Masks through the Ages (lost early BBC history talk show; 1937): Difference between revisions

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'''''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.
'''''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==
==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.<ref name="genome1">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/5001ab11223946f59e703e068566c762 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues detailing the second episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref><ref name="radio1">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/c3da45e9f396445fb28527405ae6254b?page=45 Issue 706 of ''Radio Times'' listing the second episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref><ref name="genome2">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1f17504f16c243f7b9ceb56d5be882ac BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues detailing the fourth episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref><ref name="radio2">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/1f17504f16c243f7b9ceb56d5be882ac Issue 710 of ''Radio Times'' listing the fourth episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref> 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 (lost early BBC music talk show; 1937)|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,<ref name="genome1"/><ref name="radio1"/><ref name="genome2"/><ref name="radio2"/> 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.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/63e40dd1a66f456689e9802806b9d598 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues, noting that issue 704 did not document any television.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref><ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/95e1f3f2333d4de7abbb7f30ee0f1ad9 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues, noting that issue 708 did not document any television.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref>
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.<ref name="genome1">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/5001ab11223946f59e703e068566c762 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues detailing the second episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref><ref name="radio1">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/c3da45e9f396445fb28527405ae6254b?page=45 Issue 706 of ''Radio Times'' listing the second episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref><ref name="genome2">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1f17504f16c243f7b9ceb56d5be882ac BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues detailing the fourth episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref><ref name="radio2">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/1f17504f16c243f7b9ceb56d5be882ac Issue 710 of ''Radio Times'' listing the fourth episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref> 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 (lost early BBC music talk show; 1937)|The Orchestra and its Instruments]]'', episodes were typically broadcast on a fortnightly basis. Based on the fact episodes 2 and 4 were broadcast on April 15th and May 13th, 1937 respectively,<ref name="genome1"/><ref name="radio1"/><ref name="genome2"/><ref name="radio2"/> 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.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/63e40dd1a66f456689e9802806b9d598 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues, noting that issue 704 did not document any television.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref><ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/95e1f3f2333d4de7abbb7f30ee0f1ad9 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues, noting that issue 708 did not document any television.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref>


==The Episodes==
==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.<ref name="genome1"/><ref name="radio1"/> 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.<ref name="genome1"/><ref name="radio1"/>
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.<ref name="genome1"/><ref name="radio1"/> 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.<ref name="genome1"/><ref name="radio1"/>


As for episode 4, Melvin detailed the processes involved in the production of masks.<ref name="genome2"/><ref name="radio2"/> 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.<ref>[https://www.tate.org.uk/art/research-publications/henry-moore/john-wyver-myriad-mediations-henry-moore-and-his-works-on-screen-1937-83-r1151304 ''Tate'' stating one of Henry Moore's stone abstract faces was showcased in the fourth episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref> 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.<ref name="genome2"/><ref name="radio2"/> All episodes of the show lasted 15 minutes, and were repeated later in the day.<ref name="genome1"/><ref name="radio1"/><ref name="genome2"/><ref name="radio2"/>
As for episode 4, Melvin detailed the processes involved in the production of masks.<ref name="genome2"/><ref name="radio2"/> 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.<ref>[https://tate.org.uk/art/research-publications/henry-moore/john-wyver-myriad-mediations-henry-moore-and-his-works-on-screen-1937-83-r1151304 ''Tate'' stating one of Henry Moore's stone abstract faces was showcased in the fourth episode.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref> 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.<ref name="genome2"/><ref name="radio2"/> All episodes of the show lasted 15 minutes, and were repeated later in the day.<ref name="genome1"/><ref name="radio1"/><ref name="genome2"/><ref name="radio2"/>


==Availability==
==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.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/BbcTelevisionReceivedInNewYork-1938 ''Web Archive'' article discussing how most early television is missing due to a lack of direct recording of television.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref> Thus, all footage of the show is likely permanently missing. The ''Radio Times'' issues helped to document half of the episodes that aired.<ref name="radio1"/><ref name="radio2"/>
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 videotape was perfected in the late-1950s.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/BbcTelevisionReceivedInNewYork-1938 ''Web Archive'' article discussing how most early television is missing due to a lack of direct recording of television.] Retrieved 26th Jan '22</ref> Thus, all footage of the show is likely permanently missing. The ''Radio Times'' issues helped to document half of the episodes that aired.<ref name="radio1"/><ref name="radio2"/>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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==External Link==
==External Link==
*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4224260/ IMDB page for ''Masks through the Ages''].
*[https://imdb.com/title/tt4224260/ IMDB page for ''Masks through the Ages''].


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 22:04, 6 July 2022

Masksthroughtheages2.jpg

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.[1][2][3][4] 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 April 15th and May 13th, 1937 respectively,[1][2][3][4] 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.[5][6]

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.[1][2] 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.[1][2]

As for episode 4, Melvin detailed the processes involved in the production of masks.[3][4] 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.[7] 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.[3][4] All episodes of the show lasted 15 minutes, and were repeated later in the day.[1][2][3][4]

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 videotape was perfected in the late-1950s.[8] Thus, all footage of the show is likely permanently missing. The Radio Times issues helped to document half of the episodes that aired.[2][4]

Gallery

Images

  • Issue 710 of Radio Times summarising episode 4.

    Issue 710 of Radio Times summarising episode 4.

See Also

Early BBC Television

Early BBC Sports Television

External Link

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 BBC Genome archive of Radio Times issues detailing the second episode. Retrieved 26th Jan '22
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Issue 706 of Radio Times listing the second episode. Retrieved 26th Jan '22
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 BBC Genome archive of Radio Times issues detailing the fourth episode. Retrieved 26th Jan '22
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Issue 710 of Radio Times listing the fourth episode. Retrieved 26th Jan '22
  5. ↑ BBC Genome archive of Radio Times issues, noting that issue 704 did not document any television. Retrieved 26th Jan '22
  6. ↑ BBC Genome archive of Radio Times issues, noting that issue 708 did not document any television. Retrieved 26th Jan '22
  7. ↑ Tate stating one of Henry Moore's stone abstract faces was showcased in the fourth episode. Retrieved 26th Jan '22
  8. ↑ Web Archive article discussing how most early television is missing due to a lack of direct recording of television. Retrieved 26th Jan '22
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