Open All Hours
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Open All Hours was a BBC sitcom which ran for four series (26 episodes in all) between 1976 and 1985, with a pilot episode from the Seven of One series. It centres around a small grocer's shop in a town in Yorkshire. The store's owner, Arkwright, played by Ronnie Barker is a middle-aged miser with a stutter 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 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 the fact that he has to be up at an extremely early hour of the morn in order to open the shop (despite the title, it is not open all night). Almost every mistake Arkwright makes is followed by a cry of "Ger-Granville! Fer-fetch a cloth!"
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 Granville.
Across the road from the shop lives Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Baron), Arkwright's long-standing fiancée and 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.
Episodes generally involve some plan by Arkwright to try 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.
Cast List
- Ronnie Barker - Arkwright
- David Jason - Granville
- Lynda Baron - Nurse Gladys Emmanuel
- Kathy Staff - Mrs Blewitt
- Stephanie Cole - Mrs Featherstone
- Barbara Flynn - The Milk Woman
- Maggie Ollerenshaw - 'Wavy' Mavis
Episode List
- Pilot (Part of the Seven of One series)
- Open All Hours (25 Mar 73)
- Series 1 (20 Feb 76 - 26 Mar 76)
- Full Of Mysterious Promise (20 Feb 76)
- A Mattress On Wheels (27 Feb 76)
- A Nice Cosy Little Disease (5 Mar 76)
- Beware Of The Dog (12 Mar 76)
- The Well Catered Funeral (19 Mar 76)
- Apples And Self Service (26 Mar 76)
- Series 2 (1 Mar 81 - 19 Apr 81)
- Laundry Blues (1 Mar 81)
- The Reluctant Traveller (8 Mar 81)
- Fig Biscuits And Inspirational Toilet Rolls (15 Mar 81)
- The New Suit (22 Mar 81)
- Arkwright's Mobile Store (29 Mar 81)
- Shedding At The Wedding (5 Apr 81)
- St Albert's Day (19 Apr 81)
- Series 3 (21 Mar 82 - 25 Apr 82)
- An Errand Boy By The Ear (21 Mar 82)
- The Ginger Men (28 Mar 82)
- Duet For Solo Bicycle (4 Apr 82)
- How To Ignite Your Errand Boy (11 Apr 82)
- The Man From Down Under (18 Apr 82)
- The Cool Cocoa Tin Lid (25 Apr 82)
- Series 4 (1 Sep 85 - 6 Oct 85)
- Soulmate Wanted (1 Sep 85)
- Horse-Trading (8 Sep 85)
- The Housekeeper Caper (15 Sep 85)
- The Errand Boy Executive (22 Sep 85)
- Happy Birthday Arkwright (29 Sep 85)
- The Mystical Boudoir Of Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (6 Oct 85)