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 79 Collections and/or Records:
Billy Smart Christmas Circus Film, 1978
Television broadcast of Billy Smart Circus by Thames Television, parts 1, 2 and 3 on VHS PAL. Sound and colour.
Billy Smart Christmas Circus Film, 20 December 1980
Television broadcast of Billy Smart Circus by Thames Television, parts 1, 2 and 3 on VHS PAL. Sound and colour.
Billy Smart Christmas Circus Film, 17 December 1981
Television broadcast of Billy Smart Circus by Thames Television, parts 1, 2 and 3 on VHS PAL. Sound and colour.
Billy Smart Christmas Circus Film, 1982
Television broadcast of Billy Smart Circus by Thames Television, parts 1, 2 and 3 on VHS PAL. Sound and colour.
Billy Smart Easter Circus Film, 22 March 1979
Television broadcast of Billy Smart Circus by Thames Television, parts 1, 2 and 3 on VHS PAL. Sound and colour.
Billy Smart Easter Circus Film, 16 March 1980
Television broadcast of Billy Smart Circus by Thames Television, parts 1, 2 and 3 on VHS PAL. Sound and colour.
Billy Smart Easter Circus Film, 1981
Television broadcast of Billy Smart Circus by Thames Television, parts 1, 2 and 3 on VHS PAL. Sound and colour.
Billy Smart Easter Circus Film, 15 March 1982
Television broadcast of Billy Smart Circus by Thames Television, parts 1, 2 and 3 on VHS PAL. Sound and colour.
Billy Smart Easter Circus Film, 1983
Television broadcast of Billy Smart Circus by Thames Television, parts 1, 2 and 3 on VHS PAL. Sound and colour.
Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1975
Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Mary Chipperfield and her animals, The Flying Marilees Flyers Aerialists, Circus Knie’s Horses, Franz R. Althoff elephants, Kris Kremo juggler, Fattini blancing act, Skating Rolwoods, Chy Bao Guy Troupe, The Six Bertinis trick cyclists and balancing act, Desmond and Marks clown, Helen Piderman. Notes of times handwritten on programme. Contains photos, 12p.p.
Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1977
Charlie Cairoli and his company clowns, Bronley’s Space Rocket, Rogana balance act, Circus Knie’s Horses and Ponies presented by Franz R. Althoff, Tommy Chipperfield and his lions, Bratuchin Cossack Troupe, Gina, Orlando and Celinas, Los Hermans, Inge Lise, Tommy de-Vel Trio jugglers, Normans and his udgerigars, Professor Grimble clown. Contains illustration on the cover with photos, 12p.p.
Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1978
Charlie Cairoli and his company clowns, Lilly Yokoi trick cyclist, Yong Brothers balancing act, Mary Chipperfield and her magnificent animals, Norman Barrett ringmaster, The Salvadors ball balancing, Kludsky Troupe tumblers, Miss Wendy and her birds, Burger Sisters, El Gran Rober. Contains illustration on cover with photos, 12p.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.
Bouglione Circus Programme, c1970 - 1979
Cirque D’Hiver de Paris. Colour photos of acts. Contains illustration cut-out cover, 24p.p.
Camera Script for Chipperfield's Christmas Circus, 1977
Kempton Racecourse. Details of schedule and notes of changes.
Camera Script for Circus, c1970 - 1979
Details of schedule and notes of changes, 2p.p.
Chipperfield Circus Promotional Pack, 1976
Chipperfield's Easter Circus with David Hamilton. Includes running order, hat, badges and stickers.
Chipperfield's Christmas Circus Programme, 19 November 1976
Thames Television invitation ticket admit one, David Hamilton Ringmaster, Mary Chipperfield and her elephants, poodles, monkeys and tigers, Los Alamos Wild West show, Herculeans Moustachioed strongmen, Bubi Ernesto and company clowns, Dick Chipperfield with panthers and leopards, Brucksons balance act, The Leotaris trapeze act. Contains tiger illustration, 4p.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.
Circul Bucuresti ‘Bravo Circul!’ Programme, 1978 - 1979
Various artists. Contains illustrations, 4p.p.