Masks through the Ages (lost early BBC history talk show; 1937)

Issue 706 of Radio Times summarising episode 2.

Status: Lost

Masks through the Ages is an early BBC history program broadcast in April and May 1937. Hosted by Duncan Melvin, the four-part series provided an education on the history of masks, from Ancient Egypt, to the then-modern times.

Background

Little detail surrounding Masks through the Ages remains. According to issues 706 and 710 of Radio Times, the program was a four-part series documenting the history, processes and application of various masks made across the world. The problem is that no Radio Times issue documented episodes 1 and 3 of the show. Like many shows of its era, for example The Orchestra and its Instruments, episodes were typically broadcast on a fortnightly basis. Based on the fact episodes 2 and 4 were broadcast on 15th April and 13th May 1937 respectively, it can be assumed therefore that the first episode was broadcast on 1st April, with the second on 29th April. Their airings and descriptions should have been in issues 704 and 708 of Radio Times respectively, but ultimately, neither issue contains any television listings.

The Episodes

Nevertheless, a summary of the show can be established from the synopsises of issues 706 and 710 of Radio Times. Episode 2 showcased Melvin explaining the evolution of masks, ranging from their usage in Ancient Egypt and Rome, to areas in Asia. To illustrate this, Melvin presents some actual Egyptian and Roman masks, while also showcasing film extracts which show indigenous people wearing the No masks in Japan. According to 706's synopsis, the first talk also utilised film extracts to illustrate mask history and culture. It is also known that Mary Adams helped with presentation in this episode.

As for episode 4, Melvin detailed the processes involved in the production of masks. Among mask producers highlighted include Oliver Messel, Angus MacBean, Henri Gaudier-Breszka, and Henry Moore. Some of their work was showcased; according to Tate, this included one of Moore's stone abstract faces. Melvin also illustrated the production of a clay mask, by having him take a cast of a face, and then establishing its contours in clay. The show concluded with the showcasing of Austrian and Italian terra-cotta masks used for wall decoration. All episodes of the show lasted 15 minutes, and were repeated later in the day.

Availability

Like all early television transmissions, all episodes of Masks through the Ages were televised live and there were limited viable means of recording television prior to the Second World War, with recording seldom having occurred until video tape was perfected in the late-1950s. Thus, all footage of the show is likely permanently missing. The Radio Times issues helped to document half of the episodes that aired.

Gallery

Images

• 

  Issue 710 of Radio Times summarising episode 4.

See Also

Early BBC Television

• Alexandra Palace's wartime television demonstrations (lost footage of private television transmissions; 1943, 1945)
• An Inspector Calls (lost television adaptation of play; 1948)
• Ann and Harold (lost early BBC drama television series; 1938)
• BBC Election Night (lost coverage of British general elections; 1950-1951)
• The Care of Your Car (lost early BBC motoring show; 1947)
• Cook's Night Out (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)
• Craftsmen at Work (lost early BBC documentary show; 1938, 1946)
• Dish of the Month (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)
• First Aid (lost early BBC medical show; 1937)
• Foundations of Cookery (lost early BBC cooking show; 1939)
• Marcel Boulestin television shorts (lost early BBC programs; 1937-1939)
• Opening of the BBC Television Service (partially found coverage of inaugural day of high-definition television service; 1936)
• The Orchestra and its Instruments (lost early BBC music talk show; 1937)
• RCA recording of BBC Television Service (found footage of pre-Second World War BBC television broadcast; 1938)
• Sea Stories (lost early BBC talk show; 1936-1937)
• Spelling Bee (lost early BBC game show; 1938)
• Telecrime (lost early BBC crime drama; 1938-1939; 1946)
• The Wasp's Nest (lost early BBC television adaptation of Agatha Christie short story; 1937)
• Weaponless Self-Defence (lost early ju-jitsu television program; 1936-1937)
• The World of Women (lost early BBC talk show; 1937)

Early BBC Sports Television

• 1931 Epsom Derby (lost televised footage of horse racing event; 1931)
• 1937 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1937)
• 1937 International Imperial Trophy Race (lost footage of motor race; 1937)
• 1937 Wimbledon Championships (partially found footage of tennis tournament; 1937)
• 1938 Ashes Series (partially found footage of international test cricket match; 1938)
• 1938 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1938)
• 1939 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1939)
• 1947 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1947)
• 1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One race; 1953)
• 1955 Scottish Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1955)
• Archery (lost early televised toxophily; 1937-1938)
• Arsenal 7-1 Hibernian (lost footage of charity football match; 1952)
• Arsenal vs Arsenal Reserves (lost footage of early BBC televised football match; 1937)
• Barnet 3-2 Wealdstone (lost footage of Athenian League football match; 1946)
• The Boat Race 1938 (partially found footage of rowing race; 1938)
• Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)
• Charlton Athletic 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (lost footage of FA Cup match; 1947)
• Darts and Shove Ha'penny (lost early BBC televised darts matches; 1936-1939)
• England 0-1 Scotland (partially found international football match; 1938)
• England 1-1 Scotland (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)
• England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of rugby match; 1938)
• England 3-0 France (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)
• England 3-0 Rest of Europe (partially found footage of international football match; 1938)
• Falkirk 3-2 Newcastle United (lost footage of football match; 1953)
• Horace Lindrum vs Willie Smith (lost footage of televised snooker; 1937)
• Scottish Universities 1-1 English Universities (lost footage of international football match; 1952)
• Woods and Jack (lost early televised lawn bowls; 1937; 1946)

External Link

• IMDB page for Masks through the Ages.