1973

THE MUTATIONS…Director…Jack Cardiff…

This was a strange film to work on. We used artists from around the world that were genuine freaks. A man that could make his eyes pop out of his head, A lady that had skin like a crocodile and many more.
Tom Baker (Later to become the best Dr Who ever) was playing a Mutant.
I stood-in and doubled for Tom and was used a few times in crowd scenes.
I was also the Barker at the fair ground scene.
Jack Cardiff is better known for his cinematography and started in films at the age of thirteen. I wish you well Jack.

THE MACKINTOSH MAN…Director John Houston…
Paul Newman…
We were at Pinewood for a couple of weeks filming the prison escape scenes.
There must have been a couple of hundred Supporting Artists on the set everyday. Central Casting were at their best for this casting.
Broken noses, scars, cauliflower ears, pug ugly (And that was just the women).
Some of the best known ‘’faces’’ from north and south of the river (Thames) were teamed up in a mock up of a prison yard.
Let me mention some that I can remember.
The Cardews, the Tippets, Bobby Ramsey, Jack Kid Berg and many many more.
I wish my memory was better. (I’d better remember Gypsy Tom) Hello Tom.
I’m sure we’ll get a full list of the people in these scenes when we read Scott Palmers book.
Some of the quieter faces Eric Kent, Trevor Wedlock, Gordon Hann and myself would find a quiet corner and play cards in between set ups.
Trevor and his dog Yogi went to Ireland to hunt for Mr Newman.
Yogi was a BIG Rottweiler. (And I mean BIG)

PETER WYNGUARD AS JASON KING
I worked on a few episodes of Jason King the same as I did on Department S. but nothing much to talk about.

I’ve now got an idea for another script. It’s based on a very funny friend of mine. He’s a window cleaner and his name is Peter Harvey. (A right Jack the lad)

ALAS SOMEONE ELSE MADE A SHOW CALLED SHINE ON HARVEY MOON
SOME TIME LATER. THAT WAS MADE BY ATV.
( Funny old game this writing game when two people come up with the same name for a show, six months apart)

DIAMONDS ON WHEELS…Director…Jerry London…
I’m standing/in for Dudley on a kids film which will take us through the long hot summer…
The film has a big cast including Barry Jackson, Christopher Malcolm, Derek Newark, a young Peter Firth and a top stunt team with Alan Stewart and Chris Webb.
We filmed a lot of it in Surrey but we had a few weekends near Smithfield Market. (A five minute walk from my house)
It was really a fun film to work on. Plenty of Supporting Artists, plenty of days and plenty of sun.
I wont tell you Dudley was playing a crook again but if you had to guess I think you’d guess right.
Chris Malcolm is a Canadian and he kept asking me how to talk Cockney. (A touch of the Mary Poppins)

SOFT BEDS HARD BATTLES…Director…Roy Boulting…Shepperton Studios…
Cast Inc…Peter Sellers…Jenny Hanley…
Not one of Peter’s best films…

THE ZOO GANG…
Cast includes, Brian Kieth, Sir John Mills, Lilli Palmer and Barry Morse.
I worked a few odd days. (A monkey smoking a pipe)

CHURCHILL’S PEOPLE...BBCTV A History of the British Nation…
This was a huge production by the BBC consisting of twenty six episodes of British history.The BBC must have employed a thousand Actors, Walk/On’s and extras for the year or so of filming at the BBC Centre at Wood Lane W7.
I probably worked on half (or more) of the twenty six episodes.
One week I’d be a hangman in the sixteenth century, another episode I’d be coming off the mountain carrying the Tablets and speaking Gaelic, another time I’d be in Canada (and we never left the studio)
But the best episode was when I was made up as a Viking!!!
I was called early in the morning to the Centre and was told they were running late from the day before and could I relax in the dressing room and ‘’pop’’ back about lunchtime.
I had a game of cards for a couple of hours then some of the boys decided on a couple of swift halves in the studio bar.
After a nice couple of hours in the bar I went to the make/up room to see if they were ready for me. ‘’Can you come back at five’’ they said.
I remembered where I’d left my mates and joined them for another swift half.
After a bite to eat and a sleep in the dressing room I’m back at the make/up room at five o clock.
‘’We’ll be ready for you at eight after supper’’
So it’s back to the club bar and another swift half and I meet up with Patsy and Jimmy. Patsy (glug, glug’s ) a fine drinker but Jimmy (head down) must be allergic to Mahogany. (he wont go near the bar when it’s his round)
It’s now ten to eight and with peppermints in the gob it’s back to make/up.
I’m stripped down to my pants and there’s make up going on my legs, feet, chest, in fact anywhere that looks white. Plus one large beard.
Now it’s costume time. I’m going to be a very fierce Viking.
Lace up sandals up to my knees, large pieces of fur fitted and tied about me, a horned helmet, a dagger, a sword, a shield and of course a giant axe.
(I forgot to tell you about the longest wig you’ve ever seen. It would have done Lady Godiva a great service as an overcoat)
I’m ready now and I weigh a ton. (Even without the kitchen sink)
It’s up the stairs to the studio now for my big performance. Let’s rock and roll.
The big performance consists of a big light behind me so that my body casts a huge shadow on the wall. That’s it, I’m a shadow on the wall.
After thirteen hours at the BBC Centre the old smoke, pipe monkey come to mind.

SPECIAL BRANCH…George (Chuck) Sewell…Patrick Mower…
First time I’ve worked with George but we work together many more times over the years.
This was a cop show and I did a few odd days.
I think this was the one where I’m silhouetted on the opening titles of the show.
I’m on the police most wanted list. (For breaking in to a five pound note to buy a drink But I got off as it was my first offence)

ME IN 73… THAT’S MY HAND PRINT.

SPACE 1999…Pinewood Studios…
Cast…Martin Landau…Barbara Bain…Barry Morse…Catherine Schell…
I’m back at Pinewood to do about ten episodes of this series.
It takes two weeks to film a fifty minute episode so as it’s a busy time in films and TV at the moment I can get other work on shows when I get days off of 1999.
I would love to see the show again and look back on some of the faces I met thirty years ago. (Come on TV company’s, show it again)

ME (standing) IN AN EPISODE OF SPACE 1999…


STEPTOE AND SON… Episode Porn Yesterday…
I’d already worked on a couple of Steptoe films but only as a Supporting Artist.
Now I’m in the cast as a disgruntled man who has some words to say near the end of the episode.
We rehearsed for five days at the North Acton Hilton, (BBC rehearsal studios) then do the live (Audience) show on the Saturday night.
Harry H (good name) Corbett and Wilfred Brambell were charming throughout the week as were the rest of the small cast.

When it was shown on the BBC it had an audience of 23 million viewers and my name was on the credits.(Not bad for a boy that used to swim in the canal)
I’d like to thank Douglas Argent for using me on that show and many shows after.

ERIC SYKES DIRECTING IN 73…PHOTO BY AITCH…
As you can see now I’ve been ducking and diving about on different films and TV shows. Some I can remember some not.
It’s like if you work in an office or a warehouse or a shop you can’t remember something that happened ten, twenty or thirty years ago.
Unless something happens to click your memory.
If I see an old film or TV show on the box I see people I knew all those years ago and wonder what became of them. Actors (Bit) who were too grand to talk to you. Extra’s that were trying to make the big time. (not many do)
Me? I was a Supporting Artist that could say lines. Take each job as it comes, say the words and don’t fall over the furniture. (I did fall a couple of times)
My main job in the business was to REACT to actors. (or scenes)
On Department S. one day the 1st A.D. told me to have a look out of the door in one scene. I was dressed as a French Policemen. I looked up and down the road and there wasn’t a soul in sight. The camera was just on me.
When it came to being paid he told me it was a crowd scene. No extra money.
We used to get extra money for individual work. (I was a small crowd)

I get to do my first Guinness commercial. (I’ve been rehearsing for this for fifteen years)
It’s a hard job sipping pints of the black stuff take after take, licking your lips and smiling at the camera but someone’s got to do it.

THE TWO RONNIES... The Regiment.. Episode 3 Series 3....

Now picture these brave boys on the North West Frontier standing to attention in the soaring heat with no contact from their loved ones and girlfriends for over a year...
So Ronnie Barker decides to give us a treat....

Is this a mirage I see before My eyes?.....	I'm going a bit dizzy, must be something in my water.
It must be passing out time......	Time to join the lads in some ground work....

I'd like to thank The Two Ronnies (and Dilys Watling) for this funny sketch...See it on tv...

NEXT - 1974

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