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 television series.

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.

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. 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. Hence, the show ended with the couple appearing at Lord's Cricket Ground. Aside from being deemed the first ever television series, Ann and Harold also received its own theme tune, one of the first of its kind.

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

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  The other surviving photo of Ann and Harold

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  Radio Times listing of the final episode

See Also

• 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)
• Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)
• Cook's Night Out (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)
• England 0-1 Scotland (partially found international football match; 1938)
• England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of rugby match; 1938)
• 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)
• 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)
• The Boat Race 1938 (partially found footage of rowing race; 1938)
• The Care of Your Car (lost early BBC motoring show; 1947)
• The Wasp's Nest (lost early BBC television adaptation of Agatha Christie short story; 1937)

External link

• IMDB page for Ann and Harold. Retrieved 29 May '21