A Summary of the BRIAN TAYLOR Interview. File 499.
Side 1.
Born in Coventry, 1923, where he remained until the War. Educated at the local grammar school where he became interested in drama and music.
His father was a precision tool maker working at the Armstrong Siddeley factory where they manufactured cars and aero engines.
He was taken to the cinema for the first time as a
babe-in-arms aged six months, because his father was playing the 'cello in the pit orchestra, where he performed in the evenings.
Brian was just 17, and a member of the ARP Civil Defence team in Coventry at the time of the German Blitz on that City and recalls the details.
Shortly after, he attended Nottingham University until he was called up at the end of 1942 and commissioned in the Worcestershire Regiment, serving in the invasion of N.W Europe .
At the end of the War, he transferred to the Army Educational Corps where he organised concerts for the troops, and entertainment in general.
He was demobbed in 1947, returned to University, obtained his degree, and started looking for a job.
His interest in film stemmed from a Crown Film Unit picture, THE HEART of BRITAIN, about the Coventry Blitz, and directed by Humphrey Jennings.
He got to know Cyril Frankel whilst still in the Army and developed an interest in Ballet; an interest which was to serve him well in his later career. He discusses Cyril Frankel's war record and how it merged with his own.
He met John Grierson at an ACT meeting, listened to the talk, and became inspired. As a result, he decided to enter the film industry, but was unable to obtain ACT membership because of the 'closed shop'. However, Grierson suggested another solution, which was to join the Civil Service, where Union membership was not required. Whereupon he was able to join the COI in the Film Division, allocated to a Ministry of Health programme, working on children's films in the capacity of Production Controlling Officer.
He goes on to discuss the set-up, including Grierson's contribution. Group 3 productions are also mentioned.
When Crown closed down, Brian was made redundant and moved to Film Centre where he continued to work on documentary subjects such as 'Productivity'. He now became heavily involved in film making. He was assistant editor on a film for BBC TV about the history of the British documentary film, working with Arthur Elton and Grierson.
After 6 months of THIS WEEK, he was made redundant, like 50% of the staff, due to the Company's financial problems at the time.
In addition to THIS WEEK, Brian was directing CAVALCADE of SPORT, which was another national programme running in competition with the BBC. He describes the programme and how it was produced. Sports, such as Wrestling, were quite new to TV in those days.
Brian recalls the first occasion he was shown a clip from COOL for CATS which had been recorded on videotape, then known as 'Ampex'. He couldn’t tell the difference!
Another programme he was directing at this time was KINGSWAY CORNER, a sort of IN TOWN TONIGHT, with street interviews, situated on the corner of Kingsway. He talks about the production.
During the redundancy he joined up with Norman Macqeen who wanted him to direct sequences for the BBC. Also, he was doing YOU ASKED FOR IT, an American programme for ABC TV. He describes the practicalities.
After that, he returned to Associated Rediffusion which had weathered its financial problems by then and was busy re-employing, as promised, all the people it had made redundant!
His first job was to direct a programme from Radio Olympia, a sort of KINGSWAY CORNER. This was followed by COOL for CATS, which Joan Kemp-Welch had previously directed in its short form.
It was decided to do two programmes a week with a full 30-minute format, and with the two directors alternating, until Joan left to take over a SUMMER SPECTACULAR.
As a contract director, Brian was involved with 3 programmes a week!
Charles Squires' editing to music is mentioned. Animation was also tried. The final development was in taking the dancers on location, made possible because of the improvements in radio links and genlock - weather permitting. COOL for CATS was all about ideas and experimentation, and Brian was given a free hand in that connection.
Eventually, he decided he'd like to return to film, and Harry Danziger invited him to join the Group.
He describes the set-up: Joining them as Production Supervisor, at first.
Side 4.
The history of the Danzigers is discussed. When Brian joined them they were about to start a new series of films called INTERPOL: The series was distributed by Associated Rediffusion. This was followed up with a series about insurance fraud. (THE CHEATERS). Another series was called RICHARD THE LIONHEART.
At the opening of ITV.
At that time there was absolutely no back-up or videotape and television production was completely new to him.
Remarkable!
BRIAN TAYLOR was interviewed by JOHN LEGARD.
DAVID MATHER ROBSON recorded it and wrote the Summary.
I make the usual disclaimer about the correct spelling of
some names, which may need to be verified.
For the BECTU History Project.
Postscript. Brian Taylor's autobiography, entitled "GRANDFATHER'S TALES" has been published by Normita Press.
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