"The Beiderbecke Tapes" (1987) TV series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

13 December 1987 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Music | Mystery

Plot:

Trevor Chaplin teaches woodwork and likes to listen to jazz. Jill Swinburne teaches English and wants to help save the planet...

Plot Keywords:

Jazz | Man With No Name | Leeds England | Amsterdam Netherlands | School Teacher

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

James Bolam	...	Trevor Chaplin (2 episodes, 1987)
Barbara Flynn	...	Jill Swinburne (2 episodes, 1987)
Dudley Sutton	...	Mr. Carter (2 episodes, 1987)
Malcolm Storry	...	Mr. Peterson (2 episodes, 1987)
Keith Smith	...	Mr. Wheeler (2 episodes, 1987)
Beryl Reid	...	Sylvia (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Directed by
Brian Parker		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Writing credits
Alan Plater		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Produced by
David Cunliffe	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 1987)
Michael Glynn	....	producer (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Original Music by
Frank Ricotti		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Cinematography by
Peter Jackson		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Film Editing by
David Aspinall		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Casting by
Malcolm Drury		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Costume Design by
Brian Castle		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Makeup Department
Di Lofthouse	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Production Management
Ian Ferguson	....	unit manager (2 episodes, 1987)
Mary Rotherham	....	unit manager (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Art Department
Christine Normanton	....	production buyer (2 episodes, 1987)
Stuart Pearson	....	graphic artist (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Sound Department
Barrie Box	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1987)
Terry Cavagin	....	dubbing editor (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Stunts
Roy Alon	....	stunt double (1 episode, 1987)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Alan Harbour	....	still photographer (2 episodes, 1987)
Darren Miller	....	clapper loader (2 episodes, 1987)
John G. Rogers	....	chargehand electrician (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Music Department
Kenny Baker	....	musician: cornet solo (2 episodes, 1987)
Allan Ganley	....	musician: drums (2 episodes, 1987)
David Hartley	....	musician: piano (2 episodes, 1987)
Paul Hart	....	musician: violin (2 episodes, 1987)
Christopher Laurence	....	musician: double bass (2 episodes, 1987)
Don Lusher	....	musician: trombone (2 episodes, 1987)
Stan Sulzmann	....	musician: tenor saxophone (2 episodes, 1987)
Les Thatcher	....	musician: guitar and banjo (2 episodes, 1987)
Dave Willis	....	musician: bass saxophone (2 episodes, 1987)
Roy Willox	....	musician: c melody saxophone (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Other crew
Keith Ansell	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1987)
Pat Brown	....	production associate (2 episodes, 1987)
Peter Kindred	....	design (2 episodes, 1987)
Ian Morley	....	unit assistant (2 episodes, 1987)
Patricia Robertshaw	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1987)

Production Companies

• Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Distributors

• Independent Television (ITV)

Runtime:

151 min (3 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Trivia:

The music was played by Don Lusher (trombone), Roy Willox (melody saxophone), Stan Sulzmann (tenor saxophone), Dave Willis (bass saxophone), Paul Hart (violin), Les Thatcher (guitar and banjo), Dave Hartley (piano), Chris Laurence (double bass), Allan Ganley (drums), Kenny Baker (cornet) and Frank Ricotti (vibes).

Movie Connections:

Follows "Get Lost!" (1981)

Soundtrack:

Cryin' All Day

A television masterpiece rarely seen.

The middle of a trilogy, unusual for a variety of reasons, none of which can really be explained. You have to see this for yourself. It helps if you like the music of Bix Beiderbecke, but anyone with a taste for quality television (two words that rarely go together) along the lines of 'Inspector Morse' will enjoy every minute of all three series, which most likely will be released as 'movies', rather than multi-part stories. Great scripts, wonderful casting and fine production values.