Just published - 'A THRILLER in Every Corner'

[doubleM]

I'm very pleased to announce the availability of the following ...

'A THRILLER in Every Corner' 744 pages/’Royal’ Format
Exclusively available as a paperback from Lulu.com (see links below)



Structured as a chronological ‘life cycle’ of the show, but can be easily treated as a ‘source guide’ to all matters THRILLER. A fully referenced/credited text packed full of information unavailable online or elsewhere.

Features an abundance of exclusive personal comments/memories/anecdotes by …

• Series Creator/Screenwriter: Brian Clemens
• THRILLER Directors: Peter Jefferies, Malcolm Taylorand Robert D. Cardona
• ATV Crew: Moyra Bird (Vision Mixer), Glen Cardno (Film Editor), Ann Murphy (Stage Manager) and Ted Scott (Sound Editor)
• Cast: Norman Eshley, Stephen Greif, Sue Holderness, Bernard Holley, Petra Markham and Anne Rutter
• Also: Michael Feeney Callan, Claudia Garnett (eyewitness to THRILLER location filming), Stephen Gallagher, Henry Holland (Interviewer/Commentary Moderator) and Jeff Smart (Special Features Producer).

Additional archive comments documented from many others, including Paul Burke, Robert Powell, Jenny Agutter, Donna Mills, Bradford Dillman, Producers John Sichel and Ian Fordyce.

Details on just about every aspect of the show have been obtained from long-inaccessible and/or never-published documents/paperwork including studio schedules, tape logs, American press releases and promotional material.

Includes answers to many of the series’ long held questions! And a few surprises.

UK Link:
https://www.lulu.com/en/gb/shop/martin- ... qd6n5.html

US Link:
https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/martin- ... qd6n5.html

Australia Link:
https://www.lulu.com/en/au/shop/martin- ... qd6n5.html

Canada Link:
https://www.lulu.com/en/ca/shop/martin- ... qd6n5.html

Also available across Europe and elsewhere (in English) from the lulu site - www.lulu.com (just search for 'A THRILLER in Every Corner')

Please post any questions in this thread and feel free to share the above links and pass on information to any interested party not a member of this board, including via social media.

[Mark]

Ooooh...crumbs!

Okay...irresistible.!

[doubleM]

Ooooh...crumbs!

Okay...irresistible.!

Cheers Mark, hope you enjoy the read. I've tried not to leave any stone unturned and to do (a) the series, (b) Brian and (c) the fans proud.
If I say so myself, there's a lot in there that would also likely appeal beyond THRILLER itself to anyone interested in the goings on of an internationally ambitious ITV company of the period.

If anyone would like a full chapter breakdown, detailing the content and structure of the book (as a Word file), I'd be happy to email it out to them.

[stearn]

Feel free to either screengrab the contents page or post the text here. Thriller isn't a series that I got into, but I'm sure there will be interest from others.

[doubleM]

Feel free to either screengrab the contents page or post the text here. Thriller isn't a series that I got into, but I'm sure there will be interest from others.

Thanks. The contents page merely lists the chapter headings ... so below I've copied the more detailed 'topics' file I worked to. This should give a better idea of both structure and overall content coverage. Anything needs clarifying or any burning questions, please feel free to ask.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1: Background and Genesis (Pre-1972)

1.1: The End of ’The Avengers’, the Beginning of ‘Darkness’
1.2: Brian Clemens - ‘Author of Fear’
1.3: British Television – Franchise Changes, Colour Arrival and the Genre Anthology
1.4: British Cinema - US studio withdrawal, the New ‘X’ and the Rise of the Suspense Thriller

2: Proposal and Deal (1972)

2.1: A Lunchtime ‘Pitch’
2.3: Other Clemens projects of 1972
2.2: Lew Grade and the ‘ABC connection’
2.4: Talk Show Woes; the Julie Andrews connection; Green Light and Invite
2.5: Gestation Period
2.6: ‘Jumbo Jet Junket’
2.7: Press Announcements - US and UK
2.8: Dick Cavett at Elstree and ‘Lover’ Preparations
2.9: ‘Wide World of Entertainment’ - Format Nailed Down

3: Building the Team,
Shaping the Show (1972)

3.1: Executive Producer Cecil Clarke and the first THRILLER Producer John Sichel
3.2: Titles, Music and Clemens Input
3.3: Budget, ABC demands, Programme Structure and UK/US Variants
3.4: The First Production Block

4: Studio, Facilities
and Production Cycle

4.1: Borehamwood history and ATV Elstree Studios
4.2: Colour Production and 1970s Facilities Upgrade
4.3: Script, ABC Input and Approval; Casting
4.4: Preparation; Pre-rehearsal; Locations
4.5: Read-through; Pre-Filming and the Rehearsal Period
4.6: Studio Recording
4.7: Post Production - Editing, Music Dub, Telerecordings

5: Debuts on Screen (Early 1973)

5.1: ‘Wide World of Entertainment’ Debut; Clemens Promotional Work
5.2: The Second Production Block; Shaun O’Riordan – THRILLER ‘Director of Choice’
5.3: US reactions; ABC’s Bob Shanks ‘Steps Up’
5.4: British THRILLER Debut

6: The First British Series
(April-June 1973)

6.1: Series 1 Overview
6.2: Series 1 Episode Guide
6.3: Series 1 Press Reviews and Public Comment
6.4: Series 1 Review

7: Post Series 1 Developments
(June-December 1973)

7.1: ABC’s Michael Eisner on ‘Wide World of Entertainment’
7.2: Producer John Sichel on THRILLER
7.3: Commissioning Exec Bob Shanks - ‘The Liveliest Thing on TV Now’
7.4: The Third Production Block, New Directors
7.5: Editing THRILLER and ‘The Additional US Scenes’
7.6: ‘Wide World of Entertainment’ – Summer 1973; New Season; Revamp Plans
7.7: The Fourth Production Block, Exit John Sichel

8: The Second British Series (January-March 1974)

8.1: Series 2 Overview
8.2: Series 2 Episode Guide
8.3: Series 2 Press Reviews and Public Comment
8.4: Series 2 Review

9: Post Series 2 Developments (Early 1974)

9.1: THRILLER – The Novelisation Adaptions
9.2: US Developments; Initial Wide World Sales Plans
9.3: THRILLER in Australia
9.4: Script Submissions

10:The Third British Series(June/July 1974)

10.1: Series 3 Overview
10.2: Series 3 Episode Guide
10.3: Series 3 Press Reviews and Public Comment
10.4: Series 3 Review

11: Post Series 3 Developments (July-December 1974)

11.1: ‘Brittle Blondes’
11.2: ‘Late Night’ Review and Finances
11.3: The Fifth Production Block; John Cooper - the New Producer
11.4: Summer 1974 Mystery Commissions for ‘Wide World of Entertainment’
11.5: Autumn 1974 - New Season on ABC-TV

12: The Fourth British Series (January/February 1975)

12.1: Series 4 Overview
12.2: Series 4: Episode Guide
12.3: Series 4: Press Reviews and Public Comment
12.4: Series 4 Review

13: Post Series 4 Developments (December 1974-July 1975)

13.1: Ian Fordyce – The Third THRILLER Producer
13.2: The Sixth Recording Block; ‘Wide World’ tweaks
13.3: THRILLER – British Cinema Influence
13.4: Jeopardy – ‘The Female Factor’
13.5: ‘Wide World Mystery’ - ‘A Place to Die’ and Rare UK Repeat

14:The Fifth British Series (April/May 1975)

14.1: Series 5 Overview
14.2: Series 5 Episode Guide
14.3: Series 5 Press Comments
14.4: Series 5 Review

15: Post Series 5 Developments (May 1975-April 1976)

15.1: The Seventh Production Block
15.2: Bob Shanks’ ‘Wide World’ Announcements
15.3: UK Trade Press Reports and ‘Television Today’ Articles
15.4: THRILLER - End of Production
15.5: ‘Wide World’ Autumn Season 1975
15.6: THRILLER in Canada
15.7: Late Night Reformat

16: The Sixth British Series (April/May 1976)

16.1: Series 6 Overview
16.2: Series 6 Episode Guide
16.3: Series 6 Press Reviews and Comment
16.4: Series 6 Review

17: Aftermath - Post Series 6
(May 1976-December 1978)

17.1: US ‘ABC Late Night’ Arrives; Autumn Season 1976
17.2: ‘ABC Late Night’ 1977
17.3: THRILLER in France
17.4: ‘ABC Late Night’ 1978
17.5: After THRILLER – ‘A Similar Style’
 
18: The Television Movies (1978)

18.1: Abe Mandell President of ITC New York
18.2: ‘The Thrillers’ (Movie) Package
18.3: Dolphin Productions and Film-Rite Inc.
18.4: Trailers, Press Kits and Promotion

19: North American TV Syndication (1979-1996)

19.1: Sales Junket 1979 – THRILLER Goes to Vegas
19.2: Initial Syndication Success, ABC, CBS, NBC, CBC and Independents
19.3: First Syndicated Broadcasts
19.4: Anomalies and Errors
19.5: Syndicated Broadcasts Timeslots
19.6: Fox ‘The Fourth US network’

20: European Broadcasts (1974-present)

20.1: Western Europe
20.2: Eastern Europe

21: Commentary in Print (1973-present)

21.1: The Early Years and Brian Clemens on THRILLER
21.2: Books and Articles 1980 – 1999
21.3: Into the New Millennium

22: Return to ITV – Regional Repeats
(1979-1984)

22.1: A Thames Television Debut?
22.2: UK/PAL Format TVMs
22.3: Listings and Announcements
22.4: Regional Notes
22.5: Oops!

23: Marketing the Series (1974-present)

23.1: The Early Years
23.2: The 1990s - Further Changes
23.3: Press Packs, Badging and Sales Kits
23.4: THRILLER – Around the World

24: The Home Videotape Era (1986-1994)

24.1: US Video Cassette Releases
24.2: ITC Home Video - British VHS Releases

25: Bravo! (1996)

25.1: Pitch to the Satellite Channel
25.2: Bravo Broadcasts

26: THRILLER Fandom (1973-present)

Introduction
26.1: The Early Years
26.2: 1980s: Regional Repeats Era
26.3: Australian Fandom
26.4: The 1990s
26.4: The Internet Age

27: The DVD Age (1999-present)

27.1: Surviving Tapes; Worldwide Audit; Restoration
27.2: DVD Releases – UK,US, Australia, France, Germany, Canada

28:21st Century Legacy (2000-present)

28.1: THRILLER Lives On!
28.2: 2010: Brian Clemens OBE; National Film Theatre Retrospective
28.3: ‘Rabbit Pie’ – The ‘Write Way’ (2013)
28.4: THRILLER at the Packard Campus Theater in 2014
28.5: Brian Clemens R.I.P. 1931 – 2015
28.6: Online Blogs/General Websites Coverage
28.7: Entering the BFI Vaults
28.8: ‘Inside No. 9’
29.9: The ‘Lost’ Clemens Interview (2017)

Concluding Summary

Appendix: Related Productions: (1970-1974)

‘And Soon the Darkness’ (1970)
‘Blind Terror’ (aka ‘See No Evil’) (1971)
‘Suspicion’ - ‘Reasonable Doubt’ (1972)
‘The Woman Hunter’ (1972)
‘Lover’ (1973)
‘Who Killed Lamb?’ (1974)

[stearn]

Crikey! That looks to be comprehensive.

[doubleM]

Although it's not showing up as a banner on the site at the moment, to me at least ... I've just been kindly informed that the code TREAT15 is currently valid for a 15% discount.

This should cover any postage costs and maybe a touch more if anyone is pondering a purchase.

[Brian F]

The banner is showing now.

[Mark]

Crikey! That looks to be comprehensive.

You're not kidding...interesting just reading that list.!

But, do we get to find out if Laurie Johnson's superb music for the series still exists?

[doubleM]

As I've received a few email enquiries about the book, I thought I might share some of the answers here in case others had similar questions.

Re: the structure, I've briefly referenced this in the introduction but basically the text can be read from 'cover to cover' as a chronology of the series but it is simultaneously a source guide and the chapter construction equally allows any particular aspect or topic to be referenced in isolation (or indeed ingnored should the reader be uninterested). The latter aspect should prove useful for checking any particular 'hard fact' e.g. recording dates, extended scenes, locations, overseas broadcasts etc.

The overall tone I've taken is far from 'solemn'. The text is fully referenced/credited (as footnotes) but, in keeping with the intent of the series itself not to mention Clemens' common approach to his narratives, it's hopefully a 'readable' rather than a dry or overly academic piece despite the amount of material therein and a thorough and comprehensive approach.

Alongside the 'hard informational' detail, there's considerable anecdotal comment throughout, courtesy of many of the interviewees. As a 'teaser' among many others these include:

• A run-in with the ‘Carnation Killer’ at a local filling station
• An erstwhile star of ‘West Side Story’ instigating an unusual routine at rehearsals
• The unexpected introduction to one of the US guest actors and his aftershave!
• Gathering in the Elstree dining area – and the resulting corked wine
• The smell of rotting vegetables permeating from an unexpected source

I hope that might be helpful.

[doubleM]

Discount code available this week until Christmas Day.

JOLLY10 gives 10% off total cost.

[Ross]

Looks like a great book.

Did you find Norman Eshley in good health? I’ve always liked him as an actor and I’d heard he’d suffered head injuries in a car crash that kept him off the telly for a while.

[doubleM]

Looks like a great book.

Did you find Norman Eshley in good health? I’ve always liked him as an actor and I’d heard he’d suffered head injuries in a car crash that kept him off the telly for a while.

Hi Ross

Thanks for your kind comments. I really tried to cover all the bases! There's a lot of background in there relating not just to 'Thriller' but the period of television in which it was made.

Yes, Norman was lucid and charming, just back from a trip abroad when we chatted back in 2018. We laughed over a particular scene he shot for 'Out' (Euston Films) alongside Brian Croucher. He's been fairly active in interviews in recent times that have appeared as blu-ray/DVD extras - e.g. the Indicator release of 'See No Evil'/'Blind Terror' (1971) as well as on Talking Pictures TV reminiscing about the history Elstree studios and working in TV generally.

He mentioned the car crash to me and how it basically ended his stage career as he was unable to 'hold' the dialogue required for a full theatre role. Other than that he was in very good form. Received a very nice email thanking me for 'a very pleasant interview'.

[Ross]

Ah, lovely to hear that. Many thanks for the reply.

[doubleM]

Just in case the prospect of the coming Covid winter months means there is extra time to be spent indoors, maybe catching up with a book ... the good folks at lulu.com have generously provided another 15% discount code (applicable until Jan 1 2021).

Case sensitive, the code is NEWYOU15

Happy reading!

[Mark]

My copy arrived yesterday, wooo!

Had my customary flick through to start with, and it really look very good, obviously a labour of love and seems to be meticulously researched with VT numbers UK and US TX dates and recording dates, also lovely trivia sections and 'Also In Studio' sections telling you what was being made at Elstree at the same time.

Insightful quotes from many cast and crew members, the section on sorting out the Archive is fascinating, with a similar story to be told for me, about one of my fav episodes "One Deadly Owner".

Can't wait to get stuck into this one properly.

[doubleM]

Lovely to see Mark enjoying the read so far and pointing out some of areas that should prove interesting to those interested in television of those times (and the way it was made) as well as the hardcore aficionados of the series. Many thanks.

Those multicamera studio productions of the day (more so than many of the more 'isolated' units of the filmed series) were always a part of the 'larger whole', amidst all the goings on at all those extremely busy studio centres around Britain at the time. The 'Also in Studio' sections for all 43 episodes really give a snapshot of the type and variety of production at ATV Elstree. Personal reminiscences extend from events in the canteen, star spotting Laurence Olivier, Danny Kaye and Julie Andrews, to production on the extensive backlot for programming ranging from 'Pipkins' to 'Clayhanger'.

As to Mark's fave 'One Deadly Owner', Jeremy Brett got the gig through a surprise intervention.

Early indications show the book has achieved sales beyond Britain and the US. I suppose reflecting the enormous international success of THRILLER itself, so far there has been also been interest from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland and elsewhere. Thanks to all who have bought a copy and for publicity generated. Happy reading!

There's also a little more detail and a pic on the book interior at the following link ...

http://www.mcmweb.co.uk/blacknun/thriller/

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[brigham]

Looks like I'll have to bite the bullet, and buy a 'paperback'.

[doubleM]

My copy arrived yesterday, wooo!

Had my customary flick through to start with, and it really look very good, obviously a labour of love and seems to be meticulously researched with VT numbers UK and US TX dates and recording dates, also lovely trivia sections and 'Also In Studio' sections telling you what was being made at Elstree at the same time.

Insightful quotes from many cast and crew members, the section on sorting out the Archive is fascinating, with a similar story to be told for me, about one of my fav episodes "One Deadly Owner".

Can't wait to get stuck into this one properly.

Smashing comments Mark, much appreciated.

And cheers for highlighting some of the sections that caught your eye. The 'Also in Studio' details are included for the recording days of all 43 stories. These studio shows were always a part of a 'greater whole' with cast and crew mixing with others in the canteen and bar who were working on different programmes simultaneously in the same studio centre. It's a part of the 'whole story' of 'Thriller' that I wanted to include from the outset.

As to 'One Deadly Owner', an interesting intervention got Jeremy Brett the gig on that one. Might never have happened with him!

There's also been a nice review on the 'Thriller' website homepage which gives a few more bits and pieces on the book and a couple of pics.

http://www.mcmweb.co.uk/blacknun/thriller/

[Mark]

Yes, those were the great days when all the ITV studios, and of course Television Centre were Chock-a-block with programme production, it's always interesting to know what was being made at the same time.

Everyone had stories of star spotting during lunch breaks, such as on Thames TV's Hospitality Boat, with Sid James, Tommy Cooper, Edward Woodward and Barry Foster amongst the diners.

[Simon36]

“Marvellous!”

Just received my copy. That will see me through lockdown!

[doubleM]

“Marvellous!”

Just received my copy. That will see me through lockdown!

Marvellous indeed, or as Ian Hendry might have said "Perfect".

Hope you enjoy the read Simon, must thank you again for pointing me towards that analysis of Laurie Johnson's theme music to the series. For that and highlighting the coming up link caption used by Southern TV for the 80s repeats of the movie versions and your prompting the response of 'Time Screen' who published the great Ian Kerr article on the show, you have a grateful acknowledgement/credit in the book.

And what better way to cope with the dark winter months in a British lockdown than getting stuck into a meaty tome? For anyone ponder whether to take the plunge, lulu.com have another discount code currently in place until the close of tomorrow. AUTHOR10 (case sensitive) will achieve a 10% discount off the price.

Happy reading. As ever, any questions please feel free to wing them my way.

[doubleM]

A wonderfully extensive review has now been posted on the book's page at lulu.

https://www.lulu.com/en/gb/shop/martin- ... qd6n5.html

And, from a satisfied customer (name withheld for privacy), here's a lovely email that I received today ...

Hi Martin, the THRILLER book arrived.
I'm glad I've got a strong postman. It's not a book, it's an event.
The rest of us have barely scratched the surface with Thriller, compared to your work here and this is only just my first impressions from a quick glance through it.
I very much, look forward to reading it properly.
I also really like the way you've laid the book out.
This will be the ultimate book on literally all things THRILLER.
Congratulations on a brilliant book, you should be so proud. For everyone in future this will be the go to source of reference.