A pictorial look back over the past twelve years…
As ABC Weekend draws to a close, the staff magazine looks back at 12 amazing years of programmes
1956… Anxious — yet exciting — moments (1) as Didsbury goes on the air with the first-ever show — Hometown Saturday Night. Saturdays started off with a swing in those early days with (2) Joan Edwards hosting the early morning disc programme, Housewives Call the Tune.
1957… marked the introduction of what was becoming one of the most popular Advertising Magazine programmes, “What’s In Store” hosted (1) by Doris Rogers … along with the most unique way of exchanging unwanted pieces for requirements of the day — (2) Elizabeth Allen’s Swop Shop
1958… saw ABC-TV go out into the country to bring viewers the world’s first live OB farming series, The Other Man’s Farm — and Jack Good brings a dynamic new form of entertainment to ABC’s screens — Oh Boy! — introducing Calcutta choirboy Harry Webb who was to go on to become today’s world-famous Cliff Richard.
1959… saw the establishment of yet another “first” for ABC — the Company’s Religious Training Scheme whereby clerics of all denominations gained TV experience and know-how. At the inauguration L-R: Howard Thomas, the Bishop of Manchester, Dr. Eric Flecther, M.P. and the Rev. L. G. Tyler, Anglican Adviser to ABC-TV. The situation comedy series Time Out for Peggy was also in full swing, starring Billie Whitelaw and Diana King, seen here with Michael Segal.
1960… a household programme throughout the land for the past two years, the first-ever attempt to bring religion to the country’s youth, The Sunday Break was enjoying its heyday. Didsbury also provided untold memorable editions of Armchair Theatre including A Night Out with Tom bell and Madge Ryan. Not forgetting, of course, such Light Entertainment “greats” as Boy Meets Girls and Wham!!
1961… Following fast on the heels of the musical programme for the young in heart, Steamboat Shuffle from the banks of the Thames with Peter Elliott (seen here) and Don Rennie, came another watery series, City Beneath the Sea starring Stewart Guidotti and Gerald Flood — yet another adventure series for even younger viewers and a follow-up to the highly-successful Pathfinders series.
1962… was the year ABC Television brought off one of its greatest scoops by presenting Frank Sinatra in his British TV debut, This is Sinatra … and saw The Avengers as a top-rating viewing habit with Patrick Macnee as the now-familiar John Steed and Honor Blackman as the original female foil, Cathy Gale.
1963… Tempo continued to bring both the famous and the controversial into viewers’ living rooms, among them Portugal’s most famous singer, Amalia Rodrigues, who has made Fado — the Portuguese equivalent of Flamenco — famous around the world.
While in Birmingham, pop stars from this country and America — including these four young men — topped the Thank Your Lucky Stars Tam ratings under the guidance of Brian Matthew, his fellow dee-jays and Brum’s own ‘Oi’ll Give it Foive’ girl, Janice Nicholls.
1964… saw the Didsbury success of Gazette — forerunner of today’s Eamonn Andrews Show — starring the then lesser-known Scaffold group of Roger McGough, Mike McGear, John Gorman and Sheila Fearn. The Army also continued to gain public interest and respect with the popular, if yet controversial series Redcap, starring Northerner John Thaw.
1965… was the year Inquiry Agency Frank Marker, alias Alfred Burke, got into the Public Eye as Midlands super sleuth, one of ABC’s most successful drama series (seen here with Wendy Gifford) … and the year comedians Mike and Bernie Winters cemented their household name along with many of their comedy colleagues. Here they’re seen sharing a joke with Kenneth More during the summer show Blackpool Night Out, forerunner of The Blackpool Show.
1966… and another year of cementation for Adult Education programmes, one of the most popular being Philip Harben’s Grammar of Cookery, for which Producer Margery Baker won the year’s best adult education programme award presented by the National Institute of Adult Education in conjunction with the Guild of Television Producers and Directors. Another to gain the interest of viewers was the audience participation GCE “O” Level series, First Steps in Physics by G. H. Hacker, B.Sc. and presented by Prof. James Ring.
1967—68… King of the Jam-Butty Mines Ken Dodd crossed the channel and had his own highly-successful series on ABC, introducing Announcer David Hamilton in a new role as Diddy David. Tommy Cooper, Frankie Howerd and Bruce Forsyth also joined the fun ranks. Also a mixed year of sadness and excitement — sadness particularly in Didsbury where the studios drew to a close after 12 active and successful years with two old favourites — top-rating Opportunity Knocks, hosted for the past five series by Hughie Green (seen here entertaining the audience before a show) and responsible for much of the country’s new talent; and Just Jimmy, starring the inseparable trio of Jimmy Clitheroe, Danny Ross and Mollie Sugden.
About the author
ABC TV News was the staff newsletter for ABC Weekend and Alpha Studios employees
