One Hundred and Thirty years ago today...

One Hundred and Thirty years ago today...

Today the 31st August 2018 marks two things.

One is my friend Jane's birthday, so Happy Birthday Jane!

And it's 130 years since the first canonical victim of The Whitechapel Murderer otherwise known as Jack The Ripper was found.

And a terrible legend was born.

In Episode 25 of Round The Archives (which was released earlier this week) we take a look at the 1973 'Jack The Ripper' series starring Stratford Johns and Frank Windsor as Detective Chief Superindents Barlow and Watt.

In a early attempt at docu-drama they re-investigate the murders to try and find out who the killer may have been, with the aid of reconstructions featuring many familiar faces.

Jack The Ripper is a subject that we'll be covering over several episodes of 'Round The Archives'. We will take a look at the 1988 ITV drama featuring Michael Caine and Lewis Collins for Episode 26.

We'll also be looking at the existing footage from the aborted Barry Foster version of the same series.
And then in future episodes we'll be looking at other examples of television dramas using the Jack The Ripper legend. Such as 'Whitechapel', 'Star Trek: The Original Series' and  'Goodnight Sweetheart'. Also its influence on 'The Phanton Raspberry Blower of Old London Town' sketches for  'The Two Ronnies' and the earlier episode that was part of 'Six Dates With Barker' done four years earlier.

I will admit to getting a bit overexcited buying and reading books on Jack The Ripper. Though I haven't even scratched the surface as there are many books written on the subject all with different ideas as to who the killer was, though of course we will never know that for certain. One book I am looking forward to reading which has just arrived is 'The Ripper File' written by Elwyn Jones and John Lloyd. the scriptwriters of the Barlow and Watt series.

One feature of the case that facinated us was the fact that the detective in charge, Frederick George Abberline was not a Cockney as portrayed by Michael Caine, but was in fact born in Blanford in Dorset, which is not too far away from where we live. Something we discuss in detail in our recent video entitled 'Jack The Accent Ripper' which can be found here.

We also plan with Warren to visit Abberline's grave to pay our respects as he is buried in nearby Bournemouth.

This will be the last time I blog about Jack The Ripper as I think I've probably talked enough about the subject and I don't want to bore you. Hopefully you will enjoy our articles and if not then there's plenty more to enjoy on the podcast Episodes.

But of course If we've got you interested in the subject then enjoy reading about it and watching the many dramas and documentaries that feature the subject.

PS: A slight correction to Episode 25 of 'Round The Archives' (which you can listen to here) where we claimed that 1973 was 75 years after 1888, merely proving that we can't do sums, as in reality it was 85 years!

(Written by Lisa Parker)

Coffee Morning

Coffee Morning

A long time ago, you may remember that we started on a complete rewatch of 'Are You Being Served?' with a video to accompany each episode.

This got interruped with the unexpected arrival of 'Doctor Who' on Twitch, as we tried to cover as much of it as possible and this actually did give our YouTube videos quite a noticeable boost.
But doing these involved getting out as many DVDs as we could find, so that we could wave the covers in front of the camera, giving the range as much publicity as we could.

We're also continuially working on blog posts and the podcast itself, which means that after a while things tend to get a little buried.

We were due to cover the second episode of Season Three of 'Are You Being Served' but somehow I'd failed to return the DVD box to its rightful place on the shelves and even after a search, we couldn;t quite put our finger on it.

But, as is often the way, when looking for some other stuff a couple of days ago, the lost episode, 'Coffee Morning', turned up and there was much rejoicing.

So, last night we were able to get back into the old routine and took our usual ridiculously over-detailed notes. Once I'd managed to find a notebook with some free space in it, of course.

'Coffee Morning' is a Mister Grainger one and that always is a bonus in my opinion. I won't go into too much detail here as we'd rather that you watched the video, but it concerns a dispute between management and union over the definition of when your break begins and ends.

Mister Grainger is cast in the role of sacrificial lamb here and Mister Mash, as shop steward, wins a rather hollow victory in the end. This sort of storyline is a real insight into the working environment in the 70s and has an air of 'Carry On At Your Convenience' about it at times.

I would not wish to comment too much on the possible opinions of Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft in these matters, but I would cynically suggest (from my own experience) that when companies get too obsessed over a minute here and a minute there, this is usually a symptom of bigger problems that they should perhaps sort out first.

On a different subject, also watch out for the bit at the start when Miss Brahms is measuring Mrs Slcoombe's waist and they come to the conclusion that it sounds bigger in metric as she apparently measures some 77 centipedes.

This is a unit of measurement that deserves to be used much more often, I think!

Our video about 'Coffee Morning' can be seen here.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

I'll Pass You Over To Our Publicity Department

I'll Pass You Over To Our Publicity Department

When I first listened to Issue Four of 'Sonic Waves' tapezine, all those years ago,  I automatically assumed that editor Alan Hayes and his team hired a professional sound studio to record the main articles and linking material.

This may provoke a fit of disbelieving giggles from all those involved, but you can only judge by what you hear and the sound quality was, for the most part, pretty damn impressive to my eager young ears.

But it's interesting what people think when presented with limited information and I was amused when Warren recently played some of the 'Juliet Bravo' material from Episode 24 to some new listeners. They wondered which local studio we'd recorded it in and took some convincing that it was just in our living-room on our old(ish) red sofa.

But that's digital technology for you. So long as nobody is doing their strimming outside, or knocking some nails in, the cheap and cheerful Tascam DR-05 recorder does a damn fine job all things considered.

We have also learnt not to talk over each other, so even when there are three of us bunched together we hope the points we're making come across clearly and that the flow of each article makes some sort of sense.

But I've always been keen that we aim for high standards if we can. Decent sound quality is a very good base from which to build and I think Episode 25 demonstrates that we've been lucky to assemble a team of contributors who not only know their stuff but are good at communicating that knowledge in a vaguely professional way.

When I was a member of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society I was impressed that it boasted a number of Departments (e.g. the Reference Department) althought eh term Writers' Pool did conjure up a mental image of a load of soggy scribes with manual typewriters in a pond.

The DWAS Publicity Department is a snazzy enough title, but the 'Round The Archives' Publicity Department has even fewer personnel, we suspect.

Although Episode 25 was uploaded with little bother yesterday morning, you then have to let people know it's actually out there. We do have a few followers on Soundcloud, but inevitably not everyone wants to press the Follow button - and I'm just as guilty of forgetting as the next person if I come across a new podcast that tickles my fancy.

Our first port of call is, of course, Twitter and Facebook and it's always polite to include the contributors' names. But hopefully that also leads to some retweets and shares which instantly spreads the word.

Depending on when you do the initial post, it's always worth following this up within 24 hours as it's easy to miss something on Twitter if you follow as many people as we do. We are always grateful for publicity if people enjoy our work, so never be afraid to do so.

I also do a blog post and try to remember to update the Episode Guide which is also on the blog. It also doesn't hurt to do a YouTube video announcing the new Episode as the little information I've got seems to indicate that not everyone follows our work on every platform, which is fair enough.

I will upload the Episode to YouTube in a few days, but when we launch a new one that's less of a priority and takes some additional churning on the computer. But with Martin providing all manner of pretty 'RTA' images, it's nice to be able to show those off. As I type this, Episode 23 is currently playing on our telly, with his glorious adaptation of the 'Radio Times' cover for 'Terror Of The Autons' which recasts Lisa as Jon Pertwee, me as Roger Delgado and Warren as Katy Manning. And none of us could argue with that!

There's a thread on Gallifrey Base for podcasts and I've made one for 'Round The Archives' so I also update that as soon as possible. I'm not sure whether anyone has discovered us from looking at that, so if anyone wants to pop a comment into that thread, again we'd be very pleased.

Player FM also updates itself magically, somehow. As far as we can remember that just sort of happened - I have no memory of setting anything up. It's a useful alternative way of listening and the more platforms you can offer to people, the better.

Then comes the initial anaylsis of the numbers. It's nice to see that it doesn't take long for people to click on the appropriate links, as Episode 25 is already up to 57 listens, which is far more than the readership for the average issue of my old fanzine 'Spectrum'.

So that's another one out there in the big wide world.

And a folder named 'Round The Archives - Episode 26' is already lurking with intent on the laptop, so the story goes on...

Episode 25 of 'Round The Archives' is available on Soundcloud here.

On Player FM here.

And on iTunes here.

(If you enjoy it, please give us a like, share, retweet, rating or review. Thank you!)

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

Episode 25 now available

Episode 25 now available

Episode 25 sees us welcome on board Andy Priester as he discusses 'Secret Army' in general with a look at the episode 'A Question Of Loyalty' in particular.

Warren joins us to pay tribute to the late Bernard Hepton and Peter Firmin, then Martin examines Part One of Tom Baker's debut 'Doctor Who' story 'Robot'.

Nick and Paul review 'Sapphire & Steel' Adventure Six from 1982, with Warren returning to help us look at the 1973 production of 'Jack The Ripper' where the evidence is sifted by the old 'Z Cars' team of Barlow and Watt.

Episode 25 of 'Round The Archives' can be heard here.

Andy's 'Doctor Who' podcast is 'World Enough And Time' - the latest episode looks at 'The Sun Makers' and can be heard here.

Paul's podcast is 'The Shy Life Podcast' - we made a guest appearance in Episode 189 which can be heard here.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

Episode 25 draws on

Episode 25 draws on

Episode 25 of 'Round The Archives' draws ever closer and I'm pleased to be able to announce that the edit is now virtually finished.

I still need to do a final quality check, but all being well it should be released tomorrow. The plan has always been to try and get it out for the final week of August because of the article about the Barlow and Watt investigation into 'Jack The Ripper'.

The events being investigated in this 1973 production began in late August 1888, so we've attempted to get Episode 25 out some 130 years later, as near as possible.

But this is also our Silver Jubilee, so we were keen to get as many old hands contributing as we could, but get at least one new voice into the mix, in the same way that Season 25 of 'Doctor Who' got some new writers on board.

We've ended up with the grand total of seven contributors (including Lisa and me), which is not something we ever thought we'd be able to say when we started all this some two years ago.

With the loose ends to tie up tonight, we hope you'll understand if we don't drag this blog post out too much longer, but we hope you'll enjoy what we've got in store for you tomorrow.

We'll update the Episode Guide once we've uploaded it to Soundcloud and the YouTube version should follow in due course.

Some stuff has already been recorded for Episode 26, due out in September, and even Episode 27 is is now in our thoughts. It sounds far away, but it'll need some attention sooner than you might think.

See you all tomorrow for more exciting adventures in the world of archive telly!

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

How Tall Was My Cistern?

How Tall Was My Cistern?

In yesterday's video we looked at the Series 6 'On The Buses' episode 'No Smoke Without Fire'.
What started out as a look at a episode that featured an expensive set piece (a bus on fire filmed via a helicopter shot) ended up being a look at our childhoods and the various ways to flush a toilet. And a lot of giggling from all of us.

Warren had joined us for the day to do some recording for Episodes 25 and 26 of 'Round The Archives', mostly concentrating on the second episode of the 1988 ITV version of 'Jack The Ripper'. But we also found time to talk about Bernard Hepton, Peter Firmin and the lost version of 'Jack The Ripper' starring Barry Foster.

So with three of us on the sofa, it added a different feel to the video and we know each other so well that we can almost finish each others sentences and we always know how to make each other laugh.
We stated off relatively sensibly with Warren insisting that 'On The Buses' wasn't remotely funny.
But as we watched we realised that a lot of the things we were talking about would be an unknown concept to anyone under 30.

Talk of whether you needed a special pull on your toilet chain - one short and one long seems to be a popular combination. Also the time when my sister-in-law went to the bathroom only to come down with the toilet chain in her hand as it had come off when she had pulled it, perhaps too much of a hard pull there.

I was also reminded of the huge light bulb in the bathroom that was supposed to heat the bathroom a little, but failed to do so as it was never on for long enough. As my dad had a system of turning the hallway light on and off that was an art form in itself, and to find out what it was you'll have to watch the video.

And talk about how to lay a fire also sent the video off in a completely different direction.

There was also talk about my dad's purple Ford Consul, which had Indian heads painted on both of the rear doors; it would break down very easily and I can remember once having to push it alongside my mum on a rather busy A-road on the way back from holiday.

Then my nephew Russell reminded my of the Vauxhall Cavalier that when it had rained would fill with water in the rear footwells.

So as much as 'On The Buses' isn't a laugh-a-minute it proved to be an interesting slice of social history that provoked a lot of if not happy certainly fond memories.

 Our video about 'On The Buses : No Smoke Without Fire' can be seen here.

(Written by Lisa Parker)

Very Brief Saturday Update

Very Brief Saturday Update

As we said yesterday, the next few blog updates will be on the brief side, due to concentrating on Episode 25 of 'Round The Archives'.

Actually, we can now include Episode 26 in that excuse as Warren has been round today helping us with some thoughts on the 1988 Michael Caine version of 'Jack The Ripper', which won't see the light of day until September at the earliest.

With only a quick trip to Asda to get something for tea, we've managed to get a decent amout of material recorded, along with some thoughts on the late Bernard Hepton and Peter Firmin.

But we also scheduled a video about 'On The Buses', concentrating on the episode 'No Smoke Without Fire'. We'll upload it in the morning as it's getting late now, but despite Warren not finding this a particularly funny series, we surprised ourselves by having quite a lot to talk about in the end.
For people who are ancient enough to remember life in the 1970s, we diverted into such things as open fires and tall toilet cisterns, providing a snapshot of times long past.

But all that excitement (if that's the right word) will be revealed tomorrow, so we'll bid you a goodnight.

More nonsense soon...

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

Toys From The Shed

Toys From The Shed

There's a Bank Holiday Weekend rapidly approaching, according to BBC News and apparently it's a fruitless task attempting to drive anywhere.

Well, that suits me fine, as the editing of Episode 25 needs our attention because we want to get it out (wahey!) by the end of the month.

As such, blog posts will be slightly down the list of priorites. We'll still do them, but there will be fewer words involved. Though, it's interesting that most days we get similar numbers, no matter what we put up!

So, today, here's more of a photo gallery of some of my old toy cars from the shed. They date from the mid 70s and every time I've moved house, they've accompanied me.

When we lived at Gillingham and were preparing to move to Poole, I did get a work colleague who knows about these things to go through them and see if there was anything rare that would be worth a bob or two.

Sadly, the boxes went ages ago and they are in very played-with condition, but there was the small chance that I might have the odd one with an unusual paint job or a strange sets of wheels or something.

Nothing jumped out as being particularly valuable, which was no surprise, but we spent a few hours with them strewn all over the kitchen floor, which was the last time they've seen the light all at once.
We did do a video about some of the ones that might be of interest to archive TV fans, but it was done in wide shot with a fair bit of noise in the background, so detail was perhaps a bit lacking.

But the other day, I unearthed a few more and took some photos, which generated a mild flurry of interest, so I might as well gather them together today in case anyone missed them on Twitter ot Facebook.

We don't have much in the way of flat surfaces free these days, so yes, that is the toilet seat they're sitting on. Certainly, there's nowhere we can permanently display them, so they will go back in the shed shortly, but we can always dig out some more at a later date.

Anyway, back to the edit. See you all soon!

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

Pipkins - The Royal Astronomer

Pipkins - The Royal Astronomer

We've still got a load of 'Pipkins' left to watch, so we treated ourselves to 'The Royal Astronomer' last night. It was broadcast on 24th November 1978 and is available on the fifth DVD set from Network.

As with so many of the surviving episodes, it comes from an off-air recording, but considering its age it doesn't look too bad at all.

Hartley is dressed as Sally from the song 'Sally Go Round The Sun' and when the lyrics mention the moon, we arrive at our theme for this instalment.

Tom tells a story involving a Royal Astronomer, which leads Hartley and Topov into a discussion about astronomy and how you make things seem nearer. Perhaps Father Dougal should have watched this one when he was small (or is it far away?) to help him when he sees those cows through that caravan window...

I did grin when the phrase 'The Sky At Night' was mentioned in passing, perhaps as a nod to Patrick Moore, unless it was a coincidence?

Tom does the old 'hold a magnifying glass up to the eye trick' that many TV directors like to attempt at some stage, though I was somewhat distracted by Hartley and Topov who each appear to have one leg too few in the wide shot of them.

Hartley retires to the workbench to construct a pretend telescope out of some handy tubes and a song is rather crowbarred in at this point. Although there is an excuse for a quick special effects sequence showcasing a spaceship that could have got a job working on 'Button Moon' a couple of years later.

Hartley tests his tube out and mostly has a good look at Octavia's bottom, though the ostrich is such a mess of tatty feathers it's hard to tell one end from t'other when she's scratching about in her sandpit.

Topov and Tortoise are worried that Hartley will be disappointed when his so-called telescope will fail to bring the moon any closer, but Tortoise won't actually spend any money as he claims that the costs of a real telescope would be astronomical. This fails to get a laugh, so instead Tom presents Hartley with a tiny refractor that is at least better than nothing.

Come night-time, the view is obscured by clouds, so with the aid of Moony the badger and some cardboard cut-outs, Topov puts on a show for Hartley who apparently sees two moons, a jumping cow and a flying saucepan.

Over-excited at the latter, he telephones the newspaper, though the reporter hangs up on hearing the phrase 'flying saucepan'.

Tom and Topov explain that they faked everything so that Hartley would have something to see as they love him and Hartley retires to bed feeling quite happy with his lot. Aw, bless...

As we say in our video, this episode made us think of John Flamsteed (Astronomer Royal to Charles II), William Herschel's house in Bath (where I bumped my head and he discovered Uranus - the two events are not connected!) and Carl Sagan's diagrams of alternative interpretations of the constellation Ursa Major.

'Pipkins' really can be quite educational in ways they perhaps didn't intend!

Our  video about 'The Royal Astronomer' can be seen here.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)