List of Steptoe and Son episodes

From The Goon Show Depository

This is an episode list of the British sitcom Steptoe and Son. All episodes were originally shown on what is now known as BBC One, although the station was simply called BBC Television until April 1964 when BBC2 began broadcasting (between the third and fourth series). Dates shown are the original broadcast dates. Series 1–4 were produced in black and white, and series 5–8 in colour. However, the series 5 episodes, and all but two of series 6, only survive in black and white.

Series 1–6 were produced and directed by Duncan Wood, series 7 by John Howard Davies (apart from "Divided We Stand" which was directed by David Croft as Davies was ill), the 1973 Christmas Special by Graeme Muir, and series 8 and 1974 Christmas Special by Douglas Argent (with "The Seven Steptoerai" being co-directed by Mike Crisp). All episodes were written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Series 7–8 are regularly repeated on Gold.

Series overview

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
167 June 1962 (1962-06-07)12 July 1962 (1962-07-12)
273 January 1963 (1963-01-03)14 February 1963 (1963-02-14)
377 January 1964 (1964-01-07)18 February 1964 (1964-02-18)
474 October 1965 (1965-10-04)15 November 1965 (1965-11-15)
576 March 1970 (1970-03-06)17 April 1970 (1970-04-17)
682 November 1970 (1970-11-02)21 December 1970 (1970-12-21)
7821 February 1972 (1972-02-21)24 December 1973 (1973-12-24)
874 September 1974 (1974-09-04)26 December 1974 (1974-12-26)

Series 1 (1962)

No.
overall 		No.
for series 		Title Director Written by Airdate
11"The Offer"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton7 June 1962 (1962-06-07)
Harold's been offered a job elsewhere, so when he discovers Albert has been drinking out of the cocktail cabinet, he begins to pack up his belongings and leave his dad for good. However when Albert refuses to allow Harold to use the horse to move the cart full of his belongings, Harold breaks down and the two go inside for a cup of tea. Originally broadcast as a Comedy Playhouse pilot on 5 January 1962.
22"The Bird"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton14 June 1962 (1962-06-14)
Harold is going out every night, so Albert suspects that he must be seeing a girl. Determined to put a stop to the romance, he gets Harold to invite the girl back to the house for dinner. Meanwhile, Albert puts the clocks forward so when she fails to show up at the right time, Harold thinks she has stood him up.
33"The Piano"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton21 June 1962 (1962-06-21)

Harold is offered a piano for free, providing he moves it himself. He gets Albert to help, only to find out that it is on the top floor of a block of flats.

Note: The twelfth of sixteen stories adapted into an episode of the U.S remake Sanford and Son renamed "The Piano Movers".
44"The Economist"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton28 June 1962 (1962-06-28)
Harold tries to teach Albert about the economics of running a business. Using his new-found knowledge of bulk buying, he then ends up buying 4,000 pairs of false teeth for £40, hoping to make a killing. Harold puts an advert in The Times, but when they don't sell, he takes their last £10 and tries again, this time bringing home 400 World War II gas masks. Featuring Frank Thornton.
55"The Diploma"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton5 July 1962 (1962-07-05)
Harold decides to get out of the rag and bone trade, and get a diploma in TV repair, only for Albert to prove that he knows more about it than Harold does.
66"The Holiday"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton12 July 1962 (1962-07-12)
For the first time ever, Harold plans to go on holiday abroad by himself instead of going to Bognor Regis with his dad. Albert fakes a heart attack to stop him from going, and the doctor advises Harold to take him to Bognor.

Series 2 (1963)

No.
overall 		No.
for series 		Title Director Written by First broadcast Recorded
71"Wallah-Wallah Catsmeat"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton3 January 1963 (1963-01-03)20 December 1962
Hercules, the Steptoes's horse, is sick so the local rag and bone men pitch in to help.
82"The Bath"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton10 January 1963 (1963-01-10)13 December 1962
Albert decides to have a bath while Harold's latest companion is due to come round for pre-bingo cocktails. Features Yootha Joyce.
93"The Stepmother"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton17 January 1963 (1963-01-17)3 January 1963

Albert plans to re-marry, but Harold will do everything in his power to prevent it. Exists as a Shibaden VT recording.

Note: The 10th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "The Barracuda".
104"Sixty-Five Today"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton24 January 1963 (1963-01-24)10 January 1963

Albert's 65th birthday comes as a joke to Harold, who pretends to forget in order to wind him up. Featuring Frank Thornton.

Note: The 2nd of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "Happy Birthday, Pop".
115"A Musical Evening"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton31 January 1963 (1963-01-31)17 January 1963
Harold has picked up some old gramophone records, which he's keen to add to his classical music collection.
126"Full House"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton7 February 1963 (1963-02-07)24 January 1963

Harold plans an evening of cards with a group of friends.

Note: The 13th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "The Card Sharps".
137"Is That Your Horse Outside?"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton14 February 1963 (1963-02-14)4 February 1963
Harold falls for a rich married woman (Patricia Haines) and thinks it's love.

Series 3 (1964)

No.
overall 		No.
for series 		Title Director Written by First broadcast Recorded
141"Homes Fit for Heroes"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton7 January 1964 (1964-01-07)12 December 1963

Harold plans to go on a sailing trip around the world, and bung Albert in an old peoples home.

Note: The 15th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "Home Sweet Home for the Aged".
152"The Wooden Overcoats"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton14 January 1964 (1964-01-14)19 December 1963

Harold comes home with a cartful of coffins, much to Albert's horror. Exists as a Shibaden VT recording.

Note: The 9th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "Coffins for Sale".
163"The Lead Man Cometh"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton21 January 1964 (1964-01-21)2 January 1964

The business is doing badly and the Steptoes are having to break into their savings to keep their heads above water, and then a dealer in lead comes round and sells them tons of lead at a cheap price, they then find out the lead was stolen when the police visit the yard. Featuring Leonard Rossiter.

Note: The 4th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "The Copper Caper"
174"Steptoe à la Cart"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton28 January 1964 (1964-01-28)9 January 1964
Harold meets a French girl, and falls for her When she meets Albert they talk about her family history and it becomes apparent that Albert may have dated her grandmother while on leave during the first war with all its ramifications. Featuring Frank Thornton.
185"Sunday for Seven Days"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton4 February 1964 (1964-02-04)16 January 1964
Albert and Harold are getting ready for an evening at the pictures.
196"The Bonds That Bind Us"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton11 February 1964 (1964-02-11)23 January 1964
Albert has a windfall on the Premium Bonds. Featuring June Whitfield.
207"The Lodger"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton18 February 1964 (1964-02-18)30 January 1964
Albert decides to get in a lodger to earn some money, but Harold announces that when the lodger steps in, he steps out, then Albert catches Harold taking the advert out the shop window, tells him and Harold walks out, but Albert can't get a lodger anyway. Exists as a Shibaden VT recording.

Series 4 (1965)

The first series where the creator's names came before the actor's name in the opening titles but still saying "By Alan Simpson and Ray Galton"

No.
overall 		No.
for series 		Title Director Written by First broadcast Recorded
211"And Afterwards At..."Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton4 October 1965 (1965-10-04)12 September 1965

Harold's getting married, but what will the bride say?

Note: The 3rd of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "Here Comes the Bride, There Goes the Bride".
222"Crossed Swords"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton11 October 1965 (1965-10-11)19 September 1965

The Steptoes take a porcelain vase to a West End antiques expert's shop. Featuring Derek Nimmo.

Note: The first of 16 stories adapted into the pilot episode of Sanford and Son with the same title.
233"Those Magnificent Men and Their Heating Machines"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton18 October 1965 (1965-10-18)26 September 1965
Harold installs central heating in the house, but Albert's views of his bad workmanship turn out to be right as he pulls the house down.
244"The Siege of Steptoe Street"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton25 October 1965 (1965-10-25)3 October 1965

The Steptoes have to defend their home from businessmen with court orders after they run up one too many bills.

Note: The 8th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "The Great Sanford Siege".
255"A Box in Town"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton1 November 1965 (1965-11-01)10 October 1965

Harold moves into an attic bed-sit flat. Features Yootha Joyce.

Note: The 7th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son called "A Pad for Lamont".
266"My Old Man's a Tory"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton8 November 1965 (1965-11-08)17 October 1965
Harold and Albert clash over their opposing political views. Exists as a Shibaden VT recording.
277"Pilgrim's Progress"Duncan WoodAlan Simpson, Ray Galton15 November 1965 (1965-11-15)24 October 1965
Albert asks Harold for him to take him back to the Great War battlefield to think of the memories of the war, but whilst on the plane, he upsets and insults the fighting legion of the French and the American, then gets into a fight with them. Featuring Frank Thornton.

Series 5 (1970)

Produced in colour, but all currently only exist in black and white. Now with the "By Ray Galton and Alan Simpson" byline at the beginning.

No.
overall 		No.
for series 		Title Director Written by First broadcast Recorded
281"A Death in the Family"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson6 March 1970 (1970-03-06)15 February 1970
Hercules the Horse succumbs to a heart attack at the grand old age of 39.
292"A Winter's Tale"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson13 March 1970 (1970-03-13)22 February 1970
Albert and Harold once again clash over the destination for their annual holiday. First reel of a b/w telerecording recovered in 2008. A colour version has been at least partially made, although a full recovery remains unreleased.
303"Any Old Iron?"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson20 March 1970 (1970-03-20)8 March 1970
Harold makes a new friend out of sophisticated antique dealer Timothy Stanhope (Richard Hurndall). However, Albert suspects that Timothy's interest in Harold is something other than friendship.
314"Steptoe and Son — and Son!"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson27 March 1970 (1970-03-27)15 March 1970
Harold is believed to be the father of an illegitimate son.
325"The Colour Problem"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson3 April 1970 (1970-04-03)22 March 1970

Albert wants a colour television set...

Note: The 11th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "TV or Not TV".
336"T.B. or Not T.B.?"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson10 April 1970 (1970-04-10)5 April 1970

Albert is wrongly thought to have tuberculosis.

Note: The 5th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "A Matter of Life and Breath".
347"Men of Property"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson17 April 1970 (1970-04-17)29 March 1970
Harold and Albert find out that they don't actually own their house. They have to borrow £750 to buy the property. They hatch a scheme to schmooze the local bank manager for the loan.

Series 6 (1970)

Second series produced in colour. With two episodes excepted (indicated), this series now only exists in black and white.

No.
overall 		No.
for series 		Title Director Written by First broadcast Recorded
351"Robbery with Violence"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson2 November 1970 (1970-11-02)18 October 1970

After accidentally knocking over Harold's porcelain collection, Albert pretends they have been robbed to cover it up.

Note: The 6th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "We Were Robbed".
362"Come Dancing"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson9 November 1970 (1970-11-09)25 October 1970
Harold has a lady friend who enjoys dancing, but Harold himself cannot dance, so Albert teaches Harold the steps that he needs. Survives in colour.
373"Two's Company"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson16 November 1970 (1970-11-16)1 November 1970

Albert reveals to Harold that he has asked a woman (Jean Kent) to marry him. When Albert brings her to the house, Harold realises that the very same woman was an old flame of his.

Note: The 14th of 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "The Infernal Triangle"
384"Tea for Two"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson23 November 1970 (1970-11-23)8 November 1970
Harold and Albert's support for rival parties in the Shepherd's Bush by-election has drawn battle lines between them.
395"Without Prejudice"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson30 November 1970 (1970-11-30)15 November 1970
Harold is desperate to move from Oil Drum Lane after a noisy new motorway flyover causes irritation. However, the residents of the street that the Steptoes plan on moving to object to the possible lowering of standards of the residents, not to mention the lowering of property prices...
406"Pot Black"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson7 December 1970 (1970-12-07)22 November 1970
Harold buys a snooker table, but after paternal resistance encounters a more fundamental obstacle.
417"The Three Feathers"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson14 December 1970 (1970-12-14)29 November 1970

Albert gets stuck in a painful yoga position, while Harold reveals a new commode he has just picked up for a bargain price.

Notes: The last of the 16 stories adapted into an episode of Sanford and Son renamed "Pot Luck". Also the last episode originally made in colour to currently only exist as a monochrome telerecording or video copy.
428"Cuckoo in the Nest"Duncan WoodRay Galton and Alan Simpson21 December 1970 (1970-12-21)6 December 1970
Albert's long lost Australian son turns up from out of the blue and causes Harold to be very jealous. Survives in colour.

Series 7 (1972-73)

Produced in colour. This is the first series to survive completely in colour.


No.
overall 		No.
for series 		Title Director Written by First broadcast Recorded
431"Men of Letters"John Howard DaviesRay Galton and Alan Simpson21 February 1972 (1972-02-21)13 February 1972
After a game of Scrabble in which Albert uses several swear words, he and Harold argue over who will write an article for the church's centenary edition of the parish magazine, in front of the vicar (Anthony Sharp).
442"A Star Is Born"John Howard DaviesRay Galton and Alan Simpson28 February 1972 (1972-02-28)20 February 1972
Harold joins an amateur dramatic society for their latest play, Guilt: The White Man's Burden, at which he is unsuccessful. Guest stars Margaret Nolan of Carry On films fame and Trevor Bannister who went on to fame as Mr Lucas in 'Are You Being Served'.
453"Oh, What a Beautiful Mourning"John Howard DaviesRay Galton and Alan Simpson6 March 1972 (1972-03-06)27 February 1972
Albert's eldest brother, George, has died, and the thought of another Steptoe funeral depresses Harold, but by the end of all the aggro, Harold and Albert agree that the funeral was worth going to.
464"Live Now, P.A.Y.E. Later"John Howard DaviesRay Galton and Alan Simpson13 March 1972 (1972-03-13)5 March 1972
Harold discovers that Albert has "forgotten" to inform the tax department that his wife has died and has been cashing her pension. They need to get their story straight before the taxman visits. Albert poses as his long-dead wife by dressing in drag.
475"Loathe Story"John Howard DaviesRay Galton and Alan Simpson20 March 1972 (1972-03-20)13 March 1972
After he tries to murder Albert in his sleep, Harold visits a psychiatrist to get to the root of his antagonism towards his father. Joanna Lumley guest stars.
486"Divided We Stand"David CroftRay Galton and Alan Simpson27 March 1972 (1972-03-27)19 March 1972
After Harold and Albert argue over the decorations, Harold builds a partition through the house to separate himself from Albert, but they continue to argue even through a wall, then a fire puts Harold and Albert in hospital. Premise first discussed in episode 16, "Steptoe à la Cart".
497"The Desperate Hours"John Howard DaviesRay Galton and Alan Simpson3 April 1972 (1972-04-03)26 March 1972
Harold and Albert struggle to keep warm in the freezing house, then they receive an unexpected visit from two prisoners who recently escaped from Wormwood Scrubs. Guest starring J. G. Devlin and Leonard Rossiter.
508"The Party"Graeme MuirRay Galton and Alan Simpson24 December 1973 (1973-12-24)3 December 1973
Harold books a Christmas holiday in Majorca, but when it's cancelled, he decides to have a Christmas party instead. The guests all refuse to come in because Harold and Albert both have chickenpox. Featuring Frank Thornton. Originally transmitted in a 46 minute cut. A 42 minute edit was issued on the DVD release. A 'bootleg cut' with the excised scenes restored exists online.

Series 8 (1974)

No.
overall 		No.
for series 		Title Director Written by First broadcast Recorded
511"Back in Fashion"Douglas ArgentRay Galton and Alan Simpson4 September 1974 (1974-09-04)31 August 1974
A photographer wishes to use the Steptoes' yard as a set for a fashion shoot.
522"And So to Bed"Douglas ArgentRay Galton and Alan Simpson11 September 1974 (1974-09-11)7 September 1974
Planning to bring his new girlfriend home, Harold invests in a waterbed.
533"Porn Yesterday"Douglas ArgentRay Galton and Alan Simpson18 September 1974 (1974-09-18)14 September 1974
Harold discovers Albert's "dirty" past.
544"The Seven Steptoerai"Douglas Argent and Mike CrispRay Galton and Alan Simpson25 September 1974 (1974-09-25)21 September 1974
Albert gets assistance from the over 65 kung-fu club, when local villain Frankie Barrow (Henry Woolf), starts a protection racket.
555"Upstairs, Downstairs, Upstairs, Downstairs"Douglas ArgentRay Galton and Alan Simpson3 October 1974 (1974-10-03)28 September 1974
Albert is suffering (or so he says) from a bad back and is bedridden, so Harold has to take care of him on doctor's orders.
566"Seance in a Wet Rag and Bone Yard"Douglas ArgentRay Galton and Alan Simpson10 October 1974 (1974-10-10)5 October 1974
Clairvoyant Madame Fontana (Patricia Routledge) at Albert's request holds a seance at the Steptoes.
577"A Perfect Christmas"Douglas ArgentRay Galton and Alan Simpson26 December 1974 (1974-12-26)26 October 1974
Final episode. Harold's last attempt to get away abroad for his Christmas Holiday, but he has a cunning plan in mind. Originally transmitted in a 42 minute cut, but also exists as a longer 46 minute edit which was inadventently released by the BBC on home video, before being withdrawn. A 'bootleg cut' of the longer edition exists online. (Original Radio Times title: "A Christmas Holiday", although Galton and Simpson's original script reused the series 1 title "The Holiday")

Christmas Night with the Stars

Christmas Night with the Stars was screened annually on Christmas night when the top stars of the BBC appeared in short versions, typically five to ten minutes; The programme ran from 1958 to 1972 and Steptoe & Son appeared twice in 1962 and 1967.

However the 1962 Christmas segment no longer exists. Only sequences from the 1967 Christmas segment remain and still exist on the original film in the archives. An audio recording for the 1967 sketch exists.

Title Recorded First broadcast Notes
1962 Untitled Sketch 23 December 1962 25 December 1962 Missing
1967 Untitled Sketch 23 December 1967 25 December 1967 Extracts survive as well as audio

Radio series

Between 1966 and 1976, 52 episodes of Steptoe and Son were adapted for radio, these were remakes of the TV episodes specifically tailored for a radio audience, (Note:they are not TV soundtrack recordings), Series 1 & 2 were broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1966 and 1967. Series 3-6 and a final Christmas Special were broadcast on BBC Radio 2 between 1971 and 1976.

  • Series 1 & 2 TV scripts adapted for Radio by Gale Pedrick.
  • Series 3-6 & Christmas Special TV scripts adapted for radio by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
  • All radio episodes produced by Bobby Jaye.

Series 1

  • 1 The Offer (3 July 1966)
  • 2 The Bird (10 July 1966)
  • 3 65-Today (17 July 1966)
  • 4 The Stepmother (24 July 1966)
  • 5 The Economist (31 July 1966)
  • 6 Wallah-Wallah Catsmeat (7 August 1966)
  • 7 The Diploma (14 August 1966)
  • 8 Steptoe ala Carte (21 August 1966)
  • 9 The Holiday (28 August 1966)
  • 10 The Bath (4 September 1966)
  • 11 The Lead Man Cometh (11 September 1966)
  • 12 The Musical Evening (18 September 1966)
  • 13 The Bonds That Bind Us (25 September 1966)

Series 2

  • 1/ The Siege of Steptoe Street (11 June 1967)
  • 2/ Pilgrim's Progress (18 June 1967)
  • 3/ The Wooden Overcoats (25 June 1967)
  • 4/ Sunday for Seven Days (2 July 1967)
  • 5/ The Piano (9 July 1967)
  • 6/ My Old Man's a Tory (16 July 1967)
  • 7/ Homes Fit for Heroes (23 July 1967)
  • 8/ Crossed Swords (30 July 1967)

Series 3

  • 1/ A Death in the Family (21 March 1971)
  • 2/ Two's Company (28 March 1971)
  • 3/ Tea for Two (4 April 1971)
  • 4/ T.B. Or Not T.B. (11 April 1971)
  • 5/ Without Prejudice (18 April 1971)
  • 6/ Cuckoo in the Nest (25 April 1971)
  • 7/ Steptoe and Son -and Son (2 May 1971)
  • 8/ Robbery with Violence (9 May 1971)

Series 4

  • 1/ Full House(30 January 1972)
  • 2/ Is That Your Horse Outside? (6 February 1972)
  • 3/ The Lodger (13 February 1972)
  • 4/ A Box in Town (20 February 1972)
  • 5/ The Three Feathers (27 February 1972)
  • 6/ The Colour Problem (5 March 1972)
  • 7/ And Afterwards At... (12 March 1972)
  • 8/ Any Old Iron (19 March 1972)

Series 5

  • 1/ The Desperate Hours (26 May 1974)
  • 2/ Come Dancing (2 June 1974)
  • 3/ A Star is Born (9 June 1974)
  • 4/ A Winter's Tale (16 June 1974)
  • 5/ Men of Property (23 June 1974)
  • 6/ Men of Letters (30 June 1974)

Series 6 and Christmas special

  • 1/ Loathe Story (8 February 1976)
  • 2/ Oh What a Beautiful Mourning (15 February 1976)
  • 3/ Live Now P.A.Y.E. Later (22 February 1976)
  • 4/ Upstairs Downstairs, Upstairs Downstairs (29 February 1976)
  • 5/ And So to Bed (7 March 1976)
  • 6/ Porn Yesterday (14 March 1976)
  • 7/ The Seven Steptoerai (21 March 1976)
  • 8/ Seance in a Wet Rag and Bone Yard (28 March 1976)
  • "Away for Christmas" (25 December 1976) (based on 1974 TV Xmas Special)

Other

When Steptoe Met Son (2002)

Title First broadcast Notes
When Steptoe Met Son 20 August 2002 Documentary about the personal lives of Harry H. Corbett & Wilfrid Brambell.

The Curse of Steptoe (2008)

Title First broadcast Notes
The Curse of Steptoe 19 March 2008 Play about the relationship between Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H. Corbett.

Steptoe and son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane (2005)

Title Notes
Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane Play that brings the Steptoe saga to an end.

References

External links

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