Johnnie Hamp Interview 6“ April 2009
Interview starts prior to National Service early 1950s — JH had his own act in Variety — Goes into National Service - On Leaving RAF goes for interview at Granada in Golden Square —
Gets job as assistant manager Granada cinemas - E5 per week Granada cinema chain — The Bernstein brothers
Film scheduling and ’This is where we came in’ — Hitchcock demands changes with screening of Psycho
Duties of assistant manager — life as assistant manager Live entertainment in cinemas — Cine-Variety —
Sidney Bernstein’s managerial style
1954 promoted to assistant head of publicity for Granada Cinemas chain 1955 becomes Head of Publicity
1956 - Arrival of TV franchises and Granada, opens up Quay Street Manchester studios
GTV has London studio in Chelsea Palace theatre
Earliest TV experience — Harry Watt documentary on Soho
Don Arden and Rock and Roll tours provides his intro to performers who will work with him in GTV specials in the 1960s
‘I Hear The Blues’ 1963
Little Richard and The Shirelles — 1965 — peak time broadcast ‘Chelsea at Nine’ —asked to be the producer
‘Spot the Tune' — live transmission Studio procedures — cam set-ups, etc.
Set-ups for ’Wheeltappers & Shunters Club’ Working with Phil Casson director
Moves to Quay Street 1962 — David Plowright ‘All Our Yesterdays’ Movietone News
‘People & Places’ Bill Grundy, Gaye Byrne and Michael Parkinson ‘Scene At Six-Thirty’ — GTV’s footprint from Hull to Liverpool ‘Blues & Gospel train’ 1964 — OB procedures, radio mikes
Set design for Rock and Roll specials - ‘Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On' Creative atmosphere 1960s TV
