The Book Tower

For the building in Detroit, Michigan, see Book Tower.

The Book Tower
The Book Tower opening title featuring the tower of Sudbury Hall
Created byAnne Wood
StarringTom Baker
Stephen Moore
Alun Armstrong
Neil Innes
Roger McGough
Bernard Bresslaw
Timmy Mallett
Original languageEnglish
No. of series11
Production
Running time24 minutes[1]
Production companyYorkshire Television
Original release
NetworkITV
Release3 January 1979 (1979-01-03) –
16 May 1989 (1989-05-16)

The Book Tower is a British television series for children, produced by Yorkshire Television, that ran for 11 series from 3 January 1979 to 16 May 1989.

Initially presented by Doctor Who star Tom Baker (1979–81),[2] each episode explored one or more books, using dramatic presentations, with the aim of getting children interested in reading.

Later presenters included Stephen Moore (1982–83), Alun Armstrong (1984), Neil Innes (1985), Roger McGough (1986), and Bernard Bresslaw (1987).[3] In 1988, each episode featured a different presenter, including Victoria Wood, Nick Wilton, Margi Clarke, Wincey Willis, and Timmy Mallett.[4]

The theme tune, based on Paganini's 24th Caprice, was taken from Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1978 album Variations.[5]

The opening title sequence featured Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire

The opening title sequence of the original TV series showed exterior shots of Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire, with the domed central cupola featured as the titular tower.

Since its original screening, the show has not been released on VHS, DVD, or any form of streaming media.

References

  1. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZxX_2r83EM. "The Book Tower: One whole episode".
  2. ^ "TV pun writer Rick now in a class of his own". Europe Intelligence Wire. 4 February 2005. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  3. ^ "BFI Film & TV Database: The Book Tower". Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  4. ^ "Book Tower". Timmy Mallett. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  5. ^ "The Book Tower 1979 - closing theme". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2010.

British Television Children's Research Guide

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