Some enterprising soul has compiled all of the opening credit sequences from Coronation Street since it began. I was amazed how each one brought back different memories for me, but my favourite has got to be the dog shooting down the Street at high speed in the sequence used from 1993-99 - every time I saw it I expected him to up-end the old woman he's running past.
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It certainly isn't ALL the opening credits - what about the one that started on a zoomed-in close-up of the high-rise flats (where Ken and Val lived, and Ena too), then zoomed out to show the familiar Salford streets.
Also, I have absolutely no recollection of the bit where there is close-up of pigeons in flight... and if this was actually part of the credits for as long as suggested, I am fairly sure I would remember it - so maybe this was only used for a very short time (either that or my memory is failing!)
I've got a 1971 and 1976 DVD and none of those credits are included. The 1986-1993 copied Brookside I think
It is good to see these from past era's. It seems like we are very much due a new set of opening credits as the current one's still show the old Corner Shop frontage nearly 5 years on from when Maya thought she would blow it up. I do like the current opening sequence though and i imagine the producers will not update it until the 50th anniversary episode.
A nice memory, brings back a lot. Nice to see.
I liked the one with Bobby the cat curling up on the roof
What about the Pre-2004 ones with the Corner shop in the credits? (I think that bit was removed after Mad Maya)
Nice to see old credits but anyone who has the box sets will know that the years stated are completely inaccurate. The one with the pigeons was only ued in 1986 briefly and no way until 1993 and there was loads more credits between 1961 and 1975 instead of that old black and white one. The street went colour in 69! Don't believe everything yo see on the internet....unless Sue writes it obviously!
You're very right John some are missing and some lasted even longer than this video suggests!
Many 1960s episodes featured little or no opening sequence at all. I think that between 1961 and 1969, the main sequence was the shot featured at 0.27 on the above video followed by a Hilda Ogden-esque woman scrubbing the path down the ginnel or instead cut straight to an establishing shot for the episode with music continuing over the top. Indeed, the sequence in the video above is actually the start of the episode - Ken and his dad, Frank Barlow, appear from No.3 and walk down the street.
The shaky pan-left from the high-rise block started in 1969 to coincide with the programme's switch to colour. As many fans may already be aware, there were lots of problems with the colour switch and the first few episodes became a mishmash of colour and black & white. The first colour episode was broadcast in November 1969, with the old black and white opening sequence (houses and woman scrubbing!) but by December 1969 the new sequence with the flats was in use and in colour.
This was replaced in 1975 with Corrie's most enduring opening sequence (the one in this video that says is from 1975-1984) which, in reality, was used from 1975 until the early 1990s! This sequence was very much variations on a theme with different shots of Coronation Street itself appearing - for instance the shot of the street was changed in 1982 to show off the new, purpose-built set. This is also the sequence that establish the cat as a Corrie opening credit staple.
The sequence featuring the pigeons was made specially for the Rovers Fire episode in 1986, and I believe entitled 'Manchester Awakes' (or something along those lines). They tied in with the episode which was supposed to be set at 5am as the sun was rising. The shot of the viaduct cuts to a silent shot of the back alleys, followed by a very young (and happy!) Kevin & Sally being dropped off. They were used sporadically if the storyline fitted.
As others have said, there are a few not included.
- In the 1960s the title sequence wasn't very long, usually just a shot of the street with the logo as in the first sequence in the video. This lasted until 1964, but the logo went through a few font changes before then.
- The second sequence certainly didn't last until 1975 - the show changed to colour in 1969 so a black and white title sequence would look a bit out of place! The 1964-69 sequence was a shot of the ginnel (which isn't shown).
- The third sequence was introduced in 1969 when the show switched to colour. It's the 'block of flats' sequence mentioned above, and lasted until 1975.
- The fourth sequence is shown in the video, listed as '1975-84', although it was only used in 1975.
- The fifth title sequence is also in the video, but incorrectly listed as '1984-86'. It was actually used from 1975-90, although the final shot of the sequence, a shot of the street, was replaced in 1982 when the new outdoor set was built.
- The sixth sequence is shown in the video several times, there are a few variations of it. It was used from 1990-2002.
- The current sequence was introduced in 2002 when the show went widescreen (might have been 2001, not sure).
Forgot to mention, the sequence in the video that shows images of Manchester at dawn was only used in one episode - the Rovers fire episode in 1986.
The wealth of imformation from many sources leaves no doubt of the dedication of Coronation Street fans. Well done!!
Good to see there are so many knowledgable fans out there - Ben and David your comments are spot on and match with my dates - I have the DVD box set and loads of books. I especially love it when they play the opening music right to the end which isnt very often. Wish we were able to hear the end music which is mostly short and lost due to itv trailers! Oh well - at least it is the same!
wow thanks for this, i remember the cat proper well crawling under the ledge in fact i had to think does it not do that now ?? lol
This is probabaly only me, but I think there was a tiny little tweak in the opening credits for one episode in Late November/Early December 2008. I think instead of the poeple walking down the road, there was a postman instead? Just thought I'd add it in.
I think we must have the most knowledgeable readers of any blog anywhere. It just amazes me how much you all know about Corrie. Thanks for all the additional info!
David, it was definately 2002 as it was just slightly before Bets infamous brief return. Also it was the day that does my head in as apparently the viaduct came back in use after being closed in the 69 railway carriage crash. That really gives me the pip continuity wise!
Does anyone else look at the TV aerial in the opening sequence now and each time think the chimney is snoring 'z z z z z z'....no? just me? I'll get my coat!