Books
Kaleidoscope Publishing exists to promote the appreciation of British television in general and particularly ‘classic’ television programmes that many of us remember from years gone by.
“...a very enterprising group of people in the midlands called Kaleidoscope who specialise in looking at old programmes, gettings copies that everyone thinks have long disappeared and they find them and restore them, and they do credits lists for people like me.” Alan Plater, CBE.
To this end we have published a number of guides to British television archive holdings. These guides include exhaustive information on the number of archived programmes and the format(s) that they are held in. We have created this website as a means by which visitors can get a flavour of just why our guides have been described as “invaluable resources for anyone wishing to research, or even with a general interest in, British television”.
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You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two
Memoirs of Stephen Komlosy, manager of Patti Boulaye.
"I was given this book as a gift, and it turned-out to be an unexpected gem. Autobiographical in nature, it details the early life of Stephen Komlosy, and his move into show business managing the top British pop singers of the 1960s, and becoming responsible for the UK tours of artists as varied as Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones and the Bee Gees. However, the main focus of the book is on events in and around his management of Lionel Bart, the creator of the hit musical “Oliver”, and specifically what happens on their trip to the USA. A colourful set of events ensue during this period, involving both Komlosy’s liaisons, and the debacle of trying to manage an ‘unmanageable’ Lionel Bart.
I would have liked a short epilogue as I had a thirst for knowing “What happened next?” !!
Overall, an interesting and enjoyable read full of insight into the 1960s pop and entertainment scene. Well worth reading, and I look forward to the movie!" - Dominic
£15.00
Wolfshead
A pilot for a 1969 LWT version of Robin Hood.
Discarded in favour of Catweazle, it was sold as a B-movie and never seen on UK terrestial TV.
Single disc.
£17.99
The Work of John Ryan Studios
Two educational films made by John Ryan Studios in the 1960s and shown by ITV.
Extra: Unused footage from Tom and the Smugglers.
Please note there is no Captain Pugwash on this release. It is work made for ITV.
£18.00
The Thrilling Adventures of Sexton Blake
Often referred to as ‘The poor man’s Sherlock Holmes’ or ‘The schoolboy’s detective’, Sexton Blake has thrilled generations across the world for well over a hundred years.
£39.99
The Optimist
Meet The Optimist! A guy who has big dreams in life, yet creates problems and confusion wherever he goes. He means well, but in this dialogue-free comedy series he manages to leave a trail of chaos across Hollywood and London. If you like Mr Bean, you will love The Optimist. Starring Enn Reitel.
All episodes are complete and uncut.
Extras:
Sea Dreams (rough cut). The pilot that was screened to Channel 4 commissioner Cecil Korer in 1981, from which the full series was commissioned
Original music by David Spear. Music created for Sea Dreams, sourced from the original master tapes.
PDF scripts; Original scripts by series creator Richard Sparks.
The Making of The Optimist: 24-page booklet, colour illustrated with many behind the scenes photos. Features contributions from series star Enn Reitel, producer Robert Sidaway, writer Richard Sparks, and cast members Sharon Davies, Jenny Runacre, Jenifer Landor, Julie Peasgood, Annette Lynton-Mason and Karen Smith.
IN STOCK NOW
£21.00
The Missing Adventures of Sexton Blake
Often referred to as ‘The poor man’s Sherlock Holmes’ or ‘The schoolboy’s detective’, Sexton Blake has thrilled generations across the world for well over a hundred years.
£39.99
The Hurricane's Tail
In an engaging, fast-paced and deftly plotted thriller, ranging from London and Paris to the Caribbean, a unique newcomer to British crime fiction, Harper Buchanan, encounters danger as well as many surprises, especially as he is a West Indian who has never set foot in the West Indies!
£12.99
The Complete Sacred Geometrical Works of Joan Moore
The drawings of Joan Moore, all in one volume. Includes new material.
£49.99
The Comedy Makers / Greatest TV Sitcoms
An exclusive DVD/Book set for TV Brain.
A 1970 Dutch Tv documentary that followed the making of BBC and LWT sitcoms.
Come behind the scenes on Steptoe and Son, Please Sir and Hark at Barker to name but three.
Combined with a new book examining the greatest sitcoms. This is a superb reference tome, a huge book with photos.
£26.99
The Best of Times
Brian Tesler’s professional career encompassed TV’s entire post-war evolution from a single-channel BBC to the explosion of satellite and cable channels in the 1990s. Programmes were always at the heart of his career and this is a brief summary of their importance to it.
£27.99
The Ads Show
DVD of TV series about the history of advertising, with a humourous twist.
1 copy left before all stock is gone.
£400.00