Crossroads Crossroads: 1964-1988, 2001-2003

[Barbara Fan]

Nolly and the Disco Champion ? 1983 He looks like he could understudy for Village People too








Thanks to Mike from CAS for bottom 3 pics

 

[Barbara Fan]

I’d been under the impression that Sandy’s death wasn’t acknowledged in the series until much, much later, and it’s pleasing to see that this impression was false. In fact his death was explicitly mentioned in #3471 in a conversation between Meg and Jill. And it’s not en passant as I’d expected the eventual mention to be. The scene is actually very much about Meg avoiding dealing with Sandy’s death by focussing on Benny’s situation. And, touchingly, Sandy’s portrait has appeared on the bureau in Meg’s sitting room.

I loved the scene between Meg and Jill re Sandys death and Im glad it was acknowledged

JILL - It’s as if you are trying to bottle down your feelings out of sight

Meg: I’m sorry but its still so fresh, there’s not one day goes by that I don’t think about him

Jill: Sometimes I can be doing the accounts and think I must show this to Sandy

Meg: One day we will be able to talk about him

Jill: But it would help both of us

Meg: No, now you listen. Nothing will ever help, its cant. And I have to be selfish, because it hurts too much to talk. Now at least.

Jill: Mum, I’m sorry.

 

[Barbara Fan]

This is lovely - Loved Augustus Prew in Nolly too - some lovely scenes x

 

[Barbara Fan]

Soaps magazine 1986, Id tuned out by then

Im nearing the end of my Crossroads marathon, which started in feb this year, I dont want it to end, I wantMORE!! Lots more

Meg is in the blue blazer so I know the end is in sight for her - still cant believe they sacked her, thanks to Jack Barton, but he let Charles Denton take the blame!

Was glad to read that Mr Barton also got the sack from Crossroads, hes not fondly remembered though, unlike Nolly who is still missed

Love BF x

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Soaps magazine 1986,

Oh, I recognised this article right away. I had this same magazine (I might even still have it somewhere).

Im nearing the end of my Crossroads marathon, which started in feb this year, I dont want it to end, I wantMORE!! Lots more

Yikes!!

I felt exactly the same way as I approached the end. James did mention that there are lots of post-Meg episodes on YT, so that could be an option for you (until Network is hopefully revived in some form and gives us another huge box set).

I'm anxiously awaiting your thoughts on the last batch of 1981 episodes. Enjoy BF.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Happy Birthday David Lawton

aka Motel Chef

Mr Bernard Booth

100 years old today

This is from the FB Group Crossroads Appreciation Society - with thanks

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Happy Birthday David Lawton

aka Motel Chef

Mr Bernard Booth

100 years old today

Gosh - that's wonderful. Good for him. BB was a great character and I'm glad I was able to watch all his remaining episodes.

 

[Angela Channing]

Happy Birthday David Lawton

aka Motel Chef

Mr Bernard Booth

100 years old today

This is from the FB Group Crossroads Appreciation Society - with thanks

View attachment 46765

Amazing and he looks great for 100.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Well I have had a Crossroads Binge watch as it was so wet today and my plans changed due to the rain

All of a sudden Meg/Noele was wearing her blue blazer with the lovely little heart brooch given to her by Ronnie Allen as a leaving present and she was putting her letter for Jill in the dookit, and then she is gone next episode - i guess to keep us in supsense

I guess after all that filming and footage on Southampton dock I expected her farewell scenes to be longer and take up more time in the episode

When she waved bye from the QE2 deck all I could think of was poor Nolly! And Crossroads for me in 1981 and onwards was never really the same again

I wondered did she have to travel to France on her own to get off the boat or did someone go with her - how did she get back home to Birmingham?

Now Im a little bored, too much at the Brownlows house, not really liking Mrs Lamont - Jean Kent, but I do like Mavis Hooper but think Julie Walters every time she appears in that pinny. Iris is back, still sniffing and her mum seems to be making herself at home and taking up the bathroom at the Brownlows

Didnt warm at the time to Joanne Good as Carol Sands and feel the same 40 years later

Im glad Sharon is back, Mac and Benny but the daft Union story re the painters and decorators and the wooden spoon stirring boss is tiresome, Poor old Kev

Who does seem to take his top off a lot - no doubt to get the housewives interested

I feel the same way now about Crossroads as I did watching S7 original of Dallas - no Miss Ellie, no Meg, something is missing and it doesnt feel right, seem right

Ive still got Venice ofcourse and I look fwds to that

I also watched the Memoriam service for Noele Gordon today, the MACE clip and who steps out of the cathedral but 2 faced Jack Barton?! - he really did have a nerve to go to it, and also let Charles Denton take the flak from the public about her sacking

 

[Barbara Fan]

Gosh! Venice was quick, 3 scenes in total and in 2 epiosdes, 2 with dialogue

With hindsight, its obvious that Nolly isnt well - she has gained weight and has a very swollen and distended abdomen and If Im right i think she was diagnosed with stomach cancer or undergoing tests for it , prior to her filming

I found it really sad that this was the end of her stint in Crossroads - I also noted that the scene at the end when she is on the bridge waving to Jill and Adam, its none other than Jack Barton along side her

The guy who wanted her sacked and gone! Id have pushed him over board!!

I have basically watched nothing else in the DVD player since February and ive loved it - all of it and will do a rewatch in time

Like Mel, i didnt see too many shaky sets (tea pots yes) did see the occasional boom mike come into view but considereing they were filming 4 or 5 epiosdes in a week I thought they did really well

Some of the cast and acting were a bit ropey but you get that in any soap (Corrie now springs to mind) but I will miss Meg, Jill, Miss Diane, David, Benny and co
It was great seeing other faces appear who went onto do other things in later life.

I have renewed my admiration for Noele Gordon and all that she achieved pre, during and post Crossroads

She was a talented lady, who was first woman ever to be on Colour TV, first to interview a PM in Office and have her own magazine chat show long before breakfast TV
She was a producer, a director and an executive at ATV back in the 50s and also studied Film and TV at NY University - she also had the gift of the gab, was eloquent and could hold her own on any chat show. She also continued to defend the show after she was sacked. I will never understand why they sacked her!!

I take my hat off to her, and she died far too soon

RIP Nolly - sadly missed, wont be forgotten

 

[Angela Channing]

I also noted that the scene at the end when she is on the bridge waving to Jill and Adam, its none other than Jack Barton along side her

What a great observations, I never noticed that detail before, I'll have to re-watch that scene sometime soon.

During the Venice shoot, they used music by the orchestra Rondo Veneziano, and on the strength of hearing it during Meg's final episode, I became a bit of a fan of theirs and I still listen to one of their albums from time to time.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Well I have had a Crossroads Binge watch as it was so wet today and my plans changed due to the rain

That sounds like a heavenly way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.

dookit

I had to look this one up. What a great word.

Gosh! Venice was quick, 3 scenes in total and in 2 epiosdes with dialogue

Yes - it was all surprisingly brief. Hopefully this meant the cast had more time to enjoy Venice.

I found it really sad that this was the end of her stint in Crossroads

Very mixed feelings for me. It's nice that it ended once again on a celebratory note, and it's nicer for it to focus on a reunion rather than a parting of the ways. But, yes, it's very sad to think this was it for Nolly and Crossroads, and to know her health was in decline at this time.

I have basically watched nothing else in the DVD player since February and ive loved it

I echo that sentiment. Xrds has been my biggest viewing commitment of 2023 and took up a good part of the year. As someone who was never a regular viewer it's been a delight to properly discover it and realise that I enjoyed it far more than I'd have ever imagined.

Like Mel, i didnt see too many shaky sets (tea pots yes) did see the occasional boom mike come into view but considereing they were filming 4 or 5 epiosdes in a week I thought they did really well

Absolutely. I came out of watching it with nothing but respect for everyone who made this series so entertaining and enjoyable despite the budget and highly pressurised working conditions. I believe you had to be an incredibly good actor (or writer, technician, etc....) to survive longer than a few episodes on this.

I have renewed my admiration for Nole Gordon and all that she achieved pre, during and post Crossroads

Same here. Between The Noele Gordon Collection, Nolly, the documentaries on ITVX/YouTube and a good deal of reading and discussion it's been wonderful to discover more about her fascinating life.

I'm so glad you've had such a profound experience of watching. It's been wonderful sharing the journey and your pilgrimage to Nolly's grave in Ross is one of the more memorable things that's happened during this thread.

 

[Barbara Fan]

What a great observations, I never noticed that detail before, I'll have to re-watch that scene sometime soon.

QE2 and Mr Barton

Venice and Mr Barton- I did have to rewatch it, rub my eyes and think , Yes it is him!!! 2 faced hypocrite

oh @Angela Channing - I love the Venice music, have saved it on my computer and took note of his name (for a browse next time in HMV!!)

Also at the start of the final scene - with the boat on the water in Venice, and dramatic music
it reminded me of Dont look now, (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) and that final scene after he has died annd they are making their way to the church for his funeral.

I also wanted to warn Nolly of small people wearing red duffel coats!

 

[Barbara Fan]

I had to look this one up. What a great word.

Sorry! pigeon hole!!

@Mel O'Drama heading back South soon and booked day out of schedule to head back to Ross On Wye

oh and I have ordered my 1st Nolly Gordon memorabilia from ebay, a call me Madam theratre prog at the weekend!! Just when I got Dallas out of my system, along comes Nolly! I fear I will be parting with £££

 

[Angela Channing]

oh @Angela Channing - I love the Venice music, have saved it on my computer and took note of his name (for a browse next time in HMV!!)

My favourite Rondo Veneziano track is San Marco from their first album called Rondo Veneziano. The music they used in the Crossroads Venice episode was called Sinfonia Per Un Addio from their second album La Serenissima.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Sorry! pigeon hole!!

No need for apologies at all. I absolutely love discovering new terms and "dookit" is my word of the week.

I just wish we used them at work so I could drop it into a sentence.

@Mel O'Drama heading back South soon and booked day out of schedule to head back to Ross On Wye

Wonderful. It'll be great to hear about your second visit.

oh and I have ordered my 1st Nolly Gordon memorabilia from ebay, a call me Madam theratre prog at the weekend!! Just when I got Dallas out of my system, along comes Nolly! I fear I will be parting with £££

How exciting. It's a lovely way to keep the Crossroads goodness going on.

Also at the start of the final scene - with the boat on the water in Venice, and dramatic music

The music they used in the Crossroads Venice episode was called Sinfonia Per Un Addio from their second album La Serenissima.

Thanks for this. I just had a listen on iTunes and that's the one that reminds me of ABBA's As Good As New. I've downloaded that track.

While I was looking, I spotted some interesting cover versions, including some brass band and piano versions, a wonderfully mellow version by The Royal Scottish Academy Of Music And Drama Orchestra and...

...This hard rock cover:

I can imagine Chris Hunter rocking out to this one at the Coach House while David and Barbara suck their cheeks in and narrow their eyes in disgust.

This rendition might be my favourite. And the costumes are quite spectacular:

​

Incidentally, I've realised I already have the track La Serenissima in my collection. It's featured on an instrumental album that I bought mainly because it includes great music with TV associations, such as the themes of The Gentle Touch, Robin Of Sherwood, St Elsewhere and Travelling Man.

 

[Barbara Fan]

oh thanks @Angela Channing and @Mel O'Drama re info on the Venice music, its lovely

Love that 2nd version Mel

I watched 2 interviews last night

Enjoyed the Jane Rossington interview, she is such a giggler and talks with her hands; its rather sad she now has Alzheimer as Im sure she had a good few stories still to tell

I also liked the 2005 interview with Sue Nichols (Audrey Corrie) I get the impression that Marilyn Gates was one of her favourite roles and she has a very soft spot for Crossroads as her 1st TV job. Its a pity that there is no footage of her in Tunisia with Meg and Carlos and Co surviving, They look as if they had great fun off camera and she seems in any interview to be very fond of Nolly

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Enjoyed the Jane Rossington interview, she is such a giggler and talks with her hands; its rather sad she now has Alzheimer as Im sure she had a good few stories still to tell

Yes - it was lovely. I remember thinking as I watched how good it is that there was this opportunity for her to create a little "time capsule" of her memories this way as I imagine this would be more difficult as time has passed.

also liked the 2005 interview with Sue Nichols (Audrey Corrie) I get the impression that Marilyn Gates was one of her favourite roles and she has a very soft spot for Crossroads as her 1st TV job.

I was really impressed with her passion for the series, and the fact that after all those years had passed she still speaks up for it and defends the series from the criticism it received (much of which was unwarranted and lazy). Good for her.

 

[Barbara Fan]

This was edited out of the Venice scenes with Nolly, Jane and Tony (sadly). What does Nolly say/mouth to Tony Adams after he says "This calls for a celebration" I cant make it out! I bet they had fun filming though.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Well, I have the feeling this might be the 1st of many more towards an appreciation of Nolly and Crossroads (and just when I have Dallas out of my system!!)