Connect with us


Features

Classic TV Revisited: In Loving Memory

Published

on


Popular ITV comedy In Loving Memory, which ran from 1979-1986, was set in a Lancashire undertaker’s business in the ’20s and ’30s. Thora Hird, Christopher Beeny, Sherrie Hewson starred.

Doesn’t sound promising. Why was it so good?
It was mainly because the cast was headed by the late, lamented Dame Thora Hird, who’s been rightly described as “a national treasure”. There was also a solid supporting cast of Christopher Beeny and Sherrie Hewson.

How did it begin?
Funnily enough there was a huge gap between the pilot episode in 1969 and the first of five series 10 years later.

Why?
No one seems to know. Maybe ITV bosses were nervous about the subject matter of Dick Sharples’ comedy, the inevitable coffin jokes and the taboo of death being made light of. Originally made by London-based Thames TV, it was resurrected by Yorkshire TV.

Advertisement

What was it about?
Thora Hird, who died recently, aged 91, played doughty Ivy Unsworth who took over her husband’s funeral business when he died. Ivy was aided, but mostly hindered, by gormless nephew Billy – Christopher Beeny, best known as footman Edward in Upstairs, Downstairs. Thora took over from Marjorie Rhodes who played Ivy in the 1969 pilot which topped the ratings with 8.6m.

Who else was in the cortege, sorry, cast?
Sherrie Hewson of Corrie and Crossroads fame was Billy’s girlfriend Mary. Other regulars included Liz Smith (Nanna in The Royle Family), Avis Bunnage and Colin Farrell.

Hollywood’s new heart-throb?
No, some other guy with the same name. Guests included Richard Wilson, Joan Sims and EastEnder Gretchen Franklin.

Did the subject matter pall with viewers?
No, they loved it. More than 15m people regularly tuned in, though many critics hated it.

Advertisement

What sort of stories did it feature?
One funeral took place after a knife thrower’s act went fatally wrong.

Sounds hilarious. Anything else?
Many of the plots centred on dim Billy’s job as an undertaker ruining his love life. His Auntie Ivy was also a regular thorn in his flesh over his romances.

Why did it end?
After five series shot on location with Luddenden, Yorks doubling up as Oldshaw, Lancs it simply ran out of steam.

Could it be revived?
Unlikely, but its irritating oboe theme tune can be heard regularly when it’s repeated by digital channels.

Advertisement

Was it Thora Hird’s finest hour?
Probably not as she won four Baftas for other acting roles.

Such as?
She picked up gongs for Alan Bennett’s A Cream Cracker Under The Settee and as a stroke victim in Lost For Words during her 70-year acting career. She also played Edie in Last Of The Summer Wine until her death and presented Songs Of Praise.

Distinguishing features?
It was saved by the great acting ability of Thora Hird as bossy northerner with a heart.

Do say:
“Only Thora could raise a smile in a funeral parlour comedy.”

Advertisement

Don’t say:
“A tasteless comedy which didn’t raise a laugh in seven years.”

Not to be confused with:
It’s Your Funeral; Six Feet Under; Men In Black; Funeral In Berlin; Death In Venice; Dead Ringers.


Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

American Masters American Masters
News8 mins ago

Daniel Patrick Moynihan, American Masters, March 29th, 202, PBS

PBS’s American Masters explores the lives and artistic legacies of notable figures in the history of American culture. The series...

RuPaul's Drag Race RuPaul's Drag Race
News9 mins ago

RuPaul’s Drag Race, March 29, 2024, MTV, “Drag Race Vegas LIVE! Makeovers”

Get ready for a dazzling display of drag queen magic as RuPaul’s Drag Race presents the thirteenth episode of its...

Triple D Nation Triple D Nation
News11 mins ago

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, March 29, 2024, Food Network, “From Spicy to Sticky”

Get ready for a sensory journey through the diverse culinary landscape of the United States with Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins,...

House Hunters International House Hunters International
News12 mins ago

House Hunters, March 29, 2024, HGTV, “A Permanent Home in Atlanta”

This episode of House Hunters, “A Permanent Home in Atlanta”, airing on HGTV on March 29, 2024 at 10.00pm examines...

Graveyard Carz Graveyard Carz
News14 mins ago

Graveyard Carz, March 29, 2024, MotorTrend, “J-E-F-F That Spells Geoff”

This action-packed episode, titled “J-E-F-F That Spells Geoff,” and airing at 10.00pm on Friday March 29, 2024 on MotorTrend, follows...

Penn & Teller: Fool Us Penn & Teller: Fool Us
News15 mins ago

Penn & Teller: Fool Us, March 29, 2024, The CW, “It Takes Balls to be a Magician”

Each episode of Penn & Teller: Fool Us sees aspiring magicians given the challenge of performing their best trick with...

The UnXplained Special Presentation The UnXplained Special Presentation
News40 mins ago

The UnXplained Special Presentation, March 29, 2024, HISTORY, “Glimpses of the Future”

Are premonitions real, or merely lucky guesses? The fascinating episode “Glimpses of the Future,” from the series The UnXplained Special...

Mama June: From Not to Hot Mama June: From Not to Hot
News41 mins ago

Mama June: Family Crisis: Mama Dearest, March 29, 2024, WE tv, “Going Away Drama”

Mama June: Family Crisis: Mama Dearest takes a dramatic turn in the episode titled “Going Away Drama“. Alana’s departure prompts...

ITV1 Title Card ITV1 Title Card
News3 hours ago

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen, 30 March 2024, ITV1

Set in her beautiful Cotswolds home, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen sees the legendary cook share her favourite recipes, as well...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News4 hours ago

Bargain Hunt, 1 April 2024, BBC One, “Asian Special”

In a special Asian-focused episode of Bargain Hunt, presenter Roo Irvine delves into some of the program’s most remarkable finds...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News1 day ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News1 day ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News1 day ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News1 day ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Popular