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'''Open All Hours''' was a BBC sitcom written by Roy Clarke which ran for four series (26 episodes in all) between 1976 and 1985, with a pilot episode from the ''Seven of One'' series in 1973. In 2004, the series was voted eighth in Britain's Best Sitcom.[1]
| Contents |
| Plot |
| Trivia |
| Locations |
| Cast List |
| Episode list |
| Pilot |
| Series 1 |
| Series 2 |
| Series 3 |
| Series 4 |
| References |
| External links |
Plot
The series centres around a small grocer's shop in Balby, a suburb of Doncaster in South Yorkshire. The store's owner, Albert Arkwright (played by Ronnie Barker) is a middle-aged miser with a stammer and a knack of being able to sell anything and everything to any passing visitor to his shop. His nephew, Granville (played by David Jason based on Matt Wilson) is the shop's put-upon errand boy, whose attempts at a burgeoning love-life (or, some might say, obsessions with local girls) somehow seem to fall flat. He blames his uncle, in particular for the fact that he has to be up at an extremely early hour of the morning in order to open the shop. Almost every mistake Arkwright makes is followed by a cry of "Ger-Granville! Fer-fetch yer cloth!". A recurring joke throughout the series revolves around Arkwright's claim that Granville's estranged father was Hungarian – an issue which is never resolved.
The shop is crowded and most goods can only be reached from behind the counter - allowing the smooth-talking Arkwright a chance to hawk more of his goods. The till is very old, and has a vicious spring on its drawer which terrifies both Granville and Arkwright.
Across the road from the shop lives Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Baron), Arkwright's long-standing (and still mostly chaste) fiancée; much of the old skinflint's time is dedicated to trying to convince her to make good on her promise to marry him, or at least sleep with him. Unfortunately Nurse Gladys has both her rounds and taking care of her elderly mother to occupy her. She is protective of Granville and tries to use her influence with Arkwright to get him a better lot in life. In the pilot episode, Nurse Gladys was played by Sheila Brennan with a decidedly Irish accent, and the character was considerably slimmer than the buxom creature she later became.
Episodes generally involve some plan by Arkwright to wed Nurse Gladys, save money or flog more stuff to the locals (who are mostly wise to his schemes), and end with Arkwright shutting up shop and praying as he walks round - mostly a matter-of-fact reflection on the day, addressed to God.
A few complaints were registered over the humorous use of a speech impediment but Arkwright was so amiable and the humour so good-natured that it was deemed by most people to be a portrayal without malice. The part was originally written without the stammer - Barker suggested using it in rehearsals and it became part of Arkwright's character. Similarly, the 'business' with the dangerous cash-register was created mostly by Barker.
Trivia
Two of Ronnie Barker's fake moustaches (donated by the BBC) used in the show were auctioned at the British Stammering Association conference in London, September 2005.
Locations
The exterior shots were filmed in Lister Avenue[2] in Balby, a suburb of Doncaster; the shop itself is actually a hairdresser's salon.
Gladys Emmanuel's house was 34 Lister Avenue, Balby, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, UK in the first series, but moved next door to number 32 in the second series and onwards.
The local council is considering demolishing the shop which was used in filming ''Open All Hours'' [3] and a web site has been set up for fans of the show to post messages in support of saving the shop.
All four series of all 26 episodes have now been released on DVD.
Cast List
The following have appeared in more than one episode.
| 'Actor name' | 'Character name' | 'Episodes' | 'Years' |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ronnie Barker | Albert Arkwright | 25 episodes (#1,2,3,4) | 1976-1985 |
| David Jason | Granville | 25 episodes (#1,2,3,4) | 1976-1985 |
| Lynda Baron | Nurse Gladys Emmanuel | 25 episodes (#1,2,3,4) | 1976-1985 |
| Barbara Flynn | The Milk Woman | 10 episodes (#2,3,4) | 1981-1985 |
| Stephanie Cole | Mrs. Featherstone | 10 episodes (#3,4) | 1982-1985 |
| Kathy Staff | Mrs. Blewett | 7 episodes (#1,2) | 1976-1981 |
| Maggie Ollerenshaw | Mavis | 7 episodes (#2,3) | 1981-1982 |
| Frances Cox | Mrs. Parslow | 5 episodes (#2,3,4) | 1981-1985 |
| Tom Mennard | Cyril | 3 episodes (#3,4) | 1982-1985 |
| Madge Hindle | Mrs. Jardine / Posh Customer | 2 episodes (#1,3) | 1976-1982 |
| Barbara Keogh | Mrs. Ellis | 2 episodes (#1) | 1976 |
| Howard Crossley | Man in Car / Milk Round Supervisor | 2 episodes (#2,3) | 1981-1982 |
| Nick Stringer | Neville / Man | 2 episodes (#2,3) | 1981-1982 |
| Teddy Turner | Gordon | 2 episodes (#2,3) | 1981-1982 |
| Alan Starkey | Thorndyke | 2 episodes (#3,4) | 1982-1985 |
| Helen Cotterill | Julie | 2 episodes (#3) | 1982 |
| Sandra Voe | Mrs. Bickerdyke | 2 episodes (#4) | 1985 |
Episode list
Pilot
'Air Date:' 25th March 1973
'Main Cast:' Ronnie Barker (Albert Arkwright), David Jason (Granville)
'Synopsis:' Part of the ''Seven of One'' series
| Episode | Title | Broadcast details |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Open All Hours (Pilot) | 25th Mar 1973 - BBC2 Sun 8.15pm |
| Cast | Sheila Brennan (Nurse Gladys Emmanuel), Keith Chegwin (Boy Buying Lolly), Elissa Derwent (Girl from Petrol Station), Yootha Joyce (Mrs. Scully), David Valla (Bread Man) | |
| Synopsis | This was our first sight of Arkwright, the miserly Northern shopkeeper who victimises his delivery boy and nephew. | |
Series 1
'Air Date:' 20th February 1976 - 26th March 1976
'Main Cast:'
:Ronnie Barker (Albert Arkwright)
:David Jason (Granville)
:Lynda Baron (Nurse Gladys Emmanuel)
'Synopsis:' Ronnie Barker stars as Arkwright, the stuttering grocer, in the first series of this cornershop comedy. Arkwright's urge to take money from his customers by fair means or foul is second only to his need to prevent his nephew, Granville, from discovering a world beyond the clang of the shop bell... And, of course, his consuming passion for nurse Gladys Emmanuel.
| Episode | Title | Broadcast details |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Full Of Mysterious Promise | 20th Feb 1976 - BBC2 Fri 9pm |
| Cast | John Lawrence (Mr. Bristow), Gillian McClements (Gloria), Kathy Staff (Mrs. Blewett), Peter Wallis (Winston), Poppy Lane (Extra -uncredited) | |
| Synopsis | “Why don’t we get engaged before we both grow a moustache?” What’s more fruitless – Arkwright’s pursuit of Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, or his attempt to sell tins of food without labels? | |
| #2 | A Mattress On Wheels | 27th Feb 1976 - BBC2 Fri 9pm |
| Cast | Juliet Cooke (Eva), Jean Heywood (Vera), George Innes (Used Car Salesman), Barbara Keogh (Mrs. Ellis), Harry Markham (Freddie) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright’s always been dead against getting a van, until Granville points out the advantages of taking a lady friend for a drive... | |
| #3 | A Nice Cosy Little Disease | 5th Mar 1976 - BBC2 Fri 9pm |
| Cast | Juliet Ackroyd (Linda Mulgrave), Tony Aitken (Norman), Graham Armitage (Man from Matlock Mutual Protection Society), Clare Kelly (Mrs. Braddock), Barbara Keogh (Mrs. Ellis) | |
| Synopsis | Perhaps a nice cosy little disease on Arkwright’s part would be the thing to attract the ministrations of a certain district nurse? | |
| #4 | Beware of the Dog | 12th Mar 1976 - BBC2 Fri 9pm |
| Cast | Kevin Moreton (Boy), Shirley Steedman (Maureen) | |
| Synopsis | A local crime wave scares the wits out of an already security-obsessed Arkwright – there’s nothing for it, the shop has to be fortified! | |
| #5 | Well Catered Funeral | 19th Mar 1976 - BBC2 Fri 9pm |
| Cast | Reginald Barratt (Mr. Wilkinson), John Challis (Bread Man), Kathy Staff (Mrs. Blewett), Elizabeth Dawn (Woman Outside Shop - uncredited) | |
| Synopsis | His best friend’s funeral tests Arkwright’s generosity to a painful degree. | |
| #6 | Apples And Self Service | 26th Mar 1976 - BBC2 Fri 9pm |
| Cast | Edna Doré (Woman Wanting Firelighters), Madge Hindle (Mrs. Jardine), John McKelvey (Hard of Hearing Man), Michael Redfern (Southerner) | |
| Synopsis | Slow apple sales lead to a self-service experiment for the cornershop. | |
Series 2
'Air Date:' 1st March 1981 - 19th April 1981
'Main Cast:'
:Ronnie Barker (Albert Arkwright)
:David Jason (Granville)
:Lynda Baron (Nurse Gladys Emmanuel)
'Synopsis:' Ronnie Barker's tight-fisted shopkeeper Arkwright continues to risk amputation rather than replace his death trap of a till. As Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, the owner of an awesome bosom and an old Morris Minor, deflates his amorous advances, Arkwright seeks solace in bullying his over-worked, sexually and socially-frustrated nephew and errand boy, G-G-G-Granville.
| Episode | Title | Broadcast details |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Laundry Blues | 1st Mar 1981 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Maggie Ollerenshaw (Mavis), Matthew Scurfield (Man from Bus Stop), Renu Setna (VAT Man), Nick Stringer (Neville) | |
| Synopsis | “When Nurse Gladys Emmanuel tells Arkwright that he must buy a new washing machine, he is forced to come up with an ingenious plan to keep her happy and his savings undisturbed. | |
| #2 | The Reluctant Traveller | 8th Mar 1981 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), Maggie Ollerenshaw (Mavis), Kathy Staff (Mrs. Blewett) | |
| Synopsis | Nurse Gladys Emmanuel and Arkwright are finally going to spend the night together at a hotel... with an over-tight money belt. | |
| #3 | Fig Biscuits And Inspirational Toilet Rolls | 15th Mar 1981 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Howard Crossley (Man in Car), Mike Kelly (Delivery Man), Maggie Ollerenshaw (Mavis), Kathy Staff (Mrs. Blewett) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright's marketing genius comes to the fore as he tries to shift some over-stocked items. | |
| #4 | The New Suit | 22nd Mar 1981 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Michael Bilton (Hypnotist), Frances Cox (Mrs. Parslow), Frances Goodall (Woman on Bench), Emrys James (Eli Bickerdyke), Kathy Staff (Mrs. Blewett) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright has to buy a new suit – on Nurse Gladys Emmanuel's say so. | |
| #5 | Arkwright's Mobile Store | 29th Mar 1981 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Maggie Ollerenshaw (Mavis), Brian Peck (Customer), Kathy Staff (Mrs. Blewett), Paula Tilbrook (Mrs. Tattersall) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright proves his ambition by expanding the business... he buys an old ice-cream van. | |
| #6 | Shedding At The Wedding | 5th Apr 1981 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Roger Elliott (Mr. Bristow), Stuart Fell (Motorcyclist), Patsy Smart (Customer), Kathy Staff (Mrs. Blewett) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright's wedding suit smells of mothballs. Hanging his trousers out of Gladys' car was never going to be a good idea... | |
| #7 | St Albert's Day | 19th Apr 1981 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Frances Cox (Mrs. Parslow), Oscar Quitak (Hungarian), Teddy Turner (Gordon) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright invents a Saint's day so that Granville can check the pockets of a foreign visitor who he suspects of shoplifting. | |
Series 3
'Air Date:' 21st March 1982 - 25th April 1982
'Main Cast:'
:Ronnie Barker (Albert Arkwright)
:David Jason (Granville)
:Lynda Baron (Nurse Gladys Emmanuel)
'Synopsis:' Ronnie Barker's stuttering shopkeeper Arkwright lives for just three things - a regularly ringing till, a glimpse of Nurse Gladys Emmanuel's more than ample bosom and making the life of his nephew and errand boy, G-G-G-Granville ever more miserable...
| Episode | Title | Broadcast details |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | An Errand Boy By The Ear | 21st Mar 1982 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Bridget Ashburn (Mrs. Turner), Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Madge Hindle (Posh Customer), Maggie Ollerenshaw (Mavis), Sue Race (Mrs. Ellis), Nick Stringer (Man) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright's baffled when his customers get upset with his treatment of Granville. Surely, "it's what errand boys are for." | |
| #2 | The Ginger Men | 28th Mar 1982 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Helen Cotterill (Julie), Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), Bert Gaunt (Bert - Bread Man), Tom Mennard (Cyril), Alan Starkey (Thorndyke) | |
| Synopsis | Why is Arkwright forcing his ginger cake upon Nurse Gladys? Could it be he has overstocked? And if it really is an old Jamaican aphrodisiac, Granville's acting like he's overdosed. | |
| #3 | Duet For Solo Bicycle | 4th Apr 1982 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), Sally Miles (Mrs. Whittington), Donald Morley (Man Looking for Directions), Maggie Ollerenshaw (Mavis), Liz Whiting (Wendy) | |
| Synopsis | A squeak in the shop's bicycle is driving Granville round the bend, but can it really be affecting his love-life? | |
| #4 | How To Ignite Your Errand Boy | 11th Apr 1982 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Frances Cox (Mrs. Parslow), Howard Crossley (Milk Round Supervisor), Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), Frank Marlborough (Delivery man), Tom Mennard (Cyril), David Thackwray (Boy) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright's plan to make his own fire lighters has a snag, they may be somewhat dangerous to make...Oh well, Granville is not busy... | |
| #5 | "The Man From Down Under" | 18th Apr 1982 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Janet Davies (Mrs. Blake), Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), Johnny Leeze (Man Whose Tyres Were Let Down), Maggie Ollerenshaw (Mavis), Teddy Turner (Gordon) | |
| Synopsis | When one of Nurse Gladys Emmanuel's admirers returns from Australia, Arkwright proffers a real Yorkshire welcome... | |
| #6 | The Cool Cocoa Tin Lid | 25th Apr 1982 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | John Bleasdale (Dennis), Helen Cotterill (Julie), Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), Tony London (Youth), Mollie Maureen (Old Woman) | |
| Synopsis | Granville decides to get cool. He's got the open necked shirt and the shades, but where's a poor errand boy going to find a medallion? | |
| Special | The Funny Side Of Christmas | 27th Dec 1982 - BBC1 Mon 8.05pm |
| Cast | ||
| Synopsis | Short special part of The Funny Side Of Christmas | |
Series 4
'Air Date:' 1st September 1985 - 6th October 1985
'Main Cast:'
:Ronnie Barker (Albert Arkwright)
:David Jason (Granville)
:Lynda Baron (Nurse Gladys Emmanuel)
'Synopsis:' Ronnie Barker's great creation Arkwright continues to mind the store where the only thing going cheap is talk. The elusive Nurse Gladys Emmanuel is still there to drive him to distraction, while delivery boy Granville just yearns for a trendy girlfriend, a high-powered executive job, a sports car or even a new bell on his bicycle.
| Episode | Title | Broadcast details |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Soulmate Wanted | 1st Sep 1985 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Gilly Coman (Girl Who Answers Advert), Christine Ozanne (Customer), Norman Robbins (Mr. Halliwell), Jean Warren (Michelle) | |
| Synopsis | Granville is desperate for female company, so he decides to resort to advertising. He ends up getting more than he bargained for. | |
| #2 | Horse-Trading | 8th Sep 1985 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Charlotte Barker (Customer), Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), John Rutland (Black Lead Customer), Nadim Sawalha (Albert Gupta), Alan Starkey (Thorndyke) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright thinks he's done great business when he offloads some genuine Yorkshire clothes horses on a local Asian shopkeeper... | |
| #3 | The Housekeeper Caper | 15th Sep 1985 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Joe Belcher (Shopfitter), Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Frances Cox (Mrs. Parslow), Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), Patricia Kane (Little Old Lady), Sandra Voe (Mrs. Bickerdyke) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright advertises for a live-in housekeeper. It doesn't succeed in getting Nurse Gladys Emmanuel jealous but does tempt the "Black Widow", the formidable Mrs Featherstone... | |
| #4 | The Errand Boy Executive | 22th Sep 1985 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Howell Evans (Victor - Vac Salesman), Julie Shipley (Stephanie), Sandra Voe (Mrs. Bickerdyke) | |
| Synopsis | To impress Stephanie, a young lady from the boutique, Granville claims he is an "executive" and that Arkwright is his "faithful old assistant". | |
| #5 | Happy Birthday Arkwright | 29th Sep 1985 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), Howard Lew Lewis (Byron), Tom Mennard (Cyril), John Owens (Windscreen Smear Customer) | |
| Synopsis | What does Arkwright want for his birthday? Certainly not a visit from the man from the Good Shop Guide. | |
| #6 | The Mystical Boudoir Of Nurse Gladys Emmanuel | 6th Oct 1985 - BBC1 Sun 7.15pm |
| Cast | Barbara Ashcroft (Mrs. Turnbull), Bobby Bragg (Customer), Stephanie Cole (Mrs. Featherstone), Frances Cox (Mrs. Parslow), Barbara Flynn (The Milk Woman), Eric Richard (Cash Register Salesman) | |
| Synopsis | Arkwright will do anything to get himself into Nurse Gladys Emmanuel's bedroom, including the use of a ladder and a box of chocolates. Meanwhile Granville takes to wearing tights on his head. | |
References
1. Britain's Best Sitcom:Top Ten, URL accessed December 2nd, 2006
2. Google Map of Lister Avenue and surrounding area
3. Famous TV shop faces demolition BBC News Online (retrieved 4 April 2007)
External links
★ ''Open All Hours'' at the bbc.co.uk Guide to Comedy
★
★ ''Open All Hours'' at the British Film Institute
★
★
★ Image of Arkwright's shop in April 2007
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