BBC Radio archive research

[Igenlode]

I can't seem to find out how to contact the BBC sound archive for
research purposes; the librarian unhelpfully told me to "do a Google
search", but while there is an extensive archive section on the BBC
website http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/ I don't see any actual useful
contact details there, only a handful of preselected 'collections'. Most
of the references turned up by a general web search are to replaying
recent broadcasts on iPlayer!

I'm researching an actor who turns out to have appeared as that week's
featured castaway on the "Desert Island Discs" programme in 1952, and
obviously I'd love to have access to a script or recording of the
broadcast in question (I believe there are specific copyright issues
with "Desert Island Discs"...) The British Film Institute library, where
I was studying at the time, assured me that there should be no problem
with individual access for non-commercial purposes and gave me a contact
number for the BBC which turns out simply to be their general
information line; the non-specialist staff at the other end referred me
(again) to their website.

The only impression I've got from the website in question is that you
*can't* access archive recordings other than those already packaged for
commercial sale -- which to the best of my knowledge, this isn't :-(
(I should think public interest would be about zero, alas...)

"Can you give me a copy of a BBC programme?
"Sorry, but the short answer is no. We cannot provide copies of
programmes, even if the programmes are already available to view on this
website.
"If a programme has been broadcast within the last seven days, it may be
available via BBC iPlayer. If a programme has been released
commercially, many online retailers stock a wide range of archive
programmes on CD, VHS and DVD. For more information, please visit BBC
Worldwide's website."

"Please note: we cannot provide copies of any programmes or respond to
requests for assistance with research."


BBC Worldwide appears to be concerned only with television.
The BBC Motion Gallery offers clips for sale, but again refers only to
TV.
The BBC Programmes pages for "Desert Island Discs" have an 'archive'
that extends no further back than the 21st century.
BBC Active ("designed to help and support you with studies") states
specifically that they do not answer "enquiries from students and those
doing personal research."


So how *does* one carry out personal research? The archive is there:
I've seen photos of it. I've seen a presenter wandering through it
pulling discs off the shelves (admittedly that was -- ironically -- in
archive footage). Apparently there used to be an online catalogue of it,
which has been pulled. I even have a 2004 telephone number for "BBC
Information and Archives"...

[Stephen O'Connell]

Post by Igenlode
I can't seem to find out how to contact the BBC sound archive for
research purposes; the librarian unhelpfully told me to "do a Google
search", but while there is an extensive archive section on the BBC
website http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/ I don't see any actual useful
contact details there, only a handful of preselected 'collections'.
Most of the references turned up by a general web search are to
replaying recent broadcasts on iPlayer!
[Snip]
I've seen photos of it. I've seen a presenter wandering through it
pulling discs off the shelves (admittedly that was -- ironically -- in
archive footage). Apparently there used to be an online catalogue of
it, which has been pulled. I even have a 2004 telephone number for
"BBC Information and Archives"...

There used to be a BBC Programme Catalogue website alright, but this has
been replaced by the 'archive' site that you mentioned. So if that is no
help to you, try e-mailing the BBC radio stations for help with your
research, you may get redirected a few times, but somebody should be
able to help you. You could also try posting on the BBC message boards.

[Francis Burton]

One doesn't. As a consumer, you may only take what you are given.

I've had some really helpful responses from the BBC in the past,
when I have e.g. wanted to know what piece of incidental music was
used in a programme. In those days, I simply phoned BBC Scotland
and was put through to someone whose job it was to field inquiries
like mine. They then went off and spoke the programme producer or
whoever might know the answer, and then called me back later. That
was real service, but far too expensive, I suspect, in these post
Birt times. (Mind you, it was Birt who championed the BBC's website.)

Why do you want to "research" anyway? Are you some kind of academic
living in an ivory tower?

Francis

[Igenlode]

Post by Francis Burton
One doesn't. As a consumer, you may only take what you are given.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc/contacts/wac.shtml

would seem to confirm this - "we regret
that we are not able to accept researchers pursuing school projects or
personal interests" :-(

(Thanks for the link, Peter.)


[snip]

Post by Francis Burton
Why do you want to "research" anyway? Are you some kind of academic
living in an ivory tower?

Intellectual curiosity -- and gut attraction and sympathy. I had the
opportunity, the ability and the incentive to try to find out more about
someone who has been overshadowed during his lifetime and forgotten
since his death...

The fact that he was considered a well-known enough entertainment
personality in the Fifties to be invited onto "Desert Island Discs" in
the first place is in itself of interest, from my point of view; to know
what was actually said is probably not that significant (the 1930s fan
magazine article I tracked down via the BFI was hardly earth-shaking,
and was doubtless studio-supplied material rather than the genuine
sentiments of its subject, but was nonetheless a satisfying discovery)
but would be the icing on the cake. And you never know -- they might
have discussed something (e.g. about contemporary radio or theatrical
projects, or family) that would enable me to join some of the many loose
ends in my knowledge.

Anyway, I'd be curious to know what his choice of music was ;-p
(Would a musical comedy and revue veteran like Sonnie Hale go for
well-known hits of his youth -- maybe even his own numbers -- or try to
impress with a classical repertoire? Or demonstrate familiarity with the
new music of the day?)

[Nomen Publicus]

Post by Igenlode
Anyway, I'd be curious to know what his choice of music was ;-p
(Would a musical comedy and revue veteran like Sonnie Hale go for
well-known hits of his youth -- maybe even his own numbers -- or try to
impress with a classical repertoire? Or demonstrate familiarity with the
new music of the day?)

Why not try another approach. DID was created by Roy Plomley and he retained
the copyright on the name and format. Contacting his family (in particular
Almond Wong) may gain access to early documentation, scripts etc. In the
early days of BBC radio everything had to be scripted before broadcast.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Island_Discs

[Igenlode]

On 30 Jun 2009 Nomen Publicus wrote:

[snip]

Post by Nomen Publicus
Why not try another approach. DID was created by Roy Plomley and he
retained the copyright on the name and format. Contacting his family
(in particular Almond Wong) may gain access to early documentation,
scripts etc. In the early days of BBC radio everything had to be
scripted before broadcast.

Indeed, up to and covering the broadcast I'm interested in -- which is
one reason I hoped the script might have survived even if the
transmitted programme hadn't. (Apparently the scripted format caused
some interviewees to sound very stilted, even though they were only
reading back a transcript of their own words: I'm guessing that probably
wouldn't be a problem with an actor who was already used to performing
his own scripts on radio, though!)

Your suggestion re the Plomley family is an excellent one but I'm afraid
I doubt that -- minus any 'official' imprimatur -- I should have the
nerve to make such an approach. After all, at least two of Sonnie Hale's
children are still alive so far as I know (indeed the youngest has
lately been starring in a West End hit) but I certainly shouldn't dare
to impose myself on *them*...