RTBWTV March 7th 2024 - Stars behind wartime bars
Another snorkel through the classic television that flitted across the black and white screens of the UK from the Suez Crisis of 1956 until 1974's three day week.
Co hosts Guy Morgan and David Newell consider shows that are still available, others that have been lost and some which should have existed and perhaps still could...........
This time, we take a deep dive into that crucible of acting and writing talent, the Second World War -- or more specifically prisoner of war camps. The National Archive near Kew in West London is currently staging Great Escapes, an exhibition about life in captivity for servicemen and civilians on both sides of the conflict. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/great-escapes/
And in particular, we pay tribute to the performers incarcerated in the most famous prison camp of all, Stalag Luft III.
We also look at people held prisoner by the Japanese who went on to find fame and fortune in literature and on screen. And we consider the impact the war had not only on actors' careers, but the appetite for TV series about it.
As always, rights in all music and clips belong to the holders and are used here for educational purposes.
You'll hear a smidgeon of Peter Butterworth in Carry On Screaming, plus an extract from his This is Your Life episode in 1976. Also, Robert Farnon's Colditz March, Clifton Parker's music from The Wooden Horse (1950), Elmer Berstein's theme to the The Great Escape and the theme to Hogan's Heroes composed by Jerry Fielding. All can be found and purchased online.
