The people and the town of Fermoy star in this opening sequence to 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly'.
The people of Fermoy (Mainistir Fhear Maí) in County Cork are caught on camera as they go about their daily business.
In a shop window an advertisement for army recruits offers a weekly starting salary for a married recruit is £32.71 and £26.10 for a single recruit. The streets of Fermoy are busy with the traffic of tractors, cars, bicycles and horses. Occupying a prominent position in the town is the Church of Ireland Christ Church.
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, which was around one minute in duration, formed part of the opening sequence for that week's episode. As it was not advertised as part of the programme 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 12 February 1975.
