"but when this failed they tried many different schemes to make money, and even had servants of their own for a short time after Thomas won on a gamble. Thomas and Sarah were later forced back into service in the employ of Richard de Brassey, an eccentric man. Sarah and Richard had an affair, but when Thomas became trapped in a burning stable Richard attempted to save him and the stable collapsed. Richard died in the fire, while Thomas survived. Thomas Watkins Thomas David Watkins (c.1876 – ?) is a fictional character in the ITV drama ""Upstairs, Downstairs"" and its"
"then transferred to another top-rated ITV series when he played Thomas Watkins, the chauffeur, in ""Upstairs, Downstairs"", opposite his wife, Pauline Collins. They had a daughter (the actress Kate Alderton) and two sons and also acted together in spin-off series, ""Thomas & Sarah"", and another sitcom, ""No, Honestly"", as well as in ""Wodehouse Playhouse"" (1975–78), a series that featured adaptations of short stories by P. G. Wodehouse (primarily the ""Mr. Mulliner"" stories.) In the meantime, he appeared on the big screen against-type as 'Friend' in John Boorman's cult sci-fi film ""Zardoz"" (1974), before returning to more familiar territory, as 1930s"
"tries to shut things out by keeping himself as busy as possible, Jen suggests going on a relaxing holiday to get away from it all, and a trip to the 'best restaurant in the world' proves to be a stressful experience. The central character, Colin Watkins, is a neurotic man in his mid-thirties. By day he works in a dead-end job for the now defunct British Rail in their complaints department. He frequently has to listen all day (and attempt to appease) a combination of complainants and abusive customers. At the time the series was broadcast, British Rail had a"
"plate at all. Bertie the Bus Bertie the Bus is a small red bus character from The Railway Series books by the Rev. W Awdry and who also appears in the spin-off children's television series ""Thomas & Friends"" (AKA Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends). Bertie first appeared in 'Thomas, Terence and the Snow', a story in ""Tank Engine Thomas Again"" (published 1949). His first major appearance came in the next story, 'Thomas and Bertie', where he had his famous race with Thomas. The story proved to be very popular, which ensured that Bertie would return. He did eventually return,"
"two years later.) He is also well remembered for his role as a jockey/horse trainer in ""The Belles of St Trinian's"" and the liftman in the next three of the ""St. Trinian's"" comedies, and on television for his role as Thomas the chauffeur in the BBC comedy ""Butterflies"" (1978–83) and as Burke, one of the two criminals in the youth television series ""Freewheelers"" (1968–71). His other TV roles include Mr Shepherd, Aunt Sally's owner, in Worzel Gummidge, Phunkey in ""The Pickwick Papers"" (1985) and the Drones Porter in ""Jeeves and Wooster"" (1990–91). Michael Ripper Michael George Ripper (27 January 1913"
"in private Carter calls him ""Jack"". This is all in accordance with widespread police convention. Regan is driven around in a Ford Consul Granada MK1 GT, which was one of the most recognisable sights on television during the 1970s, and still had cult status some 35 years later. Although he is seen driving various cars himself in the series, he always has a driver—usually Bill (an uncredited role played by Tony Allen)—when using the Consul Granada (and the similar Ford Granada models used in later stories), which served as a Squad car: when the Squad travelled they always went ""mob"
"decides to go to work on Sodor and Mr. Conductor gives him his own cap before sending him to another railway, before leaving himself to welcome Sir Topham Hatt home. Lily, Burnett, Patch and Mutt return to Shining Time, while Thomas happily travels home into the sunset. In the early 1990s, the character of Thomas the Tank Engine, adapted from the Rev. W. Awdry's ""Railway Series"" into the TV series ""Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends"", created by Britt Allcroft, was at the height of his popularity following three successful series. At the same time, ""Shining Time Station"", an American"
"Wagon Train Wagon Train is an American Western series that aired on the NBC television network (National Broadcasting Company), 1957–1962 and then on the lower rated newer American Broadcasting Company (ABC), 1962–1965. ""Wagon Train"" first aired on September 18, 1957 and would eventually place the TV show in the number one spot in the Nielsen ratings. The series format attracted big name guest stars who would appear in major roles as travelers in the large wagon train or in the settlements they passed by or visited. It initially starred veteran movie supporting actor Ward Bond as the wagon master, later"
"the film received generally good reviews and was successful at the box office, earning $2 million in rentals. The film was Wayne's second of a six-picture contract with RKO and the first with the producer Robert Fellows, with whom Wayne later formed a production company. A tough quiet cowboy named Rocklin (John Wayne) boards a stagecoach headed for the Arizona town of Santa Inez in the late 1800s. He takes a seat alongside the old cantankerous driver, Dave (George ""Gabby"" Hayes), who enjoys giving his two women passengers—overbearing Miss Elizabeth Martin (Elisabeth Risdon) and her kindhearted niece Clara Cardell (Audrey"
"the 1972 Buick Riviera, of which he has owned three (the first two having been blown up during the earlier seasons. The car is often incorrectly referred to as a 1971 model). During season 1, prior to the first appearance of his father's ghost, Fraser was often seen reading from one of the senior Fraser's journals, usually a passage with some relevance to the plot of the episode. Several guest characters have names similar to Canadian former and British Prime Ministers, such as John Diefenbaker, Margaret Thatcher, MacKenzie King, Louise St. Laurent (a play on Louis St. Laurent), and Dr."
"was released on Blu-ray by Olive Films on 24 January 2017. Wagon Tracks Wagon Tracks is a 1919 American Western film written by C. Gardner Sullivan, produced by Thomas H. Ince and William S. Hart, and directed by Lambert Hillyer. Upon its release, the ""Los Angeles Times"" described it as Hollywood's greatest desert epic. The film's plot centers on Buckskin Hamilton (played by William S. Hart), a desert guide in the mold of Kit Carson. The film is set in the Gold Rush year of 1850. Buckskin rides to Westport Landing to meet a steamer from St. Louis. The steamer"
"group of people on a British mystery tour in a 1967 coach, focusing mostly on Mr Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) and his recently widowed Aunt Jessie (Jessie Robins). Other group members on the bus include the tour director, Jolly Jimmy Johnson (Derek Royle); the tour hostess, Miss Wendy Winters (Miranda Forbes, credited as Mandy Weet); the conductor, Buster Bloodvessel (Ivor Cutler); and the other Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison). During the course of the tour, ""strange things begin to happen"" at the whim of ""four or five magicians"", four of whom are played by the Beatles themselves"
"for sex and for domestic purposes. Alfie frequently breaks the fourth wall by speaking directly to the camera narrating and justifying his actions. His words often contrast with or totally contradict his actions. This was the first film to receive the ""suggested for mature audiences"" classification by the Motion Picture Association of America in the US, which evolved into the modern PG rating. The film had its World Premiere at the Plaza Theatre in the West End of London on 24 March 1966. Handsome Cockney chauffeur Alfie Elkins (Michael Caine) enjoys the favours of women, while avoiding any commitment. He"
"Wagon Tracks Wagon Tracks is a 1919 American Western film written by C. Gardner Sullivan, produced by Thomas H. Ince and William S. Hart, and directed by Lambert Hillyer. Upon its release, the ""Los Angeles Times"" described it as Hollywood's greatest desert epic. The film's plot centers on Buckskin Hamilton (played by William S. Hart), a desert guide in the mold of Kit Carson. The film is set in the Gold Rush year of 1850. Buckskin rides to Westport Landing to meet a steamer from St. Louis. The steamer is carrying a group that Buckskin has been hired to lead"
"Thomas the Tank Engine Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in ""The Railway Series"" books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher, published from 1945 on. He became the most popular character in the series, and is the title character in the accompanying television spin-off series ""Thomas & Friends"". Thomas is a steam engine and has a number 1 painted on his side. All of the locomotives in The Railway Series were based on prototypical engines; Thomas has origins in the E2 Class designed by Lawson Billinton in 1913. Thomas first appeared in 1946 in"
"did not reach the heights of its popularity until the 1980s. Notable dramas included ""Play for Today"" and ""Pennies from Heaven"". In police dramas, there was a move towards increasing realism; popular shows included ""Dixon of Dock Green"", ""Z-Cars"", ""Softly, Softly"", and ""The Sweeney"". The science fiction show ""Doctor Who"" reached its peak. 1970s UK television featured a mix of traditional and more modern comedy. ""Morecambe and Wise"", ""The Benny Hill Show"", ""Are You Being Served?"" and ""Dad's Army"" had their origins in the variety show and radio comedy of the first half of the century. Many popular British situation"
"Bertie the Bus Bertie the Bus is a small red bus character from The Railway Series books by the Rev. W Awdry and who also appears in the spin-off children's television series ""Thomas & Friends"" (AKA Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends). Bertie first appeared in 'Thomas, Terence and the Snow', a story in ""Tank Engine Thomas Again"" (published 1949). His first major appearance came in the next story, 'Thomas and Bertie', where he had his famous race with Thomas. The story proved to be very popular, which ensured that Bertie would return. He did eventually return, in Edward the"
"and Pauline Collins, now a celebrated television couple, reprising their former roles. In October 1977, John Hawkesworth was commissioned to write a synopsis for the programme, and it was filmed from September 1978 to March 1979. The writers, many of whom had worked on ""Upstairs, Downstairs"", were Terence Brady and Charlotte Bingham, Alfred Shaughnessy, Jeremy Paul, Anthony Skene, Alick Rowe and Angharad Lloyd. ""Thomas & Sarah"" follows the adventures of Thomas Watkins, the chauffeur, and Sarah, the house and nursery maid, after leaving service at Eaton Place in 1910. Sarah is pregnant, and according to their last episode of ""Upstairs,"
"songs from that period including ""I've Been Working on the Railroad"" and the ""Ballad of John Henry"" are a mainstay of American music and culture. Many steam locomotive toys have been made, and railway modelling is a popular hobby. Steam locomotives are often portrayed in fictional works, notably ""The Railway Series"" by the Rev W. V. Awdry, ""The Little Engine That Could"" by Watty Piper, ""The Polar Express"" by Chris Van Allsburg, and the Hogwarts Express from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. They have also been featured in many children's television shows, such as ""Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends"","
"as Mr. Conductor for Shining Time Station. Carlin also told the Thomas stories for Shining Time Station in 1995. In 1996 the Thomas stories were segments for ""Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales"", again featuring George Carlin. Alec Baldwin portrayed Mr. Conductor in ""Thomas and the Magic Railroad"", and narrated the series for the US from 1998 to 2003. Michael Angelis narrated the series from 1991 to 2012 in the UK, while Michael Brandon narrated the series from 2004 to 2012 in the US. As of 2013, the series is narrated by Mark Moraghan. Thomas's personality was originally faithful to the character"
"in ""Play Time"", and by his mother Dowager Hatt in ""Percy's Parcel"", ""Jitters and Japes"", ""Edward the Hero"" and ""Stop that Bus!"". In his iconic top hat and morning suit, the Fat Controller looks rather old-fashioned and formal. However, until at least the late 1950s it was customary for railway officials in Britain to be so dressed – for Sir Topham to be dressed any other way would be far more unusual. In the television series, Sir Topham's suit has often been used for comic effect, being augmented with scarf and mittens in winter. The series plays on the outdated"
"Thomas & Friends Thomas & Friends (originally known as Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends or Thomas the Tank Engine; also known as Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! in the twenty-second series) is a British children's television series. In the United Kingdom, it had its first broadcast on the ITV network in Great Britain in 1984. In the United States, it had its first broadcast on ""Shining Time Station"" in 1989. It is based on ""The Railway Series"" of books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry. These books follow the adventures of a group"
"friend of Lovelace. Watkins did a ""Command Performance"" for Queen Elizabeth II. He appeared on the British religious variety series ""Stars on Sunday"", and after his last reappearance at the Wookey Hollow when he introduced his new blonde wife, Lovelace disappeared into obscurity as far as his UK fan base was concerned. In 1974 Lovelace did a ten week long summer season at The ABC Theatre in Blackpool. The shows were sold out. Watkins had a long association with Australia's Gold Coast. He helped raise money for the city following the floods in 1974 which had a devastating effect. He"
"series ""Wagon Train"", which had debuted on NBC on September 18, 1957. ""Rawhide"" frequently dealt with controversial topics. Robert Culp played an ex-soldier on the drive who had become dangerously addicted to morphine. Mexican drover Jesús faced racism at times (from people outside of the crew). Several shows deal with the aftermath of the American Civil War, which ended four years earlier. The ""Poco Tiempo"" episode reveals that Yates' father's name was Dan, that Yates' came from Southwestern Texas, that he joined the Confederate States Army at 16, and that he was later held in a federal prison camp. Favor"
"bear the cost out of her moderate dowry. Thomas Watkins applies for the job as valet, and is engaged to start after a superficial interview by Lawrence, whom he quickly assesses as a complete pushover. In the new Kirbridge residence, Thomas makes advances towards Rose, who is flattered, and she almost succumbs, but Elizabeth discovers the two flirting. The whole story is very exciting and thrilling. The New Man (Upstairs, Downstairs) ""The New Man"" was the first episode of the second series of the British television series, ""Upstairs, Downstairs"". The episode is set in the summer of 1908. Without consulting"
"Michael Witney Michael Witney (born Whitney Michael Armstrong November 21, 1931 – November 30, 1983) was an American film and television actor. In 1963–1964 Witney had a recurring part as the first wagon master, Buck Coulter, in the first 14 episodes of the ABC Western television series ""The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters"", starring child actor Kurt Russell in the title role and based on a 1958 novel by Robert Lewis Taylor. Dan O'Herlihy played Jaimie's father, ""Doc"" Sardius McPheeters, and Charles Bronson at mid-season replaced Witney as the wagon master, cast in the role of Linc Murdock. ""The Travels of"
"1978. ""Nichols"" is currently broadcast on the GetTV network. Nichols (TV series) Nichols (also known as James Garner as Nichols) is an American Western television series starring James Garner. It was first broadcast in the United States on NBC during the 1971-72 season. Set in the fictional town of Nichols, Arizona, ""Nichols"" differed from traditional Western series. The time period was 1914, at the beginning of the motorized era and well after the decline of the ""Old West"". The main character, a sheriff also named Nichols, rode on a motorcycle and in an automobile rather than on the traditional horse."
"with a newlywed portrayed by Meg Ryan. He had a small role in the 1993 hit ""Mrs. Doubtfire"" as the Muni bus driver who finds a small attraction to Mrs. Doubtfire, and played Mr. Wankmueller in the 1994 Macaulay Culkin comedy ""Getting Even with Dad"". He also acted in the television soap opera ""The Guiding Light"" for the 1970–71 season. Walker also provided the voice for the children's toy ""Grampa Time"" (a toy that had a nightlight and told bedtime stories). His many television appearances included The Phil Silvers Show For a good part of his career (late 1970s through"
"finds an injured female kidnap victim in the woods (Freeman). Dennis Holmes, as series-regular Mike Williams, rides away to seek help, but the kidnappers reclaim the hostage. Slim pursues the kidnappers, but is mistaken as a third kidnapper by the girl's father (Barton MacLane). Sands plays the girl's boyfriend, who had been ordered by her father to stop seeing her. Davis also appeared in an episode of ""The High Chaparral"" and in small roles in the 1971 John Wayne vehicles ""Rio Lobo"" (1970) and ""Big Jake"" (1971). In 1974, he starred as Marshal Bill Winter in a short-lived ABC Western"
"(played by actor Richard Kilbride), then ""Cactus Pete"" from 1967 to 1969 (played by Terrance Currier), and ""Sgt. Billy"" (played by actor Bill O'Brien). Rex Trailer's fame, good name, and crowd-pleasing talents made him a dependable draw at his many personal appearances in the area. He was also able to team with a local travel agency in chaperoning children on an annual series of large-scale school-vacation trips to California tourist attractions. Trailer was recognized as a strong advocate for children with disabilities. In 1961, Trailer (and Gold Rush) led an actual wagon train across the state of Massachusetts ending at"
"the story line, series character Slim Sherman (John Smith) finds an injured kidnap victim in the woods, portrayed by Joan Freeman. Dennis Holmes, as series regular Mike Williams, rides away to seek help, but the kidnappers reclaim the hostage. Slim pursues the kidnappers but is mistaken as a third kidnapper by the girl's father, played by Barton MacLane. Sands plays the girl's boyfriend, who had been ordered by her father to stop seeing her. Later in 1963, Sands made several appearances on ""Wagon Train"" including ""The Davey Baxter Story"", ""The Gus Morgan Story"" (with Peter Falk), and ""The Bob Stuart"
"Wogan-era episode with Peter Serafinowicz as Wogan. The celebrities were Willie Rushton, Su Pollard, Johnny Rotten, Ruth Madoc, Freddie Starr, and Liza Goddard (played by Nick Frost, Matt Lucas, Martin Freeman, David Walliams, Simon Pegg, and Sarah Alexander). Stirling Gallacher and Kevin Eldon played the two contestants, while Paul Putner was the star prize of a chauffeur. The skit began with one of the Wogan-era opening sequences (using the theme from the era with a slightly-slower tempo), and featured an accurately-rebuilt set. In December 2010, Radio 4's ""Afternoon Drama"" was ""Chequebook and Pen"", a pastiche on Les Dawson's taking over"
"an especially popular topic in popular culture in the mid-1970s, following the release of ""White Line Fever"", and the hit song ""Convoy"" by C. W. McCall, both in 1975. The main character of ""Convoy"" was a truck driver known only by his CB handle (C.B. name), ""Rubber Duck"". Three years later, in 1978, a film was released with the same name. In 1977, another film ""Smokey and the Bandit"", was released, which revolves around the escapades of a truck driver and his friend as they transport a load of bootleg beer across state lines. ""Smokey and the Bandit"" spawned two"