December 28, 1963
BBC's "THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS" MAKES FINAL BROADCAST
London (JFK+50) The British Broadcasting Company's satirical program "That Was The Week That Was" made its' final broadcast today.
The show, ground-breaking in lampooning political figures, was produced & directed by Ned Sherrin* & presented by David Frost**.
The premier of "That Was the Week That Was" aired on Saturday, November 24, 1962.
The BBC production opened with the singing of 'That was the week that was, It's over, let it go' by cast member Millicent Martin.***
You Tube 'That was the week that was...'
Other cast members included Timothy Birdsall, Bernard Levin, Lance Percival, Kenneth Cope, Roy Kinnear, Willie Rushton, Al Mancini, Robert Lang, Frankie Howard & David Kernan.
The most memorable episode was the shortened 20 minute non-satirical tribute to President John F. Kennedy on the day following his death, Saturday, November 23, 1963.
On this program, Millicent Martin sang "In the Summer of His Years", written by Herbert Kretzmer.
The tune was later recorded by Connie Francis & the program was also produced as a record.
In the Summer of His Years
A young man rode with his head held high
Under the Texas sun
And no one guessed that a man so blessed
Would perish by the gun
Lord, would perish by the gun.
A shot rang out like a sudden shout
And Heaven held its breath
For the dreams of a multitude of men
Rode with him to his death
Lord, rode with him to his death.
Yes, the heart of the world weighs heavy
With the helplessness of tears
For the man cut down in a Texas town
In the summer of his years
The summer of his years.
*Ned Sherrin (1931-2007) was born at Low Ham in Somerset, England. He began working at the BBC in 1957. He produced & directed theater productions in London's West End.
**David Frost was born in Tenterden, Kent in 1939. After his work on That Was the Week That Was, he became popular in the USA & did a 1970 TV Special titled 'Frost on America'. He hosted the David Frost Show from 1969 to 1972 & his interviews with Richard Nixon became the basis of both a Broadway play & motion picture.
***Millicent Martin was born in Romford, Essex in 1934. She made her Broadway debut opposite Julie Andrews in "The Boy Friend" in 1954. She appeared in the 1966 film "Alfie". Today she is married to American Marc Alexander & is a permanent resident of the United States.
