shutters down on this feature for the moment in order to develop some new features in coming weeks.

Today's final Saturday Superstore post isn't an advert as such, but a guide to the BBC Ceefax service that fellow blogger Andy Walmsley kindly sent me in response to my post on teletext TV.

This feature ties in with when the BBC relaunched the Ceefax service in 1987, I recall frequently checking the TV and radio listings frequently on these pages while the fun and games sections it appeared were sometimes not updated in weeks.

Amongst the regular news, weather and business services there was also a Christian Comment filed under Miscellany and the latest news on the developing world of computers, particularly BBC Micro in the Telesoftware section. Sounded so marvellous back then and its like another universe now.

Badge Friday: Homefire Hotstuff

2012-01-13T00:00:00.009Z

Once upon a time it was almost impossible for one to walk down a local high street anywhere in Great Britain without some well meaning company trying to tell you about their product and foisting a badge on your child for 5 minutes of your time.

It seemed no company was devoid of producing a badge to promote its product and that included smokeless fuel manufacturer Homefire had a badge to promote their product, this one either originates from the 1970s or 1980s.

At The Theatre: Treading The Boards With Dad's Army

2012-01-08T17:05:00.001Z

A 1958 York Theatre Royal
Production Of
Goldilocks and The Three Bears

Before the stars of Dad's Army became household names on television many of them spent several years up and down the United Kingdom making appearances on theatre stages.

A new series over on Walmington-On-Sea 333 last week called Treading The Boards kicked off with pantomime appearances featuring stars from Dad's Army and examples of theatre programme covers from my own collection.

Today's example for instance features Pamela Cundell (best known for her role as Mrs Fox) in a 1968 production of The Magic Carpet which also featured future 70s pop star David Essex. (Curiously enough - I caught Mr Essex in a production of All The Fun Of The Fair at Cardiff New Theatre in November.)

I also have other examples of theatre programmes and posters which will be featured on this blog in coming weeks featuring stars from other shows. If anyone has any items that they'd like to see featured in this section in coming months feel free to contact me - I'm particularly looking for scans of vintage posters, flyers, newspaper reviews and rare photos.

For more about recent pantomimes and audio releases in the spirit of panto - visit my Online Scribblings blog!

Saturday Superstore: Max Bygraves Album

2012-01-07T00:00:00.002Z

Max Bygraves - Radio Times, 1976

Glancing through a January 1976 copy of Radio Times I was really hard pushed to find an advert that wasn't advertising a cruise or a credit card service. Then, this little nugget jumped out at me.

Max Bygraves album I Wanna Sing You a Story, his new release in January 1976 (or December 1975 as I'm assuming he was aiming for the Christmas present market for Gran).

Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody was Number One in the charts when this was released by Pye Records on album, cassette and the near enough defunct cartridge format, though this was probably a best seller in that field. Max however doesn't bother attempting a cover of the current Number One tune (even though Bohemian Rhapsody is one hell of a story in itself) instead he plays safe with songs like Down At The Old Bull And Bush and Whispering Grass (a recent chart topper for Don Estelle and Windsor Davies). This was the 1970s!

Those Radio Times - 12 Days Of Christmas: It's Cliff Richard

2012-01-06T00:13:00.000Z

Cliff Richard and Friends - Radio Times, Christmas 1971

The final day of Christmas stays with Christmas 1971 as Cliff Richard launched a new series of his popular TV series It's Cliff Richard on Christmas Eve that year with guests Olivia Newton John, Labi Siffre, The Flirtations and a special guest appearance of Till Death Us Do Part's Dandy Nichols.

Cliff was having a busy Christmas in 1971 but told Radio Times he didnt mind working 'because the atmosphere in the studio is always special around Christmas'.

So there's your 12 Radio Times stars of Christmas from the 1970s - have a great 2012!

Badge Friday: Everybody's Body Needs Bottle

2012-01-06T00:00:00.010Z

The Milk Marketing Board frequently thought up of many catchy slogans to encourage people (particularly children) to drink milk in the 70s and 80s. That is until British PM Margaret Thatcher snatched free milk away from schoolchildren and everyone went back to drinking water...

Everybody's Body Needs Bottle is one of those many slogans that made it on to a badge...

Those Radio Times - 12 Days Of Christmas: Petula Clark

2012-01-05T00:00:00.002Z

Petula Clark - Radio Times, Christmas 1971

Along with A Special Dad's Army and a showing of Carry On Cowboy, Boxing Night on BBC1 in 1971 also gave us a Petula Clark Special called Petula... and Friends. Pet's guests were Rolf Harris, Warren Mitchell and Manitas de Plata.

Pet revealed in that years Christmas Radio Times that she would likely be at home in Switzerland with her family on Boxing Day ski-ing "...if we are capable...".

Those Radio Times - 12 Days Of Christmas: Dad's Army

2012-01-04T00:00:00.010Z

Dad's Army - Radio Times, Christmas 1971

A new series of Dad's Army had been absent from the TV schedules during 1971.

However; a spring / summer repeat of the 1970 series and the cinematic release of a feature film of Jimmy Perry and David Croft's popular show warranted the BBC to bring the show back for a one hour special entitled Battle Of The Giants for Boxing Day 1971 (which took place on the 27th December).

In Christmas 1974 Battle Of The Giants was adapted for radio alongside another episode, Shooting Pains by Michael Knowles and Harold Snoad to make another festive edition broadcast on BBC Radio 4 entitled Present Arms.

The Walmington-On-Sea platoon was certainly in jovial mood for this image of them enjoying Christmas festivities wartime style.

Read more about Dad's Army - Present Arms on audiobook format.
Check out regular updates on the Retrospace Dad's Army blog on Walmington-On-Sea 333

Those Radio Times - 12 Days Of Christmas: Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000Z

Some Mothers Do Ave Em - Radio Times 1978

Christmas Day 1978 not only featured Mike Yarwood's Christmas Special on BBC1 but also the final ever episode of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em!

Michael Crawford had literally won over many hearts as the modern day equivalent of Norman Wisdom - Frank Spencer and fans tuned in to each episode in wonderment as to what mishaps the unemployable Mr Spencer would find himself in each week. There were 20 episodes (including 3 Christmas specials) between 1973 and 1978 before Frank bowed out in this final episode seeing him and his family move to Australia in order for him to become an aircraft pilot.

Michael Crawford of course never looked back, following a comedy series he made for Thames the following year entitled Chalk and Cheese and a Disney movie Condorman Crawford moved to the world of theatre winning accolades for performances in Barnum and Phantom Of The Opera.

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em is still repeated regularly and continues to amaze with Michael's breathtaking stunts 30 years on. However a return to the screens has never been forthcoming.

Those Radio Times - 12 Days Of Christmas: Till Death Us Do Part

2012-01-02T00:00:00.004Z

The Garnett Family - Radio Times, Christmas 1972

Back in the 60s and 70s, the closest the Brits got to earthy comedy was Johnny Speight's Till Death Us Do Part, several Christmas editions featuring Warren Mitchell's cantankerous Alf Garnett were made.

Sadly political correctness and Alf's bigotry comments have given little opportunity for repeats in recent years although BBC 2 and Four occasionally blow the dust off the odd edition.

Though it has to be remembered that the big joke of the Till Death Us Do Part was Garnett himself, stubborn, opinionated and rarely right about anything.

Those Radio Times - 12 Days Of Christmas: Little And Large

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001Z

Little And Large - Radio Times, Christmas 1978

Following Eric and Ernie's departure from the BBC in 1978 Little and Large were promoted to possible successors to Morecambe and Wise's comedy crowns.

Although they never aspired to the same level of greatness as Eric and Ernie, Syd Little and Eddie Large still had great comedic appeal of their own that carried them through to the early 90s, which by today's standards is very successful!

Saturday Superstore: Townsend Thoreson Ferries

2011-12-31T00:00:00.010Z

Townsend Thoreson European Ferries - Radio Times, December 1978

Christmas editions of Radio Times in the 1970s always seemed to be packed with adverts for a choice of holidays to take the following year. It was simple, as soon as you dispensed with your Christmas TV listings you could cut it up and send off for loads of holiday brochures!

In 1978, Townsend Thoreson The European Ferries encouraged us to Sail The Light Hearted Way during 1979 via giving us the freedom of choice as to how we would get there at the same time!