Sam (1973 TV series)


Sam is a television drama series written by John Finch and produced by Granada Television between 1973 and 1975 for broadcast on ITV. Finch also created and wrote A Family at War for Granada.
The series is based on fact, with Sam as a boy growing up in Featherstone. It was initially set in the coalfields of Yorkshire in the inter-war period but eventually progressed to the modern era. Interior scenes were recorded at Granada's studios in Manchester, while many of the exterior scenes were filmed in Lancashire. For example, the railway station used for filming was Garswood, near Wigan. Local dialect is used, e.g. top-at-knob referring to North Featherstone. The series was made in a video/film hybrid format, which was common at the time.

Episodes

Series 1: 1973

With Kevin Moreton as Sam aged 11 to 14.
It's 1934. Sam Wilson's mother Dora has been left by her husband and taken Sam to her hometown of Skellerton, a Yorkshire mining village.
Episode No.Original air date Episode titleSynopsis
1-0112 June 1973A Way of LifeSam and his mother arrive in Skellerton and try to settle in with their relatives.
1-0219 June 1973Poor LawThe Labour Exchange is looking for Sam's mother. Sam is taken on a tour of the local pit by his grandfather.
1-0326 June 1973Leaving HomeSam is bullied at school. Sam's mother starts a new relationship with Alan. Sam doesn't like this and runs away.
1-043 July 1973For Ever and Ever and Ever and EverSam is found.
1-0510 July 1973A Day to RememberSam is taken on a day out to the seaside.
1-0617 July 1973The Cost of LivingSam's mother and new partner set up a family home.
1-0724 July 1973Out of the BlueSam's family come under pressure from the disapproving locals.
1-0831 July 1973United We StandSam discovers a book written by his father. The pit workers are given notice.
1-097 August 1973The Beginning of WinterSam's mother falls pregnant. Sam's father sends a letter asking for money to be sent to him so that he can come home from Canada.
1-1014 August 1973Where the Heart Is Dora passes away in hospital giving birth to a son, Leslie. Alan, devastated, decides to go south to look for work, leaving his mother to care for the baby. Sam's uncle George goes with him.
1-1121 August 1973Home from HomeFrank is worried about Sam's education and his grandfather wants to send him to a charity boarding school. Alan and George are disillusioned in the south and George returns home.
1-1228 August 1973No Going BackSam is at boarding school, hating it and longing to go home, but can't, because of a diphtheria outbreak in Skellerton. After a fight at the school, he runs away and walks the fifty miles home.
1-134 September 1973BreadwinnersSam's grandfather Toby sets up a garment factory in the old chapel, providing work for the women of Skellerton, leaving the men at home. Sam finally goes down the pit with his grandfather.

Series 2: 1974

This series is set in the post war period; the main character is played by Mark McManus.
'Episodes'
  1. A New World
  2. Legacy
  3. Shape Yourself Round It
  4. Under a Cloud
  5. Head and Heart
  6. Stay Single and Live for Ever
  7. Credit
  8. Sins of the Fathers
  9. The World as It Is
  10. Land
  11. Half a Loaf
  12. Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
  13. Moving On

    Series 3: 1975

'Episodes'
  1. God Sent Sunday
  2. In the Midst of Plenty
  3. Compensation
  4. Bonfire Night
  5. The Difference Between Us
  6. What You Care Is What You Do
  7. Gains and Losses
  8. The Honest Generation
  9. Opting Out
  10. Home Thoughts from Abroad
  11. The Next in Line
  12. Proposals
  13. Ends and Means

    Video and DVD release

All three series were issued by Acorn Media UK in 2003.