Retro TV

[Raven]

Have you played any Pardon My Genie yet, Mike?

[-MikeD-]

Have you played any Pardon My Genie yet, Mike?

Yes! And thanks for the recommend. My kids have watched five episodes over the last five nights, and they can't wait to see the rest.

It really is great telly, and it could be repeated now on a children's channel and still be popular. Daft, groan-worthy humour is pretty timeless. And it was nice to see the lovely Susan Penhaligon appear (briefly) in a supporting role...

I've also bought Robert's Robots, so that's next.

[alanultron5]

I got the "Dramarama-Spooky" DVd the other day! Though the one episode that gets all the attention in reviews "In A Dark, Dark Box" `Is` good; the episode that really impressed me was "The Keeper". I had not seen either back in 1983 so it was a great surprise on watching them.

I reckon "The Keeper" to be one of the strongest pieces of children's TV - ever!

[steelclaw]

Raven
Do you think Dramarama is better then Shadows, I've been watching Vol 3 of Shadows a few of the episodes seem so daft I know it's kids TV.
Vol 1 is good is good although a bit slow as to be expected.

I'm loving 'Man at the Top' series 1, I didn't watch it when it first came out as it was way past my bedtime when it was shown, it's great TV, I bought it for less then £10 new on ebay, I want series 2 now but it seems very expensive.

Just bought a DVD with 1969-1972 128 issues of TV Times, very interesting.

[Raven]

Raven
Do you think Dramarama is better then Shadows, I've been watching Vol 3 of Shadows a few of the episodes seem so daft I know it's kids TV.
Vol 1 is good is good although a bit slow as to be expected.

Of Shadows I think - and also thought as a kid when they first went out - that series 1 is very good (I think it's a highpoint of this kind of kids' TV), and series 2 and 3 are considerably less effective, but do have a few pretty good episodes between them. I think series 3 was the most disappointing (I haven't bought it on DVD, but may do).

Have you watched Series 2's weirdfest 'The Eye' yet? If so, I'd be interested to hear what you think.

Of the four Dramarama Spookys I've seen so far, opener 'War Games With Caroline' is not too good, 'In a Dark, Dark Box' is the most effective, and 'The Danny Roberts Show' and 'The Keeper' are both good. Some of these have quite an adult sensibility in places, and they do set out to be creepy. The Keeper could be a late night programme from the period. I think you'd probably like the DVD on the evidence so far.

And, coming soon:

Follow Me is out on Network in March:

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... fe1a23a753

and, best of all, The Complete You Must Be Joking and The Complete Pauline's Quirkes will follow soon after!

[alanultron5]

`The Keeper` really is strong stuff for Childrens TV! Try watching it very late and in the dark!

`Shadows` was very variable I think! I agree with Raven that the first series is the strongest "Future Ghost" and "Witches Bottle" really superb!

The second and third seasons have their moments too! Season Two's "And For My Next Trick" featuring Clive Swift and written by P. J Hammond recieved high critical praise at the time! It is very chilling indeed.

I also rate very highly season three's "Eleven 0` clock" which is very effective (Mind you it features Tina Heath who I adored!).

Yes, "The Eye" is really bizarre. So is "Peronik" but that one -if you listen closely-has some great Glam Rock music in the background!

Funniest episode id "Dutch Schiltz Shoes" featuring `Ace of Wands` villian "Mr Stabs" superbly played by Russell Hunter.

[steelclaw]

Raven I agree with Alan The Eye it is pretty bizarre,
& for a tea time childrens programme fairly scary although everything ended up OK in the end it was one of the better ones on Series 2 and kept me interested thoughout.

The only thing I found irritating on 'And For My Next Trick' was the girl repeating the last word of what the Magician said, and unlike most of the others didn't end OK in the end.
I Wonder where he disapeared to?

[alanultron5]

Yes! That actress was pretty irritating! P.J Hammond often left it for audiences to guess outcomes in his stories! In `Ace of Wands` "Peacock Pie" We never find out just where that Beach that Mr Peacock (Brian Wilde) went to. In the seasons finale viewers can only guess at just who/what the three `super-characters` `Dee` `Jay` and `Emm` are and who or what their "Mama" and "Papa" the ultra futuristic machines are and how did they originate?

I think that Clive Swifts character in "For My Next Trick" subconsciously made a faustian pact with the Devil, but it could never be spelled out on Childrens TV, only intimated.

Of `Dramarama - Spooky` Afraid I just cannot get into either the DJ Episode (With Nicholaus Ball) or the one with the two girls where one has an `imaginary?` doppleganger! That one just irritates me i'm afraid!

The regular `Dramarama` series did throw up the ocassional ghostly story later on! One I recall features young Army cadets out on manouvres on a very Misty Moor. I think it is just titled "Ghost Story" I like it.

[Raven]

The regular `Dramarama` series did throw up the ocassional ghostly story later on! One I recall features young Army cadets out on manouvres on a very Misty Moor. I think it is just titled "Ghost Story" I like it.

Yes, a very good episode from Granada that; good production values, too - all shot on location and quite effective.

Alan, did you know that Network have released Dramarama Volume One, compiling all the Thames episodes?

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... ts_id=1516

By the way, For My Next Trick was in Shadows series three, not two, just in case anyone is tempted to order for that episode.

[steelclaw]

Opps yes sorry Series 3 for 'Now for my next trick'

Just watched the Silver Apple(Series 3 of Shadows) It was a good one, Peter Duncan from Blue Peter and Simon Turner, I have a single by him his cover of David Bowie's The Prettiest Star.

'Honeyanne' was the best one their seemed to be more going on and at a faster pace, typical it was the last in the series just when they got it right(to my liking anyway)

'Children of the stones' is well worth buying, you get a bonus disc showing Episodes of
Sky - Part 2
King of the castle - Part 2
The clifton House Mystery - Part 2
Into the Labyrinth - Part 2

[alanultron5]

I have all the `Clifton House` series! Very good-if perhaps a little padded out! Very nice performance from Peter Sallis in it which is a bonus.

Yes! "For My Next Trick" `was` series 3 (Shadows) apologies!

All three series of `Shadows` had superb opening titles in my opinion-I particulary liked the third season titles.

I have watched "Eleven 0` Clock` again from series 3. I think it a good story and of course it features the lovely Tina Heath!!

[Raven]

I have watched "Eleven 0` Clock` again from series 3. I think it a good story and of course it features the lovely Tina Heath!!

I haven't seen it since it was last on TV over thirty years ago and don't seem to remember it, but I thought that one should be good, as it's by Ewart Alexander who wrote 'After School', which I thought was possibly the best episode from the first series (I remember finding this one particularly creepy as a boy), and The Eye from series two. No spoilers please as I expect I'll get the DVD soon, but is it on a level with those two? Surely not as weird as The Eye? I wouldn't mind a brief spoiler-free synopsis!

Considerably less dark and mindbending, but fans of ITV kids series of the 70s may also be interested to hear that all 26 episodes of The Famous Five - which had a beautifully illustrated comic strip tie-in by Mike Noble in Look-In - have just been passed by the BBFC.

[steelclaw]

Just ordered from Amazon.

2 programmes that were close to the first I remember.

Raven did you buy 'Here Come The Double Deckers' DVD?
Amazon have the complete series for £4.99 all 17 programmes.

Banana Splits 6 discs 18 hours for £6.95



This was only £4.47 for the full season 1

[Raven]

Raven did you buy 'Here Come The Double Deckers' DVD?

Yes, back when it first came out.

I've now also watched 'The Restless Ghost' on Dramarama: Spooky and that's another good one.

[matrix]

Great selections Steelclaw!Have not seen those for years.

Forgot i had this as well.