Ann and Harold (lost early BBC drama television series; 1938)
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.[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 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
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