Retro TV W/C 31st August 2007

Barry Murphy once more trawls the TV and radio guides (so you don't have to) to find anything worth tuning into this week. All listings are for UK terrestrial TV, Freeview and national radio, with the shows running from Friday 31st August to Thursday 6th September.

Highlights of the week

TV

As part of BBC 4's Hidden Lives season, this week features repeat showings of some great documentaries.
On Monday 3rd, Arena: Joe Orton: a Genius like Us - A profile of the darkly comic playwright Joe Orton, exploring his family life, sexuality and short-lived career which was ended when he was murdered by lover Kenneth Halliwell. On Wednesday 5th, Arena: The Strange Story of Joe Meek - A profile of the eccentric, pioneering 1960s record producer who committed suicide in 1967. And on
Thursday 6th, Arena: The Brian Epstein Story - Profile of the Beatles' first manager, who died of a drug overdose in 1967. Features interviews with family and friends, and a look at the birth of the Merseybeat sound.

Retro TV W/C 24th August 2007

Barry Murphy once more trawls the TV and radio guides (so you don't have to) to find anything worth tuning into this week. All listings are for UK terrestrial TV, Freeview and national radio, with the shows running from Friday 24th August to Thursday 30th August.

Highlights of the week

TV

British Film Forever. Saturday 25th August. BBC 2. 9.15pm
Magic, Murder & Monsters: the Story of Horror & Fantasy (5/7) - Its another bumper week of cult Britsh sci-fi/fantasy films this week, with rare screenings of The Damned (1963) (Monday 27th) - a sci-fi biker flick starring Oliver Reed as head of a Hells Angels gang (!) and The Sorcerers (1967) (Thursday 30th) - a groovy mind control story set in swinging London. This weeks episode of the Beeb's documentary series exploring British films looks at the British cinema's forays into the gothic world of spine-chillers and fantasy including Dracula, Hammer horror, The Plague of the Zombies, The Wicker Man, Brazil, Witchfinder General and The Innocents. Featuring contributions from Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Simon Pegg, Terry Gilliam, Rupert Grint and John Landis. Plus recollections from some of Britain's cult screen horror stars including Ingrid Pitt and Barbara Shelley.

Radio

The Record Producers. Monday 27th August. BBC Radio 2. 7.00pm
Richard Allison and producer Steve Levine return with their occasional series devoted to the works of studio greats. They continue with formidable Motown songwriting/producing trio Holland/Dozier/Holland - Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland - whose contributions to the Motown repertoire include Reach Out I'll Be There, Can I Get a Witness, This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) and nearly every 60s classic by the Supremes. Plus a look at their pioneering studio techniques.

TrimFit vintage shirtmakers

Not many places specialise in vintage-style shirts, but one that does is TrimFit.

TrimFit specialises in shirt tailoring, in particular the exact reproduction of all vintage styles and detailing from the 1950s to 1970s, with reference to manufacturers from the time such as Jon Wood and Jaytex.

All shirts are bespoke, made from either your own description or from images, with either your cloth or an in-house selection. Prices obviously vary depending on your requirements. You can find out more by calling Lil on 0771 802 9302 or email for an electonic version of the catalogue at trimfit@hotmail.com.

A website will be online very soon.

Reverend Cleatus on Radio 2

Top Hammond combo Reverend Cleatus and the Soul Saviours make it to radio 2 this week, courtesy of Mark Lamarr's God's Jukebox show.

The band perform a 5-track live session and throw in a bit of chat, probably plugging their 2LBs of Funk (In a 1LB Bag) album, which is out now on Soul Cookers Records.

The show starts promptly at midnight this Friday night - but you can catch it anytime during the following seven days via the BBC Online Player.

Mark Lamarr Show website http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/lamarrsat/

Villain heads to DVD

Out of all the classic/cult British gangster movies, one in particular has never been issued on DVD - Villain. Well, for the first time, Villain is now confirmed for a DVD release.

Based on the classic 60s crime thriller Burden Of Proof (and indeed on the Krays), it's the tale of London crime boss Vic Dakin (Richard Burton), a vicious gangster who rules the streets by intimidation before going home to his mother or is love interest Wolfe (Ian McShane). But Vic takes on one job too many - and suddenly, he's on the back foot as the police close in.

It's available to buy from 3rd September, hopefully with a few extras, though that's not clear as yet. If you want to get a taste of the movie, check out Cinedelica for Dakin at his vicious best.

More about the DVD at Amazon.co.uk