I always really loved how the main theme went to 'Highway'. Oh wow, how this takes me right back to my childhood in the 80's! I used to sometimes watch this programme on the box with my Mum (rest her good soul now), even though l'm not a religious person at all... Harry Secombe - rest his soul - had a brilliant tenor voice on him. I always thought that the 'Highway' theme tune sounded so similar to Ed Welch's theme from 'Blockbusters'.
Am I right in thinking, that Highway was produced by whichever company held the ITV franchise in the region where each episode was filmed? For example, by Central if the episode was filmed in Birmingham? Or Tyne Tees if filmed in Newcastle, and so on?
Yes. Hence the unusual front cap with almost "tamperproof" integration into the titles! Odd, though, that it has something so similar to the Southern logo in its animation! I have a recollection of reading somewhere that Tyne Tees coordinated the production of these "roadshow" series like Highway, About Britain and The Time, The Place.
I believe the 'majors' (Central, Yorkshire, Thames/Carlton, LWT and Granada) played no part in Highway, so that if an episode was made in a geographical area ordinarily covered by a major then the episode would actually be produced by a neighbouring 'minor' franchisee. TVS is something of an exception to the rule, in that although it was a fairly big ITV company, covering a large and relatively affluent geographic area, and self-identified as a major, the ITV network (or at least the bigwigs in charge of the 5 majors) still saw it as a minor and thus TVS took part in Highway.
Full respect to Sir Harry - brilliant actor, amazing comedian, terrific singer, lovely guy....... But the religious programmes he presented in his later career were so boring and dull...
Biggest mismatch between stonking theme tune and programme contents ever. Pure pensioner TV, you really couldn't get any more beige than this. Incredibly dull.
I always really loved how the main theme went to 'Highway'. Oh wow, how this takes me right back to my childhood in the 80's!
I used to sometimes watch this programme on the box with my Mum (rest her good soul now), even though l'm not a religious person at all... Harry Secombe - rest his soul - had a brilliant tenor voice on him. I always thought that the 'Highway' theme tune sounded so similar to Ed Welch's theme from 'Blockbusters'.
Love this!, Harry could really sing and was a gentleman. Also Gemma Craven singing send in the clowns was beautiful
One of the best theme tunes ever!
Blimey, that music takes me back
He had an amazing voice
If it's Highway, it must be Sunday afternoon...
Am I right in thinking, that Highway was produced by whichever company held the ITV franchise in the region where each episode was filmed? For example, by Central if the episode was filmed in Birmingham? Or Tyne Tees if filmed in Newcastle, and so on?
Yes. Hence the unusual front cap with almost "tamperproof" integration into the titles! Odd, though, that it has something so similar to the Southern logo in its animation! I have a recollection of reading somewhere that Tyne Tees coordinated the production of these "roadshow" series like Highway, About Britain and The Time, The Place.
I believe the 'majors' (Central, Yorkshire, Thames/Carlton, LWT and Granada) played no part in Highway, so that if an episode was made in a geographical area ordinarily covered by a major then the episode would actually be produced by a neighbouring 'minor' franchisee. TVS is something of an exception to the rule, in that although it was a fairly big ITV company, covering a large and relatively affluent geographic area, and self-identified as a major, the ITV network (or at least the bigwigs in charge of the 5 majors) still saw it as a minor and thus TVS took part in Highway.
I just feel so happy this afternoon
Never knew there was a horror episode.
I think towards the end it was transmitted by Tyne Tees?
I used to have a flat very close to there
I have to agree with you there, but I enjoy the later theme tune more.
Full respect to Sir Harry - brilliant actor, amazing comedian, terrific singer, lovely guy....... But the religious programmes he presented in his later career were so boring and dull...
Terrifying.
Biggest mismatch between stonking theme tune and programme contents ever. Pure pensioner TV, you really couldn't get any more beige than this. Incredibly dull.