Who's on Radio London "Oh no he isn't!" "Oh yes he is!" This document, kindly supplied by Hans Knot, is a booking sheet for a Radio London advertising campaign. Dated 24th October 1966, the sheet reveals that the campaign, due to air three times daily from Tues, 1st November, was for the Christmas Pantomime 'Puss in Boots', starring "The very famous 'Dr Who', William Hartnell." Hartnell had in fact appeared in numerous feature films prior to taking the role of the first Dr Who in 1963, but "The very famous 'Dr Who'" was the label he would wear till his death in 1975. Of course, the BBC series was immensely popular and the 'Dr Who' name was guaranteed to be a panto crowd-puller. Hartnell first came to the attention of TV viewers as Sgt. Bullimore in the early BBC sitcom The Army Game. He quit the role of Dr Who in October '66 and perhaps surprisingly for a man in poor health, soon commenced touring in Puss in Boots. Radio London commercials voiced by Pete Drummond do not reveal what role Hartnell took in the panto, which played Ipswich, Southend, Cheltenham and Taunton. Those recorded for Big L were specifically to promote the performances at The Gaumont Ipswich and the Odeon Southend. The Gaumont show commenced on December 26th, with ticket prices ranging from four shillings (20 pence) to eight-and sixpence (42.5 pence). At the Odeon from January 2nd, prices were slightly higher, between four shillings and six pence (22.5 pence) to ten shillings and six pence (52.5 pence). Dum Dum's backing music for the advert is listed on the sheet as 'Jingle Bells' by Ray Conniff and 'Pussycat' by Quincy Jones. Click on the picture to view a larger version. |
To read the text, click on the picture to view a larger version. |
The two items on the left come courtesy of Raoul Verolleman a brilliant source of Radio Scotland memorabilia. Raoul believes the scotty dog on the calendar belonged to Cathy Spence. |
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What was the weather forecast for Christmas Day 1966? Ed Stewpot and Everett of England will now sing it for you |
Bud Ballou enjoyed Christmas Day aboard the Mi Amigo
"We had a really good time lots of food and a wonderful meal. The crew and staff ate together. There was Harry the Mouse, who spoke great English; he was the ship's engineer. Jan was the cook and there was one other Dutch guy and Captain Peprouk. The captain was so drunk! We couldn't even get him out of his chair at the head of the table. All he would do was just sit there all glassy-eyed, laughing and smiling. He was so wasted that he couldn't even go up to use the bathroom. This went on for hours. Finally, we had to lift him and carry him to his cabin. "
(Webmaster's
note: We are open to suggestions as to the spelling of the Captain's name!)
And later still...
In 1972, long after the sad demise of Radio London, a Big L favourite who had stayed with the station to the end was now a 'popular Radio Two DJ'. Tony Brandon issued this Christmas single Sleep Little Children (Chapter One SCH 178) Photo courtesy of Hans Knot |