London: ABPC/Inter State Film Productions, N.d. [1964]

14 mimeographed pp., interleaved blank pp. bound in, 12pp. typed shot list secured with staple to top left corner laid in at rear. Tan stiff paper wrappers secured with two split pins to left edge, title window to front wrapper. Wrappers a little worn and chipped, 2cm closed tear to title window, slight nibbling (mice?) to leading edge of rear wrapper.

A COMPREHENSIVE ARCHIVE RELATING TO THE MAKING OF RHYTHM 'N' GREENS (1964), INCLUDING DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER MILES'S WORKING SCRIPT, HEAVILY ANNOTATED AND WITH NUMEROUS HAND-DRAWN SHOT LISTS AND DIAGRAMS THROUGHOUT.
'The story of England from Stone Age Times to the present day acted out in a series of sketches and musical numbers by The Shadows.' (National Film Archive Catalogue)

The career of Christopher Miles [1939-1923] began in 1963 with the Oscar-nominated short film The Six-Sided Triangle, starring Sarah Miles, Christopher's sister. He went on to direct D.H. Lawrence's The Virgin and the Gypsy (1970), Jean Genet's The Maids (1974) and the D.H. Lawrence biopic Priest of Love (1981), an early screen success for Ian McKellen. Rhythm 'n' Greens (1964) was only his third project, a 30-minute film, made in 1964 and starring the British pop group The Shadows, shot in Great Yarmouth where the group was playing a summer season that year. Before going solo The Shadows' lead singer was Cliff Richard, who here contributes an improbable cameo as King Cnut. The narration is by Robert Morley.

Rhythm 'n' Greens was shot by David Watkin. Watkin had filmed The Six Sided Triangle for Miles, and in 1964 was about to embark on a stratospheric career as one of the world's pre-eminent cinematographers. Within a year of filming Rhythm 'n' Greens he'd shot both The Knack...and How to Get It and Help! for Richard Lester, and would go on to be the cinematographer on (among many others) Catch-22 (1970), The Devils (1971) and Chariots of Fire (1981). In 1985 he won an Oscar for his work on Out of Africa.

WORKING SCRIPTS:

Miles' working copies of Rhythm 'n' Greens are extensively annotated. Both carry his ownership signature to the front wrapper.

The first has blanks bound in on which he has drawn up detailed shot lists. These lists are often accompanied by hand-drawn diagrams for ease of reference. The printed text is presented in two columns, image to the left and sound (including dialogue) to the right, and blank pages are bound in to provide more room for notes and revisions. There is also a complete typed shot list laid in.

The second is heavily annotated, with notes on costume, props and camera shots throughout, both adjacent to the printed text and on most blank versos.

The accompanying paper archive comprises:

i) Dark yellow folder containing typed approximate shooting script of '"SHADOWS UNDERGROUND"', with diagrams and occasional hand-written revisions; annotated credit list; programme for The Shadows' show at Great Yarmouth; heavily annotated location notes; annotated unit lists; correspondence between Miles and the Performing Right Society; production cost and budget paperwork; director's heavily annotated shot list and shot order;

ii) Robert Morley's narration script, revised and annotated, and with Morley's name to title page;

iii) Light yellow folder containing a small collection of production stills (including shots of Cliff Richard's cameo) and some privately taken snapshots;

iv) Original costume design drawing, signed by Art Director Bernard Sarron ('Sarron '64') and inscribed by him to Miles: 'To my favourite director Christopher from his favourite art director Bernard';

v) Bound pink folder containing an 'Information Folder' (press pack) for the film.