Can we have a thread to share interesting and preferably old-ish TV documentaries? Anything goes! Please share.

[Snooks1971]

I love a documentary that you can only see on YouTube. I’m into 1970s ones atm. Then the algorithm goes so narrow and ONLY shows me 70s docs. I need to see more…
I like the BBC Archive ones.
During lockdown I watched an 80s Boarding School documentary but I’ve been unable to find it since.
Can we share good ones?

Here’s one of mine, love Olly Reed

Dullest Advertising Agency ever? All fuss for 1.5 hr party. Norman’s hair?! Some affairs I think!

Hahaha - I stumbled on that while surfing YouTube last night.
Ended up watching the whole thing while realising that I am probably the same age as the 'old girls' in that office.

Miss whatever her name was? Who went home on dot of party official end? :)

No partners allowed - they missed a blast! ;)

Would be tempted to spike punch!

Why not all go for a slap up meal? Tight!

I felt a bit sorry for the young lady who realised she'd said a bit too much on camera by admitting that she fancied one of her colleagues while she had a boyfriend (who wasn't coming to the party).

Old Mrs So and So had the right idea. Turn up, have a couple of drinks, show your face - and then go home!

I’m a big fan of both the BBC and Pathé channels on YouTube. There’s a wonderful film about Household Budgeting in the 50s on the BBC channel. Something a bit darker and grittier is the Ray Gosling film about Poverty in Nottingham in the 60s. The headmistress in that is absolutely brilliant.

On the BBC iPlayer there is a programme from the 1950s called “The Big Gamble” and it’s about people on holiday in Broadchurch one summer. Just wonderful….a very soothing watch.

Other’s have mentioned the Victorian Kitchen and Garden series and you can find it on YouTube and on DVD. Ruth Mott reminds me of my late Nana and she’s just so watchable. Her Country Christmas programme was added to YouTube a few days ago. Even the terrible sound quality doesn’t spoil it.

I think they were pushing her a bit :)

I wonder how many of them are still alive?

Thanks for those suggestions ,love the Pathe news reels and will look out for the Nottingham one.

Most of the youngsters I hope. Will have a look to
see what became of the agency. It felt very stuffy for an Ad agency! More like Insurance. Wife of head chap seemed pretty resigned to it all.

There was a documentary series called ‘The Family’ it was the first ever fly on the wall tv series in the 70’s - it was so interesting, I watched it on YouTube about five years ago.

if I recall it was a family of five or six, teenage kids and a real headstrong mother who called the shots whilst the dad worked in a green grocers.

I’ve just looked at my post again and wanted to edit to say it’s BBC Archive on YT and obviously it’s Broadstairs in Kent…..not Broadchurch…

I’d also give a mention to the BBC archive film about the Gandolfini Brothers in London who made wooden cameras.

Ruth Mott lived into her 90s & maybe her no nonsense simplicity & wholesome natural cooking & food a contributory factor (?)

Such s comfort watch of uncomplicated times past. Simple food & no pressure to make it or surroundings perfect.

After watching the film 'I swear" recently,I need to find the original documentary on the real John. It was a QED episode from the 80s called "John's not mad" I think.

Yes, agree on this one. Very well produced and was incredibly moving.

I recently watched a series of docs on YouTube about a lady called Hannah (surname escapes me now) who lived alone on a Yorkshire farm since her parents had died, continued working but had no contact with ‘the outside world’ or any mod cons. She was such a lovely, lovely woman and I was pleased to see the updated doc on her situation as of the early 90s (I think).

Hannah Hawkswell I think her name was. She was great!

Ohh I love a good documentary so I’m so glad to have found this thread! Really looking forward to checking out some of these recommendations. Thanks!

There are some on ITVX

The man alive series is good

I’m just watching Man Alive’s “The Office Christmas Party” from 1970 right now! (off work sick) on You Tube. It’s bringing back memories of being dragged to adult parties as a child and the smell of stale fags and whiskey. It’s kind of a crap British version of Mad Men 🤣

Norman’s (!) hair that looks like a small dark animal lives at the front…

In Bethnal Green they created Weavers Field Park when they cleared little old houses. Similar to create part of Mile End Park. Burdett Road Mile End Road junction.

Thank you sorry I didn’t realise you’d already linked it

14 days in May
Swansea love story
Lion in the house

I liked the Seven Up series..