Sound & Vision: September 1988
– an update on the latest information
Narnia
The latest date for the start of this major serialization is now Sunday, 13th November at 4.15pm in six 30-minute episodes. This expensive production is using all the hi-tech graphic and animation devices that bewitched us in A Box of Delights. We’re still hoping to talk to the Producer, Paul Stone, in time for our November issue.
On 6th November there’ll be a programme about the making of Narnia.
Simon and the Holiday Club
Margaret Stuart Barry, Collins, 0 00 184922 0, £4.95; Lions, 0 00 673262 3, £1.75 pbk (both to be published in October)
To be screened by BBC1 starting on 14th November, twice a week (Mondays and Tuesdays) for six weeks at 4.20pm. Based on the new book by Margaret Stuart Barry, The Witches Holiday Club. Elizabeth Spriggs as the witch, and Hugh Pollard as Simon.
The Nature of the Beast
Janni Howker, Julia MacRae, 0 86203 194 X, £6.95; Lions, 0 00 672582 1, £1.95 pbk
This multi-award winning novel, with screenplay by Janni Howker herself, still has no transmission date from Channel 4. Pity because this must be one to watch for.
Granpa
John Burningham, Cape, 0 224 02279 2, £5.95; Picture Puffin, 0 14 050.841 4, £2.25 pbk
Screening of this award-winning Burningham picture book by the makers of The Snowman and When the Wind Blows has now been delayed to Easter 1989.
Marianne Dreams
Catherine Storr, Puffin, 0 14 03.0209 3, £1.95 pbk
A feature-film, retitled for the screen as Paperhouse, now with a Winter ’88 release date.
The Watch House
Robert Westall, Puffin Plus, 0 14 03.1285 4, £2.25 pbk
The BBC have this scheduled for six half-hour slots some time over the coming Winter.
The Witches
Roald Dahl, Cape, 0 224 02165 6, £7.95; Puffin, 0 14 03.1730 9, £2.50 pbk
In July we had no transmission information. There’s now talk of Summer ’89.
The BFG
Roald Dahl, Cape, 0 224 02040 4, £7.95; Puffin, 0 14 03.1597 7, £2.50 pbk
Latest launch information for this feature film is now Spring ’89. Stars the voices of David Jason, Amanda Root, Mollie Sugden and Frank Thornton. Produced by the Dangermouse team in association with Thames TV. There’s a special The BFG Film Story Book, 0 14 050.856 2 to be published in Spring ’89.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Joan Aiken, Puffin, 014 03.0310 3, £1.95 pbk
A feature film with Mel Smith now with a Spring ’89 date.
Pippi Longstocking
Astrid Lindgren, OUP, (1 19 271097 4, £3.25; Puffin, 0 14 03.0894 6, £1.95 pbk
A release date of Spring ’89 has been given for the UK opening of The New Adventures of…, a feature film already showing in the US, and directed by Ken Annakin (Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines). There’s to be The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking Movie Book available later.
The Snow Spider
Jenny Nimmo, Methuen, 0 416 54330 0, £6.50; Magnet, 0 416 06492 2, £1.75 pbk
This Smarties Prize winner is to be networked on ITV at peak viewing time on Sundays at 4.30pm starting 27th November in four 30-minute episodes. It stars Sian Phillips as Nain and Ossian Roberts as Gwyn. The book will be mentioned after each programme.
The Whipping Boy (see this issue’s Authorgraph)
Sid Fleischman, Methuen, 0 416 12512 3, £5.95; 0 416 08812 0, Magnet paperback due early 1989
To be broadcast on Jackanory, some time during this coming Spring. We’ll be carrying this and other Jackanory advance scheduling information for you, hopefully in our November issue.
Why the Whales Came
Michael Morpurgo, Magnet, 0 416 97090 7, £ 1.75 pbk
Filmed on location on the Scilly Isles for general release at Christmas. It stars Helen Mirren and Paul Scofield.
The TV Adventures of Mr Majeika
Humphrey Carpenter, Puffin, 0 14 03.2664 2, £1.95 pbk
Six 30-minute slots for screening Spring ’89 on ITV. Stanley Baxter stars.
Woof!
Allan Ahlberg, Viking Kestrel, 0 670 80832 6, £6.95; Puffin, 0 14 03.1996 4, £1.75 pbk
Four 30-minute episodes with Liza Goddard from ITV. No dates yet.
Abracadabra
Vol 1: Space Travel, (17474 0206 X
Vol 2: Oceans, 0 7474 0207 8
Vol 3: Earthquakes and Volcanoes, 0 7474 0208 6
Vol 4:Lasers, 0 7474 0209 4
Sphere Books with Channel 4, £3.99 each
The original theme-based, character-led science and technology series for 8 to 14 year olds coming around again for the third time in thirteen 30-minute slots at the peak viewing time of 5.30pm this September on Channel 4 followed by thirteen new programmes. ‘It starts where Sesame Street leaves off …’ and it’s an independent, all-UK product too.
Boudicca
If you got totally hooked by that dazzling piece of storytelling from Tony Robertson (Baldric in Black Adder) on Odysseus two years ago (as original and innovative as you can get), then watch out for his version of Boudicca over the Christmas break. With Toyah Wilcox. No book and only one half-hour programme but if it matches his virtuoso telling of ‘the greatest hero of them all’, we’re in for a short, sharp treat.
