Television's Closedown in 1939

[Panrock]

The story has been often told, often it seems, with errors.

The most accurate account is likely to be the 'Pas B' record of events (appended) and discussed HERE.

I query the accuracy of the name of the last announcer as typed on the Pas B: "Fay Cavendish". I believe this should read Kay Cavendish, listed as Deputy Announcer at Radiolympia on the very next page to the listing of September 1st programmes in the Radio Times (attached).

You can learn more about Miss Cavendish, when she returned home from wartime duties HERE.

And you can watch the entire "Mickey's Gala Premier",  the last film shown on television pre-war, HERE.  Great for showing on pre-war sets!

Steve

PS. I seem to be unable to remove a surplus, lower definition copy of the PasB !
Edit by Mods: Done...

[peter scott]

"When documents written the day after an event cannot be trusted because they reflect what the writer would have liked to have happened (or what the writer would like others to believe the writer would have liked to have happened) rather than the reality, what can we make of an anecdote intoned for the cameras three decades later?"

Indeed! Another notable one is JLB's involvement in the opening ceremony coin toss with Gerald Cock chastising Baird and Shoenberg for the failings of the BTL and EMI systems respectively. JLB had virtually no involvement in the BTL equipment installed at AP.

   

Peter

[ppppenguin]

The difference between documentary and drama. The lines can be blurred.

[Murphyv310]

The difference between documentary and drama. The lines can be blurred.

405 lines were never blurred Jeffrey

[ppppenguin]

The difference between documentary and drama. The lines can be blurred.

405 lines were never blurred Jeffrey 

Both you and I have seen some rotten sets where 100 lines would have been blurred, let alone 405

[Murphyv310]

Yes indeed Jeffery.
Been a great read about closedown, interesting.

[Panrock]

IMO Kay Cavendish should have more recognition, as the last voice heard on pre-war British television. You can also hear her in the youtube film link I attached.

Steve