Drama – What Was Pebble Mill?

Anna of the Five Towns Publicity Photos

L-R Katie Carey, Linsey Beauchamp, Emrys James, director Martyn Friend

F/g Dir Martyn Friend, make-up Linda Webster, Engineering Manager Dick Bentley

Possible location Port Erin, Isle of Man

Publicity photographs taken on location for the 1985 drama: Anna of the Five Towns. Most of the locations are at the Black Country Museum.

Anna of the Five Towns – Publicity Card

Anna of the Five Towns was transmitted from 9 Jan 1985 on BBC 2.

Promo card inside cover

Promo card inside

Promo card back page

Martin Chuzzlewit – Crew Photo

This photo is of the cast and crew of the drama serial ‘Martin Chuzzlewit’ 1994. It was taken to celebrate the 1000th slate.

The director was Pedr James, with John Kenway as DoP.

Thanks to Josephine Mainwaring for sharing the photo. It was probably taken by photographer Stephen Morley.

Martin Chuzzlewit – photos from Mark Smithers

Here are some photos from Mark Smithers of ‘Martin Chuzzlewit’, featuring some of the cast. ‘Martin Chuzzlewit’ was produced at Pebble Mill in 1994. With filming all over the Cotswolds and Kings Lynn in Norfolk. Mark remembers that it was a constant surprise turning up on location and being transported back 200 years by the amazing design team.

Costume designer Jeremy Turner won a BAFTA in 1995 for his Chuzzlewit costume designs. His assistant was the talented and knowledgeable Paul Higton, and various pieces were created at Pebble Mill by brilliant seamstresses.

The Groundling and the Kite – Jenny Brewer

‘The Groundling and the Kite’ was a drama in the Play for Today anthology.

Crew photograph from 1983
This was the last Play For Today made out of Pebble Mill. Shot during the very hot summer of 1983 in and around Hampstead in London and transmitted on BBC1 in 24 July 1984. This was the last show I worked on as a Production Assistant before becoming a Production Associate. I have discovered the full play is available on You Tube should you wish to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4clkwmzOHlE

The Groundling and the Kite crew. Thanks to Jenny Brewer for sharing the photo.

From front row R to L Keith Froggatt, Cameras; Charles Bond, Designer; Alan Miller (with the bald head) Gaffer Spark from Lee Electric with 3 sparks alongside him

Next row Colin Rogers, Producer; Graham ??; Prop and Support Vehicles

Next row Ian MacNulty; Grip; Jenny Brewer, Production Assistant; John Duttine, Actor; Peter Jefferies, Director; Carol Parks, Production Associate

Next Row William Hartley, Production Manager; Lenny Preston, Writer and Actor; John Kenway, DOP; Liddy Bennett, Assistant Floor Manager; Geoff Nawn, Design; John Parker, Sound Recordist

Next Row John Cole, Sound; Chap from Costume ?; Gwen Arthy, Make Up Designer; Trevor Elwell, Scene Crew Supervisor; alongside Nigel ?? and others on the scene crew; Tom Beech, Props Buyer; Nigel Roberts next to Tom Beech, Ray Clulow, carpenter, behind Nigel & one of the painters behind Ray. Hiding behind the pillar might be Phil Hawkins, scene crew supervisor.

Back Row Mark Thompson Unit Driver; Lesley Weaver, Make Up; Sue Peck, Costume Designer; and ?? from Costume