Sam

Sam was an ITV Granada drama series produced between 1973 and 1975. The writer, John Finch, also wrote A Family At War for ITV Granada. This was a drama set in the coalfields of Yorkshire in the inter-war period.

Series one

With Kevin Moreton as Sam aged 11 to 14. It's 1934. Sam Wilson’s mother Dora has left her husband and taken Sam back with her to her hometown of Skellerton, a Yorkshire mining village.

'Episodes'

1 - A Way of Life. (Broadcast Tuesday, June 12, 1973). Sam and his mother arrive in Skellerton and try to settle in with their relatives.

2 - Poor Law. (Broadcast Tuesday, June 19, 1973). The Labour Exchange is looking for Sam’s mother. Sam is taken on a tour of the local pit by his grandfather.

3 - Leaving Home. (Broadcast Tuesday, June 26, 1973). Sam is bullied at school. Sam’s mother starts a new relationship with Alan. Sam doesn’t like this and runs away.

4 - For Ever and Ever and Ever and Ever. (Broadcast Tuesday, July 3, 1973). Sam is found.

5 - A Day To Remember. (Broadcast Tuesday, July 10, 1973). Sam is taken on a day out to the seaside.

6 - The Cost of Living. (Broadcast Tuesday, July 17, 1973). Sam’s mother and new partner set up a family home.

7 - Out of the Blue. (Broadcast Tuesday, July 24, 1973). Sam’s family come under pressure from the disapproving locals.

8 - United We Stand. (Broadcast Tuesday, July 31, 1973). Sam discovers a book written by his father. The pit workers are given notice.

9 - The Beginning of Winter. (Broadcast Tuesday, August 7, 1973). Sam'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.

10 – Where The Heart Is. (Broadcast Tuesday, August 14, 1973). 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.

11 – Home From Home. (Broadcast Tuesday, August 21, 1973). Frank 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.

12 – No Going Back. (Broadcast Tuesday, August 28, 1973). Sam 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.

13 – Breadwinners. (Broadcast Tuesday, September 4, 1973). Sam’s uncle 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 two

It's now the post war period with the main character played by Mark McManus.
'Episodes'
1 -

2 -

3 -

4 -

5 -

6 -

7 -

8 -

Series Three

'Episodes'
1 -

2 -

3 -

4 -

5 -

Video & DVD Release

All three series have been issued by Acorn Media UK in 2003.

External links

• Sam at the Internet Movie Database