Sign Posts
I know what you are thinking, what a damned, blood stupid subject for anyone to write an article on. Well of course signposts can be very useful when you want to find your way to the Labour Exchange, or the Town Hall, not to mention the Cafe, and Old People's Home. But what about the signpost "walk on the grass" it appears to be an invitation to demonstrate ones individuality, ones defiance against the village, when we all know the sign should read "don't walk on the grass."
And what about the ridiculous signpost, "free sea," I mean what's it all about? I always thought the sea was free in any case! And is this sign indicating that the water in this pool and that of the fountain is salt water, taken from the estuary? If that is not the case, then this signpost is nothing but a meaningless mockery, and the most ridiculous signpost ever painted!
Dennis Chinnery played the role of Gunther, one of the two gunrunners in the episode of Many Happy Returns. This is what he had to say regarding some "personal pain" during filming of a particular scene.
"There was one sequence where Pat had to set fire to something. I had to come into the galley, as Gunther, and he caught me around the neck, and the idea was to strangle me and pull me along the corridor and put me in one of the cabins, which he did. On the first take the strength round my neck was so great that I thought "I'm going to pass out!". He's got so much energy and so much strength and he's thrown himself into the part so much, and he's got so much to do that I thought "I'm going! I'm going". Anyway I was Ok, but I thought I'm going to have to mention this to him, and I was very nervous and very worried about saying it to someone I didn't really know - I admired, but didn't really know to that degree, but I must because I knew he was going for a second take, and I thought it's going to happen again. Anyway I did pluck up enough courage and mentioned this to him, and he was so nice, and he said "I'm sorry about that. It's very unprofessional of me to do that. I should pull back on stunts like that. We shall go for the second take right now. And don't worry I'm sorry." And we went for the second take and it was fine. Perfect. So I've never forgotten how marvellous and professional he was."
The Village's administration sees to it that no technology is wasted, that previous devices can be developed to a new use, such as the "Magic Box" pictured here. Basically it is a money box, when a coin is put in the slot the mechanism is activated, and a little hand comes out of the box, collects the coin and disappears back into the box, along with the coin. The "Magic Box" was adapted at once, and is now part of the security system in the Town Hall, to collect "Security Pass Discs."
Yet more dramatic technologies have been developed right here in the Village. Electrical force fields which guard the entrance of the Town Hall, and security points within the Town Hall. Cordless telephones, automatic opening doors such as we see with 6 private and No.2's residence the Green Dome. Then there's the "Beam" which when used to disable "living things," such as a Pigeon which was brought down as I recall with the "Beam" set at minimum strength. I think the search team did very well in finding that one Pigeon, downed by the "Beam." Possib;y this was the electronic defence system invented by the Rook, who thought all nations of the world should ahve it, as it would have meant peace.
Then there was the General, adapted for use here in the Village along with Speedlearn. Although the General was actually developed by the Professor. The "Sublimator" which is used in conjunction with Speedlearn, puts the information, subliminally, onto the cortex of the brain.
The thing on the right of the "Sublimator" is a gyroscope,
So you see, the Villages administration does not simply deal in information, but also relies upon technology, and allows nothing to go to waste that cannot be adapted for another use here in the Village. Take the Tally Ho newspaper dispenser for example. This device somehow puts me in mind of my old mum's washing mangle!
Be seeing you
I love those sign posts in The Prisoner. In fact I wish I had one to put outside my own house. If only I'd been good at woodwork when I was at school, but alas...
ReplyDeleteDon't suppose you have instructions for building one in your archives? Just in case I do risk giving it a try (and if you knew my D.I.Y. skills you would call it a 'risk' too).
Hello Arthur,
DeleteAh, I too was no good at woodwork at school. I was the only boy who could spend half of the woodwork lesson choosing a piece of wood to make a lamp stand!
Intructions for building a Village sign post, do you know the book 'the Prisoner - The Village Files' by Tim Palgut? It contains a plan of a Village sign post, it's the only diagram I have in my archive. The problem with that is, the plan does not indicate any measurements.
I could let you have a copy of the plan, but I don't think it would be of much help to you without measurements I'm afraid.
Kind regards
David
BCNU
I do indeed have that book, David. I might see if I can bribe one of my more DIY-minded friends to see if they can make one for me (much safer probably!).
DeleteBy the way, do you happen to know what the original penny-farthing badges were made of? Was it some sort of plastic or just card, would you know?
Hello Arthur,
DeleteAh, you have the book good. If in time you can get someone to make a Village sign or two for you, I would be most interested in seeing the result.
I know that if I wanted such signs I would also have to pay a man to make them for me.
Regarding the original penny farthing badges, I did see an original badge as worn by Norma West at a Prisoner Convention one year, but not close up. The badge was in very good condition, they were made from a thin plastic.
A little additional information: Some badges have a single digit number in the centre, while others have a number off centre of the penny wheel, that is because it was once a two digit number, say 18. The 1 then tip-exed out to turn the badge into an 8 badge, as worn my No.8 in 'Checkmate' for example.
Kind regards
David
Be seeing you