Drama – Page 11 – What Was Pebble Mill?

The Dark Man

Thanks to costume designer, Joyce Hawkins, for sharing this photograph of Earl Cameron. The Dark Man was produced at BBC Birmingham’s Gosta Green studios. It was transmitted on 8th December 1960.

Here is the entry from the Radio Times, from the BBC Genome project:

Synopsis

by N. J. Crisp.
Starring Robert Shaw with Earl Cameron, Barbara Clegg
From the Midlands

Contributors

Writer: N. J. Crisp
Producer: Don Taylor
Designer: Charles Carroll
Reg: Daniel Moynihan
Robert Smith: Earl Cameron
Alan Regan: Robert Shaw
Jean Forest: Rita Davies
Audrey Regan: Barbara Clegg
Ellen Woodward: Maureen O’Reilly
Basil Woodward: Reginald Marsh
Albert Watson: Denis Holmes
Mr Knight: Edward Burnham
Fred Crook: Edward Kelsey
Bill Jackson: Clifford Cox
Mrs Crosby: Nan Braunton
Potter: Jay Denyer
William Martin: Lionel Ngakane

https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/8ceb4428a2d944088069acd58edb7d3a

Sophia and Constance snow scene

Photos by Albert Sheard, no reproduction without permission.

Before and after stills of a snowy street scene in the BBC2, 1988 drama serial, Sophia and Constance. I think this scene was recorded at the Black Country Museum.

Thanks to Albert Sheard from the Scenery Department for sharing the photographs.

Waiting For Godot 1961

This publicity still is from Waiting for Godot, by Samuel Beckett, it was transmitted on BBC television on 26th June, 1961, at 21.50. The drama was produced in Birmingham’s Gosta Green studios.

Thanks to Costume Designer, Joyce Hawkins for sharing the photo.

Dave and Lily Ackrill

Dave Ackrill and his wife Lily, sadly both died last week (8th and 9th May 2018) of cancer. Dave worked in the props department of Pebble Mill from the mid 70s to the mid 80s, when he went to Central, before working on feature films. He was held in high regard by all who worked with him.

The family are creating a book of remembrance and would welcome any stories you might have of working with Dave, so that they can be shared with the next generation.

Angels shoot on M42

Photos from Albert Sheard, no reproduction without permission

Motorway pile-up shoot for the hospital drama, Angels probably in 1982. This was staged on the M42 prior to its opening. In the top photo, Albert puts the finishing touches to a car which has run into the back of a lorry. Included in the top photo are Bob Farr, John Bull and Jimmy King.