ABC Nights In – Lincolnshire Closed Today

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ABC Nights In – Lincolnshire Closed Today

Not sure what to get Gran and Gramps for Christmas? Despair not, thanks to the good people at Network on Air, this nostalgic trip down memory lane will doubtlessly delight all those old enough to remember the then popular ‘ABC Nights In’ series which aired in the North and the Midlands from 1956 to 1968. Presented as a 2-disc DVD set, this release offers a variety of programmes, many of which haven’t been seen since their original broadcast! Among the handpicked archive gems – hosted by David Hamilton – are episodes of ‘The Cheaters’ starring John Ireland as an insurance claims investigator, kids series ‘Space Patrol’ and ‘Counter Attack’, ‘Candid Camera’ classics, ‘Armchair Theatre’ and others.
DISC 1 starts with ‘Here’s David Nixon’ (Show 13, broadcast 22nd Dec 1993). TV-personality and conjuror David Nixon was, at the height of his career, the best-known magician in the UK. With his entertaining blend of magic tricks and comedy (occasionally he also sang) here then is a chance to compare his show with his modern contemporaries. Next up we find ourselves transported back to the world of Sci-fi marionette series ‘Space Patrol’ – a children’s fantasy programme created by Roberta Leigh and set in the year 2100 – a time in which the indigenous and autonomous civilizations on Earth, Mars and Venus have joined forces to create the so-called UGO (United Galactic Organization), with Space Patrol being the organisation’s military wing lead by Captain Larry Dart. It’s the series’ final episode ‘The Shrinking Glass of Jupiter’ (broadcast 28th of July 1968) which made it onto this release and we follow humanoid Venusian Slim when he disappears in the swamps during a mission to Jupiter. Just don’t expect the ensuing rescue mission to fare smoothly… Next up is another kids program – in ‘Counter-Attack! (Episode ‘Last Chance’, broadcast 28th Feb 1960) we follow three feisty children (Terry Benson and siblings Carol and Cliff Delamare) as they try to scupper Major Heinrich Wolf’s plans during the WW2 German occupation of the Channel Islands. It all seems rather tame and twee by today’s standards though back then it was without doubt a televised thrill-ride for a young audience.
Also on Disc 1 is the episode ‘The Case of George Peterson’ (Broadcast 5th May, 1962) from the drama series ‘The Cheaters’ (a Danziger Brothers production) and a mish-mash of ‘Big Night Out’ entertainment (Series 1, show 11, broadcast 7th of Sept 1963) hosted by comedians Mike and Bernie Winters. Among those guests whose name will ring a bell are The Beatles. This is followed by a selection of ‘Candid Camera’ classics and the first disc ends with the episode ‘Strangers in Paradise’ (broadcast 17th July 1964) from the comedy detective series ‘Miss Adventure’ which saw the larger than life Hattie Jacques taking on the part of private investigator Stacey Smith. Here, a tricky case takes her from London to Greece (well, a studio really…).
DISC 2 kicks off in style with a live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall (2nd June 1962). In ‘This Is Sinatra’ ole blue eyes makes his first ever personal appearance on British TV and among the Royal Albert Hall glitterati are HRH Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon. ‘Sharp at Four’ is an ‘Armchair Theatre’ episode (broadcast 12th Jan 1964) which is as amusing as it is poignant. It sees young and single mother Jean Hobley (Rosemary Leach) in desperate need of work though applying for a job as secretary isn’t easy because she makes it clear that – should she get the job – she needs to leave sharp at four every day in order to pick up her son from school. What follows is a hilarious battle of wits (and wills) between employers Boatwright (Derek Godfrey) who is eager to ‘promote’ his loyal and longstanding private secretary Miss Fletcher (Mona Bruce) to the next floor in order to rid himself of her clumsy advances towards him, and his younger colleague Sutcliffe (John Standing) – a lech who seems more interested in the shapely legs of prospective candidates than anything else. Will humble Jean stand a chance?
We end with the final transmission ‘Goodnight from ABC’ (broadcast on 28th July 1968) during which host David Hamilton takes us on a trip back in time featuring highlights from the entire series, including snippets from The Avengers and other various programmes and entertainment shows screened from the beginning to the end – aptly titled ‘Lincolnshire Closed Today’.
Please note that ‘ABC Nights In’ compilations are presented in a 16:9 widescreen image window and feature ABC material in its original 4:3 aspect ratio alongside new linking material presented in 16:9. As such the archive television programming is presented with black bars on either side of the image.
Feel free to take a look at the Network on Air website (www.networkonair.com) where you will find more ‘ABC Nights In’ releases.

Tags: Film-News.co.uk