CROSSROADS ON DVD - APRIL 2008 - ARCHIVE VOLUME 4

[paul ross]

I too noticed the two marks on Clayton's forehead. By the way those scenes with Amy in the church and in the sitting room when the presents were being given are her final eps of Old Crossroads?

[Trethowan]

I'm not going mad, am I? Those marks on Clayton's forehead weren't there previously, were they?

[paul ross]

No they weren't - he must have had an accident.

[jean9]

Just had a look at the episodes on Vol 4 and yes, you're right, there are two big scar-like marks on Edward Clayton's forehead.  Don't know if this is any sort of explanation but just previous to these episodes there was a storyline in which Stan Harvey was doing some work for Hugh at the Jason Hotel, when a wall collpased on him.  He was unconscious in hospital, so I don't know if the make up department put these scars on his forehead.  See Crossroads Retold page 57 onwards.   http://jhochet.tripod.com/id506.html

[Trethowan]

Ah, an interesting possibility. Thanks, Jean. I'll take a look.

[Fairlawns]

This edition has been great for anyone like me who lived in the London ITV area at the time of original transmission, because episodes 2247, 2263, 2293 and 2294 were never shown because we ran six months behind for several years and always saw the Crossroads Christmas in the middle of summer. It was immediately before the famous Wedding episode 2301 of Meg and Hugh that in the London area we had one or two special episodes where Meg updated the Crossroads story for the last six months so that the whole Country saw the Wedding on the same day.

Amy Turtle (Ann George) did return to Crossroads towards the end in one or two episodes helping out at home for Tommy 'Bomber' Lancaster. What I always felt rather stupid was that actress Peggy Aitchison who played Vi Blundell returned to the series playing a different character Nicola Freeman's, Aunt Lily.

[Trethowan]

Episode 2518: Benny visits the man he believes to be his father, clutching a handful of fire-damaged letters that set him on the path to find the man. The post-credits shot reveals them to be fan letters to Crossroads cast members!

[Trethowan]

Rounding off this Archive volume is the compilation of #2523/4/5/6 which previously appeared on the bonus disc included in the 'mainstream' Volume 3. Something I hadn't noticed first time round is that the countdown clock that precedes the programme has the title 'CROSSROADS COMPLICATION', while the announcer calls it 'CROSSROADS COMPILATION'. They couldn't even get their clocks right!  

[Fairlawns]

Rounding off this Archive volume is the compilation of #2523/4/5/6 which previously appeared on the bonus disc included in the 'mainstream' Volume 3. Something I hadn't noticed first time round is that the countdown clock that precedes the programme has the title 'CROSSROADS COMPLICATION', while the announcer calls it 'CROSSROADS COMPILATION'. They couldn't even get their clocks right!  :lol:

[Mike of CAS]

When the voice is reading out the details, there does seem to be a tone in his voice on the very first one that he's noticed the mis-spelling - yet it isn't fixed for 'part two' or any of the others!

[Castlewich]

Thankz for the info, Jean. Re Amy's performance - it did look like she was genuinely upset which is how a good actress would play it - making herself show her genuine pain and knowing that this would come across much better than an acted response.

Just watched this myself. Anne George plays these scenes really well. I can't tell whether if it's her acting in character or playing herself, knowing that she's leaving the serial. It certainly gives you a lump in the throat either way.

It's great to watch these again and read up on The Crossroads Retold website to fill in all the gaps. There are some great characters here - Dot Smith, Martin Bell, Faye Mansfield, Avis Tennyson, etc. I remember watching these episodes originally and the ensuing confusion over employing Faye and Avis.

[DJB]

I too noticed the two marks on Clayton's forehead. By the way those scenes with Amy in the church and in the sitting room when the presents were being given are her final eps of Old Crossroads?

No,they're her final surviving episodes-but she was still in the programme in early 1976.

[oorshughie]

Thanks for that info,always wondered when Amy's last appearance was in 70s Crossroads before coming back with Tommy Lancaster.

[paul ross]

I noticed the 'complication' but never thought it was a error! it was deliberate! for a laugh!

[Castlewich]

Just rewatching these episodes again this afternoon. I had to fast fwd the farm scenes as they are so tediously DULL. Mind you the David Hunter/Dr Farnham/Lia storyline isn't much faster and, I have to say, "Lia"s acting isn't even Am-Dram standard - the poor actress way out of her depth. Luckilly there are some great 'bitch' scenes between Vera and Sheila.