The world of British television off and on the screen, as it was sixty years ago.

Out of the Woods

The Times reports on the fact that in June “[t]he percentage of radio hire purchase sales… at 40 percent was the lowest since information on hire purchase sales was first published… last March; the May figure was 43 per cent.”

But what are these percentages of? Is it saying that 40% of all hire purchase sales related to radios? Or that 40% of radio purchases were made on the never-never? It continues:

“Credit sales of radiograms fell by 1 per cent to 67 per cent and those of television sets by 2 per cent to 57 per cent. Total radio sales at 74,000 units were 1,000 lower; television sales at 53,000, 9,000 lower; and radiogram sales at 14,000, 1,000 lower.

“For the first half of 1955 radio sales increased by 26 per cent, radiograms by 56 per cent and television by 51 per cent.”

Cyril Aynsley, writing in the Daily Express did not care for last night’s play The Adventurer. He describes it as “about a handsome, bearded ladies’ hairdresser who dreamed of being an explorer on the high seas.” He took on a bet that he would sail around the world and the remainder of the play consisted of his attempts to avoid his commitment.

Cyril is disappointed for “After a recent run of excellent TV plays the BBC had apparently decided that August Bank Holiday Sunday night was a good occasion for a pot-boiler.”

Back to The Stage newspaper’s TV Page, and the main headline is that the bill-toppers on the first edition of Sunday Night at the London Palladium will be Gracie Fields and Guy Mitchell. Rumours that Bob Hope would open the series “had no foundation” according to a spokesman for Associated Broadcasting, but he will appear later in the series.

Three more presenters have signed contracts with Associated-Rediffusion. These are Frank Owen, who has a “roving commission” and will take part in a variety of programmes, Godfrey Winn who will present his own fortnightly programme Write to Winn and MacDonald Daly, the internationally known canine judge, who will present his own series Man’s Best Friend. Also heading to A-R is Brian Begg who’ll be looking after the press side, helped by Hugh Findlay. Sally Sutherland is in charge of programme publicity and Geoffrey Jaggard the head of “viewer reaction”.

Most of this week’s “Telebriefs” column is taken up with American TV news, but one item of interest relates to the company Cinéad Ltd of 21, Denman Street, W1. They are currently working in the advertising field, but are planning a television film series for consumption on both sides of the Atlantic. No title is mentioned, unfortunately.

TV Page also announces the new home of the Independent Television Authority. Since 1954 they have been based in Wood’s Mews off Park Lane in London, W1. Their new home is at 14 Princes Gate, SW7. Telephone KNIghtsbridge 5341.

 

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