The Likely Lads. Image shows from L to R: Christina (Mary Tamm), Terry Collier (James Bolam), Bob Ferris (Rodney Bewes). Copyright: Anglo-EMI

Key details

Genre
Film
Released
1976
Stars
Rodney Bewes, James Bolam, Brigit Forsyth, Mary Tamm, Sheila Fearn, Zena Walker, Anulka Dubinska, Alun Armstrong and more
Writers
Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais
Director
Michael Tuchner
Producer
Aida Young
Company

Bob and Terry's life-long friendship is put to the test when Bob finds Terry no longer has time for their weekly drinks and time away from life's other distractions.

Rather put-out at having missed his much-loved catch-up with his best mate, Bob's shocked to discover the reason: Terry's got a bird - and a seemingly rather classy one, at that! Chris - Christina - is a Finnish beauty who works at a local ladies' fashion boutique, and with his parents on holiday for a month the pair are living almost as man-and-wife in the Colliers' top-floor flat.

Unfortunately, Bob's already feeling rather down, with his childhood home having just been demolished to make way for redevelopment of the entire neighbourhood. After all these years, and having had all those dreams, he's facing his own early-onset mid-life crisis: he may have a wife, a job and have moved up in the world, but what does it amount to?

Thelma, however, is delighted to learn of Terry's romance and wastes no time in doing her bit to cement the relationship. After all, if Terry's married off he'll have far less time to distract Bob, and under a sensible female influence is sure to be a more benign weight upon her husband when they do get together! Much to the boys' dismay, and against sustained protestations, a weekend camping in the countryside with a borrowed caravan is swiftly arranged.

However, the girls' blissful weekend of rambling and sight-seeing goes quickly off-piste with their partners' involvement! Between getting lost on a huge camp site, torrential rain and the boys' evident boredom, the get-away is far from serene. And when Bob and Terry decide to take matters into their own hands, things just go from bad to worse...

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Additional details

Part of

The Likely Lads

UK certificate
A
Duration
90 minutes
UK release
April 1976
Distributors

EMI

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour
Soundtrack
Lyrics for the theme Remember When were written by Ian La Frenais. All music composed by Mike Hugg.

Website links

Broadcast details

Most recent repeats
  • Saturday 28th May 2022 at 4:30pm on TPTV
  • Saturday 12th March 2022 at 4:20pm on TPTV
  • Sunday 26th December 2021 at 11:55pm on TPTV

Recording details

  • EMI Elstree Studios - Studios
  • Newcastle and Whitley Bay - Locations