WHEN THE BOAT COMES IN - SERIES ONE - 1976

The series stars James Bolam as Jack Ford, a First World War veteran who
returns to his poverty-stricken (fictional) town of Gallowshield in the North East
of England. The series dramatises the political struggles of the 1920s and
1930s and explores the impact of national and international politics upon Ford
and the people around him.

The memorable traditional tune "When The Boat Comes In" was adapted by
David Fanshawe and sung by Alex Glasgow for the title theme of the series.
Fanshawe also composed the incidental music.

The BBC revived the series in 1981, with the fourth series telling the story of
Jack Ford as he returns to Britain penniless, after six years spent bootlegging
in the United States, and follows him as he sets up in London.

The series' creator James Mitchell also wrote three tie-in books to the T.V.
show:
When the Boat Comes In, When the Boat Comes In: The Hungry Years and
When the Boat Comes In: Upwards and Onwards. The final book brings the
reader up to date with the end of the second series of the TV show.

The majority of episodes were written by creator Mitchell, but in Season 1
north-eastern writers Tom Hadaway, Sid Chaplin and Alex Glasgow contributed
episodes, and in Season 3 Jeremy Burnham and Colin Morris shared writing duties with Mitchell.

When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 1 A Land Fit for Heroes and Idiots 8 Jan. 1976 -.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 10 King for a Day 11 Mar. 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 11 Happy New Year, Some Say 18 Mar. 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 12 Heads You Win, Tails I Lose 25 Mar. 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 13 Kind Hearted Rat with a Lifebelt 1 Apr. 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 2 Say Hello... Say Tirra 15 Jan. 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 3 Fish in Woolly Jumpers 22 Jan. 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 4 Swords and Pick Handles 29 Jan 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 5 Coal Comfort 5 Feb 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 6 Empire Day on the Slag Heap 12 Feb. 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 7 A First Time for Everything 19 Feb 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 8 Paddy Boyle;s Discharge 26 Feb. 1976.mp4
When the Boat Comes In Series 1 Episode 9 Angel on Horseback 4 Mar. 1976.mp4

Cast

James Bolam ... Jack Ford (48 episodes, 1976-1981)

James Garbutt ... Bill Seaton (39 episodes, 1976-1977)

Jean Heywood ... Bella Seaton (39 episodes, 1976-1977)

John Nightingale ... Tom Seaton / ... (39 episodes, 1976-1977)

Edward Wilson ... Billy Seaton (35 episodes, 1976-1981)

Malcolm Terris ... Matt Headley (34 episodes, 1976-1977)

Susan Jameson ... Jessie Seaton / ... (30 episodes, 1976-1981)

Madelaine Newton ... Dolly / ... (30 episodes, 1976-1977)

Basil Henson ... Sir Horatio Manners / ... (25 episodes, 1976-1977)

Rosalind Bailey ... Sarah Lytton / ... (23 episodes, 1977-1981)

50 Minute Episodes