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Post by ianwolf on Mar 9, 2009 0:03:41 GMT 12
Hi there, I'm new here but I decided to join the forum because there has been a recent discovery - they have found some of the missing Parsley Sidings episodes! Only two, "The New Level Crossing" & "The Film Makers" have yet to be found. I first learned about this on the BBC Radio 7 message board. You can listen to them here and here. |
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Post by straycat on Mar 9, 2009 7:23:29 GMT 12
Welcome, ianwolf, and thanks. Never got a chance to sample any of Parsley Sidings before. This should be fun.
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Post by kiwisapper on Mar 9, 2009 10:44:47 GMT 12
What Ho Ianwolf. First, Welcome . Second, when you say '"I first learned about this on the BBC Radio 7 message board. You can listen to them here and here. " I feel constrained to ask, where and where?
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Post by straycat on Mar 9, 2009 12:57:13 GMT 12
I wondered that, too, at first, kiwisapper. Turns out you have to click out on the word "here" itself. That's the link that takes you there.
I'm talking about the word "here" in ianwolf's original post, of course.
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Post by kiwisapper on Mar 9, 2009 16:46:37 GMT 12
Oh er................. If all else fails, follow the instructions. ..i.e. When instructed to click here, do not do so, enquire first as to where one is susposed to click.....ay ay ay. I am getting too old for this white man's magic. Thank you Moggie for your guidance. Can I book in now for your support when I need to cross the road next Wednesday to collect my old age pension?
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Post by Molly on Mar 9, 2009 20:24:41 GMT 12
Hello ianwolf,
Nice to "meet" you. Sorry to be dense, what is Parsley Sidings? Believe it or not, I don't have any speakers on my computer, so can't listen to find out. Really must update my technology one of these days.
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Post by Molly on Mar 9, 2009 20:41:42 GMT 12
Aha - just googled it - should have thought of that. It sounds great. Will have to get to a computer with some speakers and have a listen.
Has anyone listened to the audio episodes from, I think, Series Two of Dad's Army? Were they re-made for radio at a later date from the filming? I am a bit confused about why Jimmy Beck isn't taking the part of Walker in them. I found those audio episodes every bit as enjoyable as the tv episodes. I think it's because I could so easily picture the settings and even the character's facial expressions. I could guess exactly when Mainwaring would be doing his "double-take" thing, or Wilson rolling his eyes etc.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 10, 2009 0:39:04 GMT 12
Molly, in your googling, did you find my page on Parlsey Sidings? It's a great series.
Yes, the Dad's Army radio shows were made later than the TV episodes, being recorded between 1973 and 1975 with adapted scripts, and often changed cast for minor roles. Jimmy appeared in just a handful before his death. he was then replaced as an emergency measure (as the studio sessions were all booked and the shows rehearsed) by Graham Stark, who was frankly dreadful in the role. Later when the makers had a chance to recast properly, one of Jimmy's real life best mates took over the role, Larry Martyn, and he was superb as Walker.
The bonus of some of them is that Walker appears in the radio episode where he never took part on TV.
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Post by straycat on Mar 10, 2009 3:29:35 GMT 12
Oh er................. If all else fails, follow the instructions. ..i.e. When instructed to click here, do not do so, enquire first as to where one is susposed to click.....ay ay ay. I am getting too old for this white man's magic. Thank you Moggie for your guidance. Can I book in now for your support when I need to cross the road next Wednesday to collect my old age pension?  Sure, why not! I'll find my zimmer frame, polish up my specs, and be ready for an expedition across the street.  |
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Post by kiwisapper on Mar 10, 2009 16:59:01 GMT 12
What Ho Moggie, that sounds cracker, BUT, when you say ..."Sure, why not! I'll find my zimmer frame,.." I hope it is a motorised Zimmer frame otherwise we will have to take a cut lunch.
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Post by straycat on Mar 11, 2009 5:24:36 GMT 12
Ooops, you're right. Better pack a lunch ....
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Post by Molly on Mar 11, 2009 17:08:22 GMT 12
Hi Dave,
No, I didn't see your page on Parsley Sidings. I'll have to have a look for it.
Thanks for explaining about the audio episodes. That clears up my confusion. I think it's nice that the part of Walker was later played by a good friend of Jimmy Beck's.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 12, 2009 18:34:10 GMT 12
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Post by straycat on Mar 13, 2009 8:03:28 GMT 12
Nice work there, Dave -- as usual.
In a way Parsley Sidings sounds like something of a precursor to Oh Dr. Beeching, though the latter didn't come off so well and wasn't done by the same team. But maybe they took some of their inspiration for it from Parsley Sidings, even if the result didn't turn out as well as Croft & Co. must have hoped.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 13, 2009 20:37:27 GMT 12
Difference is Parsley Sidings was actually funny. Despite my bias towards Dad's Army I think Ken Connors was the star. His portrayal of Bradshaw is just hilarious, among his many other characters, including Clara the hen.
One pun people may not pick up on was in the olden days a company called Bradshaw's used to put out the railway timetables. The fact that the chracter of Bradshaw is so detrimental to the time table by shoving trains down the wrong tracks all the time is quite funny.
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Post by karl on Nov 5, 2010 10:02:07 GMT 12
"Parsley sidings" is in the classic comedy bracket in my opinion,Kenneth Connor was brilliant as Valentine & Bradshaw,i listen to this show very often,it always makes me laugh! one episode is missing though-"The new level crossing" i've not heard it anywhere.................  |
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Post by Andy Howells on Nov 5, 2010 12:38:55 GMT 12
Several missing ones turned up last year thanks to a very generous collector!
New Level Crossing exists within a few collector, one of who informed me that the quality was so bad he didnt want to release it as he felt it would be a disapointment - as hes a trustworthy source I can only respect this. I think the hope is that there is still a "better" copy out there. Maybe we should organise a search to recover it? Its amazing how many people recorded shows in that era from the radio so it is possible a copy exists!
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Post by karl on Nov 5, 2010 18:59:08 GMT 12
Several missing ones turned up last year thanks to a very generous collector! New Level Crossing exists within a few collector, one of who informed me that the quality was so bad he didnt want to release it as he felt it would be a disapointment - as hes a trustworthy source I can only respect this. I think the hope is that there is still a "better" copy out there. Maybe we should organise a search to recover it? Its amazing how many people recorded shows in that era from the radio so it is possible a copy exists! Here's hoping!! its the only one i 'aint got!! |
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Post by jonboy on Nov 21, 2010 7:29:46 GMT 12
Parsley Sidings is good radio & the characters played by Arthur Lowe & Ian Lavender do own a lot to Dad's Army, but thats were the connection stops, the programme was written by Jim Eldridge and was broadcast between 1971 & 1973, unfortunately it wasn't considered worthy of archiving at the time but luckily nearly all episodes survive from private collectors.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 21, 2010 16:07:55 GMT 12
Not exactly the only connection jonboy, also in the cast are Lis Fraser who played Mavis Pike in the film, and Bill Pertwee makes several appearances.
I have a copy of The New Level Crossing. I am the one Andy refers to I believe. It is a dreadful recording, very hard to hear, and there are bits missing. It's not digitised either and it is on audio cassette. I have been hoping the episode would show up elsewhere. there were only five known to exist and only one in the BBC archive when i first began coillecting them. I located several with a collector in Canada so the series got around. That I think is where my New Level Crossing copy came from. There must be other out there who recorded it. Bill Pertwee is in it too.
I had a look the other day for the tape and cannot find it in my collection but I'll have another look.
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