Jonathan Melville
@jonmelville.bsky.social
Fan of old films and telly / Author of books on Local Hero, Highlander, Tremors, Hamish Macbeth and Jim Henson / Owner of too many Blu-rays.
Pinned
What was it really like working with Jim Henson? I spent years tracking down the puppeteers, writers, directors and other creatives who helped bring the magic to life. Their stories became Rainbow Connections: Volume One, out 31st July 🌈
Find out more: jonathanmelville.substack.com/p/rainbow-co...
Find out more: jonathanmelville.substack.com/p/rainbow-co...
Covering The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, The Storyteller and many more, my new book of interviews with creatives who either worked alongside Jim Henson or on his productions is now available in paperback and ebook:
Paperback: amzn.eu/d/b99EAB4
Ebook: amzn.eu/d/huZMlM7
Paperback: amzn.eu/d/b99EAB4
Ebook: amzn.eu/d/huZMlM7
That was fantastic, a mad joy ride around NYC that gets crazier by the minute. The 4K looks stunning, looking forward to getting stuck into the extras. Would love to see this on the big screen in a double bill with Die Hard with a Vengeance.
Tonight’s viewing will be the new Radiance release of Night of the Juggler, not one I’ve seen before. An ex-cop chasing a psychotic kidnapper through grimy 70s New York sounds like fun.
December 6, 2025 at 9:11 PM
That was fantastic, a mad joy ride around NYC that gets crazier by the minute. The 4K looks stunning, looking forward to getting stuck into the extras. Would love to see this on the big screen in a double bill with Die Hard with a Vengeance.
Tonight’s viewing will be the new Radiance release of Night of the Juggler, not one I’ve seen before. An ex-cop chasing a psychotic kidnapper through grimy 70s New York sounds like fun.
December 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Tonight’s viewing will be the new Radiance release of Night of the Juggler, not one I’ve seen before. An ex-cop chasing a psychotic kidnapper through grimy 70s New York sounds like fun.
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
My latest Substack newsletter is live. A few words on the brilliance that is Don Carpenter’s 1966 novel HARD RAIN FALLING.
andrewnette.substack.com/p/hard-rain-...
andrewnette.substack.com/p/hard-rain-...
Hard Rain Falling
I was in a Berlin bookshop recently and noticed a brand spanking new Penguin Modern Classics edition of Don Carpenter’s 1966 novel Hard Rain Falling. I don’t know who is overseeing the cover design on...
andrewnette.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:54 PM
My latest Substack newsletter is live. A few words on the brilliance that is Don Carpenter’s 1966 novel HARD RAIN FALLING.
andrewnette.substack.com/p/hard-rain-...
andrewnette.substack.com/p/hard-rain-...
Not the most obvious resemblance…
Can anyone see an owl in the shape of the shack? I have to admit I'm struggling. Maybe they decided to change it a bit.
@jonmelville.bsky.social?
And this is the actual spot where it stood.
#LocalHero
@jonmelville.bsky.social?
And this is the actual spot where it stood.
#LocalHero
December 4, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Not the most obvious resemblance…
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
Your Christmas highlights www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Four - Remembers..., Derek Griffiths Remembers... Bod
Derek Griffiths looks back on the 1970s animated children's series Bod.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Your Christmas highlights www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
A proper treat for you! 🎛️
New mini #BBCRadio3 series, every night this week 9.45pm #Electronicwomen
From Daphne Oram to Laurie Anderson… only 15mins each night, before NightTracks kicks in
HP x
New mini #BBCRadio3 series, every night this week 9.45pm #Electronicwomen
From Daphne Oram to Laurie Anderson… only 15mins each night, before NightTracks kicks in
HP x
December 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
A proper treat for you! 🎛️
New mini #BBCRadio3 series, every night this week 9.45pm #Electronicwomen
From Daphne Oram to Laurie Anderson… only 15mins each night, before NightTracks kicks in
HP x
New mini #BBCRadio3 series, every night this week 9.45pm #Electronicwomen
From Daphne Oram to Laurie Anderson… only 15mins each night, before NightTracks kicks in
HP x
The first three series of City Lights are now on iPlayer, looks like series three hasn’t been repeated since 1988 according to the BBC website. It deserved a long life on VHS, DVD and iPlayer, sadly that wasn’t to be.
November 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The first three series of City Lights are now on iPlayer, looks like series three hasn’t been repeated since 1988 according to the BBC website. It deserved a long life on VHS, DVD and iPlayer, sadly that wasn’t to be.
This is on the BBC Scotland channel and iPlayer tonight from 9pm, a trip back to the 80s and 90s in the company of cast, crew and creator of City Lights.
A few rarely seen bits of archive, including clips from the pilot with Billy Greenlees as Chancer and no studio audience.
A few rarely seen bits of archive, including clips from the pilot with Billy Greenlees as Chancer and no studio audience.
Dream jobs do come along… I’ve spent the last few months immersed in BBC Scotland’s City Lights as Assistant Producer on a new 60min doc telling the story of the show. With vintage clips + new interviews, it’s pure dead brilliant!
On telly/iPlayer 30th November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
On telly/iPlayer 30th November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
November 30, 2025 at 5:54 PM
This is on the BBC Scotland channel and iPlayer tonight from 9pm, a trip back to the 80s and 90s in the company of cast, crew and creator of City Lights.
A few rarely seen bits of archive, including clips from the pilot with Billy Greenlees as Chancer and no studio audience.
A few rarely seen bits of archive, including clips from the pilot with Billy Greenlees as Chancer and no studio audience.
AppleTV has all 356 eps of the original Dallas for just £33.99 right now, the HD remasters that have never appeared on Blu-ray. Hard to say no at that price. The revival series is also worth checking out.
November 29, 2025 at 9:24 AM
AppleTV has all 356 eps of the original Dallas for just £33.99 right now, the HD remasters that have never appeared on Blu-ray. Hard to say no at that price. The revival series is also worth checking out.
I’ve stocked up on copies of my Jim Henson and Hamish Macbeth books, plus I have some Tremors books in the house… if anyone wants signed copies for Christmas presents, just give me a shout.
November 28, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I’ve stocked up on copies of my Jim Henson and Hamish Macbeth books, plus I have some Tremors books in the house… if anyone wants signed copies for Christmas presents, just give me a shout.
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
I am very proud to announce that you can now preorder my new novel CONNERY @plumeriapics.bsky.social which will be released 23 February 2026. We don’t do Amazon because they’re bastards so please preorder direct from the site.
plumeriapics.co.uk/shop/ols/pro...
plumeriapics.co.uk/shop/ols/pro...
CONNERY – A Novel by John Bleasdale (PRE-ORDER – OUT 23 FEB 2026 – NO U.S. ORDERS, SORRY)
CONNERY – A Novel by John Bleasdale "The strangest thing about killing someone was how easy it was to forget I had done it. Of course, once I recalled it, I could relive it in intense granular detail....
plumeriapics.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I am very proud to announce that you can now preorder my new novel CONNERY @plumeriapics.bsky.social which will be released 23 February 2026. We don’t do Amazon because they’re bastards so please preorder direct from the site.
plumeriapics.co.uk/shop/ols/pro...
plumeriapics.co.uk/shop/ols/pro...
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
Several #Highlander items are currently being auctioned at Propstore including Connor’s trench coat and the Kurgan’s jacket. I need a job again so I can afford to bid on some of this stuff (maybe not the 20k trench coat)…
propstoreauction.com/search?key=H...
propstoreauction.com/search?key=H...
November 27, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Several #Highlander items are currently being auctioned at Propstore including Connor’s trench coat and the Kurgan’s jacket. I need a job again so I can afford to bid on some of this stuff (maybe not the 20k trench coat)…
propstoreauction.com/search?key=H...
propstoreauction.com/search?key=H...
Watching the 1984 City Lights pilot, with Billy Greenlees as Chancer rather than Andy Gray, I spotted both Alan Cumming and John Hannah in non-speaking roles. No mention on IMDb for either of them. Sadly no clips of them in Sunday’s doc, but Billy can be seen alongside Gerard Kelly.
Set your videos for this one on Sunday night (Chancer’s selling them cheap down the Barras).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
November 26, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Watching the 1984 City Lights pilot, with Billy Greenlees as Chancer rather than Andy Gray, I spotted both Alan Cumming and John Hannah in non-speaking roles. No mention on IMDb for either of them. Sadly no clips of them in Sunday’s doc, but Billy can be seen alongside Gerard Kelly.
Share a 90s movie you think deserves more love...
November 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Share a 90s movie you think deserves more love...
Set your videos for this one on Sunday night (Chancer’s selling them cheap down the Barras).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
November 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Set your videos for this one on Sunday night (Chancer’s selling them cheap down the Barras).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
This week we've brought you 8 hours and 15 minutes of all-new content for #DoctorWhoDay. All researched, all new.
Enjoy our latest episode on the story Jon Pertwee co-wrote, but was never made.
Enjoy our latest episode on the story Jon Pertwee co-wrote, but was never made.
November 22, 2025 at 11:28 PM
This week we've brought you 8 hours and 15 minutes of all-new content for #DoctorWhoDay. All researched, all new.
Enjoy our latest episode on the story Jon Pertwee co-wrote, but was never made.
Enjoy our latest episode on the story Jon Pertwee co-wrote, but was never made.
I also spoke to Jeremy about his time directing Fraggle Rock UK for my Rainbow Connections book, in stock at Argonaut Books in Edinburgh as of yesterday!
November 20, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I also spoke to Jeremy about his time directing Fraggle Rock UK for my Rainbow Connections book, in stock at Argonaut Books in Edinburgh as of yesterday!
Dream jobs do come along… I’ve spent the last few months immersed in BBC Scotland’s City Lights as Assistant Producer on a new 60min doc telling the story of the show. With vintage clips + new interviews, it’s pure dead brilliant!
On telly/iPlayer 30th November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
On telly/iPlayer 30th November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
November 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Dream jobs do come along… I’ve spent the last few months immersed in BBC Scotland’s City Lights as Assistant Producer on a new 60min doc telling the story of the show. With vintage clips + new interviews, it’s pure dead brilliant!
On telly/iPlayer 30th November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
On telly/iPlayer 30th November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
We need your help.
@waterstones.bsky.social, without any direct communication with us, will be opening their 6th Edinburgh branch less than 100 metres from our front door at the Foot of the Walk in Leith.
Please read on for more information
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562908...
(1/2)
@waterstones.bsky.social, without any direct communication with us, will be opening their 6th Edinburgh branch less than 100 metres from our front door at the Foot of the Walk in Leith.
Please read on for more information
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562908...
(1/2)
Anger as Waterstones snaps up prime site on doorstep of independent bookshop
UK's biggest bookselling chain under fire over plans for new store beside Edinburgh tram line.
www.heraldscotland.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:28 AM
We need your help.
@waterstones.bsky.social, without any direct communication with us, will be opening their 6th Edinburgh branch less than 100 metres from our front door at the Foot of the Walk in Leith.
Please read on for more information
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562908...
(1/2)
@waterstones.bsky.social, without any direct communication with us, will be opening their 6th Edinburgh branch less than 100 metres from our front door at the Foot of the Walk in Leith.
Please read on for more information
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562908...
(1/2)
Went Nessie hunting. Didn’t find her. Next time.
November 12, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Went Nessie hunting. Didn’t find her. Next time.
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
Ep 3 of Through the Square Window is available wherever you get your podcasts. @samiraahmeduk.bsky.social and @gkw.bsky.social discuss Bob's Full House, Ray Davies' Return to Waterloo, Juliet Bravo, The Gentle Touch and, in the company of Richard Marson, the last-ever episode of Rentaghost.
November 12, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Ep 3 of Through the Square Window is available wherever you get your podcasts. @samiraahmeduk.bsky.social and @gkw.bsky.social discuss Bob's Full House, Ray Davies' Return to Waterloo, Juliet Bravo, The Gentle Touch and, in the company of Richard Marson, the last-ever episode of Rentaghost.
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
Glad you liked it, @jonmelville.bsky.social did a grand job.
Every #LocalHero aficionado should enjoy this. ❤️
Every #LocalHero aficionado should enjoy this. ❤️
Took a break from scrolling and read "Local Hero: Making a Scottish Classic" by Jonathan Melville (Thanks for the tip, Skye). Fascinating book about one of my favorite films of all time, and a great prompt to watch it again. Lots of buried treasure in there. Highly recommend!
November 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Glad you liked it, @jonmelville.bsky.social did a grand job.
Every #LocalHero aficionado should enjoy this. ❤️
Every #LocalHero aficionado should enjoy this. ❤️
New additions to the Highlander cast… www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
‘Highlander’ Remake Adds Siobhán Cullen, Jun Jong-seo, Nassim Lyes, and Kevin McKidd (Exclusive)
Henry Cavill is leading the large cast of Amazon MGM’s remake of the 1980s cult classic.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:41 AM
New additions to the Highlander cast… www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
A belated thanks to Tough Pigs for this fantastic review of my recent Jim Henson book!
November 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
A belated thanks to Tough Pigs for this fantastic review of my recent Jim Henson book!
These Classic Pick of the Pops with Fluff have been great fun, more please!
November 1, 2025 at 9:42 PM
These Classic Pick of the Pops with Fluff have been great fun, more please!