MovieChat Forums > The Liver Birds (1969) Discussion > I was wondering..

I was wondering..

posted 16 years ago by bigtallmidget
7 replies | jump to latest

was this comedy big when it first aired in the 1970s? I watch the repeats of it on paramount comedy 2 and i think its brilliant but iv never heard much about it and this board is very quiet.

[–] storrs19 16 years ago

You're lucky to be in the UK where they are not scared to show classic programs. Here in the US anything over 15 years old is never seen on television except for about 3 or 4 programs that are repeated to death. I have viewed a few episodes of The Liver Birds online and really enjoyed it as I do with most all Britcoms. I wish BBC America would show some classics. They have gone down so much but showing all of this house and kitchen shows and other rubbish that is boring.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] minifie-1 13 years ago

I believe many of the recordings were lost or destroyed which is why it is not shown on ITV3 in Britain like many of its contemporaries.

[–] i-iz-matty 13 years ago

The entire series of The Liver Birds still exists except for the Comedy Playhouse pilot - which is listed here in IMDB as episode 0, and the first and very short black and white series with Polly James and Pauline Collins. Apparently only a short film sequence from one episode of that very first series exists - but the opening titles exist as well.

[–] marktayloruk 12 years ago

Was watching Beryl's wedding this morning and wondering-did they cut anything?Just that the father of the pregnant girl with the letter for Robert wasn't revealed.

[–] sexybeast9696969 12 years ago

It's always being shown on GOLD. I can't understand why they don't release all that is available on DVD as only series 2 appears to be available and that has now been deleted. Bread is another that could do with a DVD boxset. I for one would buy them all. It seems strange that they don't, especially when really obscure stuff is readily available.

[–] et_tu_Brute 10 years ago

I notice on Amazon U.K. (amazon.co.uk) they now have Collection 1 and Collection 2 released on So gDVD by Acorn Media. These are compilations of the first 2 series. The problem with the release of these series on DVD is that most of the episodes have had to be rescued. Back in the 60's and 70's TV networks did not archive shows they recorded to video tape. After initial and repeated broadcasts the tapes used to be "scrubbed" and the tapes used again and again. The BBC when they were resurrecting 'Doctor Who' back in 2001 found that most of their early episodes were missing. Because of a close relationship tha the BBC had with many national/public broadcasters around the world, the BBC put out a 'clarion call' to these broadcasters and fortunately for them that the A.B.C. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) had almost all of the episodes stored in their vaults. I am a great fan of the "Callan" and the episodes had suffered a similar fate with remaining episodes located, restored, digitally remastered and almost all have now found their way to DVD.
I would imagine more 'Liver Birds' episodes will be digitally restored and eventually released. So don't give up hope yet. Most tv shows and movies that are produced these days have copies sent to film and television archives now.
Cheers