Clayhanger (ATV 1976) - Something to stir the memories!

[stuartfanning]

Scans from the TV Times souvenir issue tied in with the original screening of Clayhanger. A marvelous series still awaiting a DVD release!



Picasa Web Albums - stuartfanning - CLAYHANGER (A...#

[Anorak 1960]

Another missed opportunity of my life, I joined an agency/drama class in 1974 and although our dates don't seem to correspond the previous term every child from the agency was an extra in it, and after I joined I got a single audition in 2 years. I moved to classes at a local group when I hit 17 and then needed to work on my education and let that side drift, but would have been my sole official TV appearance had I joined a term earlier.



I've sneaked in on Satellite channels since then on my psychic research, but had to wait over 30 years for that to happen!

[cully]

The lovely Louise Purnell was in it!!

[stuartfanning]

name='cully']The lovely Louise Purnell was in it!!

Here are some images from the series including Louise Purnell as Janet Orgreave.



Picasa Web Albums - stuartfanning - Clayhanger (A...#

[cully]

Thanks for those pics, Stuart, very nostalgic! I think I spotted an overripe Joyce Redman in there as well.



Now, why don't they repeat that on telly??!!

[stuartfanning]

name='cully']Thanks for those pics, Stuart, very nostalgic! I think I spotted an overripe Joyce Redman in there as well.



Now, why don't they repeat that on telly??!!

Yes Joyce Redman plays Auntie Hamps, a dreadful woman in some ways.



Yes with all these ITV and UKTV channels showing classic programmes why doesn't any of them screen Clayhanger? Doesn't make sense given the way they repeat some series over and over again!

[retroman]

I suspect that the reason why it has never been repeated, apart from the fact that it was under-appreciated at the time, lies in the fact that the cost of royalties if it were shown would be astronomic, given that it was an epic production with a cast list which was vast.



The TV series was faithful to the book in a way that was both admirable and unusual these days. It may have meant that by modern standards in drama, the pace was slow, but is I think essential in orderto gain a full appreciation of Bennett's marvellous trilogy. I have watched most of the series recently and for me, it remains a superb example of television drama at its very best.

[EllyMack]

When I was at school, being rubbish at English Lit, I persuaded my English teacher to allow me to drop the subject at O'level, an unprecedented move at my school. During the lessons where everyone else was ploughing through Shakespeare and Bronte, I was allowed to either write or to read something worthwhile. One of the titles I was allowed to read was Clayhanger, which I'd chosen because I'd been watching it at home. Suffice to say the book didn't last for long - far too boring, so it became a cover for the much more exciting Skinhead and Greaser.



Anyway, I've recently rediscovered the book and am thoroughly enjoying it. I can see so much of my own life in Edwin's relationship with his father. Maybe it's a book that needs some life experience before you can fully appreciate it.



Would love to watch it again, or even see a new dramatisation. Dan Radcliffe would make an excellent Edwin, with Toby Stephens as Darius, I reckon. I haven't cast the other parts yet.

[dpgmel]

Fans of this series will be pleased to note that it is due for release, all 26 episodes, on the 12th July courtesy of Network.



Play.com (UK) : Clayhanger: The Complete Series (8 Discs) : DVD - Free Delivery

[stuartfanning]

name='dpgmel']Fans of this series will be pleased to note that it is due for release, all 26 episodes, on the 12th July courtesy of Network.



Play.com (UK) : Clayhanger: The Complete Series (8 Discs) : DVD - Free Delivery

Fantastic news. A big surprise as Network's advance releases are usually trailed well in advance.

[jaycad]

i've never seen it but it looks like my cup of tea!

[stuartfanning]

Network have put the intro and very first scene on to YouTube.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=393I7yBViIE

[wellendcanons]

name='stuartfanning' date='12 July 2010 - 08:21 AM' timestamp='1278919293' post='450668']

Network have put the intro and very first scene on to YouTube.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=393I7yBViIE

Hooray! At last it's coming out on DVD.



wellendcanons.

[cully]

name='wellendcanons' date='12 July 2010 - 10:20 AM' timestamp='1278926454' post='450713']

Hooray! At last it's coming out on DVD.



wellendcanons.

26 one hour episodes for, I believe, £42. Not bad!!

[wellendcanons]

name='cully' date='12 July 2010 - 11:36 AM' timestamp='1278930967' post='450765']

26 one hour episodes for, I believe, £42. Not bad!!

Not bad at all! I'll wait a little whie though. Just in case!



wellendcanons.

[didi-5]

Definitely on my eventual 'to buy' list. Looks great!

[jaycad]

On my list too! Network are turning me into a hermit!

[cully]

Many (or most) will probably already realize this, but the price I saw quoted is NOT what you pay in your local HMV shop.



If you go online (HMV website?) you pay £42 but in the shop it's £60. I had it all explained to me by a pleasant underage youth this morning.



Silly me...

[wellendcanons]

name='cully' date='13 July 2010 - 05:30 PM' timestamp='1279038620' post='451432']

Many (or most) will probably already realize this, but the price I saw quoted is NOT what you pay in your local HMV shop.



If you go online (HMV website?) you pay £42 but in the shop it's £60. I had it all explained to me by a pleasant underage youth this morning.



Silly me...

I definitely won't be buying this series from HMV.



wellendcanons.