30-Sep-01
160 pages
Published/distributed by BFI Publishing
ISBN/EAN: 9780851708669
Paperback
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Missing Believed Wiped: Searching for the Lost Treasures of British Television Fiddy, Dick
Missing, Believed Wiped is a book for collectors and enthusiasts of British Television. It explores the history and destruction of celebrated British television programmes and lists in detail some of the most important missing material. Above all the author reveals the exciting possibilities of recovering such valuable items in the future and tells the fascinating stories of how programmes once thought lost have been returned, including some through the British Film Institute's Missing, Believed Wiped initiative.
Serious dramas, sci-fi shows, pop programmes (such as Thank Your Lucky Stars), swashbucklers (The Gay Cavalier), cop shows, comedy, factual programmes (Tyranny) and all the other TV genre suffered from the purges of most of the major TV broadcasters. Lack of storage space, the high cost of videotape (which could be re-used) and the (mistaken) belief that black and white television programmes had no commercial future after the coming of colour, were all cited as reasons for the destruction. However, the establishment of the commercial video industry, new TV channels entirely dedicated to vintage viewing and the public's seemingly insatiable appetite for classic, cult and nostalgic TV, established beyond doubt the folly of the wiping and junking decisions. A financial embarrassment at best, cultural hooliganism at worst. But this book chronicles a treasure hunt not a witch hunt. It is a tale of historical mistakes, serendipitous finds and serious sleuthing. It is a valuable guide to those searching in the future for TV material long classified as Missing, Believed Wiped.
Missing programmes discussed include: * plays by Dennis Potter and David Mercer * Quatermass, A for Andromeda and Doctor Who * The Avengers, Armchair Theatre * The Likely Lads and Till Death Us Do Part.
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