This was the first spin-off of Ronnie Barker's seven part anthology series 'Seven Of One' ( the other being 'Porridge', which started life as 'Prisoner & Escort' ). The creation of the miserly shopkeeper Arkwright ( who suffered with a stammer ) was all down to the ever-reliable Roy Clarke. If ever there was a way to avoid having to spend money, Arkwright was sure to find it. He had a helper in the shape of his nephew Granville, whom he paid barely even a pittance. Arkwright was also besotted with the well-endowed Nurse Gladys Emmanuel who lives over the street from the shop. At times it seems she will succumb to his ample charms, though his tight-fistedness often over-shadows his chances.
The series took place nearly three years after the pilot, with Barker reprising his role. David Jason came in again as Granville though Lynda Baron was brought in to portray Nurse Gladys Emmanuel ( who was played in the pilot by Sheila Brennan ), however its 9PM slot on a Friday meant that it went unnoticed. It was not until repeat broadcasts a few years later that it eventually caught on. Three more series were made, the final one ending in 1985.
'Open All Hours' was a safe, pleasant, good natured show with plenty of laughs to be had. It does not quite reach the standard of 'Porridge' but is miles funnier than 'The Magnificent Evans' ( which was made a year before this ended ). Barker was faultless as the stingey, grumpy, stuttering yet somehow likable shopkeeper as was David Jason as his lackey Granville. The gorgeous Lynda Baron was indeed the stand-out of the cast ( and her heaving bosom stood out even more ). Among the funniest episodes were 'A Well Catered Funeral' ( Arkwright arranges the catering for a friend's funeral ), 'Beware Of The Dog' ( Arkwright tries to protect his shop against burglars ), 'Arkwright's Mobile Store' ( Arkwright tries to branch out his business ) however the best episode of all was 'Shedding At The Wedding' in which a journey to a wedding ends in disaster.
The support cast were as much an integral part of the mix as Barker, Jason and Baron were. Stephanie Cole's Mrs. Featherstone ( known to all and sundry as The Black Widow ) was hilarious, as were Helen Cotterill as Jelly Tot Julie, Kathy Staff as the glum Mrs. Blewitt and Maggie Ollrenshaw as the indecisive Mavis. Sexy Barbara Flynn provided a romantic interest for Granville in those episodes she did as the milk woman.
Though quite a lot of the show has dated now ( in fact, it could almost be a history lesson in regards to what corner shops used to be like ), its warm hearted humour can't help but bring a smile to the face. Roy Clarke revived the show in 2013 as 'Still Open All Hours' with Granville inheriting his uncle's shop following his death.
The series took place nearly three years after the pilot, with Barker reprising his role. David Jason came in again as Granville though Lynda Baron was brought in to portray Nurse Gladys Emmanuel ( who was played in the pilot by Sheila Brennan ), however its 9PM slot on a Friday meant that it went unnoticed. It was not until repeat broadcasts a few years later that it eventually caught on. Three more series were made, the final one ending in 1985.
'Open All Hours' was a safe, pleasant, good natured show with plenty of laughs to be had. It does not quite reach the standard of 'Porridge' but is miles funnier than 'The Magnificent Evans' ( which was made a year before this ended ). Barker was faultless as the stingey, grumpy, stuttering yet somehow likable shopkeeper as was David Jason as his lackey Granville. The gorgeous Lynda Baron was indeed the stand-out of the cast ( and her heaving bosom stood out even more ). Among the funniest episodes were 'A Well Catered Funeral' ( Arkwright arranges the catering for a friend's funeral ), 'Beware Of The Dog' ( Arkwright tries to protect his shop against burglars ), 'Arkwright's Mobile Store' ( Arkwright tries to branch out his business ) however the best episode of all was 'Shedding At The Wedding' in which a journey to a wedding ends in disaster.
The support cast were as much an integral part of the mix as Barker, Jason and Baron were. Stephanie Cole's Mrs. Featherstone ( known to all and sundry as The Black Widow ) was hilarious, as were Helen Cotterill as Jelly Tot Julie, Kathy Staff as the glum Mrs. Blewitt and Maggie Ollrenshaw as the indecisive Mavis. Sexy Barbara Flynn provided a romantic interest for Granville in those episodes she did as the milk woman.
Though quite a lot of the show has dated now ( in fact, it could almost be a history lesson in regards to what corner shops used to be like ), its warm hearted humour can't help but bring a smile to the face. Roy Clarke revived the show in 2013 as 'Still Open All Hours' with Granville inheriting his uncle's shop following his death.