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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Network's latest plundering of the comedy archives is this seven-part anthology series made by Yorkshire Television in 1977. Let me drop a few names; Arthur Lowe, Richard Briers, Frances De La Tour, Roy Kinnear, Freddie Jones, Warren Mitchell, John Bird, Henry McGee, and Leonard Rossiter. Top quality actors, with material to match.
In 'Car Along The Pass', dear old Arthur Lowe plays a xenophobic British tourist trapped with holidaymakers in a cable car over the Austrian Alps, 'Big Deal At York City' has Warren Mitchell as a lucky gambler preyed on by card sharps while travelling home by train, in 'Swap You One Of These For One Of Those' Richard Briers is cast against type as a would-be swinger wanting a piece of the so-called 'permissive society', but the cherry on the cake is 'I Tell You, Its Burt Reynolds'. Leonard Rossiter plays an idiot who becomes convinced he has spotted the movie star in a repeat of 'MacMillan & Wife', and despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, refuses to let the issue go. You cannot help but laugh as this man falls apart before your eyes. It was later remade as a vehicle for Paul Merton. Take it from me, the original is best.
You cannot have enough Galton and Simpson D.V.D. releases in my view, and this is long overdue. Shame that none of the episodes became a series ( Alan Simpson retired soon afterwards ). The Arthur Lowe one had the most potential for further development. With 'Dad's Army' still in production at the time it was made, the role of 'Henry Duckworth' was a natural for him. He did however play a not-too dissimilar character in Roy Clarke's 'Potter' two years later.
Some have grumbled about the so-called 'outdated' humour. While not up to the standard of say 'Steptoe' or 'Hancock', it manages nevertheless to outshine anything currently on the box. All I can say is that if you like your comedy full of swearing and body function jokes, do not buy. You will hate it. Fry and Laurie once did a wonderful sketch in which the former played an idiot who took a Jane Austen book back to the shop he'd bought it from and complained it was 'dated'. 'Playhouse' is no masterwork, but not rubbish either. I fail to see how it could have been made funnier if Arthur Lowe had been seen chatting into a mobile phone!
In 'Car Along The Pass', dear old Arthur Lowe plays a xenophobic British tourist trapped with holidaymakers in a cable car over the Austrian Alps, 'Big Deal At York City' has Warren Mitchell as a lucky gambler preyed on by card sharps while travelling home by train, in 'Swap You One Of These For One Of Those' Richard Briers is cast against type as a would-be swinger wanting a piece of the so-called 'permissive society', but the cherry on the cake is 'I Tell You, Its Burt Reynolds'. Leonard Rossiter plays an idiot who becomes convinced he has spotted the movie star in a repeat of 'MacMillan & Wife', and despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, refuses to let the issue go. You cannot help but laugh as this man falls apart before your eyes. It was later remade as a vehicle for Paul Merton. Take it from me, the original is best.
You cannot have enough Galton and Simpson D.V.D. releases in my view, and this is long overdue. Shame that none of the episodes became a series ( Alan Simpson retired soon afterwards ). The Arthur Lowe one had the most potential for further development. With 'Dad's Army' still in production at the time it was made, the role of 'Henry Duckworth' was a natural for him. He did however play a not-too dissimilar character in Roy Clarke's 'Potter' two years later.
Some have grumbled about the so-called 'outdated' humour. While not up to the standard of say 'Steptoe' or 'Hancock', it manages nevertheless to outshine anything currently on the box. All I can say is that if you like your comedy full of swearing and body function jokes, do not buy. You will hate it. Fry and Laurie once did a wonderful sketch in which the former played an idiot who took a Jane Austen book back to the shop he'd bought it from and complained it was 'dated'. 'Playhouse' is no masterwork, but not rubbish either. I fail to see how it could have been made funnier if Arthur Lowe had been seen chatting into a mobile phone!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
I bought this specifically to see again the episode called 'I Tell You It's Burt Reynolds,' with Leonard Rossiter playing a knowitall who becomes obsessed by the absurd notion that a minor, unnamed, actor in a modest TV show is actually the famous Hollywood star. It made me laugh for ages when it first went out, and I was delighted to find it did so again on DVD. The other plays are all amusing to varying degrees, and, as always with Galton and Simpson, they maximise the comic potential by using skilled character actors who know all the tricks of the trade. The picture quality is very good indeed, and, as a whole, this little collection is very entertaining.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
My favourite on this collection is "I Tell You It's Burt Reynolds", which shows how masterful Leonard Rossiter is when you compare it to the horrendous Paul Herton remake.
The majority of the plays on this disc are excellent. Well-written and great performances from some legends of British comedy including Roy Kinnear, Frances De La Tour, Arthur Lowe and Richard Briers.
Fans of 70's comedy will enjoy this.
The majority of the plays on this disc are excellent. Well-written and great performances from some legends of British comedy including Roy Kinnear, Frances De La Tour, Arthur Lowe and Richard Briers.
Fans of 70's comedy will enjoy this.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Rather disappointing
I was pleased to see this title released and glad I have seen it - but in truth it has aged very badly. Read more
Published on 6 July 2009 by M. Edmonds
slightly disappointed
I was expecting more. I must admit I haven't bothered to watch all of it. Couple of excellent scripts. couple of very dire scripts.
Published on 8 April 2009 by snowman
Sad disappointment
Galton and Simpson have written some brilliant comedy in their day. Sadly, this is not some of their best. Read more
Published on 7 April 2009 by Roy Anderson
come on bbc
this is a great package - what is stopping the BBC releasing more items from storage ? They have 4 channels and can find room for enough rubbish, how about a vintage comedy hour at... Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2009 by Mr. T. D. J. Dommett
hasnt worn well
well ive waited 31 years to watch the " I tell you its Burt Reynolds" comedy again having thought it was hilarious funny first time round-im really sad that it hasnt aged well and... Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2009 by Mr. D. R. Holding
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