- Clothes-Line
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This article is about the early BBC television programme. For other meanings, see Clothesline (disambiguation).
Clothes-Line Genre Documentary, Fashion Created by Mary Adams Presented by James Laver and Pearl Binder Country of origin United Kingdom Language(s) English Production Producer(s) Mary Adams Broadcast Original channel BBC Original run 30 September 1937 – 9 December 1937 Clothes-Line was an early BBC television programme broadcast live in six parts between 30 September and 3 December 1937. It is notable for being the first television programme dedicated to the history of fashion[1]. It was produced by Mary Adams, and co-presented by the fashion historian James Laver and Pearl "Polly" Binder.
Contents
Broadcast times
- Episode 1: Clothes-Line, broadcast at 21.20 on Thursday 30 September 1937[2]
- Episode 2: The Sporting Woman, broadcast at 21.20 on Thursday 14 October 1937[3]
- Episode 3: Fossilized Clothes, broadcast at 21.15 on Thursday 28 October 1937[4]
- Episode 4: Hats and Headgear, broadcast at 21.15 on Tuesday 9 November 1937[5]
- Episode 5: Influences at Work, broadcast at 21.15 on Thursday 19 November 1937[6]
- Episode 6: Grandmamma Looks Back, broadcast at 21.10 on Thursday 9 December 1937[7]
Episode 4 was broadcast on the Tuesday that week rather than the Thursday due to Remembrance Day falling that Thursday.
Concept
Clothes-Line illustrated the development of fashion history through live models in original costumes from C. Willett Cunnington's collection. Laver provided verse commentary on the garments, while Binder drew lightning sketches and illustrations at an easel.
Pregnancy on the show
In addition to being the first television programme to deal with fashion history, Clothes-Line may well have been the first television programme to feature a heavily pregnant woman. Binder had been pregnant with her first child when discussions for the programme first began, and a conscious decision was made to have her as a presenter. As Binder got closer to her due date, and had to stand further back from her easel, the noticeability of her condition caused consternation amongst the BBC. Binder's daughter Josephine was not born until 6 January 1938, almost a month after the last episode aired on 9 December 1937[1].
Controversy
The show's last episode, Grandmamma Looks Back, aired 9 December 1937 caused an unexpected national scandal. Micheline Patton, the actress playing the granddaughter to Nesta Sawyer's grandmother, appeared in a fashionable backless evening dress which was filmed from the back, giving the illusion of nudity. Binder recollected in her diary that viewers were outraged by this, and wrote in to complain[1].
Repeats (Clothes Through The Centuries)
The first series was, as with so many early BBC programmes, broadcast live. The controversy of the final episode notwithstanding, it was so well received that it was decided to repeat the programme in early 1938. Laver, Binder, Adams, Patton and Sawyer all returned to reprise their roles for the second (revised) version, which consisted of three parts, and was renamed Clothes Through The Centuries. The episode titles were:
- Episode 1. Grandmamma Looks Back, broadcast at 21.10 on Sunday 10 April 1938[8]
- Episode 2: The Sporting Girl, broadcast at 21.10 on Monday 2 May 1938[9]
- Episode 3: Legendary Loveliness from Nefertiti to Lily Langtry, broadcast at 22.00 on Friday 3 June 1938[10]
References
- ^ a b c Taylor, Lou, Establishing Dress History, chapter 2 (Manchester 2002) ISBN 0719066395
- ^ Radio Times, 24 September 1937
- ^ Radio Times, 8 October 1937
- ^ Radio Times, 22 October 1937
- ^ Radio Times, 5 November 1937
- ^ Radio Times, 25 November 1937
- ^ Radio Times, 3 December 1937
- ^ Radio Times, 8 April 1938
- ^ Radio Times, 29 April 1938
- ^ Radio Times, 27 May 1938
Categories:- Fashion-themed television series
- BBC television documentaries
- BBC television programmes
- British documentary television series
- 1937 in British television
- 1937 television series debuts
- 1937 television series endings
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