British Pop Culture

There's no easy way to boil down over a hundred years of British films, directors, and entertainment. Instead, I'll pull a few bits and pieces together that you may find interesting.

Alfred Hitchcock: before he emigrated to America, Hitchcock cut his teeth in several well directed British suspense and mystery films. Here are a few clips of his best.

• The Man Who Knew Too Much (the entire film)
• The 39 Steps (1935)
• The entire film: The 39 Steps
• The-lady-vanishes (1948) (the entire film)
• Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Lamb to the Slaughter (by writer Roald Dahl)

Shlocky Horror in Hammer Studios through the 1950-1970's (most starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee) They were responsible for making horror sexy--before Twilight...:

• The Horror of Dracula (1957)
• The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
• The Mummy (1959)
• The Gorgon (1964)
• The Plague of the Zombies (1966)
• And many more, here's a tribute.

James Bond: 007. Before there was Austin Powers, there was the man himself, 007. Based on Ian Fleming's spy thrillers, Sean Connery was perhaps the most popular and original James Bond.

• Dr. No
• Goldfinger

Benny Hill
Influenced by British Vaudeville humor and the cinematic shenanigans of early film makers like Cecil Hepworth, Benny Hill entertained the Brits during the 1970's and early 80's.
Here's a clip. And the first full episode.

Nick Park

• Creature Comforts
• Creature Comforts: The Pet Shop (tv series)
• Wallace & Gromit clip
• Another Wallace & Gromit clip from the Wrong Trousers

A host of successful British Television shows:

• The Avengers
• The Prisoner
• Dr. Who
• Dr. Who (the recent series)
• Are You Being Served?
• Monty Python's Flying Circus
• The Young Ones
• Black Adder
• Red Dwarf
• Fawlty Towers
• Mr. Bean
• Absolutely Fabulous
• League of Gentlemen
• Little Britain
• The Office
• Extras
• Black Books
• Spaced

Musicians:

• The Beatles (from Yellow Submarine)
• Beatles video: I am the Walrus
• The Beatles "Elenor Rigby"
• Elton John "Candle in the Wind"
• Elton John "Sad Songs Say So Much"
• Elton John with the Muppets
• David Bowie "Space Oddity"
• U2
• The Spice Girls
• Lady Sovereign
• Tinie Tempah

and oh, God! there are so many more...

News: Need information about the world or Britain? Look for BBC here.
Fashion
Food
Historical Master Chef

HOMEWORK: Please read the articles on Britain and Wales (complete the comparison handout for notes), then view these links. Choose something that sparks your interest and create a draft for your portfolio involving British pop culture. Consider the personal creative essay, a poem, a short play, a short story or vignette, interview Mr. Fellows, etc.