Clothes-Line

Clothes-Line
Genre Documentary, Fashion
Created by Mary Adams
Presented by James Laver and Pearl Binder
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
Production
Producer(s) Mary Adams
Release
Original network BBC
Original release 30 September – 9 December 1937

Clothes-Line was an early BBC television programme broadcast live in six parts between 30 September and 3 December 1937. It is notable for being the first television programme dedicated to the history of fashion.[1] It was produced by Mary Adams, and co-presented by the fashion historian James Laver and Pearl "Polly" Binder.

Broadcast times

Episode 4 was broadcast on the Tuesday that week rather than the Thursday due to Remembrance Day falling that Thursday.

Concept

Clothes-Line illustrated the development of fashion history through live models in original costumes from C. Willett Cunnington's collection. Laver provided verse commentary on the garments, while Binder drew lightning sketches and illustrations at an easel.[8] After the first episode was broadcast, The Listener commented: "we were left wondering quite what it was we had just seen and heard — a poetry-reading, a lightning-artist display, a mannequin parade, or what?"[8] As they went on to acknowledge, Clothes-Line in fact used features of all three to create a new type of television programme.[8]

Controversies

Pregnancy

In addition to being the first television programme to deal with fashion history, Clothes-Line may well have been the first television programme to feature a heavily pregnant woman.[1] Binder had been pregnant with her first child when discussions for the programme first began, and a conscious decision was made to have her as a presenter.[1] As she got closer to her due date, and had to stand further back from her easel, the noticeability of Binder's condition caused consternation amongst the BBC.[1] Binder's daughter Josephine was not born until 6 January 1938, almost a month after the last episode aired on 9 December 1937.[1]

Nudity

The show's last episode, Grandmamma Looks Back, aired 9 December 1937 caused an unexpected national scandal. Micheline Patton, the actress playing the granddaughter to Nesta Sawyer's grandmother, appeared in a fashionable backless evening dress which was filmed from behind, giving the illusion of nudity. Binder recollected in her diary that outraged viewers wrote in to complain.[1]

Repeats (Clothes Through The Centuries)

The first series was, as with so many early BBC programmes, broadcast live. The controversy of the final episode notwithstanding, it was so well received that it was decided to repeat the programme in early 1938. Laver, Binder, Adams, Patton and Sawyer all returned to reprise their roles for the second (revised) version, which consisted of three parts, and was renamed Clothes Through The Centuries. The episode titles were:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Taylor, Lou, Establishing Dress History, chapter 2 (Manchester 2002) ISBN 0-7190-6639-5
  2. ↑ Radio Times, 24 September 1937
  3. ↑ Radio Times, 8 October 1937
  4. ↑ Radio Times, 22 October 1937
  5. ↑ Radio Times, 5 November 1937
  6. ↑ Radio Times, 25 November 1937
  7. ↑ Radio Times, 3 December 1937
  8. 1 2 3 "Clothes-Line". The Listener. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18: 733. 1937.
  9. ↑ Radio Times, 8 April 1938
  10. ↑ Radio Times, 29 April 1938
  11. ↑ Radio Times, 27 May 1938
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