Open All Hours

Open All Hours is a classic British sitcom that initially graced our television screens between 1976 and 1985, broadcasting on the BBC. This timeless piece of art has now found its way to streaming service BritBox, allowing both fans of original broadcast and new viewers the chance to delve into the world of peculiarities set in a small corner shop in Yorkshire, England.

Developed by Roy Clarke, the renowned author of numerous other British television comedies like Last of the Summer Wine and Keeping Up Appearances, Open All Hours is a beautifully crafted blend of dry wit, slapstick humor, and eccentric characters that provokes laughter even decades after its original release. The show portrays the lives of two extraordinarily different characters who manage a small grocery, offering a microcosm of British neighborhood life.

The show revolves around the character Arkwright, played masterfully by the legendary British actor Ronnie Barker. Arkwright is a pragmatic, tightfisted shopkeeper who rarely misses a chance to extract a penny or two more from his customers. His stuttering speech, shrewd and cunning techniques to boost sales, and fear of spending money makes his character both humorously endearing and frustrating to customers.

Assisting Arkwright in his misadventures is his work-shy nephew, Granville, an unforgettable character portrayed by a young David Jason. Jason, who eventually came into his own comedically in other popular British shows like Only Fools and Horses and A Touch of Frost, adds an entertaining dynamic to the show. Granville is the deprived, unwillingly obedient 'errand boy', who works from dawn to dusk in the shop, daydreaming about a bigger, grander world outside the confines of the grocery store.

Gladys Emmanuel plays the role of nurse Gladys, effectively Arkwright's long-suffering love interest. Her character deftly manages the often-unrewarded affection bestowed upon her, and her dialogues frequently hit home with spectacular comedic timing.

Filmed entirely on location, Open All Hours has a realistic setting that intensifies the local color and quaint charm of the series. The show captures the unique and slowly disappearing culture of small-scale corner shops in the British neighbourhoods of the 70s and 80s, making it a nostalgic journey for many viewers.

One of the iconic components of the show includes a dilapidated, hazardous till which snaps shut with considerable force, often threatening to take Arkwright's fingers with it. The till is almost a character in its own right, bringing about some of the most hilariously absurd moments in the show. It's an excellent exemplification of slapstick comedy that despite its predictability, never ceases to amuse thanks to Arkwright's constant interaction with it.

Open All Hours encompasses a wide array of recurring customers who come from all walks of life, adding to the unique feature of the show. Whether it be the long-outdated items the shop continues to hold or the bizarre, often ridiculously mistaken, signs erected on the sidewalk to garner customers, the show takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary through the prism of brilliantly executed comedy.

With a total of 26 episodes spun over four series and a run-time that does not exceed 30 minutes per episode, the show is perfect for both long marathons and for those wishing to fit an episode into short breaks.

Enjoyed as both a social satire and a comedy, Open All Hours enjoys cult status among British television shows. Its verbal and visual humor laced with empathetic character studies has appealed to an audience of all age groups, making it a comedic gem that continues to shine even in the pervasive world of modern sitcoms.

BritBox's inclusion of Open All Hours allows a new generation of viewers the amazing opportunity to enjoy this enriching, quintessentially British comedy. It's a show bursting with charm, warmth and gentle humor, making it a formidable testament to the timeless nature of good comedy. Whether you're an ardent fan revisiting Arkwright's antics or a new viewer curious about classic, character-driven British sitcoms, Open All Hours promises to deliver an absolute treat!