Released September 2009 by Network DVD. The first series of the TV variety show which includes one of Cannon and Balls early TV appearances.
“It’s a good job he was nice to me on the way up because I’ve just met him on the way down…”
The legendary Bernard Manning comperes while fellow stand-up veteran Colin Crompton is ‘Mr, Chairman’ at the Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club – the friendliest working men’s club in the North. Amid the boozing, bingo and committee announcements the show features rising stars and evergreen entertainers, some of the best-known contemporary acts and the occasional musical oddity; pianist Mrs Mills (the ‘First Lady of Clubland’), Kathy Kirby, Bill Haley and his Comets, The Three Degrees, Lonnie Donegan, Gene Pitney and celebrated French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli appear alongside comedians Cannon and Ball, Jimmy Jewel, Little and Large and The Krankies.
Although the ‘club’ was a humorously authentic studio mock-up, this forgotten treasure of ’70s light entertainment programming – building upon the highly successful live-audience format of The Comedians – brought the quickfire comedy, musical variety and convivial atmosphere of a typical Clubland concert night to a national audience. Providing a showcase for several future household names, Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club proved a ratings winner between 1974 and 1977; for the first time on home-video format, this two-disc release presents the complete first series.
Chairman COLIN CROMPTON
Compere BERNARD MANNING
Featuring THE DEREK HILTON BAND
Directed by DAVID WARWICK and JOHN SCHOLZ-CONWAY
Produced by JOHN HAMP
Music Director DEREK HILTON
Original ITV Transmission 13 April to 26 May 1974
Picture 1.33:1 colour
Sound Mono English
Subtitles None
Duration 290 minutes approx
Region 2 PAL
Episode 1: Ukranian Cossack Brotherhood, Lambert and Ross, Barbara Law, La Vivas, Freddie Garrity, Tessie O’Shea
Episode 2: The Three Degrees, The Krankies, Brandy Di Franck, Bill Haley and the Comets, Martin and Sylvia Konyot, Ronnie Hilton
Episode 3: Stephane Grappelli and Diz Disley Trio, Little and Large, Tony Brutus, The Barcias, Terri Rogers, Lonnie Donegan
Episode 4: The Wedgewoods, Beryl Calvert, Jimmy Jewel, Marie, Valentino, Johnnie Wager, Buddie Greco
Episode 5: Splinter, Norman Collier, Kathy Kirby, Jackie Allen and Barbara, Victor Burnett and June, Frank Ifield
Episode 6: Springfield Revival, Cannon and Ball, Julie Rogers, Eric Delaney, Tina Townsley, The Bachelors
Episode 7: Mrs Mills, Dave and Amos, Eve Boswell, Fivepenny Piece, Peter Wheeler, The Leaways, Gene Pitney
