Vintage TV Discussion
 

Just catching up with Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) - original series, currently showing on True Entertainment. Have seen bits before, but after 50 years finally got round to watching properly !

Can honestly say it's terrible - scripts, acting, direction. But so terrible, and of its time, I'm gripped ! If only they still made them like this :)

The 1969 episode I just watched had a weird Dr Who crossover, featuring both Nicholas Courtney (the Brigadier) and Roger Delgado (the Master), interesting that ;) (sorry, i'll get my anorak....)

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

My V6 didn't pick this up, so it must be the same series that they showed earlier this year. I enjoyed if too, there are some hidden gems on these 'free' channels :)

When I first saw your thread at first I thought they'd made a new modern day series like Hawaii 50 or something :D

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

You want to be getting around to watch the wonderful series The Walton's and Little House on the Prairie Mr K.:)

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

Unfortunately have seen a bit of them Den .... Going to catch up on Laurel and Hardy next ;)

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

I wouldn't mind seeing a re-run of street hawk and terrahawks, maybe some Seaquest DSV

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

I doubt they could air Terrahawks on TV these days. I have the DVDs and there really is some content that would get the PC brigade in a tizzy.

I rewatched Street Hawk a few years ago. Still an awesome show.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

I actually preferred the Vic Reeves version.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

Robin's Nest is on Talking Pictures TV

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

A excellent older series.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

But will it stand the test of time?

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

No! But Callan has.;)

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

Great series and l see one of his other great series The Equaliser is also showing on TV currently on Forces TV.

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Well its nearly as old as l am so that cannot be a bad thing.;)

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

What a lot of classic TV suffers from, many years later, is their producers’ aversion to using extras and other tricks to make their worlds look populated. They typically filmed on location in mid-summer at stupid o’clock in order to get completely empty streets - better for controlling the composition of the shot - but then, for reasons of budget and time constraints, didn’t artificially refill the scene with passers by, other vehicles, etc. The result is that the worlds they created tend to look flat and artificial when compared to even fairly modest modern productions which are a lot better at adding texture to the finished product.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

And me!!

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

Yes Callan is in my series record list. As well as films, Talking Pictures does have some TV gems (however 'Robins Nest' isn't one of them ! ;) )

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

Not a problem in Callan. Most of the outdoor scenes are tightly shot on the main characters and there a lot of indoor scenes.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

Shame they wiped a lot of the first 2 (b&w) series. Although I'm sure there.are.some available that TP haven't shown. Wonder why? Maybe not broadcastable quality, not that that usually stops them.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

Where an episode of something is acknowledged to exist in archive, it is no guarantee that it is broadcast quality. Also broadcasters are often only interested in complete series runs - they won’t show a few episodes from one season and a few from the next.

A lot of Doctor Who stuff that has been recovered has only been able to get a DVD release because there’s a large and willing fan base that includes experts willing to do the restoration work for little or no reward. Other shows aren’t so lucky.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

Possibly, although TP did show a few isolated Callan episodes from the early b/w series. However the episodes are self contained stories, unlike DW.

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I'm just happy the Steptoe and Son writers had the foresight to record all their episodes on one of the earliest recorders, ensuring all episodes survive. Unusual for a series from that time.

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Maybe we should retitle this thread to 'vintage TV series' or something similar.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

A good idea methinks as there are plenty of us oldies on this forum.;)

Re: Vintage TV Discussion
 

Thread renamed :)

Re: Vintage TV Discussion
 

The trouble is that people might now think that it refers to the music channel called Vintage TV that closed fairly recently (but is said to be returning).

Re: Vintage TV Discussion
 

Not really Richard as people only have to start reading some of the contents of this thread to know what the discussion is all about.

Re: Vintage TV Discussion
 

I think we’ll just accept that risk.

Re: Vintage TV Discussion
 

Somehow I dont think so :dozey:

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

You don't have to be old to appreciate good TV Den ;). All that glitters doesn't necessarily have to be in UHD, or indeed in colour. Content, actors and script are everything.

Sitcoms in particular, we just don't to be able to do any longer. Thats why Gold is so popular with Dad's Army, Steptoe, Only Fools, Fawlty Towers etc. The BBC has tried recently with Hold the Sunset (John Cleese), and Warren (Martin Clunes), but they've been awful.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

l said that in jest Mr K. ;)

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l totally agree.:td:

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That is because the people the BBC have who are commissioning these new sitcom comedy series seem to think that what is funny and great comedy to them will then appeal to a large section of the TV populace.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

At least they tried, most other channels seem to have given up on sitcoms. The only half decent one is maybe Trollied on Sky, still not a patch on the classics though.

Maybe they were of their time, can't be recreated and the quality of writer isn't around any longer. Also the danger of offending anybody these days doesn't help creativity.

Re: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
 

ITV used to do a lot of good sitcom series in the old days

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Yes there is probably a fair bit of truth in what you say there Mr K.

Re: Vintage TV Discussion
 

I find that the best channels for retro material to be Talking Pictures, ITV3 and Forces TV and all of them are Free To Air!

Talking Pictures will be showing a lot of programming made by Thames as they have bought their archive.

Re: Vintage TV Discussion
 

It probably cost them £5.99 ... ;)