Palmer, Christopher, Born 1930
Dates
- Existence: Born 6 March 1930
Biography
Christopher John Palmer was born on 6th March 1930 in Ilford Essex. Between 1941 and 1946 he attended St. Dunstan’s College in Catford, London. Straight out of school in 1946 Christopher was employed as an Architectural Draftsman, until 1948 when, age 18 he was conscribed to the RAF to complete his National Service. In 1950 he resumed his employment as a draftsman, until 1955, when he started a very successful career in television ranging from filming to programming, production and direction.
Christopher joined the Associated Rediffusion Television, London on September 19th 1955 as a Trainee Cameraman. Three years later he was employed by Tyne Tees Television Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as a Senior Cameraman, where he was promoted to TV Producer/Director in 1964. Production involved all types of Outside Broadcasts including the 1966 and 1970 World Cups, classical and religious musical programme and a range of sporting events. In June 1968, still employed by Tyne Tees Television, Christopher was promoted to Assistant Programme Controller. In April 1972, he joined Thames Television London as a Senior Outside Broadcast Director. Between 1973 and 1990 his work involved all types of outside broadcasts including horse racing, football, Chipperfields and Billy Smart’s circuses, classical and religious programmes and the holiday programme series ‘Wish You were Here’. Christopher produced Christmas and Easter circus specials between 1973 and 1983. The first five years were performed by Chipperfield’s Circus and the next five years by the Billy Smart Circus. The circus specials were an important part of TV schedules of the day and a huge seasonal treat for viewers.
As part of the research for the TV programmes, Christopher travelled to see acts with his Musical Director, Alan Braden, and was able to make notes on their performance and talk about the musical arrangements. The music, which was mostly played by an organist, drummer and sometimes a saxophonist, would have to be played by an orchestra of twenty-six.
Christopher Palmer considered the music to be an important part of the presentation along with lighting, sound and other elements and writes:
‘The most gratifying moment for me was when the artistes heard their music being rehearsed in the Big Top by the big band the evening before the first camera rehearsal the following day. They would all sit there with all their families, probably having driven half way across Europe during the days before, listening entranced to those wonderful musicians…The Christmas and Easter programmes were recorded back to back, the schedule for each show being: day 1 evening band call, day 2 camera rehearsal with piano and drums only, day 3 afternoon dress rehearsal with full band and evening recording with audience. Hard going but very satisfying.’
In 1991, age 61, Christopher retired from mainstream production and a year later joined P&O Cruises as Film & TV Consultant until May 2003. He produced and directed all their promotional videos and filmed the building of the cruise ships Oriana and Aurora in Germany.
Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:
4th International Circus Festival Programme, c1960 - 1999
Monte Carlo. Trio Antares acrobats, Arils Arnardo comic acrobats, Jack Bremlov Juggler, Buby and Jule clowns, Les Canestrelli trampoline act, Les Carrillo Brothers, Duo Carrington dressage, Les 6 Otaries de Clive, Miss Dawn and parrots, Jack Rhodin and chimpanzees, Les Segreras equilibrists, Les Silagis, Les Waldemar and many others. Three fold programme, contains illustration on the cover with photos.
Austen Brothers London Festival Circus Programme, 1978
Brassy Searle Family equestrian act, Dakota Red Indians, Michael Austen’s Indian Elephants, Trio de Vel jugglers, Alun Davies and his 10 Poodles, Duo Fabry tight wire, Laredo Cowboys, The Lesters comedy trampoline act, Gina, Sonya trapeze, Professor Grimble and Company, Paulasz Sword balancers. Contains illustration on cover with photos. 8p.p.
Belle Vue Circus, Manchester Programme, 6 December 1980 - 31 January 1981
Benneweis Cirkus by Gningen Programme, 1975
Elephants and horses, Les Francescos-clowns, Guzman and Monique motorbike trapeze act, Dobritch balance act, Nelly Jane ringmaster, Luc and Bella chimpanzees, Balkan Troupe trampoline act, Bob Rosetti whips and guns, Bob Bramson juggler, Kroplin’s Dyrerevue, Pete, Robin and Antonio clowns, Caroli Troupe equestrian act. Clown illustration, 28p.p.
Benneweis Cirkus by Gningen Programme, 1977
90th year celebrations, Diana Benneweis equestrian act, Hr. Braum Clown, Pompoff Thedy Family comedy act, Lora Eston and her birds, Karl Kossmayer and his mules, Benneweis elephants, Moreno clowns, Les Castors jugglers, Sally Brothers handstand act, Eric and Francine’s Dogs trained dogs, Toly M. juggler, 2 Perris balance act, Michael balancer. Contains photos, 28p.p.
Benneweis Cirkus by Gningen Programme, 1979
Nelly Jane ringmaster, Sonny Benneweis Equestrian act, Franz Althoff small horses, Flying Oslers Trapeze, Chabre and her poodles, Truppe Koziak balancing act, Camel’s March , Chicky and Co. clowns, Little John balancing act, Truppe Lukas Timblers, Gobo clown. Contains photos.
Benneweis Cirkus by Gningen Programme, 1979
Claus Jespersen ringmaster, Diana Benneweis equestrian act, Kim and Miller Benneweis elephants, Victo Ponce and Silvia jugglers, Di Lello Clown, Clarrisons sea lions, Flying Oscas trapeze, Trio Spyts, Krenzola birds, Trup Salve tumblers. Contains photos, 28p.p.
Billy Russell’s Circus Spectacular Programme, 1976
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, Jerry, Jimmy and Johnny equestrians, Udo Heltano equilibrist, Mary Chipperfield’s kindergarten animals, chimpanzees and Liberty horses, Senorita Manolita aerial act, Miss Wendy’s Poodle Party, Jacko Fossett and Little Billy clowns, The Belios acrobats, The Halfwits comedy acrobats, The Tonitas Veracruz trapeze, Miss Conti balancing roller act, Jorge Tonito tightwire, The Herculeans moustachioed acrobats. Contains illustrations with photos, 24p.p.
Billy Russell’s Circus Spectacular Programme, 1977
The Two Bohumils jugglers, The Robert Brothers Camel Caravan, elephants and ponies, Skippy the Boxing Kangaroo, Blanini aerialist, Jacko Fossett and Little Billy clowns, Markus and Rosita strongman, The Valla Bertini Troupe trick cyclist, The Wychwoods magic and dog act, Chyfudey contortion, acrobatic and balancing act, The Bjoerlings equestrian act, Bobby Dixon comedy acrobat, The Tanger troupe tumblers. Contains illustration with photos, 24p.p.
Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1974
Charlie Cairoli and Company, The Flying Alizes trapeze, Trio Hoganas wire act, Max Morris and His Californian Sea Lions, The Three Siegfrieds thrilling perchists, Jean Claude and Yvette puppeteers, The Wychwoods and their poodles, Billy Smart’s Elephants, The Six Benis swing act, The Kludsky trick cycling, Jerry, Jimmy and Johnny bareback riding, Paul and Barry Harman. Colour illustration of clown on cover, photos. Notes of times handwritten on programme, 12p.p.
Christopher Palmer Collection
Circus programmes and VHS tapes from Billy Smart’s Circus and Chipperfields’s Circus collected during the 1970s and early 1980s by the TV producer, Christopher John Palmer. There are also a number of promotional photographs of artistes and other ephemera related to the circus.
Cirkus Arnardo Programme, 1981
Posna und Kornelia jugglers, Duo Carrington dog act, Trio Siberia balancing act, Los Alamos Wild West act, Manesjen Klareres, Anita and Brandy illusionist, Miss Isabella trapeze, Barbereren, Nock and Nock, Six Maciva, Les Brumbach, Pio-Mario-Pio clowns, Richter-Truppen equestrian act. Contains illustraion, 4p.p.
Programmes, 1970 - 1981
Programmes for various British and international circuses including Billy Russell's, Blackpool Tower, Fossett's, Chipperfield's and the Toni Boltini's Circus.