Unseen for over 40 years, 'Espionage' is one of the rarest and most sought-after ITC series. Produced by George Justin and Herbert Hirschman, this anthology series of 24 plays covered everything from the then-current Cold War to 19th century China, from Johnson's London to intrigue/in Kenya and Moscow. 'Espionage' is one of Lew Grade's first successes with a transatlantic production team, featuring both British and American writers and directors, including three plays directed by the Oscar-nominated Michael Powell. With one play, 'The Whistling Shrimp', actually shot in New York, it's no wonder that this series attracted talent of the calibre of Roger Livesey, Stanley Baxter, Anthony Quayle, Sian Phillips, Donald Pleasence, Dennis Hopper, Patrick Troughton, Barry Foster and others.
Sid Hailey (Mike Gwilym), a champion jump jockey, had his hand and his career destroyed when he was injured by a horse during a race. His ex-wife's father pulls him out of his depression by asking him to investigate some suspicious deaths and the possibility that someone's planning a takeover at Seabury race course. Sid, together with his friend, judo expert and ex-thug, Chico Barnes (Mick Ford), start investigating and their success in the Seabury case leads to other race course cases: possible fixed races, shady insurance claims, betting scams and a kidnapped stud.
Knight Errant '59. Quests undertaken, dragons defeated, damsels rescued. Anything, anywhere, for anyone, so long as it helps. Fees according to means. Adam Knight is a young man who, having tried several jobs, decides to set up an agency, 'Knight Errant '59', to solve other people's problems - whatever they may be. There's plenty of scope and, assisted by former reporter Liz and idealistic young writer Peter, the latter-day Sir Lancelot is kept busy with a variety of curious and exciting cases. John Turner starred in this memorable Granada series with, for the first two series, Canadian-born Kay Callard and Richard Carpenter (who later made the transition from actor to writer and is best known as the creator of Catweazle); in the series' later incarnation, Knight Errant Limited, Hugh David filled the role of the benevolent trouble-shooter with Wendy Williams as his secretary. Although 75 episodes were made, only two still exist; this set presents these remaining two episodes from 'Knight Errant '59' and 'Knight Errant Limited'.
When a friendless old widow dies in the market town of Crythin Gifford, a young solicitor is sent in to settle her estate. Following cryptic warnings from the locals regarding the terrifying history of the old woman's house, he very soon begins to see visions of a menacing woman in black...
When Mr. Bumble-Drop builds a walking, talking, battery-powered boy, it's the start of a series of magical adventures for Torchy and the toys of Topsy-Turvy Land. This charming series from 'Space Patrol' creator Roberta Leigh paved the way for Gerry Anderson's pioneering Supermarionation techniques and appears here for the first time on video
When Willie Joy (Frankie Howard) is fired from his job at White City Dog Track he takes pity on injured greyhound Lindy Lou, who seems to have one paw in the grave. Willie nurses the sickly pooch back to health with the help of con man Captain Jack Montague (Stanley Holloway) and they plan to enter their hapless dog in the prestigious Golden Bowl race. They must however escape the clutches of a race fixing gang and dodgy bookie Bert Benton (Lionel Jeffries) to give Lindy Lou a chance to bring home the bacon and win the Golden Bowl!
Terence Morgan stars in this 1959 British production. Directed and co-written by John Lemont which was distributed by Rank. Morgan plays "Augie" a crook just released from prison and intent on getting his rackets back from "Gollar" (Harry H Corbett). Augie sets up, down and out photographer (Donald Pleasence) in a studio with blackmail in mind. Well shot, this gritty crime flic is a must for crime buffs with a good supporting cast, Bill Owen, Robert Beatty and Hazel Court, whose first role in 1944 was a tipsy champagne drinker and her last role, in 1981 was a champagne drinker!
Every bit the foppish English gentleman, Sir Percy Blakeney's (Leslie Howard)'s foolish demeanour is a mere cover to conceal his true identity as the 'Scarlet Pimpernel' - daring saviour of French aristocrats during Robespierre's (Ernest Milton)'s - Reign of Terror. With the villainous Chauvelin (Raymond Massey) desperate to track him down, a plan is soon put into action which threatens the life and liberty of Sir Percy's beautiful wife (Merle Oberon) in the hope of putting paid to the Pimpernel's exploits once and for all...
Ignoring the adoration of Billy, a shy, sensitive young man, Trilby O'Ferral falls under the spell of Svengali, the sinister hypnotist. She and Svengali develop a concert act and tour successfully, forsaking Trilby's former friends. But Billy's love is unwavering and wins out at last over the dark power of Svengali. A last-minute replacement for the equally flamboyant Robert Newton, Wolfit pulls out all the stops as the scroungy, sinister musician/mesmerist who hypnotizes lovely artist's model Trilby (Hildegarde Neff) and transforms her into a world-famous singer. While under Svengali's spell, Trilby forgets all about "Little" Billy (Terence Morgan) the starving artist who loves her fervently. But Billy doesn't forget, and follows Svengali and Trilby all over the world.
John Steed, Simon Templar, Dick Barton...and Simon Bognor. Following in the footsteps of some illustrious predecessors, the principal agent of the Special Investigations Dept. of the Board of Trade ventures forth to take on wrongdoers wherever they may lurk! In 'Unbecoming Habits', he poses as a CID officer to investigate a friary suspected of passing agricultural secrets to the Soviets; 'Deadline' sees him lowering journalistic standards as he goes undercover to probe the murder of a gossip columnist; in 'Let Sleeping Dogs Die' he trails ruthless pedigree dog smugglers; 'Just Desserts' finds him uncovering deadly intrigue in the world of haute cuisine. But will the assignments throw up more clues than Bognor can handle?
A mild-mannered newspaper columnist finds himself presented with an intriguing proposition from an elderly fan. She suggests that they conspire to steal a secret whiskey formula from ruthless distillers, who themselves stole it from her family in years gone by. With the recipe back in hand however, it's not long before they attract attention from the Inspectors of Scotland Yard.
Army deserter Peter Burdon (Derek Farr) makes a new life for himself in London. Short of cash, he tries to pawn his old service revolver and is caught up in an armed robbery, during which a constable is shot and killed. Suspected of being part of the gang, Burdon must go on the run to prove his innocence.
A global byword for cinematic quality of a quintessentially British nature, Ealing Studios made more than 150 films over a three decade period. A cherished and significant part of British film history, only selected films from both the Ealing and Associated Talking Pictures strands have previously been made available on home video format - with some remaining unseen since their original theatrical release. 'The Ealing Rarities Collection' redresses this imbalance - featuring new transfers from the best available elements, in their correct aspect ratio, this multi-volume collection showcases a range of scarce films from both Basil Dean's and Michael Balcon's tenure as studio head, making them available once more to the general public.
Three Men in a Boat (1933)
An adaptation of Jerome K. Jerome's classic story charting the comic misadventures of three friends - and a dog - as they take a boating holiday on the Thames.
Loyalties (1933)
The sole Jewish guest at a Society gathering is robbed; when he exposes a fellow guest as the thief, he finds the veneer of racial tolerance to be disturbingly thin...
The Bailiffs (1932)
In one of their earliest films, Crazy Gang stars Flanagan and Allen star as a couple of incompetent broker's men who take possession of the wrong house...
Laburnum Grove (1936)
A respectable suburban householder shocks unwelcome visiting relatives by telling them that he is now a forger working for a criminal gang.
Paul, the protective Laird of Glenbogle, has his mettle tested to the limit by a seemingly unending series of catastrophes. The Crofters Tenants' Association is up in arms, a duplicitous god-daughter returns, an ex-poacher seeks revenge, a monster seemingly has taken up residence in the loch, diseased trees are identified and have to be felled and the bank is threatening to foreclose. The other Glenbogle residents, in an attempt to remain in the place they love, are all vigorously pulling together to keep the estate running but will their inventive plans and schemes be fruitful or simply be too little, too late?
A global byword for cinematic quality of a quintessentially British nature, Ealing Studios made more than 150 films over a three decade period. A cherished and significant part of British film history, only selected films from both the Ealing and Associated Talking Pictures strands have previously been made available on home video format - with some remaining unseen since their original theatrical release. 'The Ealing Rarities Collection' redresses this imbalance - featuring new transfers from the best available elements, in their correct aspect ratio, this multi-volume collection showcases a range of scarce films from both Basil Dean's and Michael Balcon's tenure as studio head, making them available once more to the general public.
Return to Yesterday (1940)
Seaside rep players Peter (David Tree) and Carol (Anna Lee) are in despair over the chaotic state of rehearsals for Peter's first play. Then, a local actor turned Hollywood star arrives in the town...
Lorna Doone (1935)
Margaret Lockwood makes her screen debut in this adaptation of R. D. Blackmore's classic tale of two feuding West Country families during the seventeenth century.
Lease of Life (1954)
The wife of a Yorkshire vicar sees a chance for her husband to increase his status and income. But there are more pressing concerns for the gentle, world-weary vicar...
Calling the Tune (1936)
The story of the love between the daughter of a record manufacturer and the son of the man he had cheated, set during the early days of the gramophone industry.
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