Man About the House - George and Mildred
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Review
I have just completed this book. An excellent compilation and history of these wonderful comedies. It makes a great reference tome and brought back many happy memories for me, as well as few sad ones as I remember those who have passed on. I hope it sells well. It deserves to! --Brian Murphy (Actor - George Roper)
Great Book! I read it through in one sitting, obviously a lot of research went into it. An essential tool for nerds and nutcases like me! --Brian Cooke (Co-writer/creator Man About the House, George and Mildred)
You don't need to be a die-hard fan to find this book a treasure trove of memories and anecdotes. And if you are a die-hard fan, you will never put it down. --C Johnson (Reader). A tribute not just to these two superb series, but to the era in general, a true golden age of entertainment. A fascinating and very original book! --M Sykes (Reader) --Readers
Great Book! I read it through in one sitting, obviously a lot of research went into it. An essential tool for nerds and nutcases like me! --Brian Cooke (Co-writer/creator Man About the House, George and Mildred)
You don't need to be a die-hard fan to find this book a treasure trove of memories and anecdotes. And if you are a die-hard fan, you will never put it down. --C Johnson (Reader). A tribute not just to these two superb series, but to the era in general, a true golden age of entertainment. A fascinating and very original book! --M Sykes (Reader) --Readers
Product Description
The classic British Situation Comedy 'Man About the House' was the highly successful product of comedy writers Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke, airing from 1973 to 1976 and drawing in an astonishing 20 Million viewers every week. It introduced us to Robin Tripp (Richard O'Sullivan), a womanising cookery student, lodging in an upstairs flat with two attractive young girls, Chrissy Plummer (Paula Wilcox) and Jo (Sally Thomsett). Downstairs at the flat in Myddleton Terrace, South Kensington, were George and Mildred Roper, acted brilliantly by the finest exports of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce. The landlord's of the property were so popular, they ended up at the front of their own series, the equally successful 'George and Mildred'. Richard O'Sullivan was also transported to Thames Television Sitcom 'Robin's Nest' with Tessa Wyatt, but this series didn't meet the same success as it's predecessors. This new book details the full story of these iconic series. With exclusive interviews with the cast, the book includes extensive biographies of all the main actors, together with a full synopsis of every episode, details of the film, filming locations, vehicles used on screen, stage play, and a complete A-Z of every support cast actor. The book boasts frequent memories and contributions from the people involved, including; Brian Murphy, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, Nicholas Bond-Owen, and over twenty-five other support cast and crew.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Delighted to see a book on Man About the House brought out and I was very much looking forward to it, I have to say it has lived up to it's promise. I bought from the publisher direct a week or so ago, so I've had a chance to have a good in depth look.
The book is very detailed, and in some places too detailed, if that is possible. The author spends a paragraph talking about a metal train ID plate that hangs in the Fourmile's kitchen - he even manages to tell us the exact type of train it came from and when it was made. In the middle there is 8 pages of pictures, most in colour. A few press stills from the programmes, and theatre flyers from the stage tour. Something I found interesting was two pictures on the last plate page, which show how the filming locations look now. George and Mildred's house hasn't changed a bit!!
The actual history of the show's inception is interesting, and there is a lot of input from the cast. There is also a page or two on Thames television. Whereas a lot of the book is made up of episode guides (something I normally don't like) the author has really managed to liven them up, and most have a nice little quote from one of the support actors remembering the show, or sometimes the author points out an error in the episode, most of which I'd missed before. You do really get the sense the author likes these shows a lot. Cast biographies are interesting, as indeed the A-Z of support cast, but it does go on a little bit too much (hence the dropped off star in this review). At the back, the book redeems itself as there is a fun guide to the fictional pubs in the programmes, and also a chapter on current day TV, with thoughts about it from Brian Murphy and Bella Emberg. It is refreshing to see they don't think much of comedy today either. My favourite bit overall was an interview with the singer who sung the theme tune to the man about the house film - it was fascinating about how the producer head-hunted her from singing in a small club and took her to the film studios within a week!
Something else worth praise is the font. I watched these shows first time round, and now I'm getting a bit long in the tooth and my eyesight is going. Most books are troublesome, but the font in this was so clear. Something I don't see in books (pardon the pun) very often.
All in all. Good book - could have done with it 30 years ago!! I'm also pleased to see that On the Buses is the next book in the sights of the author, as we desperately need a GOOD on the buses book. Ive preordered it already, should be another good read, and judging by this, it is in safe hands.
The book is very detailed, and in some places too detailed, if that is possible. The author spends a paragraph talking about a metal train ID plate that hangs in the Fourmile's kitchen - he even manages to tell us the exact type of train it came from and when it was made. In the middle there is 8 pages of pictures, most in colour. A few press stills from the programmes, and theatre flyers from the stage tour. Something I found interesting was two pictures on the last plate page, which show how the filming locations look now. George and Mildred's house hasn't changed a bit!!
The actual history of the show's inception is interesting, and there is a lot of input from the cast. There is also a page or two on Thames television. Whereas a lot of the book is made up of episode guides (something I normally don't like) the author has really managed to liven them up, and most have a nice little quote from one of the support actors remembering the show, or sometimes the author points out an error in the episode, most of which I'd missed before. You do really get the sense the author likes these shows a lot. Cast biographies are interesting, as indeed the A-Z of support cast, but it does go on a little bit too much (hence the dropped off star in this review). At the back, the book redeems itself as there is a fun guide to the fictional pubs in the programmes, and also a chapter on current day TV, with thoughts about it from Brian Murphy and Bella Emberg. It is refreshing to see they don't think much of comedy today either. My favourite bit overall was an interview with the singer who sung the theme tune to the man about the house film - it was fascinating about how the producer head-hunted her from singing in a small club and took her to the film studios within a week!
Something else worth praise is the font. I watched these shows first time round, and now I'm getting a bit long in the tooth and my eyesight is going. Most books are troublesome, but the font in this was so clear. Something I don't see in books (pardon the pun) very often.
All in all. Good book - could have done with it 30 years ago!! I'm also pleased to see that On the Buses is the next book in the sights of the author, as we desperately need a GOOD on the buses book. Ive preordered it already, should be another good read, and judging by this, it is in safe hands.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Bought this book from Waterstones but decided to review it on Amazon too. Well what can I add to the other reviews.. For a start it was very pleasing to see that these two superb, and often neglected, series have had a book dedicated to them. The book in question is full of facts and figures about the programmes and it is really nice to see that even actors with tiny parts in the show have been given a chance to recall their experiences. In fact the majority of the book tends to be quotes from actors who appeared in the show, and their memories have all been stitched together very nicely and brought together to tell an interesting story. The list from the aknowledgements is: Brian Murphy, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, Nicholas Bond-Owen, Jackie Mitchell, George Layton, David Barry, John Colclough, John Lyons, Audrey Nicholson, Carmel Kinnear, Robert Gillespie, Sally Harrison, Jane Christie, Hal Dyer, Mike Savage, Paul Meier, Kathleen Russell, Frankie Jordan, Veronica Doran, Melinda Tracey, Jean Rogers, Jeremy Bulloch, Jytte Mortimer, Roger Mortimer, Bella Emberg, David Neville, Wendy Allnutt.
I can't agree with the reviewer who talks about the pictures, as all the images in the book I had never seen before I read it. Especially not the thames promo stuff and the present day shots of the roper's house. The only picture i had seen before was of the cast at the end of the last episode of man about the house. pictures are vital to me, and there are 8 pages worth so a nice selection. I agree with pennyplummer and private widdle about the style of writing, it is very clear and fluent and allows the reader to dip in and out. MATHfan I concur there is lots of background information i did not know. I cant say i agree at all with sgibbon and i cant understand how he/she cant see the cast input in this book, the reviewer must walk with a white stick. i agree with the reviewers who said more robins nest would be nice. there isnt much on that in the book.
all in all, i have many comedy books, and this is in the top quarter of my collection. it has the right mix of everything, it is well written, nicely produced and overall a highly adequate little package of fun for comedy fans.
I can't agree with the reviewer who talks about the pictures, as all the images in the book I had never seen before I read it. Especially not the thames promo stuff and the present day shots of the roper's house. The only picture i had seen before was of the cast at the end of the last episode of man about the house. pictures are vital to me, and there are 8 pages worth so a nice selection. I agree with pennyplummer and private widdle about the style of writing, it is very clear and fluent and allows the reader to dip in and out. MATHfan I concur there is lots of background information i did not know. I cant say i agree at all with sgibbon and i cant understand how he/she cant see the cast input in this book, the reviewer must walk with a white stick. i agree with the reviewers who said more robins nest would be nice. there isnt much on that in the book.
all in all, i have many comedy books, and this is in the top quarter of my collection. it has the right mix of everything, it is well written, nicely produced and overall a highly adequate little package of fun for comedy fans.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is a wonderful companion to both classic sit-coms. Complete with in-depth interviews, actor biographies and behind the scenes looks into the creation of the shows. A very comfortable read with great quotes from the entire casts and production teams as well as good coverage of supporting casts and cameo roles.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A mixed bag
Although this book tackles the series Man About the House and George and Mildred quite well, giving the low-down on episodes, etc, it fails to give any new information on the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by ruemac
As the title says ...
This book is a definitive review. As I enjoy a lot of comedy from the 1970's, it was great to see these on ITV3 and ITV4 bearing in mind that I was not born till 1973. Read more
Published 11 months ago by wranglerjeans
Disappointing
I was looking forward to this book but ended up being extremely disappointed. For a start, it was the wrong format for this type of book... Read more
Published 13 months ago by M. K. Pigott
Really good read. Highly recommended
Really good read especially from a first time author. Lots of information, trivia and insight from members of the cast. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. N. Spence
Good but not fantastic...
The very first book on these two classic comedies, so full marks for that...
One of the biggest faults I have with TV show based books (including this one) is that they... Read more
One of the biggest faults I have with TV show based books (including this one) is that they... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Zoom Entertainments Limited
misleading
I bought this book on the basis that it contained memories from the original cast , perhaps i was looking for something more than the odd quote taken from a publication at the time... Read more
Published 21 months ago by S. Gibbon
british comedy
This was a book i was looking forward too but when it arrived early then expected i may add, i was a little disappointed at its content, i was led to believe there was going to be... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. G. E. Gregory
Great for fans!
I too have enjoyed this companion book as it really delves into the back story of how these shows came to be. Read more
Published 22 months ago by MATH Fan
About time!
Man About the House - George and Mildred : The Definitive Companion]]
What a pleasant suprise to find that someone has finally written a book on these two amazing... Read more
What a pleasant suprise to find that someone has finally written a book on these two amazing... Read more
Published 22 months ago by pennyplummer
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