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Freewheelers
''Freewheelers'' is a British television series made by Southern Television between 1968 and 1973 for the ITV network. It was created by the television producer Chris McMaster, who was aware of the popularity of adult action series such as '' The Avengers'' and '' Department S'' amongst teenagers and saw the potential of a version aimed at a younger audience. Plot In the opening story, three young people become caught up in the plans of ex-Nazi officer Karl von Gelb to "''reverse the verdict of the last war''" and inflict revenge on his former enemies. Under the direction of Colonel Buchan of MI5, the trio thwart Gelb's scheme to launch Polaris missiles on London from a captured nuclear submarine. This set the template for future stories, with the teenagers regularly preventing Gelb from carrying out massive and ingenious threats to Britain's security. Background and production The format of fast-paced action and outdoor locations was enormously successful and the programme en ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Geoffrey Toone
Geoffrey Toone (15 November 1910 – 1 June 2005) was an English character actor and former matinee idol, born in Ireland. Most of his film roles after the 1930s were in supporting parts, usually as authority figures, though he did play the lead character in the Hammer Films production ''The Terror of the Tongs'' in 1961. Life and career Toone was born in Dublin, Ireland to English parents and was educated at Charterhouse School and Christ's College, Cambridge. He served in the Royal Artillery during World War II, but was invalided out in 1942. Toone's notable appearances include: * As Sir Edward Ramsay in the musical film ''The King and I'' (he dances with Deborah Kerr in the banquet sequence, much to the annoyance of the King). * As retired boxer and pimp Denny Lipp in "Jeff", a noteworthy 1960 episode of the TV series '' The Westerner'', produced, directed and co-written by Sam Peckinpah. The episode also featured in a small role Warren Oates, who becam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jerome Willis
Jerome Barry Willis (23 October 1928 – 11 January 2014) was a prominent British stage and screen actor with more than 100 screen credits to his name. Willis had a leading role in the ITV drama series ''The Sandbaggers'' as Matthew Peele. He also appeared in ''Z Cars'' as DCS Richards, ''Within These Walls'' as Charles Radley, and ''Doctor Who'' as corporate polluter Stevens in ''The Green Death''. He played Praetorian Guard commander Macro in the ITV Roman series '' The Caesars''. Other television appearances include the cult children's television series ''Freewheelers'' as the manic Professor Nero, and the science fiction police drama ''Space Precinct'' as Captain Podley. In 2002 Willis appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company, in ''Pericles'' at the Roundhouse in London. His film credits included ''Siege of the Saxons'' (1963), ''A Jolly Bad Fellow'' (1964), ''Khartoum'' (1966), '' The Magus'' (1968), ''Doomwatch'' (1972), '' Yellow Dog'' (1973), ''Winstanley'' (1975), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wendy Padbury
Wendy Padbury (born 7 December 1947) is a British actress and former talent agent. She has appeared in television series since 1966, including as Zoe Heriot, a companion to Patrick Troughton's Doctor in ''Doctor Who'', from 1968 to 1969. Early life Before becoming an actress Padbury took ballet classes, but these came to an end due to her flat feet. She replaced ballet with Saturday morning drama classes with a strong emphasis on elocution. Career Padbury came to prominence in 1966 when she joined the cast of the long-running ATV soap opera ''Crossroads'' after she came second in the television talent contest ''Search for a Star''. For her initial song in the contest she chose "(When I Marry) Mr. Snow" and made the unusual decision to sing ''a capella''. Afterwards, the guest celebrity, Stubby Kaye, praised her very highly and predicted that she would go far, somewhat to the embarrassment of the presenter since, at that point, no one contestant should have been singled out. I ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Adrian Wright
Adrian Wright (1 July 1947 – 28 November 2015) was English Australian actor remembered for his roles in the 1970s children's television series ''Freewheelers'' and the Australian serial ''Prisoner (TV series), Prisoner'' in which he played male nurse Neil Murray, after playing an off-duty policeman in episode 10. Personal life and career Born in Maidenhead, England, he was the son of Matvin Wright, a painter and first appeared as an actor in repertory theatres in England and Wales. He subsequently moved to Australia where he continued his career. His most prominent role is probably that of Neil Murray in ''Prisoner (TV series), Prisoner''. He was married to Australian actress and singer Abigail (actress), Abigail, he died in 2015. Selected filmography * ''Freewheelers'' (1972) * ''Village Hall (TV series), Village Hall'' (1974) * ''End Play'' (1975) * ''Summerfield (film), Summerfield'' (1977) * ''The Survivor (1981 film), The Survivor'' (1981) * ''Sky Pirates'' (1986) * ''Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tom Owen (actor)
Thomas William Stevenson Rowbotham (8 April 1949 – 8 November 2022), known professionally as Tom Owen, was a British actor best known for playing Tom Simmonite in the sitcom ''Last of the Summer Wine''. He was the son of Bill Owen (actor), Bill Owen, who played William "Compo" Simmonite (the father of Tom Simmonite) in the show. Theatre Owen trained as a student assistant stage manager at Leatherhead Theatre in 1966. He worked extensively in repertory both as an actor and director. In 1969 Owen played Farley, in 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips' a role first played by John Mills in the original version. He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company playing on Broadway in their production of 'London Assurance'. His performance as Krapp in Fiona Baddeley's production of Beckett's masterpiece 'Krapp's Last Tape' was likened to those given by Michael Gambon, John Hurt and Harold Pinter. He has appeared in the West End in 'Lulu'. He also starred in over twenty pantomimes. Television Owen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ronald Leigh-Hunt
Ronald Leigh-Hunt (5 October 1920 – 12 September 2005) was a British film and television actor. His father was a stockbroker and he attended the Italia Conti Academy. He began acting whilst serving in the army. Though never a major star, he appeared in over a hundred television and film productions over a forty-year period, including as King Arthur in ''The Adventures of Sir Lancelot'' in the mid-1950s, and ''General Hospital'' in the early 1970s. He appeared in ''Danger Man'' and twice in ''Doctor Who'', as Commander Radnor in ''The Seeds of Death'' (1969) and as Commander Stevenson in ''Revenge of the Cybermen'' (1975); and starred as Colonel Buchan in every episode of the 1960s and 1970s children's TV series ''Freewheelers''. Later he appeared in "You Lose Some, You Win Some", an episode of series 2 of ''Minder''. His film appearances included ''The League of Gentlemen'' (1960), ''Le Mans'' (1971) and ''The Omen'' (1976). In his later years he was a familiar sight at the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kevin Stoney
Kevin Stoney (22 January 1921 – 22 January 2008) was an English actor. He was best known for his television roles, in which he became familiar for his "portrayal of establishment types". During the Second World War, Stoney served with the Royal Air Force. On television, he appeared in three serials of the science fiction series ''Doctor Who'' over a period of ten years, playing Mavic Chen in ''The Daleks' Master Plan'' (1965), Tobias Vaughn in '' The Invasion'' (1968) and Tyrum in ''Revenge of the Cybermen'' (1975). Stoney also appeared in two episodes of another BBC science fiction series, ''Blake's 7'', playing Councillor Joban in the episode ''Hostage'' and Ardus in the episode ''Animals''. He also played the astrologer Thrasyllus in the 1976 BBC adaptation of ''I, Claudius'', a role he had earlier played in Granada Television's 1969 series '' The Caesars''. Other credits include: ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'', ''The Saint'', ''Danger Man'', '' The Avengers'', ''Dr. Fi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Keith Mansfield
Keith Mansfield (born 1941 in London, England) is a British composer and arranger known for his creation of prominent television theme tunes, including the ''Grandstand'' theme for the BBC. Career Other works include "The Young Scene" (the original 1968 theme to ''The Big Match''), "Light and Tuneful" (the opening theme for the BBC's coverage of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships), "World Champion" (the closing theme for NBC's coverage of the same tournament), and "World Series" (used for the BBC's athletics coverage). One of his library music recordings, "Teenage Carnival", was used as the theme to the cult 1960s ITV children's television series ''Freewheelers''. He has also composed film scores for British movies such as '' Loot'' (1970) and ''Taste of Excitement'' (1970), and the western ''Three Bullets for a Long Gun'' (1971). He also scored the start-up and shutdown themes for Granada Television in 1978, which were used for ten years before it switched to 24-hour television ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chris Chittell
Christopher John Chittell (born 19 May 1948) is an English actor, known for his role as Eric Pollard in the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale''. He has portrayed the role since 1986, making him the longest-serving cast member in the soap's history. Biography Early life Chittell was born in Aldershot, Hampshire. His father served in the Indian Army, and on leaving school Chittell intended to join the Royal Navy, but instead, he became a model. His first acting stint was in 1964, with the National Theatre, at Chichester Festival Theatre, in Peter Shaffer's ''The Royal Hunt of the Sun''. Career He appeared as Potter in the 1967 film ''To Sir, with Love''. In 1968 he appeared as a Trooper in ''The Charge of the Light Brigade'', and made an uncredited appearance in '' If....'' . This was followed by a starring role as one of the ''Freewheelers'', made as an action/adventure children's serial by Southern Television between 1968 and 1973. Chittal acted for two seasons in the 1970s science ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Southern Television
Southern Television was the ITV broadcasting licence holder for the South and South-East of England from 30 August 1958 to 31 December 1981. The company was launched as 'Southern Television Limited' and the title 'Southern Television' was consistently used on-air throughout its life. However, in 1966, during the application process for contracts running from 1968, the company renamed itself 'Southern Independent Television Limited', a title which was used until 1980 when the company reverted to its original corporate name. Southern Television ceased broadcasting on the morning of 1 January 1982 at 12:43am, after a review during the 1980 franchise round gave the contract to Television South. Launch When the Independent Television Authority (ITA) advertised for applicants to run the south of England station in 1958, Southern Television beat eight other applicants for the contract. Its initial shareholders were Associated Newspapers, the Rank Organisation and the Amalgamated Pre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Southerner (marine Vessel)
Southerner was a marine outside broadcast unit operated by Southern Television in the United Kingdom from the mid-1960s. Origins In the early 1960s, Southern Television hired the former ''Proud Grenadier'' motor torpedo boat MTB 506 (which was named ''Winola'' at that time) as a platform to provide coverage of Cowes Week, a famous maritime event held off the coast of the Isle of Wight. The initial installation was rather makeshift but, realising its potential, Southern decided to acquire the vessel for further development. The boat was thoroughly overhauled to house a complete and unique outside broadcast facility and, following this work, was renamed ''Southerner''. Configuration The ''Proud'' class was assigned to refurbished motor torpedo boat vessels originally manufactured by the British Power Boat Company during the Second World War. The ''Winola'' had been upgraded with gas turbine engines by the Marine Turbo Craft company, who had owned the craft before it was bought by Sou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Laurie Johnson
Laurence Reginald Ward Johnson, (born 7 February 1927) is an English composer and bandleader who has written scores for dozens of film and television series and has been one of the most highly regarded arrangers of instrumental pop and swing music since the 1950s with works often serving as stock production music. Career Johnson was born in Hampstead, England, and studied at the Royal College of Music in London, and spent four years in the Coldstream Guards before moving to the entertainment industry in the 1950s. One of his first major projects was as composer and music director in a musical adaptation of Henry Fielding's ''Rape Upon Rape'', entitled '' Lock Up Your Daughters'' (1959), which opened in Bernard Miles' Mermaid Theatre. The score, with lyrics by Lionel Bart, won an Ivor Novello Award. Johnson's stage work included music for the Peter Cook revue, ''Pieces of Eight'' (1959), and '' The Four Musketeers'' (1967), starring Harry Secombe. In 1961, Johnson entered the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |