Episode 56 now available!

 

Episode 56 now available!

Episode 56 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Martin & Warren teaming up to look at the Basil Rathbone 'Sherlock Holmes' films.

We examine 'Neighbours' from a family perspective as Paul is joined by his mum Pat to discuss their memories of the show.

And Lisa & Andrew consider the various incarnations of Worzel & Saucy Nancy, particularly the 1980 Jon Pertwee and Barbara Windsor version.

That's all in Episode 56 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Warren Cummings, Paul Chandler and Pat Chandler.

You can listen to Episode 56 of 'Round The Archives' on Soundcloud here.

If you'd like to help support 'Round The Archives' please follow us on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/trowby 

and YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvd2BLKd0mLKN7bBT5Bnevg

Thank you!

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

(Cover design by Martin Holmes)

Episode 55 now available!

 

Episode 55 now available!

Episode 55 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees us travel back in time to Christmas Eve 1970 for a festive edition of 'Play School'.

Martin shares some memories of Christmas Past, then Ben plugs his new book about the 1990s festive TV schedules 'I Was Bored On Christmas Day'.

(Don't forget to visit https://benbakerbooks.org/  for more details)

Paul & Nick unwraps some surprise presents in the form of 'Emu's Broadcasting Company' and 'Neighbours', then we return to the 'RTA' sofa to find that 'There's No Place Like Home'.

That's all in Episode 55 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Ben Baker, Paul Chandler, Nick Goodman and Cuthbert The Robot.

A Merry Christmas To All Of You At Home!

You can listen to Episode 55 of 'Round The Archives' on Soundcloud here.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

(Cover design by Martin Holmes)

Episode 54 now available!

 

Episode 54 now available!

Episode 54 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Andy and Martin from 'The A To Z Of UK TV Drama' podcast telling us that 'A is for Abineri', then Andrew & Lisa follow Herne The Hunter into the forest to encounter the first 'Robin Of Sherwood'.

Paul and Toppie (stars of such shows as 'The Shy Life Podcast', 'The Smellcast' and 'Matinee Minutiae') discuss 'I Love Lucy'.

And we return to the greenwood for another meeting with 'Robin Of Sherwood', this time in the form of Jason Connery.

That's all in Episode 54 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Andy Priestner, Paul Chandler and Toppie Smellie.

You can listen to Episode 54 of 'Round The Archives' on Soundcloud here.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

(Cover art by Martin Holmes)

'Round The Archives' Episode Guide (Episode 51 onwards)

 

'Round The Archives' Episode Guide (Episode 51 onwards)

We left the first part of 'Round The Archives' Episode Guide (which you can find here) with Episode 50B, so let's carry on with the tail end of Season Four, then dive headlong into the madness that is Season Five...

Season Four

Episode 51 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees us welcome back Simon and Ken from 'The ExtonMoss Experiment' as they take a look at the 'Out Of The Unknown' story 'The Machine Stops'.

Martin has the technology to examine in detail the title sequence for 'The Six Million Dollar Man', then Nick and Paul talk about the first season of 'Armchair Thriller'.

Finally, we stay alert to cast an quizzical eye over the colourful adventures of 'Captain Zep - Space Detective'.

That's all in Episode 51 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Simon Exton, Ken Moss, Martin Holmes, Nick Goodman and Paul Chandler.

Season Five

Episode 52 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Martin delving into the shady world of spies and 'The Sandbaggers'.

We explore the world of local radio with 'The Kit Curran Radio Show' then Martin returns for some brief thoughts on 'Dangerman'.

Finally, Nick & Paul return to conclude their in-depth look at 'Armchair Thriller'.

That's all in Episode 52 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Nick Goodman and Paul Chandler.

Episode 53 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees us paying tribute to Diana Rigg with a look at two episodes of 'The Avengers', namely 'A Touch Of Brimstone' and 'Epic'.

Paul tells us of some Scary Things, then Simon and Ken from 'The ExtonMoss Experiment' go 'Out Of This World' to meet a 'Little Lost Robot'.

There are more Scary Things from Martin, before we remember Frank Windsor's work in 'Z Cars' with 'Hide - And Go Seek' and 'Happy Families'.

That's all in Episode 53 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Paul Chandler, Simon Exton, Ken Moss and Martin Holmes.

Episode 54 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Andy and Martin from 'The A To Z Of UK TV Drama' podcast telling us that 'A is for Abineri', then Andrew & Lisa follow Herne The Hunter into the forest to encounter the first 'Robin Of Sherwood'.

Paul and Toppie (stars of such shows as 'The Shy Life Podcast', 'The Smellcast' and 'Matinee Minutiae') discuss 'I Love Lucy'.

And we return to the greenwood for another meeting with 'Robin Of Sherwood', this time in the form of Jason Connery.

That's all in Episode 54 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Andy Priestner, Paul Chandler and Toppie Smellie.

Episode 55 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees us travel back in time to Christmas Eve 1970 for a festive edition of 'Play School'.

Martin shares some memories of Christmas Past, then Ben plugs his new book about the 1990s festive TV schedules 'I Was Bored On Christmas Day'.

(Don't forget to visit https://benbakerbooks.org/  for more details)

Paul & Nick unwraps some surprise presents in the form of 'Emu's Broadcasting Company' and 'Neighbours', then we return to the 'RTA' sofa to find that 'There's No Place Like Home'.

That's all in Episode 55 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Ben Baker, Paul Chandler, Nick Goodman and Cuthbert The Robot.

Episode 56 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Martin & Warren teaming up to look at the Basil Rathbone 'Sherlock Holmes' films.

We examine 'Neighbours' from a family perspective as Paul is joined by his mum Pat to discuss their memories of the show.

And Lisa & Andrew consider the various incarnations of Worzel & Saucy Nancy, particularly the 1980 Jon Pertwee and Barbara Windsor version.

That's all in Episode 56 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Warren Cummings, Paul Chandler and Pat Chandler.

Episode 57 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Warren taking a look at the 1988 'ScreenPlay' production 'The Black & Blue Lamp'.

Paul and Nick examine Terry Nation's mid 70s series 'Survivors', a show that seems even more relevant today.

And Lisa & Andrew do some sleight of hand to talk about 'David Nixon's Magic Box'.

That's all in Episode 57 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Warren Cummings, Nick Goodman and Paul Chandler.

Episode 58 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees the Summer Winos discussing their new book about the early days of 'Last Of The Summer Wine'.

Warren considers the time that 'Kolchak : The Night Stalker' encountered a werewolf on a cruise ship, then Paul and Nick tune into some local radio with 'Shoestring'.

Finally Lisa & Andrew find themselves in the late 1950s where they 'Dial 999'.

That's all in Episode 58 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Bob Fischer, Andrew T Smith, Warren Cummings, Nick Goodman and Paul Chandler.

You can find more details on 'Last Of The Summer Wine' at summerwinos.co.uk where the book is available to order.

Episode 59 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Martin taking a personal voyage through Carl Sagan's 'Cosmos'.

Warren clocks on for a 'Graveyard Shift', part of the series 'Circle Of Fear', then Paul & Toppie embark on the plane to 'Fantasy Island'.

Finally Lisa & Andrew perform some television archaeology as they celebrate 'Time Team'.

That's all in Episode 59 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Warren Cummings, Paul Chandler and Toppie Smellie.

Season Six

Episode 60 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast takes a look at the television landscape of the 1960s as we spend some time with 'Maigret' who investigates a 'Murder In Montmarte'.

Martin takes a look at the early days of 'The Avengers' then Paul & Toppie find themselves 'Lost In Space'.

Finally Lisa & Andrew boggle at how un-Christmassy 'Sergeant Cork' was in December 1963 with 'The Case Of The Fenian Men'.

That's all in Episode 60 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Paul Chandler and Toppie Smellie.

Episode 61 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees us turning the spotlight onto three unusual gameshows.

First, Paul and Toppie discuss 'The Adventure Game' and 'Treasure Hunt' from both a UK and US perspective.

And to finish, Lisa & Andrew don impenetrable disguises to examine what remains of 'The Masterspy'. 

That's all in Episode 61 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Paul Chandler and Toppie Smellie.

Episode 62 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees us pay tribute to the late Barry Cryer.

Michael Seely returns to discuss 'Star Maidens', then Paul & Nick talk about 'The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy'.

Finally, Andrew and Lisa remember the work of the late Peter Bowles.

That's all in Episode 62 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Michael Seely, Paul Chandler and Nick Goodman.

The 'Round The Archives' Cartoon and Essay collections are available on Lulu.com.

Season Seven

Episode 63 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Martin Holmes examining an early starring role for John Thaw in 'Redcap'.

Michael Seely examines 'Pathfinders In Space' and its sequels, then Warren Cummings takes up the case with 'Dangerous Davies'.

Finally, Andrew and Lisa pay tribute to the work of the late Bernard Cribbins.

That's all in Episode 63 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Michael Seely and Warren Cummings.

The 'Round The Archives' Cartoon and Essay collections are available on Lulu.com.

Episode 64 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Martin Holmes visit Hut 29 to take a look at 'The Army Game'.

Paul Chandler and his mum Pat talk about the modern incarnation of Father Brown, then Michael Seely takes a trip to BBC Scotland with 'Sutherland's Law'.

Finally, Andrew and Lisa examine 'Four Of A Kind', the very first episode of 'Z Cars'.

That's all in Episode 64 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Paul Chandler, Pat Chandler and Michael Seely.

The 'Round The Archives' Cartoon and Essay collections by Martin Holmes are available on Lulu.com.

If you've enjoyed this episode of 'Round The Archives', please leave us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts or spread the word to your friends on Twitter.

Episode 65 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Martin Holmes considering 30 years of 'NYPD Blue'.

Paul Chandler welcomes new voice Muffleyontour to the 'Round The Archives' team as they take a look at two black-and-white Emma Peel episodes of 'The Avengers' : 'The Hour That Never Was' and 'The House That Jack Built'. 

Finally, Andrew and Lisa come over all Tudor as they review 'The Shadow Of The Tower' (with some minor help from some random monarchs).

That's all in Episode 65 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Martin Holmes, Paul Chandler and Muffleyontour.

You can see us talking about Episode 65 on YouTube here.

Season Eight

Episode 66 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Nick Goodman joining us on the sofa to look at 'Dr Snuggles' and his links with Douglas Adams & John Lloyd.

Next, Martin Holmes travels back in time to Jefferson County, Virginia, to spend some time with 'The Waltons'.

Finally, Andrew and Lisa explore the murky world of 1920s crime as they probe 'The Mind Of Mr J G Reeder'.

That's all in Episode 66 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Nick Goodman and Martin Holmes.

The 'Round The Archives' Cartoon and Essay collections by Martin Holmes are available on Lulu.com.

If you've enjoyed this episode of 'Round The Archives', please leave us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts or spread the word to your friends on Twitter.

Andrew is now a Twitch Affiliate, so if you'd like to help support the podcast, please pop over to our channel here and have a good play with his marbles!

Episode 67 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees Michael Seely revisiting the career of 'Bulman', while Warren takes a trip with Sir John Betjeman to explore 'Metroland'.

Paul & Toppie discuss some of the more obscure corners of US and UK telly and we round off with Andrew & Lisa celebrating the surviving episodes of 'Dixon Of Dock Green'.

That's all in Episode 67 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Michael Seely, Warren Cummings, Paul Chandler and Toppie Smellie.

Episode 68 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees us in a literary mood as we chat to Tim Worthington about his new book 'The Golden Age Of Children's TV'.

We then pop back to 1969 for some rousing songs from Harry Secombe and friends in the colourful BBC production of 'Pickwick'.

Edward Kellett then reads an extract from the first volume of 'Reaching A Verdict' part of his ongoing analysis of 'The Bill'.

Finally, we fall down a rabbit hole, looking at the 1966 Jonathan Miller version of 'Alice In Wonderland' where an amazing cast assemble to be as strange as possible!

That's all in Episode 68 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Tim Worthington and Edward Kellett.

You Have Been Listening To...

Andrew Trowbridge,
Lisa Parker,
Nick Goodman,
Warren Cummings,
Terry Molloy,
Jenny Shirt,
Paul Chandler,
Fiona Allen, 
Michael Seely,
Richard Marson,
John Challis,
Neil & Sue Perryman,
Paul Ebbs,
Russell Pengelly,
Martin Holmes,
Michael Dennis,
Andy Priestner,
Ben Baker,
Simon Exton,
Ken Moss,
Bob Fischer,
Andrew T Smith,
Tim Worthington,
Andy Ching,
Jo Bunsell,
Paul Abbott,
Toppie Smellie,

Pat Chandler.

Muffleyontour.

Medusa Cascade,

Tyler Adams.

Oliver Crocker.

Edward Kellett.

If you'd like to help support 'Round The Archives' please follow us on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/trowby 

and YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvd2BLKd0mLKN7bBT5Bnevg

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

(Cover designs by Martin Holmes)

Episode 53 now available!

 

Episode 53 now available!

Episode 53 of the 'Round The Archives' podcast sees us paying tribute to Diana Rigg with a look at two episodes of 'The Avengers', namely 'A Touch Of Brimstone' and 'Epic'.

Paul tells us of some Scary Things, then Simon and Ken from 'The ExtonMoss Experiment' go 'Out Of This World' to meet a 'Little Lost Robot'.

There are more Scary Things from Martin, before we remember Frank Windsor's work in 'Z Cars' with 'Hide - And Go Seek' and 'Happy Families'.

That's all in Episode 53 of 'Round The Archives' starring Lisa Parker, Andrew Trowbridge, Paul Chandler, Simon Exton, Ken Moss and Martin Holmes.

You can listen to Episode 53 of 'Round The Archives' on Soundcloud here.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

(Cover artwork by Martin Holmes)

RTA In Conversation - Episodes 13 and 14

 

'RTA' In Conversation - Episodes 13 and 14

Have only just noticed that we forgot to do a blog post for 'RTA' In Conversation Episode 13, so we'd better include it as Episode 14 has now also been released!

So, now available are the following...

Episode 13 - "Harry Sullivan's waving at me!"

Warren joins us as a Very Special Guest to talk about how sitting on a particular bus seat on a certain day was the first step in an incredible journey into the mysterious worlds of 'Doctor Who' fandom...

and

Episode 14 - "I threw some spaghetti at Diana Rigg!"

We catch up  with the 'Round The Archives' gang to discuss Diana Rigg and Frank Windsor as well as going through what they've been watching recently.

You can listen to Episode 13 on Soundcloud here.

And Episode 14 may be found here.

The episodes feature Warren Cummings, Martin Holmes, Paul Chandler, Andrew Trowbridge and Lisa Parker.

Music by Dan Tate and Paul Chandler.

Cover art and editing by Martin Holmes.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)

A Tribute To Frank Windsor

 

A Tribute To Frank Windsor

It ‘were’ another cold, dark, wet evening in the northern province of Newtown, nestling on the coast of Lancashire. A large bulk of a man in a worn light-coloured suit with the buttons heaving under the strain stood surveying the raindrops racing down the window. The streetlights outside were blurred and dulled by the downpour. 

His contemplation was broken by the sounds of raised voices outside his office door. The imposing man strode with purpose and flung open his office door. His bulk framed in the doorway, his lungs burst forth with a booming clarity that left no one under the impression they had disturbed a sleeping tiger.

“Sergeant Blackitt, I want silence in my life, so will you and these people...” there was a pause for full menacing effect, the booming voice was lowered to a mild growl. “I need some room and silence to read my files please”.

“Right you are, Inspector Barlow.”

The Inspector returned to his office and picked up a weighty file entitled ‘FRANK WINDSOR’.

Sergeant Blackitt knocked and entered, bearing gifts of a hot brown nature, in a chipped cup. “Thank you, Blackitt”. The desk sergeant looked over at the file Barlow had in his shovel of a hand.

“You know Blackitt, I can’t work out if this man Windsor was a genius or simply the world’s hardest working actor?” He thumbed through page after page. “His life has held tragedy, love, loneliness and a dogged determination to make the best out of things. But yet, he was well known and never off our screens, I can’t fathom why he didn’t just hang his trilby up when it was time to rest. I mean look at this”. Page after page ran through his fingers onto the desk.

Sergeant Blackitt grinned out the corner of his mouth and replied, “Plenty of form then?”

“For an innocent man”, Barlow paused. “For an innocent man...” repeated Barlow.

Blackitt left and Barlow returned to the file.

Born: Frank W Higgins, 12 July 1928, in Walsall to a modest sized family. Parents not rich, working class but hard grafters at that. Schooling : Queen Mary's Grammar School - appeared in a number of school productions.

Work: Learnt his craft in London (Barlow tutted at this) - Central School of Speech and Drama. They taught everything from Puppetry to Shakespeare.

Barlow let out another sigh. “Not another bloody spear holder”.

Barlow turned over the page and leaned forward into the file. “Interesting. Now it gets interesting”. 

BBC, 1955- played the Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria.

1960 - 'An Age Of Kings' - part of the rep company.

“In fact, quite a lot of TV plays, for both sides”. Barlow snorted. “In amongst the stage treading and shouting at the audience”.

1962, played a detective sergeant in a fictional Northern town in a hard hitting and ground-breaking live TV crime drama on the BBC.  “Z Cars. Preposterous name for a show!” dismissed Barlow. But he cracked a smile at the detail that followed. “Know for violently breaking wind before and during transmission, which caused some hilarity amongst his fellow actors. I knew he wasn’t that squeaky clean”.

Barlow coughed to clear his throat and then returned to his file.

'A For Andromeda',' ITV Playhouse', 'Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased)', 'The Avengers', 'Softly Softly'... “All this and much more during the 1960s. A very prolific little worker. But always returning to the police role. I wonder... Frank, you have so much to offer the viewers, I hope you didn’t end up as a copper for most your career?” Barlow supped his cup of tea. He opened his bottom drawer and took out a half bottle of whisky and poured a little into his brew. “Just to ward off the cold” he chuckled, replacing the bottle and closing the drawer.

“Now where was I?”

The 1970s: 'Softly Softly Task Force', 'Jack the Ripper', 'Second Verdict'. “Isn’t it time to diversify Frank?” Barlow looked around knowing he was alone but just making sure...

'Headmaster'; a play from 1977 which was turned into a 6-part series... Family entertainment with ‘The Goodies’ and returning to 'Z Cars' for one last appearance as a Detective Chief Superintendent. Barlow raised his cup at this saying “You deserved that rank, my friend”.

“An amazing continuation into the 80s, 90s and 00s.  Prolific is not the word I’m looking for…” Barlow rubbed his nose and looked up for inspiration. “I’d say loved and adored, a staple of British television. It appears you always got a top performance from the man, even if the scripts were a bit ropey”.

Barlow moved along the page to read the heart ache of Frank losing his son in a car accident, the press intrusion, the headlines. “Vultures! Can’t a man grieve?” Barlow almost spat the words out. 

“I’m rather proud of your form lad. I mean, if I was known for just half the things you accomplished …” Barlow stopped thinking out loud as the door opened. A tall, lean man wearing a trilby and very sodden raincoat comes in, leaving puddles as he walks.

Barlow snapped shut his file and slid it into his drawer. 

“Oh, sorry sir, I didn’t know you were still here” came the soft Northern tones of the trilby wearing man.

“No problem John, I, er…” Barlow paused, walking over to the coat rack, grabbing his overcoat and putting it on. 

“I never really got to thank you that much, John. I mean, when it comes to a round I can be a little..”

“Tight-fisted” replied John.

Barlow’s gaze snapped up and his face fell, just a moment of anger wafted across it. The expression left as quickly as it arrived. “Aye, you’re not wrong there, John”.

Barlow’s right arm shot out for John to grasp his hand and shake it. For a moment John paused, looking at the hand. Barlow wasn’t a man who showed much in the way of friendship or warmth, but he knew deep down they were the greatest of friends. John grasped Barlow’s hand warmly. Barlow placed his other hand over his as if to cement their friendship. The moment ended... Barlow opened the door and said as he strode out “Time for a couple, John?”

John followed him, switching off the office light and closing the door. 

“I wouldn’t miss that for a hotpot supper”. He laughed, and they walked out from the Police Station into the cold damp crime-ridden streets of Newtown...

FRANK WINDSOR: 12 July 1928 – 30 September 2020

(Written by Warren Cummings)

(Cover design by Martin Holmes