BBC Televison - Interlude Film - Potters Wheel

Interlude films were used to "fill-in" gaps in the television schedule, either when there was a technical breakdown (valve technology was prone to breakdown frequently), or, in the early days of post-war television, to allow changes between studios.

The most famous Interlude Film of them all "The Potter's Wheel".

The potter, who's hands we see, was George Aubertin.

Two pieces of music were used for this interlude film:
1. The Young Ballerina (Charles Williams) - - QHLO-Williams (Chappell C 400)
2. Sadlers Wells (Haydn Wood) - - QHLO-Sidney Torch (Chappell C 345)

This film footage is from the Archive Collection held and administered by the Alexandra Palace Television Society.

http://www.apts.org.uk

~ APTS ~
Preserving the televisual past for the digital future

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• simon
• vaughan
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[BobWXXI]

Did they sometimes use these films because American filmed TV programs they bought for part of their schedule always ran short (because they were cut with commercial breaks that weren't used by BBC)? A typical US 'half-hour' has 22-24 minutes program content, a typical 'hour' really 44 to 48 minutes of actual program material, to make room for both local and national spots. It's been that way since the start of commercial TV in the United States in 1941.

[aptsarchive]

Interlude films were originally used when technical breakdowns occured frequently. Or when one studio was not quite ready for a live transmission. The other instance when they were used was when one live transmission ended, before the next programme was ready.

By the time American imports were being used on the BBC Television Service interlude films were being phased out.

[deeceem1]

Does anybody know anything about this potter who was called George Aubertin . Its thanks to him that now nearly 50 years on I am taking pottery lessons. Thanks in advance.

[aptsarchive]

Have sent you a private message with what information I have found on George Aubertin.

[PaulJoseph247]

These Interlude films were broadcast when cameras had to be moved from one studio set to another for the next programe. TV Camera's were few and far between as well as being heavy to move and set up. Thanks for uploading these clips that have taken me back to 1952 when I was 7 Years Old.

In 1953 I was one of 20 people watching the New Queen being crowned viewed on my grandfathers new Pye V4 T.V. set in the same house where I am now living here today!!

Happy Days!! :)

[aptsarchive]

Many thanks for your comments.

Most of the time "Interlude's" were used to fill gaps due to technical breakdowns, camera movements between studio sets more often than not were covered with a interval card, and a bell was rung when it was time to resume the programme. Not sure about your comment that television cameras were few and far between - each studio had a full compliment of cameras (usually 4)!

the Pye V4 you mention was also called the "washboard" set, due to ridges on front of set!

[MrSealine]

epg owned!

[irvingadkins616]

Your vid is a favorite on Reykjavik

[eddyallen615]

This video is a favorite on Mogadishu

[freemp31]

It certainly wouldn't have been used to cover moving cameras from studio to studio as - once disconnected - they needed about 25 minutes line-up again before being used. nor, for breakdowns which were more often apology caption+grams (having a film always ready to cover breakdowns tied up a 35mm telecine machine). Besides, old copies of the Radio Times have the interludes billed. No I'm sure they were simply a way of filling short-running programmes up to the top (or bottom of the hour).

[bagelkel00]

great music and great video

[flammasherman]

I think the Pye V4 was THE set of 1953 , everyone seemed to buy one , their first TV set to watch the Coronation on !. Family friends had one as well and it is just about my earliest memory of it being delivered.Radically ' modern ' for the time, it stood on an incredibly ornate table, out of style.I remember peering through the slots of the controls on the ' washboard ' front at head height , and being fascinated by the glow of the valves !.

[mrcrago62]

freebird0147 if a programme is shown on the BBC generally speaking there are no commercial breaks, (discounting station/programme trailers). We do have commercial stations such as ITV which have been showing ads since 1955,which is about the same time as this video. And with the advent of satalite tv we can enjoy the advent of continuse commercials with programme breaks!!!!!!

[freebird0147]

hey, is it true your tv programs in england have no commerical breaks?

[gramule]

@BobWXXI nothing to do with that at all. totally to do with moving equipment around the studios, or link-ups to uk regions. hope this helps.

[dc24tea]

happy days! drove you potty after seeing it a few times!