| Coronation Street (1964) | |
|---|---|
| No. of episodes | 103 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Granada Television |
| Original release | 1 January – 30 December 1964 |
| Season chronology | |
Coronation Street is a British soap opera, set in the fictitious Northern town of Weatherfield, Coronation Street takes the viewer into the lives of a colourful variety of characters. The compulsive nature of Coronation Street and the way it evolves and adapts to the taste of its audience, have made it an institution. Coronation Street is the story of working people and the city street in which they live. It is a story of local life and the detail of local life and has been seen around the world in countries as far apart as Finland and Sierra Leone. In the history of television no programme has been as consistently successful as Coronation Street. Coronation Street has remained in the top viewing ratings throughout its long life. The show airs on Granada Television and entered its sixth broadcasted year on 1 January 1964 with its 319th episode, with Margaret Morris continuing her role as producer, sharing a credit with former producer Stuart Latham for a short stint, before returning to the role solo and being taken over from Tim Aspinall in May, whom he was later taken over by H.V. Kershaw. Coronation Street aired 103 episodes in 1964, with the the typical week comprising two half-hour episodes on Granada Television, in a time slot of 7.30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.
This year sees a well-loved character die in the Rovers snug and the first appearance of a soon-to-be favourite couple. Ken Barlow is disappointed by a TV appearance and wife Valerie has doubts about their marriage. Elsie Tanner's new job as a croupier is short lived but she does have some good fortune thanks to Walter Potts's chart hit. She also takes on an interesting new job and receives a marriage proposal. Rita Littlewood makes a brief appearance. A Street favourite takes advantage of the leap year to propose, but then has second thoughts. Number 13 becomes home to The Ogdens - Stan, Hilda and children Irma and Trevor. Hilda and Irma quickly fall foul of their new employer's temper and Trevor proves a bad lot. Stan unearths something in Uncle Albert's yard, which causes the whole street to be evacuated. A misunderstanding causes the temporary separation of the Walkers.
Characters that were introduced in 1964 included Irma Ogden (Sandra Gough), Charlie Moffitt (Gordon Rollings), Stan Ogden (Bernard Youens), Hilda Ogden (Jean Alexander) and Sandra Petty (Heather Moore). Jerold Wells, Alister Williamson, Stephanie Bidmead, Patrick McAlinney, James Beck, George A. Cooper, Jackie Lane, Shirley Stelfox, David Glover, Henry Livings, Douglas Austin, Clare Owen, Vernon Joyner, Elaine Stevens, Jonathan Collins, Roger Adamson, Eddie King, Sarah Aimson, Heather Spratt, Valerie Duffey, Yvonne Walsh and Frances Brozel guest starred throughout as Ted Ashley, Gus Lowman, Lily Haddon, Tickler Murphy, Sgt. Bowden, William Piggott, Cheryl, Norma, Tony Leonard, Wilf Haddon, Eddie Thomas, Rosemary Fraser, Stuart Hodges, Pip Mistral, Trevor Ogden, David Graham, Alf Chadwick, Jennifer Knott, First fan, Second fan, Joyce Lennox and Mavis. Alan Rothwell reprised his role as David Barlow as a regular cast member, while Kenneth Farrington made a guest return to his role as Billy Walker. The character of Rita Littlewood also made a brief guest appearance in December, with Barbara Mullaney in the role.
Characters that left the series in 1964 included Concepta Hewitt (Doreen Keogh), Harry Hewitt (Ivan Beavis), Frank Barlow (Frank Pemberton), Martha Longhurst (Lynne Carol), Jerry Booth (Graham Haberfield) and Myra Booth (Susan Jameson).
Cast and characters
editWhen Tim Aspinall was appointed as the series producer there was almost immediatley turmoil both on and off-screen. He decided to kill the much-loved character Martha Longhurst (Lynne Carol) out of the serial, which caused tension between Violet Carson (who played Ena Sharples) as she vowed to quit. It has since been described as one of the biggest mistakes the shows ever made. Axeing came in force once again, when Frank Pemberton, Doreen Keogh and Ivan Beavis (Frank Barlow, Concepta Hewitt and Harry Hewitt) were written out of the serial. Susan Jameson decided she wanted to leave the role of Myra Booth; therefore she was written out of the serial, and her on-screen husband Jerry Booth (Graham Haberfield) was also written out when the actor decided to take a break. There was also talks that Ken Barlow (William Roache) and Valerie Barlow (Anne Reid) were to be written out of the serial but when H.V. Kershaw was appointed the series producer and their exit scenes were soon to be filmed, the decision was made to keep them. He was also responsible for rexpanding the Barlow family with the reintroduction of David Barlow (Alan Rothwell). The final actor to be fired by Aspinall was Betty Alberge who played Florrie Lindley.
Aspinall was responsible for introducing the Ogden family who resided at No.13 and consisted of Stan Ogden (Bernard Youens), his wife Hilda Ogden (Jean Alexander and their two children Irma Ogden (Sandra Gough) and Trevor Ogden (Jonathan Collins). Stan and Hilda were also to be given two extra children named Tony and Sylvia but due to recorings being cancelled due to a strike, the plans were dropped and therefore the idea of Tony and Sylvia was subsequently dropped. The year also saw the introduction of sporting club comic Charlie Moffitt (Gordon Rollings), and Barbara Mullaney made a brief appearance as Rita Littlewood in December.
The following is a full list of the Coronation Street 1964 cast: