4 reviews for ITC Entertained The World – paperback edition

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Mark Rogers (verified owner) – December 11, 2023

   This is a wonderful book.

   An astonishing book.

   An insightful book.

   Packed inside its one hundred and ninety-four pages are hundreds — possibly even thousands — of clean, clear images of three decades’ worth of the sales brochures, “fan” cards and title sequences that showcased and defined the output of one of the most remarkable and internationally successful production companies in TeleVision history: Lord Lew Grade’s ITC.

   In recent years, a number of books and periodicals have emerged which claimed to be offering the purchaser access to rare promotional and production materials related to “classic” TV series. In truth, however, these publications have veiled their contents behind all the filters that present-day image manipulation software offers. Rare photographs are presented at the size of postage stamps. Historic documentation is rotated and obscured behind other such items — often being run off the edge of a page — and always fogged with drop shadow effects to the point where only thirty percent of the original item is visible.

   Here, however, in “ITC Entertained the World”, Jaz Wiseman has elected to share the material that he and his fellow contributors possess directly and accessibly, with images presented as large as possible, arranged squarely across the pages — and without any attempt at obstruction.

   The result is that the reader is able to view and assess the material — individual examples of which frequently realise three figure sums at auctions — in a manner that is akin to handling the items themselves, with all the pleasure and perception that presents.

   The text which supports and augments the visual content of the book is as informed and insightful as you would expect from someone as devoted to researching, preserving and promoting the history of ITC and its productions as Wiseman is.

   Yet the book goes beyond being a gallery of material associated with a group of exceptional and much loved vintage TeleVision series.

   Bringing together such a comprehensive range of material — which includes regional and even international variants of some items — and presenting it coherently and chronologically offers an insight into the history and nature of graphic design itself.

   Witnessing the visual elegance and effective communication achieved by the largely anonymous designers who worked during ITC’s early days, obliged to exercise their abilities within the boundaries of a three-colour palette, provides not only a demonstration of their artistry, but a celebration of it.

   I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Rodney Stephen Marshall (verified owner) – December 12, 2023

   Part of the charm of ITC is its eye-catching branding: publicity brochures, idents, title sequencies. This wonderful book captures that magic. Beautifully set out, this is a treasure trove of images, yet it also offers readers factual context as it takes us through the decades. Stunning.

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Paul Corser (verified owner) – June 22, 2024

   The book every ITC fan has been waiting for. In depth details of all ITC and related promotional material, curated by the highly respected and knowledgeable Jaz Wiseman. This work has taken years to put together but it is well worth the wait! Colourful and informative. This is the definitive record of ITC promotional material, brought together in one amazing book. Can’t recommend it enough.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Ralph McLean (verified owner) – December 20, 2024

   Lavish barely begins to cover this beautiful visual study of ITC’s fabulous fantasy back catalogue. The innate style of so much of that companies output from the 50s to the 70s has always been a huge aspect of its enduring appeal and this book celebrates the cool graphic design of the shows title sequences, promo material and many media spin offs with page after page of startling images that capture the era in all it’s dynamic glory. Jaz Wiseman guides us effortlessly through this stylish world and his genuine passion for his subject is evident in every word he writes.
   A visual treat from cover to cover this is as groovy as Jason King in full flow and as snappy as Dangerman at his most dapper. In a word..essential.