Category: Television

Love Birds – photo by Willoughby Gullachsen

Photo by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

The photo is from a Screen Two drama called ‘Love Birds’, which was transmitted in 1988.  It shows cameraman Keith Froggatt, and director Stephen Whittaker (who sadly is no longer with us).  Chris Parr was the producer, and Sharon Pemberton the editor.

The BFI Database includes the following synopsis of the drama:

‘Barbara and Naseem are in the same hospital having babies. They become friends, but the celebrations of their husbands, Kenny and Quereshi, lead to a headlong chase, with crazy mix-ups, collisions and brushes with the law.’ http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/425046

‘Love Birds’ starred Paul Bhattacharjee, Stephen Bent, Jane Gurnett, Linda Henry, Lisa Meredith, Van Martin, Shaheen Khan, Tracey Wilkinson, Margaret Heery, Sally Jackson, Jane Hazelgrove and Ken Hastwell.

Thanks to Sharon Pemberton for identifying the drama from the photo.

Regional News Opt-Out – photos by Jim Knights

Photos by Jim Knights, no reproduction without permission.

These photos are of a regional news opt out programme recorded in Berlin, and presumably about the Berlin Wall.  Jim Knights was the cameraman, and appears in most of the programmes.  The programme was probably produced at Pebble Mill, although it may pre-date the Pebble Mill years, and be from when the Birmingham newsroom was in Broad Street.

Please add a comment if you can identify other people in the photos, can date it, or add more information.

Broke – Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

‘Broke’ was part of the BBC 2 ‘Screenplay’ anthology series, being transmitted in 1991.  It was written by Stephen Bill, directed by Alan Dosser and produced at Pebble Mill by Barry Hanson.

The BFI database includes the following synopsis:

‘Ken Bannister is a wealthy, self-made man, who gives some work to his friend Francis Meeks, whose own small business is just getting oof the ground, commissioning him to refurbish the country club. However, when he asks for his money, Ken can’t pay, having been declared bankrupt, although this doesn’t seem to affect his affluent lifestyle in any way. Francis stands by helpless, watching his business and home go to rack and ruin, until his determined wife Melanie steps in.’ http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/460448

‘Broke’ starred Timothy Spall, Sheila Kelley, Larry Lamb, Susan Wooldridge, and Leo Bill.

The photo of the crew includes Alan Dosser (director), Steve Saunderson (camera), Tim Everett (sound), and Bob Jacobs (1st AD).

Terry Powell (dresser) remembers that ‘Broke’ was the 1st time he worked with Timothy Spall,  and through it became good friends. When he left the BBC to go freelance he worked with Tim on many a show and still sees him today.

 

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Midlands Opt-Out Locations – photos by Jim Knights

Photos by Jim Knights, no reproduction without permission.

The photos are from ‘Midlands Opt-Out’ location shoots, dating from the mid 1980s.  Each week there would be a 30′ Regional Opt-Out’ programme, which tended to be location based programme.  Jim Knights is the cameraman (sporting a Top Gear jacket), and he thinks that the other chap in the first photo is Charlie Tremanye (who went to World in Action, rose to Exec Producer and now produces reality TV in the USA and is quite a TV big-wig) and the PA is Linda Flavell.  The other two photos are also from ‘Midlands Opt-Out’ locations.

Thanks to Jane Marriott for providing information about Charlie Tremanye.

Please add a comment if you have more information.

Editing Gardeners’ World – photos by Ian Collins

Photos from Ian Collins, no reproduction without permission.

These photos show Kerry Richardson editing ‘Gardeners’ World’, with some gusto, with editor, Ian Collins.

Gardeners’ World was produced at Pebble Mill until around 1990, when it became an independent production made by Catalyst television.  Kerry worked on Gardeners’ World for a number of years, and in fact still works on gardening programmes to this day. BBC editors like Ian, were employed to edit Gardeners’ World, and the online editing was done at Pebble Mill, and then at the Mailbox.

Gardeners’ World came back to BBC Birmingham after re-pitching for the series when Alan Titchmarsh finished presenting it, and Monty Don took over in 2003.

The production offices for Gardeners’ World when Catalyst produced it were situated in King’s Heath Park, where some of the gardening was also done.

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