Bless This House
On Wednesday 8th November 2006 GMT at 12:24 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Mentioned in the Steptoe thread a bit, and it's my personal favourite sitcom (Sid James is brilliant), so I thought it deserved its own one.
I know it's probably not everyone's tastes, but I just really love it. Hilarious, especially Sid's song in S5E1, They Don't Write Songs Like That Anymore. The scene just cracks me up every time. Their expressions can't be beaten.
I love Bertha Brown,
She's the biggest girl in town,
It's her bust that made the fellas all turn round.
It's a pity that she's lop-sided,
It's the way that they're divided;
One ways nothing and the other weighs 10 pounds.
On Wednesday 8th November 2006 GMT at 12:34 AM GMT, Craig said:
I bought Series 1 on DVD a month or two ago and through time I hope to buy more Series as I've always liked Bless This House as it has the comedy master Sid James and the delectable Sally Geeson in it.Great comedy as well.
On Wednesday 8th November 2006 GMT at 12:49 AM GMT, Aaron said:
I resorted to *cough*eBay*cough*, due to not being able to afford the DVDs (and not all series have been released (or certainly hadn't at the time)). I do, however, fully intend to buy the proper DVDs when I can. 
On Wednesday 8th November 2006 GMT at 12:53 AM GMT, Craig said:
That will be the Network DVD releases that are out at the moment then.No doubt that once they have released all but one series they will then announce the release of the complete boxset with every series in it.That's what they've done with On The Buses.
On Wednesday 8th November 2006 GMT at 1:52 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Yep, very annoying! (Luckily, I've waited for OTB. Not sure if I should do the same with Please Sir though...?)
On Wednesday 8th November 2006 GMT at 6:22 PM GMT, Craig said:
I've waited for the OTB Boxset as well and have ordered it online.I'd say check which company are releasing Please Sir.
On Friday 10th November 2006 GMT at 9:48 PM GMT, Craig said:
Very sad news to hear that today Diana Coupland,star of Bless This House,has passed away at the age of 74.She starred alongside the great Sid James in the smash hit sitcom playing his wife who battled to keep him on the straight and narrow whilst defending her two children.
Another star from the golden age of comedy has passed away.
R I P Diana Coupland
On Saturday 11th November 2006 GMT at 3:40 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Nooooooooo! :'(
On Friday 24th November 2006 GMT at 4:52 PM GMT, Thomps said:
Diana Coupland obituary from The Guardian. Better late than never, I suppose.
http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,1955942,00.html
On Saturday 9th December 2006 GMT at 11:31 AM GMT, SivoxII said:
Quote: Craig @ November 8, 2006, 1:22 PMI've waited for the OTB Boxset as well and have ordered it online.I'd say check which company are releasing Please Sir.
That's a very sad loss. She always looked so warm & friendly.
If Bless This House was on the box every night, I still don't think I would get tired of it, exceptional comedy of it's time!! ... It's funny, I used to have a mate who would come over for a couple of beers, where instead of the typical night you would expect, we would always end up watching Bless This House (or Bottom)
On Wednesday 25th April 2007 GMT at 9:55 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
I got the complete series from Ebay about a year ago for £15. Look out for it on Ebay, because many people record the episodes on Paramount Comedy 2. I loved the first 2 series, I liked series 3, Series 4 and 5 it started to lose it and series 6 was a bit poor. It's not a patch on the superior James/Powell/Driver sitcom Two in Clover, but much better than the James/Powell/Driver sitcom George and the Dragon.
On Wednesday 25th April 2007 GMT at 10:49 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Yeah, that was my source too. 
(Ditto Two in Clover, but in my own defence, I'd never heard of it so didn't even think to check if it was available commercially! (And, in fact, much of BTH still wasn't at that point.))
I'm not sure I'd quite agree with the comparisons to Two in Clover and George and the Dragon, but I don't really know how I would rate them exactly either.
On Saturday 9th June 2007 GMT at 11:00 PM GMT, wii-man76 said:
I have enjoyed watching Bless This House and have all of them so far that have been released on DVD.
I also have George & The Dragon and Two In Clover and they are just as good! If you like Sid James then you will like these too!
On Sunday 10th June 2007 GMT at 1:51 AM GMT, Aaron said:
I think it's all out on DVD now, isn't it?
(BTH, that is.)
On Sunday 10th June 2007 GMT at 8:32 PM GMT, Dave said:
Sid James was and always will be nothing short of brilliant. I remember sometime in the late nineties - when I was eight upwards - I started watching all those old black and white comedy films and he was a regular - and I must have seen every one he's been in: Too Many Crooks, The Big Job ... to many to mention.
On Monday 11th June 2007 GMT at 8:35 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Just watched a bit of this on Paramount 2 for the first time, as far as I can remember.
I thought it was pretty good, Sid's character kinda reminded me of Hank Hill, with an old fashioned valued man in a modern world (well modernish).
I'll have to remember to record it tomorrow to see some more.
On Tuesday 12th June 2007 GMT at 2:06 AM GMT, Aaron said:
On Tuesday 19th June 2007 GMT at 12:56 PM GMT, SivoxII said:
Still love Sid & crew every time I watch "any" episode of Bless this House.
In particular, the fishing one with Sid's dad (or hers?) being taken to see a XXX film & drinking Sid's booze in the shed. Then the one with the fasting (Sid creeping into the bedroom after fiddling with the clocks)
... and last but not least, when Sid & Trev fall out, only to make up in the pub "I can feel my bottom lip going" *thumbs up*
PRICELESS!!!
On Tuesday 19th June 2007 GMT at 2:34 PM GMT, Michael Monkhouse said:
Stupendously bad!
On Wednesday 20th June 2007 GMT at 12:14 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: SivoxII @ June 19, 2007, 8:56 AMIn particular, the fishing one with Sid's dad (or hers?)
Hers.
On Saturday 8th December 2007 GMT at 4:57 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Watching this again on Paramount at the moment. (Doubles all day, along with George & Mildred.) Always makes me laugh, and that's increasingly rare that I'm more than just "amused" these days, particularly so with programmes I've seen before.
On Saturday 8th December 2007 GMT at 5:25 PM GMT, Lost Boys said:
Paramount is keeping me going through the winter at the minute! Sky+ chock a block with Bless This House and George and Mildred.
And of course, who can forget the lovely Sally Geeson, another reason for not missing BTH!
On Saturday 8th December 2007 GMT at 5:31 PM GMT, Aaron said:
She attends quite a few Carry On meetup/location tour/talk thingies. I keep meaning to attend one, but they always seem to be on weekends I'm not available.
On Sunday 9th December 2007 GMT at 4:45 AM GMT, Lost Boys said:
There used to be a couple of pages on the net about her now, but they seem to have disappeared.
I heard (not 100% sure) that she was a university teacher or something.
Edit: Found a link to a picture of her from this year, don't know who the bloke is though.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bispham2/1509272116/
On Sunday 9th December 2007 GMT at 4:59 AM GMT, Aaron said:
I'm sure I've seen that photo before. Quite possibly one of the guys who goes to all of those conventions and meets and such.
Not really 'this year' though - "With Sally Geeson, November 2004". Hm.
On Sunday 9th December 2007 GMT at 11:26 PM GMT, Lost Boys said:
Ah, didn't read that bit!
On Monday 21st January 2008 GMT at 6:55 AM GMT, TitanicFan said:
This is one of my all time favourites sid james is great in it i got all 6 series on dvd.
On Monday 21st January 2008 GMT at 4:08 PM GMT, Aaron said:
You've suddenly moved up in my estimation. 
Now tell me, is your love of Titanic because of Kate's Bristols?
On Monday 21st January 2008 GMT at 4:10 PM GMT, roscoff said:
I haven't seen BTH since I was a kid when I loved it. Time to get re-aquainted me thinks. Sid James also great with Monsieur Hancock.
On Monday 21st January 2008 GMT at 4:11 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Sid James was great full stop!
On Monday 21st January 2008 GMT at 4:17 PM GMT, roscoff said:
But a real dirty old man apparently. Fit well on here
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 1:38 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
Notice 'Bless this House' the movie is on today. Never seen it before. Should be good.
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 1:58 PM GMT, Aaron said:
FILM: Bless This House
On: Channel 4
Date: Wednesday 18th June 2008
Time: 12:45 to 14:25
An anytime alert is set for 15 minutes before the programme starts
Movie spin-off from the popular 70s TV series, starring Sid James as Sid Abbott, the middle-class, middle-aged father who doesn't understand the youth of the day, in particular his own children, Mike and Sally, who both seem keener to attend demos than get a job. Plus, he's also having problems with his new neighbour Ronald Baines. So when Baines' daughter Kate falls for Mike, comic confusions ensue.
(Widescreen, 1972, PG, 3 Star)
Director: Gerald Thomas
Starring: Sid James, Diana Coupland, Sally Geeson, Peter Butterworth, Terry Scott, June Whitfield
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 4:23 PM GMT, monkeybeard said:
I wish I was at home watching Bless This House the movie 
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 6:48 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
Not a bad film, but as ever with these spin-offs, not a patch on the TV Show.
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 8:17 PM GMT, Rockabilly said:
In the case of bless this house that translates as''the series were shite ,and the film is shiter...!'
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 9:20 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Incorrect.
Also poor punctuation and poor grammar. C -.
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 9:23 PM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
As with a lot of these spin-offs, the supporting cast on TV got the bullet for more established "stars". Having said that, I know Sid James did not like Robin Stewart in the series so it wasn't a surprise he didn't make the film version.
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 9:26 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Ah, did he not? Any idea why?
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 9:34 PM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
I believe he had issues with his lack of professionalism - not learning his lines, arrive late for rehearsals, etc. Robin Askwith was in the final episode of series 2 and 2 weeks later he was playing Robin Stewart's role in the feature film.
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 GMT at 9:41 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Ah, now that's very interesting! Might re-watch that episode a bit later today.
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 5:03 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
The episode is titled 'A Touch of the Unknown' which is my favourite episode of 'Bless this House' What I have against the movie is that basically it is a Carry On. I think Bless this House is in a much higher comic league than a Carry On film. I object to the fact replacing 'Carry On' style actors with the actors who played the charactors in the TV Series. Why change Robin Stewart and Anthony Jackson (Mike and Trevor) with Robin Askwith and Peter Butterworth. Why change the loyal director William G Stewart with Carry On director Gerald Thomson. Why bother making the movie and why not just make another Carry On instead of ruining for what in the most part was a classic sitcom.
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 7:43 PM GMT, Rockabilly said:
It was absolute unfunny crap! and finding fault with my grammmmeeerrrr and puktuinatshun, wont change the facts.
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 8:15 PM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
There were 65 episodes = a fact, saying it's crap or shite = opinion not fact.
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 8:50 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Rockabilly @ June 19 2008, 4:43 PM BSTIt was absolute unfunny crap! and finding fault with my grammmmeeerrrr and puktuinatshun, wont change the facts.
Yes, hence its cancellation during series one.
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 8:53 PM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 19 2008, 5:50 PM BSTYes, hence its cancellation during series one.
It's original title was Carry on Borrowing Sugar From Next Door but they changed it's title
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 9:25 PM GMT, garyd said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 19 2008, 5:50 PM BSTYes, hence its cancellation during series one.
Ah, but Aaron, that doesn't necessarily mean it would be any good.
My Hero as an example!
Personally I loved Bless This House!
It was funny, warm and, imo, had no hidden message or agenda.
Not likely to see its like again unfortunately.
However, if they were to do a remake I wonder who from todays acting world would be suitable for the characters, if anyone?
Suggestions anyone?
I'll think on, myself.
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 9:27 PM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
Quote: garyd @ June 19 2008, 6:25 PM BSTHowever, if they were to do a remake I wonder who from todays acting world would be suitable for the characters, if anyone?
Suggestions anyone?
I'll think on, myself.
I thought they had remade it and called it My Family!?
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 9:29 PM GMT, garyd said:
Quote: Alan C @ June 19 2008, 6:27 PM BSTI thought they had remade it and called it My Family!?
Not bloody likely!!
In parts My Family has been okay but no comparison to BTH, that's only my opinion of course.
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 9:40 PM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
I'm still reeling at ITV remaking Dharma and Greg ffs
On Thursday 19th June 2008 GMT at 11:01 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: garyd @ June 19 2008, 6:29 PM BSTIn parts My Family has been okay but no comparison to BTH, that's only my opinion of course.
My Family is good, but not a patch on Bless This House.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 12:43 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
They are probably about the same in quality. If pushed to make a decision, I would probably go for My Family, but it is almost impossible to make a decision of the two. Both series had an excellent first three series, but when both series got to series five, both shows started to lack quality.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 12:50 AM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
An interesting fact of this series - unlike most of her other contributions to the genre, Carla Lane has no discernable stamp on the storylines and yet she was involved in writing over 20 of them.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 12:52 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
Twelve of which with Myra Taylor.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 12:53 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Indeed. A strong guideline sheet. And all the better for it.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 12:53 AM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
Quote: Jack Massey @ June 19 2008, 9:52 PM BSTTwelve of which with Myra Taylor.
With whom she was also writing The Liver Birds at the same time and that show had her stamp ALL over it!?
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 1:03 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
A question really for devout fans of the show, which writers do you think wrote the best episodes. I'll probably go for the Harry Driver and Vince Powell episodes. Though Carla Lane/Myra Taylor and Dave Freeman's episodes were good for the most part.
Probably pop one on tonight. Haven't watched the TV Series for ages. Will probably work my way through the first couple of series. But also currently watching 'Car 54 Where Are you' 'One Foot in the Grave' and 'Men Behaving Badly' and 'Paul Merton in Galton and Simpson's' is in the post. Just too much choice at the minute.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 1:51 AM GMT, Rockabilly said:
Men Behaving Badly series 1 is £3 for the DVD in Tescos.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:00 AM GMT, Aaron said:
And Bless This House series 1 is £4.99 for the DVD at CD-WOW! - a much better, and more cost-effective, way to spend one's money.
Not to mention much funnier.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:08 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
Men Behaving Badly is funnier than Bless this House.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:09 AM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: Jack Massey @ June 19 2008, 11:08 PM BSTMen Behaving Badly is funnier than Bless this House.
Much funnier!
BTH was a bit cliched but MBB was much more original.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:11 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Jack Massey @ June 19 2008, 11:08 PM BSTMen Behaving Badly is funnier than Bless this House.
Quote: David Chapman @ June 19 2008, 11:09 PM BSTMuch funnier!
Lies, lies, and more contemptible lies!
(Particularly series one of Men Behaving Badly. That was bad.)
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:16 AM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 19 2008, 11:11 PM BSTLies, lies, and more contemptible lies!
(Particularly series one of Men Behaving Badly. That was bad.)
Comparatively yes - but Men Behaving Badly had more Laugh Out Louds. Bless this House just made me smile. Sure it had Syd James but it was a bit lame for him really.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:22 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Complete opposite for me! Bless This House may very well be my favourite sitcom. Certainly in the top five.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:23 AM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 19 2008, 11:22 PM BSTComplete opposite for me! Bless This House may very well be my favourite sitcom. Certainly in the top five.
Oh well. That just proves you've got no taste!
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:24 AM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
I think my problem with Bless This House is that there were so many better things on when it was first broadcast - for my taste anyway. We had so much choice back then.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:27 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: David Chapman @ June 19 2008, 11:23 PM BSTOh well. That just proves you've got no taste!
Pfft. Says you, old man.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 2:28 AM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: Alan C @ June 19 2008, 11:24 PM BSTI think my problem with Bless This House is that there were so many better things on when it was first broadcast - for my taste anyway. We had so much choice back then.
Going back to my usual comment - it was an ITV sitcom. BBC did it sooooo much better.
On Friday 20th June 2008 GMT at 1:17 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
But the first two series of 'Men Behaving Badly' were broadcast by ITV. Bless this House is funnier than the ITV episodes of MBB, but when the BBC got involved, especially series 5,6 and the triology, it became a top of the range sitcom. Series 1 of MBB wasn't bad, it was good, but not brilliant, agreed.
On Thursday 2nd July 2009 GMT at 7:37 PM GMT, Toby said:
Hey well am new to this forum, glad to have found it though!
Bless This House for me is just one of British Televisions best classic comedy series.
I just laugh at Sid even before he says anything.
Very well written too.
One episode that tickles me is Frozen Limit S6E1
When Sid tells Jean that it's ileagal to interfere with the electricity boards fuses by breaking the seals etc, what a laugh when Jean replies "Well if it's there's what's it doing in our garage?"
Another one I like is the episode where Sid is in his garage and something falls off a shelf and hits him on the head then Sid makes out that he's lost his memory.
I just can't recall which episode this was? perhaps my memories gone LOL
On Thursday 2nd July 2009 GMT at 8:19 PM GMT, peter gazzard said:
Saw a few repeats of the show on ITV, wasn't bad. Second best sitcom James appeared in IMO, first being Hancock's Half Hour of course.
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 12:23 AM GMT, Robert D said:
I loved Bless This House. There again, I liked Sid James.
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 12:29 AM GMT, Aaron said:
I love both.
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 3:36 AM GMT, Robert D said:
Carry Ons, Bless This House - all good stuff. Much better than modern day "rubbish".
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 3:45 AM GMT, Aaron said:
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 8:39 AM GMT, SivoxII said:
I think it's unfair to compare them for so many different reasons, specifically the generation gap between the two.
I'm a big fan of both of shows and would never dream of putting them in the same pot.
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 12:29 PM GMT, peter gazzard said:
What was Sid's job in Bless This House, stationery salesman wasn't he?
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 5:52 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Yup, indeed he was.
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 5:55 PM GMT, peter gazzard said:
Have any epiaodes of the HHH spinoff Citizen James surfaced?
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 7:08 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Not legally.
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 10:31 PM GMT, Maurice Minor said:
The Bless This House film spin off was great; I have that on DVD.. It's one of those films that brings back happy memories - their kitchen was like the one we had when I was a kid, the Ford Cortina was too. Plus it's got a Morris Minor, a hint of Terry & June, a Mini AND some good gags.
It's actually nice to see Sid James doing something other than leering. He played the world-weary family man quite well.
As for the series, well I haven't seen it for years. I'm so sceptical of ITV comedy that I'd rather not watch it in case it's poor.
On Friday 3rd July 2009 GMT at 11:28 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Maurice Minor @ July 3 2009, 7:31 PM BSTThe Bless This House film spin off was great
I've not watched it in a couple of years admittedly, but I've never thought much of it at all.
On Saturday 4th July 2009 GMT at 4:08 AM GMT, Robert D said:
I've never really liked any of the spin-off films from anything. Porridge, On The Buses (except Holiday; bloody great). Even the 90-minute Summer Wines felt like films - don't like them either.
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 12:47 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
They're hit and miss Robert, I didn't like the Bless this House film myself, it was just a Carry On. Also wasn't keen on the first Buses movie, the second one was okay and agreed I liked Holiday. The Bottom movie was good, but not a patch on the TV show. Likewise Dad's Army, Mr Bean and Rising Damp. The Porridge one was good, yet again not a patch on the TV show. Ones which did match the quality of the sitcom were Till Death Us Do Part (the first film, the second The Alf Garnett Saga was well below par) and Please Sir, which was a great film and every bit as good as the TV show. The Likely Lads movie had a brilliant first half, but a poor second half. And on the topic of the 90 minute Summer Wine episodes, I watched the 90 minute Getting Sam Home episode last night and absolutely loved it. It surely will rank as one of the finest Summer Wine episodes.
Quote: Aaron @ November 7 2006, 8:24 PM BSTMentioned in the Steptoe thread a bit, and it's my personal favourite sitcom
Quote from 2006, I'm sure you wouldn't make such a decision on the forum in 2009 hey Aaron.
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 1:40 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Oh I would.
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 3:22 AM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: Maurice Minor @ July 3 2009, 7:31 PM BSTThe Bless This House film spin off was great; I have that on DVD..
They had a different son in the film didn't they. Presumably because the Confessions actor was considered better for the box-office.
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 3:29 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Supposedly he (Robin Stewart - Mike in the TV series) and Sid James didn't get on in the slightest, and he was generally very unprofessional. I've seen suggestion that he was purposely not offered a role in the film because of this.
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 5:15 AM GMT, Lee Henman said:
Great show. I watched some a few months back and it has a very warm, slippery feel to it. Not slippery as in dirty sex juices, but slippery as in slippers - the feet type. Sid's great in it with his pipe and slacks and craggy-but-kind elephant's ballsack face. It all feels so very safe and nice and (sniff) nostalgic.
The only thing I don't like is how they carry on the action over the closing credits...I was cringing with the awful adlibbing and praying for the end. It reminded me of When The Whistle Blows.
Talking of which...it's becoming a cliche to say it now but if they made a series of The Whistle, I'd bloody watch it. Full "series" here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGzCjxvoJNI
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 3:40 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
Oh without doubt, I'd be watching it. It would be a 'not as good' version of The Thin Blue Line, but I would definetly watch it.
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 4:07 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Lee Henman @ July 7 2009, 2:15 AM BSTGreat show. I watched some a few months back and it has a very warm, slippery feel to it. Not slippery as in dirty sex juices, but slippery as in slippers - the feet type. Sid's great in it with his pipe and slacks and craggy-but-kind elephant's ballsack face. It all feels so very safe and nice and (sniff) nostalgic.
Yep yep, totally agree. I worked out last night a nice line to summarise why I love it so much. Obviously I don't remember it now, but it's that slipper-y feel that plays a large part in drawing me in.Now if only they'd make the box set cheaper so I can afford to buy it...
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 4:19 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
I don't have the box-set either, though I do have every episode- recorded from an eBay seller.
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 4:59 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Ditto.
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 9:17 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 6 2009, 10:40 PM BSTOh I would.
How come that vital piece of infomation has dissapeared off your profile then
On Tuesday 7th July 2009 GMT at 9:32 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Vital? Hardly! It's gone because I re-wrote and cut down. It's not been replaced, has it? I don't like to name things. I've seen far too many sitcoms with their own individual merits to be able to choose a favourite. But I've no doubt that it is at least in the top 3.
On Wednesday 8th July 2009 GMT at 12:33 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
Ohhh.
On Wednesday 8th July 2009 GMT at 3:25 AM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 7 2009, 12:29 AM BSTSupposedly he (Robin Stewart - Mike in the TV series) and Sid James didn't get on in the slightest, and he was generally very unprofessional. I've seen suggestion that he was purposely not offered a role in the film because of this.
Was he any relation to William G?
On Wednesday 8th July 2009 GMT at 3:30 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Not as far as I know.
On Wednesday 8th July 2009 GMT at 11:45 AM GMT, peter gazzard said:
Quote: Chappers @ July 8 2009, 12:25 AM BSTWas he any relation to William G?
Used to think William G Stewart's first claim to fame was 15 To 1 presenter didn't realise he'd been a TV producer before (or is it director)?
Quote: Aaron @ July 7 2009, 12:29 AM BSTSupposedly he (Robin Stewart - Mike in the TV series) and Sid James didn't get on in the slightest, and he was generally very unprofessional. I've seen suggestion that he was purposely not offered a role in the film because of this.
I read Sid allegedly caught Robin hiding his script behind a newspaper. Think Sid was one of ghose ultra-professional types whicb is no bad thing
On Wednesday 8th July 2009 GMT at 2:05 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: peter gazzard @ July 8 2009, 8:45 AM BSTUsed to think William G Stewart's first claim to fame was 15 To 1 presenter didn't realise he'd been a TV producer before (or is it director)?
Both. He has a very long career in television.
On Wednesday 8th July 2009 GMT at 3:00 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
One of my all time favourite quiz shows, 15 To 1. "Of the remaining eight contestants, four still have their three lives in tact." Great theme-tune as well.
On Thursday 9th July 2009 GMT at 11:14 AM GMT, Kenneth said:
Found the movie on DVD a couple of days ago and have just watched it. Great stuff, if you like this sort of thing. Not only was the part of Mike recast, but Peter Butterworth (for better or worse) replaced Anthony Jackson as Sid's neighbour Trevor. For fans of AYBS? there are bit parts by Wendy Richard (as a waitress in a tight top) and Frank Thorntorn (as a pompous man with aghast eyes). And Sally Geeson gets about in a blue bikini, while Diana Coupland remains lovely. Was also pleasing to see Tommy Godfrey, who was Arthur in Love Thy Neighbour.
Quote: Chappers @ July 7 2009, 12:22 AM BSTThey had a different son in the film didn't they. Presumably because the Confessions actor was considered better for the box-office.
The movie of Bless This House was made two years before the first Confessions film.
Quote: Jack Massey @ July 6 2009, 9:47 PM BSTI didn't like the Bless This House film myself, it was just a Carry On. Also wasn't keen on the first Buses movie, the second one was okay and agreed I liked Holiday. The Bottom movie was good, but not a patch on the TV show. Likewise Dad's Army, Mr Bean and Rising Damp. The Porridge one was good, yet again not a patch on the TV show. Ones which did match the quality of the sitcom were Till Death Us Do Part (the first film, the second The Alf Garnett Saga was well below par) and Please Sir, which was a great film and every bit as good as the TV show. The Likely Lads movie had a brilliant first half, but a poor second half.
Also good was the George & Mildred movie - with one very funny scene where a male character in a hotel bed (with two women) accuses George of being a "bloody pervert".
On Tuesday 15th December 2009 GMT at 9:34 PM GMT, James Cotter said:
I have just bought The Complete Collection for about £17.
65 episodes and the movie not bad value I thought
On Friday 18th December 2009 GMT at 12:39 AM GMT, Alfred J Kipper said:
Don't really remember much about the sitcom, only that I went to school with one of Diana Coupland's boys, nice bloke if I remember right. The film however has long since been a favourite sitcom spin off movie of mine, but I always imagined the sitcom may not have been as good, for some reason, so I've not thought of wanting to watch it. After reading some of the comments about it, I might look at trying to see some of it.
BTW, I thought Terry Scott played Sid's nextdoor neighbour in the film??
On Friday 18th December 2009 GMT at 2:20 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Terry Scott was indeed the neighbour in the movie. Which is quite below the standard set by the series.
On Friday 18th December 2009 GMT at 4:35 PM GMT, Alfred J Kipper said:
But he's not in the series is he, I believe. Shame, I'm a big Terry Scott fan. Still, by what I'm told on this thread, I could have a nice surprise in store, watching this. I'm intrigued to the point of doing a quick Amazon search. And it's from my favourite era, the early 70s, when England was England and political correctness was but a wispy pipedream. Sigh.
On Friday 18th December 2009 GMT at 9:53 PM GMT, Aaron said:
No, he's not. And as much as I like both Terry and June, the TV neighbours were superior. (Although admittedly, perhaps I was just used to them by the time I came to see the film.)
On Saturday 19th December 2009 GMT at 2:06 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
Yes, much preferred Anthony Jackson and Patsy Rowlands myself aswell.
Incidently, BBC2 are showing an episode of 'Terry and June' this Christmas. Never seen it before, so it should be interesting to watch for the first time.
On Saturday 19th December 2009 GMT at 3:11 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Yep; a nice June Whitfield evening. This Is Your Life at 8:00pm, Terry & June at 8:30, a documentary called The Many Faces Of June Whitfield at 9:00pm, and an episode of Absolutely Fabulous at 10:00pm.
That's on Tuesday 29th December 2009, on BBC Two.
But back to Bless This House (woops).
On Wednesday 23rd December 2009 GMT at 2:07 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
On the topic of Bless This House, I watched an episode for the first time in a while last night, the series two episode 'Get Me To The Match On Time'. Very funny stuff. I have an episode of a Bless This House style one-off Christmas sitcom episode called All This - And Christmas Too!. Will probably watch it this Christmas. It is an extra on a Bless This House DVD. Has anyone else seen it and have an opinion on it?
On the sub topic of Terry & June, I watched an episode for the first time tonight on BBC Two. I don't know what to make of it. It had lines I could see coming a mile off, but did have some charm to it. Will have to watch more episodes to form an opinion.
On Wednesday 23rd December 2009 GMT at 2:31 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Love Terry & June, although that probably wasn't the strongest episode.
All This - And Christmas Too! is alright, but didn't quite match the magic of Bless This House for me.
On Wednesday 23rd December 2009 GMT at 2:41 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
Quote: Aaron @ December 22 2009, 9:31 PM GMT
All This - And Christmas Too! is alright, but didn't quite match the magic of Bless This House for me.
Though difficult to do over one episode.
On Wednesday 23rd December 2009 GMT at 3:14 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Perhaps hard to compare the quality of 1 against 65 fairly, but there's a charm instantly identifiable in a TV programme, which All This - And Christmas Too! didn't have anything like Bless This House did.
On Wednesday 23rd December 2009 GMT at 5:47 AM GMT, Oldrocker said:
Jack,
you absolutely have to watch more Terry and June !
On Wednesday 3rd February 2010 GMT at 12:40 AM GMT, moonvisage said:
I have always loved watching Bless This House. It was magical when I was a child, especially the bells in the theme tune. I personally find the film version inferior to the series, as it seemed to have a grim and grimy quality to it, and the character Robin Askwith played was just too tough, street-wise and mature for the role of Mike. Robin Askwith played Mike as dumb, uneducated and a Stupid neanderthal numbskull, which Mike in the series was not. I personally think he was chosen for the role simply because he was famous for playing 'lads of the time' in other street-wise film roles like the Confessions films etc, and that is what the producer wanted, not a clean cut happy go lucky Mike and film.
I did a bit of searching on Robin Stewart a couple of years ago and found out that he lives and works in Australia. I think, if I recall, he appeared in a sitcom (something like Sons And Daughters), but has not appeared much on TV or in films. Although he was in the film The Legend Of The Seven Golden Vampires (1974) with Peter Cushing.
I personally do not see Sid James or the producer William G Stewart, disliking Robin Stewart to the point where they would replace him in the film version, as the film version was made in 1972 and the next 4 series (1973 onwards) were filmed with him, not Askwith. I have never, ever heard reports of Sid James saying he disliked working with Robin Stewart or was frustrated working with him in any way, shape or form. I think that may be a simple case of rumour as there was that long standing rumour of Clint Eastwood not wanting to work with the actor Andrew Robinson (the scorpio killer Charles Davis) again after they filmed Dirty Harry (1971) together - which proved to be false.
To my mind, Sid James was more than used to working with actors who were consistently late for rehersals or messed things up by being drunk etc, so I really cannot envisage Sid James suddenly becoming irritated and resentful of Robin Stewart if he was late for rehearsals etc. Sid James was a professional and very experienced actor, and would have been able to deal with such trivialities from a young individual as it would simply have been a case of Robin Stewart forging his own reputation within the industry and would not have reflected on Sid James or his career.
On Wednesday 3rd February 2010 GMT at 12:59 AM GMT, Aaron said:
But, assuming that there was ill-will, James's experience and professionalism would have stopped him from making public comment, surely? I can't imagine that having worked with difficult people before would make him any less prone to be annoyed by it - in fact probably more so. I seem to recall reading somewhere that he and Kenneth Williams didn't quite get on, but they managed to work together for many years.
As for the film, I think - again, assuming for a moment that the rumours of ill-feeling are correct - it may have been that he was not available at the time they intended to produce it, and with Askwith's higher profile and the issues with RS, they didn't wait for him.
On Wednesday 3rd February 2010 GMT at 3:24 AM GMT, comical masterpiece said:
Yay, I love this. I've only got series 3 and 5 at the moment but I think it is cosy comforting sort of sitcom that you can watch easily, even just have it on in the background. It's a gem of a comedy. I also have a soft spot for Sally Gleeson in it.
On Monday 1st March 2010 GMT at 1:04 PM GMT, James Cotter said:
Just bought the complete collection on DVD but was wondering if the spin-off film was before or after series two. Does anyone know?
On Monday 1st March 2010 GMT at 1:12 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I think it was released after Series 2 broadcast. But if you're concerned about continuity, it's best to leave the film until after Series 6. Its themes don't continue into S3.
On Monday 1st March 2010 GMT at 1:15 PM GMT, James Cotter said:
Quote: Aaron @ March 1 2010, 1:12 PM GMTI think it was released after Series 2 broadcast. But if you're concerned about continuity, it's best to leave the film until after Series 6. Its themes don't continue into S3.
Okay thanks. I knew series two and the film both went out in 1972 but I wasn't sure what went first. I'll properly watch the film after the series like you said.
On Monday 8th March 2010 GMT at 8:03 PM GMT, James Cotter said:
Has anyone else noticed on the DVDs that you can see the original count in and V/O usually provided by the director/producer. Sometimes you can hear Sid James make a few jokes before the recording.
On Monday 8th March 2010 GMT at 9:58 PM GMT, Kenneth said:
Quote: moonvisage @ February 3 2010, 12:40 AM GMTRobin Askwith played Mike as dumb, uneducated and a Stupid neanderthal numbskull, which Mike in the series was not. I personally think he was chosen for the role simply because he was famous for playing 'lads of the time' in other street-wise film roles like the Confessions films etc
Impossible that Askwith was cast in the Bless This House movie due to his popularity from the Confessions films. Bless This House (the movie) was made two years before the first Confessions film.
Quote: moonvisage @ February 3 2010, 12:40 AM GMTI did a bit of searching on Robin Stewart a couple of years ago and found out that he lives and works in Australia. I think, if I recall, he appeared in a sitcom (something like Sons And Daughters), but has not appeared much on TV or in films.
Interesting that he appeared in Sons And Daughters, which was not a sitcom but a horrible soap opera. I wonder what he's up to theseadays.
On Monday 8th March 2010 GMT at 10:45 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: James Cotter @ March 8 2010, 8:03 PM GMTHas anyone else noticed on the DVDs that you can see the original count in and V/O usually provided by the director/producer. Sometimes you can hear Sid James make a few jokes before the recording.
That kind of thing is included in a lot of Network releases. Often they set the 'chapter' at the beginning of the title card proper though, so you have to rewind to get to it. Studio sounds can also often be heard at ad breaks.
On Thursday 18th March 2010 GMT at 6:58 PM GMT, Jack Massey said:
I love them count-down clocks.