The Home Made Car
Encyclopedia
The Home Made Car is a short film directed by James Hill
about a young man who rebuilds a vintage car and finds love. The film was nominated for an Academy Award
(Short Subjects, Live Action Subjects). Made in and around Farnborough, Hampshire
, it became a cult
success when regularly broadcast as a trade test colour transmission
on the run up to the start of BBC2
colour transmissions. Originally screened from September 1968 until August 1973, it was one of a series of short films broadcast to help television engineers set up new colour television sets. Other popular offerings were The North Sea Quest, Overhaul, Crown of Glass, Roads to Roam, The Small Propeller, The Cattle Carters, Prospect for Plastics, A Journey into the Weald of Kent and Evoluon
.
Blackwell Cottage, where the car was built, is on Cambridge Road West, Farnborough. The house remains, although the garage has been replaced by a detached house. The house where the little girl lived, next-door, is still there. As well as Farnborough, parts of the film was made in Bucks Horn Oak
, Hampshire and Seale
, Surrey. The owner of the Bullnose Morris in the film still [as of 2009] has the car. Production of the film was sponsored by the British Petroleum
company (BP), and the Bucks Horn Oak scenes were based at a petrol filling station. BP continues to distribute the film.
The music was by Ron Grainer
and it includes a pastiche of the theme from Steptoe and Son
when an old rag and bone man
tries to steal the wheel arches from the still incomplete car.
James Hill (British director)
James Hill was a British film and television director, screenwriter and producer whose career spanned 52 years between 1937–1989, best remembered for his documentaries and short subjects such as Giuseppina and The Home Made Car, and as director of the internationally acclaimed Born Free.Hill...
about a young man who rebuilds a vintage car and finds love. The film was nominated for an Academy Award
Academy Award for Live Action Short Film
This name for the Academy Award for Live Action Short Film was introduced in 1974. For the three preceding years it was known as "Short Subjects, Live Action Films." The term "Short Subjects, Live Action Subjects" was used from 1957 until 1970. From 1936 until 1956 there were two separate...
(Short Subjects, Live Action Subjects). Made in and around Farnborough, Hampshire
Farnborough, Hampshire
-History:Name changes: Ferneberga ; Farnburghe, Farenberg ; Farnborowe, Fremborough, Fameborough .Tower Hill, Cove: There is substantial evidence...
, it became a cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
success when regularly broadcast as a trade test colour transmission
Trade test colour films
Trade test colour films were broadcast by the television network BBC 2 in the early days of colour television in Britain during intervals when no regular programming had been scheduled. The goal of these transmissions was to provide colour broadcasting in these intervals for use by television shops...
on the run up to the start of BBC2
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
colour transmissions. Originally screened from September 1968 until August 1973, it was one of a series of short films broadcast to help television engineers set up new colour television sets. Other popular offerings were The North Sea Quest, Overhaul, Crown of Glass, Roads to Roam, The Small Propeller, The Cattle Carters, Prospect for Plastics, A Journey into the Weald of Kent and Evoluon
Evoluon
The Evoluon is a conference centre and former science museum erected by the electronics and electrical company Philips in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, in 1966. Since its construction, it has become a landmark and a symbol for the city....
.
Blackwell Cottage, where the car was built, is on Cambridge Road West, Farnborough. The house remains, although the garage has been replaced by a detached house. The house where the little girl lived, next-door, is still there. As well as Farnborough, parts of the film was made in Bucks Horn Oak
Bucks Horn Oak
Bucks Horn Oak is a village in Hampshire, England. It has the A325 road running through the village, on the Bordon to Farnham route. The village is situated in the Alice Holt Forest and has one pub, named "The Halfway House." Its nearest town is Farnham, approximately 5.5 miles away. The village...
, Hampshire and Seale
Seale, Surrey
Seale is a village in Surrey, England forming part of the civil parish of Seale and Sands. It is located at on the south side of the Hog's Back between Farnham and Guildford and is part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It also lies on the Pilgrims' Way. The parish covers...
, Surrey. The owner of the Bullnose Morris in the film still [as of 2009] has the car. Production of the film was sponsored by the British Petroleum
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
company (BP), and the Bucks Horn Oak scenes were based at a petrol filling station. BP continues to distribute the film.
The music was by Ron Grainer
Ron Grainer
Ronald Erle “Ron” Grainer was an Australian-born composer who worked for most of his professional career in the United Kingdom. He is mostly remembered for his film and television music.- Biography :...
and it includes a pastiche of the theme from Steptoe and Son
Steptoe and Son
Steptoe and Son is a British sitcom written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson about two rag and bone men living in Oil Drum Lane, a fictional street in Shepherd's Bush, London. Four series were broadcast by the BBC from 1962 to 1965, followed by a second run from 1970 to 1974. Its theme tune, "Old...
when an old rag and bone man
Rag and bone man
Rag and bone man is a British phrase for a junk dealer. Historically the phrase referred to an individual who would travel the streets of a city with a horsedrawn cart, and would collect old rags for making fabric and paper, bones for making glue, scrap iron for recycling, and assorted miscellany...
tries to steal the wheel arches from the still incomplete car.
Cast
- Ronald Chudley - Young man
- Caroline MortimerCaroline MortimerCaroline Mortimer is a British actress.Caroline Mortimer was the daughter of the novelist Penelope Mortimer from her first marriage to the journalist Charles Dimont and the stepdaughter of the playwright Sir John Mortimer...
- Young woman (daughter of John MortimerJohn MortimerSir John Clifford Mortimer, CBE, QC was a British barrister, dramatist, screenwriter and author.-Early life:...
) - Sandra Leo - Little Girl with ray gun