Soundstagenorth

RTBWTV April 26th 2026 - How The Baron changed UK action adventure TV - by accident Regular listeners will know from David Newell and Guy Morgan's conversations that Guy has been less than charitable about the ITC series The Baron. But... there are grounds for appeal and in this episode we explore the background to this much maligned (by Guy) series. Along the way, we ask did Dennis Spooner, Brian Clemens and Terry Nation ever take a break during the mid sixties? How did America move the goalposts for British producers trying to break into the US market? Just how prolific was novelist John Creasey? Also why ITC henchmen really should go on a health and safety course. Will The Baron get time off for good behaviour? Tune in for the final verdict...……. As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes. They can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training creepy AI in its bid to suborn the human race, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV March 16th 2026 - Private Eyes On a chilly night in Leeds, a blonde sashayed into a bar, wearing a satin evening gown which didn't suit him and took the next stool to Dave. That same evening a brunette stepped up to the all night deli counter Guy was sitting at. Both visitors wanted answers. What happened to all those TV private investigators that muscled in on the UK television schedules in the 1950s and 60s? Could we trace them and why were so many missing, presumed lost? The same names and faces just kept coming up, Martin Kane, Richard Diamond and Frank Marker. What was the View From Daniel Pike? How did an England football manager get mixed up in this business? And who on earth was Tony O'Grady? A big black pool opened up in front of David Newell and Guy Morgan and they dove into it. As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes. They can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training creepy AI in its bid to suborn the human race, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV February 22nd 2026 - Westerns Howdy. Just how many Westerns were shown on peak time TV both in the US and the UK? Why were they so popular, and why did they all end up on Boot Hill? Guy Morgan and David Newell try to head these and other questions off at the pass, including how do you spell High Chaparral? (Erm, we might have given that one away). Plus we learn how fast on the draw young Dave was and which Western board games bear a striking resemblance to each other. As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes. They can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training creepy AI in its bid to suborn the human race, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV January 11th 2026 - Technology and drama, and what was on 60 years ago What do legendary BBC drama producer Innes Lloyd and Yul Brynner have in common? They both used innovative technology to make plays for television. Guy Morgan and David Newell explore how OB units (that's Outside Broadcast for the uninitiated) gave greater flexibility and speed to shows such as 30 Minute Theatre. Why aren't these more celebrated? Well, the downside of recording on video tape is that you can reuse it - which is why so many of these shows are lost and there's a worldwide hunt for remaining copies. And Guy and David welcome January with a look back to sixty years ago when there was a World Cup on the horizon - arguably the most important in the competition's history..... But what was the nation watching this week in 1966? A time traveller might recognize survivors and mourn others that have gone to the great skip in the sky. As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes. They can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training creepy AI in its bid to suborn the human race, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV November 25th 2025 - Here is the News Here's a newsflash! Bulletins came to BBC television in the early 1950s without a reader appearing on screen, but things soon changed when that young upstart ITN arrived with the rest of ITV in 1955 and introduced newscasters, reporters and a dash of panache and urgency. Guy Morgan and David Newell trace the move and countermove that shaped television news (and current affairs) between the Suez Crisis and - for this episode - The Winter of Discontent. Why was the BBC presentation so dull back then? What was Panorama's most famous jape before the current one? And what does a Christmas Tree on your BBC file mean? (Guy explains to Dave that it has nothing to do with Yuletide). We explore how simple bits of technology transformed the news studio, why safari suits are out of fashion for war correspondents and revisit some famous theme tunes from the Golden Age before television news suffered from ADHD. As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes. They can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training creepy AI in its bid to suborn the human race, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV October 12th 2025 - The Future Guy Morgan and David Newell explore the days of future past as imagined by both drama and documentaries during the Golden Age of British Television (1956-1974). Was the future so bright we had to wear shades? Or was it a grim prospect, with various flavours of totalitarian regime lacking in a sense of humour, hoverboards, jet packs and holidays on the moon? Other questions we ask: If they're all set in the 2060s, why did Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet never bump into each other? Was Star Cops given an even break? What was the real reason only female members of Moonbase wore purple wigs and silver catsuits? And how old is Joe 90 really? This episode was not sponsored by Smith's Crisps, although Dave is open to offers. As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purpose. They can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training creepy AI in its bid to suborn the human race, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV August 17th 2025 - Tributes and Radio to TV and vice versa With radio being the senior service for so long, why not see if the tried and trusted formats could transfer to that insolent upstart television? Guy Morgan and David Newell explore those early migrations of the 1950s, what worked best and how the tide also flowed back with popular TV shows appearing on the wireless. We ask: What works best? Why did early TV newsreaders look shifty? Do ventriloquists on the radio really have to try that hard? And what are the challenges of moving from one medium to the other? Plus we pay tribute to Biddy Baxter, Gerald Harper and Ray Brooks. As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes and can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training AI, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV July 14th 2025 - Animals Was there life on earth before David Attenborough? Who were the other big beasts of natural history television in the Golden Epoch? Join Guy Morgan and David Newell as they hack their way through the undergrowth to catch a glimpse of rare and now sadly lost creatures. Marvel at wildlife wonders, as well those dramatic heroes who put their human co-stars in the shade. Oh yes, and allow Dave to explain why ring-tailed lemurs need to work on their etiquette...… As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes and can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training AI, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV June 1st 2025 Brainwashing and Mind Control Are you acting under your own free will? Or do you feel compelled to listen to David Newell and Guy Morgan taking a deep dive into the unsettling and paranoid world of 1950s-1970s mind control? Discover who the dark forces are subverting your thoughts and desires, whether it's occultists, aliens, communists or big business - or are they all in it together? How can you tell who's under the influence? Is it glowing eyes? A crooked little finger? Or tinnitus? And who is behind it all? Well of course, it's Brian Clemens, Philip Levene, Robert Banks Stewart, Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and a small cadre of ITC scriptwriters. We penetrate the shadowy organisation of RADA, where they have classes on how to look blank, and Dave wonders how do you make a puppet character look like it's being controlled like a puppet? As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes and can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training AI, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV April 18th 2025 How many people in the Golden Age of British Television can you think of who worked on both sides of the Atlantic, was a familiar guest star in all the top ITC shows, plus Doctor Who, had a decent film career and meanwhile co-created an entire new genre of TV drama whose descendants are still with us today? We made a list and there's only one name on it. Jean Marsh, who has just passed away. David Newell and Guy Morgan pay tribute to this, perhaps under recognized icon, and try to measure her contribution to world TV culture. By the way, Dave also lets slip some acting tricks and proves he's done his silver tray module from the Academy of Dramaticness…... As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes and can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training AI, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RBWTV March 22nd 2025 Side hustles and alternative careers. We all need to make ends meet, and back in the Golden Age of British television it was just the same. In this episode, Guy Morgan and David Newell check through the cvs (or resumés if you're American) of well known faces who appeared on the nation's screens between 1956 and 1974. Some opened restaurants, while many more paid the rent by working in them. Others showed off a wide range of craft and design skills and became more famous for those. And a couple rose up the food chain to produce landmark television. We ask: What do classically trained actors bring to the table (literally) when they are between jobs? How did a butcher and sausage magnate become a star of radio and TV? And how is Adam Adamant connected to bedroom furniture? The closing edit of Bartender by Eric Tubb and Loretta Lynn is an MCA Nashville Release ℗ 1967 UMG Recordings, Inc and be heard in full on YouTube. As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes and can be purchased through legitimate online websites. And if any of our original material is used for training AI, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV February 20th 2025 - Robots, cyborgs and computers As we enter that optimistic Star Trek future, where everything is automated and everyone lives a life of peaceful leisure staring at their screens, Guy Morgan and David Newell look back at how the future was viewed by classic television during Britain's golden age - 1956 and the Suez Crisis to 1974 and the three day week. We discover that amongst all the bright predictions, many writers and producers were offering a rather more gloomy forecast. Dave takes charge of the robots (although there's a tussle regarding the Cybernauts) while Guy tinkers with giant computers. But where, you ask, do the Daleks and Cybermen fit in? What's the best way to disable an errant computer? (A trip to your local ironmonger's might prove useful) and never, never cancel a scientist's funding -- who knows what they might get up to in revenge? As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes. They can be purchased through legitimate online websites. By the way, if any of our original material is used for training AI, the perpetrators agree to pay us £1,000,000,000.

RTBWTV January 26th 2025 - Spin offs A bracing New Year plunge into the Golden Age of British Television (1956 and the Suez Crisis to 1974 and the three day week). Guy Morgan and David Newell take some threads from classic television of the era and spin them off to explore how one TV series can give birth to another - no matter how tenuous the connection. What is the difference between a spin off and a franchise? Whose great nephew continued the family crimefighting tradition? Which series "jumped the shark" from Episode 1? And which one causes Dave physical pain to mention? As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes.

RTBWTV December 15th 2024 A leisurely sleigh ride through the snowy wastes of Christmas scheduling from the Golden Age of British Television (1956 and the Suez Crisis to 1974 and the three day week). Guy Morgan and David Newell set out on a search party to find the first authentic UK Xmas TV episode of a regular series - only to find the Americans had got there first. Sad to say, some of the tracks have been obliterated by the blizzard of wiping that afflicted the BBC, but some, surprisingly, have been frozen in time, thanks to the advent of ITV and the business nous of Lew Grade. The intrepid explorers discover that the template of church service, the Queen's message and the mandatory circus/panto/celebrity revue was carved in stone from the mid fifties, but the number of elephants dramatically declined over the years. So pour an eggnog, prise out some dates and steep yourself in the warm glow of black and white television that was probably recorded sometime in August...…….. As usual, rights in any clips and music remain with the holders and are used here for educational purposes.

RTBWTV November 3rd 2024 A leisurely stroll around the exercise yard of the Golden Age of British Television (1956 and the Suez Crisis to 1974 and the three day week) to inspect the role of prisons and prisoners in comedy and adventure series. Guy Morgan and David Newell dig their way out of the labyrinth and dodge the searchlights to uncover what happened to criminals after they'd been nicked in that last sixty seconds of regular crime shows. Of course we mention the 50th anniversary of Porridge, but also uncover its predecessor, Her Majesty' Pleasure - a very different bowl of gruel. Dave touches on the (mainly French) classics which feature notorious jails and escapees and we ask what's uppermost in the mind of an old lag as he steps out of the prison gates? Here's a clue, it's not his Mum's home cooking…... We also nod to characters who are stuck in a hard place thanks either to bad luck or sinister, clandestine forces. As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes. The Music of ITC can be purchased from all good online retailers.

RBWTV September 22nd 2024 Another careful excavation of the treasure buried deep in the archives of the Golden Age of British television - that's 1956 (The Suez Crisis) to 1974 (The Three Day Week). With Dave back from his Volvo hunting in Italy, we explore, as promised, the mysteries of Edgar Wallace now unspooling again on Talking Pictures TV. A host of familiar faces have a crack at playing unfamiliar roles - good guys and gals get a chance to turn villainous and actors best known for a bit of menace join the side of the angels. Originally made as quota quickie B-movies, they were repackaged for television with three versions of the sinister theme tune (including a fast paced one by The Shadows). Guy Morgan and David Newell try to make sense of the plots, note one famous producer who repeatedly got cast as a Brummie tearaway before stepping behind the cameras and select one episode which would have been a noir classic if it was in French. But first, they pay tribute to both David Graham and Kenneth Cope who recently passed away in their 90s after long and distinguished careers and also to Cleo Sylvestre for her pioneering work on screens big and small. As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes.

RBWTV September 15th 2024 A brief bonus episode of Rose Tinted Black and White Television where David Newell allows me (Guy Morgan) to get some things off my chest about the strange convolutions Dixon of Dock Green went through in terms of script and storylines in the early seventies. As it happens, we recorded this just before the passing of the great Kenneth Cope, star of British Television, with two Avengers' points, appearances in many British Golden Age series, as well as Coronation Street and Brookside. Of course he will be forever remembered as Marty Hopkirk, Jeff Randall's ghostly detective partner. As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes.

RTBWTV August 18th 2024 - The commies are coming! Oh hang on a minute, they're here! Another snorkel through the calm reassuring lagoon that is the classic television which flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. But what's this? Some our most beloved adventure series from the beginning of the Golden Age of British TV were written and directed by communists. That's right! These reds were on the run from the sinister HUAC, the House Unamerican Activities Committee in the United States and sought refuge and work in the unlikeliest spot of the Home Counties of England. And like other exiles, either from the Nazis or Soviet dominated Eastern Europe, they contributed immeasurably to British cultural life. Hear how we wouldn't have the Globe Theatre, Zoe Wannamaker or Zulu without the witchhunts of Senator Joseph McArthy. David and Guy explore the semi hidden history that became a staple of TV in the late 50s and early 60s and provides Talking Pictures TV with its Saturday schedule. And, they cry out, why hasn't anyone made a biopic about Hannah Weinstein? Oh, yes and there's also some self flagellation about watching (ahem) The New Avengers. As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes.

RBWTV July 7th 2024 Legs & Co (shows that stand the test of time) Now that Guy's back from his mission behind the Iron Curtain/former Austro-Hungarian Empire, we relax back on the li-lo and drift through the calm reassuring lagoon that is the classic television which flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. In this episode: Legs & Co (not those ones). Dave ponders on what gives TV series "legs" or longevity. Why do shows such as The Avengers (silly question), Dad's Army, Rupert Davies' Maigret and Steptoe and Son keep attracting viewers? And are there any others out there that deserve dusting off and showing again? Guy wonders who our classic screen characters might have voted for in the recent General Election. Plus, who can sing along with the theme from The Flashing Blade? As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes.

RTBWTV May 31st 2024 - Lone Wolves versus teams - which is better? Another snorkel through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... In this episode, we look at the pros and cons of being a single protagonist or "lone wolf" as against being a team player. Of course we examine the Saint, but there's a pack of lone wolves in 1960s and 70s television - they just kept themselves to themselves. We compare those shows to the ones which feature "a precinct". Not always cops, there's one set in a football club (that's soccer to our American friends), but also publishing, lawyers, and particularly medicine, with their firebrand young doctors kept under control by their crusty wise old superiors, ably assisted by a nurse or a resourceful Scottish housekeeper. And then there's the Precinct in the room that we have to talk about - the police/detective series, where even mavericks have the backing of an entire organisation - whether they like it or not. We put on our sociological hats and stroke our chins as to how Dixon of Dock Green charts the real changes in British policing during the period and ends up not deserving the "cosy" label it's often been associated with. In fact, it ends its days as downbeat as a modern Nordic Noir, just listen to that minor chord at the end of the last theme tune........... We also ask: Did the Mission Impossible team paint the town red after a successful adventure? How did they recruit Dave when he was in Aladdin and to what purpose? And why did Airfix fail to produce a kit for the popular Western series Bonanza? As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes.

RTBWTV April 22nd 2024 Import/Export A leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. "The Golden Age". Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... This time, who had the most air miles when it came to working both sides of the pond? We explore the American actors who headlined series in the UK, and some of Britain's surprise exports. And to illustrate, we muse on the dying art of the great theme tune, leaning heavily on "The Music of ITC" discs 1 and 2, the Man from Uncle and others used here for educational purposes and which are, of course, available to purchase from all good online stores. Also we learn how Dave's character role as a butler took him over for a short spell until he found himself drawn into solving mysteries while "resting"....... As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders.

RTBWTV March 7th 2024 - Stars behind wartime bars Another snorkel through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... This time, we take a deep dive into that crucible of acting and writing talent, the Second World War -- or more specifically prisoner of war camps. The National Archive near Kew in West London is currently staging Great Escapes, an exhibition about life in captivity for servicemen and civilians on both sides of the conflict. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/great-escapes/ And in particular, we pay tribute to the performers incarcerated in the most famous prison camp of all, Stalag Luft III. We also look at people held prisoner by the Japanese who went on to find fame and fortune in literature and on screen. And we consider the impact the war had not only on actors' careers, but the appetite for TV series about it. As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes. You'll hear a smidgeon of Peter Butterworth in Carry On Screaming, plus an extract from his This is Your Life episode in 1976. Also, Robert Farnon's Colditz March, Clifton Parker's music from The Wooden Horse (1950), Elmer Berstein's theme to the The Great Escape and the theme to Hogan's Heroes composed by Jerry Fielding. All can be found and purchased online.

RTBWTV February 16th 2024 - Ch...ch....changes A leisurely snorkel through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... This time, how and why do long running shows evolve? They get longer or shorter, stars come and go and just as importantly, the men in suits interfere...... Be warned! There are references to shows outside the specified time frame as a concession to younger listeners. As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes. The familiar theme tune from Barry Norman's Film programme is a recording of Billy Taylor playing his 1952 composition "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free". David Bowie's Changes is available to purchase online along with the rest of his essential back catalogue. The same goes for Edwin Astley's two themes for Danger Man and John Dankworth and Laurie Johnson's themes for The Avengers.

Happy New Year to all our listeners! To begin 2024, we take a deep chin stroking review of The Gold Robbers, whose Saturday repeats are winding down on Talking Pictures TV. The series is on the cusp of change for the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week, which is of course the Golden Age that co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell champion in their self appointed role of keepers of the vintage TV flame. We ask: did Guy remember that scene correctly from his cradle all those years ago? Just how much violence was acceptable at the end of the sixties? And did the success of such a long running serial lead LWT to double down and make six months worth of the much maligned (by us) Manhunt? As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes. And don't forget, The Gold Robbers theme by Max Harris can be tracked down at all good online retailers.

RTBWTV November 23rd 2023 - Ian Hendry Special This time we take a deep dive (rather than the usual leisurely swim) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week, because co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell examine the under sung life and career of Ian Hendry. Without him there would have been no Avengers (unthinkable!) and television in the 1960s and 70s wouldn't have been the same. But he was equally at home and in demand on the big screen and held his own even when cast alongside heavyweight famous names. For the first time in the programme's history, Dave comes into the same studio as Guy, and is subjected to a musical quiz. There are the usual discursive ramblings, plus Dave's personal reminiscences of not only Ian Hendry but also Charles Hawtrey (though not at the same time). As always, rights in all music and interview clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes. And don't forget, those theme tunes are available from all good online retailers. For the full Hendry experience, go to: https://ianhendry.com

RTBWTV The Review show October 15th 2023 -- Rotating Leads and Musical Chairs. A leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK, from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... This time, we explore shows where the leads share out the heavy lifting with shift work.Apparently, in the Americas they're called "wheel" shows. Different week, different star. Dave talks star power and audience reaction, while Guy gets technical and weighs up the production advantages of having multiple leads on the go in different locations. Obviously we talk about The Four Just Men and The Rogues, but there are a lot more, almost every precinct cop show and western (that isn't named after the lead character). And British TV loved an ensemble cast, even if they were puppets. As always, rights in all clips belong to the holders and are used for educational purposes. The Name of the Game was originally released on Decca and Pentangle's Light Flight was used as the theme for Take Three Girls. Hunt these down via online retailers as well as the psychedelic Trumpton, which after all, first aired during the original Summer of Love........

RTBWTV The Review show September 10th 2023 -- The Gold Robbers Addendum A leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... In this bonus edition - which we couldn't fit into the last one - we discuss the Gold Robbers unspooling on Monday evenings on Talking Pictures TV. We applaud Peter Vaughn, the man with the most sinister smile on television, consider a real hard man actor and then go on to consider shows that didn't have the same star every week. As always, rights in all clips belong to the holders and are used for educational purposes Windmills of Your Mind - the theme to the original Thomas Crown Affair - is available from all good online retailers.

RTBWTV The Review show September 10th 2023 -- Strings Attached A leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... This week we applaud the thrilling Anderson universe unspooling on Talking Pictures TV (as well as their first live action series which is on heavy rotation on somewhere on a digital channel near you). We're talking about Thunderbirds and the first third of FireBall XL5's 39 episodes. In case of need, how are you going to call International Rescue? Guy recalls nearly winning a Thunderbirds colouring competition if only he hadn't forgotten to post his entry, Dave demonstrates his original Thunderbirds board game and warns on the dangers of using blu tack to put up 70s Xmas decorations. We also ask ourselves, did we dream the premise of The Secret Service? And in Any Other Business, who remembers Ollie Beak? As always, rights in all clips belong to the holders and are used for educational purposes and if you detected Portishead's Mysterons in the background, buy it from your favourite online retailer.

RTBWTV The Review show August 6th 2023 The Saint Bids Farewell to Black and White -- the phone-in programme...... A leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... In this edition, we reject all this modern fangled wizardry and return to a taste of the 1960s with our intrepid correspondent phoning in from a far flung outpost (Leeds). Ok, it was technical problem, but we didn't want to miss the opportunity to wrap up the black and white episodes of The Saint, starring Roger Moore. We review The Saint Bids Diamonds, The Spanish Cow and The Old Treasure Story (or as David and Guy call it, money for old tropes). We ask: Did Ed Bishop ever get out of that cellar? How many switcheroos of real and fake diamonds is too many? And why is there no giant gorilla on the tropical treasure island? We also wonder why there are no real equivalents to The Saint, The Avengers and Danger Man nowadays and ask ourselves: Where do we go next? As always, rights in all clips belong to the holders and are used for educational purposes. The Saint theme and Out To Get You are from the double CD The Music of ITC and there's a smidgeon of Orbital's big screen version which can be picked up in full from all good online retailers. By the way, that "wrong clip" was from Darius Darque, Supernatural Detective! written by David Newell, and if there's popular demand, we can put the whole series back up for global appreciation.

RTBWTV Review show July 17th 2023 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flickered across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. This time David and Guy catch up with three episodes of series 4 of Roger Moore's black and white The Saint, with The Smart Detective, The Persistent Parasites and The Man who could not Die. We muse upon: Which is the car of choice for (British) villains and henchmen? David and Guy agree that they would both fail GCSE ransacking. That old perennial -- Why do blackmailers still never learn not to invite killers to their home? And which big screen horror movie might have supplied the elaborate cave sets for Patrick Allen to conduct his nefarious plan? As always, rights in all clips belong to the holders and are used for educational purposes and Trevor Horn's Annhilation mix of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Two Tribes is well worth the money from reputable online retailers.

RTBWTV Review show June 18th 2023 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flickered across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. This time David and Guy kick off their analysis of series 4 of Roger Moore's black and white The Saint with The Checkered Flag, The Abductors and The Crooked Ring. They ponder: Is that Justine Lord's real silhouette in the shower or is it someone from Morecambe and Wise? How many Welsh villains do you get get in 60s adventure series? And how mild is a "mild nerve gas"? Plus Guy reminisces about the nightmarish Varga Plants from Dr Who's lost episode Mission to the Unknown and we salute the multi generational Powell family who have provided stunt work on countless small and big screen adventures. And for the last time in The Saint we play "spot Alan Bennett". Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes -- and we're sure you can track down the theme tune from BBC TV's Boxing by The Tony King Orchestra entitled "Sir Percy" from all good online retailers.

RTBWTV Review show June 4th 2023 series 3 finales We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flickered across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. This time David and Guy round off series 3 of Roger Moore's black and white Saints with Crime of the Century and The Happy Suicide. They find themselves wondering: Why is it that whenever Simon Templar goes undercover, henchmen don't trust him? Talking of which, what is the difference between a henchman and a goon? Who first came up with the plot of robbing a financial fortress using nerve gas? And does Simon only assume someone else's identity if their clothes fit him perfectly? Guy gets hung up again on yet more plot implausibilities and David points out it's just a TV series. Thanks to The Twilight Zone, we discover that actresses being blonde, 5 feet six and in their 20s might be an industry requirement -- even if they're puppets. And finally, we salute Frank Thornton's range in the Four Just Men, decades before Captain Peacock and Last of The Summer Wine. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. Barry Gray's music for Fireball XL5 can be picked up from all good online retailers. The series is currently playing on Talking Pictures TV on Saturdays.

RTBWTV Review show May 7th 2023 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flickered across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. And with a bumper bank holiday three Saint edition, David and Guy are back again with reviews of three black and white episodes of Roger Moore's Simon Templar, currently going out on the UK's Talking Pictures TV -- The Golden Frog, The Frightened Innkeeper and ....Sibao. (Where the Saint gets into real trouble and has to rely on a voodoo priestess to help him out). We ask ourselves, why do those South American rivers and Caribbean roads look distinctly untropical in wideshot, but so convincing in close up? Why, every time a Pan Am flight disembarks, are the passengers wearing the same clothes? Why buy a lonely Cornish pub on top of some mine workings with secret tunnels which contain goodness knows what? And in Sibao, scriptwriter Terry Nation and chief guest John Carson give it their all, and then some. Voodoo, zombies, purification rituals -- and a lot of drums. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. The Saint theme and Out To Get You are from the double CD The Music of ITC and there's a smidgeon of Orbital's big screen version which can picked up in full from all good online retailers.

RTBWTV Review show May 7th 2023 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flickered across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. After a pre-Coronation delay, lest they inadvertently gave away any security details, David and Guy are back with reviews of two Terry Nation scripted black and white episodes of Roger Moore's Simon Templar, currently going out on the UK's Talking Pictures TV. And being Terry Nation, flag bearer for popular science fiction on 60s television, we have the Inescapable Word -- where a crazed scientist at a remote Scottish research station has invented a ghastly gadget. Will Simon save the world? Will he be assisted by a blonde woman in her 20s about 5 feet six inches tall? And should there be a tighter audition process for dogs? Plus who played Steed in screen tests to find Diana Rigg's replacement in The Avengers? Here's a YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmjvEDKhRkQ Then, to show he didn't just do science fiction, Terry pens a ripping yarn in The Sign of the Claw. Simon quashes a communist takeover in South East Asia and nearly dies in the process - a dozen times. And who should we expect to see taking the lead in such shenanigans? Step forward, Burt Kwouk, - we celebrate his talent and contribution to British television as well as comedy on the big and small screen. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. The Saint theme and Out To Get You are from the double CD The Music of ITC and there's a smidgeon of Orbital's big screen version which can picked up in full from all good online retailers, and we include clips of Burt's contributions to Harry Hill's show on Channel 4.

RTBWTV Review show April 5th 2023 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flickered across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. After a longish pre-ramble about their various activities, David and Guy have reviews of three black and white episodes of Roger Moore's Simon Templar, currently going out on the UK's Talking Pictures TV. Up for discussion: Just how many times do people want to kill Simon Templar? In The Contract and The Set Up, there are proper conspiracies to do the deed, but in The Rhine Maiden, it's just because The Saint has inconvenienced a smooth English embezzler and some ex "Narzis." Also how often should you clean a fish tank? We complement Roger on his directorial skills, play trope bingo -- but sadly, no title as the last line - and celebrate an acting dynasty. Plus we muse on the awkwardness of staying in character while interacting with the general public as actors try to earn a crust engaged in promotional work. And we salute Brian Degas, a pioneer who not only wrote The Rhine Maiden, but created Vendetta and brought TV tie in merchandise from 70s TV to the buying public with Colditz related products including an Action Man and a board game that sold half a million copies. Dave reminisces. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. The Saint theme and Out To Get You are from the double CD The Music of ITC and there's a smidgeon of Orbital's big screen version which can picked up in full from all good online retailers, as can John Barry (Vendetta) and Pentangle (Take Three Girls). If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV Review show March 15th 2023 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flickered across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. After a delay due to some snow on the tracks, we have reviews of four of the black and white episodes of Roger Moore's Simon Templar, currently going out on the UK's Talking Pictures TV. This week, co-hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell ponder Series 3's The Imprudent Politician, The Hi-jackers, The Unkind Philanthropist and The Damsel in Distress. And we discuss: Which genuine contemporary scandal does the Imprudent Politician bear a striking resemblance to? Why do the Germans have such a reputation for organisation when their robbers have to rely on sheer chance to get hold of a getaway truck? How exactly does a ten minute loan work in order to save a family farm? And is this the biggest speaking part Ray Austin ever had in his on-screen career? Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. There's a smidgeon of Orbital's big screen version of The Saint theme which can picked up in full from all good online retailers. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV Review show February 13th 2023 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. After the final, final word on The Return of The Saint, we have reviews of the black and white episodes of Roger Moore's Simon Templar, currently going out on the UK's Talking Pictures TV. This week, co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider The Loving Brothers, The Man Who Liked Toys and The Death Penalty. What trope do all of these three have in common? Did the film crew really go to the Australian Outback? Where do The Brooke Bond Chimps fit into brutal boardroom bust ups? And who wins in the battle of the white tuxedos? There's also mention of The Four Just Men and The Twilight Zone -- also to be found on UK multi channel television. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. The Saint theme and Out To Get You are from the double CD The Music of ITC. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV showcase January 23rd 2023 - Location, location, location! We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. This week, co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell tie up some loose ends from the last show and ponder the merits of using a studio (1960s practice) versus shooting the whole episode "en plein air" (very popular in the 70s). And Dave offers geology tips on how to spot a popular US TV location. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. Catch our reviews of black and white Saints currently going out on Talking Pictures TV at:https://soundcloud.com/soundstagenorth/rtbwtv-jan-23-2023-review-show If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV Review show January 23rd 2023 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. As is traditional, we have reviews of the black and white episodes of Roger Moore's Saint, currently going out on the UK's Talking Pictures TV. This week, co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider The Scorpion in which Nyree Dawn Porter acquits herself well, and Catweazle's Geoffrey Bayldon may not be as benign as he makes out. Also, The Revolution Racket - tropes ahoy! Writer Terry Nation puts in twist after twist. Are Ed Bishop and Suzanne Lloyd really brother and sister? Is that a real South American dockyard? And who are the ultimate beneficiaries of Simon Templar's purloined loot? Finally, in The Saint Steps In, self referential irony is the order of the day. And the Saint has a choice of two blonde women in their twenties, probably about 5'6". Which one should he choose, the nice one or the naughty one? There's henchmen, sinister Peter Vaughan and Geoffrey Keen warming up for his stint in The Troubleshooters. Is he really the benevolent capitalist he appears to be? All these questions will be answered in this bumper, mega review show fandango. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in

There have been many Simon Templars. But who's best? In this New Year showcase edition, co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider the other Saintly options; from Vincent Price on American radio to Val Kilmer in the big screen 1997 blockbuster, which goes large on authentic Moscow locations and disguises (thankfully some of which went unused). And of course, we discuss other big budget versions of popular 1960's TV shows, from the immensely successful Mission Impossible series to others that should remain nameless and forgotten. Also we ask: did Ian Ogilvy get enough time to establish himself in Return of the Saint? And could you launch a successful remake now? Dave has an idea - which might just work....... Copyright in all clips and music belongs to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. To listen to Vincent Price as Simon Templar go to:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlu7k4zOizk&t=3312s The Saint starring Val Kilmer can be found on all good streaming services and is available on DVD. And Return of the Saint has just started a fresh run on UK Freeview's channel 50.

RTBWTV Review show January 8th 2023 We take a leisurely New Year swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider the first three black and white episodes of series three of The Saint which is currently being broadcast by Talking Pictures TV on UK Freeview channel 82: The Miracle Tea Party, Lida and Jeannine. We ask: Why doesn't Wikipedia mention Simon Templar's role in bringing down the Portland spy ring? How does a nightclub parking valet change gears with a false hook for a hand? And is that old wives' tale about pearls dissolving in wine solely down to the inventor of the Daleks? Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV Review show December 2022 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider the final black and white episodes of UK series 2, starring Roger Moore which have been unspooling on Talking Pictures Television.We examine The Gentle Ladies where Simon Templar gets very amorous and introduces a new trope which really gets his blood boiling... The Ever Loving Spouse, where the very same trope is the engine for this Home Counties depiction of San Francisco. And the Season finale, The Saint Sees It Through, set in Hamburg with sinister psychiatrists, seedy bars, dodgy art history, mock Swedish sailors and more than a hint of melancholy. We've now reached halfway with the black and white episodes and the end of the first production block of 39 which propelled The Saint to syndication success in the United States. What pleasures await? Well, Season 3 is coming up shortly......... Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV December 2022 - Unwrapping the mystery of Christmas Specials When did Christmas shows become a thing? In our leisurely swim (rather than deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis in 1956 until the three day week in 1974, Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell ponder on why there were no overt ITC Xmas episodes, when they were all the rage in comedy. The Avengers (or Chapeau Melon et Bottes de Cuire) did have one in 1965 and Maigret had a couple. Tune in to our theory as to why festive episodes are a tricky sell for world wide syndication. Also, we touch upon Episode One of The Persuaders, with Roger Moore's self designed wardrobe, plus a surplus of cravattes and sideburns.  And how did the ghost story keep children from spotting Santa coming down the chimney? Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV Review show November 23 2022 We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez crisis of 1956 until the three day week in 1974. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider four of the black and white episodes of The Saint which are currently being broadcast by Talking Pictures TV: The Good Medicine, The Invisible Millionaire, The High Fence and Sophia. In two of them Simon Templar is in international prankster Robin Hood mode, but there's a country house murder mystery plus getting down and dirty with London's underworld. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

Comic Strip connections  In our leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis in 1956 until the three day week in 1974, Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell muse upon the comic strips that were turned into TV series and the series that became comic strips either in magazines or the inevitable annuals released just before Christmas.  Our thanks to the Teletronic and TV Heaven websites:  https://www.teletronic.co.uk/pages/classic_comics.html and to Lew Stringer for putting in all the hard work. https://lewstringer.blogspot.com/ We also ponder the difference between writing a screenplay and a comic strip, and who better to ask than David Newell? who has turned his creative hand to everything.... Incidentally, HMS Matilda (co-created with Andrew Coley) is still waiting to be snapped up. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV Review show October 30th 2022 - Luella and the Lawless Lady A leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis in 1956 until the three day week in 1974. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... And in our forensic examination of the black and white series of The Saint currently showing on Talking Pictures TV, we turn our microscope onto the battle of the cheekbones that is Luella featuring Sue Lloyd and Suzanne Lloyd. Quite possibly the best Saint so far, if not ever (spoiler alert). And then for Saint trope spotters, there's The Lawless Lady, another day, another dodgy countess and another dodgy cocktail. We also digress into how Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea only had two plots compared to Star Trek's three or four, and if Alan Bennett's listening, tell us the truth Alan, did you appear in three episodes of The Saint? Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes and plot synopses are courtesy of the Internet Movie Database (IMDB). If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from 1956 until the three day week in 1974. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider The Noble Sportsman and The Romantic Matron, the latest episodes of The Saint to appear on Talking Pictures TV -- currently showing the black and white series 2, starring Roger Moore. We ask are British aristocrats in 60s TV always mad or bad? Why are the successors to David Broome, Harvey Smith and Alwin Schockemöhle no longer household names? And never drive a security van in an episode of The Saint.... Plus Dave is put on the spot and, off the cuff, invents a plot for a lost 1960s adventure serial that is better than the original. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes and plot synopses are courtesy of the Internet Movie Database (IMDB). If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

Saint Trope Bingo - The rules! We take a leisurely swim (rather than a deep dive) through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from 1956 until the three day week in 1974. Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could........... In this episode........At last! Saint Trope Bingo is unmasked! We travel through a classic mash up episode of The Saint using the tropes that are sprinkled liberally and regularly throughout all 118 shows. We ask: Why is the Saint's Xmas card list written in pencil? What disadvantages are there to rescuing damsels in distress? Where does Simon Templar stand when being charged at by a villain? Simon knows his drugged whisky, but not his hot chocolate... Why not all wives are dutiful... And should you call The Saint's bluff when he says the police on their way? Award yourself points, cheer whenever one appears, but be very careful about taking a drink each time. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes and plot synopses are courtesy of the Internet Movie Database (IMDB). If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV's Review show September 2022 Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider UK Season 2 of the Black and White Episodes of The Saint currently showing on Talking Pictures TV and in this show we discuss five, yes count them five! episodes of The Saint, The Well Meaning Mayor, The Sporting Chance, The Bunco Artists, The Benevolent Burglary and The Wonderful War. David has been on his hols doing the International Man of Mystery thing and enduring "La Tempesta",(but he's back safe and sound) and ready to challenge and answer the great mysteries: If you have a fight with a local mayor in the mayor's office, what's the correct name for the procedure? And if you do win, do you get to be mayor? Who would have thought that Derren Nesbitt's greatest triumph was not playing a sneering nazi in the 60s but a drag queen in 2018? How to fool a village policeman into thinking you're an international detective? Just talk posh and wear a long mac. How many Saints have their last line as the title? And how to win a Middle Eastern war without any bloodshed, call in Simon Templar and get him to raid the dressing up box. All this and more is covered, and we allude to Saint Trope Bingo, the rules of which will be published shortly. Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.

RTBWTV Review show August 24th 2022 Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider UK Season 2 of the Black and White Episodes of The Saint currently showing on Talking Pictures TV and in this episode we discuss The Rough Diamonds and The Saint Plays with Fire. In the Rough Diamonds, we have a warning for anyone who wants to make friends with Simon Templar: "Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid" -- it never ends well. And in The Saint Plays with Fire (which inspired our shop window show - Episode 13) we examine The Saint's anti-fascist credentials (pretty good as it happens) and ponder if stock footage occurs naturally like an element that, once found, can be reused again and again....... Copyright in all clips and music belong to the rights holders and they are used for educational purposes. If you like the show, please write a review on your podcast provider's site and tell other people to tune in.