Blog – Page 343 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Film Editor, Henry Fowler – photo by Ian Collins

Photograph by Ian Collins, no reproduction without permission.

The photo shows film editor Henry Fowler at his Steenbeck, editing. Henry Fowler edited a variety of dramas and documentaries at BBC Pebble Mill including:

‘Death of a Miner’ 1968, ‘Before the Mast’ 1971, ‘That Quiet Earth’ 1972 (30 Min Theatre),’The Shoals of Herring’ 1972, ‘Land of Green Ginger’ 1973 (Play for Today), ‘Steps Back’ 1973 (Play for Today), ‘Penda’s Fen’ 1974 (Play for Today), ‘Gangsters’ 1975 (Play for Today), ‘Breath’ 1975 (Play for Today), ‘The Other Woman’ 1976 (Play for Today),’ The Muscle Market’ 1981 (Play for Today).

The Clothes Show – photos from Clive Wagner

Clothes Show Live

Photos from director Clive Wager (shown here in the lower picture), no reproduction without permission,

‘The Clothes Show’ was produced at Pebble Mill from 1986-2000, it was originally a spin off of fashion items from ‘Pebble Mill at One’. The executive producer was Roger Casstles. The fashion magazine show had very high production values, and became well known for its use of new video editing effects. Eventually the post production team were awarded a BAFTA for their work.

The first photo shows the production office at ‘Clothes Show Live’, the annual exhibition at the NEC which is still running. Shown in the photo are Nicky Barfoot in the stripy top, Caroline Hawkins, Tim Langford, and presenter Caryn Franklin seated.

The lower photo is of a location shoot at the Imperial War Museum, and shows director Clive Wagner.

‘Laughter of God’ – TX card from Maggie Humphries

‘Laughter of God’ was a Screen 2 drama produced at Pebble Mill, and transmitted in 1991.

The drama starred Peter Firth, Amanda Donohoe and Sylvia Syms. It was produced by Bill Shapter, with exec producers Michael Wearing and Barry Hanson. Tony Bicat wrote and directed the play. John Kenway was the cameraman, Beverley Mills the editor and Michael Edwards the production designer.

The BFI database describes the drama:

‘The Clemants family seem idyllic on the surface – Steve, an architect, his wife Jane and their two daughters, Gilly and Sophie, live a comfortable life in a converted farmhouse in the countryside. However, disturbing emotions lie behind them, with Jane fantasising about murdering her husband whilst carrying on a love affair with her art dealer, and Steve dreaming of his wife’s funeral and finding pleasure with Rose, a young actress in local Rep. What was once fantasy begins to stray into reality, as dark forces begin to work after the foundations for Steve’s current building project fall into an ancient burial chamber.’

Thanks to Maggie Humphries from Film Unit for making the TX card available.

Mystery photo – by Willoughby Gullachsen

Photo by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

I don’t know who the people in the photo are – please add a comment if you can identify them.

‘Good Morning’ titles shoot – photo from Clive Wagner

Good Morning titles shoot

This photo is from the title shoot of ‘Good Morning with Anne Nick’ in 1992. Clive Wagner (on the left with the bald head) was the director on the shoot. He was a director on ‘The Clothes Show’, and very well thought of. The cameraman is almost certainly Tim Johnson, and the assistant, Sue Cane. The titles were shot on 35mm film, which was a real luxury.

‘Good Morning with Anne and Nick’ began on 12 Oct 1992, and was on air until 1996. Their first guest on the sofa was Joan Collins. The popular morning magazine show was presented by Anne Diamond and Nick Owen. Anne’s husband, Mike Hollingsworth, was the series editor.

‘Good Morning’ was set in Studio C, the Pebble Mill foyer, where ‘Pebble Mill at One’ was set, but the instantly recognisable windows and view out on to Pebble Mill road were blocked out by the living room type set.