The Empty Seat - Television Trade Test Colour Film

During the 1970's these amazing colour films provided a break in between the test card and the television trade information. It provided a chance to view some of the best freely available colour films then available. This mixed range of footage was often 'sponsored' as an indirect form of advertising, but these informative, usually beautifully shot colour movie features were indeed classics in their own right.
On this video a rather traditionally 1960's un-politically correct (these days) take on the finer points of driving. A driving instructor reflects on his past pupils and is a 'pass-master' at overseeing their different attitudes and driving habits.
Film made for BP and Shell-Mex,
with the cooperation of the Metropolitan Police.
Some of the uncredited cast were:
Mr. Jones - - - - Peter Swanwick
Mrs. Jones - - - Olive Milbourne
Mr. Robinson - - Michael Culver
Mrs. Smythe - - Vanessa Redgrave.
Apologies for any copyrigh issues, the uploading of this video is not for profit or any form of personal gain.

[@haywiremaguire]

"... it often takes women longer to get the hang of the machine... " LOL! 🤪

[@leejam5268]

She's too busy shopping again - lol

[@cJ-cr8gp]

…of course it’s very true but apparently one is not allowed to say so these days?

[@JackF99]

Mrs. Smythe can drive my car any time.

[@stevebuckley2429]

I believe the driving instructor was Robert Raglan,played in Dad's Army as a colonel and in The Prisoner and others.

[@cliffhughes6010]

Yes, that is him isn't it.

[@feline1104]

Thanks Steve.

[@bilko529]

I knew id seen him somewhere before . Thank you.

[@tanyajackson3833]

Isn't the bald guy with the glasses from The Prisoner too? Peter Swanwick?

[@montyzumazoom1337]

The narrator and actor is Robert Raglan who played the Colonel in Dad's Army

[@fireballfireball1067]

Most of the cars shown, would be priceless classics now.... so many great cars of the early 60's

[@andrew353w]

At 57 seconds the car forcing the red Mini to reverse is a WARTBURG! Blimey, they were a rare beast indeed!

[@Baskingshark]

It reappears at 07:49 and we see a better shot of it. Unfortunately it is no longer on the DVLA database.

[@mickfromaustralia902]

"Don't get flustered dear . . " 😜

[@feline1104]

Now, don't be like that! Ha ha .....

[@GEOFF0906]

"women, know your place"!

[@LOCOMOTIONNUMBER1]

My driving instructor was driving tanks in the desert in 1943 against General Rommel. After the war he was a tank instructor then a driving instructor. On my first driving lesson in 1979 he told me, all you have to remember is that everybody else on the road is a complete c**t. Judging by the useless drivers around now driving up your arse, he was spot on!

[@geoffcrisp7225]

Last part is a demonstration by a Class One Police Instructor from the Met Police Hendon Driving School in Aerodrome Road, Colindale. Brought up and learnt to drive and passed my test around that area of NW London in the sixties. Once a nice part of London.

[@mike-myke22]

Mr Cholmondley-Warner taught that charming female to drive correctly... 😂

[@tanyajackson3833]

Women! Know your limits!

[@maccesandholm]

An over flow in the brain

[@nigelfarley814]

I love the column shift on that Austin!

[@markstuckey6225]

8:30 Hillman Minx series V. One the loveliest looking cars.

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

1.39 Brick Arches built c.1939 to extend the Northern Line Tube from Edgware to Hertfordshire boundary. The project was abandoned.

[@alestout5632]

Remember them when I was a kid not a lot left now and what is has graffiti all over On 19-58 note the double de clutch I passed my test in 73 and was taught hand signals then I think you had to use them on part of the test but can’t be sure now

[@blissy1]

@ 5:06 3 children unrestrained in the back seat

[@swanvictor887]

@@alestout5632 Ahh I thought it was! I never knew Cars had double-de clutch too, thought it was just for trucks and buses!

[@pauldavies6037]

love the hand signals

[@swanvictor887]

there is one hand signal I see often today that I didn't see in the film....involves one finger....!

[@tundrajt]

Huh…Mr. Robinson must live in Tennessee now and teaching driving instruction. All his antics are common practice here!

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Temporary Yellow tinted headlights was for taking your car to France.

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

So they could tell you weren't a German..

[@swanvictor887]

wow...Vanessa Redgrave AND Michael Culver! lol. Love the classic cars, spotted many a beauty on film.

[@LeeLimerick]

Mostly Mill Hill, Edgware, Stanmore & Finchley, NW London. At 13mins that's Mill Hill Broadway. Wonderful footage, thanks for uploading.

[@feline1104]

Thank you Lee. x

[@dominicallen7839]

Some very familiar sights growing up in Mill Hill in the 60's and surrounding districts !!

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Thanks for forwarding Lee ( from a Mill Hill boy of certain age)

[@GPwild]

Reminds me of a Harry Enfield program.

[@geoff1714]

I'm betting miss Curzon will pass with flying colours .what do you think?

[@feline1104]

But will she pass her driving test? Ha ha .....

[@BassistPaul]

Michael Culver before he joined the Luftwaffe for 'Secret Army'!

[@daveinthailand]

Was that Crippen playing Mr Jones 😂😂

[@CycolacFan]

Notice that ‘policeman friend’ calls him sir and the steering wheel isn’t pointing straight - must have missed that during the thorogh car inspection…

[@anthonywhite8077]

I am reckoning, judging from hairstyles, the cars and registration plates, that this dates from 1964-1966. That Vauxhall Victor is a 1964 model, and that appears to be the newest car in the whole film. The Vauxhall and Mini drivers both wear seat belts - 1965?

[@onazram1]

Nice double clutch action 19:54

[@paulbennell3313]

Would double de-clutching really be necessary in a Victor VX4/90? I think it's all synchromesh maybe apart from 1st gear.

[@paulbennell3313]

@@onazram1 Now I come to think of it, the VX4/90 was all synchromesh including first gear. So it wouldn't be necessary but I guess old habits die hard.

[@onazram1]

@@paulbennell3313 Maybe the guy drives a Lorry all day it's become a habit... lol

[@martytdd1606]

Why does he need to press the clutch peddal twice, even in that type of car?

[@paulbennell3313]

@@martytdd1606 It's not strictly necessary in that type of car but it makes the downshift smoother.

[@Baskingshark]

BLINKERED MR JONES!

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

Apart from myself the best car driver I have driven with was a supertanker captain he would read the road ahead as far as physically possible even after a few beers ...

[@cJ-cr8gp]

…and the worst drivers in my circle are two airline captains. Utterly shocking driving, and I think it’s probably because the task is too menial and too simple and unchallenging for them. That’s my theory.

[@twittykins]

Some of the uncredited cast were: Mr. Jones - - - - Peter Swanwick Mrs. Jones - - - Olive Milbourne Mr. Robinson - - Michael Culver Mrs. Smythe - - Vanessa Redgrave

[@feline1104]

I will add to the description it that's okay. Thank you.

[@twittykins]

@@feline1104 That's OK. The only one I was a little unsure of was 'Mrs. Smythe', but having looked at period photographs it does appear to be Vanessa Redgrave. And in the absence of a cast list, I'm sticking to it!

[@daffyduk77]

Peter "Orange Alert" Swanwick, the Supervisor in the Prisoner

[@steverhodesvideos6244]

Vanessa Redgrave?! Are you high? Google an image of Redgrave from 1965, when this film was made, before letting your imagination run away with you.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

The copper keeps dropping down to first gear whilst moving. First gear is for moving off from a standstill. Second gear is lowest gear to use while still moving.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

He may have pretended to change into first, but he didn't. Or else they edited the crunch out!

[@COIcultist]

Definitely not synchro into first. Also putting his hand inside the steering wheel to activate the indicator stalk.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

The indicator stalk is mounted ON the steering wheel hub. He operates it correctly. I cannot see any other way to work it. @@COIcultist

[@scottwalker2619]

The car he was driving was fitted with 3 speed gearbox

[@CycolacFan]

Didn’t anticipate the pedestrian about to cross at 13:57 though…

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

1:25 Doc Cox, musician and later on BBC TV's That's Life.

[@405_hive]

He was a also a bit of a singer, AKA “Ivor Big’un”. I have a tap with so many rude rugby type songs…

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

​@@405_hive I recognised him, then looked him up to see what he's doing now. Yes, his other work doesn't quite fit with his That's Life image! 😂

[@MichealSeaghdha]

Extraordinary that I completely failed to recognise young Vanessa Redgrave. But anyway, thoroughly enjoyable period piece with some great cars. Most, if not all of the advice still holds.

[@asa1973100]

Be hard to miss that horrible old bitch even in her younger days she was vile

[@steverhodesvideos6244]

That's because it's not Vanessa Redgrave. Google an image of Redgrave from 1965, when this film was made, and you'll see what I mean.

[@blissy1]

Remember what great little cars Minis where , earlier one’s badged’s as Austin Seven’s

[@Strange_Club]

Women - know your limits! 🤣 This must have inspired Harry Enfield's Mr Chomondley-Warner

[@bilko529]

We still have rubbish drivers today but mostly in audis or mercs or bmw.s . To busy checking their ego.s.

[@haywiremaguire]

... and their phones.📱

[@basketballjones6782]

Except the facts are that there are far more shit drivers driving non Audi, Mercedes, and BMWs simply because there are far more other kinds of cars. But it's always fun to be jealous of those who appear to have more wherewithal.

[@mikemartin2957]

​@@basketballjones6782Audi, VW ,Merc & BMW drivers, tend to lease or have cars on finance. I have seen tyres on these types of cars in shocking condition, with good tread on the outside & through to the canvas on the inner portion of tread ( alignment well out due to kerbing).

[@geoffcrisp7225]

The voice of an expert?

[@geoffcrisp7225]

When did you pass your Advanced Drivers / IAM test?

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

19.01 Barnet Bypass between Borehamwood and Mill Hill

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

21.01 Marylebone Road - passing Marylebone Town Hall, Baker Street Sta. Madame Tussauds

[@Toby_the_Glen]

Robinson now drives a German performance saloon?

[@daffyduk77]

Asst. Commissioner 17:27 looks like out someone of Keystone Kops black & white footage

[@swanvictor887]

....and he was only 36...!

[@scotisland]

Don't forget the hand signals.

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

12.50 Mill Hill- Millway into The Broadway into Goldwyn Avenue

[@nigelfarley814]

Excellent film! I was an instructor for 25 years until a serious accident whilst teaching made me realise the job is just too dangerous these days. Thing is I could teach a student how to drive safely but I could never be responsible for what they did once they had passed the test. Incidentally there was one of these colour test film about a garage in France is it still available?

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

14.51 I think the red mini is around Delancey Street /Parkway on north east edge of Regents Park

[@steverhodesvideos6244]

Not Vanessa Redgrave. Google an image of her from 1965, when this film was made, before spreading misinformation.

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

15.30 Hendon : Watford Way Fiveways Corner to Colindeep Lane

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

6.51 and 19.18 A41 North Western Avenue (Aldenham)

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

1.23 The milk vending machine outside United Dairies

[@charris939]

Police Officer sounds like Richard Ayoade

[@daffyduk77]

Copper should have stopped for pedestrian at the crossing 13:58 . But hey, that's Rozzers for yer

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

14.33 could be Mill Hill Devonshire Road

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

1:12 "It often takes women longer to get the hang of a machine" Is this a parody? or were people really like that in the 1960s?

[@heimatliebe116]

What's wrong with that statement?!😂

[@annoyingbstard9407]

People weren’t afraid of the truth back in the day. Of course they’d be censored nowadays.

[@doktoruzo]

well, it's true.🤣

[@daffyduk77]

Maybe not so quick to get overconfident, & dangerous in today's overpowered/fast vehicles. A realistic bloke speaking

[@guysatchwell6990]

What was the 'television trade information' ?

[@basketballjones6782]

4:14 Yeah - that side light going out will certainly cause issues, because oncoming drivers will never see the perfectly illuminated, much brighter and larger headlight right above.

[@speakfreeley4473]

Only a handful of foreign cars. Mainly VW Beetles.

[@swanvictor887]

I did spot a gorgeous white Citroen Goddess parked on a high street halfway though the film. No Japanese cars of course and German cars were either too pricey or simply Beetles. Spot the Bubble Car!

[@charlesameyer1]

For other UK driving tips, pls see:

[@charlesameyer1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6TJhHtsptKofpIsi=Epb-fLamwmZG7RVO

[@daffyduk77]

The peaked-hatted Rozzer - 11:27 - car's too small for him, bad sitting posture lol. Shame about some the Po Po's driving these days, what with the stupid pedestrians they mow down when they're "on a shout", too "results focussed" by far

[@leejam5268]

Gee Mr. Jones took a while to get the hang of procreation

[@jozefserf2024]

Wow! A time when free speech was allowed. 6:48 Robinson these days might be driving a BMW or an Audi. 16:47 Whats changed?

[@cliffhughes6010]

What a patronising attitude towards women. I suppose that was normal for those days.

[@feline1104]

Yes, just so Cliff, but that's how it was, and women mostly accepted as normal it then, only yesterday!

[@ysthafellgynghori8423]

@@feline1104 It was made in 1965. The BBC only ran it twice.

[@feline1104]

@@ysthafellgynghori8423 Thank you, I somehow think the BBC won't be running it again! Much apprecaite the info.

[@FordTransitvan]

Great days

[@andrew353w]

@@ysthafellgynghori8423 Thanks for that information. I'm a big fan of TV Trade Test films, but didn't realise this was one as well.

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

How untrue saying its takes women longer to get used to the knobs and switches in cars , they never do...