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

Retro TV W/C 17th 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 17th August to Thursday 23rd August.

Highlights of the week

TV

Film: Twisted Nerve (1968) Tuesday 21st August. ITV 4. 11.55pm
Not much on telly to report this week, although ITV4 are showing a run of classic British Hammer movies starting with The Devil Rides Out on Saturday 18th. Pick of the bunch is this thriller starring Hayley Mills, Hywel Bennett and Billie Whitelaw. Martin is a troubled young man. With a mother who insists on treating him like a child, a stepfather who can't wait to see the back of him, and a Mongoloid brother shut away in an institution, is it any wonder he retreats into an alternate personality...that of six year old Georgie? The film's controversial nature led to a prologue being added during post-production, explaining that there was no connection between Mongolism and psychopathic behaviour.

Radio

Bill Hicks - the Dark Poet - Tuesday 21st August. BBC Radio 2. 10.30pm
Phil Jupitus explores the formidable legacy of comedian Bill Hicks, who died from pancreatic cancer in 1994, aged 32. An in-your-face performer with a stridently anti-Establishment agenda, Hicks used stand-up to pinpoint the more hypocritical and corrupt aspects of government and society. Often fuelled by booze and drugs, he entertained an intense cult following both here and in his native America, where he kept the censors in full employment for much of his career.

Lambretta's Who clothing - pictures

We mentioned a few weeks back that Lambretta Clothing was issuing an officially-sanctioned range of Who Clothing. Well, that clothing hits the shops in September - and we have images of some of the replica pieces.

There were initially two ranges - Tribute and Iconic - but these have now been merged. But you might have to check out some higher-end stores for the replica clobber, such as the blazer and shirts.

And we haven't prices as yet. But for now, check out some of the items above and over the turn.

Lambretta Clothing website

Retro TV W/C 10th 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 10th August to Thursday 16th August.

Highlight of the week

TV

British Film Forever (3/7) - Saturday 11th August. BBC 2. 9.05pm.
Hardluck, Humour and Heroes - An examination of one of the few golden ages for UK film, from the late 1950s and the advent of the social realism genre. It was a movement that propelled the realities of working-class experience onto the big screen and made stars of the likes of Albert Finney, Tom Courtand Rita Tushingham in their roles in classics such as Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Billy Liar and A Taste of Honey. Discussing their involvement in the films that define the genre are stars such as Malcolm McDowell, Ewan McGregor, Jamie Bell and Phil Daniels, and directors Danny Boyle, Ken Loach and Mike Leigh.

Stax anniversary movie at the cinema

Something to look out for at your local cinema, the  Stax 50th Anniversary Documentary and Concert - Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story. It will be showing all over the UK (at 23 cinemas) throughout August and September, with two special showings in Manchester and London:

London - Odeon Covent Garden, Tuesday 14th August at 19.00, with Sam Moore from Sam & Dave attending for a Q&A. Tickets £15.

Manchester - Odeon Printworks, Wedneday 15th August at  19.00, with Sam Moore from Sam & Dave will be attending for a Q&A. Tickets £12.50. 

Vespa speedometer thermometer

Old scooter accessories don't fade away, they just get recycled into other items - like this Vespa vintage speedometer thermometer.

Moulded from the original dies, this no longer keeping track of your speed - instead it keeps track of the temperature indoors. Although, let's be honest, this is just a decorative item for the sideboard rather than practical item.

You can buy one from the Vespa site, priced at 70 Euros (around £47).

Find out more at the Vespa website

Modculture Fantasy Football League

Nor particularly 'mod', but if you're into football, you might want to join the Modculture Fantasy Football League ahead of the new season.

It's free to join (via the FA Premier League site) and there's already a number of teams signed up. If you want the full details, check out the details on the Modculture forum, following the link below.

More about the Modculture Fantasy Football League

Modculture site problems sorted

We have had problems with a number of areas of the Modculture site for the last few days - with much content not being accessible over that period.

Well, they should all now be sorted. So if you have tried to contact us, tried to enter a competition or tried to browse the listings without success, all are now working as they should.

If you do encounter any problems, please get in touch with us and we will look into it.

Retro TV W/C 3rd 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 3rd August to Thursday 9nd August.

TV

Film: The Leather Boys (1963). Thursday 9th August. BBC 2. 12.05am
Showing as part of the Beeb's British films season, this rarely screened cult drama stars Rita Tushingham and Colin Campbell. Dot marries Reggie to escape from her parents, but he loves motorbikes more than he loves her, and she's more a child than a wife. Then Dot becomes pregnant.

This Is England - full DVD details

We have just received the full confirmed details of the DVD reissue of Shane Meadows' This Is England, the much talked-about movie about growing up in the north of England - and as part of the 80s skinhead movement.

If you want to know more, check out our in-depth review. And if that appeals, you might want the DVD, which is scheduled now for 3rd December. It's a two-disc release, including the following extras:

Disc 1: Commentary with director Shane Meadows, producer Mark Herbert and lead actor Thomas Turgoose

Disc 2: Behind the Scenes / Deleted scenes / Guardian interview with Shane Meadows at BFI Southbank / Interview with Shane Meadows (Jason Wood for Picturehouse cinemas), Interview with Mark Herbert / Production Departments: Hair, Make-up and Costumes / Crew interviews & Rehearsals / Production Design
Essays on Skinheads and The Falklands War / Cast Biographies / Theatrical Trailer

It should retail for around £19.99 (although Amazon are already heavily discounting for pre-orders). And if you want to see more from the same director, a Shane Meadows box set will also be released around the same time.

More about the DVD at Amazon.co.uk