Sally Ann (ITV 1979, Frank Mills, Stephanie Cole)

Drama series Sally Ann focused on the activities of a Salvation Army group led by Major Gibbs. Other key members of the group include Major Cartwright, Lt Mark Barker and the elderly Pike (played by the fabulous Sam Kydd).

Much of the focus of the series is on the hostel that the Salavation Army runs for homeless men, the fact that people are coming and going on a regular basis does serve to keep the storyline flowing.

As befitting the subject matter the half hour series was given a Sunday night at 6.00pm slot. The series had been due to air from 12 September but the massive industrial action by ITV staff saw the network off the air for 10 weeks.

Sally Ann turns out to be pretty inconsequential overall, the stories are generally quite slight and the playing is very soap like. In fact you can imagine that the production team envisaged the series as a possible long running soap. A longer run than eight episodes would definitely have allowed for greater scope in getting to know the characters.

production details
UK / ITV – Southern / 8×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 28 October – 16 December 1979

Script Editor: Tony McLaren / Production Design: Greg Lawson / Theme Music: Lift Up The Banner arranged by Dudley Simpson / Salvation Army Advisor: Major John Bate / Executive Producer: Lewis Rudd / Producer: Tristan de Vere Cole

cast
Frank Mills as Major Gibbs
Stephanie Cole as Mr Major Gibbs
Gerald James as Major Cartwright
Carol Leader a Lt Mary Barker
Sam Kydd as Pike
Julia Chambers as Hannah
Philip da Costa as Bramwell

THE EPISODES
1. CHOICE (28 Oct 79)
2. A SAILOR’S RETURN (4 Nov 79)
3. A SAILOR’S FAREWELL (11 Nov 79)
4. WHERE’S MY TROUBLE AND STRIFE (18 Nov 79)
5. I’M ENTITLED (25 Nov 79)
6. DECISIONS (2 Dec 79)
7. THE RELUCTANT CHOSEN (9 Dec 79)
8. PUT OUT TO GRASS (16 Dec 79)