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A Television GalleryProgrammes and Intervals |
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In the early days of post-war television plays usually had an interval, during which a title slide would be shown. A minute or so before the play was to resume, a bell would sound (just as it would in the theatre) to warn viewers who might have gone to make the tea etc. |
 | These titles, on 35mm film were shown from telecine, usually the studio Mechau. |  |
 | Some plays might have an interval title specially shot. This play, "Almost Glory" was transmitted in May 1953, and this may be the only surviving relic of it. |
At the end of plays a roller caption machine would provide a climbing title of the cast and credits. At times, a still frame end title would be superimposed from the studio Mechau. |  |
On 12 December 1954 George Orwell's controversial play "1984" was transmitted, live from Lime Grove, and was to be repeated (also live) a few days later. After the first transmission there was a public outcry against its repeat and there were demonstrations of protest outside the Lime Grove studios. I was off duty the first night but when I went in the next day I ran the film inserts to see what all the fuss was about. My favourite bit was the "Hate 2 minutes" in which a crowd worked up their emotions by shouting "Hate, hate, hate". |
 Big Brother | "Big Brother" did not actually appear in the play but his image (on 35mm film) was shown on the "telescreens" at various moments. |
In those days prior to the start of ITV in 1955 television had a very relaxed atmosphere. There were often pauses between programmes, usually filled by a film Interlude, but occasionally by a still frame. |
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Until 1954 there was no live television news, Television Newsreel (TNR) which ran from January 1948 until superceded by News & Newsreel in July 1954 was a topical magazine programme, so each evening just before television closed down, a sound recording of the 9pm Home Service radio news was broadcast. |  |
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