“Well, it’s only fair, Mrs Jarman, I mean, now I’m not the only boy who hasn’t got a father” – Simon Potter in The Corpse Can’t Play, 1968     Back when the BBC wasn’t an extension of George Orwell’s Ministry of Truth, the UK’s state broadcaster produced daring telly, like Late Night Horror. Shown in 1968 over six 25-minute episodes, the only known surviving full show is The Corpse Can’t Play, episode three. Before erasing the tapes after a second and final broadcast on Friday 13 March 1970, the BBC had cancelled the series after many viewers called in to complain that it was too horrific. And that is especially odd, given that the country had been reared on war and British public information films that were so much more solidly terrifying than the US counterparts. Images of a flaming airborne teenagers and nuclear annihilation will forever haunt the dreams of young children unfortunate enough to witness such hardcore safety lessons. All the Late Night Horror shows were originally filmed in colour, but only a single 16mm black-and-white film print exists. Before we see that, it is worth looking at the intro to help modern viewers understand the level of psychological horror in store. And, as recalled in Late Night Horror: A Complete Guide to the BBC Series, show producer Harry Moore sent this memo to staff shortly before production began in 1967: “We must do everything we can from the very beginning to stimulate suspense, tension, atmosphere, potential horror and HORROR!” If there is blood, let’s see the blood.”     The full series of Late Night Horror No Such Thing as a Vampire, written by American scriptwriter Richard Burton Matheson (February 20, 1926 – June 23, 2013), chiefly known as the author of I Am Legend and a dozen episodes of The Twilight Zone. William and Mary, based on a short story by Roald Dahl, originally published in 1959 and included in his 1960 collection Kiss Kiss. It was also adapted into an episode of Tales of the Unexpected. The Triumph of Death was written by Herbert Russell Wakefield (1888 – 2 August 1964), known best for his supernatural fiction The Bells of Hell, written bv Robert Aickman (27 June 1914 – 26 February 1981), who had an immense knowledge of the occult. In the essay that Aickman wrote in response to receiving a World Fantasy Award, he wrote: I believe in what the Germans term Ehrfurcht: reverence for things one cannot understand. Faust’s error was an aspiration to understand, and therefore master, things which, by God or by nature, are set beyond the human compass. He could only achieve this at the cost of making the achievement pointless. Once again, it is exactly what modern man has done. The Kiss of Blood by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930), the hymned British writer and physician who created the character Sherlock Holmes and for a time took an avid interest in paranormal phenomena.     The Corpse Can’t Play The Corpse Can’t Play was dramatised by the playwriter Hugh Leonard (9 November 1926 – 12 February 2009) from the book Party Games by John Burke (8 March 1922 – 20 September 2011). Burke also wrote for British TV fright-night series Tales of Unease (LWT, 1970) and The Frighteners (LWT, 1972). His main work was to turn stage plays, film and TV scripts into pulp fiction for Pan books, notably John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger, The Beatles movie A Hard Day’s Night (1964), The Hammer Horror Omnibus (1966/7; two volumes),  Ian Fleming’s childhood nightmare-maker Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and a series of novels based on TV police drama The Bill, beginning in 1985. The plot: Young Ronnie Jarman’s party is in full swing. His mother Alice is waiting for her husband, Tom, to return from work to help out. The doorbell rings, but instead of Tom it’s a boy called Simon Potter, who Ronnie dislikes. Simon brings an expensive gift of an electric toy car. But Ronnie dumps it on the ground and ignoring Simon dashes off with his mates. Simon – dressed in smart suit and tie (as are many of the lads) – is then invited to take part in a game Ronnie has devised in which the children get to act out what their father does for a living. Ronnie does this knowing full well that Simon’s dad is dead. And then Tom arrives home carrying his new gardening equipment, which includes a new hoe and an axe…     Incidentally,  16-year-old Michael Newport, who played Simon, starred at Jim Hawkins in the BBC’s serialised adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Around a year later, he quit acting, and as report suggests, and “much of his work was connected with photography. Around 1980 he invented a form of illuminated chess, called Spectrum Satellite.” The post The Corpse Can’t Play: The Late Night Horror They Banned (1968) appeared first on Flashbak.

Convenience is the foundation of some friendships in Hollywood. Others endure due to sincere love, shared humor, and a touch of mischief. The decades-long bond between Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews is one of the best examples of that—full of laughter, affection, and even cheeky dirty limericks that revealed a surprisingly playful side. Both women, now in their 90s, still speak wryly and warmly about each other, according to People. Fans have been reminded by recent stories that their relationship was more than just professional. It was playful, intimate, and sometimes delightfully inappropriate, with Andrews’ mischievous wit often shining through in private exchanges that kept Burnett laughing. Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett’s first meeting as Broadway royalty Tia/X Burnett and Andrews first met when they were both appearing on Broadway in the early 1960s. Burnett starred as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress, while Andrews played Queen Guenevere in Camelot. Mutual friends noticed their shared energy and insisted they meet. 63 years ago today julie andrews and carol burnett invented singing pic.twitter.com/EbJC998Sce — mimi (@mariasrainer) June 11, 2025   That first night together stretched long after the curtain fell. Conversation flowed so easily that everyone else at the table faded into the background. Burnett later joked they felt “joined at the hip” almost instantly. From that point on, the friendship between Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews felt natural and unbreakable. Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett and the Jokes That Held Them Together Tia/X As their careers moved in different directions, humor remained the thread that held them together. While Andrews filmed The Sound of Music in Austria and Burnett continued her rise in television, their friendship stayed lively and intimate. Andrews used to send Burnett dirty limericks during filming, revealing a mischievous wit far removed from her wholesome screen image. Anna Huffstutler/X Burnett later recalled that Andrews even created a cheeky parody of “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things,” filled with lyrics she could never repeat publicly. The exchange perfectly captured the spirit of their bond. For Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews, laughter was not just entertainment. It was the language of a friendship that endured fame, distance, and time. Next up: 50 Years Ago: The Wicked Witch Sesame Street Episode Was Banned For Being Too Scary The post Carol Burnett Admits Julie Andrews Would Send Her ‘Dirty Limericks’ On Set Of ‘The Sound Of Music’ appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A

Pete Best remains one of rock’s most talked-about “what ifs.” As the original drummer for The Beatles from 1960 to 1962, Best played a pivotal role in the band’s early performances in Liverpool and Hamburg. Fans today can hardly imagine anyone but Ringo Starr behind the kit, yet Pete Best’s brief tenure still sparks curiosity about how The Beatles’ history might have unfolded differently. His presence in the band was marked by both devoted admirers and growing doubts from his fellow bandmates. The story of Pete Best is as much about talent as it is about timing. Over the years, many have speculated that jealousy or fan attention contributed to his dismissal, but the truth, according to John Lennon, was simpler. As recounted in Parade, Lennon insisted that Pete Best was fired because “he was a lousy drummer” and the band needed someone whose skills could match the rapid evolution of their sound. Despite Best’s popularity, particularly among female fans, musical compatibility proved more critical than charm or looks. Pete Best’s Early Beatle Years Pete Best and other Beatles bandmate/X Best joined The Beatles at a time when the band was still finding its identity. His drumming helped anchor the group’s early sets in Hamburg, Germany, and Liverpool’s local clubs. While Pete Best brought stage presence and fan appeal, Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison gradually grew frustrated with his technical limitations. Mae/X According to Ringo Starr in Far Out Magazine, Pete Best’s appeal to fans was undeniable, especially among women drawn to his brooding good looks. Yet, despite this popularity, the group’s founders prioritized musicianship over charisma. The decision to replace Pete Best was less about personality conflicts and more about securing a drummer who could match their growing ambitions. The Dismissal That Shaped Music History Mae/X Best’s firing in 1962 marked a turning point for The Beatles. Lennon recalled that the band had “always been going to dump him when we could find a decent drummer.” Once Ringo Starr joined, the chemistry between Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr propelled the band to international stardom. Pete Best, meanwhile, stepped out of the limelight but remained a figure of intrigue for fans who wondered what could have been. Pete Best and other Beatles bandmates: The Cavern Club/X While rumors and myths about jealousy or fan attention persist, the central reason for Pete Best’s departure was skill. In hindsight, it was a decision that shaped the sound and legacy of The Beatles, making Pete Best’s story a fascinating footnote in rock history and a reminder of how pivotal timing and talent can be. Next up: Rare Interview: Lucie Arnaz Reflects Gives Fans Glimpse On Famous Parents’ Connection, Even After Divorce The post The Real Reason The Beatles Fired Original Drummer, Pete Best appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A