Arena Season 1, Episode 348

The Old Brass Plate Rattle Test - the Englishman and his Jukebox · BBC Four · Friday, March 17

Elton John's jukebox sold at Sotheby's for £16,000. It has come a long way since it left the Wurlitzer factory in 1942. It is the same with most jukeboxes; they once entertained bars, diners and roadstops throughout America, but are now highly collectable artifacts, fulfilling the dreams, memories and fantasies of their proud owners. The Americans are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the jukebox this year, but some say an Englishman by the name of Charles Adams-Randall pipped the Americans to the post when he patented a coin-operated phonograph in 1888. Since then the jukebox has found a special way into the Englishman's heart. Arena explores the world of the jukebox in England and finds that an Englishman's home is his castle and surely no castle could be complete without one of these fine articles. Record: the Arena' theme music is now available as a CD single (CDT41) on Editions EG, from retailers.