The Empty Seat - Television Trade Test Colour Film

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  • čas přidán 14. 05. 2022
  • During the 1970's these amazing colour films provided a break in between the test card and the television trade information. It provided a chance to view some of the best freely available colour films then available. This mixed range of footage was often 'sponsored' as an indirect form of advertising, but these informative, usually beautifully shot colour movie features were indeed classics in their own right.
    On this video a rather traditionally 1960's un-politically correct (these days) take on the finer points of driving. A driving instructor reflects on his past pupils and is a 'pass-master' at overseeing their different attitudes and driving habits.
    Film made for BP and Shell-Mex,
    with the cooperation of the Metropolitan Police.
    Some of the uncredited cast were:
    Mr. Jones - - - - Peter Swanwick
    Mrs. Jones - - - Olive Milbourne
    Mr. Robinson - - Michael Culver
    Mrs. Smythe - - Vanessa Redgrave.
    Apologies for any copyrigh issues, the uploading of this video is not for profit or any form of personal gain.
  • Hudba

Komentáře • 113

  • @haywiremaguire
    @haywiremaguire Před měsícem +37

    "... it often takes women longer to get the hang of the machine... " LOL! 🤪

    • @leejam5268
      @leejam5268 Před 17 dny +2

      She's too busy shopping again - lol

    • @cJ-cr8gp
      @cJ-cr8gp Před 12 dny +2

      …of course it’s very true but apparently one is not allowed to say so these days?

  • @JackF99
    @JackF99 Před 24 dny +16

    Mrs. Smythe can drive my car any time.

  • @stevebuckley2429
    @stevebuckley2429 Před 2 lety +34

    I believe the driving instructor was Robert Raglan,played in Dad's Army as a colonel and in The Prisoner and others.

    • @cliffhughes6010
      @cliffhughes6010 Před 2 lety +6

      Yes, that is him isn't it.

    • @feline1104
      @feline1104  Před 2 lety

      Thanks Steve.

    • @bilko529
      @bilko529 Před měsícem +1

      I knew id seen him somewhere before . Thank you.

    • @tanyajackson3833
      @tanyajackson3833 Před 16 dny

      Isn't the bald guy with the glasses from The Prisoner too? Peter Swanwick?

  • @montyzumazoom1337
    @montyzumazoom1337 Před 25 dny +9

    The narrator and actor is Robert Raglan who played the Colonel in Dad's Army

  • @andrew353w
    @andrew353w Před rokem +15

    At 57 seconds the car forcing the red Mini to reverse is a WARTBURG! Blimey, they were a rare beast indeed!

    • @Baskingshark
      @Baskingshark Před 18 dny

      It reappears at 07:49 and we see a better shot of it. Unfortunately it is no longer on the DVLA database.

  • @fireballfireball1067
    @fireballfireball1067 Před měsícem +11

    Most of the cars shown, would be priceless classics now.... so many great cars of the early 60's

  • @swanvictor887
    @swanvictor887 Před 5 dny

    wow...Vanessa Redgrave AND Michael Culver! lol. Love the classic cars, spotted many a beauty on film.

  • @mike-myke22
    @mike-myke22 Před 25 dny +5

    Mr Cholmondley-Warner taught that charming female to drive correctly... 😂

  • @LOCOMOTIONNUMBER1
    @LOCOMOTIONNUMBER1 Před 24 dny +3

    My driving instructor was driving tanks in the desert in 1943 against General Rommel. After the war he was a tank instructor then a driving instructor.
    On my first driving lesson in 1979 he told me, all you have to remember is that everybody else on the road is a complete c**t.
    Judging by the useless drivers around now driving up your arse, he was spot on!

  • @mickfromaustralia902
    @mickfromaustralia902 Před 2 lety +13

    "Don't get flustered dear . . "
    😜

    • @feline1104
      @feline1104  Před 2 lety +2

      Now, don't be like that! Ha ha .....

    • @GEOFF0906
      @GEOFF0906 Před 25 dny

      "women, know your place"!

  • @nigelfarley814
    @nigelfarley814 Před 11 dny +2

    I love the column shift on that Austin!

  • @bilko529
    @bilko529 Před měsícem +17

    We still have rubbish drivers today but mostly in audis or mercs or bmw.s . To busy checking their ego.s.

    • @haywiremaguire
      @haywiremaguire Před 28 dny +2

      ... and their phones.📱

    • @basketballjones6782
      @basketballjones6782 Před 18 dny +1

      Except the facts are that there are far more shit drivers driving non Audi, Mercedes, and BMWs simply because there are far more other kinds of cars. But it's always fun to be jealous of those who appear to have more wherewithal.

    • @mikemartin2957
      @mikemartin2957 Před 4 dny

      ​@@basketballjones6782Audi, VW ,Merc & BMW drivers, tend to lease or have cars on finance. I have seen tyres on these types of cars in shocking condition, with good tread on the outside & through to the canvas on the inner portion of tread ( alignment well out due to kerbing).

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci +9

    Temporary Yellow tinted headlights was for taking your car to France.

  • @exlondoner-g2u
    @exlondoner-g2u Před 14 dny +3

    Reminds me of a Harry Enfield program.

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci +8

    1.39 Brick Arches built c.1939 to extend the Northern Line Tube from Edgware to Hertfordshire boundary. The project was abandoned.

    • @alestout5632
      @alestout5632 Před 2 měsíci +2

      Remember them when I was a kid not a lot left now and what is has graffiti all over On 19-58 note the double de clutch I passed my test in 73 and was taught hand signals then I think you had to use them on part of the test but can’t be sure now

    • @blissy1
      @blissy1 Před 23 dny +1

      @ 5:06 3 children unrestrained in the back seat

    • @swanvictor887
      @swanvictor887 Před 5 dny

      @@alestout5632 Ahh I thought it was! I never knew Cars had double-de clutch too, thought it was just for trucks and buses!

  • @markstuckey6225
    @markstuckey6225 Před měsícem +3

    8:30 Hillman Minx series V. One the loveliest looking cars.

  • @tundrajt
    @tundrajt Před měsícem +3

    Huh…Mr. Robinson must live in Tennessee now and teaching driving instruction. All his antics are common practice here!

  • @pauldavies6037
    @pauldavies6037 Před měsícem +4

    love the hand signals

    • @swanvictor887
      @swanvictor887 Před 5 dny

      there is one hand signal I see often today that I didn't see in the film....involves one finger....!

  • @geoff1714
    @geoff1714 Před 2 lety +13

    I'm betting miss Curzon will pass with flying colours .what do you think?

    • @feline1104
      @feline1104  Před 2 lety +1

      But will she pass her driving test? Ha ha .....

  • @LeeLimerick
    @LeeLimerick Před rokem +3

    Mostly Mill Hill, Edgware, Stanmore & Finchley, NW London. At 13mins that's Mill Hill Broadway. Wonderful footage, thanks for uploading.

    • @feline1104
      @feline1104  Před rokem +1

      Thank you Lee. x

    • @dominicallen7839
      @dominicallen7839 Před rokem +1

      Some very familiar sights growing up in Mill Hill in the 60's and surrounding districts !!

    • @user-ky6vw5up9m
      @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci +1

      Thanks for forwarding Lee ( from a Mill Hill boy of certain age)

  • @BassistPaul
    @BassistPaul Před 29 dny +1

    Michael Culver before he joined the Luftwaffe for 'Secret Army'!

  • @CycolacFan
    @CycolacFan Před 29 dny +2

    Notice that ‘policeman friend’ calls him sir and the steering wheel isn’t pointing straight - must have missed that during the thorogh car inspection…

  • @Baskingshark
    @Baskingshark Před 18 dny

    BLINKERED MR JONES!

  • @johnathandaviddunster38

    Apart from myself the best car driver I have driven with was a supertanker captain he would read the road ahead as far as physically possible even after a few beers ...

    • @cJ-cr8gp
      @cJ-cr8gp Před 12 dny

      …and the worst drivers in my circle are two airline captains. Utterly shocking driving, and I think it’s probably because the task is too menial and too simple and unchallenging for them. That’s my theory.

  • @nigelfarley814
    @nigelfarley814 Před 11 dny

    Excellent film! I was an instructor for 25 years until a serious accident whilst teaching made me realise the job is just too dangerous these days. Thing is I could teach a student how to drive safely but I could never be responsible for what they did once they had passed the test.
    Incidentally there was one of these colour test film about a garage in France is it still available?

  • @CaseyJonesNumber1
    @CaseyJonesNumber1 Před měsícem +1

    1:25 Doc Cox, musician and later on BBC TV's That's Life.

    • @405_hive
      @405_hive Před 27 dny +1

      He was a also a bit of a singer, AKA “Ivor Big’un”. I have a tap with so many rude rugby type songs…

    • @CaseyJonesNumber1
      @CaseyJonesNumber1 Před 27 dny

      ​@@405_hive I recognised him, then looked him up to see what he's doing now. Yes, his other work doesn't quite fit with his That's Life image! 😂

  • @MichealSeaghdha
    @MichealSeaghdha Před měsícem +1

    Extraordinary that I completely failed to recognise young Vanessa Redgrave. But anyway, thoroughly enjoyable period piece with some great cars. Most, if not all of the advice still holds.

    • @asa1973100
      @asa1973100 Před 27 dny

      Be hard to miss that horrible old bitch even in her younger days she was vile

    • @steverhodesvideos6244
      @steverhodesvideos6244 Před 13 dny +1

      That's because it's not Vanessa Redgrave. Google an image of Redgrave from 1965, when this film was made, and you'll see what I mean.

  • @blissy1
    @blissy1 Před 23 dny

    Remember what great little cars Minis where , earlier one’s badged’s as Austin Seven’s

  • @Mariazellerbahn
    @Mariazellerbahn Před 2 lety +4

    The copper keeps dropping down to first gear whilst moving.
    First gear is for moving off from a standstill.
    Second gear is lowest gear to use while still moving.

    • @tooleyheadbang4239
      @tooleyheadbang4239 Před 11 měsíci

      He may have pretended to change into first, but he didn't.
      Or else they edited the crunch out!

    • @COIcultist
      @COIcultist Před 9 měsíci

      Definitely not synchro into first.
      Also putting his hand inside the steering wheel to activate the indicator stalk.

    • @tooleyheadbang4239
      @tooleyheadbang4239 Před 9 měsíci +2

      The indicator stalk is mounted ON the steering wheel hub.
      He operates it correctly. I cannot see any other way to work it.
      @@COIcultist

    • @scottwalker2619
      @scottwalker2619 Před měsícem +1

      The car he was driving was fitted with 3 speed gearbox

    • @CycolacFan
      @CycolacFan Před 29 dny +2

      Didn’t anticipate the pedestrian about to cross at 13:57 though…

  • @onazram1
    @onazram1 Před měsícem +4

    Nice double clutch action 19:54

    • @paulbennell3313
      @paulbennell3313 Před měsícem +2

      Would double de-clutching really be necessary in a Victor VX4/90? I think it's all synchromesh maybe apart from 1st gear.

    • @paulbennell3313
      @paulbennell3313 Před měsícem +1

      @@onazram1 Now I come to think of it, the VX4/90 was all synchromesh including first gear. So it wouldn't be necessary but I guess old habits die hard.

    • @onazram1
      @onazram1 Před měsícem +2

      @@paulbennell3313 Maybe the guy drives a Lorry all day it's become a habit... lol

    • @martytdd1606
      @martytdd1606 Před 14 dny +1

      Why does he need to press the clutch peddal twice, even in that type of car?

    • @paulbennell3313
      @paulbennell3313 Před 14 dny

      @@martytdd1606 It's not strictly necessary in that type of car but it makes the downshift smoother.

  • @twittykins
    @twittykins Před 2 lety +6

    Some of the uncredited cast were:
    Mr. Jones - - - - Peter Swanwick
    Mrs. Jones - - - Olive Milbourne
    Mr. Robinson - - Michael Culver
    Mrs. Smythe - - Vanessa Redgrave

    • @feline1104
      @feline1104  Před 2 lety +1

      I will add to the description it that's okay. Thank you.

    • @twittykins
      @twittykins Před 2 lety +3

      @@feline1104 That's OK. The only one I was a little unsure of was 'Mrs. Smythe', but having looked at period photographs it does appear to be Vanessa Redgrave. And in the absence of a cast list, I'm sticking to it!

    • @daffyduk77
      @daffyduk77 Před 25 dny

      Peter "Orange Alert" Swanwick, the Supervisor in the Prisoner

    • @steverhodesvideos6244
      @steverhodesvideos6244 Před 13 dny

      Vanessa Redgrave?! Are you high? Google an image of Redgrave from 1965, when this film was made, before letting your imagination run away with you.

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci

    14.51 I think the red mini is around Delancey Street /Parkway on north east edge of Regents Park

  • @scotisland
    @scotisland Před měsícem

    Don't forget the hand signals.

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci

    19.01 Barnet Bypass between Borehamwood and Mill Hill

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci

    21.01 Marylebone Road - passing Marylebone Town Hall, Baker Street Sta. Madame Tussauds

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci

    12.50 Mill Hill- Millway into The Broadway into Goldwyn Avenue

  • @daffyduk77
    @daffyduk77 Před 25 dny +1

    Asst. Commissioner 17:27 looks like out someone of Keystone Kops black & white footage

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci

    15.30 Hendon : Watford Way Fiveways Corner to Colindeep Lane

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci

    6.51 and 19.18 A41 North Western Avenue (Aldenham)

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci

    1.23 The milk vending machine outside United Dairies

  • @user-ky6vw5up9m
    @user-ky6vw5up9m Před 3 měsíci

    14.33 could be Mill Hill Devonshire Road

  • @charris939
    @charris939 Před 21 dnem

    Police Officer sounds like Richard Ayoade

  • @daffyduk77
    @daffyduk77 Před 25 dny

    Copper should have stopped for pedestrian at the crossing 13:58 . But hey, that's Rozzers for yer

  • @guysatchwell6990
    @guysatchwell6990 Před měsícem

    What was the 'television trade information' ?

  • @steverhodesvideos6244
    @steverhodesvideos6244 Před 13 dny +1

    Not Vanessa Redgrave. Google an image of her from 1965, when this film was made, before spreading misinformation.

  • @basketballjones6782
    @basketballjones6782 Před 18 dny

    4:14 Yeah - that side light going out will certainly cause issues, because oncoming drivers will never see the perfectly illuminated, much brighter and larger headlight right above.

  • @TheGramophoneGirl
    @TheGramophoneGirl Před měsícem +4

    1:12 "It often takes women longer to get the hang of a machine" Is this a parody? or were people really like that in the 1960s?

    • @heimatliebe116
      @heimatliebe116 Před měsícem +5

      What's wrong with that statement?!😂

    • @annoyingbstard9407
      @annoyingbstard9407 Před měsícem +6

      People weren’t afraid of the truth back in the day. Of course they’d be censored nowadays.

    • @doktoruzo
      @doktoruzo Před 27 dny +2

      well, it's true.🤣

    • @daffyduk77
      @daffyduk77 Před 25 dny +1

      Maybe not so quick to get overconfident, & dangerous in today's overpowered/fast vehicles. A realistic bloke speaking

  • @charlesameyer1
    @charlesameyer1 Před 24 dny

    For other UK driving tips, pls see:

    • @charlesameyer1
      @charlesameyer1 Před 24 dny

      czcams.com/video/esfSH6qmuH0/video.htmlsi=Epb-fLamwmZG7RVO

  • @speakfreeley4473
    @speakfreeley4473 Před 15 dny

    Only a handful of foreign cars. Mainly VW Beetles.

    • @swanvictor887
      @swanvictor887 Před 5 dny

      I did spot a gorgeous white Citroen Goddess parked on a high street halfway though the film. No Japanese cars of course and German cars were either too pricey or simply Beetles. Spot the Bubble Car!

  • @daffyduk77
    @daffyduk77 Před 25 dny

    The peaked-hatted Rozzer - 11:27 - car's too small for him, bad sitting posture lol. Shame about some the Po Po's driving these days, what with the stupid pedestrians they mow down when they're "on a shout", too "results focussed" by far

  • @leejam5268
    @leejam5268 Před 17 dny

    Gee Mr. Jones took a while to get the hang of procreation

  • @johnathandaviddunster38
    @johnathandaviddunster38 Před 22 dny +1

    How untrue saying its takes women longer to get used to the knobs and switches in cars , they never do...

  • @josefserf1926
    @josefserf1926 Před 23 dny +2

    Wow! A time when free speech was allowed.
    6:48 Robinson these days might be driving a BMW or an Audi.
    16:47 Whats changed?

  • @cliffhughes6010
    @cliffhughes6010 Před 2 lety +8

    What a patronising attitude towards women. I suppose that was normal for those days.

    • @feline1104
      @feline1104  Před 2 lety +4

      Yes, just so Cliff, but that's how it was, and women mostly accepted as normal it then, only yesterday!

    • @ysthafellgynghori8423
      @ysthafellgynghori8423 Před 2 lety +4

      @@feline1104 It was made in 1965. The BBC only ran it twice.

    • @feline1104
      @feline1104  Před 2 lety +2

      @@ysthafellgynghori8423 Thank you, I somehow think the BBC won't be running it again! Much apprecaite the info.

    • @FordTransitvan
      @FordTransitvan Před 5 měsíci +2

      Great days

    • @andrew353w
      @andrew353w Před 2 měsíci

      @@ysthafellgynghori8423 Thanks for that information. I'm a big fan of TV Trade Test films, but didn't realise this was one as well.