Frank Hall
Encyclopedia
Frank Hall was an Irish
broadcaster, journalist, satirist and film censor. He is best remembered for his satirical revue programme Hall's Pictorial Weekly
.
, County Down
, Hall received little more than a primary education as he left school at the age of twelve to work in a local shop. He later worked as a waiter in London
before moving to Dublin. On his return he joined the art department of the Irish Independent
. Hall subsequently worked with the Evening Herald
where he wrote a column on dance bands.
where he worked in the newsroom. From 1964 to 1971 he presented Newsbeat
http://www.rte.ie/laweb/brc/brc_1970s.html, a regional news programme. He also presented The Late Late Show
for the opening of the 1964 season, but his lack of success in that seat led to the return of the previous presenter, Gay Byrne
. When Newsbeat ended, Hall started writing and presenting Hall's Pictorial Weekly
, a political satire show that ran for over 250 episodes until 1980. Hall was commentator for Ireland
in the Eurovision Song Contest
on four occasions 1967
, 1968
, 1972
and 1973
.
Hall won two Jacob's Awards
, in 1966 and 1975, for his work on Newsbeat and Hall's Pictorial Weekly respectively.
, which he described as "offensive to Christians and to Jews as well, because it made them appear a terrible load of gobshites".
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
broadcaster, journalist, satirist and film censor. He is best remembered for his satirical revue programme Hall's Pictorial Weekly
Hall's Pictorial Weekly
Hall's Pictorial Weekly, Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator is an Irish satirical television series which was broadcast on Radio Telefís Éireann from 1971 to 1980....
.
Early life
Born in NewryNewry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Hall received little more than a primary education as he left school at the age of twelve to work in a local shop. He later worked as a waiter in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
before moving to Dublin. On his return he joined the art department of the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
. Hall subsequently worked with the Evening Herald
Evening Herald
The Evening Herald is a mid-market tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. It is published Monday-Saturday, and has three editions — City Edition, City Final Edition and National Edition...
where he wrote a column on dance bands.
Television
After that, he moved to RTÉRTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
where he worked in the newsroom. From 1964 to 1971 he presented Newsbeat
Newsbeat (Irish TV series)
Newsbeat was a Telefís Éireann television current and regional affairs programme presented by Frank Hall and broadcast in Ireland live on weekday evenings from 1964 until 1971.-Background:...
http://www.rte.ie/laweb/brc/brc_1970s.html, a regional news programme. He also presented The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
for the opening of the 1964 season, but his lack of success in that seat led to the return of the previous presenter, Gay Byrne
Gay Byrne
Gabriel Mary "Gay" Byrne is a veteran Irish presenter of radio and television. His most notable role was first host of The Late Late Show over a 37-year period spanning 1962 until 1999...
. When Newsbeat ended, Hall started writing and presenting Hall's Pictorial Weekly
Hall's Pictorial Weekly
Hall's Pictorial Weekly, Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator is an Irish satirical television series which was broadcast on Radio Telefís Éireann from 1971 to 1980....
, a political satire show that ran for over 250 episodes until 1980. Hall was commentator for Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
on four occasions 1967
Eurovision Song Contest 1967
The Eurovision Song Contest 1967 was the twelfth Eurovision Song Contest. The presenter became confused whilst the voting was taking place, and declared the United Kingdom's entry to be the winner before the last country, Ireland, had announced its votes...
, 1968
Eurovision Song Contest 1968
The Eurovision Song Contest 1968 was the 13th Eurovision Song Contest. The contest was won by the Spanish song "La, la, la", performed by Massiel....
, 1972
Eurovision Song Contest 1972
The Eurovision Song Contest 1972 was the 17th edition series. Monaco was unable to host this year's Eurovision as they were unable to provide the resources. They approached French TV, who agreed to produce the contest, but only if the contest was staged in France and not the planned Monte Carlo...
and 1973
Eurovision Song Contest 1973
The Eurovision Song Contest 1973 was the eighteenth Eurovision Song Contest and was held in Luxembourg. The language rule forcing countries to enter songs sung in any of their national languages was dropped, so performers from some countries sang in English....
.
Hall won two Jacob's Awards
Jacob's Awards
The Jacob's Awards were instituted in December 1962 as the first Irish television awards. Later, they were expanded to include radio. The awards were named after their sponsor, W. & R. Jacob & Co. Ltd., a biscuit manufacturer, and recipients were selected by Ireland's national newspaper television...
, in 1966 and 1975, for his work on Newsbeat and Hall's Pictorial Weekly respectively.
Film censor
In 1978, Hall was appointed Ireland's national film censor. During his period as censor he was known for his strict application of Irish censorship and his defence of family values. Among the films banned by him was Monty Python's Life of BrianMonty Python's Life of Brian
Monty Python's Life of Brian, also known as Life of Brian, is a 1979 British comedy film written, directed and largely performed by the Monty Python comedy team...
, which he described as "offensive to Christians and to Jews as well, because it made them appear a terrible load of gobshites".