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1963

Social History 1963 #39

Sunday 14 July 1963

A mystery woman holding a screwdriver has been caught trying to get into Buckingham Palace. The woman asked to sign the visitors’ book inside the Privy Purse Door. Three questions remain unanswered: Who was the woman? What did she really want? And where is she now?

Soon, there may be small telephones that we can carry about. Not only will you be able to ring from anywhere, you will also be able to see the person you are talking with. The big question is – will this new technology diminish loneliness or increase it?

The postman’s knock or ring is to finish. The Post Office plan to amend regulations so that the knock will only be used when mail cannot be pushed through the letterbox.

Ice cream vans in Gorleston, Norfolk will have quieter chimes in future. The residents have complained that the current chimes are too noisy.

Book of the Week: Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff. It’s historical. It’s massive. It’s about King Arthur. It will supply your weekend reading until Christmas! And you won’t regret it.

Maureen Evans from Cardiff is one of the few singers who can convince the BBC that the classics can be put into pop form without offending long-haired music lovers. Check out Like I Do and Tomorrow is Another Day, classically influenced tunes that are sure to be hits in Discville.

Television highlights: Fireball XL5. The Roy Castle Show. This Nation Tomorrow.

Radio highlights: Your Hundred Best Tunes. In Search of the Truth.

Weather: bright, then cloudy with rain.

Monday 15 July 1963

A wife obtained a divorce on the grounds of cruelty after her husband insisted that she should tickle his feet for hour after hour. When the wife refused, the husband rigged up a machine with a milk bottle and an umbrella to tickle his feet, but it did not work. The judge said the tickling was harmless in itself, but because it was causing the wife distress he found in her favour.

Tattoos are back in favour, but they can be expensive, so Mr Ron Austin of Peterborough, Northants has started a service with a difference – tattoos on hire purchase. Any tattoo over five bob can be paid for at half-a-crown a week. 

In Barnsley, Yorkshire a 41 year old coal miner put his false teeth on a conveyer belt and started to eat his sandwiches. The belt accidentally reversed – whisking his false teeth away. He’s been told that he must pay £5 for a replacement set.

A storm blew up last night after Dr Alex Comfort gave a talk about the Facts of Life on BBC television. After the programme, forty-four viewers phoned the BBC to complain that Sunday evening was the wrong time for such a programme. Four viewers phoned in to praise the programme.

Found in the foundations of an old building – a bottle embedded in the concrete containing a copy of the Daily Mirror dated 31 July 1908.

Personal advertisement: Elaine, you’re needed – JNW.

Television highlights: Hiss v Hi-Fi – a look at records and record machines. County Cricket – Lancashire v Sussex. Pit Your Wits – quiz with Kenneth Kendall.

Radio highlights: Concert Hour. Improve Your German.

Weather: cloudy, rain, bright spells. Outlook – unsettled. 19c, 67f.

15 July 1963 Postscript


Tuesday 16 July 1963

New York stripper Dior Angel (pictured) insists that she will marry British baronet Sir Charles Musgrave even if “she has to use her father’s shotgun”. Sir Charles advertised for a wife, Dior replied, but Sir Charles said she was not his type. However, Miss Angel is not taking no for an answer. She said, “Please refer to me as the future Lady Musgrave. The wedding will be no later than Christmas. I intend to take a plane to England and find Sir Charles.”

A carpet racket has been smashed by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Door-to-door salesmen have been selling cheap, shoddy carpets marked with the Institute’s seal of guarantee. But the seals were forgeries. Now the Institute has withdrawn all its seals. A spokesman said, “Our problem now is to find a seal that is impossible to copy.”

A parcel containing equipment from a rocket fired at Woomera, Australia turned up at Stockport, Cheshire today. The parcel, missing for a month, was addressed to Jodrell Bank, Cheshire.

Three people are to be prosecuted for football league match fixing. Inquiries started two months ago after Bristol Rovers drew 2 – 2 at Bradford. It’s alleged that some of the players involved were bribed to “fix” the match.

Advertisement: women, get more out of life – become a catering manager.

Television highlights: Commander Cousteau – The House Under the Sea. The Sky at Night. Here and Now – an opera school.

Radio highlights: Marching and Waltzing. Pop Go the Beatles.

Weather: sunny spells, showers. Outlook – bright with scattered showers. 20c, 68f.

Wednesday 17 July 1963

Paul McCartney, a member of the Beatles singing group, was fined £17 for speeding and for failing to produce a driving licence. He explained that he put his foot down when he and the three other members of the band were chased by fans. Mr Brian Epstein, who manages the Beatles, said, “I will ask them to travel by coach on future tours.”

The number of known drug addicts in Britain has risen again. Last year’s total was 532. The previous year’s total was 470. The addicts listed do not include opium or hemp. The number of women listed – 270. The number of men – 262.

There is no longer any overcrowding in Slough, Buckinghamshire – the local council has abolished it. In future, crowded houses will be referred to as “multiple occupation”. 

As soon as a woman becomes pregnant she should keep a daily diary of everything she does for three months. This advice comes from the British Medical Association. She should record any medicines taken, what she had for breakfast, and everything else, including whether she watched BBC or ITV.

Mr Ricardo Zzyzz has lost his position of last place in the Los Angeles telephone book. He has been replaced by the ZZZZZ Wake Up Service.

Letters: Listening to the cricket commentary, I heard the commentator say that one of our bowlers had two short legs. Are such personal remarks really called for?

Television highlights: Taxi! with Sid James. Cricket – MCC Australia XI v The Rest from Lord’s. The City – documentary about London.

Radio highlights: Enchanted Evenings. Date With a Disc.

Weather: rain at times. Outlook – changeable. 20c, 68f.

Thursday 18 July 1963

Action against the “Faceless Men” behind inhuman property rackets was demanded in Parliament last night. Intimidation of tenants, as practised by the dead “slum emperor” Peter Rachman, friend of Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies, is still going on. Tenants are being evicted and beaten up by these thugs. Labour has demanded immediate action. A spokesman for the Tory Government said they would look into the matter and see if “sharper teeth” were needed to strengthen the law.

Petula Clark’s performance on the ABC television programme Lucky Stars was wiped clean when an engineer pressed a wrong button. From Paris, where she is recording another programme, Miss Clark said, “I’m not upset. I think the whole thing is rather funny.”

Every morning, wise women do this – they drink a glass of hot water because it helps keep sluggishness at bay. And for an extra boost they add Juno Junipah Health Salts. Juno Junipah – specially recommended and formulated for women.

Agony Aunt: Alf writes, “My girlfriend’s mother is already going fat at forty. Will my girlfriend go the same way?” Jane Adams’ reply, “There is some truth in the saying that to look into a girlfriend’s future you should take a look at her mother, but your attitude towards your girlfriend will ultimately determine whether or not she goes to seed.”

A man in uniform walked into a Hammersmith post office and walked out with a bag of mail. Staff later discovered that he was bogus. The police are hunting him.

Music: “This is Merseybeat” is a throbbing long-player featuring nine different Liverpool groups. This week’s number one – Confessin’ by Frank Ifield. New entries – Walkin’ Tall by Adam Faith and I’ll Cut Your Tail Off by John Leyton.

Television highlights: The Gondoliers – Canadian production of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic. Try Out Your French. Glamour ‘63.

Radio highlights: Lunchtime Prom. Music From Scarborough.

Weather: sunny spells and showers. Outlook – continuing changeable. 20c, 68f.

Friday 19 July 1963

“There’s a cheetah on the prowl.” Or maybe it’s a leopard. More than 200 troops, police and dogs went on safari through four and a half miles of parkland at Shooters Hill, near Woolwich, SE18, yesterday. The jungle cat scare began when a long-distance lorry driver thought he saw a leopard leaping from the road into a park. Four policemen also spotted a “large golden animal” on the loose. The animal might have leapt from a boat on the Thames. Trackers are following footprints and large hams have been placed around the search area.

Is the bird you fancy suitable to be your wife? This clothing guide will help you decide. If she’s mad about frills and petticoats and nipped-in waists, she’s feminine, but potentially fussy. If she likes beatnik clothes – jeans and sloppy sweaters – she’s telling the world that she’s big, brave and non-conformist. If she’s neat and tailored, she’s self-reliant and practical, and maybe a little prudish. If she’s mad about tight pants and mannish shirts – surprise, surprise – she’s very feminine. If she wears tight, short skirts she’s saying, “Here are the goods – any offers?” As for the sexiest women of all, they choose dark and sombre colours. 

Anthony Burcher flew with the RAF’s 617 Squadron on the famous Dambusters raid. His plane was shot down and he was the only member of the crew to survive. He was beaten up by the Gestapo, but told them nothing. But yesterday Burcher was sentenced to two years in prison for conspiring to defraud a hire purchase company. The fraud mainly involved juke boxes and vending machines.

A full scale inquiry is ongoing into the suspicion that Relko, winner of this year’s Derby, was doped-up to win. A 5 -1 favourite, Relko won the Derby by six lengths to collect £35,338 in prize money. However, a well-known bookmaker said there was nothing suspicious on the markets to suggest that Relko had been doped-up.

Television highlights: Adventure – Journey to Patagonia. International Film Season – The Knife, a Dutch film. Space Patrol.

Radio highlights: Non Stop Pop. As Others See Us.

Weather: cloudy with rain and drizzle. Outlook – unsettled. 19c, 66f.

Saturday 20 July 1963

The country’s Billy Bunters are being encouraged to change their diet. Out – cream buns and donuts. In – crisp breads, fruit locust beans, nuts and celery. The new diet will benefit the nation’s teeth too.

A new sensation shook the horse racing world last night. It was alleged that Tudor Treasure, 100 – 7 second favourite, was pepped up with dope to win the Victoria Cup at Ascot in May. Tests after the race indicated that he had received a stimulant.

London’s serious crime figures increased by nine percent last year. The number of serious offences reached a record 214,120, up from 196,854 in 1961. For the first time there were more than 1,000 hold-ups. A disturbing trend is that gang members, and not just their leaders, are carrying handguns.

Sylvia Willerton of Peterborough, Northants devised a love test between her husband and her lodger. She awarded points for kindness, good behaviour and cookery. The lodger won so Mrs Sylvia Willerton, mother of nine, is now Mrs Sylvia Watson.

Angry Motorist writes, “Car park charges are becoming preposterously high. Are all drivers considered to be millionaires?”

It seems as though the knee-revealing era might be nearing its end. Hemlines are creeping down in London. However, we will have to wait until the Paris fashion shows next month to see what skirt lengths will be this season.

Television highlights: Juke Box Jury with Joan Sims and Kenneth Williams. First Night of the Proms. Motor Racing from Silverstone.

Radio highlights: Recent Record Releases. Sports Service including sailing and rifle shooting.

Weather: sunny spells. Outlook – mainly dry and sunny. 21c, 70f.

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Categories
1963

Social History 1963 #38

Monday 8 July 1963

Ten men were arrested last night at a meeting addressed by Oswald Mosley in London’s East End. Over 250 policemen were on guard at the event.

A new high-speed automatic technique for transcribing books into braille has been invented. A large book can be copied in a few days instead of several months. 

The Mini is proving to be a great success in Australia. The Morris 850 and the Morris Mini Cooper recorded 1,861 registrations in May compared with 1,819 for the nearest rivals.

Prediction Spot: Brian Poole and his Tremolos are certain to have a hit with their latest disc, Twist and Shout.

Personal advertisements: leatherette gents corsets made to measure. From 56s 6d. – Barnsbury Square, London.

It has been a rotten Wimbledon. One of the reasons is a complete lack of class amongst the men players. To survive, the tournament must admit professional players. Miss Margaret Smith is the only great player at the championships, man or woman.

Despite requests from the BBC, there will be no rise in the licence fee this year.

Television highlights: The Patch Card – play about death by computer. The Borodin String Quartet. Fireball XL5.

Radio highlights: Letter from Great Britain. Shanty Time.

Weather: scattered showers and sunny intervals. Outlook – similar. 21c, 70f.

Tuesday 9 July 1963

Is property racketeer, Peter Rachman, boyfriend of Mandy Rice-Davies (pictured), really dead? Or was there a switch of bodies? Rachman built a slum empire exploiting his tenants. Ben Parkin MP said, “All Fleet Street is alive with the idea that Rachman is not dead.” However, Miss Rice-Davies said, “Even though I was in Paris when Peter died, I’m fully convinced he is dead.”

Transport Minister Ernest Marples has announced that parking meter charges in Central London will go up to 3s an hour – an increase of 2s 6d. A spokesman for the RAC and AA said, “We see this as the first step in pricing motorists off the roads of Central London and other big cities.”

Despite a last minute attack of nerves, Miss Margaret Smith beat Miss Billie-Jean Moffitt 6 – 3, 6 – 4 to win the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles title. Miss Smith also won the mixed doubles with Ken Fletcher, but along with Robyn Ebbern she lost the women’s doubles final to Darlene Hard and Maria Bueno.

Cricket – Third Test at Edgbaston, fourth day scorecard: England 216 and 226 – 8, West Indies 186. On a wicket as capricious as a flighty widow, England have placed themselves in a position to win. The ball is turning and if it turns tomorrow the West Indies are doomed.

University Challenge has brought a new lease of life to television quiz programmes. Instead of its late night slot, the programme deserves a place at peak time. Maybe it should swap places with Coronation Street. This would give several million viewers a shake up.

Television highlights: Polo – live from Ham Polo Club. All Sorts to Make a World – Britain in 1963, the mass producers. On Safari – around our gardens.

Radio highlights: Workers’ Playtime. The Reshaping of British Railways.

Weather: cloudy with some rain. Outlook – similar, but cooler. 20c, 68f.

Wednesday 10 July 1963

Rally driver and show jumper Pat Moss married fellow rally driver Erik Carlsson yesterday. In black tails, a green waistcoat and a grey topper, brother Sterling Moss arrived on a lilac coloured motor scooter. Sterling recently failed his L test, so his scooter was still sporting L plates.

Fire destroyed goods and property valued at £55,587,000 last year. This is £11,000,000 more than the previous peak figures in 1959. To counter this trend, the Fire Protection Association is recommending an increased use of automatic alarms and sprinkler systems.

Sir Charles Musgrave, 49, who advertised for a wife after his recent divorce, received a reply from Miss Dior Angel, a New York striptease dancer. Miss Angel said, “I’m willing to give up my career to marry you.” However, Sir Charles said, “I don’t know any Americans and I’m not sure that Miss Angel and I would be on the same mental wavelength. My next wife will be the outdoor type.”

The BBC has been given the go-ahead to broadcast its second channel to three-quarters of Britain from the end of 1966. The new service will come on air in London next April. Ten million people will then have the choice between two BBC channels and one ITV channel.

Cricket: the West Indies were bowled out for 91 at Edgbaston yesterday with Fred Trueman taking 7 – 44. On a “sporting” wicket England won the Third Test by 217 runs to level the series. Now it’s all to play for at Headingley and the Oval.

Television highlights: Gardening Made Easy. Professional Boxing From Cardiff. Taxi! New series with Sid James.

Radio highlights: Jazz Session. Modern Greek Poetry.

Weather: cloudy, mainly dry. Outlook – little change. 18c, 64f.

Thursday 11 July 1963

A lucky rabbit’s foot hanging from the dashboard sways slightly as the little red sports car touches 90 mph on the A10 out of London. “Sterling Moss’ father gave it to me,” explained my driver, motor racing ace Jim Clark. He added, “I’m not really confident about anything. My nerves are all knotted up. The only time I’m relaxed is when I’m in the driving seat. I race because I like doing it more than anything else in the world.”

Spot-checks revealed that seven race horses were doped between mid-April and the end of May this year. Around 100 tests were made, sometimes on heavily backed beaten favourites. Two of the doped horses were steeplechasers, the other five flat racers.

Agony Aunt: Margaret from Newcastle writes, “Whenever friends call round for the evening, my husband will insist on showing them our holiday films. We’ve seen these films 28 times and I’m going bonkers. What can I do?” Jane Adams’ advice, “You can either put up with his hobby with good grace, or try telling him that he’s a big bore.”

Thought for the Day: Nothing can be purchased which is better than a firm friend – Tacitus. 

Cricket: Knockout Cup Semi-Final Results – Worcestershire beat Lancashire by 9 wickets, Sussex beat Northamptonshire by 105 runs.

Television highlights: Try Out Your French. Golf – the Open Championship. Road Works Report.

Radio highlights: Thanks for the Melody. Greek Serenade.

Weather: showers, rather cool. Outlook – cool and showery. 17c, 63f.

Friday 12 July 1963

A planned £7,200,000 take-over bid by the Wellcome Foundation for British Drug Houses, makers of the no-birth pill, has been called off. The news sent BDH shares down 2s to 16s 3d, knocking £720,000 off the company’s value on the stock markets.

Postmaster General Reginald Bevins said Britain must not be rushed into a decision on colour television systems. Britain, he said, must wait and see what technical system was chosen by the rest of Europe.

Renee Shann on the modern romance novel: “You can be a bit franker nowadays. A little realism has crept in. You can actually mention sex. But just the same you’d be mad to have the heroine doing anything about it. You can take them to the bedroom, even through the bedroom door, but never, never into bed – until they are actually married.”

More international matches will be played under floodlights, the Football Association announced. The FA believes that evening matches will attract bigger crowds than games played on weekday afternoons.

Advertisement: Breakthrough in Hearing from Ingrams. Instant hearing with unbelievable clarity. No background noise. The patented “Tympano Technique.” Completely invisible. Post this coupon to receive a free hearing test long-playing record.

Television highlights: For Deaf Children. Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Pepote – Spanish film.

Radio highlights: Non-Stop Pop. Take Your Partners – old time dancing. 

Weather: cloudy with rain, cool. Outlook – cool and showery. 18c, 64f.

Saturday 13 July 1963

Some local Tories are using race hate for political ends, the Labour Party has claimed. Labour said the Tories are promoting the slogan, “If you want a n****r neighbour, vote Labour.” Labour has challenged the Tories to hold an immediate inquiry into this slogan.

In an exciting experiment, dogs are being trained to assist the deaf. The dogs are being taught how to obey sign language, warn people that there is someone at the front door, alert owners if there is an emergency, and respond to notes on a dog whistle. There are 45,000 totally deaf people in Britain today, of whom 5,000 cannot speak. Ten thousand children are amongst the deaf.

The biggest problem for the duck breeder is that drakes go terribly queer. Once they “go off” lady ducks it’s a fearful business getting them interested again. However, the good thing about ducks is they are divine when eaten with a cherry sauce.

Housewife Kathlyn Ridyard walked into her bathroom and found a council electrician wearing only his trousers and washing two pairs of his socks in her bath. The council sacked the electrician. Twelve of his colleagues have now gone on strike in protest.

Top spins this week: Heinz – Just Like Eddie, The Springfields – Come on Home, Sing Along With JFK – President Kennedy.

Television highlights: Summer Grandstand. Juke Box Jury. Maigret.

Radio highlights: Joe Loss Band Box. Pet From Paris – records played by Petula Clark.

Weather: cloudy, showery and cool. Outlook – rain. 18c, 64f.

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Categories
1963 Maid Marian and Robin Hood

Maid Marian and Robin Hood #3

The Adventures of Robin Hood

Episode 1: The Coming of Robin Hood 

Introductory minstrel song: “Robin of Locksley, a knight bold and good; back from the Holy Wars, becomes Robin Hood!”

📷 Richard Greene as Robin Hood

Regular Cast

Sir Robin of Locksley – Richard Greene

The Sheriff of Nottingham – Alan Wheatley

Edgar – Alfie Bass

Guest Stars

Sir Roger de Lisle – Leo McKern

Original air date: 25 September 1955

Screenplay: Eric Heath on UK prints, Lawrence McClellan on US prints – both pseudonyms of Ring Lardner Jr. From what I’ve seen, the UK prints are far superior to the US prints – no idea why 🤷‍♀️

Director: Ralph Smart 

Plot: After four years in the Holy Land, Sir Robin of Locksley Hall returns home to claim his inheritance. However, Sir Roger de Lisle has other ideas.

There is a serious, sombre tone to this story. The plot establishes Robin’s character as the Royal Forester and the Master of Locksley Hall. Spoiler (or maybe not) he’s destined to become an outlaw.

Leo McKern (pictured – Wikipedia) was an Australian actor who appeared in numerous film, stage and television roles. Among the most noted are A Man For All Seasons, The Prisoner and Rumpole of the Bailey. After a factory accident when aged 15, he was fitted with a glass eye. In 1997, he appeared in a party political broadcast for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP).

The role of Sir Roger de Lisle was one of Leo McKern’s first on television. He played a villain, a man looking to steal from Robin Hood.

Standout scene: Robin is queuing to meet the Sheriff of Nottingham, to discuss his inheritance. When he’s invited to queue-jump, he protests. Quite rightly too – after all, this is England.

Sword fights – 1. Bow fights/bow skills – 1. (I will be keeping a running score).

🏹 🏹 🏹

Researching Maid Marian in my library, I went off on a tangent and discovered this image, The Marriage of Guinevere and King Arthur by Lancelot Speed. Don’t look for historical accuracy – in his notes, Lancelot explained that he based this image on the fashions of 1460.

The picture is the frontispiece of Sir James Knowles’ The Legends of King Arthur and his Knights, originally published in 1860. My copy is a ninth edition, published 1912.

Maid Marian – Fact or Fiction?

Maid Marian was not mentioned in the earliest Robin Hood ballads. She appears to have developed through the May Games festivities, commonly held around Whitsun. Some traditions regarded her as a shepherdess, while others gave her a noble background.

Writing c1500, Alexander Barclay referred to “some merry fytte of Maid Marian or else of Robin Hood”. She was also mentioned around this time in association with Friar Tuck.

In Anthony Munday’s 1598 play, The Downfall of Robert, Earl of Huntingdon, Marian appeared as Matilda, Robin’s lawfully-wedded wife – she changed her name to Marian when she joined him in the forest. So, in fiction at least, we have a Marian based on a Matilda. 

The Robin Hood stories are usually set during the reign of King Richard/Prince John or King John. In his play, Anthony Munday identified Maid Marian with the historical Matilda, daughter of Robert Fitzwalter, who had to flee England because of an attempt to assassinate King John in response to his unwanted advances towards Maid Marian.

Did Anthony Munday invent this background for Marian, or did he base his story on historical sources? I haven’t found conclusive evidence one way or the other, but in all these legends there tends to be a grain of truth somewhere.

🖼️ 17th century woodcut of Maid Marian

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Categories
1963

Social History 1963 #37

Tuesday 2 July 1963

Former British diplomat Harold “Kim” Philby was officially named yesterday as the “Third Man” who tipped-off his Foreign Office colleagues Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean that the Security Services were on their trail.

Philby vanished in January, and it’s now believed that he is in Russia. This revelation, made by Mr Edward Heath, the Lord Privy Seal, follows twelve years of official denial that Philby was the “Third Man”. MPs want an inquiry. They also want to know if there is a “Fourth Man”.

Glamorous tennis star Pat Stewart, the 29 year old fashion model American-born wife of England Test batsman John Edrich, said angrily at Wimbledon last night, “I want to deny these dreadful rumours. I am not the girl behind any ticket syndicate. I am not “Miss X”. I shall take action if these rumours continue.”

Twelve suitcases containing 11,000 watches were taken from a private plane, a court was told yesterday. This consignment was part of a smuggling racket involving private planes and Jaguars, which were used to bring Swiss watches into England. The racket involved the evasion of £500,000 in customs duty. The case continues.

The number of typhoid cases in South Shields, Co Durham has now reached 42. So far this year there have been 125 cases of typhoid in Britain, excluding the cases traced to Zermatt, Switzerland.

Television highlights: Adventures in Learning. No Hiding Place. The Bodkin Club.

Radio highlights: The Last Outlaw. The Hippolytus of Euripides.

Weather: outbreaks of thundery rain. Outlook – showery. 20c, 66f.

Wednesday 3 July 1963

A bit more peace and quiet – this is what Britain needs the most. A committee looking into the problem concluded that mental health is not affected by excessive noise. However, sleep can be affected, and that is injurious to health. The committee recommended a crackdown on vehicle noise, aircraft noise and heavy industrial machinery noise. The noisiest part of Britain is around London Airport.

Six motor racing drivers took tests organised by psychiatrist Mrs Berenice Krikler. The drivers were Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Innes Ireland, Bruce McLaren and Jim Clark. The tests were designed to measure reaction times, in particular in relation to Stirling Moss, who is still recovering from a serious head injury. Moss made nine times as many mistakes as the others. He is now considering retiring from motor racing.

Thought for the Day: “One may smile, and smile, and be a villain.” – William Shakespeare.

A tennis player at Wimbledon has told organisers, “I know the identity of “Miss X.” “Miss X” is believed to be the leader of a ticket syndicate. If identified, the player, a “star”, will be hauled before the organisers.

Wimbledon Ladies Semi-Finals:  Miss Margaret Smith v Miss Darlene Hard. Miss Billy-Jean Moffitt v Mrs Ann Haydon-Jones.

Television highlights: Stars and Garters featuring Kathy Kirby. Coronation Street – Ena Sharples insists on her rights. Look – a hare’s life.

Radio highlights: Topical Tunes. The Fight Game – a radio ballad of boxing.

Weather: bright spells and showers. Outlook – mainly dry. 20c, 68f.

Thursday 4 July 1963

There was a gasp of surprise in court yesterday when society osteopath Stephen Ward was released on £3,000 bail. Mr Ward, a central figure in the Profumo scandal, had been arrested for living off immoral earnings. Mr Ward grinned when he heard the magistrate’s decision. He left in a taxi, which was then involved in a collision. No one was hurt.

Mandy Rice-Davies, who gave evidence at the Stephen Ward trial, plans to register her name as a limited company. She said, “That’s the only way I’ll avoid heavy tax now that I’m in the money. I reckon I’ve negotiated ten grand already – and that’s just the start.”

There was a twist in the horse doping case yesterday when striptease dancer Elaine Grande was accused of “interfering” with a prosecution witness. Miss Grande shouted from the public gallery, “That’s not true at all!” The magistrate told her to remain quiet. Five men have been accused of conspiring to dope race horses. The case continues.

Four skeletons were found on a beach in Devon, yesterday. Four hours earlier, four other skeletons were found on the same beach. The police believe the remains were of sailors shipwrecked in 1760.

Wimbledon: Men’s Semi-Final Results – C. McKinley beat W. Bungert in three straight sets, F. Stolle beat M. Santana in three straight sets.

Television highlights: Gallery – Commonwealth immigration. Sir Lancelot. The Epilogue with the Rev Michael Hollings.

Radio highlights: Thanks For the Melody. Lawn Tennis and Rowing.

Weather: sunny spells and showers. Outlook – little change. 21c, 70f.

Friday 5 July 1963

After studying the ever-changing English language, our columnist Marjorie Proops complied this glossary – see below.

Soccer star George Eastham, 26, yesterday won his High Court fight for footballers “freedom” – and his victory will lead to one of the biggest upheavals ever seen in British sport. The judgement means that players are now free to negotiate their own contracts and if they are worth £125,000 or more on the transfer market they can walk out at the end of their contracts without their club getting a penny.

Dame Irene Ward has called for a probe into “black market” tickets sold by touts at “exorbitant” prices for sporting events. At Wimbledon, an investigation has so far failed to identify “Miss X” a tennis star alleged to be the leader of a ticket syndicate.

Wimbledon: Ladies semi-final results – Miss Margaret Smith beat Miss Darlene Hard 6 – 3, 6 -3. Miss Billie-Jean Moffitt beat Mrs Ann Haydon-Jones 6 – 4, 6 -4.

Cricket: England are in the Test dust cart! When rain arrived at teatime at Edgbaston, England were 157 – 5 in the Third Test against the West Indies. The pitch bestowed lavish help on the bowlers. Left uncovered to the elements, it could become unplayable tomorrow.

Television highlights: Ivor the Engine. Sunday in August – Italian film. Roving Report – the Grand Tour.

Radio highlights: Go Man Go with the Hollies. Welsh Music.

Weather: sunshine, showers and thunder. Outlook – similar. 21c, 70f.

Saturday 6 July 1963

Should Wimbledon abandon its all-white clothing rule? There was no colour at the tournament this year, of any kind. Attendance figures were down and the crowd lacked atmosphere. Top fashion designer, Ted Tinling said, “The dresses didn’t project the players’ personalities. It was like a scene out of Emergency Ward 10.” However, Pat Stewart, the 29 year old fashion model American-born wife of England Test batsman John Edrich, said, “Tennis, white and tradition go together. I thought there were lots of pretty dresses in white, and colour is not really necessary.”

At present, any money saved on housekeeping legally belongs to the husband. However, a new Bill presented to Parliament aims to give housewives a half share. However, Lord Boothby, a bachelor, spoke against the Bill. He said, “The temptation will be for the housewife to serve ghastly food from a tin, and not fresh food from the market.”

The production of cards given away free with bubblegum has halted – for the time being. The cards – Illustrating the invasion of Earth by Martians – were criticised in the House of Commons by Sir Edward Boyle, Minister of Education. He called them “horrific, absolutely deplorable”. A spokesman for the manufacturers, based at Harold Hill, Romford, Essex, said, “The drawings were made for us by a famous American artist. We commissioned them because of the tremendous interest in Space travel and the likelihood of inter-planetary travel in the near future. The cards are not horrific. They merely show the bestiality of war.” 

Cricket: England closed the second day of the Third Test at Edgbaston on 216 all out. The pitch is very lively and tomorrow’s play should be very interesting indeed.

Tennis: in a one-sided match, Chuck McKinley beat Fred Stolle 9 – 7, 6 – 1, 6 – 4 in the men’s final at Wimbledon yesterday.

Television highlights: Music of the World – in aid of UNICEF. Rave! Danger Man.

Radio highlights: Test Match Special, including motor racing and athletics. Harp Recital.

Weather: sunny spells then rain. Outlook – rain then sunny spells. 22c, 72f.

Sunday 7 July 1963

Two men were accused yesterday of “wilfully worrying ducklings in a pond”. The men told the magistrate that they were feeding the ducklings with bread and splashing water over them. The park patrol man said the men were trying to catch hold of the ducklings. Despite the men’s suspicions behaviour, the magistrate dismissed the case.

A company in America, Surprise Records, has issued an LP, Music to Strip By. The cover is decorated with a genuine stripper’s g-string. Tip for the top: If I Ruled the World by Harry Secombe and True Love by Dr Kildare himself, Richard Chamberlain. 

Agony Aunt: “Yorkshire Woman” writes, “My husband talks in his sleep and sometimes he curses me. What should I do?” Jane Adams’ reply, “Stop worrying. It’s what he says when he’s awake that counts.”

Rain was the only winner at Wimbledon yesterday. For the first time since 1927 the programme was not completed within the scheduled fortnight. The committee informed the spectators that money taken at the turnstiles would not be refunded.

With 28,000 spectators present, only 2 hours 40 minutes of play was possible in the Third Test Match at Edgbaston. Scorecard: England 216 all out. West Indies 110 – 4. Tomorrow is a rest day.

Television highlights: Robin Hood – The Devil You Don’t Know. Music of the World with Marlene Dietrich. The Other Man’s Farm.

Radio highlights: Family Favourites. Juke Box.

Weather: cool with showers and sunny intervals.

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Maid Marian and Robin Hood

Maid Marian and Robin Hood #2

The Adventures of Robin Hood

The Making of a Television Series

Beginnings: The Stage, 21 April 1955

More details about the actors in future posts. 

Ralph Smart (pictured) was an influential figure in ITC television, producing, directing and writing a number of television series including The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, William Tell, The Invisible Man, Danger Man and The Protectors.

In 1954, Ralph joined producer Hannah Weinstein to direct The Adventures of Robin Hood. In February 1959, he told The Stage, “I like having my own way. I longed to be a producer. Then I became one. But I found that frustrating because, as executive producer, Hannah had the last say!”

Ralph retired to Queensland, Australia. He died there on 12 February 2001 aged 92.

August 1955

An insight into the making of The Adventures of Robin Hood

Kinematograph, December 1955

Another insight into the making of The Adventures of Robin Hood, from Sidney Cole, associate producer on the television series.

“The basis of good storytelling is always to present the narrative in the clearest and most direct way.”

The television series The Adventures of Robin Hood was produced by Hannah Weinstein (pictured), an American-British journalist, publicist and political activist. Fleeing political persecution, Hannah left America and settled in Britain. In London, in 1952, she established Sapphire Films. With the support of Lew Grade, Sapphire Films made series for the ITV network, including The Adventures of Robin Hood.

With the McCarthy Witch Hunts in full swing, Hannah Weinstein commissioned Robin Hood scripts from blacklisted America writers. The writers adopted pseudonyms and great care was taken at the time to keep their identities secret. A series about outlaws was effectively written by “outlaws”.

Despite the McCarthyites hating Hannah, Sapphire Films, and everything she stood for, The Adventures of Robin Hood was a great success in America. In the television series, good triumphed over evil, and that was reflected in real life.

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