Rainbow Valley

Rainbow Valley, the podcast where your host, Scott, takes a look at key events and personalities that shaped one of the most influential, vibrant, tumultuous and swinging decades in history. Join us as we celebrate the 1960s with the stories surrounding the music and news events of the decade that shook the world.

Episode 043 - The Making Of The Italian Job (1969) 07/10/2026

Episode 043 - The Making Of The Italian Job (1969) "Just remember this - in this country they drive on the wrong side of the road" In 1969, British cinema delivered one of its most enduringly cheerful acts of grand larceny. The Italian Job had Michael Caine, three Mini Coopers, a coach balanced rather inconveniently above a precipice and a plan that looked perfectly sensible provided nobody examined it too closely. In this episode of Rainbow Valley, we go behind the scenes to explore how this much-loved crime caper found its way onto the screen. Written by Troy Kennedy Martin, directed by Peter Collinson and produced by Michael Deeley, the film followed recently released criminal Charlie Croker as he assembled an unlikely team to relieve Turin of several million pounds in gold. The authorities, the Mafia and the Italian traffic system all had other ideas. We discover how Michael Caine came to play the immaculately dressed Croker, alongside Noël Coward as the wonderfully imperious Mr Bridger and Benny Hill as Professor Simon Peach, a computer expert whose enthusiasm for large ladies required rather more explanation than most job interviews would allow. Behind the camera, meanwhile, French stunt coordinator Rémy Julienne and his team set about turning the streets, rooftops and staircases of Turin into an obstacle course for three small British cars. There is also the film’s distinctive musical world, created by Quincy Jones and crowned by “On Days Like These” and “Getta Bloomin’ Move On”, better known to generations of viewers as “The Self-Preservation Society”. It was a soundtrack that somehow made traffic jams, bullion robbery and municipal vandalism feel positively uplifting. The making of The Italian Job captures Britain at the end of the 1960s: confident, stylish and slightly cheeky, yet already looking back at a decade whose optimism was beginning to wobble. It is a story of inspired casting, audacious stunt work, nervous studios and a famously unresolved ending that has kept viewers arguing ever since. So settle into the passenger seat and join us for a journey from London to Turin, accompanied by Minis, gold bars and one very precariously parked coach. Rainbow Valley – bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world. This episode, along with all previous episodes of Rainbow Valley, is available wherever you get your podcasts and at: #RainbowValleyPodcast #RainbowValley #TheSixties #1960s #HistoryPodcast #TheItalianJob #MichaelCaine #BritishCinema #ClassicFilm #MiniCooper #Turin #1969 /episode/index/show/rainbowvalley/id/42031355

Episode 042 - Seven Inches Of History 004 - Adam Faith - Poor Me 07/08/2026

Episode 042 - Seven Inches Of History 004 - Adam Faith - Poor Me Two number ones before breakfast. Adam Faith was just getting started. Adam Faith was not an accident. While some artists stumble into the charts through luck or timing, Terence Nelhams-Wright from Acton arrived at number one in the spring of 1960 as the result of a series of very deliberate decisions. The name. The image. The sound. All of it carefully assembled, and all of it working perfectly. "Poor Me" was his second consecutive number one, following "What Do You Want" which had topped the chart at the end of 1959. Back to back number ones before most people had even worked out who he was. The songwriter was Les Vandyke, pen name of Johnny Worth, who had an almost uncanny gift for matching a lyric to a performer. The narrator of "Poor Me" is convinced the universe has it in for him romantically. Faith delivered that conviction with a sincerity that made it completely believable. The sound was John Barry's work. The pizzicato string arrangement, plucked and precise, gave the record an intimacy that set it apart from everything else on the chart. Barry would go on to write the James Bond scores and win five Academy Awards. In 1960 he was a young arranger who understood that putting Faith's voice right at the front of the mix, with minimal decoration around it, was exactly the right call. Three weeks at number one. A career built on intelligence as much as talent. And then, just to prove he was more than a pop star, a famous television interview in which he sat opposite John Freeman and actually thought about the questions. Not many number one artists of 1960 could say the same. Seven Inches of History is Rainbow Valley's bite-size series covering every UK number one of the 1960s. Every episode is available now at . Follow us on Twitter at @rv_podcast. #AdamFaith #PoorMe #SevenInchesOfHistory #RainbowValleyPodcast #UKNumberOne #BritishPop #1960s #PopHistory /episode/index/show/rainbowvalley/id/41982105

Episode 041 - Seven Inches Of History 003 - Anthony Newley - Why 07/08/2026

Episode 041 - Seven Inches Of History 003 - Anthony Newley - Why The accidental pop star who couldn't wait to get back to the theatre. Anthony Newley never really wanted to be a pop singer. He wanted to be in the theatre. The trouble was, the British public had other ideas, and in February 1960 they kept "Why" at number one for four consecutive weeks, making it very difficult for him to pretend the whole pop star thing wasn't happening. The route to the chart had been almost accidental. Newley had been cast as a rock and roll singer in a 1959 film called "Idle on Parade," recorded a few songs for it, and watched in mild surprise as one of them reached number three. The record industry noticed. So did the public. Before long, Terence Nelhams-Wright from Hackney, the boy who had played the Artful Dodger in David Lean's Oliver Twist, was one of the most recognisable faces in British pop. "Why" was written by Bob Marcucci and Peter De Angelis, a pair of American songwriters who knew exactly what the teenage market wanted. Newley gave it something extra though. That slightly theatrical quality in his delivery, the sense of a performer actually thinking about the words rather than just singing them, lifted the record above the merely competent. Four weeks at number one. His first chart-topper, and not his last. What makes the story interesting is where he went next. "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off." West End. Broadway. A creative life that made the pop hits look like a warm-up act. Which, for Newley, they probably were. Seven Inches of History is Rainbow Valley's bite-size series working through every UK number one of the 1960s, one record and one story at a time. Short, sharp, and full of corners you didn't know were there. Every episode is waiting for you at . Follow us on Twitter at @rv_podcast. #AnthonyNewley #Why #SevenInchesOfHistory #RainbowValleyPodcast #UKNumberOne #BritishPop #1960s #PopHistory /episode/index/show/rainbowvalley/id/41981645

Episode 040 - Seven Inches Of History 002 - Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed 07/08/2026

Episode 040 - Seven Inches Of History 002 - Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed One week at the top, a lifetime of sadness behind the smile. The first brand new number one of the 1960s belonged to a man from Liverpool with a voice like warm honey and a stage name chosen for its lightness. Michael Holliday. It suited him perfectly. What it didn't tell you was anything about the anxiety and depression that shadowed every step of his career. "Starry Eyed" went to number one on January 24th 1960, held off the blocks for one week before Anthony Newley came along and nudged it aside. One week sounds brief. In a chart as competitive as early 1960s Britain, one week at the top was no small thing. Holliday had built his career on a voice that drew inevitable comparisons to Bing Crosby, warm and unhurried, perfectly suited to the kind of professional pop that Norrie Paramor produced for him at Columbia Records. "Starry Eyed" was exactly that kind of record. Bright, melodically comfortable, performed with a ease that concealed how much work had gone into making it sound effortless. His second number one, following "The Story of My Life" in 1958, and a reminder that before the beat groups arrived, this was what British pop sounded like at its best. The sadder part of the story is what came after. The commercial tide was turning. The 1960s had different ideas about what pop should sound like, and the warm baritone crooner wasn't part of them. Holliday died in 1963, at thirty-eight. The inquest returned an open verdict. Seven Inches of History tells all of it. The hits, the stories, the people behind the records. These are Rainbow Valley's bite-size episodes, short and focused, dropping into the main feed as the series works its way through every UK number one of the decade. Listen to this episode and everything else Rainbow Valley has made at and follow us at @rv_podcast #MichaelHolliday #StarryEyed #SevenInchesOfHistory #RainbowValleyPodcast #UKNumberOne #BritishPop #1960s #PopHistory /episode/index/show/rainbowvalley/id/41981505

Episode 039 - Seven Inches Of History 001 - Emile Ford and the Checkmates - What Do Want to Make Those Eyes At Me For? 07/08/2026

Episode 039 - Seven Inches Of History 001 - Emile Ford and the Checkmates - What Do Want to Make Those Eyes At Me For? The record that started a decade, and made history doing it. The 1960s didn't begin with a fanfare. They began with a carry-over. Emile Ford and the Checkmates had reached number one back in November 1959 with "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For" and when January 1st 1960 arrived, they were still sitting comfortably at the top of the British chart. The new decade started mid-song. There are worse ways to begin. But here's the thing about that chart position that goes well beyond the novelty of a decade boundary. Emile Ford was the first Black British artist ever to reach number one on the UK singles chart. That's not a footnote. That's a headline. Ford had come to Britain from the Bahamas in the mid-1950s, part of the wave of Caribbean immigration that was reshaping the country whether the country was ready for it or not. He studied in London, formed a group with his brothers, and built a sound that was warm, bright, and completely irresistible. The record itself was a cover of a 1917 music hall song, updated for the skiffle age and produced with a lightness that made it feel effortless. Six weeks at number one. A place in history that the British pop world was slow to acknowledge but cannot now take back. This is the story that opens Seven Inches of History, one of Rainbow Valley's shorter bite-size episodes that drop into the main podcast feed alongside the full-length documentaries. The series is taking on every UK number one of the 1960s, one record at a time, and this is where it all begins. One man, one song, one extraordinary first. Find this episode and the full Rainbow Valley back catalogue at https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/rainbowvalley and follow us on Twitter at @rv_podcast. #EmileFord #TheCheckmates #SevenInchesOfHistory #RainbowValleyPodcast #UKNumberOne #BritishPop #1960s #PopHistory /episode/index/show/rainbowvalley/id/41981350

Episode 018 - The Making Of Cleopatra (1963) 05/19/2026

Episode 016 - The Hammersmith Nude Murders (1964 - 1965) 05/19/2026

Episode 015 - Matt Monro 05/19/2026

Episode 019 - Dusty Springfield 05/19/2026

Episode 017 - Hits and Headlines of 1963 05/19/2026

Episode 020 - David Frost, Emil Savundra, and the trial by television (1967) 05/19/2026

Episode 029 - The Button Down Mind Of Bob Newhart (1960) 05/19/2026

Episode 027 - 1966: The Year We Won...And Lost The World Cup 05/19/2026

Episode 025 - The Making Of Zulu (1964) 05/19/2026

Episode 025 - The Making Of Zulu (1964) WE’RE BACK!! Our first episode in two years is finally with you – and it’s a cracker. Join Scott as he tells the story of the making of the movie Zulu. RAINBOW VALLEY – THE MAKING OF ZULU Rainbow Valley is a monthly podcast where your host, Scott takes a look at key events and personalities that shaped one the most influential, vibrant, tumultuous and swinging decades in history. Join us as we celebrate the 1960’s with the stories surrounding the music and news events of the decade that shook the world. 22nd January 1879, Rorkes Drift, Natal, South Africa. A remote mission station, the setting for one of the most famous, battles in British history. But until 1964 and the release of the movie Zulu, the story of the events of those ten hours were not particularly familiar to the British public. In reality, 100 British soldiers defended a series of attacks by approximately 4000 Zulu warriors. By the end of the battle, which lasted from late afternoon until dawn the following morning, 15 soldiers were dead, two mortally wounded and surrounding them, the bodies of some 350 Zulus Possibly one of the most celebrated and documented battles in British history you might think. But you would be wrong, for if it were not for the release of the movie 85 years later, it’s likely it would have remained a mere postscript in the annals of military conflict. The story of the making of Zulu begins with a magazine article written in 1958 and takes us on a journey that will change the lives of many people along the way. People such as director, Cy Endfield, producer and actor Stanley Baker, Zulu tribal leader, Chief Buthelezi and a certain young actor from south London called Michael Caine. A movie that remained on cinema screens almost constantly for 12 years before becoming one of the most regarded and best loved British movies of all time, the story of its creation is almost worthy of a movie in its own right. Ladies and gentlemen, Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of the making of Zulu. You can find all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter @rv_podcast Join our Facebook group Or drop us a line at Thanks for listening Scott @scophi NEXT TIME – THE BIG FREEZE OF 1963 /episode/index/show/rainbowvalley/id/23567510

Episode 023 - The Theft Of The Duke Of Wellington (1961) 05/19/2026

Episode 021 - The Zapruder Film (1963) 05/19/2026

Episode 031 - Sinatra at The Sands (1966) 05/19/2026

Episode 028 - The Aberfan Disaster 05/19/2026

Episode 022 - Tammi Terrell 05/19/2026

Episode 024 - Hits and Headlines of 1964 05/19/2026

Episode 026 - The Big Freeze 05/19/2026

Episode 030 - The Apollo One Disaster (1967) 05/19/2026

Episode 032 - Tere Jo Dupperault - Orphan of the Sea (1961) 05/19/2026

Episode 032 - Tere Jo Dupperault - Orphan of the Sea (1961) Rainbow Valley - bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world. Episode 032 - Tere Jo Dupperault - Orphan of the Sea (1961) The name Tere Jo Duperrault resonates with a chilling tale of survival and unfathomable tragedy. In 1961, at the tender age of 11, she became the sole survivor of a horrific crime that unfolded aboard the sailing yacht "Bluebelle," a voyage that transformed from a family vacation into a nightmare. Her story is a testament to the remarkable resilience of the human spirit amidst unimaginable adversity. The Duperrault family, seeking a tranquil escape, chartered the "Bluebelle" for a sailing excursion. However, this idyllic journey was abruptly and violently shattered by the actions of Julian Harvey, the ship's captain. Harvey, for reasons that remain shrouded in a complex web of motivations, murdered the entire Duperrault family. In the wake of this heinous act, Tere Jo was left adrift in the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, a solitary figure facing the unforgiving elements. For four agonizing days, Tere Jo endured a harrowing ordeal that tested the limits of human endurance. Adrift on a small, fragile cork float, she battled the relentless sun, the gnawing pangs of dehydration, and the searing pain of severe sunburn. The vastness of the ocean, the isolation, and the constant threat of the elements created an environment of unimaginable terror. Yet, against all odds, she clung to life, her survival instinct propelling her through each grueling hour. Her eventual rescue by the crew of a Greek freighter marked the end of her physical ordeal, but the emotional and psychological scars of the trauma would endure. The world watched in stunned disbelief as the story of the young girl who survived against all odds unfolded. The incident garnered international attention, and Tere Jo's survival became a symbol of human resilience. Following her rescue, Tere Jo sought to rebuild her life, choosing to live a life of relative privacy away from the public eye. The enormity of her experience, the loss of her family, and the trauma of her ordeal required time and space for healing. In later years, Tere Jo, now known as Tere Duperrault Fassbender, chose to share her story, collaborating with Richard D. Logan Phd to document her experiences in a book. This decision to speak out was not driven by a desire for fame but by a desire to share a testament to the human capacity for survival and to honour the memory of her family. Her narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the strength that can be found in the face of unimaginable adversity. The story of Tere Jo Duperrault remains a powerful and enduring narrative, a stark reminder of the darkest depths of human depravity and the extraordinary power of the human spirit to endure. It is a story that continues to resonate, prompting reflection on the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring impact of trauma. You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast Or send us your thoughts and feedback at This has been a Stinking Pause production Thanks for listening Scott /episode/index/show/rainbowvalley/id/35934140

Episode 033 - Goldie And His Bid For Freedom (1965) 05/19/2026

Episode 033 - Goldie And His Bid For Freedom (1965) Rainbow Valley - bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world. Join your host, Scott, as this week he recounts the tale of Goldie—the golden eagle who soared into the hearts of Londoners in 1965 with his daring escapades! Episode 033 - Goldie And His Bid For Freedom Picture this: it’s a chilly February day, and Goldie, a majestic golden eagle residing at London Zoo, decides he’s had enough of the cage life. While his keepers are cleaning his enclosure, Goldie seizes the moment and takes off into the skies above Regent’s Park, leaving behind his mate, Regina, and a trail of chaos. For the next 12 days, Goldie became the talk of the town. He wasn’t just any escapee; he was a celebrity. Crowds flocked to Regent’s Park to catch a glimpse of the rebellious raptor, causing traffic jams as drivers circled the area hoping for a sighting. Goldie, meanwhile, was living his best life—gliding over the park, exploring nearby neighborhoods like Camden Town and Tottenham Court Road, and occasionally indulging in some predatory mischief. He even made headlines for snacking on a duck in the garden of Winfield House, the residence of the U.S. Ambassador. Talk about dining in style! The zoo’s keepers tried everything to lure Goldie back. They borrowed equipment from the Royal Navy and Civil Defence Corps, and even enlisted the help of BBC reporter John Timpson, who attempted to charm Goldie with an Ethiopian bird pipe. Spoiler alert: Goldie wasn’t impressed. He also had a run-in with two terriers in the park, but their owner managed to fend him off. Goldie was clearly enjoying his freedom, and the British public couldn’t get enough of his antics. He was even mentioned in a debate in the House of Commons, where MPs greeted his name with cheers. Eventually, hunger got the better of Goldie. On March 11, the zoo’s deputy head keeper tempted him with a dead rabbit, and Goldie swooped down for what would be his last picnic in the park. The keeper approached quietly, secured Goldie’s legs, and brought him back to the zoo. Goldie was in good health and reunited with Regina, much to the delight of visitors. In fact, the zoo’s attendance nearly doubled after his return—Goldie was a true crowd-puller. But Goldie wasn’t done with his Houdini act. Later that year, in December, he escaped again! This time, his freedom lasted only four days before he was recaptured. Goldie’s escapades cemented his status as one of London Zoo’s most famous residents, and his story remains a delightful chapter in the city’s history. You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast Or send us your thoughts and feedback at This has been a Stinking Pause production Thanks for listening Scott /episode/index/show/rainbowvalley/id/36334640

Episode 035 - Chappaquiddick Part Two (1969) 05/18/2026

Episode 034 - Chappaquiddick Part One (1969) 05/18/2026

Episode 036 - Spend Spend Spend – The Rise and Fall of Viv Nicholson (1961) 05/17/2026

Episode 036 - Spend Spend Spend – The Rise and Fall of Viv Nicholson (1961) Rainbow Valley - bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world. Join your host, Scott, as he tells the tale of Viv Nicholson—a name synonymous with extravagance, drama, and unapologetic living. When this spirited pools winner declared she’d “spend, spend, spend!” after scooping £152,319 in 1961, she didn’t just ignite public imagination—she carved her name into British cultural history Episode 036 - Spend Spend Spend – The Rise and Fall of Viv Nicholson (1961) 1961 – the sixties haven’t really started swinging just yet, the Beatles were still finding their feet, and rationing was still a fresh memory for some Then BAM! Viv Nicholson and her husband Keith, from Castleford strike it richer than a triple-chocolate gateau, pocketing a cool £152,000. In today's money, that's enough to make your eyes pop and your Monzo card spontaneously combust. Now, Viv wasn't one for dithering or asking a financial advisor. Oh no. When the reporters buzzed around like bees to a jam scone, asking what she’d do with the money, out came those three little words that cemented her place in British folklore: "Spend, spend, spend!" And did she ever! It wasn't just a motto; it was practically a royal decree. Forget sensible shares or boring bonds. Our Viv was all about the high life – think champagne wishes and caviar dreams, but with a proper Yorkshire accent. Cars, clothes, holidays… if it glittered, Viv was probably signing a cheque for it. The fortune famously vanished quicker than a pint on a hot day, but honestly, the sheer audacity, the pure, unadulterated joy of it all? That’s the stuff legends are made of. Viv Nicholson, – she came, she saw, she shopped. Ladies and gentlemen, why not join Scott as he tells you the story of Spend Spend Spend – The Rise and Fall of Viv Nicholson. You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast Or send us your thoughts and feedback at This has been a Stinking Pause production Thanks for listening Scott /episode/index/show/rainbowvalley/id/37946580

Episode 037 - The Great Escape From Alcatraz (1962) 05/17/2026

Episode 038 - The Mini 05/17/2026

Episode 014 - Dr No And The Birth Of James Bond On The Big Screen 01/06/2018

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