Episode 297 (16th October 1963)

PlotEdit

Minnie hates not talking to Ena and Martha prevents her calling at the vestry. Walter refuses to go to the wedding as he has nothing smart to wear but Dennis tells him he's made arrangements for a sharp new suit from a dressmaker to the stars. Myra admires the new suit Dennis has got for himself but upsets him when she says that there's only time for one spot for Walter at the reception. The residents have a council of war in the Corner Shop, saying they've all danced for long enough to Ena's tune. They send her to Coventry when she comes in but Ken tells them they're behaving like spiteful kids. Jerry takes Myra to meet Ena and give her an invitation, saying she'll be sat with her friends. Emily and Minnie are upset at the atmosphere created by snubbing Ena. Emily blames herself for her outburst. Swindley has to see Ena about a special service on Sunday, despite being shocked at her attitude. Minnie has had enough and breaks ranks. Ena gives Myra a lace handkerchief as a "something borrowed" and shuts the door in Minnie's face. Alone in No.11, a hungry Walter almost causes a fire on the kitchen stove. Elsie puts it out. She also finds out from Joe that Dennis has got his suit on hire purchase on her instalments. Jerry books the Rovers's Select for his stag party, inviting all the regulars. Elsie confronts Dennis when he returns. He babbles that it's so that he wouldn't show her up at the wedding, making out he's done her a favour. Martha refuses to go in the Snug when she sees that Ena's in there and prevents Minnie joining her. She leaves instead, following Ena out. Ken gets exasperated with everyone's attitude. Minnie grows concerned about Ena's health. She calls at the vestry and tells Vera that she thinks Ena's going senile. Vera suggests Ena moves closer to her. Ena drags out of her daughter what Minnie said.

CastEdit

Regular castEdit

• Annie Walker - Doris Speed
• Jack Walker - Arthur Leslie
• Albert Tatlock - Jack Howarth
• Frank Barlow - Frank Pemberton
• Ena Sharples - Violet Carson
• Minnie Caldwell - Margot Bryant
• Martha Longhurst - Lynne Carol
• Concepta Hewitt - Doreen Keogh
• Harry Hewitt - Ivan Beavis
• Valerie Barlow - Anne Reid
• Kenneth Barlow - William Roache
• Elsie Tanner - Patricia Phoenix
• Florrie Lindley - Betty Alberge
• Miss Nugent - Eileen Derbyshire
• Jerry Booth - Graham Haberfield
• Dennis Tanner - Philip Lowrie
• Myra Dickinson - Susan Jameson
• Mr Swindley - Arthur Lowe

Guest castEdit

• Walter Potts - Christopher Sandford
• Vera Lomax - Ruth Holden
• Credit Salesman - Derek Benfield

PlacesEdit

• Coronation Street exterior
• Rovers Return Inn - Public
• 11 Coronation Street - Back room
• Corner Shop
• Gamma Garments
• Glad Tidings Mission Hall - Vestry

NotesEdit

• TV Times synopsis: Minnie's loyalty is stretched to its limit, and Elsie buys something she couldn't possibly wear
• From Episode 172 (6th August 1962) to Episode 459 (5th May 1965) the programme featured a standardised cast list for the regular characters. This means that in this episode the following were credited but did not appear: Lucille Hewitt (Jennifer Moss) and Len Fairclough (Peter Adamson).
• Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast - 8,367,000 homes (1st place).

Notable dialogueEdit

Annie Walker: "We all tend to forget at times that Mrs Sharples is really a very unimportant old woman".