N.B. 'Terror at the Ferntree T-Junction' was previously referred to by its writer as "Terror at the Crossroads" but the name had to be changed for copyright reasons. Since this article was originally published, the film has been finished and available to buy. A clip is available at the bottom of this page.

Here's a reproduction of an article published in the tabloid version of thisisnottingham.co.uk around Jan 20th 2004. With thanks to Anthony Owen for sending them to us. He sent two articles, they are mostly the same thing so where appropriate we've mixed them together rather than publish them both.

Crossroads' Biggest Fan Goes For Film Fame

Anthony Owen, who wrote the script for Terror, with clapperboard

His passion for the ill-fated TV soap Crossroads has prompted the programme's "biggest fan", Anthony Owen, to produce his own television movie as a personal tribute to the woman he adored, Noele Gordon, and other cast members. Backed by his devoted mother Kath Garton, Anthony, 37, of Town Street, Bramcote, has sunk part of his life savings into a project that he knows could fall flat on its face. "Dallas meets Crossroads" is how Anthony, a sales advisor for Marks & Spencer, and a carer for his mother, describes his TV move which he has entitled "Terror at the Ferntree T-Junction".

Anthony began writing the script in March last year and has assembled a cast of friends who are all giving their time free. Among them are "legends" Jane Rossington and Tony Adams who played Jill Harvey and Adam Chance in the original series of Crossroads and Howard Jacks who made his mark as Nobby from the garage in more recent episodes.

Anthony said: "I admit I am a fanatic when it comes to Crossroads and could say that I have let it take over my life. My biggest disappointment is that I have not been given an opportunity to appear in an episode of the programme, in a walk on part, or as an extra but despite years of trying, fate has been against me.."

He was no more than a toddler when he began watching Crossroads and has been obsessed with it ever since. As a teenager, Anthony, educated at Henry Mellish Grammar School, often visited the studios in Birmingham, where the programme was originally made, and made friends with many of the stars. Between 1982 and 1985, he spent most of his spare time travelling to watch rehearsals.

Anthony Owen shows off some of his Crossroads memorabilia

"My happy memories of those days was a filming session with Paul Henry who played Benny, and being photographed with Sue Lloyd and Ronald Allen who played Barbara Brady and David Hunter," said Anthony. Over the years I have accumulated a treasure trove of memorabilia and the autographs, annuals, scrapbooks and scores of video tapes, recording every single episode of Crossroads, are extra special to me."

It was while attending an Acting to Camera Course at the Nottingham Arts Theatre last year that Anthony first met three fellow thespians, Maggie Burrows, Mike Savage and Loraine Higgins, who he hopes will star in Terror at the Ferntree T-Junction.

"When I approached Maggie, Mike and Loraine about taking part in my film, I was delighted when they agreed to be involved in the project. Maggie, 43, a schoolteacher who lives in Woodthorpe is a member of the Royal Company and I am banking on her to become my new Noele Gordon," said Anthony.

"I'm hoping that Mike, 51, who lives in Stapleford and is the proprietor of PRess Gang Ironing Services, will use his acting talents to the full. He has recently appeared in the new series of Fat Friends and in my TV movie he will be playing the part of twins, one Barney Lectur, a farm hand and the other, scheming US Senator Barnaby Lectus.

"Loraine, 34, a qualified nurse, who lives in Stapleford and is a member of the Beeston Players Drama Group, has been cast as Louise Hewitt in the movie which involves around 20 local performers as well as the three former Crossroads stars."

Originally Anthony gave his movie the title "Terror at the Crossroads" but as Carlton officials in London objected to him using the name Crossroads, as they felt it breached copyright laws, he changed the wording.

Set in Ferntree, a village in the West Midlands, Terror at the Ferntree T-Junction brings together a host of colourful characters whose interests are centred on property development, oil, double dealing and stormy relationships.

Filming has begun on Anthony's TV movie which is costing him "a few thousand" to make, and among the locations which will figure pominently are a farm shop in Bramcote, a private house in Beeston Fields Drive, Beeston and the Woodthorpe home of work colleague Antoinette Bailey.

"Antoinette and her husband Peter have been brilliant allowing full use of their home, Southlands, which will be transformed into a stately home as well as the Ferntree Hotel."

Anthony has cast himself as hotel assistant Simon Thornley and he will appear as Harry, an Australian barman and surfer. [But he's] not been put off by the lack of interest from a commercial broadcaster for his efforts.

"Many people will say that this is a fool-hardy project that I have taken on. But to me it is an opportunity to show that through life's trials and tribulations there comes a time when fortune smiles on the brave."

Anthony, second right, discusses the script with his colleagues

Photos extracted from the scanned copy of the Nottingham Evening Post that Anthony sent Planet.

Download Clip
(2.47Mb)