mick2me 3,033 Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 A classic of its genre, and quoted even today by people who fondly remember it, it featured a character called Reginald Molehusband. He was a driver in an Austin 1100 who could not park his car properly. His name became shorthand for anyone whose driving skills were not up-to-scratch Web discussion forums often mention Reginald Molehusband. But Reginald himself has gone missing. The National Archives, the repository for all kinds of fascinating documents and files from the country's history, does not know what happened to the film. Neither does the Central Office of Information, which made the public information films A spokesman for the National Archives said: "Anyone who finds a copy of Molehusband would be held aloft and carried through the streets by PIF [public information film] enthusiasts". Someone somewhere must have a copy. With the promise of national hero status, now is your time to stand up for Reginald. Contact us using the form below, giving us your details, and we'll do the rest. (BBC) Meanwhile here is the script... This is the story of Reginald Molehusband, married, two children, whose reverse parking was a public danger (brakes and gears crunching). People came from miles just to see it. Bets were laid on his performance. What he managed to miss at the back, he was sure to make up for at the front. Bus drivers and taxis changed their routes to avoid him. Until the day that Reginald Molehusband did it right (sound of reversing). Not too close, far enough forward... come on Reginald... and reverse in slowly... come on.... and watching traffic... (applause from watching crowd) and park perfectly! Well done Reginald Molehusband, the safest parker in town. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rob237 89 Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 A classic of its genre, and quoted even today by people who fondly remember it, it featured a character called Reginald Molehusband. He was a driver in an Austin 1100 who could not park his car properly.... That's buggered up my forthcoming quiz question for the forum.... "What make of car was driven by Reginald Molehusband?" From the same series of Public Information films, I saw the "TV licence detector van" earlier in the week. Featuring a superior manager type (complete with slicked hair and a smart suit) sitting within the van peering at screens and dials, who announces "House No 5, front room - pronounced 'rum' - they are watching Bergerac!" whereupon 2 of his minions leap from the vehicle in a sprint to the house. The use of 'Bergerac' clearly having detection implications..... Funny how the London based BBC website now has great fun in poking fun at the plummy accent so evident in these old films, as the 'Beeb' was the bastion of this type of speech! Cheers Robt P. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted February 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 Quite correct Mr. Cholmondley Warner! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 Was even funnier to Rob, that the early vans were just scare tactics and couldn't detect a Morris Minor in front of their van, let alone tell whether a house had a set on or off!! Nowadays they do detect the local oscillator of the unlicensed tv, which will also tell them the channel your watching at the time. Real easy to screen that section of your tv too so as they cannot detect it's on or off Glad we don't have to license our tv's for the privilege of watching or listening to free speech! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted February 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 I know an inspector for TV licensing, its all done from address records. They visit all addresses that do not have a licence registered on the computer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 I know an inspector for TV licensing, its all done from address records. They visit all addresses that do not have a licence registered on the computer. This is how it would go if we had to have a license over here Mick. Good morning, my name is Spcial Agent Smith of the tv licensing authority and we found you don't have a tv license in our records. Really! Yes Sir, could I see your license? No! Oh, then may I come in to inspect your TV? No! Oh, then I must remind you that I have the right to enter your house and search it for an illegal TV. No you don't! Oh, and why not? Cuz I said so! Thats no answer Sir, your breaking the law! No I'm not! Yes you are Sir, your operating a video recieving device without a license! Prove it! I will Sir when you let me in! Your not coming in! Yes I am, if necessary, I'l bring a police officer to assist my entry! Make sure you get a search warrent issued on the probability that I've been breaking the law! I will, and I'll be back in half an hour!. Oh by the way! Yes Sir. I don't own or have a tv either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Barnze 27 Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Loads ofPublic info here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rob237 89 Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Molehusband Update: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4733518.stm Cheers Robt P. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted February 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 The film was broadcast hundreds times during the 1960s and 70s, but while Reginald Molehusband made Mr Gardiner a household face, it didn't make him a fortune to match. "I was paid the princely sum of £10," says Mr Gardiner. "It was the only one I did and it went out for years, my agent tried to get repeat fees for me but I don't recall getting anywhere. I'm so cross they have lost the film, it would be fantastic if it did turn up Ian Gardiner Images & Information courtesy BBC 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted April 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2013 Still only the audio of RM on YT? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted April 11, 2013 Report Share Posted April 11, 2013 A little mention here of the proficiency of the TV detector van :- When SWMBO moved me in with her (I was still out in Ibiza working at the time) She took my telly over too, she didn't have one, she had been back in the house (She tells me) for all of two hours, and had just finished putting my bits and bobs away, when she decided to connect my telly up to the built in house aerial.Less than 5 minutes passed whilst she was trying (Unsuccessfully) to tune it in, when there was a knock at the door! Yup My TV detector van man was there already ! Fortunately he was a very nice man and as long as she bought a licence there would be no more said . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted July 24, 2018 Report Share Posted July 24, 2018 On 2/16/2006 at 11:25 PM, rob237 said: "TV licence detector van"  Whatever happened to the TV detector van? Did it even exist? Did it even work? Anyone remember seeing one apart from on adverts. Was there really two blokes in the back of a van twingling their knobs trying to find signals? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,500 Posted July 24, 2018 Report Share Posted July 24, 2018  I have seen one these many moons ago ( though it was white and a Sherpa van). The guy driving told me the gizmos on top were actually directional microphones (they could swing out) and picked sound from the TV and thus could tell which programmes you were watching. Never knew if he was pulling my leg or not.  Edit: The BBC have confirmed NO evidence from a TV detector van has ever been used in court, make of that what you will. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted September 20, 2018 Report Share Posted September 20, 2018 I am unable to see that this has anything at all to do with Nottstalgia. It should be reported and deleted forthwith! (I hope your irony and sarcasm detectors are in full working order and if you think I post too much, send me a PM and I will cease). 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,697 Posted September 20, 2018 Report Share Posted September 20, 2018 Still see loads of drivers around here who don't wear the seat belt and they're the ones usually talking on the mobile phone, speeding and cutting the corners short, trouble is, it's the innocent that pays the price when it all goes wrong  Rog 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,799 Posted September 20, 2018 Report Share Posted September 20, 2018 2 hours ago, jonab said: I am unable to see that this has anything at all to do with Nottstalgia. It should be reported and deleted forthwith! (I hope your irony and sarcasm detectors are in full working order and if you think I post too much, send me a PM and I will cease). I suggest jonab, you read the previous umpteen posts regarding TV licenses etc. This "Mr Blunders TV You tube video was broadcast at that time so is relevant to this thread which incidentally was started by mick2me in early February 2006 !! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted September 20, 2018 Report Share Posted September 20, 2018 I own up. I can't park, never could. I wasn't taught how to parallel park and never had the nerve to try, so I will drive until I find a space that I can reverse into, (which I am very good at). It's good exercise anyway, all the walking. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted September 20, 2018 Report Share Posted September 20, 2018 1 hour ago, catfan said: I suggest jonab, you read the previous umpteen posts regarding TV licenses etc. This "Mr Blunders TV You tube video was broadcast at that time so is relevant to this thread which incidentally was started by mick2me in early February 2006 !! Obviously, your irony and sarcasm detectors have been disabled. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,697 Posted September 20, 2018 Report Share Posted September 20, 2018 The topic is called OWT ABOUT NOWT and this is one thread in that topic, sheeesh  Rog 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 Sadly, my attempts at humour failed in the posts here, even though I did add the riders regarding irony and sarcasm - which were completely ignored. Perhaps I have lived overseas for too long and lost the je ne sais quoi of English, more specifically, Nottingham humour. There is no point in explaining any further as all that would do would be to deepen the mire of misunderstanding. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,312 Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 'Je ne sais quoi'? I don't what that means!  4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,500 Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 Not everyone missed it jonab... Â 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,799 Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 I certainly did. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,314 Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 Bit too deep for me a'nall catfan..........i'm just a poor boy that grew up t'other side of the tracks,,........lol 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,799 Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 Me too Ben, say it how it is ! You been to the hospital Yet ! Will be in the Oasis in a bit, you are welcome to join us. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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