Dwight Hemion died in Palm Springs
2008. Incredibly, he was nominated for Emmys and Oscars 71 times of which 42 were successful. Surely a feat never again to
be repeated? Of all the time I knew Dwight,he never mentioned this. A quiet, lovely, talented man.
GARY SMITH
Gary was happier with TV interview than Dwight. here
he talks about PETER PAN ATV's technical staff talent, union problems and other productions.
The Ann-Margret Smith
Special started with her entering the studio on a motorbike before an energetic That's How The
Music Takes Me dance sequence. This could never happen today with health and safety issues. That motorbike would
be pushed onto the set having had its petrol tank drained. The segment is before final sound mix.
MIA FARROW AS PETER PAN
The most difficult song in the show A THING CALLED LOVE note the perfect miming from Mia Farrow.
(see sound script insert for mixing from four takes)
Bing and Bowie singingLittle
Drummer Boy. Where is Ted's Emmy?
BUDDY AND ANIMAL
Buddy Rich and Animal
Drum Battle. Apart from doing a marvellous drum break using the back stage props, Buddy Rich was challenged to a
drum battle by the near-demented Animal. Ronnie Verrell (out of vision) played Animals drum part. Frank Oz, Animals operator,
had to learn Ronnies breaks, especially the cymbal hits and act the part as well. I know Buddy Rich was terrific, which goes
without saying but Frank Oz wasn't bad either.
KENNY CLARE
Kenny Clare, with more than
a passing resemblance to Buddy Rich, plays with the Billy Cotton Band Show 1964 from BBC TV.
JULIE AND DICK IN COVENT GARDEN
Dick Van Dyke came to Elstree
for a Julie Andrews Special. Never late on set, he was friendliness itself to everybody. STEP IN TIME was a big production
number choreographed by Paddy Stone. Halfway through shooting, an ACTT strike closed the studio for three days. The Covent
Garden market vegetables were rotten by the time we resumed and the stench was appalling. Nobody complained and the huge dance
numberwas a highlight of the show.
JULIE AND PERRY ON SESAME STREET
Julie
Andrews and Perry Como in Julie on Sesame Street was a happy shoot. The first large conflomeration of Muppets to hit
Elstree. the mammoth medley was shot in two tqakes. halfway through, Julie's voice was loudner than Perry's,
despite Dave Pull, the boom operator, favoiromg {ettu/ A radio mic was fitted, but een then Julie's voice was often
louder than Perry's through his added microphone. A tricky post mix!
PETULA CLARK IN "TRACES OF LOVE" SPECIAL
Petula Clark sings Every Time
We Say Goodbye to open part two of the show Traces of Love. My favourite version of this song ever.
To get a boom in for all the live singing without upsetting Jimmy Boyers lighting, minimum orchestra foldback was sent to
the floor. None of the artistes ever complained about this. Eat your heart out Enge!!!
