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Felix Bowness
Felix Hervè Talbot Bowness (30 March 1922 – 13 September 2009) was a British comedy actor who was best remembered for his portrayal of the jockey Fred Quilley in the BBC sitcom ''Hi-de-Hi!.'' Biography Born in the village of Harwell, Berkshire, to French Canadian parents, he became a bantamweight boxing champion. Second World War At the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment as a signalman. At the D-Day landings in Normandy, after his landing craft was hit and sunk, he only remembered waking in a French convent. During recovery he attended a Vera Lynn concert, after which she gave him a singing lesson. Performing career Bowness returned to Britain and started performing on the comedy circuit, undertaking two summer seasons at Clacton-on-Sea Pier in 1948 and 1949. He eventually broke into films and television in the early 1960s, and supplemented his income by becoming a well used warm-up act for television shows including ''Mor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Harwell, Oxfordshire
Harwell is a village and civil parish in the Vale of White Horse about west of Didcot, east of Wantage and south of Oxford. The parish measures about north – south, and almost east – west at its widest point. In 1923 its area was . Historic counties of England, Historically in Berkshire, it has been administered as part of Oxfordshire, England, since the Local Government Act 1972, 1974 boundary changes. The parish includes part of the Milton Park business park in the north and part of Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in the southwest. In the east it includes part of the new Great Western Park housing estate that is contiguous with the built-up area of Didcot. The 2011 United Kingdom census, 2011 census recorded the parish's population as 2,349. Toponymy The earliest known surviving records of Harwell's name are 10th-century Saxon charters now reproduced in the ''Cartularium Saxonicum''. One from 956 records Horn Down, a nearby hill, as ''Harandúne'', which is deriv ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Clacton Pier
Clacton Pier is a pier located in the seaside resort town of Clacton-on-Sea in England. It was named Pier of the Year in 2020 by the National Piers Society. The pier hosts rides, ten-pin bowling, arcades, a seqaurium, golf and a soft-play centre – as well as numerous food, drink and retail outlets. Development Clacton Pier, which opened on 27 July 1871 was officially the first building erected in the then-new resort of Clacton-on-Sea. A wooden structure in length and wide, the pier served as a landing point for goods and passengers, a docking point for steamships operated by the Woolwich Steam Packet Company, and a common spot for promenading. By 1893, Clacton had become such a popular destination for day trippers that the pier was lengthened to 1180 ft (360m) and entertainment facilities, including a pavilion and a waiting room, were added to accommodate them. Post-World War I to 1970s At the end of the First World War, the pier was bought by Ernest Kingsman, and it ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Benny Hill Show
''The Benny Hill Show'' is a British comedy television show starring Benny Hill that aired on the BBC and ITV (from 1969) between 15 January 1955 and 1 May 1989. The show consisted mainly of sketches that were full of slapstick, mime, parody and double entendre (which could be described as a filmatographic version of British saucy seaside postcard humour). At its peak ''The Benny Hill Show'' was among the most-watched programmes in the UK with the audience reaching more than 21 million viewers in 1971. In 1972, Hill received a BAFTA Television Award for Best Writer, and he was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance. In the late 1970s, the Thames Television version of the show gained a following in the United States and would run in syndication until 1991. In 1980 and 1981, it received Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Variety. In 1984 Hill received a Rose d'Or. Thames cancelled production of the show in 1989 due to declining ratings and large pr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oh, Doctor Beeching!
''Oh, Doctor Beeching!'' is a BBC television sitcom written by David Croft and Richard Spendlove which, after a broadcast pilot on 14 August 1995, ran for two series from 8 July 1996, with the last episode being broadcast on 28 September 1997. The series is notable for being the last in a series of three comedies by co-writer David Croft to use many of the same actors, starting with ''Hi-de-Hi!'' and followed by '' You Rang, M'Lord?'' and was also the last full series written by Croft. Introduction ''Oh, Doctor Beeching!'' focuses on the small fictional branch line railway station of Hatley, which is threatened with closure under the Beeching Axe. The programme was filmed on the Severn Valley Railway. Arley SVR station in Upper Arley was used as Hatley station. Plot Set in 1963, at a rural branch line railway station called Hatley, Jack Skinner (Paul Shane) the porter is acting stationmaster until a replacement is found. Jack deeply loves his wife May (played by Sherrie He ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
You Rang, M'Lord?
''You Rang, M'Lord?'' is a BBC television sitcom written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, the creators of ''Dad's Army''. It was broadcast between 1990 and 1993 on the BBC (although there had earlier been a pilot episode in 1988). The show was set in the house of an aristocratic family in the 1920s, contrasting the upper-class family and their servants in a house in London, along the same lines as the drama '' Upstairs, Downstairs''. The series featured many actors who had previously appeared in earlier works by Perry and Croft, notably Paul Shane, Jeffrey Holland and Su Pollard, all of whom had starred in ''Hi-de-Hi!''; also featured were Donald Hewlett and Michael Knowles from ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'', and Bill Pertwee and—occasionally— Frank Williams from ''Dad's Army''. Numerous small parts were played by other alumni of David Croft and/or Jimmy Perry shows. The memorable 1920s-style theme tune was sung by comedian Bob Monkhouse. Episodes of ''You Rang, M'Lord?'' were ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
David Croft (TV Producer)
Major David John Croft, (born David John Andrew Sharland; 7 September 1922 – 27 September 2011) was an English television comedy screenwriter, producer and director. He produced and wrote a string of BBC sitcoms with partners Jimmy Perry and Jeremy Lloyd, including ''Dad's Army'', ''Are You Being Served?'', ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'', ''Hi-de-Hi!'' and '' 'Allo 'Allo!'' Early life Croft was born into a show business family: his father, Reginald Sharland (1886–1944), had a successful career as a radio actor in Hollywood, and his mother, Annie Croft (1896–1959), was a famous stage actress who had starred in the 1927 silent film ''On With The Dance,'' she was also the first woman to own a West End theatre company. His first public appearance was at the age of seven, when he was seen in a commercial which aired in cinemas. After that, his acting career in films "began and ended" with his uncredited appearance as Perkins in the film ''Goodbye, Mr. Chips'' (1939). Croft w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jimmy Perry
James Perry, (20 September 1923 – 23 October 2016)Simon Morgan-Russell, "Perry, James (Jimmy) (1923–2016)", ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, Jan 202available online Retrieved 25 August 2020. was an English script writer and actor. He devised and co-wrote the BBC sitcoms ''Dad's Army'' (1968–77), ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' (1974–81), ''Hi-De-Hi'' (1980–88) and '' You Rang, M'Lord?'' (1988–93), all with David Croft. Perry co-wrote the theme tune of ''Dad's Army'', "Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr. Hitler?" along with Derek Taverner, for which Perry received an Ivor Novello Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in 1971. Early life Perry was born in Barnes, Surrey. His father, Arthur, was an antiques dealer, whose shop was in South Kensington, London. He was a founder of the British Antique Dealers' Association. His son was educated at two independent schools, Colet Court and St Paul's School, whi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
This Is Your Life (British TV Series)
''This Is Your Life'' is a British biographical television documentary, based on the 1952 American show of the same title. It was hosted by Eamonn Andrews from 1955 until 1964, and then from 1969 until his death in 1987. Michael Aspel then took up the role of host until the show ended in 2003. It briefly returned in 2007 as a one-off special presented by Trevor McDonald. In the show the host surprises a special guest, before taking them through their life with the assistance of the 'big red book'. Both celebrities and non-celebrities have been featured on the show. The show was originally broadcast live, and over its run it has alternated between being broadcast on the BBC and on ITV. The surprise element was a very important part of the show; if the guest heard about the project beforehand, it would be cancelled. History The British version of the show was launched in 1955 on the BBC and was first presented by Ralph Edwards to the first "victim", Eamonn Andrews, who was th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Noel's House Party
''Noel's House Party'' is a BBC light entertainment series that was hosted by Noel Edmonds. Set in a large house in the fictional village of Crinkley Bottom, leading to much innuendo, it ran from 23 November 1991 to 26 March 2000 on BBC One, and for 8 series was broadcast live on Saturday evenings. The show, once described by a senior corporation executive as "the most important show on the BBC", was cancelled in February 1999 due to declining ratings, although two further compilation specials were shown in March 2000. In 2010, ''Noel's House Party'' was voted the best Saturday night TV show of all time. In August 2022, an episode of the show, the tenth episode of the first series (originally broadcast on 1 February 1992), was repeated on BBC Four. This marks the first time since 2000 that the show has been broadcast on the BBC. History ''Noel's House Party'' was the successor to '' The Noel Edmonds Saturday Roadshow'', carrying over some of its regular features such as the 'Gun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wogan
''Wogan'' is a British television talk show which was broadcast on BBC1 from 1982 until 1992, presented by Terry Wogan. It was usually broadcast live from the BBC Television Theatre in Shepherd's Bush, London, until 1991. It was then broadcast from the BBC Television Centre (TVC). Some shows were pre-recorded, and then broadcast unedited 'as live'. ''Wogan'' ended its run in July 1992 (it was replaced in the schedule by the soap opera ''Eldorado''). History Wogan's first foray into TV interviewing, and indeed to British television, was in 1972 on ''Lunchtime with Wogan'' on ITV, in 1973 he left and joined the BBC. In 1980 he was given another chat show; ''What's On, Wogan?'' running for 9 episodes in the spring of that year, primarily on Saturday evenings. In 1981 he had a chance to host a one-off chat show, ''Saturday Live''. Among his guests on this show were Larry Hagman, promoting '' SOB'', and Frank Hall. Hagman was at the height of his fame, which gave the show a high pr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chat Show
A talk show (or chat show in British English) is a television programming or radio programming genre structured around the act of spontaneous conversation.Bernard M. Timberg, Robert J. Erler'' (2010Television Talk: A History of the TV Talk Show', pp.3-4Erler, Robert (2010) "A Guide to Television Talk," in Television Talk: A History of the TV Talk Show, by Bernard M. TimbergErving_Goffman (1981''Forms of Talk'' pp.234-160/ref> A talk show is distinguished from other television programs by certain common attributes. In a talk show, one person (or group of people or guests) discusses various topics put forth by a talk show host. This discussion can be in the form of an interview or a simple conversation about important social, political or religious issues and events. The personality of the host shapes the tone of the show, which also defines the "trademark" of the show. A common feature or unwritten rule of talk shows is to be based on "fresh talk", which is talk that is spontaneo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan (; 3 August 1938 – 31 January 2016) was an Irish radio and television broadcaster who worked for the BBC in the UK for most of his career. Between 1993 and his semi-retirement in December 2009, his BBC Radio 2 weekday breakfast programme ''Wake Up to Wogan'' regularly drew an estimated eight million listeners. He was believed to be the most listened-to radio broadcaster in Europe."Wogan's run – the King of banter finally goes blankety blank" by Kim Bielenberg, ''Irish Independent'', 12 September 2009 Wogan was a leading media personality in Ireland and Britain from the late 1960s, and was often referred to as a "national treasure". [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
