Nearest And Dearest. Image shows from L to R: Nellie Pledge (Hylda Baker), Eli Pledge (Jimmy Jewel). Copyright: Granada Television
Nearest And Dearest

Nearest And Dearest

  • TV sitcom
  • ITV1
  • 1968 - 1973
  • 45 episodes (7 series)

Sitcom about brother and sister, Eli and Nellie Pledge, forced to run a pickle factory together. Stars Hylda Baker, Jimmy Jewel, Joe Gladwin, Madge Hindle, Edward Malin and Bert Palmer

Episode menu

Series 5, Episode 3 - Barefaced In The Park

Walter is mistakenly identified as a prowler in the park so Nellie and Lily set out to clear his name.

Further details

Eli and Stan are off for a quiet double date in the local - leaving Nellie on her own whilst there's a prowler on the loose! But worse news; Walter's been arrested as the police think it's him! Nellie and Lily set out to clear Walter's name by catching the real villain.

The two boys (and Walter) take their dates to the park, where they fail to woo them both, whilst Nellie is making up a story about her bumping into the real prowler. The police think that Walter, Eli or Stan is the perpetrator, and it all ends up with them running off out of the park before the police take them in for wasting time.

Notes

Due to strike action, this episode was filmed only in black and white.

Just after the advertisement break, we catch a real glimpse of Walter actor Eddie Malin. Instead of him being in the semi-comatose state of Walter, he can be observed talking to the crew members out of shot, grinning, then putting his thumb up in agreement, before relapsing back into character.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 14th January 1971
Time
7:05pm
Channel
ITV1
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Hylda Baker Nellie Pledge
Jimmy Jewel Eli Pledge
Joe Gladwin Stan Hardman
Madge Hindle Lily Tattershall
Edward Malin Walter Tattershall
Guest cast
Susan Hanson Mabel
Shirley Stelfox Clara
Kenneth Watson 1st Policeman
David Bradley 2nd Policeman
Writing team
John Stevenson Writer
Lew Schwarz Script Editor
Production team
Bill Podmore Director
Bill Podmore Producer
Eric Deakins Production Designer
Derek Hilton Composer

Share this page