The big picture (and the small one)

Film… television… films about television and TV programmes about films: it’s a symbiotic relationship (symbiotic! Hark at him!). Two excellent websites reflect this closeness.

All our yesterdays on screen

Screenonline is "the definitive guide to Britain’s film and TV history". Sounds a bit dry, doesn’t it? But spend a few minutes exploring this fascinating site and you will be hooked.

From 1890s film of the Derby-winner to fly-on-the-wall TV documentaries, this website from the British Film Institute has got it covered. You can browse by medium (film or TV), by decade or by theme, and there’s a search box if you’re stuck.

There are commentaries, synopses, cast lists and photos. Also, but only if you are using a Westminster Libraries computer, there are clips from some of the films and TV programmes – even complete episodes in some cases.
Want to be embarrassed by the things you used to watch as a kid? Look no further! Cringe at Crossroads, boggle at Benny Hill, shudder at Shoestring (sorry if any of those were your favourites).

This site sprawls and spreads. Getting the most out of it takes a little time. But the rewards, not to mention the opportunities to gasp at your youthful (lack of) taste, are great.

(From the Gateway to websites, select "Stage & screen". Screenonline is a Key Link.)

A true pioneer

It’s perhaps surprising that the publishers of Radio Times, the most venerable of the radio and television listings mags, should have realised so long ago that a presence on the Internet was essential. It’s a long time since I’ve done more than glance at the print version, but the website has a remarkably similar "feel" to the dog-eared journal I remember from the days when it lived near the television in the living room – the same mix of background articles, gossip and programme listings with, of course, far more channels in the listings than ever before. But there’s more. There’s film.

Not just film on television; they have news and reviews of all the latest cinema releases, and an archive of more than 26,000 previous reviews. The roundup of programme downloads is alone worth a visit to this site. There’s a lot more – look for yourself.

(From the Gateway to websites, select "stage & screen". Radio Times is under "Television & radio".)