Picnic, The
Date: 1976
Director: Terry Hughes
Production Company: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Stars: Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, Barbara New, Madge Hindle, Julie Crosthwaite, Patricia Brake, Toby Page, Dennis Ramsden, Derek Ware
Location(s): Devon
Region(s): South West
Storyline:
A crusty old General takes his extended family on an eventful picnic in the Devon countryside.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
A short film without dialogue made for television
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- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Birds sing as the morning sun begins to shine on The General's country house. A distant view of Parke House near Bovey Tracey in Devon identified by Jason Damon.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
A cockerel crows . . . . . until a gunshot restores the peace and quiet. Jason Damon locates this as Parke House on the Parke Estate near Bovey Tracey.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Following breakfast, while The General and his family are getting ready to depart for their picnic, The Butler (Dennis Ramsden) prepares to change a wheel after a shotgun accident. Jason Damon's research turned up the Grade II listed Parke House.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
With the car now in good order, The General drives away followed by The Butler and The Maid (Patricia Brake) on a motorcycle. A last view of Parke House near Bovey Tracey in Devon, found by Jason Damon.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
A country pub makes a suitable place to take a break. A courtyard to the rear of Parke House remodelled for the purpose.(RL)
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Returning from the bar, The Son (Ronnie Corbett) sets a drink down in front of The Aunt (Barbara New). As previous capture. (RL)
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
The Butler and The Maid pass through the pub's courtyard prompting the family return to their car to continue the journey to the picnic site.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Bells ring out as the car passes a rural church. St Mary's Church, Higher Drive, Dartington, Totnes in Devon. (RL)
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Moving onward, The General (Ronnie Barker) and his passengers travel through a village. Station Road, Bovey Tracey, with Mill House on the left. (SR)
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Leaning forward in his seat, The Son discreetly asks The General to pull over. St. John's Cottages, Newton Road, Bovey Tracey. (SR)
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
The Aunt, The Girlfriend (Julie Crosthwaite) and The Companion (Madge Hindle) wait patiently as The General and The Brat (Toby Page) watch The Son disappear behind a building. The background property is 'Wickham Hall' on Ashburton Road, Bovey Tracey, viewed here from Newton Road from I would suggest the same camera position as the previous capture. (RL)
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
While The Son answers the call of nature, a gag involving a Gardener and a hose pipe is played out. The garden of 1 St John's Cottages with a background house in St John's Close. (RL)
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
The family near the field where The Butler and The Maid are waiting to prepare the picnic.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
Leaving The Girlfriend in the field, The Son climbs over a gate to escape a loose bull.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Motioning to The Girlfriend to remove her red shorts, The Son is caught lowering his plus fours.