An excellent example of kitchen sink drama from the second year of "Coronation Street". Ena and Elsie have a face off over a poison pen letter. Absolute classic stuff.
These early episodes are brilliant, so gritty and atmospheric, Ena Annie Elsie were characters you could believe in not like todays plastic folks. It was true to life then hard hitting and real love these classics, we shall not see this quality again for all the technical advancements Thank you to the poster of this classic.
Oh what a treat! This brings back such wonderful memories... my gran and me watching Corrie with a cup of tea and a cake at 7.30pm just before my bedtime at 8...
I watched this episode live back in the 60's as a kid and never forgot it...Superb drama and Violet Carson/Ena Sharples at her very best. This scene should be analysed in English literature and drama classes,it's really a wonderful mix of characters,attitudes,drama and pathos.Modern Shakespeare! Funny to think that Violet Carson was,in real life,apparently a gentle and charming woman.
Indeed Violet Carson was gentle and a real lady. She was also a wonderful actress and pianist. She was resident pianist on the Wilfred Pickles show called 'Have A Go'. Further more, she used to live in Bispham in my home town of Blackpool !!
Love some of the body language in this clip particularly Len smacking his lips on the back of his wrist "eeh thats given me eck of a thirst"and Doris Speeds "I wouldn't lower mi-self" then uses husband Jack as blamester to go outside and gawp herself-is a wonderful comic turn.But what makes it for me is that elongated pause between Len's "Let's kiss n' mek freinds...............well,--mek friends anyway" with the "Sally Army playin in the background is spine tingling!!!
You've got an excellent point there. On US Soaps, especially in the 1950's, many of the actors and actresses who played Grandparents or Parents were from Movies & Broadway. The late Actor Larry Gates who played HB Lewis on Guiding Light also played The Doctor in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.
I must admit I enjoy the original Coronation Street. I had a great job as pre-screener of TV show that came into the C.B.C. in Toronto and I screened many seasons of Coronation Street.
That brought back happy memories. I had such a crush on Elsie Tanner but I wasn't allowed to watch Corrie at home (my mum thought it was 'too common' !), I had to sneak off to my mates house ! Hilarious to hear Annie Walker say "mink muff", more innocent times.
I remember watching coronation st as a kid, ive started watching it again on free to air telly only trouble is the eps are from 2003 not that it matters im still enjoying it. here in australia the upto date eps are on pay tv.
This episode is UNFORGETTABLE the acting is out on its own. Vi Carson and Pat pheonix BRILLIANT. This was how life really was, the writing brilliant. I have to say Coronation St now is not a patch on what it used to be. It seems bland indeferent but perhaps its the times we live in?In the 60s gritty kitchen sink dramas were Wonderful and this is one of the best examples EVER thanks for posting this classic Cat Fight.
Also, when I look at these Early Episodes it reminds me of The CBS Show "Playhouse 90" from the early 1950's where they would have Mini Plays featuirng Jack Palance, Paul Newman, James Dean as well as the "Original" Production of Paddy Chayefsky's Marty.
Ena Sahrples (Violet Carson) really portrays a great bit of acting here in her street battle with Elsie Tanner. Always thought of Ena as being a bit of an ol' battle-axe, but you had to love her anyway. Don't think I'd ever want to come up against her in an arguement, on or off stage. Love you Ena.
Many of the Cast in 'Coronation Street', in those days, were well established Actors & Actresses of stage and screen, and it shows. A good memory and Character acting ability was madatory to succeed. They were professionals - experts in the field of entertainment. We'll nowt see the likes of them again.
How many of you peops can remember the first episode they ever watched? I can't remember the first episode that i watched .. but i do remember being sent to bed way back in 66/67 .. so mum and dad could watch corrie .. I remember laying in bed and listening to the corrie tune .. and i could hear every word that was spoken .. those were happy days :) ..
Brilliant! Eee luv! They don't write 'em like that no more. I loved Annie and Jack. Real stalwarts of The Street. They don't make 'em like that no more neither. Your good old Landlady and Landlord who you could have a good old 'conversation' with. Classic pictorial verbal dexterity from Annie -"Not for Jack Walker. You'd rather have Miss November coming through the fog in a nylon nightie and mink muff." Nice to see Jacques Tati in the scene. Coronation Street has started showing in Finland.
Even though I grew up in Scotland, we all gathered for Coronation St. My Mum in Canada still gets it, but not here in America. It was the first time play actors were not in rich mansions saying stupidity like "you bounder," but they were working class and every street had at least 3 of the characters. As for the Poliossss they knew us all by name and our parents and Grand parents. Please Constable take me tae the jail dunna tac me hame. As your collar was pulled to your neck Davce
This is great! It's so hard to find classic 60s Corrie anywhere, and it's really good to see familiar characters (i.e. Ken) in the earliest days. Love it. Do you have any more?
probably because it was well written (great writers started on corrie - jim rosenthal etc) It was well rehearsed and performed by good actors - just listen to the diction ! the speed Violet Carson goes but you can here every word. They showed some episodes from the 60s on BBC4 - amazing stuff
I agree, Bispham was a seperate Village; but as with so many other 'Villages', over the years. Economics and politics have forced them to merge with their big brothers. The Blackpool-Wyre boundary is now at Anchorsholme,which is north of Bispham (and south of Cleveleys) therefore, technically, Bispham is now part of Blackpool. I live on the 'Layton'-'Marton' Border.... But still proud to be a citizen of Blackpool !!!!
One of the things I loved about British Soaps was that there was more of a "realism" than on US Soaps back in the 1950's & 1960's. In fact did you know that it wasn't until the 1970's did Soap Characters were never outside.
@storebror21 Agree 100% the theme tune years ago was slower as well and sometimes they played the longer version on the closing titles esp when something tragic happened. This is a great scene with the acting first class and touching even when they dont say anything its compelling viewing masterpiece TV even in the seventies Hilda fights with Annie Walker when Hilda spat in the Rovers I was taken aback!
Eee, by gum, I wish they would show Corrrie here in the US. Better than just about any show they have on TV here. First saw in 1964. By gum how times have changed!
@Leedeesal1 She last appeared in 1980 - the actress had health problems in the 70s and reduced her role, she was already an old lady by the 60s. The actress died in 1983 but she remained a cast member - they always hoped she'd come back, however briefly.
Every street had an Ena Sharples, an Elsie Tanner and an Albert Tatlock. Cultures and races may have changed, but personalities don't. This was 'in your face' community drama.
This is brilliant. Many thanks. There were dozens of old Corry clips on youtube about a good while ago then one day they were all deleted. Copyright or something. Are they allowed again now? I've got a few.
That was the golden age of Coronation Street. Many of the actors and actresses were direct from the stage and the big screen, so they new the ropes. I never watch it now, as it has lost its way and just fighting a ratings war with other 'soaps'.
Ena's problem was that she was too judgmental, and she couldn't stop "Living In The Past" We've all done things that we're not proud of but we shouldn't spend eternity paying for it.
"Dennis, take me home." Isn't it strange since her "House" is just right in front of her? Also, if I were Ena Sharples, I'd be so ashamed especially with everyone watching me including the children.
Well, here's a B-Day Dedication to You. To The Tune Of Row Row Row Your Boat Hey, Hey It's Your Day, The Day That You Were Born I Hope You Really Celebrate From Night Till Early Morn'. All the best to you and I hope your day is filled with fun, happiness and love.
Well maybe they should start showing Corrie in the states. I'm not sure that it would be a good idea to start with episode 1 in 1960: it would take them nearly 29 years just to get to the present episodes in 2010. Even if they showed an episode each day it would still take 20 years. I guess they would just have to start with the current episodes and maybe do a historical documentary.
@1960unclemort Ay - well - ermm. I grew up on the Wirral in Cheshire where, almost, everyone permanantly has their nose stuck in the air ! My mum was a Geordie snob who thought she had 'bettered' herself by moving down here. I am a sad disapointment to her !
Looks like good tv. However I have never heard the English language spoken so fast in my entire life. Like the cadence of Spanish but with English. Very interesting
You are so right on. I never thought of it that way. I remember Reading Coronation Street at War when Elsie first came to the Street at Sixteen in 1940. I've known Women like Ena Sharples and the reason why they act the way they do is because they are so bitter Her own daughter Vera Lomax had all but washed her hands of her. Could someone please explain why they call it Kitchen Sink Drama and is it true that Allan Sillitoe's Saturday Night & Sunday Morning inspied the show.
Eeeh chuck, Iremember these days well (sort of). The good old slanging matches between Ena and Elsie! It's ok nowadays, but it can be more farcical. In the old b&w days it was more gritty - and still kept the humour.
@storebror21 we don`t have such a north/south divide now do we when i used to watch corrie as a kid i thought all northerners lived entirely on tea ,fish`n`chips and pints of bitter . the journo stuart maconie said he`d become a southerner when a friend asked him where he kept his sun-dried tomatoes
Now I like Ena Sharples but I also like Elsie Tanner...hmmm but which is the better....there's only one way to find out................FIGHT!!!! Go'on Ena....see you after the break!!
This was in the days Coranation Street was Coranation Street the 60's 70's 80's and the early 90's was real coranation street but since the 2000's Coranation St. has become just another soap with endless storyline of him go with her, her go with him and nearly everyone commiting atultry murders and kidnapings, the only really good story in this decade has been Richard killman Hilman story
These early episodes are brilliant, so gritty and atmospheric, Ena Annie Elsie were characters you could believe in not like todays plastic folks. It was true to life then hard hitting and real love these classics, we shall not see this quality again for all the technical advancements Thank you to the poster of this classic.
Oh what a treat! This brings back such wonderful memories... my gran and me watching Corrie with a cup of tea and a cake at 7.30pm just before my bedtime at 8...
I watched this episode live back in the 60's as a kid and never forgot it...Superb drama and Violet Carson/Ena Sharples at her very best. This scene should be analysed in English literature and drama classes,it's really a wonderful mix of characters,attitudes,drama and pathos.Modern Shakespeare! Funny to think that Violet Carson was,in real life,apparently a gentle and charming woman.
Indeed Violet Carson was gentle and a real lady. She was also a wonderful actress and pianist. She was resident pianist on the Wilfred Pickles show called 'Have A Go'. Further more, she used to live in Bispham in my home town of Blackpool !!
Violet and Pat... great actresses together on one show! Corrie has always ruled the waves. Scriptwriters deserve a medal!
Absolutely impressive. Classic slanging match between Elsie and Ena! They had it in for one another for years!
Love some of the body language in this clip particularly Len smacking his lips on the back of his wrist "eeh thats given me eck of a thirst"and Doris Speeds "I wouldn't lower mi-self" then uses husband Jack as blamester to go outside and gawp herself-is a wonderful comic turn.But what makes it for me is that elongated pause between Len's "Let's kiss n' mek freinds...............well,--mek friends anyway" with the "Sally Army playin in the background is spine tingling!!!
We always saw Ena as an old Busybody but how moving, the sound of a baby crying when she walked back to the Vestry. A beautiful character.
You've got an excellent point there. On US Soaps, especially in the 1950's, many of the actors and actresses who played Grandparents or Parents were from Movies & Broadway. The late Actor Larry Gates who played HB Lewis on Guiding Light also played The Doctor in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.
Wow I remember this episode Great to see it again love Jack Walkers trod on character . Thanks for this
My grandmother was watching this in the 60ties. I was five years old. But i remember.
I Have got the very first episode on D.V.D ,from 1960 till 1969, and on Video ,from 30 years on the Street, Those were the days!
The Classic British Soap Of Coronation Street.
this is great acting i watched these when i was a kid in the 60s
I must admit I enjoy the original Coronation Street. I had a great job as pre-screener of TV show that came into the C.B.C. in Toronto and I screened many seasons of Coronation Street.
That brought back happy memories.
I had such a crush on Elsie Tanner but I wasn't allowed to watch Corrie at home (my mum thought it was 'too common' !), I had to sneak off to my mates house !
Hilarious to hear Annie Walker say "mink muff", more innocent times.
I remember watching coronation st as a kid, ive started watching it again on free to air telly only trouble is the eps are from 2003 not that it matters im still enjoying it. here in australia the upto date eps are on pay tv.
This episode is UNFORGETTABLE the acting is out on its own. Vi Carson and Pat pheonix BRILLIANT. This was how life really was, the writing brilliant. I have to say Coronation St now is not a patch on what it used to be. It seems bland indeferent but perhaps its the times we live in?In the 60s gritty kitchen sink dramas were Wonderful and this is one of the best examples EVER thanks for posting this classic Cat Fight.
What Did Ena know about Elsie that made Elsie get so upset at the end of the argument? The acting is phenomenal.
Also, when I look at these Early Episodes it reminds me of The CBS Show "Playhouse 90" from the early 1950's where they would have Mini Plays featuirng Jack Palance, Paul Newman, James Dean as well as the "Original" Production of Paddy Chayefsky's Marty.
Ena Sahrples (Violet Carson) really portrays a great bit of acting here in her street battle with Elsie Tanner. Always thought of Ena as being a bit of an ol' battle-axe, but you had to love her anyway. Don't think I'd ever want to come up against her in an arguement, on or off stage. Love you Ena.
now THATS wot u call an argument! not a swear word in sight, just gud old slanging! brilliant! lolxxxx
Many of the Cast in 'Coronation Street', in those days, were well established Actors & Actresses of stage and screen, and it shows. A good memory and Character acting ability was madatory to succeed.
They were professionals - experts in the field of entertainment. We'll nowt see the likes of them again.
I was alive in the 60's also (not before :) ) ..
My earliest memory of corrie would be 1966 .. and i was a very elderly 4 yr old :) ..
I love the old black & white Coronation street. Much more believable. And more comical too.
How many of you peops can remember the first episode they ever watched?
I can't remember the first episode that i watched .. but i do remember being sent to bed way back in 66/67 .. so mum and dad could watch corrie ..
I remember laying in bed and listening to the corrie tune .. and i could hear every word that was spoken .. those were happy days :) ..
It was in the 1960's. Coronation St. debuted on December 9, 1960 on Granada TV.
Back in the day when Coronation Street was actually an indoors set, all the street was just in a studio
Brilliant! Eee luv! They don't write 'em like that no more. I loved Annie and Jack. Real stalwarts of The Street. They don't make 'em like that no more neither. Your good old Landlady and Landlord who you could have a good old 'conversation' with. Classic pictorial verbal dexterity from Annie -"Not for Jack Walker. You'd rather have Miss November coming through the fog in a nylon nightie and mink muff." Nice to see Jacques Tati in the scene.
Coronation Street has started showing in Finland.
"Strike a poor old defenceless woman"
Even though I grew up in Scotland, we all gathered for Coronation St. My Mum in Canada still gets it, but not here in America.
It was the first time play actors were not in rich mansions saying stupidity like "you bounder," but they were working class and every street had at least 3 of the characters.
As for the Poliossss they knew us all by name and our parents and Grand parents. Please Constable take me tae the jail dunna tac me hame. As your collar was pulled to your neck
Davce
ahh Those wear the days..can remember
that going off in our street lol.
Ena was SO mealymouthed... Her and her "off-license"...
Annie and Jack Walker, Ken Barlow, Len Fairclough, Elsie Tanner, Ena Sharples
Terrific stuff - the real thing!
This is great! It's so hard to find classic 60s Corrie anywhere, and it's really good to see familiar characters (i.e. Ken) in the earliest days. Love it.
Do you have any more?
5 people seem to be suffering from a very serious offliction! Corrie rules the waves! This is stunning tv!
probably because it was well written (great writers started on corrie - jim rosenthal etc)
It was well rehearsed and performed by good actors - just listen to the diction ! the speed Violet Carson goes but you can here every word.
They showed some episodes from the 60s on BBC4 - amazing stuff
I'm watching this while Corrie is on the big screen. Corrie rules the airwaves! ;
Have some respect for the brilliant writing of Tony Warren!
The show had a much more Northern edge to it back then and strong characters
Rumour has it Dennis Tanner is returning to Corrie after 43 years.
I agree, Bispham was a seperate Village; but as with so many other 'Villages', over the years. Economics and politics have forced them to merge with their big brothers. The Blackpool-Wyre boundary is now at Anchorsholme,which is north of Bispham (and south of Cleveleys) therefore, technically, Bispham is now part of Blackpool. I live on the 'Layton'-'Marton' Border.... But still proud to be a citizen of Blackpool !!!!
One of the things I loved about British Soaps was that there was more of a "realism" than on US Soaps back in the 1950's & 1960's. In fact did you know that it wasn't until the 1970's did Soap Characters were never outside.
The old ones are the best!
@storebror21 Agree 100% the theme tune years ago was slower as well and sometimes they played the longer version on the closing titles esp when something tragic happened. This is a great scene with the acting first class and touching even when they dont say anything its compelling viewing masterpiece TV even in the seventies Hilda fights with Annie Walker when Hilda spat in the Rovers I was taken aback!
Eee, by gum, I wish they would show Corrrie here in the US. Better than just about any show they have on TV here.
First saw in 1964. By gum how times have changed!
One of the best shows ever put on TV. I wish it would air in USA. You can have all the 'reality' rubbish on TV these days.
Ken Barlow in his twenties, and grumpy old Albert Tatlock, those were the days
@Leedeesal1 She last appeared in 1980 - the actress had health problems in the 70s and reduced her role, she was already an old lady by the 60s. The actress died in 1983 but she remained a cast member - they always hoped she'd come back, however briefly.
I cannot believe Ken Barlow has been on the show for nearly 50 years.
I used to love a few houses away from Annie Walker, Dorris Speed . she hated us playin ouside her home lol
Every street had an Ena Sharples, an Elsie Tanner and an Albert Tatlock. Cultures and races may have changed, but personalities don't. This was 'in your face' community drama.
This is brilliant. Many thanks. There were dozens of old Corry clips on youtube about a good while ago then one day they were all deleted. Copyright or something. Are they allowed again now? I've got a few.
That was the golden age of Coronation Street.
Many of the actors and actresses were direct from the stage and the big screen, so they new the ropes.
I never watch it now, as it has lost its way and just fighting a ratings war with other 'soaps'.
I believe that the name of 'Corporation Street' was also muted, but it doesn't seem to have quite the same 'ring' to it as the final chosen name !!
I never knew it was that short then.
god was it really that different - it's more like neighbours these days. Look at Ken!
lovely to see it again.
i can remember this
5 people seem to be suffering from a very serious offliction! Corrie rules the waves!
Ena's problem was that she was too judgmental, and she couldn't stop "Living In The Past" We've all done things that we're not proud of but we shouldn't spend eternity paying for it.
But if you was partial to nicking a boiler or two, the local bobbie would drag you home by the ear..!!!
You can see why its lasted so long.
"Dennis, take me home." Isn't it strange since her "House" is just right in front of her? Also, if I were Ena Sharples, I'd be so ashamed especially with everyone watching me including the children.
Well I'll go to the back of our house.
ah, the opening of the gates of hell
Ena was never a "poor old defenceless woman",,,,,
good strong northern women having a slanging match...brilliant!!! and not a swear word in sight!!! xxxx
Well, here's a B-Day Dedication to You.
To The Tune Of Row Row Row Your Boat
Hey, Hey It's Your Day,
The Day That You Were Born
I Hope You Really Celebrate From Night
Till Early Morn'.
All the best to you and I hope your day is filled with fun, happiness and love.
Well maybe they should start showing Corrie in the states. I'm not sure that it would be a good idea to start with episode 1 in 1960: it would take them nearly 29 years just to get to the present episodes in 2010. Even if they showed an episode each day it would still take 20 years. I guess they would just have to start with the current episodes and maybe do a historical documentary.
Corrie rules God Save Her Majesty!
Northern 'working-class' women 'having a go' at each other, or their Hubbies, really did sound like that....
Believe me, I've heard them !!!!
(Sorry) I beleive it was 'Cleveleys' and not 'Bispham' that Violet lived in. But was Buried in Bispham.
@1960unclemort Ay - well - ermm.
I grew up on the Wirral in Cheshire where, almost, everyone permanantly has their nose stuck in the air !
My mum was a Geordie snob who thought she had 'bettered' herself by moving down here.
I am a sad disapointment to her !
god ken barlow as a young man! the only original cast member left??
Looks like good tv. However I have never heard the English language spoken so fast in my entire life. Like the cadence of Spanish but with English. Very interesting
wow its so diffrent today, I really fancy that one thats gonna marry taht Steve guy
And I was alive in the 1960's,(& before)!!!!
kudos
You are so right on. I never thought of it that way. I remember Reading Coronation Street at War when Elsie first came to the Street at Sixteen in 1940. I've known Women like Ena Sharples and the reason why they act the way they do is because they are so bitter Her own daughter Vera Lomax had all but washed her hands of her. Could someone please explain why they call it Kitchen Sink Drama and is it true that Allan Sillitoe's Saturday Night & Sunday Morning inspied the show.
Why do you care? Or are you jealous? Haha. It's his business, which has nothing to do with his professional life!
Eeeh chuck, Iremember these days well (sort of). The good old slanging matches between Ena and Elsie! It's ok nowadays, but it can be more farcical. In the old b&w days it was more gritty - and still kept the humour.
I doubt the people of Bispham would like the inference that it is a part of Blackers.
The word you were looking for is "near".
:-)
There's nowt wrong with being old fashioned.... I am too !!!!
i love coronation street with ena shaples.
i think the show need more like her to keep it going.I also like vera ducksworth and bet lynch-all thighs.
Sorry,I'm watching Corrie this last few years.My husband says he is watching it from his childhood.I would like to know from which year it's going on?
charliemctruth
minnies lodger was Jed Stone
Do you think that Eastenders has a place amongst their folkloric ambitions?
Did everyone really talk so fast back then?
@storebror21 we don`t have such a north/south divide now do we when i used to watch corrie as a kid i thought all northerners lived entirely on tea ,fish`n`chips and pints of bitter . the journo stuart maconie said he`d become a southerner when a friend asked him where he kept his sun-dried tomatoes
The song's called TV Stars, by the Skids. I hit the thumbs down by mistake.
Now I like Ena Sharples but I also like Elsie Tanner...hmmm but which is the better....there's only one way to find out................FIGHT!!!! Go'on Ena....see you after the break!!
They don`t make real women like Ena Sharples these days...What a character hhahaha
How the heck did they remember all that dialogue?
Morrissey brought me here...
Yeh I only know Ken Barlow
Bloody hell!!!! How FAST do they speak???!!!! And what a contrast in acting to the half wits recruited today?!!!
@topshot2219 personally i don`t they talk fast ,the south london accent is faster but not east london
how many times does Len say "by gum"?
does anyboy know the name of the song ???
This was in the days Coranation Street was Coranation Street the 60's 70's 80's and the early 90's was real coranation street but since the 2000's Coranation St. has become just another soap with endless storyline of him go with her, her go with him and nearly everyone commiting atultry murders and kidnapings, the only really good story in this decade has been Richard killman Hilman story