Film Is Fabulous – The Recovered Episodes

Celebrating the ‘missing’ episodes of vintage television recovered by the Film is Fabulous! team.

In the 1960s and 1970s large quantities of videotape and film were wiped or junked by the major television production and broadcasting companies. A significant number of culturally important television programmes from the period were believed to have been lost forever. Fortunately, many of the original film prints (referred to as telerecordings) earmarked for destruction found their way into the hands of private collectors. These television programmes, which were listed as ‘missing’ by the official film archives, were lovingly preserved by their new owners. Film is Fabulous! are delighted to present four black and white episodes of British television that have been recovered, and a discussion with special guests about the preservation of vulnerable film treasures. Each episode will have a short introduction and be followed by a brief break.

Sykes and a Marriage – 30mins
(Broadcast: 1 February 1961)
This classic BBC comedy episode from the early1960s was discovered amongst the films of a deceased private collector. The programme starred Eric Sykes, Hattie Jacques, and stalwart British actor, Richard Wattis.

Tom Jones! – Work – 26mins
(Broadcast: 3 April 1967)
ATV (and ITC Entertainment) produced a host of music programmes, many of which are missing from the ITV Archive. The series starred Tom Jones, together with guests. This episode
featured soul singer, Maxine Brown.

Mogul – Is That Tiger, Man? – 52mins
(Broadcast: 30 April 1966)
This high-stakes BBC drama series was later renamed ‘The Troubleshooters’. It recounted events at the international oil company: MOGUL. This episode featured Robert Hardy,Geofrey Keen, Ray Barrett, and Justine Lord.

The Basil Brush Show – 25mins
(Broadcast: 25 September 1970)
Glove puppet fox, Basil Brush, was immensely popular with adults and children. This episode was presented by Derek Fowlds (Mr. Derek), with special guest Peter Cowap.

The Film is Fabulous! team are delighted to announce that Sue Malden will join us  on Saturday 1st June, at The Courtyard Cinema and Art Centre in Hereford, to host  a panel discussion about vulnerable film treasures in private hands. It promises to be a fascinating discussion, with special guests and important announcements.

Sue is the former head of BBC Broadcast Archives. She currently chairs the Board of trustees at MACE and is Secretary of the British Entertainment History Project (Formerly the BECTU History project). Sue recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Federation of Commercial Audio Visual Archives (FOCALInt) and is a member of the Royal Television Society History Group.