"Open All Hours" (1976) TV series 1976-1985

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

20 February 1976 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Arkwright is a tight-fisted shop owner in Doncaster, who will stop at nothing to keep his profits high and his overheads low...

Plot Keywords:

Nurse | Shopkeeper | Title Spoken By Character

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Ronnie Barker	...	Albert Arkwright (25 episodes, 1976-1985)
David Jason	...	Granville (25 episodes, 1976-1985)
Lynda Baron	...	Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (25 episodes, 1976-1985)

Runtime:

30 min (26 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

New Zealand:PG (seasons 1-4) | Australia:PG (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

32 Lister Avenue, Balby, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The original pilot was broadcast in 1973 as part of BBC1's "Seven of One" (1973), a series of potential pilots showcasing Ronnie Barker. (Seven Of One featured one other pilot which was eventually made into a series; Porridge). When the series was properly made and shown (in 1976), there were a few small changes, including a different actress playing Nurse Gladys Emanuel and a different location for the shop.

Quotes:

Mr Wilkinson: Next time you feel desperate for an egg, lad, pause, and remember where it's come from. The world's full of nasty places, Granville.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Comedy Connections: Porridge (#1.1)" (2003)

This is Ronnie Barker at his best.

"Open all hours" is as close to real life in the north of England as it can get. Tight fisted penny pinching corner shop keepers.The acting was based on a simple formula and perhaps a low budget at the start, which may have been expanded as the series went on. The series was carried by the main actor but eventually the others became as important as Barker and Jason. Every story proved totally enjoyable.