The Bill and Coonskin (film): Difference between pages

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Revision as of 12:02, 22 December 2006

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{{Infobox Film

:''This article is about the TV series, The Bill. For the [[Poland|Polish]] [[punk rock]] band, see [[The Bill (band)]].

| name = Coonskin

{{update}}

| image = Coonskin (film).jpg

| caption = Poster image.

| director = [[Ralph Bakshi]]

| producer = [[Albert S. Ruddy]]

| eproducer =

| aproducer =

| writer = Ralph Bakshi

| starring = [[Barry White]]<br>[[Charles Gordone]]<br>[[Philip Michael Thomas]]<br>[[Scatman Crothers]]

| music = [[Chico Hamilton]]

| cinematography = [[William A. Fraker]]

| editing = [[Donald W. Ernst]]

| distributor = [[Bryanston Distributing Company]]

| released = [[August 1]], [[1975]]

| runtime = 100 min.<br>83 min. ([[VHS]] version)

| country = [[United States of America|USA]]

| awards =

| language = [[English language|English]]

| budget =

| preceded_by =

| followed_by =

| amg_id = 1:47312

| imdb_id = 0071361

}}

'''''Coonskin''''' is a 1975 [[adult animation]] film directed by [[Ralph Bakshi]], about a [[Black (people)|black]] rabbit and his two buddies, a fox, and a bear, who try to take over the [[crime]] rackets in [[Harlem]]. It is a combination of [[live-action/animated film|live-action and animation]].

{{infobox television |

| show_name = The Bill

| image = [[Image:Thebilla.jpg|center|250px]]

| caption = The Bill

| format = Drama

| runtime = 60 [[minute|min]] per episode

| creator = [[Geoff McQueen]]

| starring = People

| country = [[United Kingdom]]

| network = [[ITV1]]

| first_aired = [[16 October]] [[1984]]

| last_aired = Present

| num_episodes = 2077 (as of [[4 May]] [[2006]])

| imdb_id = 0084987

|}}

The film is a [[satire]] combining story elements from the [[Uncle Remus]] folktales adapted and compiled by [[Joel Chandler Harris]] (famously adapted by [[Walt Disney]] in the controversial feature ''[[Song of the South]]'') and several [[blaxploitation]] films.

'''''The Bill''''' is a long-running [[United Kingdom|British]] [[television]] [[police procedural]] shown on [[ITV1]], at 8PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The film was extremely controversial before its release and recieved limited distribution as an actual entry in the blaxploitation genre rather than a satire of it, although some, including [[film critic]] [[Roger Ebert]]<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19750101/REVIEWS/501010309/1023 |title=Review of ''Coonskin'' |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=January 1, 1975 |year= |month= |format= |work= |author=[[Roger Ebert]] |publisher=Chicago ''Sun-Times'' |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> feel that ''Coonskin'' should not be classified as blaxploitation.

Catch-ups of the show can be seen on [[ITV3]]. Past episodes can also be seen on [[UKTV Gold]]

However, the film has since developed a following and has been classified as a [[cult film]]. The film has long remained unavailable on DVD legally and officially, leading to the distribution of [[copyright infringement|bootleg]]s. In 2006, it was announced by Bakshi Productions that an official DVD release is in the works.

The setting is the [[Sun Hill]] district of the fictional [[London borough]] of Canley. Other police stations in the borough, mentioned but (usually) never seen, are Barton Street, which is the ___location of Borough Headquarters, Stafford Row and Spicer Street. Canley is approximately contiguous with the real [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets]].

==Synopsis==

''The Bill'' is somewhat unique among police shows: it takes a [[serial]] format and it does not focus on one particular area of police work. Instead, the show's time is equally divided between the work of officers on one shift in the Uniform division, and the work of the [[Criminal Investigation Department|CID]].

{{spoiler}}

The film begins in live-action. In a southern church, we see a preacher ([[Charles Gordone]]) practicing a sermon in a church empty but for two children. After concluding the sermon, he walks over to the house of Sampson ([[Barry White]]). The two plan to help their friend, Randy ([[Philip Michael Thomas]]) escape from prison.

Sampson and the Preacherman are pulled over by a white police officer. When the "[[Cracker Barrel]] cracker" goes for his gun, Sampson shoots him. At the prison, Randy sits quietly outside the wall with an older inmate, Pappy ([[Scatman Crothers]]), who tells Randy that he used to know a trio just like Randy and his friends.

It started as a one-off drama for ITV entitled [[Woodentop (The Bill)|Woodentop]]: this pilot show starred [[Mark Wingett]] as PC Jim Carver and [[Trudie Goodwin]] as WPC June Ackland on Carver's first day on the beat at Sun Hill police station. It was originally devised by [[Geoff McQueen]], and it impressed ITV so much that they decided to make a series out of it. Goodwin continues to star on the now twice-weekly show, while Wingett left the cast in early 2005.

[[Image:Coonskinrabbitbearfox.jpg|thumb|left|From left to right: Preacher Fox (voice of Charles Gordone), Brother Bear (voice of Barry White), and Brother Rabbit (voice of Philip Michael Thomas).]]

Live action changes to animation. [[Br'er Rabbit|Brother Rabbit]] (voice of [[Philip Michael Thomas]]) is Randy's animation counterpart, [[Br'er Bear|Brother Bear]] (voice of [[Barry White]]) is Sampson's, and [[Br'er Fox|Preacher Fox]] (voice of [[Charles Gordone]]) is the Preacherman's counterpart. The animated trio decides to pack up and leave their southern settings after the bank mortgages their home and sells it to a "fat city slicker" who turns it into a [[Brothel|house of ill repute]].

While packing up their stuff, they find out that one of the [[prostitute]]s, Marigold, is the daughter of the [[white (people)|white]], racist sheriff, just as he and one of his deputies enter the house looking for a good time. "The only thing this [[nigger]]'s town got to offer," according to the sheriff, "is cheap booze and some women."

In October 2003, a special episode of ''The Bill'' was broadcast live from its [[London]] [[television studio|studios]] to mark the show's 20th year on air. At 8pm on Thursday, [[22 September]], [[2005]] another episode was broadcast "live" to mark the [[ITV]] Network's 50th anniversary. The episode was written by Graham Mitchell and co-produced and directed by [[Sylvie Boden]].

Marigold exits from the bedroom, asking "which one of you fine Southern gentlemen is next?" When the deputy drools over her, the sheriff shoots him, and in turn, gets a knife in the stomach from Rabbit, who quickly rushes out of the house with Fox and Bear, and heads towards [[Harlem]], "home to every black man."

<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Thebill-old.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Old ''Bill'']] -->

<!-- ==The Original Cast==

(under construction) -->

When they arrive, though, they find that it isn't all that it's made out to be. They turn the tables on a [[con man]] named Simple Savior, who had passed himself off as the distant, [[African-American|Afro-American]] cousin of [[Jesus Christ]].

==The originals==

The first episode of ''The Bill'' proper was transmitted in 1984 and, with the exception of Carver and Ackland, the cast was almost totally revamped (PC Dave Litten is still played by [[Gary Olsen]] and [[Colin Blumenau]] played the same character with a slightly different name - Taffy Edwards rather than Taffy Morgan. The character of DI Galloway was retained but recast; Reg Hollis is referred to but does not appear onscreen, although we do hear Reg's voice over the police radio. The first episode also features an appearance by [[Christopher Ellison]] playing DS Burnside - although his first name here is Tommy). The Sub Divisional Officer was [[Chief Superintendent]] Charles Brownlow.

Killing Savior puts Brother Rabbit in line to be the head of all organized crime in Harlem. But first, he has to get rid of a few other opponents. His first opponent is Maddigan, a borderline racist white cop, and bagman for the Mafia. When Maddigan finds out that Rabbit has been taking his payoffs, he is led to a nightclub called "The Cottontail."

[[Image:Brownlow.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The first SDO, Charles Brownlow]]

A black [[stripper]] distracts him while an [[LSD]] sugar cube is dropped into his drink. Maddigan then is shoved into women's clothing and [[blackface|blackfaced]] before being shoved out into the back of the club where he gets into a shoot-out with the police and is shot to death by a group of his peers.

The pilot episode, made in 1983 was called "Woodentop" (a reference to police officers) and featured the show's longest-running character, Sergeant June Ackland ([[Trudie Goodwin]]) and also [[Mark Wingett]] as PC Jim Carver.

The final obstruction to Rabbit becoming head of organized crime is the [[The Godfather|Godfather]] (voice of an uncredited [[Al Lewis]]<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref><ref name="Metro-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/dolemite-0309.html |title=Monstrosious! [[Rudy Ray Moore]] and ''Coonskin'' at Cinequest: the black hero of the 1970s on the fringe |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref>) and the Mafia, who live in the subway. It is decided that Sonny (voice of [[Richard Paul]]) will kill Rabbit.

The original format was shows of fifty minutes in length. Only 35 episodes were made in the first three series of ''The Bill'', and these are known as "the originals". The first series has it's own unique title sequence, featuring images of the feet of two uniformed officers walking towards the camera interspersed with shots of the streets of Sun Hill. Then the camera zooms in on the male officer's [[helmet]] and the title of the show appears, followed by the credit "Devised by Geoff McQueen". All this is accompanied by the first version of the iconic title music: written by [[Andy Pask]] & [[Charlie Morgan]] and entitled ''Overkill''.

Sonny stands in an alley outside the Cottontail, in blackface, strumming a banjo with a gun hidden inside it. When Rabbit and Bear step out of the Cottontail, Sonny shoots at them. Bear stands in front of Rabbit, and is shot in the gut. Sonny drops the gun and takes off in his car, heading straight towards Rabbit. Rabbit fires at him. Sonny crashes into a building. As Rabbit gets Bear to a doctor, the car explodes.

For the second series in 1985, the titles were completely changed: now, they began with a shot of the Area Car approaching the [[camera]] with blue light flashing and siren wailing, and then its tyres screeching as the music began: the camera would end up with a close-up on the blue light atop the car. Two-second action shots of various members of the cast were then shown, interspersed with images of the blue light. "''The Bill''" and "Devised by Geoff McQueen" would then appear over a hold shot of the light, and then the episode would begin. The originals are also noted for their extremely long end credits, which last over one and a half

minutes and feature the plodding feet again, this time walking away from camera.

There has been three versions of these "walking feet"; Paul Page-Hanson's size nines appeared twice. * Source: The Bill: The Inside Story (book by Rachel Silver).

The Godfather's wife tries to kill her husband as punishment for sending their sons out to get killed. And after she herself is shot, she turns into a butterfly. According to Bakshi:

==Changing to serial format==

After the conclusion of the 1987 series, the decision was taken to drastically change the format. ''The Bill'' would now run year-round, and instead of one 50-minute episode, two 25-minute episodes would air every week.

<blockquote>"She's meant to be a character of great purity. Giving birth is an act of great purity. One thing that stunned me about ''The Godfather'' movie: here's a mother who gives birth to children, and her husband essentially gets all her sons killed. In ''Coonskin'', she gets her revenge, but also gets shot. She turns into a butterfly and gets crushed. [...] These guys don't give you any room."<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref></blockquote>

The title sequence was also updated with a new Area Car, new cast shots to reflect changes, and the first remix of ''Overkill'', by Pask & Morgan: this version is better-known than the original. It also introduced another trademark to the titles: Sergeant Bob Cryer was always the last person to be shown. In this title sequence, he is talking and nodding.

Under the advisement of Fox, Bear becomes a boxer for the Mafia. During one of Bear's fights, Brother Rabbit sets up a melting imitation of himself made out of [[tar]]. As the Mafiosos take turns stabbing at the "[[tar baby|tar rabbit]]," they become stuck together. Rabbit, Bear and Fox rush out of the boxing arena as it blows up.

We turn back to the live-action story. Randy and Pappy escape in broad daylight while being shot at by various white cops, but managing to make it out of there alive.

The series continued relatively unchanged (except for cast) until 1992: This sequence is unique in that it does not actually feature the area car driving towards camera, and simply begins with the police light spinning before cutting through the cast footage. The credit "The Bill" is shown over a shot of the new area car driving past camera, and Cryer is now shouting at someone. From January 1993 three half-hour episodes were shown each week. In 1994, the title sequence changed once again to one closer resembling the one seen in 1988, with the new area car driving towards camera again and Cryer started looking up in amazement.

{{endspoiler}}

== Production ==

In 1996, an ingenious addition was made. Separate title sequences were created with specially-filled footage: one for episodes that took place during the day and one for those set at night. Again, a new Area Car in the credits, and the timing of the music was subtly changed. Instead of kicking in immediately after the screech of tyres, it now begun at the same time. In both title sequences, Cryer looks up for the camera.

[[Image:Coonskinrandypappy.JPG|thumb|right|Randy (Phillip Michael Thomas, standing) and Pappy (Scatman Crothers, sitting) outside the prison, shortly before the film's finale.]]

During the production of ''[[Heavy Traffic]]'', filmmaker Ralph Bakshi met and developed an instant friendship with producer [[Albert S. Ruddy]] during a screening of ''[[The Godfather]]''. Bakshi sold Ruddy on making a film based on the ''Uncle Remus'' storybooks.<ref name="Bakshi">{{cite web |url=http://www.ralphbakshi.com/bio.php? |title=Biography |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>

<blockquote>"I told him it was a remake of ''[[Song of the South]]'' set in Harlem. I told them I wanted to make the Uncle Remus stories, and then I started to make my film. No one's got time to hang out with an [[animator]]; you're not going to sit there seven days a week, so it can be very subversive work. I was making fun of the black exploitation movies, the ones where if you're white, you're dead. Everyone thought the picture was going to be anti-black. I intended it to be anti-[[idiot]]."<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref><ref name="Metro-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/dolemite-0309.html |title=Monstrosious! [[Rudy Ray Moore]] and ''Coonskin'' at Cinequest: the black hero of the 1970s on the fringe |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref></blockquote>

Throughout this era, the focus of the show remained broadly the same: very much focused on police work, with very few personal stories for the [[fictional character|characters]] unless they were on their way out. Episodes would often feature interesting [[crime]]s which were wrapped up by the end of the episode. A common plot feature would be an episode following two incidents in parallel, that started off seemingly unrelated would end up directly related. The twist was usually in how.

When [[Steve Krantz]], the producer of ''Heavy Traffic'', learned that Bakshi would work with Ruddy, Krantz locked Bakshi out of the studio. After two weeks, Krantz asked Bakshi back to finish the picture, quickly realizing no one could come close to the job. In 1973, production of ''Coonskin'' began, with [[Paramount Pictures]] originally attached to distribute the film.<ref name="Bakshi">{{cite web |url=http://www.ralphbakshi.com/bio.php? |title=Biography |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>

==The 1998 revamp==

{{spoiler}}

The second major revamp of the show took place in 1998, as [[Richard Handford]] took over as Executive Producer of the show from Michael Chapman. The show's focus was altered and it went from being a drama to being a soap opera: interactions between the officers became more important. Feeling is very mixed as to whether this was a good idea, with many saying that these changes were a classic example of a television show [[jumping the shark]]. The look of the show was also updated: the old titles were thrown out entirely: the opening titles were replaced by images of police things: [[dayglo]] [[jacket]]s, [[hat]]s, a suspect being interviewed, and a [[map]] in CAD ([[Computer Aided Dispatch]]) among other things. The theme tune was also completely revamped, with a change from the original irregular [[time signature]] of [[septuple meter|7/8]]. Episodes moved to being 1 hour long later in 1998, though for quite a while the times & days the episodes were shown varied, along with the number of episodes a week (for a period in Spring 2002, only one episode was shown a week), but by late 2002, it had finally settled at 8PM on Wednesdays & Thursdays, which is still the case as of May 2006.

The bracketing sequences were shot in [[Oklahoma]]. The [[El Reno]] state prison was one of the locations used during filming. A week after Bakshi and his crew left, the prison was burned during a riot.<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref>

In Late 2000, Handford made sweeping changes to the cast. Chief Superintendent Brownlow (Sun Hill's first Sub-Divisional Officer) was removed and replaced by the smooth, enthusiastic [[Superintendent Tom Chandler]].

The film's musical score was written and performed by jazz drummer and bandleader [[Chico Hamilton]]. The film's opening credits feature Scatman Crothers performing a song called "Ah'm a Nigger Man." Crothers wrote the music, and its lyrics were written by Bakshi himself. Bakshi had also wanted to use the song [[Maggie's Farm]] by [[Bob Dylan]] in the film, but was unable to get the rights.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1438 |title=Bakshi Board Exclusive Interview #6 |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=Nov 02, 2006 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi Forum |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>

DS Don Beech ([[Billy Murray]]), who always bent the rules slightly, was given an explosive exit which featured him finally crossing the line - lying in court in exchange for a £20,000 bribe paid by a gangland boss. CIB became aware of his corrupt activities and placed undercover officer DS Stanton at Sun Hill to expose him. Beech came undone when his relationship with arch villain Fallon spiralled out of control. So he fled to foreign climes (which led to a one off special, ''[[Beech on the Run]]'', which was filmed exclusively in [[Australia]], home to one of ''The Bill'''s largest audiences, and his own six part series ''Beech is Back''). His corruption led to the suspension of the whole of CID and the resignation of [[Chief Superintendent Charles Brownlow]].

== Reception ==

PC Eddie Santini also appeared in the dock, charged with murder. He was acquitted (although he had killed the victim accidentally) but was later shot dead in cold blood by another corrupt officer.

When the film was finished, a showing was planned at the [[Museum of Modern Art]]. The [[Congress of Racial Equality]] (CORE) surrounded the building before anyone had seen it yet, in a protest led by [[Al Sharpton]]. Bakshi asked Sharpton why he didn't come in and see the movie. In response, Sharpton announced, "I don't got to see shit; I can smell shit!"<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref>

According to Bakshi, "[Sharpton] brought in some bruisers, and I could hear them asking, 'Should we beat him up or cool it?' 'Ah, let's watch the film.'" After the screening, Sharpton charged up to the screen, "but there wasn't anyone behind him. He could hear voices behind him, 'It wasn't that bad!'"<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref>

More changes followed in 2001, as Sgt Bob Cryer was forced into early retirement by an accidental shooting - the perpetrator was the now Duty Sgt Dale Smith, at that time assigned to [[Specialist Firearms Command|SO19]]. He was replaced by Duty Sgt Craig Gilmore. Don Beech returned for a showdown with DS Stanton, and PC Des Taviner arrived as the new Area Car Driver: he was to form an odd-couple friendship with long-standing PC Reg Hollis that would provide some of the series' greatest moments. The titles were changed again to include static cast [[photograph]]s and the music was remixed to take it back closer to the 1988 Pask/Morgan mix of ''Overkill''.

Following this, the Paramount Building in [[New York City]] was picketed by CORE. The [[NAACP]] had written a letter describing the film as a difficult satire, but supported it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071361/trivia |title=''Coonskin'' trivia |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>

Also, a new trend emerged: no more would cases be solved in 25 or 50 minutes: now, they spanned many episodes, and quite often a minor offence dealt with by Uniform a few weeks ago would re-appear as part of the major case in CID. He also refocused the show even more on the officers' personal lives.

With Paramount's permission, Bakshi and Ruddy got contractually released, and the Bryanston Distributing Company was brought in to release the film.<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref> The film was given limited distribution, advertised as a blaxploitation film.

February 2002 saw Handford replaced by [[Paul Marquess]], who immediately sought to make the final major changes of the retooling period. Many would argue that Marquess did more bad than good whilst he was with The Bill. Six officers were killed in an explosion accidentally caused by PC Des Taviner: he would escape for two years before finally being forced to face the music. Other changes included the decision not to replace the Chief Inspector, a rank that Marquess found desk-bound and boring, following the unfortunate death of Chief Inspector (Operations) Derek Conway (although there is still a space in the station carpark marked 'CI Ops'). Later in the year, [[Sub Divisional Officer]] Tom Chandler was replaced by [[Superintendent (police)|Superintendent]] Adam Okaro, a black superintendent played by [[Cyril Nri]].

<center>{{cquote|''Coonskin'' is said by its director to be about blacks and for whites, and by its ads to be for blacks and against whites. Its title was originally intended to break through racial stereotypes by its bluntness, but now the ads say the hero and his pals are out "to get [[the Man]] to stop calling them coonskin." The movie's original distributor, Paramount, dropped it after pressure from black groups. Now it's being sold by Bryanston as an attack on the system.}}

<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Thebill-newer.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The New Bill]] -->Since 2002, the format of the show and its cast has remained reasonably steady: officers still depart and arrive on a fairly regular basis, but the retooling period begun to an extent in 1998 and accentuated by the change of executive producers is now more-or-less complete and the show's format is pretty much fixed for the foreseeable future: mainly combined Uniform-and-CID efforts to solve a big case that spans several weeks, with smaller cases and personal relationships filling the rest of the screen time, with the odd major event such as a large road traffic accident or an in-depth study of the handling of armed robbery and hostage situations. The main titles and music were changed again in 2003 to their current look: more generic police images, but the theme has been totally changed and now resembles a pumped-up version of the original 1984 version of ''Overkill''.

- Roger Ebert<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19750101/REVIEWS/501010309/1023 |title=Review of ''Coonskin'' |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |author=[[Roger Ebert]] |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=January 1, 1975 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Chicago ''Sun-Times'' |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref></center>

Because of poor distribution, the film stayed in obscurity for several years, eventually developing a cult following through [[home video]] releases and film festivals.

The ultimate change was made in 2004 when the programme announced the departure of DC Jim Carver. Carver had been in the programme since the start; in fact the show was originally about a new police officer called Jim Carver with Jim saying the first line. Many fans were irate that the show could fire someone seen as indispensable and had caused the birth of the show, but this was the way of the then executive producer Paul Marquess. Mark Wingett has been reported as saying that it was his decision to leave as he couldn't handle the pressure of the show any more.

Fans of the film include the [[Wu-Tang Clan]], who expressed interest in producing a sequel<ref name="LA Times">{{cite web |url=http://ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5725&sid=bfdea93ea0ec1e8e90d1522d69c6c99c#5725 |title=Bakshi's game of cat and mouse |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink=Susan King |coauthors= |date=April 24, 2005 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[LA Times]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> and film directors [[Spike Lee]]<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref> and [[Quentin Tarantino]], who spoke about the film at the [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name="LA Times">{{cite web |url=http://ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5725&sid=bfdea93ea0ec1e8e90d1522d69c6c99c#5725 |title=Bakshi's game of cat and mouse |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink=Susan King |coauthors= |date=April 24, 2005 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[LA Times]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>

Fortunately the show has had the sense not to kill the character, although a return is unlikely, with Carver deciding that he must leave Sun Hill for good in order to sort his life out; he had a major gambling problem, and previously had successfully overcome an alcohol problem. More recently, actor Mark Wingett has suggested that a return of the character might not be out of the question. Such a return would be perfectly in the style of the programme: The characters of Yorkie Smith, 'Taffy' Edwards, Tom Penny, Mike Dashwood, Kim Reid, Frank Burnside, Ted Roach, Bob Cryer, Don Beech and Alec Peters all made (sometimes semi-regular) return appearances after they left the series.

In 2003, the [[Online Film Critics Society]] ranked the film as the 97th greatest animated film of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com/pages/pr/top100animated |title=Top 100 Animated Features of All Time |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[Online Film Critics Society]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>

In early 2005, the station suffered another explosion, this time caused by disaffected [[Police Community Support Officer|PCSO]] Colin Fairfax, who drove a van into the front of the station, killing DC Ken Drummond, (who was in the back of the van) SRO Marilyn Chambers and PC Andrea Dunbar (a journalist under cover). Shortly after the episode aired, Paul Marquess was signed away by [[Endemol]], the makers of [[Big Brother (UK TV series)|Big Brother]], to head their new drama division. His replacement is [[Johnathan Young]].

== Home video availability ==

==Current cast==

''Coonskin'' was released on VHS by [[Academy Entertainment]] in the late 1980s, and later by [[Xenon Entertainment Group]] in the 1990s, both under the re-release title, ''Street Fight''. For a long time, the film remained unavailable on [[DVD]] officially, despite the release of most of Bakshi's other films in the format.

===Police Constables===

In order of appearence.

Recent interest in Bakshi's work has led to interest from investors to help release the film on DVD. Distributors interested in releasing the film include [[Blue Underground]] and [[Warner Home Video]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5562#5562 |title=COONSKIN DVD UPDATE |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=[[Apr 26]], [[2005]] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi Forum |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8925#8925 |title=Coonskin & Warner Bros? |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=Jan 22, 2006 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi Forum |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> It has recently been announced that a DVD of the film is "in process". It is not currently known who is planning to distribute it.

*PC [[Reginald Percival Hollis]] ([[Jeff Stewart]])

*[[PC Tony Stamp]] ([[Graham Cole]])

*[[PC Honey Harman]] ([[Kim Tiddy]])

*[[PC Yvonne Hemmingway]] ([[Michelle Austin]])

*[[PC Roger Valentine]] ([[John Bowler]])

*PC Leela Kapoor ([[Seema Bowri]])

*PC Laura Bryant ([[Melanie Kilburn]])

*PC Daniel Casper ([[Chris Jarvis]])

*PC William Fletcher ([[Gary Lucy]])

*PC (Probationary) Lewis Hardy ([[Aml Ameen]])

*PC (Probationary) Emma Keane ([[Melanie Gutteridge]])

==Cast==

===Criminal Investigation Dept - Detective Constables===

[[Image:Coonskinsampsonpreacher.JPG|thumb|right|Sampson (Barry White) and the Preacherman (Charles Gordone).]]

Credited:

:[[Barry White]] .... Sampson/Voice of Brother Bear

In order of Appearance.

:[[Charles Gordone]] .... Preacherman/Voice of Preacher Fox

*[[DC Mickey Webb]]

:[[Philip Michael Thomas]] .... Randy/Voice of Brother Rabbit

*[[DC Terrence Perkins]] ([[Bruce Michael Byron]])

:[[Scatman Crothers]] .... Pappy/Voice of Old Man Bone

*DC Suzie Sim ([[Wendy Kweh]])

:[[Danny Rees]] .... Clown

*DC Joanne Masters ([[Sally Rogers]]) (Currently on long term undercover operation.)

:[[Buddy Douglas]] .... Referee

*[[DC Zain Nadir]] ([[TJ Ramini]])

:[[Jim Moore]] .... Mime

Uncredited:

===Sergeants===

:[[Al Lewis]] .... The Godfather (voice)

In order of appearence

:[[Richard Paul]] .... Sonny (voice)

It should be noted that, in the film's end credits, only the actors' live-action roles are credited, and no voice actors are credited.

* [[Sgt.June Ackland]] ([[Trudie Goodwin]])

* [[Sgt.Dale Smith]] (known as 'Smithy') ([[Alex Walkinshaw]])

* [[DS Phil Hunter]] ([[CID]] [[Detective]]) ([[Scott Maslen]])

* [[DS Sam Nixon]] ([[CID]] [[Detective]]) ([[Lisa Maxwell]]). Formerly acting DI after Cullen left.

* [[DS Stuart Turner]] ([[CID]]) (Doug Rao)

==Notes==

===Senior Officers===

<div class="references-small">

====Uniform====

<references/>

* [[Inspector Gina Gold]] (Uniform Co-Ordinator) ([[Roberta Taylor]])

</div>

* [[Superintendent Adam Okaro]] (Station Commander) ([[Cyril Nri]])

====C.I.D.==External links==

* [http://www.ralphbakshi.com/films.php?film=coonskin ''Coonskin''] at the official [[Ralph Bakshi]] website

* [[DCI Jack Meadows]] (Detective in Command) ([[Simon Rouse]]) - Has been Acting Superintendent

* {{imdb title|id=0071361|title=Coonskin}}

* [[DI Neil Manson]] ([[Andrew Lancel]])

* {{amg movie|id=1:47312|title=Coonskin}}

* {{Movie-Tome|id=58434|title=Coonskin}}

* {{Rogerebert|id=19750101/REVIEWS/501010309|title=Coonskin}}

{{bakshi}}

===Civilian Staff===

[[Category:1975 films]]

In the past the show included such civillan staff as Front Desk Officers but the show has since axed all the civillan staff and not replaced them. The characters listed here are part-time extras:

[[Category:American films]]

[[Category:Blaxploitation films]]

[[Category:Cult films]]

[[Category:Films directed by Ralph Bakshi]]

[[Category:Independent films]]

[[Category:Live-action/animated films]]

[[Category:Race-related films]]

[[fr:Coonskin]]

* Dr Harding (FME & Previously Nurse) ([[Gillian McCutcheon]])

[[sv:Rabbit: The Killer]]

* Mrs Jones (A Cleaner)

* Miss Smith (A table wiper)

* Miss Brown (A canteen lady)

===Other recurring characters===

* DCI Frank Keane. Keane is a Detective Chief Inspector with the [[Directorate of Professional Standards]] (DPS) and takes over investigations into the conduct of both serving and retired Police Officers. He recently was involved in the investigation into Louise Larson as it was believed that Sgt. Smith was the murderer. Keane is also the father of PC Emma Keane.

* Mia Perry. Perry is the Metropolitan Police Service's Press Officer and has recently been making a recurring appearance when there are big investigations going on within Sun Hill. She was recently involved in the Louise Larson case and also the Bombastic Nightclub disaster.

Mia is also engaging in a relationship with DC Mickey Webb

==Popular characters from previous series==

===Senior Unifom Officers===

* [[Chief Superintendent Charles Brownlow]]([[Peter Ellis]])

* [[Superintendent Tom Chandler]]([[Steven Hartley]]) [Deceased]

* [[Chief Inspector Derek Conway]] ([[Ben Roberts (actor)|Ben Roberts]]) [Deceased (car was firebombed shortly prior to the Sun Hill 2002 explosion)]

* Ch. Insp. Philip Cato ([[Philip Whitchurch]]) [resigned]

===Senior CID Officers===

* DCI Frank Burnside ([http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0255177 Christopher Ellison])

* DCI Gordon Wray ([[Clive Wood]]) [transferred]

* DCI Kim Reid ([[Carolyn Pickles]]) [transferred to MS15 - Internal Investigations]

===Detective Inspectors===

* DI Chris Deakin ([[Shaun Scott]]) [forcibly transferred]

* DI Alex Cullen ([[Ged Simmons]]) [transferred]

* DI Roy Galloway ([[John Salthouse]])

===Uniform Inspectors===

* [[Inspector Monroe]] ([[Colin Tarrant]]) [deceased (killed in the explosion during the riots at the station. PC Des Taviner was later arrested for throwing the petrol bomb which caused the explosion)]

* Insp. Christine Frazer ([[Barbara Thorn]]) [transferred]

===Detective Sergeants===

* [[DS Don Beech]] ([[Billy Murray (actor)|Billy Murray]])

* DS Jo Morgan [deceased] ([[Mary Jo Randle]]) Shot by gangsters

* DS Debbie McAllister ([[Natalie Roles]]) [resigned]

* DS Ted Roach ([[Tony Scannell]]) [Resigned &#8212; since died by stepping out in front of a car)]

* DS/Acting DI Alistair Greig ([[Andrew Mackintosh]]) [transferred]

* DS/Acting DI Geoff Daly ([[Ray Ashcroft]]) [transferred]

* [[DS John Boulton]] ([[Russell Boulter]]) [murdered]

* DS Ramani DeCosta ([[Community Safety Co-Ordinator]]) - ([[Thusitha Jayasundera]]) - formerly head of the Vulnerable Person's unit, and formerly acting detective inspector. [transferred]

* DS Stuart Taylor ([Doug Rao])

===Uniform Sergeants===

* [[Sergeant Matthew Boyden]] ([[Tony O'Callaghan]]) [deceased (shot)] After twelve years in Sun Hill Boyden was shot dead by his daughter's drug-dealing boyfriend (at her request).

* [[Sergeant Bob Cryer]] ([[Eric Richard]])[retired on injuries]

* Sgt. Craig Gilmore ([[Hywel Simons]]) [transferred]

* Sgt. Alec Peters ([[Larry Dann]]) [now works in admin, Although was retired when attending Ted Roach's Funeral]

===Detective Constables===

* DC [[Ken Drummond]] ([[Russell Floyd]]) [deceased]

* DC [[Danny Glaze]] ([[Karl Collins]]) [Emigrated - wanted for conspiracy/theft]

* DC Duncan Lennox ([[George Rossi]]) [transferred to M.I.T.]

* DC Alfred 'Tosh' Lines ([[Kevin Lloyd]]) [transferred to Coroner's Office] (The actor playing PC Steve Hunter is actually Kevin Lloyd's son, but the characters themselves are not related.

* DC Jim Carver ([[Mark Wingett]]) As mentioned above, Carver was the subject of '[[Woodentop]]'. He left Sun Hill in early 2005 in order to sort out his life. He has transferred, and has contacted Sgt Ackland since. Wingett (actor) has hinted a possible return.

* DC Gary Best ([[Ciaran Griffiths]]) [transferred to Greater Manchester Police after being shot in a drug raid]

* DC Kate Spears ([[Tania Emery]]) [deceased (killed in the 2001 explosion)]

* DC Suzi Croft ([[Kerry Peers]]) [transferred]

* DC Alan Woods ([[Tom Cotcher]]) [transferred]

* DC Viv Martella ([[Nula Conwell]]) [deceased (the first Sun Hill officer to be killed in the line of duty, 26/03/93)]

* DC Rod Skase ([[Iain Fletcher]]) [resigned]

* DC/Acting DI Liz Rawton ([[Libby Davison]]) [transferred]

* DC Rob Thatcher ([[Brian Bovell]]) [deceased (shot by S019 after killing Irene Radford)]

* DC Tom Proctor ([[Gregory Donaldson]]) [transferred]

* DC Eva Sharpe ([[Diane Parish]]) [transferred to MIT]

===Police Constables===

*PC Steve Hunter(James Lloyd)

* PC [[Eddie Santini]] ([[Michael Higgs]]) [Murdered]

* PC Ken Melvin ([[Mark Powley]]) (gentle Christian, killed in an explosion)

* PC Luke Ashton ([[Scott Neal]]) [transferred]

* PC Cathy Bradford ([[Connie Hyde]]) [http://www.thebill.com/episodes/episode_206.html sectioned / resigned]

* PC Dave Quinnan ([[Andrew Paul]]) [transferred]

* PC Sheelagh Murphy ([[Bernadette Nolan]]). She was demoted from Sergeant after a case went wrong on her. [transferred]

* PC Roz Clarke ([[Holly Davidson]]) [resigned]

* PC Steve Loxton ([[Tom Butcher]]) [resigned - became a private security contractor in Manchester]

* PC Timothy Able ([[Mark Haddigan]]) [resigned]

* PC Cathy Marshall ([[Lynne Miller]]) [drowned]

* PC Nick Shaw ([[Chris Walker (actor)|Chris Walker]]) [transferred]

* PC [[Gabriel Kent]] ([[Todd Carty]]) [Real name David Kent [http://www.thebill.com/episodes/episode_353.html deceased]

* PC Andrea Dunbar ([[Natalie J. Robb]]) Also working as a journalist [deceased]

* PC Nick Klein ([[Rene Zagger]]) [in Witness Protection]

* PC Polly Page ([[Lisa Geoghan]]) [http://www.thebill.com/episodes/episode_206.html resigned]

* PC Cameron Tait ([[Daniel MacPherson]]) [http://www.thebill.com/episodes/episode_230.html resigned]

* PC Gemma Osbourne ([[Jane Danson]]) [resigned]

* PC Nick Slater ([[Alan Westaway]]) [transferred]

* PC Des Taviner ([[Paul Usher]]) [http://www.thebill.com/episodes/episode_199.html deceased]

* PC Kerry Young ([[Beth Cordingly]]) [http://www.thebill.com/episodes/episode_254.html deceased (murdered by a sniper shot from PC Gabriel Kent)]

* PC Phil Young ([[Colin Alldridge]]) (killed himself)

* PC [[Lance Powell]] ([[Ofo Uhiara]]) [http://www.thebill.com/episodes/episode_367.html deceased {murdered by a serial killer)]

* PC Amber Johannsen ([[Myfanwy Waring]]){Resigned}

* PC Tony 'Yorkie' Smith ([[Robert Hudson]]){Resigned, but later became a DC with South Yorkshire Police}

* PC George Garfield ([[Huw Higginson]]) {Resigned, left to go travelling}

* PC Sam Harker ([[Matthew Crompton]]) {Died, cardiac arrest after [[Sun Hill Fire]]}

* PC Cass Rickman ([[Suzanne Maddock]]) {Murdered by Pat Kitson}

===Civilian Staff===

* [[SRO Marilyn Chambers]] ([[Vickie Gates (actress)|Vickie Gates]]) [She died in the 2005 explosion]

* PCSO Colin Fairfax ([[Tim Steed]]) [arrested and awaiting trial after causing the 2005 explosion]

* SRO Robbie Cryer [Sacked]

* SRO Jullian 'JT' Tavell (a SRO) ([[Nick Patrick (actor)|Nick Patrick]]) - {resigned - moved to live in Spain}.

* Mr Dean McVerry (a Computer Aided Dispatch Officer) ([[Luke Hamill]])

* Mrs Rochelle Barratt (a drug worker for social services) ([[Anna Acton]])

==See also==

*[[List of episodes of The Bill]]

*''[[Beech on the Run]]''

*[[The Sun Hill Fire]]

*The [[Don Beech Scandal]]

==External links==

* [http://www.itv.com/thebill ITV ''The Bill'' website]

* [http://www.billfans.com/ Billfans.com - Extensive website and the largest The Bill discussion forum on the net.]

* [http://www.thebillbios.co.uk/ The Bill Bios]

* {{imdb title|id=0084987|title=The Bill}}

*[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/473234/index.html British Film Institute Screen Online]

*[http://thebill.wikicities.com/wiki/Main_Page The Bill Wiki]

*[http://www.jasonomara.net/bill.html ''The Bill'' and Jason O'Mara]

[[Category:Crime television series|Bill, The]]

[[Category:ITV television programmes|Bill, The]]

[[Category:The Bill| ]]