First Night (BBC 1963-1964)

First Night was an anthology of dramas specially written for television. The series attracted some high profile names. The first one broadcast was The Strain written by Alun Owen, the second was The Road by Nigel Kneale. Other scripts were contributed by Keith Waterhouse & Willis Hall, Clive Exton, Simon Raven, Hugh Leonard and John Elliot.

Lots of big name actors appeared in the productions including Ray Barrett, Peter Vaughan, T.P. McKenna,Gklyn Owen, Anthony Bate, Billie Whitelaw, Michael Caine, John Hurt, Jack Hedley, Kenneth Cope, Thora Hird, Kenneth More, John Gregson, Milo O’Shea, Gerald Harper and Susan Hampshire to name a few.

production details
UK / BBC / 32 episodes of varying lengths / Broadcast 22 September 1963 – 9 May 1964

THE EPISODES
1. THE STRAIN (22 Sep 1963)
2. THE ROAD (29 Sep 1963)
3. THE INITIATION (6 Oct 1963)
4. GUILTY (13 Oct 1963)
5. FUNNY NOISES WITH THEIR MOUTHS (20 Oct 1963)
6. THE YOUNGEST PROFESSION (27 Oct 1963)
7. VERONICA (3 Nov 1963)
8. DO ME NO FAVOURS (10 Nov 1963)
9. THE DAWN (17 Nov 1963)
10. THE WAY WITH REGGIE (24 Nov 1963)
11. STICKS (1 Dec 1963)
12. MENACE (8 Dec 1963)
13. A LOCAL BOY (15 Dec 1963)
14. IT’S ALL LOVELY (22 Dec 1963)
15. THE ONE NIGHT OF THE YEAR (29 Dec 1963)
16. DAY OF THE DRONGO (4 Jan 1964)
17. STRAY CATS AND EMPTY BOTTLES (11 Jan 1964)
18. ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL (18 Jan 1964)
19. MAGGIE (25 Jan 1964)
20. THE BEDMAKERS (1 Feb 1964)
21. LAND OF MY DREAMS (8 Feb 1964)
22. THE SCAPEGOAT (15 Feb 1964)
23. THE ROCK POOL (22 Feb 1964)
24. THE HAPPY ONES (7 Mar 1964)
25. MY ONE TRUE LOVE (14 Mar 1964)
26. TED’S CATHEDRAL (28 Mar 1964)
27. GOODBYE, GLORIA, GOODBYE… (4 Apr 1964)
28. THE SECOND WALL (11 Apr 1964)
29. HOW MANY ANGELS (18 Apr 1964)
30. HUNT THE MAN (25 Apr 1964)
31. CAPTAIN RUBIAN (2 May 1964)
32. THE IMPROBABLE MR. CLAYBILL (9 May 1964)