Clothes-Line
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| Clothes-Line | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Documentary, Fashion |
| Created by | Mary Adams |
| Presented by | James Laver and Pearl Binder |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Mary Adams |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Television Service |
| Release | 30 September – 9 December 1937 |
Clothes-Line is 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.
- Episode 1: Clothes-Line, broadcast at 21.20 on Thursday 30 September 1937[2]
- Episode 2: The Sporting Woman, broadcast at 21.20 on Thursday 14 October 1937[3]
- Episode 3: Fossilized Clothes, broadcast at 21.15 on Thursday 28 October 1937[4]
- Episode 4: Hats and Headgear, broadcast at 21.15 on Tuesday 9 November 1937[5]
- Episode 5: Influences at Work, broadcast at 21.15 on Thursday 19 November 1937[6]
- Episode 6: Grandmamma Looks Back, broadcast at 21.10 on Thursday 9 December 1937[7]
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]