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.
Omnibus (Season 6)
Leeds International Piano Competition (Episode 1)
Air date: 1972-09-17
The Last Samurai (Episode 2)
Air date: 1972-09-24
The Wit & World of George Bernard Shaw (Episode 3)
Air date: 1972-10-01
Overview: Christopher Plummer invites the audience into the world of great playwright, George Bernard Shaw, at his home with fellow actors and an actress playing St. Joan.
Vincent the Dutchman (Episode 4)
Air date: 1972-10-15
Who Needs a Conductor? (Episode 5)
Air date: 1972-10-22
The Performers-Goya (Episode 6)
Air date: 1972-10-29
Artists in Wartime (Episode 7)
Air date: 1972-11-12
Great Orchestras: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Episode 8)
Air date: 1972-11-19
Ned Kelly Country: The Paintings of Sidney Nolan (Episode 9)
Air date: 1972-11-26
Overview: A journey across Australia through the paintings of Sidney Nolan. Earlier this year Sidney Nolan revisited the country where he was born. He likes long journeys and cannot help painting pictures, and every picture tells a story. In this adventure through myth and imagery Nolan looks again at the Australia of Ned Kelly, Mrs Fraser and the convicts, Burke and Wills.
Max Beerbohm Remembers (Episode 10)
Air date: 1972-12-10
Judy: Impressions of Garland (Episode 11)
Air date: 1972-12-24
Overview: Memories of Judy Garland, from people who knew and worked with her.
The Savage Image (Episode 12)
Air date: 1973-01-14
Why Culture? (Episode 13)
Air date: 1973-01-21
But the People Are Beautiful: Andy Warhol (Episode 14)
Air date: 1973-02-04
Fools Rush In: Morecambe and Wise (Episode 15)
Air date: 1973-02-18
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: This film for Omnibus follows the two weeks of rehearsal that led up to the recording of a Morecambe and Wise Show that aired on 16 February 1973. 'Fools Rush In' was Eric and Ernie's billing in their early days. Thirty years later, they had become Britain's best-known comedians, with regular audiences of nearly 20 million people. Producer John Ammonds, writer Eddie Braben, as well as Eric and Ernie talk about the skill and sheer hard work of comedy.
The Name Grierson: The Word Documentary (Episode 16)
Air date: 1973-02-25
Master of the Cello (Episode 17)
Air date: 1973-03-11
It Must Be Something in the Water (Episode 18)
Air date: 1973-03-18
Sir Noel Coward (Episode 19)
Air date: 1973-03-25
Colette 1873-1954: A Window in the War (Episode 20)
Air date: 1973-04-15
That's My Little Masterpiece (Episode 21)
Air date: 1973-05-06
The Passing of the Year (Episode 22)
Air date: 1973-05-13
Overview: An Omnibus calendar of tribal England. This film traces how the passing of the seasons is still celebrated with folk song, dance and-ritual. For 12 months cameras have been recording the genuinely surviving ceremonies associated with May Day marches. Summer Dances, Harvest Festivals, Christmas, New Year and Easter.
British Jazz (Episode 23)
Air date: 1973-06-03
Leonardo-To Know How to See (Episode 24)
Air date: 1973-07-08
Ginger Baker in Africa (Episode 25)
Air date: 1973-07-15
Overview: The former Cream drummer travels to Nigeria to build a recording studio.
