And even Princes Risborough

My research into the history of Birmingham's Alpha Tower and the ATV studio buildings, designed by George Marsh for Richard Seifert, was helped along hugely when the marvellous documentary From ATVland in Colour was released. Among tales of the rats surging up from the wharf on which the studios were built and terrorising the ATV staff was a brilliant little 1970 public information film created by the TV company to promote their new Oxford colour transmitter. A simple collection of hand-painted graphic slides of each of the areas covered was accompanied by an avuncular voice-over and some rather saucy incidental jazz. The result is a jaunty little delight.

 

'Do you live in... Oxford, Abingdon, Witney, Bampton? Burford, Watlington, Brackley, Swindon... or Stony Stratford? Bicester, Deddington, Charlbury, Malmesbury, Towcester? Wolverton, Tring, Banbury, or Whitchurch? Wallingford, Farringdon, Wantage, Buckingham, Woodford Halse? Goring, Aylesbury, Haddenham or Lechlade? Or even in Princes Risborough? Chipping Norton? Or Leighton Buzzard? If you do then ATV bring colour to your area with the new Oxford Transmitter.'

There's even a spoof video doing the rounds, such is the love for this little public information film.