I can shed some more "light" on the omitted sequences from THE LIGHTS OF LONDON Part Two, as covered in Rich Cross' excellent Missing Scenes from "The Lights of London" feature (Newsletter #18). This derives from notes which I made from the camera scripts while at the BBC. Unfortunately, not having seen THE LIGHTS OF LONDON since 1976, my memories are hazy at best, and so cannot accurately indicate what was/wasn't present in the finished programme.
The character of Miss Pollard was to have been credited on-screen; when the studio recording was done on the evening of 6th March 1976, Vivienne Burgess' credit appears at the end of the cast list, after George - Lloyd McGuire. The character was not originally called "Miss Pollard" and this name was over-typed in the camera scripts; the original name was shorter and possibly a "Mrs".
Incidentally, although the front cover of the camera script describes this as SURVIVORS 11: LIGHTS OF LONDON pt.2 (ep4), the first page bears the legend THE SURVIVORS (11) (episode 5) " The Lights of London" (PART 11).
The first cut happens somewhere around the fourth film sequence - TELECINE 4- which was definitely filmed on location and edited to run to 2'15" (maybe, if any of this was used, somebody with a print can check and see how long it did run for). The scene is set in a street, and comes after the scene in Manny's office where Manny tells Barbara and the doctor about how he plans to use the yellow phosphorous; this ended with Barbara telling the doctor about the emergency call on the telephone.
Greg and Amul ride side by side in their bikes, weaving in and out of abandoned vehicles. The cars which block the street are beginning to show rust and moss and - here and there - a clump of grass. Finally, their way is blocked and they survey the street. Amul suggests going on the pavements of a side street, but Greg says coaches won't go on pavements. Amul uses his radio to call the Centre, and is answered by Penny; he says that they are going to turn back and going to try across to Kingston. Penny tells him not to since the railways are checking out OK; they should come back home. "How do you turn this off?" asks Penny's voice as the radio crackles off; "She found it," grins Amul. (It is from this point that scene deletions occur) Film: As they turn their bikes around, Greg sees a curtain move at an upper window, and he points up at it to Amul. "There's someone there," says Greg, standing the bike up. Amul does the same and, swinging a football rattle, enters the block of flats.
Studio: Greg and Amul climb the stairs to the top landing of some flats. The door is locked when Greg tries it, and he knocks loudly on it. Amul then swings his rattle, and a shuffling figure appears dimly through the frosted glass. Frightened, a woman's voice asks who they are. Amul holds up a hand to Greg, indicating that he should handle the situation; he says that they are two people from the Centre and help anyone who needs help. The door is unchained and the old lady looks out, angrily telling them that they have been long enough - she has been on her own waiting for them. Greg introduces himself and Amul, and they learn that the lady is called Miss Pollard. She says that they had better come in as Greg asks if she is well.
This scene continues into Miss Pollard's living room, which Greg and Amul enter; the lady is wrapped up warmly in lots of layers of cardigans and baggy trousers. Her room is bare, except for essentials, and very neglected. The old lady apologises for not looking her best, and Greg confirms that she has not seen anyone for a year. Determinedly, Miss Pollard explains how she went into other houses to take "tins and stuff", otherwise she would have nothing. Amul asks how she kept warm, and she explains since the electricity went off, she has burnt everybody's furniture; she was doing fine during summer, but thought that Amul and Greg would never get there. She asks if they are going to reconnect the electricity. Greg says he is afraid not as it is too expensive. Miss Pollard says she has lots of money from all the other houses, and Amul explains the problem is manpower - not money...
(From SURVIVORS The Newsletter #23)
THE MISSING LIGHTS
Andrew Pixley
Part Two.
(The first missing studio sequence from LIGHTS OF LONDON Part Two, with Greg and Amul in" Miss Pollard's" flat continues thus:)
Miss Pollard asks about food, saying that there are very few tins left around, and she does not like dog-food. Greg says they will take her to the Centre, but Miss Pollard refuses to go anywhere. Amul says they have a hospital, fires, food and electricity; she can be looked after there. Greg re-iterates that there is nobody in London apart from those at the Centre. The old lady is bewildered, and Amul attempts to reason with her that since she has been waiting for them to come, she should go with them. Greg persuades Miss Pollard, and the old lady says she will need to wrap her up legs if she is going out; she moves over to get a sheet which she has torn into strips to bind her legs with... she peers down through the window as Amul says she does not have to worry
about the rats: "They don't like the noise we make," he says as he shakes his rattle. Miss Pollard bends down and picks up a small hatchet, explaining to Greg that she never goes anywhere without it; Greg tells her that she will not need it as the two men lead her out of the flat. As they do, a rat appears at a rat hole...
The next missing scene is in the surgery. Studio: Penny and Ruth watch the doctor attempting to give Miss Pollard an injection; the old lady refuses, as she does not believe in this treatment and she has been perfectly well. Ruth explains to Miss Pollard that she is with other people now, and that she might catch something from them. Miss Pollard says "I haven't up till now, have I?" causing the doctor and Ruth to exchange glances, and the doctor tells Miss Pollard that she can go. Penny leads the old lady out, telling her that she can keep her dressing gown, but they also have some "real smart gear" she can have. Watching them go, the doctor says this used to be called "rude health"; some people are immune. Ruth says things are not as bad now as when she arrived; there haven't been any more cases of London sickness. Moving to his graph book, the doctor says he knows, and asks how good she is at epidemiology - this was his business. He explains that he wants to keep up morale, but he and Ruth must face facts; they haven't had any new cases for a week, but they must not delay the move. Suddenly he collapses and grabs the table for support, pleading with Ruth to help him...
However, although the above is scene 11. INT.SURGERY.NIGHT, and covers pages 52 and 53/54, the next scene is also scene 11.INT.SURGERY.NIGHT, which is a revised version of the scene starting on page 54 to eliminate Miss Pollard. This begins with the doctor saying "If only we knew when it's all going to end" and then continues with an amended version of the dialogue in the above scene (e.g.. instead of saying "we haven't had any new cases for a week...but we mustn't delay the move. We... we... Ruth!", the doctor now says "we haven't had any new cases for a week... but that mustn't allow us to delay the move. With over fifty cases of sickness we... Ruth!"). The original scene covers camera shots 163 to 172 - up to the doctor's collapse; the new scene starts at shot 165. So, this brings into question if the studio sequences were ever recorded? The running order at the front of the camera script incorporates these, but if it was known on the evening that Vivienne Burgess' scenes were already out, then this would have meant that her caption could have been removed before the closing scenes were recorded... as I believe is the case.
When requesting information on SURVIVORS and other BBC Telefantasy series from the BBC Archives around 1992, I was informed that no additional material apart from the finished episodes was of help. Pity. I wonder what other material may have been intended for the broadcast instalments?
(From SURVIVORS The Newsletter #24)
as Ruth in LIGHTS OF LONDON 2.
Centre. Telecine 4 sequence.
