For some thirteen years, T.P.
had been making his way up to Elstree on a regular basis. Either turning left
to Elstree Studios, for the likes of The Avengers, The Saint &
Jason King, or right, to ATV, where'd he appear in about twelve
productions including five Love Story's with Diana Coupland, Peter Bowles
& Dennis Waterman, Father Brown with Kenneth More, and the Brian
Clemens Thriller series.
That it was such busy and varied production centre ought to better celebrated. There was a hard working ethic, the staff taking their cue from the boss, Lew Grade. Although, he worked out of his London office he was known to be at his desk at eight every morning. His forte was commissioning and selling to America when he could. With a strong eye for talent, he employed the right people and left them to get on with the job.
T.P.'s association with
Elstree, no matter a left or right turn, came to a dead end in 1977. No
particular reason, but just how these things work out. He did make one final visit, though, in 1988,
but that was only to work in the car park of what had become BBC Elstree.
Fortunately, he hadn't fallen on hard times and been reduced to role of Attendant, peak cap, and all. Instead, the Doctor Who production The Greatest Show in the Galaxy which had been due to complete at BBC Television Centre was affected by an asbestos crisis when the required studios had to be shut down. The solution arrived at by the production managers was to re-erect the Big Top they'd used on location in Dorset at Elstree and that became their temporary studio. Its one drawback being the lack of sound proofing which meant frequent pauses as they were beneath the flightpath of the busy Elstree Aerodrome.
© Stephen McKenna 2024
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