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| Big
Breadwinner Hog GRANADA 1969 |
The
superb Peter Egan played the title role in this London gangland underworld
series noted for its unprecedented violence. This led to many viewer complaints,
even after the first episode, which is probably the reason why the otherwise
brilliant series was so short lived. Ruthlessly ambitious, long-haired
and flash, Hog was the nemesis of the old-style London gangs as well as
the police. Robin Chapman produced and wrote the 8 x 60 minute episodes
with Mike Newell and Michael Apted directing |
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| Civilisation BBC2 1969 |
13
x 50 minute documentary programmes presented by Sir Kenneth Clark which
charted the events and ideologies from the fall of the Greek and Roman
empires which led to current 20th century Western civilisation. The series,
which took two years to make in 13 different countries, was produced by
Peter Montagnon and Michael Gill |
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| Counterstrike BBC1 1969 |
A
science fiction series created by Tony Williamson featuring Jon Finch
as Simon King. After an alien invasion of Earth by the Centaurans, King
is sent along by the Intergalactic Council as an undercover agent to help
us fight the alien menace. He is assisted in his mission by a doctor called
Mary ( played by Sarah Brackett ) after she discovers his true origin.
Although 10 x 50 minute episodes were made, produced by Patrick Alexander,
only 9 were actually transmitted. The episode postponed due to other broadcasting
needs was never rescheduled |
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| Curry
and Chips LWT 1969 |
Extremely
controversial for its time, written by who else but Johnny Speight, this
sitcom series tried to deal with racial and class hatred and bigotry in
a light-hearted manner, not always successfully. Produced and Directed
by Keith Beckett, the 6 x 30 minute episodes featured Eric Sykes as the
liberal, somewhat confused factory foreman who suddenly has thrust upon
him a new worker in the shape of a Pakistani called Kevin O'Grady, played
by the brilliant Spike Milligan |
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| Dear
Mother ... Love Albert THAMES 1969, YORKSHIRE 1970 - 1971 |
Northern
lad moves to London and manages to scrape a living, but exaggerates his
success and experiences in letters home to his mum. Rodney Bewes starred
as the bemused Albert Courtnay in 19 x 30 minute episodes of this 'Billy
Liar' type sitcom, with Garfield Morgan as his boss, A.C.Strain. Bewes
wrote and produced with Derrick Goodwin, John Duncan also co-producing.
7 x 30 minute episodes were made by Yorkshire in 1972 of a follow-up series
in the same vein simply called 'Albert!' |
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| Department
'S' ATV / ITC 1969 |
Classic
action / adventure / espionage television series created by Monty Berman
and Dennis Spooner. Featuring Joel Fabiani as Stewart Sullivan, Rosemary
Nicols as Annabelle Hurst and, of course, Peter Wyngarde as the fashion
conscious playboy, part-time writer, part-time agent Jason King. The three
agents were called into action by Department 'S', an off-shoot of Interpol
to deal with 'Avengers' type situations which no other official agencies
could handle. Dennis Alaba Peters also featured as boss Sir Curtis Seretse
in the 28 x 50 minute episodes produced by Monty Berman. Wyngarde later
featured in his own series 'Jason King', also produced by Berman, for
ATV/ITC 1971-72, taking the character into more of an adventurer-type
role |
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| Doctor
In The House LWT 1969 - 1970 |
Hilariously
funny classic comedy series brought to TV by Frank Muir of LWT in consultation
with Richard Gordon, author of the original books. The stories and characters
were brought bang up to date for the late Sixties, featuring Barry Evans
( Michael Upton ), George Layton ( Paul Collier ), Geoffrey Davies ( Dick
Stuart-Clark ) and Robin Nedwell ( Duncan Waring ) as the boozy, girl
chasing medical students of St.Swithins, the nemeses of Professor Loftus
( played wonderfully by Ernest Clark ) and The Dean ( Ralph Michael ).
Other 'students' occasionally appearing in the series were Martin Shaw,
Jonathan Lynn and Simon Cuff as well as notable appearances by the gorgeous
Yutte Stensgaard as one of their girlfriends. Follow-up series from LWT
included 'Doctor At Large' ( 1971 ), 'Doctor In Charge' ( 1972-73 ), 'Doctor
At Sea' ( 1974 ) and 'Doctor On The Go' ( 1975-77 ) all produced by Humphrey
Barclay. Series writers included Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Graeme Garden,
Barry Cryer and Bill Oddie |
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| Fraud
Squad ATV 1969 - 1970 |
26
x 60 minute episodes created by Ivor Jay and produced by Nicholas Palmer
showcased the crimebusting adventures of Detective Inspector Gamble of
the Fraud Squad, played by Patrick O'Connell assisted by the waif-like
Detective Sergeant Vicky Hicks in the lovely form of Joanna Van Gyseghem |
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| H
R Pufnstuff NBC 1969 |
17
x 30 minute episodes featured the adventures of a young English boy Jimmy,
played by Jack Wild, who was beckoned out to sea in a colorful boat bound
for Living Island. The boat turned out to be a trap set by the evil Witchiepoo,
who wanted to add Jimmy's flute, Freddie, to her collection of magical
belongings. Jimmy narrowly escaped by jumping overboard, only to wash
up on the beach of an enchanted isle. He was rescued by the local mayor,
H.R. Pufnstuf, a giant orange and green cowboy / dragon and Jimmy and
Freddie found themselves stranded on Living Island, where everything was
alive and talked, houses had hay fever and money was measured in buttons.
Brilliant stuff, produced by Sid and Marty Krofft who also made a feature
film with the same cast in 1970 |
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| Hadleigh YORKSHIRE 1969 - 1976 |
James
Hadleigh, the suave, sophisticated country squire ( earlier seen as the
proprietor of a country newspaper for 12 x 60 minute episodes in the YTV
programme 'Gazette' ) was played by Gerald Harper. Other members of the
cast included Joyce Carey, Judy Campbell, Roland Culver and Mary Peach.
The champion of the underdog was created by Robert Barr and produced by
Jacky Stoller and Terence Williams |
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| Hark
at Barker LWT 1969-70 |
Comedy
series starring the talents of Ronnie Barker, expanding on the lecherous
'Lord Rustless' character he portrayed in one of the 'Ronnie Barker Playhouse'
episodes. The series, written by Peter caulfield, Bill Oddie, Chris Miller,
Gerald Wiley ( Barker ) and Bernard McKenna, also starred Josephine Tewson
( Bates, the secretary ), Frank Gatliff ( Badger the butler ), David Jason
( Dithers the gardener ), Moira Foot ( voluptuous maid Effie ) and Mary
Baxter as 'Cook' |
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| Holiday
69 BBC1 1969 - |
This
long-running informational travelogue and holiday programme which changed
its title ( Holiday 70, etc ) year by year was originally presented by
Cliff Michelmore who unfailingly highlighted the downside to various holiday
offers and operators in a kind of 'watchdog' capacity. Covering both Winter
and Summer options, this programme was the template for all similar shows
which followed |
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| Judge
Dee GRANADA 1969 |
The T'ang dynasty of 7th century China was the unlikely setting for this
unusual detective series which only survived for 6 of its planned 7 x
60 minute episodes. Michael Goodliffe starred in the title role as a travelling
judge, jury and sometime private detective assisted by Garfield Morgan,
Norman Scace, Arne Gordon and three wives. The series was produced by
Howard Baker and scripted by John Wiles from the original historically-based
stories by Robert Van Gulik |
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| Me
Mammy BBC1 1969 - 1971 |
19
x 30 minute episodes of this sitcom featured Milo O'Shea as an Irish lad,
Bunjy Kennefick, living in London with his caustic-tongued widowed mother
who was intent on protecting him from evil influences, mainly women. Produced
by Sydney Lotterby and James Gilbert, the series script was written by
Hugh Leonard. Other main characters were played by Anna Manahan ( mammy
), Yootha Joyce( his girlfriend Miss Argyll ), Ray McAnally and David
Kelly |
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| Monty
Python's Flying Circus Monty Python BBC1 1969 - 1970, 1972 - 1974   |
What
can I say about this all-time classic series - everything the collection
of comic geniuses had achieved before this paled into insignificance when
compared to the utter lunacy and hilarity of this sketch-based comedy
series. 45 x 30 minute episodes were made, plus five feature films on
varying subjects which involved the Python team which consisted of John
Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin with
Carol Cleveland providing the female interest. The surreal cartoon graphic
comedy slots were brilliantly conceived and constructed by Terry Gilliam.
Who will ever forget 'The Ministry of Silly Walks', 'The Spanish Inquisition',
'The Parrot Sketch', 'Hell's Grannies', the lumberjack song, the gumbies,
twit of the year and a myriad of other comedy classics. And now for something
completely different... The series was produced by John Howard Davies
and Ian MacNaughton from an original concept created by Barry Took |
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| Nationwide BBC1 1969 - 1984 |
Presented
by Michael Barratt and Frank Bough, later joined by Richard Dimbleby,
this popular, long-running current affairs programme which took over the
early evening slot from the 'Tonight' show hardly left a subject untouched
in its regular whistle-stop tour of the BBC television regions. Created
by Derrick Amoore, editors of the programme included Richard Tait, John
Gau, Tim Gardam, Michael Bunce, Paul Corley, Huw Williams, Ron Neil, Paul
Woolwich and Roger Bolton, supported by many researchers and journalists |
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| On
The Buses LWT 1969 - 1973  |
Hilarious,
ridiculous, close to the bone comedy series based at Luxton and District
bus company, featuring Reg Varney as bus driver Stan Butler and Bob Grant
as his conductor. Not enough that his life was plagued by Inspector Blake
( brilliantly portrayed by Stephen Lewis - 'I 'ate you Butler! ), his
home life was equally manic, living with mother Cicely Courtenidge ( later
Doris Hare ) along with sister Anna Karen ( Olive ) and brother-in law
Michael Robbins ( Arthur ) who constantly managed to thwart his attempts
to connect with the opposite sex, usually in the form of long-legged,
short-skirted, large-chested clippies. 73 x 30 minute episodes were made,
plus two feature films - 'On The Buses' ( 1971 ) and 'Mutiny On The Buses'
( 1972 ), both produced by Hammer films. Brilliant script writers were
Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney |
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| Parkin's
Patch YORKSHIRE 1969 - 1970 |
John
Flanagan played Yorkshire country policeman PC Moss Parkin in 26 x 30
minute episodes of this rural police drama series dealing with issues
from sheep rustling to army deserters. Devised by Elwyn Jones, the series
boasted a curiously high number of writers and directors. Also appearing
in the show were Heather Page and Gareth Thomas while Terence Williams
produced |
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| Paul
Temple BBC1 1969 - 1971 |
Originally
a 30s radio serial created by Francis Durbridge, the character was brought
to the small screen by Francis Matthews who played the suave novelist
- amateur detective. Wife 'Steve' was played by Ros Drinkwater through
46 x 50 minute episodes produced by Peter Bryant, Alan Bromly and Derrick
Sherwyn |
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| Pot
Black BBC2 1969 - 1984 |
Now
that we've got colour TV, what do we show with it? The obvious sporting
answer was snooker! BBC producer Philip Lewis devised a competition using
a one-frame format and invented the title 'Pot Black'. Recording began
at the BBC's studios in Birmingham and, on the 23rd July 1969, the first
televised programme of Pot Black went out on BBC 2, the only television
channel on which colour was available. The rest, as they say, is history.
This programme alone, introduced by Alan Weeks, was responsible for the
meteoric rise in popularity of the sport. The series was originally produced
by Reg Perrin, David Kenning and Philip Lewis. A junior version, 'Junior
Pot Black' was introduced in 1981, presented by Eamonn Holmes |
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| Randall
and Hopkirk ( Deceased ) ATV 1969 - 1970 |
Another
series I loved - comedy and action/adventure rolled into one. When partner
Marty Hopkirk ( Kenneth Cope ) is killed by a speeding car in suspicious
circumstances, private investigator Jeff Randall ( Mike Pratt ) decides
to carry on the business in partnership with Marty's wife Jean ( Annette
Andre ). Marty refuses to stay dead and comes back to assist his former
partner in the form of a white-suited ghost, invisible to everybody but
Jeff, still very protective of his wife's virtue and 'cursed' to walk
the earth for a hundred years! Created by Dennis Spooner, 26 x 55 minute
episodes were made produced by Monty Berman. An American spin-off was
also made called 'My Partner The Ghost' |
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| Saturday
Night Theatre ITV 1969 - 1970 |
Many
ITV companies contributed to this anthology of self-contained plays which
included the first TV play by Colin Welland 'Bangelstein's Boys' (pictured),
made by three producers of BBC's 'Wednesday Play' series ( Kenith Trodd,
James McTaggart and Tony Garnett ) who formed Kestrel Productions. Fabulous
cast lists included Sean Connery, Michael Caine and Michael Bates |
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| Scott
On ...... BBC2 1969 - 1974 |
Following
on from a couple of one-off 'specials' written by Marty Feldman and Barry
Took - 'Scott On Birds' ( 64 ) and 'Scott On Money' ( 65 ) - this 45 minute
comedy series starred Terry Scott investigating a variety of other topics
including superstitions, habits and the seven deadly sins with the assistance
of June Whitfield and Peter Butterworth |
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| Special
Branch THAMES 1969 - 1974 |
Classic
police drama series, sort of a forerunner to 'The Sweeney', featuring
the 'toughs' of the Special Branch division investigating activities of
undesirables including spies, anarchists and other fanatics. 52 x 60 minute
episodes starred Derren Nesbitt as Detective Chief Inspector Jordan and
Wensley Pithey as Superintendent Eden. Four series were made, produced
by Reginald Collin, Robert Love, Geoffrey Gilbert and Ted Childs |
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| Stars
on Sunday YORKSHIRE 1969 - 1979 |
Light
entertainment show that combined a religious message with top of the line
artists who performed an amazingly wide variety of songs and hymns which
were all requested by viewers. Harry Secombe was a regular on the programme
which was also blessed with guests such as Terry Waite and Anna Neagle.
The series was produced and introduced by Jess Yates |
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| Strange
Report ATV - NBC TV 1969 Arena Productions |
Seen
in some regions earlier but networked in 1969, this spy / detective /
action / adventure series starred Anthony Quayle as freelance forensic
investigator Adam Strange who specialised in solving cases that had been
left 'open file' by various government departments. Other characters were
played by Kaz Garas ( Hamlyn Gynt ) and Anneke Wills ( Evelyn McLean ).
16 x 60 minute shows were made, a UK/US collaboration produced by Buzz
Berger |
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| Take
Three Girls BBC1 1969 - 1971 |
Drama
series about the lives, loves and activities of three single girls sharing
a flat in London, with incidental music provided by Pentangle. The original
series featured Liza Goddard as violinist Victoria, Angela Down as art
student Avril and Susan Jameson as actress Kate. The latter two were replaced
in the second series by Carolyn Seymour ( journalist Jenny ) and Barra
Grant ( psychology graduate Lulie ). The original cast were reassembled
in 1982 for a further 4 x 55 minute episodes titled 'Take Three Women' |
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| The
Champions ITC 1969 - 1971 |
Excellent
spy / adventure / fantasy series in which three people gain extraordinary
powers from a monk who rescues them after their plane crashes in Tibet.
ESP, enhanced strength and speed and heightened natural senses lead to
them becoming top agents for the ultra secret intelligence organisation
Nemesis. The trio were played by William Gaunt, Stuart Damon and the delicious
Alexandra Bastedo in 30 x 60 minute episodes created and produced by Monty
Berman and Dennis Spooner |
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| The
Complete and Utter History of Britain LWT 1969 |
Absurdly
funny Pythonesque series of 6 x 30 minute shows poking a light-hearted
finger at events and social customs of British history. Humphrey Barclay
produced and Maurice murphy directed. Highly eccentric historical figures
were played by Terry Jones and Michael Palin ( series writers ) aided
and abetted by Roddy Maude-Roxby, Wallas Eaton, Melinda May and Colin
Gordon |
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| The
Dave Allen Show BBC1 1969 |
Another
of many successful television series for the irreverent Irish comedian
and storyteller Dave Allen - his first for the BBC. The show consisted
of Dave's extended comedy stories and anecdotes, interspersed with short
one-liner sketches. Subsequent shows included 'Dave Allen At Large' (
BBC1 1971-73 and BBC2 1975-76), 'Dave Allen And Friends ( ATV 1977 ) and
'Dave Allen' ( ATV 1978 ) |
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| The
Doctors BBC1 1969 - 1971 |
A
soap-type twice weekly serial produced by Colin Morris featuring the public
and private goings on in an NHS practice. The main characters were Dr
John Somers ( John Barrie ), Dr Elizabeth McNeal ( Justine Lord ), Dr
Roger Hayman ( Richard Leech ) and Dr Bill Conrad ( Barry Justice ) with
Maureen O'Reilly, Pamela Duncan and Lynda Marchal also appearing regularly
during the show's 160 x 30 minute episodes |
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| The
Dustbinmen GRANADA 1969 - 1970 |
Rowdy,
hilarious comedy about a team of workshy antagonistic refuse disposal
operatives, the 'crew' of dustcart 'Thunderbird 3. The leader was 'Cheese
and Egg' ( Bryan Pringle ), fighting a constant battle against the enemy
in the form of depot manager 'Bloody Delilah' ( John Woodvine, later Brian
Wilde ), supported by loyal cohorts 'Heavy Breathing' ( Trevor Bannister
), 'Winston' ( Graham Haberfield ), 'Smellie Ibbotson' ( John Barrett
) and 'Eric' ( Tim Wylton ) through 20 x 30 minute episodes written by
Jack Rosenthal and directed by Les Chatfield. The series originated from
a 1968 90 minute Playhouse production titled 'There's A Hole In Your Dustbin,
Delilah' also written by Jack Rosenthal |
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| The
Fossett Saga LWT 1969 |
7
x 30 minute episodes starred Jimmy Edwards as James Fossett, a Victorian
writer of 'penny dreadfuls' accompanied by manservant Herbert Quince played
by Sam Kydd. Other characters included June Whitfield as music hall artiste
Millie Goswick. The series was produced and directed by David Askey from
scripts by Dave Freeman |
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| The
Gold Robbers LWT 1969 |
13
x 60 minute episode crime drama loosely based on the Great Train Robbery
starred Peter Vaughan as Detective Chief Inspector Cradock featuring his
successes and failures in tracing the perpetrators of a multi-million
pound bullion robbery. Other characters, mainly villains or suspects,
were played by George Cole, Roy Dotrice, Alfred Lynch, Ann Lynn, Joss
Ackland and Katharine Blake. The series was written by Johnny Hawkesworth
( who also produced ) and Glyn Jones with technical advice being provided
by Ex DCI Arthur Butler who was involved in the real train robbery investigation |
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| The
Liver Birds BBC1 1969 - 1979 |
Very
much a chronicle of 60s and 70s fashion and culture in Liverpool, this
sitcom originated from a Comedy Playhouse production wrotten by Carla
Lane, Myra Taylor and Lew Schwartz. The bedsit-sharing girls, victims
of life's various ups and downs, originally featured Pauline Collins as
Dawn and Polly James as Beryl, the roles later being superseded by Nerys
Hughes as Sandra and Elizabeth Estensen as Carol, respectively. Sydney
Lotterby, Doiuglas Argent and Roger Race produced 79 x 30 minute episodes
plus another two of 35 minutes and 40 minutes. The series writing was
credited to Carla Lane, early scripts being edited by a certain Eric Idle |
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| The
Main Chance YORKSHIRE 1969 - 1975 |
John
Stride played a chancing, outspoken, brilliant young solicitor in 32 x
60 minute episodes of this superb legal drama series which was produced
by David Cunliffe and John Frankau and created by Edmund Ward |
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| The
Mind of Mr J.G.Reeder THAMES 1969 - 1971 |
Based
on the character created by Edgar Wallace in a series of 1925 short stories
of the same title, Hugh Burden played the title role as an investigator
with the Public Prosecutor's office. 16 x 60 minute episodes also featured
Willoughby Goddard as department head Sir Jason Toovey and Mona Bruce
as assistant Mrs Houchin. Series producers were Kim Mills and Robert Love |
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| Wheel
of Fortune SOUTHERN 1969 - 1971 |
Following
on from his ultra-succesful 'Take Your Pick' programme, this half hour
game show was hosted by Michael Miles, again assisted by Bob Danvers-Walker,
Alec Dane and organist Harold Smart. The format, as in the successful
American ( 75 ) and Scottish TV ( 88 ) versions featured contestants spinning
a giant wheel in pursuit of cash or prizes. Producer of the original show
was Stephen Leahy |
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| Who-Dun-It ATV 1969 |
Audience
participation TV where the viewers were invited to try and name the guilty
party before the final credits. This 'Cluedo' type mystery game programme
made in a 1930's 'Agatha Christe' style was a suspense/humour hybrid created
by Lewis Greifer and produced by Jack Williams. 13 x 60 minute shows were
broadcast |
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| Wild
Wild Women BBC1 1969 |
Not
quite as the title suggested - this Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney written
comedy series featured the workers in a Victorian milliners in much the
same vein as their earlier 'Rag Trade' sitcom. Paul Whitsun-Jones starred
as the sweatshop overseer, Mr Harcourt, with Barbara Windsor ( Millie
), Daphne Heard, Pat Coombs, Jessie Robbins and Toni Palmer amongst the
girls under his charge. This G.B.Lupino production was yet another series
that came from a Comedy Playhouse production, shown in 1968 |
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1969
Television Ratings ( millions of homes )
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1
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Miss
World 1969
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BBC
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10.55
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2
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The Royal Variety Show |
ITV
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9.15
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3
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In Loving Memory |
ITV
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8.60
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4
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Coronation Street |
ITV
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8.35
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5
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The Benny Hill Show |
ITV
|
8.30
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6
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Max |
ITV
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8.25
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7
|
The Dustbinmen |
ITV
|
8.25
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8
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Mr Digby Darling |
ITV
|
8.25
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9
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The Power Game |
ITV
|
8.20
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10
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Till Death Us Do Part |
BBC
|
8.15
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11
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The Royal Family |
BBC
|
8.05
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12
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The Eurovision Song Contest |
BBC
|
8.00
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13
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Please Sir |
ITV
|
8.00
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14
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This Is Your Life |
ITV
|
8.00
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15
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Two In Clover |
ITV
|
7.75
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|
16
|
Sportsnight With Coleman |
BBC
|
7.75
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17
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The Best Things Of Life |
ITV
|
7.75
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|
18
|
Special Branch |
ITV
|
7.70
|
|
19
|
News at Ten |
ITV
|
7.65
|
|
20
|
Opportunity Knocks |
ITV
|
7.55
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Some
Other 1969 Shows Which You May Have Seen are...
