Floella Benjamin, Keith Chegwin, Sarah Greene, and Tony Hart mark the 60th anniversary of children's programming on the Beeb with this retrospective celebration featuring clips, interviews, out-takes, and even a fireworks display. Unfortunately, the first couple of minutes are missing [EDIT: you can now see the opening at • Jubilee - 60 Years of ... ], but what follows is an absolute who's who and what's what of the golden age of kids' TV. Seriously: just look at that studio audience! How many do you recognise? I won't spoil all the surprises, but one of the earlier links alone features Todd Carty sitting there with legends Brian Cant and Kenneth Williams either side of him. Leave a comment below letting us know who you manage to pick out.
There are too many shows to mention, but expect glimpses of ancient classics such as Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben, and Muffin the Mule; plus the likes of then-recent favourites such as Grange Hill, Rentaghost, and Play Away; and of course the still-running-today Blue Peter and Newsround. There's a lot to enjoy here, but I got a special giggle out of the Swap Shop clip for its pure silliness, plus don't miss 'Auntie' Kathleen Garscadden, presenter of Children's Hour on the radio back in the 1920s who went on to work on the editorial side for many years. (We're watching someone who was born in 1897 there.) I think it's fair to say that, although it went out straight after Yogi Bear and Jackanory, even back then this was more for the parents than the youngsters who were watching.
This one-off special was originally broadcast on Friday, 18th February, 1983, which makes me wonder whether this was a bit of a dig at Children's ITV, which had launched with fanfare the previous month. (Not that ITV hadn't done kids' shows before that, of course.) Probably not. But I suppose this does mean that, at the time of uploading, we're less than three years away from a centenary celebration! Given recent political rumblings, though, I wouldn't say I'm 100% certain that the BBC will make it even that far, at least not in its current form. I just hope the archive is preserved and treated with the reverence it deserves.
Grateful thanks to Ben for providing this recording - please take the time to check out / benriggers when you get the chance.
(To the best of my knowledge, the contents of this video have never been available commercially anywhere in the world. Please also note that I don't monetise any of my uploads. Nevertheless, if you are a copyright holder and have an objection, please don't hesitate to contact me.)
26 авг 2024
