Patrick George Callaghan

You need a long memory to remember the early days of ITV Television in the UK. Programme formats were quite different than the sleek productions of today. I can just remember actor Terry Thomas hosting a 15 minute magazine slot around our evening meal in which he endorsed varios products to the viewers. As I recall the programme was called Hold-A-Gap On Tees : a reference I think to the famous gap in his front teeth. Actor Jimmy Handley also had a similar slot in that he was a bartender in a small public bar and would bring out and demonstrate a number of household products to his drinking customers. Jimmy Handley appeared in a couple of early Will Hay films when in his youth and had a busy career as an actor later on. He is tops in the movie The Black Rider - a dvd from Renown Pictures. TV face Jenny Handley is his daughter.

There are many great classic films around that we all love and we each have our own favourites, for me, Rear Window released in 1954 does it. An enduring story told in only the way Hitchcock could tell it. With James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, and an early appearance for Raymond Burr, its a plot with a simple logic and that holds the key to its impact. It’s a look into our lives and how some live on the dark side. The original was restored for Universal Pictures by Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz and released on DVD.

This has to be a classic shot – My Son and Daughter at the gates of Gainsborough Studios in 1995 before the building was modified. Gainsborough were based at Islington, North London until 1940 and produced many fine British films. They moved the studios to White City after fears that a German bomb could bring down the tall chimney of the one time power station.

  Well, it was Cows, Goats, Lambs and Alpacas along with Cheesy Chips and Climbing frames when some of the family made a visit to Mead Open Farm nr, Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire this week. There were cheeky goats, cute piglets and adorable sheep to soft rabbits, friendly ponies and donkeys. An indoor playworld and a super cafe. The weather was kind to us rounding off a day of complete pleasure.

Episode 15 When her toes touched the carpet she felt the cold emptiness of a hollow bottle of wine beneath her feet. Rose had not bought her tea, and Edward must be at breakfast by now. In the dimness of her bedside alarm clock it looked like ten minutes to eight. In moments she had crossed the adhesive lino-floor barefooted and into the bathroom. She drew water to the bowl and sunk her face into its icy coldness. In the bedroom she pushed her feet into fluffy lilac slippers and lifted her nightdress over her head. The tingle of its folds caressed her pert breasts like erotic fingers and she sat nude on the satin-laced stool and gazed into the gilt ornate mirror placed on the onyx dressing table. That reflection had not been uncomfortable to her lately. She lifted the lid of a blue powder box and with her fingers gently blotted areas of suspect skin. Calmness came with the heavy red bruises around her painful lips that brought a reminder of that midnight passion. S...

For over 50 years I had communicated with American photographer Peter Gowland. He and his wife Alice often found time to write back to me on matters concerning the art of photography. Sadly Peter died in 2010 at a good age, having spent a lifetime photographing some of the world’s top actors at his studio home in Santa Monica, California. Peter and Alice still have a wonderful and most interesting website, so just hit google search and enjoy. Peter was the son of silent movie actor Gibb Gowland and that in itself provided him with the introduction to much of the Hollywood Studios. Their website is a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of one man and his woman.

  I always find this shot I took of my cousin Shelia back in 1964 as somewhat intriguing and quite engaging. Taken in the style of American photographer Peter Gowland it’s been a firm favourite of mine all these years. Pictured outside in a Bedfordshire meadow, now long built over, and just before Shelia took off for a successful career in London. She celebrates a birthday this week. Happy Birthday!