For the Love of Ada


For the Love of Ada is an ITV sitcom that ran between 1970 and 1971. Although not seen on British TV for over 30 years, the complete series began airing again in late 2018 on Talking Pictures TV, albeit edited with certain 'offensive' words muted out. One of the notable points about this series was there were no opening titles or closing credits in the real sense of the word. Instead both were superimposed on the screen as the 'live' action and script played out on the screen.

Outline

The sitcom stars Irene Handl as Ada Cresswell, a Cockney widow, a pensioner who is prone to malapropisms. She lives with her daughter Ruth Pollitt and son-in-law Leslie. Ada starts a relationship with Walter Bingley, the gravedigger who buried her husband, after meeting him at the cemetery while laying flowers on her husband's grave. Walter is a Yorkshireman; his relationship with Ada slowly changes from one of companionship to one of romance. They get engaged, and later marry, after which they move in together at his cemetery lodge abode.

Cast

Main

Series One
20 Apr-25 May 1970 – Mon mostly 9.30pm
Series Two
14 Sep-26 Oct 1970 – Mon 9.30pm
Short special
Part of the All-Star Comedy Carnival 25 Dec 1970 – Fri 6pm
Series Three
15 Mar-3 May 1971 – Mon 8.30pm
Series Four
26 Aug-30 Sep 1971 – Thu 9pm
Christmas special
Boxing Day – Sun 6.45pm
The entire series was re-broadcast in 2020 by Talking Pictures TV.

Film version

A film version, based on the series, was released in 1972. It was directed by Ronnie Baxter and featured the same principal cast, along with an appearance by Arthur English as a colleague of Walter. The plot revolves around a surprise party being planned for Ada and Walter's first wedding anniversary.

American version

For The Love Of Ada spawned an American remake called A Touch of Grace that premiered on ABC in January 1973. This version starred Shirley Booth and J. Pat O'Malley as Grace Simpson and Herbert Morrison, who like their English counterparts fall in love. The American version faced very tough competition from All In The Family and drew low ratings, resulting in its cancellation in April 1973 after only thirteen episodes, although ABC ran reruns of the show in prime time until June 1973.

DVD release

All four series of For the Love of Ada were released between 2009 and 2012.
DVDRelease date
The Complete Series 112 October 2009
The Complete Series 24 July 2011
The Complete Series 317 October 2011
The Complete Series 416 January 2012
The Complete Series 1 to 4 Box Set19 March 2018