Published 1969

Published 1969

THE NEWS IS NOW!

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More up-to-the-minute than an evening newspaper, infinitely more graphic - that is television news presentation.

Harlech place great emphasis upon news coverage from the region, devoting more programme hours to news and current affairs than to any other single subject.

“Report”, the nightly news magazine, uses on-the-spot film from 20 camera teams and the services of more than 200 correspondents. The programme has its own edition for Wales.

“Y Dydd” is the nightly news programme in the Welsh language.

“Welsh Scene”, a weekly programme that probes more deeply into the news behind the news, is the latest service to viewers in Wales.

When colour broadcasting comes to Harlech in 1970, “Report” will be the first programme to be seen in colour.

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1: The news is where you find it - this time at a South Wales coal mine.

2: Bruce Hockin, well known to Harlech viewers for his evening news presentation “Report”.

3: Y Dydd - anchor man Gwyn Llewelyn conducts an interview for the American moon landing story.

4: Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang and her driver being interviewed for an edition of “Report”.

5: Floods bring havoc to Wales and the West - a Harlech news camera crew are on the spot.

6. Reporter Martyn Lewis in action on an oid naval fort off Miiford Haven for a news story

FACTS IN FOCUS

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More than 20 documentaries have already been produced. They analysed people and places, the problems and the triumphs of Wales and the West.

“Conquest” was not just the story of the evolution of the aircraft industry. It reflected the quiet pride of a region that contributes richly to a sphere of technology where the competition is most intense. Broadcast a few hours after Concorde’s maiden flight, this sixty-minute documentary featured aviation’s leading men. Patrick Wymark was narrator.

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In "Severnside”, commentator John Morgan explored the dreams and fears prompted by a plan that could fuse Wales and the West.

“Jumbulls” dealt with the colour question, but adopted an approach that was fresh and ironic. A coloured man looked hard at Bristol’s Clifton and was forced to conclude all ghettoes are alike under the skin.

“Time Before” was a series that put regional archaeology in new perspective. It blew aside the cobwebs to reveal this subject as a fascinating study in detection.

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“Black Pastures” was the moving story of the pit pony, the beast who has served the coal industry from its earliest days. Soon these tough, loyal little ponies will have completed their last stint underground.

Another major documentary soon to be screened features Prince Charles. He acts as interviewer and talks with farmers, teachers, and others who share his deep regard for the future of Wales.

1: Jumbulls. “An unusual and commendable look at the colour problem, with an articulate coloured man visiting the Clifton area of Bristol.” (South Wales Argus).

2: Prince Charles. A programme in which the Prince reveals his concern for the Welsh countryside.

3: Conquest. “It looks as if Harlech may be capable of carving out a niche as the producer of first-class documentaries.” (Western Daily Press).

4: Time Before. Peter Fowler, staff tutor at Bristol University, explored a city graveyard. “In this series Harlech have unearthed a nugget of pure gold.” (Western Daily Press).

5: Severnside. John Morgan on location. “An important and well produced programme.” (Liverpool Daily Post).

YN GYMRAEG

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Harlech produce more than five hours each week in the Welsh language. Broadcast on Channel 7, these transmissions are carried, through a complex system of booster stations, to central and North Wales.

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“Y Dydd” gives its viewers a comprehensive coverage of Welsh news as well as expert comment on world affairs.

“04,05 Ac Ati” furnished the young people of Wales with a platform from which they were encouraged to be uninhibited in voicing their opinions in song and speech and satire.

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Plays included “Perthyn”, by Harri Pritchard Jones, one of the leading short story writers in Wales; Lliw'r Delyn, by the young Welsh poet Gwyn Thomas; and “Problemau Prifysgol”, which wasthe work of Saunders Lewis, who is acknowledged by the critics to be the major playwright in Wales today.

Among a series of distinguished documentaries were “Llygad Y Ffynnon”, devoted to personalities ;“Dros Gymru”, an aerial view of Wales; and “y Meini Hyn”, an imaginative look at the influences coal and slate have had upon Welsh culture.

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Two important series, “Gweithdy” and “Cerdd Naws A Darlun”, featured art and poetry. Poems were specially commissioned from young Welsh writers and, as an experiment given visual interpretation through the use of film.

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1: Croeso, Christine. A highly popular series for the increasing number of people learning Welsh.

2: Endaf Emlyn, compère of the popular family magazine programme Nos Sadwrn, with Wendy Williams.

3: Heather Jones, well-known Welsh pop singer who has appeared on many Harlech pop programmes.

4: 04, 05 AC ATI. A series which provided a platform for the talent of Wales.

5: Tony ac Aloma. They appeared in their own series and introduced performers from all over Wales.

6: The children’s programme Tins a Lei is extremely popular throughout Wales.

7: The Welsh language programme Hyn o Fyd (This World) dealt with current affairs.

8: Gwynfor Evans, M.P., and his brother, Alcwyn Evans, being interviewed in the programme Dau Frawd (Two Brothers).

THE PLAY’S THE THING

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Nothing reveals Harlech’s determination to foster the arts and talents of the region more clearly than the series of plays by local authors launched early in 1969. In most cases the playwrights responsible were writers whose work had never before appeared on television.

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“Omri’s Burning,” the company’s first full-length drama production, featuring Ian Holm and Diana Coupland is being screened by the full ITV network. It is the work of Welsh author Ewart Alexander, and tells the powerful story of an alcoholic’s vain struggles to escape self-destruction.

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“The Emergence of Anthony Purdy, Farmer’s Labourer”, is an important play still to be screened. It stars Freddie Jones, winner of the Best Actor of the Year Award at Cannes and was scripted by Charles Wood.

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“Fade Out”, a 90 minute play filmed in colour and starring Stanley Baker and George Sanders, will be screened when colour transmissions begin in 1970. It is a prestige production fully expected to reach the network.

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1: General Practice. “A neat, well-acted work given a clean, unfussy production.” (Western Mail).

2: Perthyn. Shooting in progress on one of the plays produced in Welsh.

3: Hislop Back to Stiffen County. “This was the best of the half hour plays.” (South Wales Echo).

4: Confessions of A Chatter-Upper, with Henry McGee and Angela Thorne. “A smart and funny play.” (Bristol Evening Post).

5: Omri’s Burning. A major drama starring Ian Holm and sold to the network.

6: Pig in the Middle starred Roy Kinnear and Ann Lynn. “The dialogue is sharp.” (South Wales Echo).

7: Freddie Jones, winner of the Actor of the Year Award at Cannes, in a scene from Anthony Purdy.

8: Fade Out. The full-length colour film starring Stanley Baker and George Sanders to be shown during 1970. Kinematograph Weekly said: “The production is one of the most exciting I have ever seen.”

WARRENDALE

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Harlech believed this 90-minute documentary dealing with the care of emotionally disturbed children to be of such importance it demanded transmission uninterrupted by commercial breaks.

It was blunt and sometimes harrowing. It included language that could and did shock. On those grounds this Canadian-made documentary was rejected by the BBC.

Harlech took the initiative and bought the U.K. rights. It was screened by Harlech, London Weekend, Grampian, and Tyne Tees at a time when it afforded strange but co-incidental contrast to the BBC offering - the Eurovision Song Contest.

Milton Shulman, writing in the ‘Evening Standard’, said: “It was a rare exhibition of moral courage.” 'The Spectator’ said : “The decision to show it does credit to the four companies. There is no reason why television should not from time to time show programmes which move and trouble and disturb us.”

PEOPLE TALKING

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Harlech provided new opportunities for the men and women of Wales and the West to express their point of view.

“Harlech Parliament”, an innovation in political broadcasting, was a series that threw down the gauntlet to the region’s politicians.

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“Free House”, the only licensed ‘pub’ in British television, was the monthly cockpit in which debate could be heated but never dull.

Harlech were also responsible for a major series in which John Morgan conducted face-to-face interviews with the names in the news - violinist Yehudi Menuhin, mine-workers’ leader Will Paynter, novelist Kingsley Amis, and Minister of Technology, Anthony Wedgwood Benn.

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George Thomas, Secretary of State for Wales, made a special appearance to answer journalists’ questions about the industrial and social development of the Principality.

And it was Prince Charles who gave Harlech, and the BBC, what must rank as the television interview of the year. To Brian Connell and Cliff Michelmore the young Prince spoke frankly and freely on the future of Wales and the girl he would one day wish to marry.

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1: The Man I knew… Ernest Bevin. One of the series of programmes in which friends and critics assessed great men now dead.

2 & 3: Free House. A break-through programme in the field of public debate.

4: The Prince Charles Interview. Brian Connell, and Cliff Michelmore get straight answers to a series of straight questions.

5: Harlech Parliament. “Very good, this. The programme has improved enormously and is now one of the best things to come from Harlech.” (Western Mail).

6: John Morgan Talks to … In this case, Sian Phillips, wife of actor Peter O'Toole. The Times said: “Harlech’s best asset is undoubtedly John Morgan”.

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AWAY FROM IT ALL

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In humour, too, Harlech has dared to be different. “Shut Up and Look”, the late-night revue, mixed slapstick with satire, quick-fire comedy with biting comment. It made almost exclusive use of regional artists and writers. The revue’s nine week run was followed by a new show, “Just Watch It”, featuring members of the same team.

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Alan Taylor’s contribution has been of an importance difficult to over-state. The family quiz, “Mr. and Mrs.”, has stayed high in the popularity ratings. “Taylor Made” provided opportunities for regional talent and presented some of the top names in television humour.

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1: Taylor Made. “The cosy warmth of this homely show is somewhat stifling…” (Western Daily Press). “Alan Taylor’s charm is less laboured and has less condescending impertinence than is usual in comperes.” (The Times).

2: Mr. and Mrs. “It was good fun, fine fun, clean fun.” (Merthyr Express). “It has little dignity and no apparent point.” (Western Daily Press).

3 and 4: Shut Up And Look. “This how has to its credit an abundance of youthful high spirits” (Western Daily Press). “A load of old cobblers” (Bristol Evening Post Letter).

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SING A SONG OF HARLECH

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No-one can accuse Harlech of being anything other than bold in the treatment of music.

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“Fusions”, a series of six programmes, explored and exploited the excitement of a new musical form - Indo Jazz. It was music that fused the melodies and rhythms of East and West. It provided opportunity for dancing that was exotic and spectacular. Critics hailed it, with justification, as “a musical revolution”. Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Elaine Delmar, Jon Hendricks, the Pink Floyd, The Nice and the Family were among the artists and the pop groups who took part.

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“Geraint Evans at Covent Garden” was a production in which the Welsh baritone introduced stars of opera, ballet and the theatre. Among them were Harry Secombe, Regina Resnik, the American soprano, and Welsh soprano Margaret Price. It was a 60-minute programme filmed on location in Covent Garden and screened by the network.

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“Seeds of Love” featured the Rainbow People in 30 minutes of Somerset folk song. This talented group have since signed a contract for a further four programmes.

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“Voices For St. David”, with Stuart Burrows, was a stirring half-hour of music by Pendyrus, one of Wales’ major male voice choirs.

1 & 2: Seeds of Love. “This was a most delicious half-hour of Somerset folk music. The Rainbow People have a freshness and gaiety about them which is entirely delightful.” (Western Mail).

3 & 4: Geraint Evans At Covent Garden. “Top-class entertainment from masters of the craft.” (Liverpool Daily Post).

5 & 6: Fusions. “Harlech are being very bold.” (Western Mail). “The opportunities to heap unqualified praise on a programme are rare, but I have no hesitation. This is a daring musical experiment.” (Western Daily Press).

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