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Phillip Jones

Forename/s: 
Philip
Family name: 
Jones
Work area/craft/role: 
Producer
Company: 
Radio Luxembourg
Granada
Tyne-Tees
ABC then Thames TV
Industry: 
Radio
TV
Interview Number: 
449
Interview Date(s): 
31 Mar 1999
Interviewer/s: 
Denis Gifford
Alan Lawson
Production Media: 
Audio
Duration (mins): 
130

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Interview
Interview notes

behp0449-philip-jones-summary

[transcribed from Alan Lawson’s handwritten notes, amended where necessary. DS]

SIDE ONE

Born 1927, Cheltenham, and Cheltenham Grammar School educated, where father was a language teacher. National Service, Royal Air Force 1946-1948. Met Frank Lee, Radio Luxembourg, joined as programme assistant at £4-15 shillings [£4.75p]. Wrote for “208”, Radio Luxembourg’s magazine. Started producing programmes; Quiz Time, with possibility of ITV in the near future left (1953/4) to freelance. Joined Granada as trainee in 1956.

SIDE TWO

Granada continued. 1959 applied Tyne-Tees for job as producer/director. Talks of Bill Lyon-Shaw, Alf [BEHP Interview No 287] and Edward Black, talks of various shows. 1961 moved to ABC talks about Brian Tesler – moved to Teddington Studios. Series of 13 [Happily Ever After. DS] with Dora Bryan and Pete Murray [ BEHP Interview No 684] then three years on Thank Your Lucky Stars. Talks about the finding of Janice Nicholls in heavy Black Country accent “Oi’ll give it Foive.” Talks of Big Night Out, a Saturday night OB [Outside Broadcast] and the Blackpool Night Out in 1965. Ronnie Taylor took over as Head of Production, and Philip made Head of Light Entertainment, and so handed in his union card. He talks of The Bruce Forsyth Show; the Frank Sinatra charity concert at the Festival Hall [Frank Sinatra: in concert at the Royal Festival Hall]; also, the [Big Night Out] special with Peggy Lee and Bing Crosby.

SIDE THREE

Lee- Crosby continued. ABC became Thames TV, Philip stayed as Head of Light Entertainment. Situation Comedies became a major requirement. He talks in details about writers of shows. He retired 1987/88 but continued to help promoting UK shows in the USA. Was producer of As Time Goes By with Judi Dench.

[END]

Transcript
Biographical

Born 1927, Cheltenham, and Cheltenham Grammar School educated, where father was a language teacher. National Service, Royal Air Force 1946-1948. Met Frank Lee, Radio Luxembourg, joined as programme assistant at £4-15 shillings [£4.75p]. Wrote for “208”, Radio Luxembourg’s magazine. Started producing programmes; Quiz Time, with possibility of ITV in the near future left (1953/4) to freelance. Joined Granada as trainee in 1956. 1959 applied Tyne-Tees for job as producer/director. 1961 moved to ABC talks about Brian Tesler – moved to Teddington Studios. Series of 13 [Happily Ever After. DS] with Dora Bryan and Pete Murray [ BEHP Interview No 684] then three years on Thank Your Lucky Stars.  Big Night Out, a Saturday night OB [Outside Broadcast] and the Blackpool Night Out in 1965. Ronnie Taylor took over as Head of Production, and Philip made Head of Light Entertainment, and so handed in his union card. The Bruce Forsyth Show; the Frank Sinatra charity concert at the Festival Hall [Frank Sinatra: in concert at the Royal Festival Hall]; also, the [Big Night Out] special with Peggy Lee and Bing Crosby.  ABC became Thames TV, Philip stayed as Head of Light Entertainment. Situation Comedies became a major requirement.  He retired 1987/88 but continued to help promoting UK shows in the USA. Was producer of As Time Goes By with Judi Dench.