About this season
Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.
Episodes (35)
1. Omnibus at the Proms
Aired 3 August 1969
2. Omnibus at the Proms: Sir Adrian Boult
Aired 17 August 1969
3. Sir Henry Wood
Aired 7 September 1969
4. J.B. Priestley
Aired 14 September 1969
5. George Robey
Aired 28 September 1969
6. Beautiful Beautiful
Aired 5 October 1969
7. Sir Malcolm Sargent
Aired 12 October 1969
8. What the Hell Ever Happens in Marlborough?
Aired 19 October 1969
9. F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Dream Divided
Aired 26 October 1969
10. Christopher Isherwood: A Born Foreigner
Aired 2 November 1969
Documentary about author Christopher Isherwood, in which he is interviewed about his life and work and which features extracts from films of his novels and stories.
11. Richter
Aired 9 November 1969
12. The Confessions of Marian Evans/George Eliot
Aired 23 November 1969
13. Noel Coward
Aired 7 December 1969
14. Where Are You Going My Pretty Maid?
Aired 14 December 1969
15. Tommy Steele and Things
Aired 21 December 1969
16. Unashamed Accompanist: Gerald Moore
Aired 28 December 1969
17. Ian Fleming Creator of the James Bond Myth
Aired 4 January 1970
18. Virginia Woolf: A Day's Sail, a Night's Darkness
Aired 18 January 1970
19. Anna Pavlova: 1881 - 1931
Aired 25 January 1970
20. Rope Ladder to the Moon: Jack Bruce
Aired 1 February 1970
21. John Clare - I am
Aired 8 February 1970
22. Dance of the Seven Veils
Aired 15 February 1970
An imaginary portrait of composer Richard Strauss.
23. Who Will Buy a Bubble?
Aired 22 February 1970
A group of people with regular jobs (factory clerk, Lighterman,Inspector etc) take part in an experimental and improvised drama in which they are encouraged to writhe around the floor making strange noises and movements. The idea being that returning to a primitive state may help them better cope with the modern world. This experiment is then taken to their familiar local streets and landmarks and casual observers are invited to comment or join in.
24. Ralph Vaughan Williams
Aired 1 March 1970
25. On the Waltz
Aired 15 March 1970
26. The Wandsworth Sound
Aired 5 April 1970
27. 1970 Oscar Awards
Aired 12 April 1970
28. Kenneth More
Aired 18 April 1970
29. To Leningrad with Love
Aired 26 April 1970
30. The Hollywood Image-The Silent Era
Aired 3 May 1970
31. The Hollywood Image-The Talkies
Aired 10 May 1970
32. The Hollywood Image-The Post War Years
Aired 17 May 1970
33. A Vow Fulfilled: Oberammergau
Aired 31 May 1970
34. The Other Edward Heath
Aired 28 June 1970
35. Satchmo at 70
Aired 5 July 1970