The first item is an investigation into the pornography industry by Roger Cook who traces the supply of obscene materials from Scandinavia via Holland to the Midlands. Shots of seized goods in a store at Scotland Yard and interview with Superintendent Ian Donaldson. Views of Soho in London when it contained shops and cinemas that catered for the sex industry. These are library pictures as the commentary points out that the area has since been cleaned up. Cook visits a bar in Copenhagen where customers can watch videos. He talks to the owner Teresa Petersen about her business which is legal in Denmark. He also interviews the Danish justice minister Michael Elmer and criminologist Berl Kutchinsky about the country’s light laws on obscenity. We then see the warehouse of a firm called Rodox that makes and distributes pornography followed by views of the red light district in Amsterdam which is seen as a gateway to the UK market. In Holland Cook talks to Dutch pornography dealer Ari Van De Heul (in silhouette) and in Rotterdam he interviews British born distributer John Mansfield. Scotland Yard have three arrest warrants issued for Mansfield who continues to illegally sell his materials in the UK. Finally Cook meets pro pornography campaigner Berth Milton who lives in Spain. Back in the studio Cook chairs a debate on the pornography industry. Taking part are: Mary Whitehouse of the National Viewers and Listeners Association; clinical psychiatrist Dr Anthony Starr; Peter Bruinvells MP (Con. Leicester East); former pornographic film maker John Lindsay; Richard Kirker of the Gays the Word pressure group; former stripper Nicky Roberts; solicitor Bill Nash; Birmingham councillor Barry Acker; and pornographic publisher Jim Haynes.
The next debate looks at weather forecasting. After library clips of the hot summer of 1976 Sue Jay introduces a film report about three amateur forecasters who use different methods. Sue meets Joan Barker from Wiltshire who is a clairvoyant and claims to be able to predict and control the weather using her special powers (she is dressed as a witch). In contrast John Warner, a farmer, uses high tech methods and has much equipment to scientifically predict the weather. We also see Bill Foggitt in his garden. Bill uses natural resources such as pine cones for his forecasts. Back in the studio Andy Craig chairs a debate on the weather. Taking part are: meteorologist Michael Fish; oceanographer Dr Bruce Denness who uses scientific models to attempt long range predictions; psychologist Sandi Wilson who talks about Seasonally Adjusted Disorder; and science writer John Gribbin who talks about climate change and the greenhouse effect. The final item on the programme is a live link up to Mexico City where England will play their vital World Cup quarter final against Argentina on Sunday. Outside the England team hotel Gary Newbon interviews players Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton and Steve Hodge. They talk about Mexico City (they have rarely ventured out of the hotel), the heat, and the food. They also praise the Mexican welcome and look forward to the game. Back in the studio Andy Craig briefly talks to Gary Lineker’s father, Barry Lineker and Gary Newbon’s wife.
Presenters: Roger Cook; Sue Jay; Andy Craig
Production Team: Peter Perks; Martyn Clayden; Jan Euden; Judy Hooker; Donald Shingler
The Porno Trail: Geoff Lloyd; Vaughan Roberts; Danielle Pettit; Mycal Miller; Kay Gordon; Paul Calverley; Tim Tate; David Wright
Producer: Bruce Grocott
Series Producer: Jim Manson
Director: David Millard
Editor: John Wilford
Production number 6640/86.