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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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.
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!
Finally watched Frank & Eleanor Perry’s 1963 Cold War drama Ladybug Ladybug, it’s now on Amazon Prime. Big themes on a small scale, definitely worth 82 minutes of your time.
November 1, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Finally watched Frank & Eleanor Perry’s 1963 Cold War drama Ladybug Ladybug, it’s now on Amazon Prime. Big themes on a small scale, definitely worth 82 minutes of your time.
Pennyworth is back on Prime Video UK, complete with season 3! If you’re a fan of 1960s Avengers/ITC shows this feels like a skewed modern take on those. Jack Bannon leads a cast inc Paloma Faith and Jason Flemyng, plus Ryan Fletcher as Dave Boy, who I hassled for a photo at Glasgow Film Fest.
October 31, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Pennyworth is back on Prime Video UK, complete with season 3! If you’re a fan of 1960s Avengers/ITC shows this feels like a skewed modern take on those. Jack Bannon leads a cast inc Paloma Faith and Jason Flemyng, plus Ryan Fletcher as Dave Boy, who I hassled for a photo at Glasgow Film Fest.
Bought the new Wicker Man book in @argonautbooks.bsky.social - I haven’t seen the Children of The Wicker Man documentary, but this seems like a perfect partner.
October 24, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Bought the new Wicker Man book in @argonautbooks.bsky.social - I haven’t seen the Children of The Wicker Man documentary, but this seems like a perfect partner.
Jeremy Irons has joined the cast of #Highlander as another baddie, one of the Watchers from the TV series… www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
September 30, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Jeremy Irons has joined the cast of #Highlander as another baddie, one of the Watchers from the TV series… www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
The man, the myth, the legend @ianjhoey.bsky.social has just written an in-depth book on the Alice Cooper group, focusing on their 1970-72 period and featuring new revelations from some of the people involved. After reading it months ago, I received my copy today from Mr H and it’s on sale now!
September 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The man, the myth, the legend @ianjhoey.bsky.social has just written an in-depth book on the Alice Cooper group, focusing on their 1970-72 period and featuring new revelations from some of the people involved. After reading it months ago, I received my copy today from Mr H and it’s on sale now!
Just like Criswell (though hopefully I’m a bit more accurate), I predict that Ed Wood fans will enjoy @willsloanesq.bsky.social’s excellent new book, a fresh take on the man and his work that takes us back to a time of fake graveyards and angora sweaters. I’m overdue a Plan 9 rewatch.
September 28, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Just like Criswell (though hopefully I’m a bit more accurate), I predict that Ed Wood fans will enjoy @willsloanesq.bsky.social’s excellent new book, a fresh take on the man and his work that takes us back to a time of fake graveyards and angora sweaters. I’m overdue a Plan 9 rewatch.
The hardback of my #Highlander book is only £1 in the Waterstones clearance sale! Perfect Christmas present…
September 26, 2025 at 9:28 PM
The hardback of my #Highlander book is only £1 in the Waterstones clearance sale! Perfect Christmas present…
Nice work iPlayer!
September 21, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Nice work iPlayer!
Watching all the Joan Hickson Miss Marple stories on iPlayer has been a real treat, full of old school character actors giving it all they’ve got. I miss the days when the likes of John Hallam would pop up and steal a scene.
September 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Watching all the Joan Hickson Miss Marple stories on iPlayer has been a real treat, full of old school character actors giving it all they’ve got. I miss the days when the likes of John Hallam would pop up and steal a scene.
Reviews of the Hamish Macbeth book continue to trickle in… if you’re a fan of the show or want to know more about how TV was made in the 1990s, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
September 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Reviews of the Hamish Macbeth book continue to trickle in… if you’re a fan of the show or want to know more about how TV was made in the 1990s, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
Amazon have taken on board comments about 007 Road to Million and retooled it for S2. Spotted at least one character from Skyfall making a cameo in episode one, plus there’s plenty of Bond music and references this time around.
August 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Amazon have taken on board comments about 007 Road to Million and retooled it for S2. Spotted at least one character from Skyfall making a cameo in episode one, plus there’s plenty of Bond music and references this time around.
In 2013 the stars aligned and I interviewed Terence Stamp for Radio Scotland, 20 minutes discussing some incredible roles in the likes of Priscilla… still wish I’d had more time to discuss my favourite, The Limey. He was a proper gent, RIP.
August 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
In 2013 the stars aligned and I interviewed Terence Stamp for Radio Scotland, 20 minutes discussing some incredible roles in the likes of Priscilla… still wish I’d had more time to discuss my favourite, The Limey. He was a proper gent, RIP.
EIFF’s Sacred Bonds season exploded onto @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social Screen One this morning as Jason Connery introduced Dr. No and spoke about watching the film with pals while in school and realising exactly what his dad did for a living. #edfilmfest
August 15, 2025 at 3:09 PM
EIFF’s Sacred Bonds season exploded onto @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social Screen One this morning as Jason Connery introduced Dr. No and spoke about watching the film with pals while in school and realising exactly what his dad did for a living. #edfilmfest
First show of the Fringe done and dusted, brilliant work from John Shuttleworth and his keyboard.
August 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
First show of the Fringe done and dusted, brilliant work from John Shuttleworth and his keyboard.
More Connery at @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social - still surprised there’s no statue in Fountainbridge.
August 13, 2025 at 9:27 PM
More Connery at @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social - still surprised there’s no statue in Fountainbridge.