ATV Productions 1955 – 1981

From the fifties to the eighties ATV made some of the best-known programmes to air on ITV. Sister company ITC also distributed many of them to countries around the globe. Here is a look at some of the notable contributions to British Television.

THE FIFTIES

Sunday Night at the London Palladium, 1955-1974

The series aired live from London’s most famous theatre with hosts such as Bruce Forsyth, Tommy Trinder, Jim Dale, Bob Monkhouse and Jimmy Tarbuck. The series had a few name changes along the way but concluded in the seventies with its original title. The variety show brought to screens the big entertainment names of the day from across the UK, Europe and America.

Frolic Wind. 1955

Television adaptation of the work by Richard Pryce concerning Lady Athaliah (Helen Haye) who lives with her three elderly sisters at Pagnell Bois, and the exposure of long-held family secrets at a gathering of guests.

Man of Destiny. 1955

TV play based on the story by George Bernard Shaw in which Napoleon Bonaparte and an unnamed woman battle verbally with each other for possession of an unopened letter to Napoleon she has hoodwinked by a dumb Lieutenant. Starring James Donald and Elizabeth Sellars.

The Week-End Show. 1955

Live morning magazine series with a mix of interesting topics from fashion, cooking and health. This was ATV’s first programme to air on ‘ATV London’ after the launch of ITV in September 1955.

The Concert. 1955

Drama set in Montreal. A novelist, Dr Richard Jennings (who is never seen, only heard), decides to leave his apartment at short notice. His acquaintances cannot understand why he would want to leave so suddenly; so his friend, Professor Standish, visits him to find out why. Jennings tells Standish the story of how he met Anne Rivers, a blind girl who lives in the same apartment block, a few days previously. He now finds himself in a situation which forces him to leave.

A Question of Fact. 1955

Television adaptation of the play by Wynyard Browne about young schoolmaster Paul Gardiner and his growing fears of inherited evil after discovering that his real father was hanged for murder.

Sailor of Fortune. 1956-1958

The adventures of Grant Mitchell, the American sea captain of the freighter `The Shipwreck’, as he travels the world helping people in need and getting involved in all kinds of intrigue. Starring Lorne Greene.

Joan and Leslie. 1956

Comic situations in the life of husband and wife duo Joan and Leslie Randall.

Lunch Box. 1956-64

Live weekday magazine and variety show presented by Noele Gordon with the help of Jerry Allen and his TV Trio band.

The Bob Hope Show. 1956

A series of programmes produced at the Wood Green Empire with American comedian Bob Hope and his star guests.

The Most Likely Girl. 1956

Birmingham set sitcom starring Beryl Reid.

The Lady and the Thief. 1956

Outwardly the life of highly respected Lady Orrin seems normal. But she has a secret that no one would suspect, and the truth will out. Soon she finds herself in serious trouble. Joyce Heron stars in this drama written by Ted Lloyd. Produced in association with Towers Of London Productions.

Val Parnell’s Spectacular, 1956-1960

Having conquered Sunday evenings with Sunday Night at the London Palladium, Val Parnell turned his attention to Saturday nights. Each show was largely devoted to one artist and his or her guests. The series launched with The Gracie Fields Show.

Others to host series under the Spectacular title included Benny Hill, Eric Sykes, Harry Secombe, Arthur Haynes, Alma Cogan, Dave King, Cliff Richard, David Whitfield, the Beverley Sisters, Hylda Baker, Allan Jones, Vera Lynn, Spike Milligan, Anthony Newley, Hughie Green, Charlie Chester, Shirley Bassey, Hugh O’Brian, Michael Holliday, Bob Monkhouse, Vic Damone, Des O’Connor, Bob Crosby, Tony Bennett, Peter Sellers, Connie Francis, Johnnie Ray, Mindy Carson, Norman Wisdom, Sarah Vaughan, Dickie Valentine, Tommy Steele, Gordon Macrae and Sheila Macrae, Janette Scott and Arthur Askey.

Tea with Noele Gordon. 1956

ITV’s first chat show sees Noele welcome guests to the Aston Studios in Birmingham for a half-hour one to one chat. Guests include Bob Monkhouse, Morecambe and Wise, Ken Dodd, Matt Monro, David Whitfield, Max Wall, William Hartnell, Liberace, Tommy Trinder and Jimmy Jewell to name just a few.

Heaven and Earth. 1957

Drama of the reactions of passengers aboard a plane heading for the Riviera which develops engine trouble – an updated version of the Jonah and the Whale legend. Dr. Gary Lewis is a young evangelist with a huge following who leaves his followers to enjoy a holiday in the South of France. On the plane flying out, engine trouble develops, and all four propellers cut out simultaneously. The plane rapidly loses height then, without explanation, the engines swing into action again. But this is not the end of the story. Starring Paul Scofield, Michael Goodliffe and Dorothy Bromiley.

The Benny Hill Show. 1957-60

ATV presents the exuberant and versatile British comedian, Benny Hill, as he invites viewers to join him on a merry-go-round of music and mirth. The series features early appearances of famous Benny Hill characters such as Fred Scuttle. Hill parodies many of the contemporary television programmes, stars and musicals of the day, such as Cool For Cats (Hot for Dogs), Beat the Clock (Beat Your Wife) pop singer Alma Cogan and others.

Emergency Ward 10. 1957-67.

ITV’s first twice-weekly serial set in the ward ten of the Oxbridge Hospital, London. The lives and loves of the staff played just as much a part of the show as the medical dramas of the patients. Stars included Richard Thorp, Jill Browe, Bud Tingwell and Desmond Carrington.

White Hunter. 1958

Lively series of African adventures based on the real life exploits of the game hunter John A. Hunter, ‘the surest and fastest shot in Africa’. Filmed in the UK with mainly stock footage from Africa. Starring Rhodes Reason.

John Gabriel Borkman. 1958

John Gabriel Borkman (Laurence Olivier) is a respected businessman and banker who, to create an industrial empire of his own, gambles millions – and loses, ruining friends and investors alike. After eight years in prison, he retires to self-imposed exile, waiting to be recalled into public life. His belief in the just conduct of his affairs is still unshaken. But he is confronted with shadows of his past. His only visitors are his old friend Fodel and Flodin’s daughter, Frida

Throughout he rebels against the claims of his family, and the play tries him for the conduct of his life. His wife is a strong, masterful woman who refuses to see him. Meanwhile her twin sister, who was once in love with Borkman, has devoted her life to bringing up and caring for his daughter. Adapted from the play by Henrik Ibsen.

Secombe and Friends. 1959

Hosted by Harry Secombe and featuring his pals including Spike Milligan, Ivor Emmanuel, Bill Fraser, Peter Haigh, Joyce Blair, Lionel Blair, Osian Ellis, Glyn Houston, The Piero Brothers, The Ferndale Imperial Singers, Stanley Baker, Donald Houston and Jack Parnell and his Orchestra. Dances staged by Lionel Blair. Designed by Anthony Waller. This programme was transmitted live and never recorded.

A Day By The Sea. 1959

John Gielgud stars as Julian, a foreign office official. While staying with his mother he meets Frances Farrar who is making a surprise visit with her two children. She and Julian were brought up together but have since drifted apart.

Epilogue to Capricorn. 1959

Six-part serial about a World War II mystery which is being documented for the War Office. Robert Faulkner, a foreign correspondent is called in by the War Office to compile a dossier on a disastrously unsuccessful top secret wartime operation called Operation Capricorn. It becomes evident that the operation was not a failure because of bad luck, but because of somebody’s treachery. The question is – whose?

Top secret information about Operation Capricorn is recorded on tape, and is highly compromising to several people. Stolen, it becomes dynamite. Produced by John Nelson-Burton and written by John Roddick.

The Enormous Shadow. 1959

Part of the ‘ITV Play of the Week’ strand this edition starred Denholm Elliott in the lead role. Other cast in this comedy-drama included Douglas Wilmer, John Le Mesurier and Susan Maryott.

The Voodoo Factor. 1959

Thriller serial about a strange epidemic which infects the crew and passengers of a ship in the Indian Ocean. Hard-driven scientist Dr David Whittaker (Maurice Kaufmann) finds himself battling for the survival of the world against a disease spreading from a tropical island caused by a legendary spider-goddess.

Putting on the Donegan. 1959-61

Light entertainment music show starring ‘skiffle king’ Lonnie Donegan

The Probation Officer. 1959-62

The drama series, meticulously researched and deeply human, revolves around the work of a team of probation officers in London and the diverse individuals of all ages and backgrounds in their charge. Leveraging the documentary expertise of its creator Julian Bond and produced by Antony Kearey of Emergency – Ward 10 fame, ‘Probation Officer’ aired during a period when the service began to be recognized as a forward-thinking solution to escalating crime rates.