as far as i know eric you are correct.. the first studio was in aston cross but i didnt think it was in the astoria cinema...i thought the ATV studio was in a building which i think is still standing...think i read they then moved to bridge st...all this would need confirming or not as the case maybe...I always thought the studio was Aston Cross (the old Astoria cinema), I must be thinking of something else ! Eric
The Phantom Flan Flinger on Tiswas was a Black cab driver for TOA taxis called Benny Mills....Benny is still alive and kicking in Cheswick Green Solihull area....he got all the contract work for taxi filming as he had became best of mates with Chris Tarrant...good nights at ATV social club next to Holiday Inn hotelI had a drink in the bar at Central studios after a few of the Tiswas shows with the cast. I remember there was a guy who was the phantom flan (or custard pie) flinger. The trouble was, as he was completely covered in a black mask and cape on set nobody knew who he was in the bar. How sadly ironic that such a figure known to millions never got the recognition from his adoring fans that he deserved.
Rosie the Crossroads set was in the all singing all dancing at the time ne ATV studios in Bridge St I was lucky enough to get a guided tour around there, we saw the Crossroads set . Then we went onto the. Golden Shot set , we also met the late Trevor Lucas the announcer, remember the days when we had the announcers in between programmes . Then up to the bar yippee .Viv, there are a couple of similar windows in Gas Street, but not such a long run. Were the studios in that area then? I know they were in later years.
rosie.
I understand The Theatre Royal was converted to The Astoria Cinema in 1927 (1st photo below) and then became Alpha Television Studios in 1956 (2nd photo), prior to being demolished in 1973 to make way for a new building. I think the building @ #211 was a 5-storey office block ATV built, which was taken over by BRMB radio in 1974, after ATV had moved to Broad Street (3rd photo is as it was planned to look, as I can't find one that shows how it actually did look, but from memory that seems close, the 4th shows it's position heading towards the city & the 5th after BRMB had vacated).as far as i know eric you are correct.. the first studio was in aston cross but i didnt think it was in the astoria cinema...i thought the ATV studio was in a building which i think is still standing...think i read they then moved to bridge st...all this would need confirming or not as the case maybe...
lyn
I think you are correct John, I found a short history here. Alpha/ATV/Central and Carlton held onto the designation BAT, which I was told stood for Birmingham Astoria Theatre. The BAT designation is that used by the Post Office/BT for their video/audio circuits.I understand The Theatre Royal was converted to The Astoria Cinema in 1927 (1st photo below) and then became Alpha Television Studios in 1956 (2nd photo), prior to being demolished in 1973 to make way for a new building. I think the building @ #211 was a 5-storey office block ATV built, which was taken over by BRMB radio in 1974, after ATV had moved to Broad Street (3rd photo is as it was planned to look, as I can't find one that shows how it actually did look, but from memory that seems close, the 4th shows it's position heading towards the city & the 5th after BRMB had vacated).
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I see the programme “Nolly” (starring Helena Bonham-Carter as Noelle) is due to be shown in early 2023. It’ll be on ITV.
Viv.
It is on ITVX (which is ITV's new streaming service) early in 2023 and will follow some months later on ITV.I see the programme “Nolly” (starring Helena Bonham-Carter as Noelle) is due to be shown in early 2023. It’ll be on ITV.
Viv.
The outside shots were recorded at Walford Hall in Baschurch, Shropshire, for the main motel frontage and house, with chalet shots recorded at the Longshoot Motel in Nuneaton.Crossroads used Penns Hall Hotel, Walmley at times
The LongShoot has not changed that much since then!!!!The outside shots were recorded at Walford Hall in Baschurch, Shropshire, for the main motel frontage and house, with chalet shots recorded at the Longshoot Motel in Nuneaton.
The LongShoot has not changed that much since then!!!!
Hi Sue. Think it was Jerry Allen and his trio? I have a memory of seeing them at the ATV studios early 60’sI remember Noel Gordon on "Lunch Box", What was the band leaders name? Anyone remember?
Hello folks, here's one from my memory bank. Many, many years ago I was doing a bit of taxi work. I got a call to pick up a fare from (old) New Street station. Well to my surprise it was Richard Todd. He wanted taking to Noele Gordon's flat. Apparently the pair were really good friends and she was expecting him. On the way we took the opportunity to chat away about the film world. He was really nice. Memories are great aren't they.Here is another clip:-
Watched it growing up. Amy Turtle getting her lines mixed up Benny Miss Diane lots of characters over the years. Victoria Woods Acorn Antiques a comedy tribute at its best. Kings Oak .Has anyone seen the series? I've seen the first two episodes, and it's quite fun. Helena B-C seems less posh than I remember Miss Gordon being, but the sets seem very authentic recreations.
I can't get ITVX on my television. Looking back, I did think that Noele Gordon sounded a tad "posh" myself, posher than Benny and Amy Turtle, certainly.Has anyone seen the series? I've seen the first two episodes, and it's quite fun. Helena B-C seems less posh than I remember Miss Gordon being, but the sets seem very authentic recreations.
Definitely posher than they were! I didn't know she was from the East End (or so she says in the 'Nolly' script).I can't get ITVX on my television. Looking back, I did think that Noele Gordon sounded a tad "posh" myself, posher than Benny and Amy Turtle, certainly.![]()
I mentioned earlier on the thread that she had a flat round the corner from us on the Handsworth Wood Road - I can confirm she had a posh and very loud voice!I can't get ITVX on my television. Looking back, I did think that Noele Gordon sounded a tad "posh" myself, posher than Benny and Amy Turtle, certainly.![]()
Spot on well spoken .I can't get ITVX on my television. Looking back, I did think that Noele Gordon sounded a tad "posh" myself, posher than Benny and Amy Turtle, certainly.![]()
Not quite Celia Johnson, but going in that direction. It was partly the way she pronounced the 'h' in words like 'what.'Spot on well spoken .