Film collectors, cinema lovers and vintage television enthusiasts from across the country are pleased to announce a festival celebrating the missing episodes 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.

The Film is Fabulous! team 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.

TELEVISION EPISODES:

SYKES AND A MARRIAGE (Broadcast: 1st February 1961)
This classic BBC comedy episode from the early 1960s was discovered amongst the films of a deceased private collector. The programme starred Eric Sykes and Hattie Jacques, and featured stalwart British actor, Richard Wattis.

MOGUL – IS THAT TIGER MAN? (Broadcast: 30th 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, Geoffrey Keen, Ray Barrett, and Justine Lord.

TOM JONES! – WORK (Broadcast: 3rd 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 guest performers. This episode featured soul singer, Maxine Brown. 

THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW (Broadcast: 25th 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, a Manchester musician who later joined Herman’s Hermits.

The festival will be held on Saturday, 1st June 2024, at The Courtyard Cinema and Art Centre, Edgar Street, Hereford. HR4 9JR. 2pm to 6pm. Each episode will have a short introduction and be followed by a brief break. Tickets are £12 (Concessions £10).

Film is Fabulous! Preserving film treasures for future generations.

11th April 2024