Jonathan Melville
@jonmelville.bsky.social
Fan of old films and telly / Author of books on Local Hero, Highlander, Tremors, Hamish Macbeth and Jim Henson / Owner of too many Blu-rays. Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/iyB
Pinned
What was it really like working with Jim Henson? I spent years tracking down the puppeteers, writers, directors and other creatives who helped bring the magic to life. Their stories became Rainbow Connections: Volume One, out 31st July 🌈
Find out more: jonathanmelville.substack.com/p/rainbow-co...
Find out more: jonathanmelville.substack.com/p/rainbow-co...
Covering The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, The Storyteller and many more, my new book of interviews with creatives who either worked alongside Jim Henson or on his productions is now available in paperback and ebook:
Paperback: amzn.eu/d/b99EAB4
Ebook: amzn.eu/d/huZMlM7
Paperback: amzn.eu/d/b99EAB4
Ebook: amzn.eu/d/huZMlM7
Also nice to see local lads Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson working on the animation side of this, with a cameo from Ainslie in episode six.
Telly doesn’t get much better than Small Prophets, six episodes flew by. Best show of 2026? Could be. Yet another reason to cherish the BBC.
(Oh, and iPlayer now has trailers playing automatically on the app)
(Oh, and iPlayer now has trailers playing automatically on the app)
February 13, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Also nice to see local lads Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson working on the animation side of this, with a cameo from Ainslie in episode six.
I say “best show” as I’m also luxuriating in the world of The Lowdown on Disney+ - subscribed for The Muppets, stayed for Ethan Hawke and a twisty plot that introduces us to so many memorable characters. Glad there’s going to be another season.
Telly doesn’t get much better than Small Prophets, six episodes flew by. Best show of 2026? Could be. Yet another reason to cherish the BBC.
(Oh, and iPlayer now has trailers playing automatically on the app)
(Oh, and iPlayer now has trailers playing automatically on the app)
February 13, 2026 at 10:17 PM
I say “best show” as I’m also luxuriating in the world of The Lowdown on Disney+ - subscribed for The Muppets, stayed for Ethan Hawke and a twisty plot that introduces us to so many memorable characters. Glad there’s going to be another season.
Telly doesn’t get much better than Small Prophets, six episodes flew by. Best show of 2026? Could be. Yet another reason to cherish the BBC.
(Oh, and iPlayer now has trailers playing automatically on the app)
(Oh, and iPlayer now has trailers playing automatically on the app)
February 13, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Telly doesn’t get much better than Small Prophets, six episodes flew by. Best show of 2026? Could be. Yet another reason to cherish the BBC.
(Oh, and iPlayer now has trailers playing automatically on the app)
(Oh, and iPlayer now has trailers playing automatically on the app)
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
I thought the state of the copies already on YouTube were absolutely shocking, so I've uploaded and playlisted some lovely ones. All here: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
February 12, 2026 at 10:32 AM
I thought the state of the copies already on YouTube were absolutely shocking, so I've uploaded and playlisted some lovely ones. All here: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Twelve racketeers took over a whole town… This 1964 Pocket Books edition of Richard Stark’s The Score took a while to arrive from the US but was worth the wait. Odd that Parker isn’t mentioned on the cover.
February 11, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Twelve racketeers took over a whole town… This 1964 Pocket Books edition of Richard Stark’s The Score took a while to arrive from the US but was worth the wait. Odd that Parker isn’t mentioned on the cover.
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
Through the Square Window episode six is out now! This month, @samiraahmeduk.bsky.social and @gkw.bsky.social look at shows from February 1969, namely: Do Not Adjust Your Set, Civilisation, Saturday Night Theatre (with Sean Connery) and Department S. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
February 11, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Through the Square Window episode six is out now! This month, @samiraahmeduk.bsky.social and @gkw.bsky.social look at shows from February 1969, namely: Do Not Adjust Your Set, Civilisation, Saturday Night Theatre (with Sean Connery) and Department S. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
Bought the German Blu-ray of the brilliant Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, partly for the Nick Redman/Lem Dobbs commentary, and have now placed orders for two film books mentioned by Dobbs. Would love to see this at the cinema sometime, those landscapes look incredible. BTW, those film books are…
February 11, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Bought the German Blu-ray of the brilliant Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, partly for the Nick Redman/Lem Dobbs commentary, and have now placed orders for two film books mentioned by Dobbs. Would love to see this at the cinema sometime, those landscapes look incredible. BTW, those film books are…
Big news in Edinburgh - @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social now displays screen numbers alongside times on the website. Saves a lot of faffing about while booking. (Plus, I saw Sorcerer on Screen 1 tonight and had a great time).
February 6, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Big news in Edinburgh - @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social now displays screen numbers alongside times on the website. Saves a lot of faffing about while booking. (Plus, I saw Sorcerer on Screen 1 tonight and had a great time).
Yes, there are too many reboots and spin-offs, but a return to the Wentworth universe is good news - just announced on stage at an Australian awards ceremony (as you do).
www.facebook.com/reel/1983450...
www.facebook.com/reel/1983450...
13K views · 336 reactions | Who’s excited for the next chapter of Wentworth?
Danielle Cormack has just announced that Wentworth: The Next Chapter is coming soon… and fans are already buzzing.
If it ...
Who’s excited for the next chapter of Wentworth?
Danielle Cormack has just announced that Wentworth: The Next Chapter is coming soon… and fans are already buzzing.
If it captures even a fraction of....
www.facebook.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Yes, there are too many reboots and spin-offs, but a return to the Wentworth universe is good news - just announced on stage at an Australian awards ceremony (as you do).
www.facebook.com/reel/1983450...
www.facebook.com/reel/1983450...
With The Muppet Show back on Disney+, it’s the perfect time to read my book of interviews with creatives who either worked alongside Jim Henson or on his productions - it’s now available in paperback and ebook:
Paperback: amzn.eu/d/b99EAB4
Ebook: amzn.eu/d/huZMlM7
Paperback: amzn.eu/d/b99EAB4
Ebook: amzn.eu/d/huZMlM7
What was it really like working with Jim Henson? I spent years tracking down the puppeteers, writers, directors and other creatives who helped bring the magic to life. Their stories became Rainbow Connections: Volume One, out 31st July 🌈
Find out more: jonathanmelville.substack.com/p/rainbow-co...
Find out more: jonathanmelville.substack.com/p/rainbow-co...
February 4, 2026 at 6:58 PM
With The Muppet Show back on Disney+, it’s the perfect time to read my book of interviews with creatives who either worked alongside Jim Henson or on his productions - it’s now available in paperback and ebook:
Paperback: amzn.eu/d/b99EAB4
Ebook: amzn.eu/d/huZMlM7
Paperback: amzn.eu/d/b99EAB4
Ebook: amzn.eu/d/huZMlM7
Copies of my Hamish Macbeth book have been spotted in Dornoch Bookshop, a place I’ve been visiting since I was wee thanks to most of my family being from the town…
February 4, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Copies of my Hamish Macbeth book have been spotted in Dornoch Bookshop, a place I’ve been visiting since I was wee thanks to most of my family being from the town…
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
Help us make hope normal again.
Join the Green Party now.
Join the Green Party now.
January 22, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Help us make hope normal again.
Join the Green Party now.
Join the Green Party now.
Started watching my DVD of Once Upon a Time in the West, but the picture quality is very ropey, it’s almost an insult to the film. Might have to upgrade to the Blu-ray as I seem to remember there being issues with the 4K - anyone got it?
February 3, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Started watching my DVD of Once Upon a Time in the West, but the picture quality is very ropey, it’s almost an insult to the film. Might have to upgrade to the Blu-ray as I seem to remember there being issues with the 4K - anyone got it?
Nice to see Australia Day being celebrated at @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social today.
January 26, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Nice to see Australia Day being celebrated at @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social today.
Stumbled upon the excellent Priscilla, Queen of the Desert making of doc, Between a Frock & a Hard Place, on Prime, narrated by Terence Stamp. Didn’t know it was Moneypenny herself, Caroline Bliss, who encouraged him to take on the role of Bernadette.
January 17, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Stumbled upon the excellent Priscilla, Queen of the Desert making of doc, Between a Frock & a Hard Place, on Prime, narrated by Terence Stamp. Didn’t know it was Moneypenny herself, Caroline Bliss, who encouraged him to take on the role of Bernadette.
When you go to the Amazon Prime home page and realise you’ve tamed the algorithm… apart from whoever Molly-Mae is.
January 16, 2026 at 8:02 PM
When you go to the Amazon Prime home page and realise you’ve tamed the algorithm… apart from whoever Molly-Mae is.
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
Coming on April 21st on #4K and Blu-ray in the US from @criterion.bsky.social: #PointBlank (1967)!
Director John Boorman brought the gangster drama into new realms of modernist abstraction with this stylized revenge thriller, which transforms
Coming on April 21st on #4K and Blu-ray in the US from @criterion.bsky.social: #PointBlank (1967)!
Director John Boorman brought the gangster drama into new realms of modernist abstraction with this stylized revenge thriller, which transforms
January 16, 2026 at 5:40 PM
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
Coming on April 21st on #4K and Blu-ray in the US from @criterion.bsky.social: #PointBlank (1967)!
Director John Boorman brought the gangster drama into new realms of modernist abstraction with this stylized revenge thriller, which transforms
Coming on April 21st on #4K and Blu-ray in the US from @criterion.bsky.social: #PointBlank (1967)!
Director John Boorman brought the gangster drama into new realms of modernist abstraction with this stylized revenge thriller, which transforms
“Every character has to have a yesterday and is going to have a tomorrow.” Screenwriting advice from the late Stephen J. Cannell I saved years ago, from Craig Mcdonald’s Rogue Males book.
January 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM
“Every character has to have a yesterday and is going to have a tomorrow.” Screenwriting advice from the late Stephen J. Cannell I saved years ago, from Craig Mcdonald’s Rogue Males book.
Miss Marple on iPlayer was my favourite TV of 2025, wish they’d put them on there permanently.
I’ll also get back to Campion at some point, another 90s gem. As an aside, my letter from Davison after I wrote to him praising the show, as I’m sure many 13-year-olds did.
I’ll also get back to Campion at some point, another 90s gem. As an aside, my letter from Davison after I wrote to him praising the show, as I’m sure many 13-year-olds did.
January 5, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Miss Marple on iPlayer was my favourite TV of 2025, wish they’d put them on there permanently.
I’ll also get back to Campion at some point, another 90s gem. As an aside, my letter from Davison after I wrote to him praising the show, as I’m sure many 13-year-olds did.
I’ll also get back to Campion at some point, another 90s gem. As an aside, my letter from Davison after I wrote to him praising the show, as I’m sure many 13-year-olds did.
Took advantage of a free month of the StudioCanal channel - might be a good opportunity to watch Hannibal (though I’m enjoying Elementary and Landman on Paramount+).
January 5, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Took advantage of a free month of the StudioCanal channel - might be a good opportunity to watch Hannibal (though I’m enjoying Elementary and Landman on Paramount+).
Including a show at the Queen’s Hall in May!
I'm launching my Laurel and Hardy Centenary show at the BFI on Sunday in advance of the jaw-dropping 51-date tour that traverses the UK from February to March - details of that are at www.laurelandhardypresentedbyneilbrand.co.uk
and tickets for the BFI at whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/defau...
and tickets for the BFI at whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/defau...
Buy cinema tickets for Celebrating 100 Years of Laurel and Hardy with Neil Brand | BFI Southbank
whatson.bfi.org.uk
January 5, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Including a show at the Queen’s Hall in May!
Reposted by Jonathan Melville
Want to be depressed?
May I suggest...
The Librarians (Kim Snyder, 2025)
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
and
Ordinary Men (Manfred Oldenburg, 2022)
www.netflix.com/title/81672035
They're both about how fascism distorts ideas of the prohibited and the acceptable.
May I suggest...
The Librarians (Kim Snyder, 2025)
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
and
Ordinary Men (Manfred Oldenburg, 2022)
www.netflix.com/title/81672035
They're both about how fascism distorts ideas of the prohibited and the acceptable.
Storyville - The Librarians
A Storyville documentary that explores how librarians across the US are risking their safety to defend free speech as book bans and censorship threaten democracy from within.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Want to be depressed?
May I suggest...
The Librarians (Kim Snyder, 2025)
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
and
Ordinary Men (Manfred Oldenburg, 2022)
www.netflix.com/title/81672035
They're both about how fascism distorts ideas of the prohibited and the acceptable.
May I suggest...
The Librarians (Kim Snyder, 2025)
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
and
Ordinary Men (Manfred Oldenburg, 2022)
www.netflix.com/title/81672035
They're both about how fascism distorts ideas of the prohibited and the acceptable.
I’d love to read more of Frank’s work in new physical media releases, he knows his old telly and films!
To those commissioning DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K booklet essays: I write mainly about British and American films - 60s, 70s, 80s cinema. Worked for Arrow (How to Get Ahead in Advertising, September, Count Yorga, Lifeforce, Incubus) and Indicator (Birdy, Fatherland, Captain Clegg, Robin Hood at Hammer).1/2
January 5, 2026 at 3:22 PM
I’d love to read more of Frank’s work in new physical media releases, he knows his old telly and films!
Speaking of heists, my first book of 2026 is in that ballpark, 1963’s The Mourner by Richard Stark.
January 2, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Speaking of heists, my first book of 2026 is in that ballpark, 1963’s The Mourner by Richard Stark.
My 2025 dream team according to #Letterboxd. Maybe Roger will make an appearance in 2026.
January 2, 2026 at 11:06 PM
My 2025 dream team according to #Letterboxd. Maybe Roger will make an appearance in 2026.