''Pinwright's Progress'' is a British television

sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ...

that aired on the

BBC Television Service BBC Television is a service of the BBC. The corporation has operated a public broadcast television service in the United Kingdom, under the terms of a royal charter, since 1927. It produced television programmes from its own studios from 193 ...

from 1946 to 1947 and was the world's first regular half-hour televised sitcom. The ten episodes, which aired fortnightly in alternation with '' Kaleidoscope'', were broadcast live from the BBC studios at

Alexandra Palace Alexandra Palace is a Grade II listed entertainment and sports venue in London, situated between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in the London Borough of Haringey. It is built on the site of Tottenham Wood and the later Tottenham Wood Farm. Origi ...

. Still photographs are all that remain of the show's transmitted form. ''Pinwright's Progress'' was written by Rodney Hobson, produced and directed by John Glyn-Jones and the script editor was Ted Kavanagh, who also wrote the BBC radio comedy series ''

It's That Man Again ''It's That Man Again'' (commonly contracted to ''ITMA'') was a BBC radio comedy programme which ran for twelve series from 1939 to 1949. The shows featured Tommy Handley in the central role, a fast-talking figure, around whom the other c ...

''.

Cast

* James Hayter as Mr J. Pinwright * Clarence Wright as Aubrey *Sara Gregory as Sally Doolittle *

Daphne Maddox Daphne (; ; el, Δάφνη, , ), a minor figure in Greek mythology, is a naiad, a variety of female nymph associated with fountains, wells, springs, streams, brooks and other bodies of freshwater. There are several versions of the myth in whi ...

as Miss Peasbody *

Doris Palmer Doris Adelaide Palmer (née Canham; 21 August 1898 – 17 April 1993) was a New Zealand clerical worker, political activist and welfare worker. Palmer was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1898. She was active in the Labour Party and both s ...

as Mrs Sigsbee * Leonard Sharp as Ralph *

Benita Lydal Benita may refer to: * Benita (novel), a 1906 novel by H. Rider Haggard Given name * Benita Haastrup (born 1964), Danish jazz drummer * Benita Sanders (born 1935), Canadian printmaker {{dab ...

as Mrs Rackstraw *Charles Irwin as Salesman * Jill Christie as Pinwright's daughterIMDB
: Jill Christie. Retrieved 9 January 2022

Outline

J. Pinwright is the proprietor of a small shop. He has a hated rival, and his staff only add to his problems by attempting to be helpful. Ralph, the messenger boy, is a deaf octogenarian.

Episodes

Episode 1 (29 November 1946) J. Pinwright is the proprietor of the smallest multiple store in the world. He has a pretty daughter and a hated rival, and his difficulties are increased by his staff's efforts to be helpful. Episode 2 (13 December 1946) Christmas is coming and so, not to be beaten by his hated rival, the owner of Macgillygally's Stores, Mr. Pinwright prepares his Christmas Bazaar. There is trouble though, partly occasioned by the sudden appearance of three robed and bearded Father Christmases – one of whom is a fugitive from the law. Mrs. Sigsbee, however, lends tone to the proceedings by appearing in costume as the Fairy Queen and all ends well – or does it? Episode 3 (27 December 1946) Mr. Pinwright intends to lure post-Christmas shoppers by a handsome gift to the store's fiftieth customer – cigars or nylons, cash customers only considered. In addition he opens a brand new snack bar but some pills palmed off on him by that cunning salesman throw all his plans into confusion. Episode 4: "Cash Crisis". (10 January 1947) Episode 5: "Fashions and Pashuns". (24 January 1947) Episode 6: "Strained Relations". (7 February 1947) Episode 7: "The Gypsy’s Warning". (21 February 1947) Episode 8: "Gone to Seed". (21 March 1947) Episode 9: "Radio Activity". (2 May 1947) Episode 10: "Staggered Holidays". (16 May 1947)

References

;General *Vahimagi, Tise. ''British Television: An Illustrated Guide''.

Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the university press of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world, and its printing history dates back to the 1480s. Having been officially granted the legal right to print book ...

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

, 1994. . * Mark Lewisohn, "Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy", BBC Worldwide Ltd, 2003 ;Specific

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Pinwrights Progress 1946 British television series debuts 1947 British television series endings 1940s British sitcoms BBC television sitcoms Lost BBC episodes