Ann and Harold (lost early BBC drama television series; 1938)
Surviving photo of Ann and Harold.
Status: Lost
Ann and Harold is an early BBC light drama television series. Broadcast from July to August 1938, it starred Ann Todd as Ann Teviot and William Hutchison as Harold Warden, this five-part show detailed the romance between a London couple, from their initial meeting to the wedding. The program is considered the first ever episodic television series.[1]
Background
Written by Louis Goodrich, Ann and Harold was originally a radio play consisting of six scenes broadcast on 5th March 1932. It detailed the couple meeting each other for the first, before developing their romance and ultimately having a grand society wedding. The play was a success, and a sequel, More About Ann and Harold was established in 1933 in episodic serial form.[2]
Considering the popularity of Ann and Harold, BBC Television Service decided that the play would be ideal as an episodic television series. Again written by Goodrich, this version saw Ann Todd portray Ann Teviot, with William Hutchison playing Harold Warden. Goodrich, an actor himself, also appeared in the show. Five episodes ranging from 15 to 20 minutes in length, would be broadcast from 12th July to 9th August 1938.[3] Plans for a sixth episode were ultimately scrapped upon Todd receiving a part in a West End play, and being granted permission to leave the show early.[4] Hence, the show ended with the couple appearing at Lord's Cricket Ground. Aside from being deemed the first ever episodic television series, Ann and Harold also received its own theme tune, one of the first of its kind.[5]
Availability
Ultimately, all episodes of Ann and Harold were broadcast live and were not recorded. Therefore, all five episodes are now permanently missing. Two photos of the show, and a Radio Times issue summarising the final episode, are all that remains of the series.
Gallery
The other surviving photo of Ann and Harold
Radio Times listing of the final episode
See Also
Early BBC Television
- Alexandra Palace's wartime television demonstrations (lost footage of private television transmissions; 1943, 1945)
- An Inspector Calls (lost television adaptation of play; 1948)
- BBC Election Night (lost coverage of British general elections; 1950-1951)
- The Care of Your Car (lost early BBC motoring show; 1947)
- Cook's Night Out (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)
- Craftsmen at Work (lost early BBC documentary show; 1938, 1946)
- Dish of the Month (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)
- First Aid (lost early BBC medical show; 1937)
- Foundations of Cookery (lost early BBC cooking show; 1939)
- Marcel Boulestin television shorts (lost early BBC programs; 1937-1939)
- Masks through the Ages (lost early BBC history talk show; 1937)
- Opening of the BBC Television Service (partially found coverage of inaugural day of high-definition television service; 1936)
- The Orchestra and its Instruments (lost early BBC music talk show; 1937)
- RCA recording of BBC Television Service (found footage of pre-Second World War BBC television broadcast; 1938)
- Sea Stories (lost early BBC talk show; 1936-1937)
- Spelling Bee (lost early BBC game show; 1938)
- Telecrime (lost early BBC crime drama; 1938-1939; 1946)
- The Wasp's Nest (lost early BBC television adaptation of Agatha Christie short story; 1937)
- Weaponless Self-Defence (lost early ju-jitsu television program; 1936-1937)
- The World of Women (lost early BBC talk show; 1937)
Early BBC Sports Television
- 1931 Epsom Derby (lost televised footage of horse racing event; 1931)
- 1937 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1937)
- 1937 International Imperial Trophy Race (lost footage of motor race; 1937)
- 1937 Wimbledon Championships (partially found footage of tennis tournament; 1937)
- 1938 Ashes Series (partially found footage of international test cricket match; 1938)
- 1938 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1938)
- 1939 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1939)
- 1947 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1947)
- 1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One race; 1953)
- 1955 Scottish Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1955)
- Archery (lost early televised toxophily; 1937-1938)
- Arsenal 7-1 Hibernian (lost footage of charity football match; 1952)
- Arsenal vs Arsenal Reserves (lost footage of early BBC televised football match; 1937)
- Barnet 3-2 Wealdstone (lost footage of Athenian League football match; 1946)
- The Boat Race 1938 (partially found footage of rowing race; 1938)
- Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)
- Charlton Athletic 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (lost footage of FA Cup match; 1947)
- Darts and Shove Ha'penny (lost early BBC televised darts matches; 1936-1939)
- England 0-1 Scotland (partially found international football match; 1938)
- England 1-1 Scotland (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)
- England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of rugby match; 1938)
- England 3-0 France (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)
- England 3-0 Rest of Europe (partially found footage of international football match; 1938)
- Falkirk 3-2 Newcastle United (lost footage of football match; 1953)
- Horace Lindrum vs Willie Smith (lost footage of televised snooker; 1937)
- Scottish Universities 1-1 English Universities (lost footage of international football match; 1952)
- Woods and Jack (lost early televised lawn bowls; 1937; 1946)
External link
- IMDB page for Ann and Harold. Retrieved 29 May '21
References
- ↑ Biography of Ann Todd from Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, where Ann and Harold was credited as the first ever television series. Retrieved 29 May '21
- ↑ Television Heaven article providing extensive detail of the show, including its radio versions. Retrieved 29 May '21
- ↑ Issue 775 of Radio Times listing the final episode. Retrieved 29 May '21
- ↑ BBC Genome blog entry discussing Ann Todd prematurely leaving the show. Retrieved 29 May '21
- ↑ BBC Genome blog entry discussing how Ann and Harold was one of the first to receive a theme tune. Retrieved 29 May '21