Omnibus (1967)

The Ken Russell Festival (1): House in Bayswater & Prokofiev (1x32)

Air date: Jun 25, 1968

Michael Caine introduces the first of four programmes devoted to the early films from television's prize-winning director. A House in Bayswater (1960) The first film Ken Russell wrote and produced for the BBC. It looks at the tenants of an old London house through the eyes of their unusual landlady. Prokofiev (1961) The first of the film biographies of famous artists, which are perhaps Ken Russell's most important contribution to television. The life of the Russian composer is reconstructed with old film, photographs and specially shot material. "Ken Russell achieved a remarkable rhythm and unity from all his material. The technique is obviously promising... A brilliant, impressionistic account of Prokofiev..." (Daily Mail) "A bold documentary reconstruction..." (The Observer) (Next Tuesday: "The Dotty World of James Lloyd" and "Always on Sunday," the life of Henri 'Douanier' Rousseau) (Rowridge, Brighton) [below] 10.25-11.4 Free for All Students discuss their present attitudes to