Day Out – Keith Conlon

STAMFORD Day Out (Keith Conlon)

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.

The cutting is of a TV crew, who I was the soundman, making it to the front page of ‘Rutland and Stamford Mercury’ newspaper, whilst we were making a Regional programme series called ‘Day Out’.
The crew consisted of Pete Smith, Cameraman. Dave Ronnie, Assistant Camera and my self, Keith Conlon Sound man. The P.A was Trina Bond. Director Keith Haley. Presenter Maureen Staffer.

Keith Conlon

 

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Group:

Peter Poole: ‘A very enjoyable programme. Anyone remember “Biking Butler”?’

Cathy Houghton: ‘Yes, Peter and Boating Butler – they were very good.’

Lynn Cullimore: ‘Oh yes, I worked on the Day Outs…all over the Midlands region. There were lots of them.’

Conal O’Donnell: ‘I seem to recall a “Boating Butler” when a camera wnet overboard..?’

Keith Conlon: ‘I worked on Boating Butler and yes I remember the camera going into the cut. I found that the series was very enjoyable to work on as they made some really interesting programmes..’

Peter Poole: ‘I remember recording the commentary for Biking Butler. It was done in a ad-lib style. Tony was not political correct and some of his comments were very funny. But unfortunately not fit for broadcast. It was always great fun to work with Tony. I think the producer was John Taylor. The PA was Mandy Peissel. Back then regional TV produced many varied and excellent programmes on very small budgets.’

Conal O’Donnell: ‘Tony Butler is one of the funniest men I’ve met-the most entertaining stuff I ever heard out of Pebble Mill -unfortunately not broadcast-was the banter each day in the WM production office while the Butler Breakfast & Doolan prog teams overlapped -the only time I ever remember tears of laughter -quite literally!’

Lynne Cullimore: ‘I loved working with him and not only was he funny but he was a nice man. He always treated me nicely – not like some I could mention!’

Marvin’s Credits

Photo by Tim Savage. Marvin is on the far right!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marvin’s credit on Track One. Grab from Keith Brook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VT editors are a singular breed, and sometimes curiously attached to inanimate objects! The VPR2 machine in VTC was affectionately known as ‘Marvin’. Presumably after ‘Marvin the paranoid android’ in ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’. Not only was ‘Marvin’ the machine, named, but he was also credited – on at least one, and possibly on more programmes, for his creative efforts.  ‘Marvin’ is the machine on the extreme right of top photo – not a very good shot of him!

‘Marvin’s’ credit was on ‘Track One’ a regional programme for the discerning younger audience. The credits for VT read: ‘Marvin – Mike Bloore – Ivor the Engine’ in that order. So Marvin got top billing as well!!  Keith was the director of that episode, produced by Keith Haley, with executive producer, Mike Fitzgerald. (Thanks to Keith Brook for this information, and the grab!).

‘Marvin’ may also have enjoyed other credits – possibly on ‘Look! Hear!’