{{short description|British television series}} {{for|the Cordae album|From a Birds Eye View (album)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} {{Use British English|date=May 2014}} {{Infobox television | image = From a Bird's Eye View titlecard.jpg | alt = Series titles with a cartoon image of the Eiffel Tower | caption = | genre = [[Sitcom]] | creator = [[Sheldon Leonard]] | developer = | writer = | director = | creative_director = | presenter = | starring = [[Millicent Martin]]<br />[[Patte Finley]]<br />[[Peter Jones (actor)|Peter Jones]] | judges = | voices = | narrator = | theme_music_composer = | open_theme = Frank Barber<br />Jack Fishman | end_theme = | composer = Frank Barber | country = United Kingdom | language = English | num_seasons = 1 | num_episodes = 16 | list_episodes = From a Bird's Eye View#Episode list | executive_producer = [[Sheldon Leonard]] | producer = Jack Greenwood | editor = | location = | cinematography = | camera = | runtime = 25 minutes | company = Sheldon Leonard Productions<br />[[Associated Television|ATV]]<br />[[ITC Entertainment]] | channel = [[Associated Television|ATV]] (UK)/[[NBC]] (US) | first_aired = {{Start date|1970|09|18|df=y}} | last_aired = {{End date|1971|04|21|df=y}} | related = }}
'''''From a Bird's Eye View''''' is a 1970 [[Associated Television|ATV]] and [[ITC Entertainment]] co-produced [[sitcom]]. In the United States it aired on [[NBC]], which had originally ordered the series as an entry in the 1969–70 TV season but pushed it back to the 1970–71 season as a mid-season replacement.
The series followed two ''International Airlines'' [[stewardess]]es, a scatterbrained Briton and a savvy American, as they flew the London-European routes. The series ran for 16 25-minute colour episodes.
The series was not a big success in either the UK or the US, but ITC re-used the format (and the writers and crew) for the [[Shirley MacLaine]] series ''[[Shirley's World]]''. That show also flopped, but ran for one more episode than ''From a Bird's Eye View''.
==Production notes== [[Lew Grade|Sir Lew Grade]] wanted to make a comedy film series that would appeal on both sides of the Atlantic starring [[Millicent Martin]]. He sent six comedy sketches of Martin to producer [[Sheldon Leonard]] and he came up with the premise of '''''From a Bird's Eye View''''' (although two other titles were being considered, '''''Meet Millie''''' and '''''Up She Goes''''').<ref>Promotional PDF of series p13</ref>
Leonard cast [[Patte Finley]] from 160 girls he interviewed over a seven-month period when he responded to her personality and that at 5'3" she would not dwarf Martin's 5'1".<ref>Promotional PDF p8</ref>
Martin and Finley both underwent an official training course at the [[British European Airways|B.E.A.]] training centre in stewardess's duties including meal presentation, bar service, address system and survival drill.<ref>Promotional PDF p3</ref>
==Cast and characters== *[[Millicent Martin]] as Millie Grover *[[Pat Finley|Patte Finley]] as Maggie Ralston *[[Peter Jones (actor)|Peter Jones]] as Clive Beauchamp *[[Robert Cawdron]] as Uncle Bert Quigley *[[Noel Hood]] as Ms. Fosdyke (Mr Beauchamp's secretary)
[[File:From a Bird's Eye View cast.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Peter Jones, Patte Finley, and Millicent Martin]]
{{clear}}
==Episode list==
Filmed on location and at [[Pinewood Studios]] England.
Airdate and order is for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] on the Network DVD.
{{Episode table |background=#ACE5EE |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=1 | Title=The Difficult Passenger | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|9|18|df=y}} | WrittenBy=[[T. E. B. Clarke]] | DirectedBy=[[Ralph Levy]] | ShortSummary=Mr Barker is a difficult passenger who humiliates and propositions Millie on a flight from London to Berlin and Millie is determined to get even at their overnight hotel. Maggie discovers he is [[Mystery shopping|Mystery shopper]] and vainly attempts to stop Millie. Stars [[Robert Coote]], [[Jess Conrad]], [[Michael Wolf (actor)|Michael Wolf]] and [[Jerold Wells]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=2 | Title=Never Put it in Writing | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|9|25|df=y}} | WrittenBy=John Muir and Eric Green | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=When Millie wrongly overhears Mr Beauchamp is going to fire Maggie she writes an insulting letter tendering her own resignation and then has to take desperate measures to recover the letter when Maggie discovers she was mistaken. Stars [[Arthur Mullard]] and [[Angus Lennie]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=3 | Title=Wife Trouble | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|10|2|df=y}} | WrittenBy=T. E. B. Clarke | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=When his fiery Italian wife walks off the plane bound for Nice, her English businessman husband needs a replacement wife to land an important job. To Maggie's horror Millie volunteers, Stars [[Richard Caldicot]], [[Neil Stacy]], [[Robert Rietti]] and Dora Reisser. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=4 | Title=Millie's Moveable Feast | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|10|9|df=y}} | WrittenBy=R.S. Allen and [[Harvey Bullock (writer)|Harvey Bullock]] | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=Millie acts as cook and maid for her next-door neighbours' dinner party and to save Millie's job Maggie invites Mr Beauchamp around for a meal but there is only enough food for one party. Stars [[Polly Adams]], Phillip Manikum, [[Stephen Jack (actor)|Stephen Jack]] and Jess Conrad. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=5 | Title=Hate-In | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|10|16|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Pat Dunlop | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=Millie has been dating, Mr Lemon, a perfect gentleman until he meets Maggie and turns into a lothario much to Millie's chagrin. Millie and Maggie fall out. Guest stars [[Richard Briers]], Barry Andrews and [[Gábor Baraker]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=6 | Title=Home is Where Your Heart Is | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|10|23|df=y}} | WrittenBy=[[Anthony Marriott]] and Scot Finch | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=Poor staff scores result in Mr Beecham's new schedules separating Millie to London and Maggie to Liverpool. Millie's uncle Bert's plan to improve their scores gets them fired. Stars [[Frank Thornton]] and [[Bartlett Mullins]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=7 | Title=Nobody Sleeps on a Honeymoon | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|10|30|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Carl Kleinschmitt | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=A honeymoon couple on the girls' flight to Rome have nowhere to stay and Millie secretly gives them their hotel room and has to keep Maggie getting any sleep. Stars [[Nicholas Ball (actor)|Nicholas Ball]], Margo Andrew and [[Gordon Rollings]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=8 | Title=Family Tree | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|11|6|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Bernie Rothman | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=On their first anniversary as colleagues Millie and Maggie decided to surprise each other. Maggie with a party and Millie presenting Maggie her family tree until Mr Beauchamp points out Maggie's ancestors were axe murderers, stranglers, and poisoners. Guest stars [[John Sharp (actor)|John Sharp]], [[Joan Hickson]], [[Carmen Munroe]] and [[Richard Franklin (actor)|Richard Franklin]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=9 | Title=Highland Fling | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|11|13|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Torn Brennard and Ray Bottomley | DirectedBy=John Robbins | ShortSummary=Millie and Maggie's unemployed neighbour gets a job in a Scottish castle owned by Lord MacBracken and invites them to visit. Mr Beauchamp invites himself and soon all three discover the castle is haunted. Guest stars [[Clive Dunn]] and [[John Laurie]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=10 | Title=I Too was a Novice | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|11|20|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Brad Ashton | DirectedBy=[[Peter Duffell]] | ShortSummary=Millie and Maggie have a very nervous trainee stewardess on board and they tell her the tale of when Millie was the trainee and Maggie the instructor. Stars George Tovey (as Millie's father), [[Gay Hamilton]], and [[Hilary Pritchard]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=11 | Title=Russian Roulette, Millie Style | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|11|27|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Lew Schwarz | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=A Russian shot putter gets drunk on Millie's flight and follows her home and is mistaken for a mad bomber. Maggie, Uncle Bert, and Mr Beecham all become involved in trying to prevent an international incident. Guest stars [[Yuri Borienko]], [[Richard Marner]], [[Graham Armitage]] and Sheila Bernette. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=12 | Title=All in a Day's Work | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|12|4|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Stan Cutler and Martin Donovan | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=Millie's uncle is horrified when he reads in the newspaper that his niece is linked with, Burton Phillips, a film star lothario. To prove how dull their job is Millie and Maggie invite Uncle Bert on a flight to Rome only to be invited to one of the film stars notorious parties. Stars [[Edward Judd]] and [[Robert Rietti]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=13 | Title=Hurricane Millie | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|12|11|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Sid Dorfman | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=Maggie likes a young Irish songwriter and on her flight to Nice he leaves a bill for drinks when he decided to treat the other passengers. He leaves the girls an unpublished song as collateral and tries to win the money back at the casino with no success thanks to Millie. Millie and Maggie decide to promote the song on the return flight. Stars [[Kenneth Cranham]], [[Robert Rietti]] and [[Gordon Rollings]]. Notes to episode: The song "Head in the Clouds" was written by Frank Barber and Jack Fishman. Robert Cawdron plays another character in this episode. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=14 | Title=Sicilian Affair | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1970|12|18|df=y}} | WrittenBy=John Warren and John Singer | DirectedBy=John Robbins | ShortSummary=Rudy a friend of the girls is left property in Sicilly and he is sole heir. Maggie and Millie take holiday leave to accompany him to Sicilly and walk into a family vendetta. Guest stars [[Alexandra Bastedo]], [[Aubrey Morris]], [[David Prowse]], [[Guido Adorni]] and [[Roy Evans (actor)|Roy Evans]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=15 | Title=Witness for the Persecution | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1971|1|1|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Pat Dunlop | DirectedBy=Peter Duffell | ShortSummary=Following complaints about Maggie and Millie Mr Beauchamp travels on their flight to Madrid and he ends up in jail when a suspected fraudster switches passports. The girls decide to help the fraudster by leaving Beauchamp in jail but in the end find themselves in the same cell. Guest stars [[Ferdy Mayne]], [[Bartlett Mullins]] and [[Reginald Barratt]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=16 | Title=The Matchmakers | OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1971|4|21|df=y}} | WrittenBy=Pat Dunlop, story by Reuben Ship | DirectedBy=Ralph Levy | ShortSummary=Uncle Bert has been staying with the girls for a week and is driving them crazy. Mr Beauchamp's American cousin, Beatrice Beal, has come to stay with him and causing chaos. The three decide to matchmake and after Beatrice has a makeover and a night out Uncle Bert proposes but regrets it in the morning. Stars [[Evelyn Keyes]]. | LineColor=BFF0FF }} }}
==DVD== Network released the series on [[DVD]] with an image gallery and promotional PDF file July 2008.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|id=0066654|title=From a Bird's Eye View}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060105134658/http://www.angelfire.com/retro/cta/UK/FromABirdsEyeView.htm CTA information] * [http://www.tv.com/from-a-birds-eye-view/show/25845/episode_guide.html TV.com]
{{DEFAULTSORT:From A Bird's Eye View}} [[Category:ITV sitcoms]] [[Category:Television series by ITC Entertainment]] [[Category:Television series produced at Pinewood Studios]] [[Category:1970 British television series debuts]] [[Category:1971 British television series endings]] [[Category:1970s British sitcoms]] [[Category:NBC sitcoms]] [[Category:English-language British television shows]] [[Category:British aviation television series]]