Television TV

Picture Box

This television programme was aired on Granada television during the 1960's & 70's. Presented by Alan Rothwell, the programme was directed towards schools, covering a range of topics from around the world.

The opening credits had a silver with red lined see-through music box that revolved slowly on a pedastool to music that sounded like a very eerie merry go round.


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Do You Remember Picture Box?

Do You Remember Picture Box?

  • Anonymous user
    on
    Yes,,,wish I could see it again
    • Anonymous user
      on
      Go to YouTube. It's a bit strange but type in Quentin Smirhes.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    Yes, I watched an episode when I was little called ‘The Snow Children’ all about Adelie penguins. I loved it!
  • Anonymous user
    on
    Does anyone know if you can get a DVD with any picture box short films on?
  • Anonymous user
    on
    Yeah, I think the music was played on an instrument called a 'glass organ' which was invented in the 19th Century by US President Benjamin Harrison. These were hugely popular in Victorian times- their sound fitted in well with the fact that a lot of children's drama and educational programmes in the '70s drew upon Victorian nostalgia. The box in the opening credits was one of a small handful that Queen Victoria had specially made as gifts for her ladies-in-waiting. The lids are beautifully inlaid with floral mosaic. We are lucky enough to have one of them, due to the fact that my grandmother was a friend of one of Victoria's ladies in her youth,who made her a gift of the box when they were young women. The legs are a bit dented now, and it's lost it's velvet lining, but I would always get excited at the opening credits and say "That's our jewellery box on the television!" 'Picture Box' was a very good educational programme, attaining just the right pitch for the young audience it was aimed at. It was usually broadcast mid-morning, as part of the 'Schools and Colleges' schedule that ran on weekdays.