The medieval church wasn't just powerful - it dominated every aspect of people's lives. In the third part of this six part series, Simon Jenkins examines the impact of new money on church design.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JZldgJ2JNc
This episode, from Leap in the Dark, the BBC anthology series, is titled 'Come and Find Me' and was the fifth episode of series four and it aired at 12.00am on BBC2 on 10th September, 1980. It was written by Russell Hoban. Directed by Michael Croucher
Leap in the Dark was a BBC television anthology series with a supernatural theme. It ran for four series throughout 1973, 1975, 1977 and 1980 and consisted of 24 episodes in total. Series 1-3 we're docudramas that re-enacted real-life cases of paranormal occurrences. While series four was made up of original dramas.
Sadly, very few episodes exist, there are other's on YouTube however I was unable to find this one so uploaded it here because I think it is a corker of an episode. Not only beautifully shot and atmospheric but also features music from legendary English jazz singer and lyricist Norma Winstone.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuAvP8hwQuo
A six-part comedy / drama about a young misfit who joins a team of tax-fraud investigators, the series premiered on the 16th November, 1995 on BBC2. Ghostbusters of East Finchley, to anyone lucky to catch it the first time around, has almost garnered a cult-like 'mythical' status to the fan's who remember it. To the best of my knowledge it has never been broadcast again on television. Part comedy, part drama, and social commentary its sometimes subversive and even surreal in places. Please be aware while the quality of this recording is not great, its the only one I have come across after acquiring it from a seller on a bootleg dvd several years ago.
I did watch it 'back in the day' on TV and loved it as a teenager myself, and not just because it starred Jan Francis (playing against type in a great role for her) but also for the two charismatic leads Paul Reynolds and Catherine Holman (and Bill Paterson's tax inspector Mr Small is an absolute delight)
It also stars a cast of talented British character actors like Ray Winstone, Marc Warren, Christopher Fulford, Mark Addy, Sheila Gish and Jane Cox. It was created by writer, producer Tony Grounds the man responsible for the highly rated BBC television series 'Our Girl'. Watching the show again today, in 2022, it puts me in mind of another criminally underrated series Sean Lock's 15 Storey's High.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KMeI8l6iHw
Over its three year run, from 1971 to 1973, the children television series Follyfoot established some well respected directors at the helm of some episodes including Jack Cardiff, Stephen Frears, Michael Apted, David Hemmings and here, in episode twelve of the final series being directed by Michael Tuchner a director better for the 1971 Richard Burton classic 'Villain' and the excellent 1972 cult British horror 'Fear Is the Key' of which Tuchner had directed the year before directing this episode and its very evident from the outset that 'Hazel' is littered with Tuchner's classic thriller and horror motifs. There is also a wonderful, sinister turn from The Four Beauties 'Country Matters' actress the young Veronica Quilligan playing the part of troubled teenager Hazel. Complete with some fantastic tense and dramatic film editing this episode really stood out when I caught the series a few years back.
*There is another channel on YouTube that has already uploaded series one and series two of Follyfoot, though sadly, as of yet, no episodes from the final third series that aired in 1973, though Hazel will be the only episode from the series I will be uploading.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sOZDzFSv5o
Sweet baby Jesus in a manger, could this man entertain?! I remember seeing Michael Barrymore live around this time and at Blackpool North Pier. I was ten years old and on holiday with my family. He had me, my mum and dad and my Nan in stitches. Loved by young and old alike, his audience range was as huge as his personality. While Strike It Lucky was never missed in our house. I sincerely think, that if tragedy hadn't struck his career, he'd be as popular as ever still to this day and he would have single-handedly made sure that the Variety show remained alive. Here's to you Michael.
This episode was originally broadcast on the 28th January, 1985
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dunDGU_ZbYo
Reg Varney took Piano lessons from a young age before becoming a familiar face on British TV and in The Rag Trade, a long time before his most iconic role became in 1969, playing Reg from On the Buses. It was in the 1930's and at the age of 14 that Reg found work as an accomplished part-time piano player, playing in working mens' clubs, pubs and at ABC cinemas before going on to become a singer with various big bands of the 30's and 40's. His first paid engagement was at Plumstead Radical Club in Woolwich for which he was paid eight shillings and sixpence. In 1972 Reg recorded his first album for Columbia Records titled Reg Varney - On the 88’s at Abbey Road.
This performance is from Holiday Startime and it was recorded on the 15th December, 1970 and broadcast on the 26th December, 1970.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKsTrA_4kP4
We lost legendary character actor Michael Ripper 18 years ago. Here he is playing a London Zoo keeper in Freddie Francis film Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly (1970)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybgvj_xcKRQ