graphic, Morning Star
London Socialist Historians Seminar
Monday 22nd January 5.30pm
Recording of Michael Herbert’s opening & discussion
Report
Michael Herbert outlined Malcolm’s early life,his time in the forces during World War Two and his decision to join the Communist Party. During the 1950s through activity in the Young Communist League and Unity Theatre Hulke came to know (Lord) Ted Willis and this amongst other things provided an opening into scriptwriting for TV.
Hulke wrote a number of episodes of the Avengers for ITV except during the Cold War era of the early 1960s his baddies werent Soviets but capitalists. He went on to write numbers of episodes of Dr Who featuring topics such as the futility of war and the environment. Michael Herbert underlined that while the BBC knew Hulke had a political perspective they thought this added a purpose and structure to story lines.
During the discussion there were memories of Hulke selling the Daily Worker in South End Green (Hampstead) where he lodged with another CP member and of his time in the same CPGB branch as Eric Hobsbawm and the Aaronovitches.
About the speaker
Michael Herbert is a socialist historian who lives in Manchester. He is a past editor of the North West Labour History journal and a former trustee of the Working Class Movement Library. His published work includes: “Never Counted Out! ” the story of Len Johnson, the boxer and Communist; “The Wearing of the Green”, a political history of the Irish in Manchester; “’Up Then Brave Women’ – Manchester’s Radical Women 1819-1918″ and “’For the sake of the women who are to come after’- Manchester’s radical women 1914-1945″.
He has been watching Doctor Who since 23rd November 1963 and is completing a biography of the television scriptwriter Malcolm Hulke to be called “Don’t Believe Everything You See…” which will include Malcolm’s writing for Armchair Theatre, Pathfinders in Space, Danger Man, Crossroads and Doctor Who.
Michael writes about radical history at https://redflagwalks.wordpress.com and about science fiction at https://fantasiesofpossibility.wordpress.com/list-of-posts-on-this-blog/…
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