Copper Family Video / Film

Subject: Copper Family Video / Film
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 16 Jul 12 - 10:21 AM

I am trying to track down a VHS tape of the Copper Family made by Barry Callghan / Garland Films.

This is for my aunt who was born and brought up in Rottingdean. Indeed my late mother went to school with Bob Copper. We have all of their books and LPs - in pristine condition I might add. But we do not have this VHS tape.

Chris Metherell who bought the rights to Garland Films, after Barry Callaghan's untimely passing, tells me that the EFDSS are the ones who should re-issue it. However EFDSS tell me that they have no plans for this either on VHS or DVD - partly due to lack of finance and (I suspect) due to lack of interest.

Maybe Veteran Records could think about this? It would make a great addition to their catalogue.

Anyway I'd be grateful for a loan of said VHS if anyone has a copy please.

Chris B.

Subject: RE: Copper Family Video / Film
From: GUEST,Blandiver
Date: 16 Jul 12 - 10:25 AM

I remember catching a glimpse of Bob Copper on a motorbike in the early days of BBC Four. Our video recorder was on the fritz at the time so all that remains is a very dafed image deep in recesses of my memory... These days we have a PVR, hoping in vain that BBC Four will repeat such things...

Subject: RE: Copper Family Video / Film
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jul 12 - 11:26 AM

By strange coincidence I re-watched my DVD of that BBC4 film Coppersongs on Saturday: very fine and moving it was too. Don't remember BC on a MB though - unless very briefly in one of the old black & white snaps from the 30s. It was filmed during the last year of his life.

Subject: RE: Copper Family Video / Film
From: GUEST,Jon Dudley
Date: 16 Jul 12 - 12:04 PM

Bob was not a motorbike fan unlike his son and son-in-law. You may be thinking of a programme strangely named 'Coppers and Bangs' in which John carted Bob around in the sidecar of a 1919 Quadrant then in his possession. The whole recording nearly came to a sticky end when on the usual umpteenth take they requested that the intrepid duo set off down Firle Beacon...proving too much for the rudimentary brakes, disaster was only averted by a sharp right turn into the long grass. As anyone who knows about the conducting of a sidecar outfit will tell you, in an emergency, a right turn is far preferable to a left.

Subject: RE: Copper Family Video / Film
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 16 Jul 12 - 01:54 PM

Yes - I too watch the BBC 4 Coppersongs progarmme now and again. Its wonderful to see the whole family - headed by Bob of course - singing together. And then Bob went to the Palace!! Well deserved too.

However the film / video I am trying to get is the one made by Barry Callighan. The negs are with the BFI I understand. But Garland Films and EFDSS are not inclined to reissue this.

Trying to locate the BBC Arena programme is another project entirely.