Pinwright's Progress
Encyclopedia
Pinwright's Progress was a British
sitcom
that aired on the BBC Television Service
from 1946 to 1947 and was the world's first regular half-hour sitcom. The ten episodes, which aired fortnightly in alternation with Kaleidoscope
, were broadcast live
from the BBC
studios at Alexandra Palace
. 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
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
that aired on the BBC Television Service
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
from 1946 to 1947 and was the world's first regular half-hour sitcom. The ten episodes, which aired fortnightly in alternation with Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope (TV series)
Kaleidoscope was a British television programme, transmitted on the BBC Television Service from 1946 until 1953. A light entertainment show, it was one of the most popular programmes of the immediate post-war era....
, were broadcast live
Live television
Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...
from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
studios at Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace is a building in North London, England. It stands in Alexandra Park, in an area between Hornsey, Muswell Hill and Wood Green...
. 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
John Glyn-Jones
John Glyn-Jones was a British television and film actor.His father was a Member of Parliament and he was educated at Bishop's Stortford College and Oxford University. He began his acting career in repertory theatre in Oxford and with the BBC Drama Repertory Company...
and the script editor
Script editor
A script editor is a member of the production team of scripted television programmes, usually dramas and comedies. The script editor has many responsibilities including finding new script writers, developing storyline and series ideas with writers, ensuring that scripts are suitable for production...
was Ted Kavanagh
Ted Kavanagh
Ted Kavanagh was a British radio scriptwriter and producer.Initially a medical student in Edinburgh, Kavanagh switched to a career as a writer...
, who also wrote the BBC radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
comedy series It's That Man Again
It's That Man Again
It's That Man Again was a BBC radio comedy programme which ran from 1939 to 1949. The title was a contemporary phrase referring to ever more frequent news-stories about Hitler in the lead-up to World War II, and specifically a headline in the Daily Express written by Bert Gunn...
.
Cast
- James Hayter - Mr J. Pinwright
- Clarence Wright - Aubrey
- Sara Gregory - Miss Doolittle
- Daphne Maddox - Miss Peasbody
- Doris Palmer - Mrs Sigsbee
- Leonard Sharp - Ralph
- Charles Irwin - Salesman
Outline
J. Pinwright is the proprietor of Macgillygally's Stores. 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 One (29 November 1946)
- Episode Two
- Episode Three
- Episode Four
- Episode Five
- Episode Six
- Episode Seven
- Episode Eight
- Episode Nine
- Episode Ten (16 May 1947)