For those of us at home during the '70's for whatever reason ( illness, school holidays, power cuts etc. ), 'Pebble Mill At One' was essential viewing. Transmitted at one o'clock each weekday, it was a magazine show live from the foyer of the B.B.C. studios at Pebble Mill in Birmingham, and comprised celebrity chat, music, cookery, previews of up-and-coming programmes, film reviews ( Tony Bilbow had a regular movie slot on Thursdays ), and travel reports. Something for everyone.
I used to watch in the hope of catching a favourite star, and was rarely disappointed. One day in 1976, Sid James was there to promote the new play he was starring in. As one would expect, he was pretty lively. A week later, however, he died. I had been lucky enough to witness his final live television appearance.
On an earlier occasion, an actor appeared I had never heard of. He was called Tom Baker, and was announced as 'the new Doctor Who'. This came as a shock; I had no idea that Jon Pertwee was leaving. Baker seemed cold and unresponsive. It did not bode well for the show's future. As I now know, he went on to become the best Doctor ever ( at least until David Tennant came along ).
This being the '70's, we could expect real stars, not idiots famous for flashing their boobs on reality shows. Sophia Loren graced the 'Pebble Mill' studio with her presence one afternoon, as did David Niven, James Mason, Peter Ustinov, Kenneth More, and director Francis Ford Coppola ( there to promote 'Apocalypse Now' ). Comedians Eric Morecambe, Charlie Drake, Roy Hudd, Billy Dainty, Jack Douglas, Les Dawson, and Arthur Askey also appeared.
The studio audience knew how to behave themselves, meaning we got none of the cheering and whooping of today's daytime television stuff ( cough - 'Loose Women' - cough ).
Bob Langley was the main presenter, a rugged he-man type who would have made a very good James Bond had he been an actor. He went on to write a number of fine thrillers. Then there was Donny MacLeod, a jovial Scotsman ( who sadly died much too young ) and Marian Foster, with whom I was hopelessly infatuated.
The original theme music was great too; a racey, jet-setting tune that made the viewer think something special was about to occur. More often than not, it did.
So popular was the show it spawned a late night spin-off - 'Saturday Night At The Mill'. During its run, a strike meant that no musicians could appear or perform. Not to be outdone, Langley encouraged the audience to sing the opening theme! 'Pebble Mill At One' enjoyed a good run, and even when it wasn't particularly brilliant, one could always amuse oneself staring past the boring guest at the road beyond, and playing 'Spot The Car!'! Sadly, the B.B.C. sold off its Pebble Mill studio a few years ago, but memories of the show linger on. It certainly beat 'Metalwork' with the grumpy Mr.Harris!
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