In Loving Memory, 1979
A Thora Hird classic. This sitcom set in an undertakers was ten years before it saw the light of day, having originally been aired as a pilot for a potential series (it’s those Pilot Episodes again) in 1969 by Thames.
The pilot episode starred Marjorie Rhodes in the role of Ivy, the role that would later be filled by Thora Hird, was transmitted in November of 1969, but Thames decided not to take it any further.
Come forward to 1979 and Yorkshire Television commission the series. It ran for five series totalling thirty seven episodes between 1979 and 1986.
The setting for the show was the fictional Yorkshire town of Oldshaw during the 1930s. It’s believed The writer Dick Sharples chose this period as this was the time when undertakers were switching from horse drawn hearses to mechanical ones.
Summary
The year is 1929 and in episode one Jeremiah Unsworth (Freddie Jones), the proprietor of the undertakers, dies. Thus leaving his widow Ivy (Thora Hird) and gormless nephew Billy (Christopher Beeny) to take over the business.
The comedy comes from the accident-prone Ivy and Billy, who have numerous mishaps. There’s hardly a funeral goes by without something untoward occurring.
Clips
Cast
Marjorie Rhodes (Pilot)
Thora Hird
Christopher Beeny
Colin Farrell
Avis Bunnage
Sherrie Hewson
Rose Power
Joan Sims
Veronica Doran
Details
Channel: ITV
Written By: Dick Sharples
Produced By: Thames Television (TV pilot), Yorkshire Television (TV series)
Original Transmission Dates: 4th November 1969 (Pilot), 21st May 1979 – 3rd April 1986 (TV Series)
Where To Watch
Originally available on DVD from now defunct Network On Air, selected episodes can be found on You Tube, but not currently available on the big streaming services.