Pinwright's Progress (lost first half-hour television sitcom; 1946-1967)

James Hayter as Mr. Pinwright

Status: Lost

Pinwright's Progress was the world's first half-hour television sitcom. It was a British series which aired on BBC Television Service from 1946-47. Episodes of Pinwright's Progress are lost, believed to have been wiped off their tape recordings. 10 episodes were produced, airing fortnightly (every 2 weeks) next to Keleidoscope, another half-hour sitcom which aired until 1953.

The series was written by Rodney Hobson, edited by Ted Kavanagh, and is about a man, Mr. J. Pinwright, who is competitive about his small shop "MacGilligally's Stores" which he owns. His staff add to his problems by trying to help, and one of the messenger boys is a deaf octegenarian, Ralph. Mr. Pinwright has a daughter.

Episodes

• Episode 1 -- Pilot episode; 29 November 1946
• Episode 2 -- Mr. Pinwright setsu p a Christmas bazaar, which is troubled by the occasional appearance of three robed Father Christmases- one of them a fugitive. Mrs. Sigsbee is the Fairy Queen, so does all end well?; 13 December 1946
• Episode 3 -- Mr. Pinwright tries to lure shoppers by awarding the 50th customer. Cigars or nylons, only paying cash. He pans to open a snack bar, but a salesman gives him some pills which makes it confusing; 27 December 1946
• Episode 4 -- Cash Crisis; 10 Jan. 1947
• Episode 5 -- Fashions and Pashuns; 27 Jan. 1947
• Episode 6 -- Strained Relations; 7 Feb. 1947
• Episode 7 -- The Gypsy's Warning; 21 Feb. 1947
• Episode 8 -- Gone to Seed; 21 March 1947
• Episode 9 -- Radio Activity; 2 May 1947
• Episode 10 -- Staggered Holidays; 16 May 1947

Cast

• James Hayter - Mr. J. Pinwright
• Clarence Wright - Aubrey
• Sara Gregory - Sally Doolittle
• Daphne Maddox - Miss Peabody
• Doris Palmer - Miss Sigsbee
• Leonard Sharp - Ralph
• Charles Irwin - Salesman
• Sam Hinton - Various