The Photographer

The Photographer

1968 - United Kingdom

In Kenneth Jupp's play, Robert Stephens plays fictional top fashion photographer Bryan Baker, whose pictures influence thousands of women, just as he could also influence, mould and make famous a model whose looks might capture his imagination. One model in particular, until her suicide three weeks earlier, was Joanne, the girl currently on nearly every hoarding and magazine cover and, in Baker's studio, in a huge portrait he comes across as he finishes work for the day. Clearly the portrait disturbs him. 

Baker's assistant Gerry (Derek Jacobi) and secretary, Anne (Mary Miller), are anxious on his behalf. For already his life of nervous tension is telling. The work may have an aura of glamour but, contrary to popular belief it's a world of hard grind. It is an alien world to Grace (Susannah York), Joanne's sister, a shy country school teacher who arrives to see Baker. Grace is fascinated by the influence Baker had on her sister's life and wants to see for herself this strange, highly charged environment that had been her sister's making-and undoing. 

The Photographer - 1968 TV drama

Authenticity was given to the play by having the then current top London fashion model, (and later 'Vogue' cover girl) Paulene Stone appear in the opening scene (being photographed by Baker) and the play's author, Kenneth Jupp, knew the fashion scene well as his own wife, American Debbie Condon, the daughter of Richard Condon, who wrote 'The Manchurian Candidate,' was a top fashion model at the time. She too was seen in the play, though not in person. 

The portrait of Joanne was Debbie, photographed by world-renowned photographer Norman Eales. Similarities were drawn to the 1966 Antonioni movie Blow-Up but Jupp was quick to point out that he wrote The Photographer before Blow-Up was made. 

Produced by Anglia Television The Photographer also starred Cyril Luckham, Veronica Carlson, David Nettheim and Hoima MacDonald (the first Cadbury's Flake girl). Broadcast on Thursday 29th January 1968 at 8.30pm as part of ITV's Playhouse strand.   

Published on April 4th, 2020. Based on original TV Times article and adapted.

Read Next...

Orson Welles' Great Mysteries

Anthology series of different tales introduced by a star considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time

Also starring Susannah York

The House of Usher

“Fear haunts this house - it lurks beyond the candleflame - it whispers down the corridors. Fear of living, fear of dying.”

Also starring Susannah York

Last Tango in Halifax

Alan and Celia, both widowed and in their seventies, rekindle a passionate relationship that fate stole from them over sixty years ago

Also starring Derek Jacobi

After the Funeral

When Alun Owen's play 'After the Funeral' was read by Sydney Newman, head of drama for ABC Television, and William Kotcheff, the television director, they were so taken by his conception of Wales and the Welsh, they decided to see for themselves.

Also tagged Single Play

The Caesars

Historical period drama detailing the murder, sex and madness that will forever have a place in the annals of ancient history.

Also released in 1968

Don't Utter A Note

Charity begins at home for Florence and Nellie when they take on ex-criminal Basher Bates as their lodger-but just who is being reformed?

Also tagged Single Play

I, Claudius

The thirteen episodes of 'I, Claudius' were a masterpiece of costume and design and when shown in the USA on PBS the series single-handedly redefined the boundaries of acceptability on American television.

Also starring Derek Jacobi

Cadfael TV Series

Period murder mystery series set around a Benedictine Abbey in Shrewsbury in 12th century England. Here resides Brother Cadfael, a former Crusader, a skilled observer of human nature, whose talents are called upon to investigate the most intriguing and murderous crimes.

Also starring Derek Jacobi