When Was “Open All Hours” First Screened?

This comedy first appeared as part of the BBC's Comedy Playhouse in 1974. It then appeared in 1976 on BBC2, gradually gaining in popularity until it became a cult. The series takes its title from a corner shop run by the insanely stingy Arkwright, (Ronnie Barker) who so hates parting with money that he has even managed to infect the till with his own stinginess; it seems to "bite" anyone attempting to take money out of it. Arkwright is grudgingly assisted by ageing errand-boy Granville (David Jason) son of Arkwright's late, fun-loving sister and "a Hungarian." Granville's attempts to start a life of his own are constantly thwarted by his uncle's malevolence. Arkwright even puts his own love life at risk with his meanness, alienating his off-and-on fiancée, the statuesque District Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Baron.) Other characters include the grim Widow Featherstone (Stephanie Cole) who at one point begins to lust after Arkwright because his attitude to money is similar to her own.
Open All Hours was written by Roy Clarke.

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