Second City Firsts

British TV anthology series (1973–1978) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Second City Firsts is a British drama anthology series of single plays, broadcast by the BBC, all lasting thirty minutes. Recorded at BBC Pebble Mill in Birmingham, or sometimes filmed on location, the series was broadcast between 15 October 1973 and 13 May 1978.[1]

GenreDrama anthology
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons9
Quick facts Genre, Country of origin ...
Second City Firsts
Opening title, 1973
GenreDrama anthology
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons9
No. of episodes53 (22 missing)
Production
Producers
  • Barry Hanson
  • Tara Prem
Running time30 minutes
Production companyBBC
Original release
NetworkBBC 2
Release15 October 1973 (1973-10-15) –
13 May 1978 (1978-05-13)
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The series title referred both to Pebble Mill's location in England's Second City, and the fact that the series commissioned an unprecedented amount of first-time writers.[2]

Summary

The 1974 episode "Girl", about a homosexual relationship between two members in the Women's Royal Army Corps, featured the first lesbian (and same-sex) kiss on British television, between Alison Steadman (as Jackie) and Myra Frances (as Harvey).[3][4] The recording of the episode was discovered in the Thames Television archives decades later, and digitised by the BBC. In 2016, it was added to the BBC Store's "Prejudice and Pride Collection" and made available for streaming.[5][6]

The 1975 episode "Club Havana" featured actress Julie Walters in her first television role.[7][8] The transmission tape for the episode is missing, however unedited studio footage survives containing the entire play, but without the opening titles.[9]

The 1976 episode "Jack Flea's Birthday Celebration" was written by Ian McEwan, his screen debut.[10][11]

Series overview

More information Series, Episodes ...
SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1615 October 1973 (1973-10-15)19 November 1973 (1973-11-19)
2618 February 1974 (1974-02-18)25 March 1974 (1974-03-25)
3728 October 1974 (1974-10-28)16 December 1974 (1974-12-16)
4620 March 1975 (1975-03-20)24 April 1975 (1975-04-24)
5625 October 1975 (1975-10-25)29 November 1975 (1975-11-29)
6613 March 1976 (1976-03-13)24 April 1976 (1976-04-24)
7514 November 1976 (1976-11-14)12 December 1976 (1976-12-12)
863 May 1977 (1977-05-03)6 June 1977 (1977-06-06)
958 April 1978 (1978-04-08)13 May 1978 (1978-05-13)
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List of episodes

Legend: No.overall = Episode overall; No. in Series = Episode in series; AS/A = Archive status/Availability
Abbreviations: DV = domestic videotape recording; CF = colour film; SEQ = sequence(s); VT = 2" videotape

Series 1 (1973)

More information No. overall, No. in series ...
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byAS/AOriginal release date
11"The Medium"Michael SimpsonDenise RobertsonVT15 October 1973 (1973-10-15)
Norah Fulton (Beattie), Valerie Georgeson (Jean), Winefride Shelley (The Medium), Jean Heywood (Alice), Adrienne Frank (Rita), Lyn Douglas (Dolly), Barbara Miller (Kath).
22"Mrs Pool's Preserves"Philip SavilleMichael SadlerMissing22 October 1973 (1973-10-22)
Elizabeth Spriggs (Zena Pool), Dinsdale Landen (Adie Pool), Angela Scoular (Astral Philips).
33"If a Man Answers"Barry HansonBrian GloverDV29 October 1973 (1973-10-29)
Edward Peel (Royston), Deirdre Costello (Janet), David Daker (Peter), Malcolm Rogers (Ken), Harry Markham (George).
44"The Movers"Brian ParkerIan TaylorMissing5 November 1973 (1973-11-05)
John Woodnutt (Cecil), Graham Ashley (John), Ken Kitson (Martin), Zara Jaber (Mrs Shakespeare).
55"King of the Castle"Matthew RobinsonWillie RussellMissing12 November 1973 (1973-11-12)
Robert Putt (Abby), David Williams (Jimmy), Bill Maxwell (Brocky), Mary Healey (Josie), Liz McKenzie (Pat), Stanley Dawson (Ronnie), Blake Butler (Jackson), John Owens (Fitz).
66"Patrons"Michael Lindsay-HoggEric BergerMissing19 November 1973 (1973-11-19)
Max Wall (Harry), Jack Shepherd (Gordon), Steve Plytas (Hersh), Leonard Fenton (Hymie), Bernard Stone (Meyer), Pamela Manson (Kitty).
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Series 2 (1974)

More information No. overall, No. in series ...
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byAS/AOriginal release date
71"Humbug, Finger or Thumb?"Robert KnightsArthur HopcraftMissing18 February 1974 (1974-02-18)
Alun Armstrong (Ken), Oliver Cotton (Cyril).
82"Girl"Peter GillJames RobsonDV25 February 1974 (1974-02-25)
Myra Frances (Harvey), Alison Steadman (Jackie), Eileen McCallum (Bailey), Stella Moray (Maggie).
93"Bold Face – Condensed"John BrucePeter RansleyVT4 March 1974 (1974-03-04)
Michael Gambon (John), Terence Budd (Steve), Geoffrey Reed (Stan).
104"The Actual Woman"Philip SavilleJack ShepherdDV11 March 1974 (1974-03-11)
Tom Bell (Sidney), Annabel Leventon (Caro), Malcolm Terris (Alec), Richard Gurgal (Toby), Deborah Lee (Kate).
115"Match of the Day"Stephen FrearsNeville SmithCF18 March 1974 (1974-03-18)
Neville Smith (Chance), Anne Zelda (Jean-Ann), Bill Dean (Father), Gladys Ambrose (Mother), Alison Chantler (Veronica), Malcolm Terris (Eric), Deborah Black (The Mate), Mike Hayden (Priest).
126"Lunch Duty"Barry HansonRonny RobinsonMissing25 March 1974 (1974-03-25)
Anne Raitt (Janet), Donald Douglas (Keith Peters), Paul Rosebury (Richard), Richard Butler (Janet's Father).
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Series 3 (1974)

More information No. overall, No. in series ...
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byAS/AOriginal release date
131"Pig Bin"Tara PremBrian GloverDV28 October 1974 (1974-10-28)
Philip Jackson (Ken), Gary Hopkins (Dave), Michael Elphick (Policeman).
142"Sunday Tea"Les BliarEdwin PearceMissing4 November 1974 (1974-11-04)
Mike Grady (Derry), Sheila Kelley (Maple), Kenneth Hadley (Adam).
153"Silence"Ian WyattJohn FletcherMissing11 November 1974 (1974-11-11)
William Moore (Frank), Tony Caunter (Peter), David Delve (Mitch), Percy Herbert (Williams), Anna Wing (Annie).
164"Fight for Shelton Bar"Peter Cheesemann/aDV18 November 1974 (1974-11-18)
Bob Eaton, John Darrell, Dyfed Thomas, Graham Watkins, Bill Thomas, David Miller, Nick Darke, Jim Wiggins, Alan Gill, Zoë Gonord, Romy Saunders, Polly Warren, Sandy Walsh.
175"Squire"Barry HansonTom PickardCF25 November 1974 (1974-11-25)
Alan Hull (Alfy), Madelaine Newton (Mary), Matthew Pickard (Matthew), Catherine Pickard (Catherine), Richard Steele (Auctioneer), Bob Ritchie (Bailiff), Brian Lewis (Clerk), Hugh Turner (Barman), Max Ford (Porter), Lee Melvin (Man in Crowd).
186"Too Hot to Handle"Pam BrightonJim HawkinsMissing2 December 1974 (1974-12-02)
Jane Wood (Suzanne Mitchell), William Hoyland (Peter Mitchell), Diana Rayworth (Val).
197"The Festive Poacher"Tara PremIan TaylorMissing16 December 1974 (1974-12-16)
Liz Smith (Mrs Murphy), Bernard Wrigley (Tommy), Susan Tracy (Christine).
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Series 4 (1975)

More information No. overall, No. in series ...
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byAS/AOriginal release date
201"Early to Bed"Les BlairAlan BleasdaleCF20 March 1975 (1975-03-20)
David Warwick (Vinny), Alison Steadman (Helen), Patricia Leach (Mother), Johnny Meadows (Frankie), Clifford Kershaw (Mr Hughes), Ashley Thompson (Postman), Charles Hatton (Frankie's Mate), Cliff Duncan (Frankie's Mate), Barbara Ru-An (Diana Marina), Sylvia McDonald (Musician), Jack McDonald (Musician).
212"Swallows"Robert KiddJohn McGahernMissing27 March 1975 (1975-03-27)
Michael Brennan (Sergeant), Frank Kelly (Surveyor), Julie Hamilton (Biddy), Richard Oliver (Michael), Harry Webster (Priest).
233"Waiting at the Field Gate"Jane HowellJames RobsonDV3 April 1975 (1975-04-03)
Jim Norton (Rainmarsh), Brian Glover (Gallat), Bill Dean (Ted), Ted Carroll (Mixer), Peter Benson (Mack), Bob Peck (Reg), Paul Jesson (Ron), Margot Leicester (Lucy Rainmarsh).
244"The Permissive Society"Mike LeighMike LeighVT10 April 1975 (1975-04-10)
Bob Mason (Les), Rachel Davies (Yvonne), Veronica Roberts (Carol).
255"The Frank Crank Story"Peter CampbellAlan C. TaylorVT17 April 1975 (1975-04-17)
Arthur English (Charlie), Paul Bacon (Frank), Andonia Katsaros (Woman), Nicholas Wood (Violinist), Althea Gaye (Pianist), Norman Parker (Drummer).
266"Released"Roger TuckerStephen WakelamMissing24 April 1975 (1975-04-24)
Christopher Blake (Paul Finnie), Sheila Felvin (Carol), Kathleen Michael (Mrs Finnie), Alan Tilvern (Mr Finnie), Ken Kitson (Barry), Michael Duggan (Trev), Tony Leivers (Charlie).
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Series 5 (1975)

More information No. overall, No. in series ...
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byAS/AOriginal release date
271"Club Havana"Pam BrightonBarry ReckordVT[12]25 October 1975 (1975-10-25)
Don Warrington (Dave), Mona Hammond (Mrs Jordan), Julie Walters (Terry), Frank Singuineau (Jim), Alfred Fagon (Rasta Man).
282"The Writing on the Wall"Mike BradwellMike BradwellMissing1 November 1975 (1975-11-01)
Cass Patton (Suki), Alan Hulse (John), Rachel Bell (Rosie), Joseph Peters (Kevin).
293"How It Is"Tara PremAnita BronsonMissing8 November 1975 (1975-11-08)
Vivienne Burgess (Dolly), Sebastian Shaw (Bill), Maggie Petersen (Alice), Lorraine Peters (Mrs Cooper).
304"On the Good Ship Yacki-Hicki-Doola"Les BlairBob MasonMissing15 November 1975 (1975-11-15)
David Threlfall (Gaz), Christopher Neil (Bonehead), Lennox Greaves (Paul), Gerard Ryder (Michael).
315"Thwum"Pedr JamesMike StottSEQ22 November 1975 (1975-11-22)
Rosalind Elliot (Joy), Pete Postlethwaite (Duffy), Paul Moriarty (Bernard).
326"The Healing"Christopher KingLaura LamsonCF29 November 1975 (1975-11-29)
James Garbutt (Jackie), Adrian Pearson (John), Jean Heywood (Mary), Peter Welch (Trustee), Vernon Drake (Minister), Fred Pearson (Publican), Roy Pattison (Veterinary Officer), Sheri Shepstone (Minister's Wife), Sylvia Stoker (Invalid), George Irving (Preacher).
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Series 6 (1976)

More information No. overall, No. in series ...
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byAS/AOriginal release date
331"Trotsky is Dead"Tony BicâtTony BicâtVT13 March 1976 (1976-03-13)
Lila Kedrova (Natasha), George Pravda (Sergei), Gerard Ryder (Ivan), Catherine Willmer (Katya), Vickery Turner (Caroline), Gabor Vernon (Vladimir).
332"The Visitor"Brian ParkerDenise RobertsonSEQ[13]20 March 1976 (1976-03-20)
Kathleen Helme (Ellen), Judi Lamb (Linda), Dick Irwin (Badge), Robert Atkin (Davy).
343"Do You Dig It?"Pedr JamesJohn HardingDV3 April 1976 (1976-04-03)
John Burrows (Russel), John Harding (The Other Man), Gwen Taylor (The Woman).
354"Jack Flea's Birthday Celebration"Mike NewellIan McEwanVT10 April 1976 (1976-04-10)
Sara Kestelman (Ruth), David Wilkinson (David), Eileen McCallum (Mrs Lee), Ivor Roberts (Mr Lee).
365"Black Bird Shout"Jane HowellPaul HylandSEQ17 April 1976 (1976-04-17)
Ron Pember (Don), Pamela Miles (Grace), Joan-Ann Maynard (Nurse), Patsy Smart (Mrs Barber).
376"Travelling Free"Tara PremSean McCarthyVT24 April 1976 (1976-04-24)
Tony Rohr (Donal), Tom Owens (Pat), Cathyrn McGirr (Eileen), Brenda Doyle (Mary), Farrell Sheridan (Tom).
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Series 7 (1976)

More information No. overall, No. in series ...
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byAS/AOriginal release date
381"Summer Season"Michael TuchnerBrian GloverCF14 November 1976 (1976-11-14)
Paul Shane (Ricky Avon), Rachel Davies (Michelle Grant), Tommy Boyle (Dave), Paula Tilbrook (Bea), Harry Jones (Tom Bredin), Amanda Walker (Anne Bredin), Darren Weston (Glen Bredin), Ced Beaumont (Arthur Betton), Elizabeth Benson (Kath Betton), Julie Shipley (Carol Betton), Debbie Brotherton (Carol's Friend), Nat Jackley (Fred), Bert Palmer (Joe), Joseph Berry (Stan Rylands), Marie Dixon (Edna), Earl Deacon (Drunk).
392"Knock for Knock"Mike LeighMike LeighMissing21 November 1976 (1976-11-21)
Sam Kelly (Mr Bowes), Anthony O'Donnell (Mr Purvis), Meryl Hampton (Marilyn).
403"Glitter"Tony BicâtTony BicâtDV28 November 1976 (1976-11-28)
Toyah Willcox (Sue), Phil Daniels (Barry), Dixie Dean (Ray Gutburg), Noel Edmonds (Self), Doremy Vernon (Sue's Mother), Bilbo Baggins (Pop Group).
414"Dreamboat"Chris MenaulIan TaylorDV5 December 1976 (1976-12-05)
Geoffrey Greenhill (Harker), Mark Buffery (Sunshine), Joanna Palmer (Jane), Penelope Nice (Cath).
425"Percy and Kenneth"Robert TronsonMary O'MalleyMissing12 December 1976 (1976-12-12)
Herbert Ramskill (Percy Blackhouse), Joe Gladwin (Kenneth Hardwick), Colin Crompton (Angel).
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Series 8 (1977)

More information No. overall, No. in series ...
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byAS/AOriginal release date
431"Twelve Off the Belt"Roland JoffeRon HutchinsonVT3 May 1977 (1977-05-03)
Ivor Roberts (Jimmy Quinn), Diana Davies (Vera Greenall), Richard Griffiths (Bedworth Hog), John Barrett (Eggy Greenall), Eli Woods (Billy), Letitia Bowater (Go-Go Dancer), Rosemary Warwick (Go-Go Dancer), Len Annett (Doorman), Emrys Evans (Snailman).
442"Postcards from Southsea"Colin BuckseyJ. C. W. BrookMissing10 May 1977 (1977-05-10)
Shirley Cheriton (Anne), Sharman MacDonald (Gloria), Eric Deacon (Mike), Steven Beard (Clive), Graham McCabe (Young Man).
453"Daft Mam's Blues"Alan DossorDavid HalliwellDV17 May 1977 (1977-05-17)
Jean Heywood (Gladys), Frances Cox (Iris), Marjorie Yates (Lily, As A Young Woman), Bernard Hill (Billy), Molly Veness (Old Lily), Steve Halliwell (Stan).
464"In the Dead Spell"Claude WhathamJames RobsonDV24 May 1977 (1977-05-24)
Ivor Roberts (Mr Coleman), Frank Grimes (Ian Coleman), Manning Wilson (Uncle Walt).
475"Waifs and Strays"Chris BaileyBrian ParkerVT31 May 1977 (1977-05-31)
Noël Dyson (Patricia), Sara Clee (Brenda), David Stoll (Frank), Ken Kitson (Roy), Matthew Stuart Marlow (Winston).
486"Fattening Frogs for Snakes"Alex MarshallJaney PregerMissing6 June 1977 (1977-06-06)
George Costigan (Trevor), Catherine Kessler (Angie), Emlyn Price (Steve), Dicken Ashworth (Jimmy), Barbara Waddington (Lynette).
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Series 9 (1978)

More information No. overall, No. in series ...
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byAS/AOriginal release date
491"The Back Page"Derek ListerStan Hey
Andrew Nickolds		VT8 April 1978 (1978-04-08)
Graham Stark (Bert Reynolds), Henry Moxon (Percy), Howard Southern (Molotov), John Salthouse (Binoculars), Roger Avon (Sergeant), Myrtle Devenish (Mrs Beale).
502"Shall I See You Now"Pedr JamesMary O'MalleyVT15 April 1978 (1978-04-15)
Toby Salaman (Dennis), George Selway (Walter), Pam St.Clement (Carmel), Richard Albrecht (Jonathan), Marilyn Finlay (Sister), Martin C. Thurley (Doctor Harwood), Margaret Durnell (Night Nurse).
513"The Lady Irene"John BruceTony HadawayVT22 April 1978 (1978-04-22)
Michelle Newell (Irene), David Orrick (Bobby), John Bowler (Eddie), Cilla Mason (Mrs Bennett).
524"Mucking Out"Derek ListerRobert HolmanVT6 May 1978 (1978-05-06)
Ray Smith (Thomas Loftus), Paul Copley (Brian Wilson).
535"Rotten"Philip SavilleAlan BrownVT13 May 1978 (1978-05-13)
Alan Raymond (Kevin), Georgina Smith (Mum), John Smith (Dad), Theresa Ratcliff (Suzy), Betty Jo (Carol), Ray Kingsley (Cummo).
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Archive holdings

Of the 53 plays in the series, only 19 episodes survive in broadcast quality, a further 11 episodes exist in various domestic videotape formats and sequences exist from 3 partially lost episodes. While a total of 19 episodes are currently entirely missing from the archvies.[14][15]

See also

Other BBC2 drama anthology series include:

References

External links

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