Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on Apr 23, 2019 12:30:22 GMT
I haven't seen any of Van Der Valk since the 1977 series was originally on, and I only intermittently watched it then. Agree on the Kenneth Branagh series of Wallender, I thought that was very good. Best way to watch it Cartman! Agree on Wallender.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Apr 23, 2019 12:42:42 GMT
There's a few full episodes of the the 77 series on YouTube so I might put one on later to remind me. I did like the introductory title sequence of him driving round Amsterdam in a white mark 4 Cortina, to the accompaniment of that great theme tune, suspect that might have been the best bit as its all that's stuck in my mind from then.
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Apr 23, 2019 12:46:43 GMT
Re 'Van Der Valk', I think the problem with the show is that it's set in Amsterdam. Firstly there is the problem of establishing a sense of place. Most of the show is studio bound so there is little indication of it being set in Holland & when we do see location filming it is unfamiliar unless you know Amsterdam.
Secondly, very few of the mostly Brit actors attempt a Dutch accent ( wisely as they'd doubtless sound ridiculous mimicking a Dutch accent ) so you get no sense of VDV himself being a 'Dutchman' or anyone else being Dutch. It leaves the show feeling somewhat anonymous & flat. Barry Foster is very good but there isn't much chemistry between him & his sidekick played by Michael Latimer. There's no action to relieve the talkiness of it either.
I totally agree Arthur. It's pretty dull stuff really, with not much action to relieve the tedious dialogue in the show. Apart from his surname Van Der Valk just comes across as a British person based in Holland or mostly in the studio
'Van Der Valk' from it's outset in 1972 was plagued with problems. At the same time, there was talk of 'Special Branch' moving from the Studio and on to Film.
The ACTT (Union) - 'Television Branch' caused problems as it felt the 'Film Branch' (or "4 wallers") were taking their work away. (Even though studio were over staffed and had too much work on the books anyway). This dispute almost put Euston Films out of business in only after a few months in 1971.
The ACTT tried all kinds of tactics to shut Euston Films down - the main one being 'Appalling conditions for it's staff at Colet Court'. When in actual fact it's staff and crew didn't give a monkeys about the conditions - and they could go to the pub when they wanted. So they were all quite happy there.
The ACTT tried to force Euston Films to move from Colet Court to the recently vacated EMI Film studios at Borehamwood (of On the Buses fame). Just imagine how different Special Branch and the Sweeney could have been.
Production of 'Van Der Valk' finally got underway in September 1972.
Then the ACTT tried again in December 1973 - and that ended up with 2000 members chucking chairs about and brawling in Camden Town Hall.
I would assume that all this behind the scenes unrest had quite an effect on production.
I've only ever seen bits of 'Van Der Valk' myself.
Didn't they try and bring it back in 1991?
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Vienna
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Post by Vienna on Apr 23, 2019 17:08:43 GMT
Yes Sparky, it came back for another seven episodes in 1991 and 1992, although there had been a long gap since the last series back in 1977. I'd heard or read somewhere that there were particular problems with the Euston Films' episodes (Series 3). The first two series were just produced by Thames TV.
Vi
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Apr 23, 2019 18:28:58 GMT
The book 'Made For Television Euston Films Ltd' details the union trouble in a passage titled 'The Van Der Valk Affair'. It mentions that David Wickes was appointed Euston's spokesperson, here he is handing a statement he drafted re the strike in to 10 Downing Street. The woman with them is Joanna Dunham who played VDV's wife.
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Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on Apr 23, 2019 18:46:30 GMT
The book 'Made For Television Euston Films Ltd' details the union trouble in a passage titled 'The Van Der Valk Affair'. It mentions that David Wickes was appointed Euston's spokesperson, here he is handing a statement he drafted re the strike in to 10 Downing Street. The woman with them is Joanna Dunham who played VDV's wife.
What were the Sweeney doing there AP?
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Apr 23, 2019 19:06:01 GMT
On the PA Images site it says-
"A group of actors hand in a petition at No.10 Downing Street protesting over Thames Televisions decision to cancel a new series of popular crime drama serial "Van Der Valk", which has been scrapped over union troubles. Left to right: Unknown male, Barry Foster (Van Der Valk), Joanna Dunham (Mrs Van Der Valk), Dennis Waterman (from TV drama "The Sweeney", and John Thaw (from TV drama "The Sweeney")"
"Policemen stand with the top cops from "Van Der Valk' and 'The Sweeney' outside 10 Downing Street while they presented a petition protesting over Thames Televisions decision to cancel a series of 'Van Der Valk'. Pictured from the left are Garfield Morgan, John Thaw, Joanna Dunham, Dennis Waterman and Barry Foster"
Photos taken on 26 Aug 1976.
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Apr 23, 2019 19:06:14 GMT
Great Pics Arthur.
Were the "Sweeney" shooting nearby or something? I notice John & Dennis have gone "In Character" and "Costume".
Both "Broadcast" Magazine and the "Stage" covered the Dispute in great depth. The current BECTU journal covered it in great depth a year or two ago - and it's still widely talked about today as it pretty much set the way that Filmed TV series would be made.
Many of the things introduced back then are still in place today. In particular for my side of things; with changes to scheduling at short notice, over running of the day - and missed breaks - ensuring we are paid accordingly.
It's all thanks to those at Euston Films in 1972!
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Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on Apr 23, 2019 19:15:34 GMT
On the PA Images site it says-
"A group of actors hand in a petition at No.10 Downing Street protesting over Thames Televisions decision to cancel a new series of popular crime drama serial "Van Der Valk", which has been scrapped over union troubles. Left to right: Unknown male, Barry Foster (Van Der Valk), Joanna Dunham (Mrs Van Der Valk), Dennis Waterman (from TV drama "The Sweeney", and John Thaw (from TV drama "The Sweeney")"
"Policemen stand with the top cops from "Van Der Valk' and 'The Sweeney' outside 10 Downing Street while they presented a petition protesting over Thames Televisions decision to cancel a series of 'Van Der Valk'. Pictured from the left are Garfield Morgan, John Thaw, Joanna Dunham, Dennis Waterman and Barry Foster"
Photos taken on 26 Aug 1976.
I didn't spot Haskins. Nick him for wearing that shirt! Also that's Bill at the back isn't it? Drove them there I guess ...............!
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Apr 23, 2019 19:27:47 GMT
Not sure but I think they were just there for support, though even Bill the driver is in attendance! Years ago someone posted the second smudge on the old forum but without any context, ie. no one knew what the photo was about. I remember people were wondering what Barry Foster was holding in his hand as someone, quite seriously btw, suggested it was a hot dog
I think there was also some doubt who the bloke in the colourful shirt was too- 'it could be Garfield Morgan', 'I don't think it is, he looks too big', etc.
I don't think David Wickes would like being described as 'unknown male'!
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