Coronation Street: Episode 1

"Episode 1"
Coronation Street episode
Ken Barlow in the first episode of Coronation Street
Episode no.	Series 1 Episode 1
Directed by	Derek Bennett
Written by	Tony Warren
Produced by	Stuart Latham
Original air date	9 December 1960 (1960-12-09)
Episode chronology
← Previous — Next → "Episode 2"

The first episode of the British soap opera Coronation Street was broadcast live on the 9 December 1960. Episode 2 was video taped shortly after the airing.

Plot

The series first introduces Florrie Lindley who has bought up the corner shop from Elsie Lappin who has now retired after working there for many years. Elsie warns Florrie about the residents and stays around to show her the tricks of the trade.

At Number 11, Elsie Tanner is shouting at her son Dennis Tanner who has just got out of prison. She tells him to find himself work, but he cannot as he has just got out of prison. But she accuses him of not trying hard enough. She also believes Dennis stole money from her purse. Elsie tells him she wishes her family were more like the Barlows, because they are not rowing all the time.

At Number 3, a young 21 year old student called Ken Barlow is eating dinner with his parents, Frank and Ida. Frank starts accusing Ken of being too snobbish and being embarrassed of them, but Ken defends himself, and Ida tries to keep the peace. Ken states that he is taking his girlfriend, Susan Cunningham to the Imperial Hotel, which Frank angrily declines, as Ken's mother works there and he does not like it that she slaves away in the kitchens only for Ken to go throwing money back there. He tells Ken he will not be going there at all. Ken's brother, David arrives home from his work and tells his father he has got a puncture, which Frank is more than happy to help. David sits at the table and asks Ken what's wrong and Ken tells him about the recent incident, which David is not surprised about. The two brothers seem to get on fine despite their differences.

Ken heads to the Rovers Return Inn, run by Annie Walker and her husband Jack. Ken orders cigarettes, while Dennis Tanner enters and orders a half of mild. Annie seems to approve of Ken more than Dennis Tanner. Dennis begins to wind Ken up about him being smart and being at university. When Dennis cannot afford cigarettes because of his drink, Ken gives him a pack, which Annie does not like and she tells Ken not to waste his sympathy on Dennis, as it is Elsie who they should feel sorry for.

Cast

• Pat Phoenix as Elsie Tanner
• Philip Lowrie as Dennis Tanner
• Anne Cunningham as Linda Cheveski
• Frank Pemberton as Frank Barlow
• Noel Dyson as Ida Barlow
• William Roache as Kenneth Barlow
• Alan Rothwell as David Barlow
• Maudie Edwards as Elsie Lappin
• Betty Alberge as Florrie Lindley
• Violet Carson as Ena Sharples
• Doris Speed as Annie Walker
• Jack Howarth as Albert Tatlock
• Patricia Shakesby as Susan Cunningham

Subsequent showings

The episode is often aired when the soap reaches an important milestone in its history. In this regard it was broadcast in December 1990 when the soap reached its 30th anniversary. The first episode was shown again at 7:00pm on 9 December 2000 on the evening of the show's 40th anniversary, then once again in the week of the programme's 50th anniversary celebrations on 6 December 2010.^[1] The episode has also been made available to download from iTunes with other episodes and specials. These include Corrie Controversies, The Stars Of Coronation Street; 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters; The First Colour Episode and the 40th anniversary live episode from 2000.

References

1. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (16 November 2010). "Confirmed: Corrie's 50th week schedule". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/scoop/a288177/confirmed-corries-50th-week-schedule.html. Retrieved 23 December 2010. 

External links

• "The First Episode" at TV.com
• "The First Episode" at the Internet Movie Database