John Wyver writes: On Tuesday 30 May 1939 viewers could watch Jan Bussell's 87-minute production of Arnold Bennett's drama The Great Adventure in the afternoon and then, presumably in the other studio, an 82-minute adaptation of the Czech writers Karel more
John Wyver writes: Although director of television Gerald Cock initially envisaged feature films being central to the schedule from Alexandra Palace, British and American producers and distributors refused almost without exception to supply product of any kind. Recognising television as a more
John Wyver writes: The idea of a Sunday evening play from Alexandra Palace was well-established by 28 May 1939 when the schedule was given over to Nicholas Phipps' crime drama First Stop North. Charles Hickman's production, with the author more
John Wyver writes: The Saturday evening schedule on 27 May 1939 was taken over by a production of George H. Grimaldi's drama Behind the Schemes. The scene was laid in the publicity office of Fleet Street's (imaginary) Daily Quiver, and more
John Wyver writes: By the late spring of 1930 Baird Television Ltd had been transmitting thrice weekly half-hour variety bills for around 18 months. The 30-line images were very basic and the service's profile can be judged from the minimal more
John Wyver writes: At the heart of the evening schedule on Wednesday 25 May 1938 was a 25-minute talk by Reynold Bray illustrating the conditions in which he lived for two summers in Arctic Canada. As can be seen above, more
John Wyver writes: Just as for the BBC's coverage this week, 87 years ago the corporation's mobile unit visited Chelsea Flower Show (above) for three broadcasts, beginning with a 40-minute broadcast on Sunday 22 May with Freddie Grisewood and Elizabeth more
John Wyver writes: Television's main offering on Tuesday 23 May 1939 was a 45-minute studio debate titled simply Modern Art. As the billing detailed, 'Sir William Rothenstein took the chair. Mr Wyndham Lewis and Mr Geoffrey Grigson championed 'unconventional' modern more
John Wyver writes: British television's love affair with the works of Jane Austen, which today shows little signs of abating, began 87 years ago today on 22 May 1938, with a 55-minute adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. The fact more
John Wyver writes: The day before the transmission variously called Bee for Boulestin or Blind Man's Buffet on the evening of Sunday 21 May 1939, the Daily Telegraph ran an excited preview. 'Mrs Mary Adams, the BBC producer,' 'Our radio more