Blessington and the people of the town are the stars of the opening sequence for 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly'.
Blessington is a town located by lakes in the mountains of west Wicklow. When the ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ film crew visit they recorded a postman on a bike making his deliveries, children skipping along the street, a poster for a point to point meeting taking place in Clondalkin, and the Downshire Hotel on the main street.
Once a week from June to September, the ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ film crew would arrive at a town or village in any county in Ireland. They would film the people and the place and return to RTÉ where the footage was edited and put to music.
This short film of around one minute’s duration formed part of the opening sequence for that week’s episode. As it was not advertised as part of the television billings in the RTÉ Guide or newspapers, people watched in the hope it was the turn of their town or village to have its moment of fame.
Frank Hall’s amusing and satirical series began on 29 September 1971 with the full title ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator’ which became known as ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’.
The series allowed Frank Hall to follow his interest in the lives of viewers throughout the country.
Regarded as RTÉ’s flagship comedy show, it featured satirical sketches on current news stories and popular culture, as well as parody songs, comedy sketches, re-edited videos, cartoons and spoof television formats. The show ran for nine series until 1980.
This episode of ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ was broadcast on 21 March 1974.
