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Martin Marshall

@martinmauthor1.bsky.social
164 followers 87 following 742 posts

Indie researcher and author, former library assistant and documentation sub-editor. Vintage and cult TV enthusiast. Genre movie fan. Author of 'A THRILLER in Every Corner' tinyurl.com/mbcnpbcn

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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
'Enemy at the Door' really excels in the variety of stories told in the series, compared with lots of similar narratives often featured in other wartime series. The interactions *within* the various factions of the German occupiers is also a big plus to the series.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
One of her finest hours scripting for British TV was the 'Beware the Gentle People' episode for the #GranadaTelevision 1978 anthology 'Send in the Girls', which included an excellent part (both written and performed) by her husband John Carson.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Indeed, overall it's far more a story of a *war* within family members - set in wartime, rather than a series about a family actively engaged in wartime activities.
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Alan Briscoe @alanbriscoe.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Browsing the web I learned that Luanshya Greer died in May. Originally an actress she later wrote extensively for the screen including co-writing with Brian Clemens "In the Steps of a Dead Man", one of the most acclaimed episodes of ATV's Thriller. She was married to actor John Carson. RIP Luanshya.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
All the Thames networked programmes (and News at Ten)! From memory of that era, Thursdays often featured a lot of regional, non-networked programming across ITV ... Monday and Wednesdays (especially) a lot less so in primetime.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
ATV repeated the EW10 production pattern for 'General Hospital' in the 70s ... initially 24-minute ongoing serial format (in the afternoons) from 1972-75, then a successful move to primetime self-contained (and specifiically titled) 50-min/hour slot episodes that ran four series through to 1979.
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TRANSDIFFUSI⭕️N @transdiffusion.org · 28/09/2026
The crowdfunder begins! Our massive ATV book can be yours in November for just £25! #ATVShowBook --> transdiffusion.org/atv-show-book/
Montage of ATV/ITC faces
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Wyrd Britain @wyrdbritain.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Don't fret, 'Nurse Will Make It Better' in this week's #wyrdbritainsupernaturalsunday wyrdbritain.blogspot.com/2026/09/nurs...
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TRANSDIFFUSI⭕️N @transdiffusion.org · 26/09/2026
CROWDFUNDER STARTS NEXT WEEK! 248-page softback book (21x28cm) featuring articles from ATV's 50s & 60s "Show Books", staff newsletters and publicity material. It charts the history of ATV and ITC 1955–81. £25 inc p&p worldwide. The crowdfunder will run for a month, with delivery before Christmas.
Front cover. From the final draft, which is why those of you with eyes like a rat will see elements of the background poking through into the foreground. That's not in the final version, it's a quirk of Adobe's InDesign software. Please form an orderly queue to complain about Adobe's software, as well *all* have complaints.The index, so you can check if your favourite show or star is included. This page: 64,000 Question to Keith, Brian.The index, so you can check if your favourite show or star is included. This page: Kelly, Barbara to Zoo Gang, The.The back cover, because who doesn't like a huge shadowed eye, hey? Fools, that's who.
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Russty Russ @russtyruss.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
From September 1968 : The TV Times magazine became a national publication, previously some ITV companies produced their own listings magazine.
The new TV Times will cover all thirteen UK ITV areas.
it will have regional colour facilities. Top standard gravure reproduction on high quality paper. A volume discount structure. A wide choice of positioning in an entirely new format.

The new TV Times. Independent Television's new magazine.
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TelevisionAU @televisionau.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Today's TV: 20.9.1988, Brisbane (TV Week)
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Richard Phillips-Jones @rpjwrites.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
You may not know his name, but if you're of a certain age you know his shows: Robin Of Sherwood, Children Of The Stones, Into The Labyrinth, Sky, King Of The Castle... Patrick Dromgoole remembered, at @spookyisles.bsky.social www.spookyisles.com/patrick-drom... #HTV #FolkHorror #70sTV #80sTV
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Bob Fry @bobfry.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Sad news. Patrick Dromgoole was involved in most of the TV I watched avidly when growing up. Two favourites - Arthur of the Britons & Pretenders (a historical drama set at the time of the Monmouth rebellion. )
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TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Patrick Dromgoole 1930-2026 Patrick was a part of the many children and family drama series made by HTV for the ITV network. Among these are Into the Labyrinth, Robin of Sherwood, King of the Castle, Sky, Children of the Stones and Follow Me... He also worked under the pseudonym Mordecai Klogport!
Patrick Dromgoole 1930-2026

Patrick was a part of the many children and family drama series made by HTV for the ITV network. Among these are Into the Labyrinth, Robin of Sherwood, King of the Castle, Arthur of the Britons, Sky, Children of the Stones and Follow Me...

He also worked under the pseudonym Mordecai Klogport!
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Thames' longest running sitcom (in terms of series made), beating SHELLEY/RETURN OF SHELLEY by one series, but the latter having slightly more episodes! I think BLESS THIS HOUSE may also have competed for the crown had Sid James not died in 1976.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
I vaguely remember something about a later DNA test having taken place but the details didn't stick in my mind. After this case, I think Granada took care to only dramatise events in the series where there were no living relatives and/or contemporaries potentially involved that might still be alive.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
The upheld complaint as broadcast concerning the episode of the #GranadaTelevision programme 'In Suspicious Circumstances' which subsequently has not been made available for repeat. Later episodes also exclusively featured cases far more historic in nature. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LRn...
youtube.com
Broadcasting Complaints Commission - In Suspicious Circumstances
YouTube video by Stressball13
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
You may have Emergency Alerts turned off in settings ... quite easy to do for both iphone and Android ... or anyone on 3G or Airplane mode on wouldn't have received one (ditto anyone with the phone switched off)
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Fortunately it's easy to opt out of these through your device settings iPhone: Go to Settings > Notifications, scroll down, and turn off Severe Alerts and Extreme Alerts. Android: Search your Settings for Emergency Alerts, then turn off Severe Alerts and Extreme Alerts.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
A fascinating look at the intricacies of the making of ITN's 'News at Ten' in its' 'glory days'. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBAa...
youtube.com
ITN The Making of National News
YouTube video by Kaleidoscope's Presentation Vault
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
... or possibly Claire Sutcliffe's maid Betty in 'Ring Once For Death'.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Cracking conclusion! A twist I didn't see coming. Poetic justice but pure Hitchcock as the audience feel empathetic to the robbers. Human relationship drama in there without plot distracting. OB video exteriors, common to many ATV kids serials. As with Fly into Danger, 4 Idle Hands no theme music.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
I've one more episode to go but wholeheartedly agree! The change in tone was brilliantly handled. Good cast and performances, moves along a treat and O'Riordan supplies his imaginative directorial touches not least in the repeated intro sequence - and the hanging phone bit at an eps conclusion
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Probably due to its Sunday afternoon slot, I didn't see 'A Place to Hide' (nor its weekday repeat a couple of years later) and Network unusually didn't get beyond Ep 1 on the 'Look-Back' sampler DVDs. Up to Ep 4 now (one a night on weekdays, Ep 5 tonight!) and hugely enjoying it.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
This site gives details of the new Fairbanks Studios ... and what remains in BBC hands ... note the same site elsewhere gives extensive details of the history of ATV and BBC Elstree tvstudiohistory.co.uk/londons-film...
tvstudiohistory.co.uk
Fairbanks Studios - TV Studio History
Please note that this website is run on a non-profit basis for educational and research purposes.  Images are credited with their respective copyright holders where they are known.  You may not copy a...
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
It even happened with Sir Ian McKellan and Dame Maureen Lipman!
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Other multi series ITV kids dramas of 70s were Tom Grattan's War (60s/70s), Freewheelers, Ace of Wands, Catweazle, Black Beauty, Arthur of Britons, Tomorrow People, Flaxton Boys, Follyfoot, Rogue's Rock, Boy Dominic/Dominic, Shadows, (Siege of) Golden Hill, A Bunch of Fives and The Paper Lads
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
That was indeed a great set of four releases for Halloween 2022!
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Yes, 'Jamie' I'd missed that one. And the comedy-drama 'Kids From 47A' didn't get S2/3 released. Those original 3 seem to be the only 6 or 7 part serials to miss out though. The final serials to make it were 'The Intruder' and 'Come Back Lucy'
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Yes, the first episodes each of 'A Place to Hide', 'The Danedyke Mystery' and 'Quest of Eagles' were the sampler episodes on the 'Look-Back on 70s Telly' DVDs, but these drama serials never got a full-series release by Network ... now two of them are complete on YT.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Of the Look-Back DVDs dramas, there were only 3 that didn't get a dedicated series release. 'A Place to Hide' now on YT as is 'The Danedyke Mystery'. The only one not complete online seems to be 'Quest of Eagles'. Overall, all other ITV kids dramas 1970-79 have been released! Quite an achievement.
youtube.com
The Danedyke Mystery - starring Michael Craig, Tessa Peake-Jones, Peter Vaughan (1979) - YouTube
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Me too! #BrianClemensThriller
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Missing out on a full Network DVD release, the whole of the 1976 ATV serial 'A Place to Hide' is now available on YT. Here is Ep 2 (1, 3-6 on same channel). Roy Russell also penned 'Fly into Danger' (1972) www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gx4... @alanbriscoe.bsky.social @rozzyc.bsky.social
youtube.com
A Place To Hide-Episode 2.
YouTube video by Duke Of Forgil.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Men of Affairs, a television rarity in the form of an HTV sitcom! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_of_...
en.wikipedia.org
Men of Affairs - Wikipedia
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Rosalyn Connors BEM BCAc @rozzyc.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
A must watch for any fan of #BrianClemensThriller & his other works. ☺️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPuw...
youtube.com
The House of Clemens: The Untold Story of Brian Clemens | A Hammer Films Documentary
YouTube video by Hammer
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Freely is obviously the way it's going, a modern UK TV set has it all built in, the TV will either start up on the guide (which looks like the Freeview one) or there is a direct button on the remote, the non-subscription live channels don't need apps or logins and tune in quickly like Freeview
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waltydunlop @waltydunlop.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
The ITN Story. Stumbled across this rather good 1977 documentary the other day. Uploaded by "Frontline by ITN" ("ITN Archive" as was). An hour's worth of great behind the scenes stuff and everyone you could reasonably hope to see interviewed.
youtube.com
ITN Special: The ITN Story (1977)
YouTube video by Frontline by ITN
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Guardian obit for the late Joanna Pettet www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ju...
theguardian.com
Joanna Pettet obituary
Actor best known for the 1960s box-office smash Casino Royale
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Maybe the early signs of a possible resurrection? networkonair.com
networkonair.com
Network Distributing Group Ltd
Shop powered by PrestaShop
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TRANSDIFFUSI⭕️N @transdiffusion.org · 22/07/2026
The ABC of THAMES (1968) As ABC draws to a close, MD Howard Thomas looks to the future
abcatlarge.co.uk
The ABC of THAMES - THIS IS ABC WEEKEND from Transdiffusion
As ABC draws to a close in 1968, MD Howard Thomas looks to the future
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Looking at news on British television - in 1977, with Peter Fiddick www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rHU...
youtube.com
IBA Education Archive: Looking At Television - Nothing But The Truth (1977)
YouTube video by Kaleidoscope's Presentation Vault
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Rosalyn Connors BEM BCAc @rozzyc.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
I've really been enjoying my weekend viewing of late. Perhaps it's because Saturdays were just made for #BrianClemensThriller . So out come the DVDs, the Tizer, the Hula Hoops tonight to sit down to watch another one of my faves 'Spell of Evil' (Anglia TVT 16/06/73, NOTE Tomy (sic) Mansell) 🤣🤣🤣
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Alan Briscoe @alanbriscoe.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
In the 1987 Doctor Who serial "Paradise Towers" the Doctor remarks on the threats facing him and refers to "a killer in every corner", a phrase very familiar to viewers of ATV's Thriller! It raises the question of other episode titles that might have featured in a dialogue in other shows.
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Alan Briscoe @alanbriscoe.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
I've just discovered that actress Marian Diamond died early this year aged 89. She had a brief but important role in the Thriller episode "The Next Scream You Hear" but was a frequent face in archive TV. One of her central roles was as a villainous agent in the 1972 ATV serial Tightrope. RIP Marian.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
RIP. A passing resemblance to Diana Rigg didn't hurt as to her character name in 'The Next Scream You Hear'
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Maybe, just maybe, Brian Clemens returned the 'in joke' reference noted here by naming Ian Hendry's twin characters in 'Killer With Two Faces' as Bob and Terry?
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Alan Briscoe @alanbriscoe.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Moments later Terry goes on to mention "Wait Until Dark" starring Audrey Hepburn. This 1967 film was also about a blind woman being stalked by a killer and was almost certainly an influence on Blind Terror and the two later Thriller episodes about blindness.
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Alan Briscoe @alanbriscoe.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
In the "End of an Era" episode (1973) of sitcom Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? Bob says he is feeling "blind terror" which Terry notes is a film starring Mia Farrow. Blind Terror (1971) was penned by Brian Clemens & one of the films that set the scene for his series Thriller.
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Martin Marshall @martinmauthor1.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Wins the award for the most punning title used for a #BrianClemensThriller episode, although others take the title for more alliterative or double-meanings 😄
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The Wilder Way: Starring Patrick Wymark @harrydobermann.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
11 July 1926. One hundred years ago today, #PatrickWymark was born. To commemorate this year, I will be publishing a biography, The Power of Patrick Wymark. Unforeseen setbacks mean there have been some delays. But this will happen. (thanks to @andydrewz.bsky.social for design).
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