Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 25, 2021 16:48:47 GMT
I have decided to start a thread about Reginald Perrin having just finished the first novel and because, like most of us, I have such positive memories about the 1970s sitcom
So let's talk all things Reggie. I didn't get where I am today without being able to talk all things Reggie
This is my review of the first David Nobbs novel....
If you have fond memories of the 1970s BBC Television sitcom starring Leonard Rossiter in the title role then you will doubtless enjoy The Fall And Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976), the first of the source novels. Those familiar with the TV series will find it impossible not to see the characters as portrayed on the screen in the stunning adaptation however what really struck me is how well the novel stands up on its own merits. I am sure anyone coming to the novel with no prior knowledge would find it as enjoyable and poignant as I did with my positive memories and associations. The story concerns a suburban middle aged white collar commuter who works as a middle manager at Sunshine Desserts. His behaviour becomes steadily more erratic as his sense of the futility of his life becomes increases. The book holds up a mirror to modern life (as lived in 1970s English suburbia) however its great strength is that in addition to being somewhat melancholy and poignant, it is also very amusing and subversive. I laughed out loud on a number of occasions and became increasingly absorbed by the story (even though I could remember the ending). The only thing that has dated are some of the social attitudes of the 70s, aside from that the novel still really holds up as it approaches its 50th anniversary. I suspect it has never really received its full due because it was overshadowed by the TV version. The two subsequent novels, which I will be reading soon, are The Return of Reginald Perrin (1977) and The Better World of Reginald Perrin (1978) and these were both used for the next two series of the classic BBC sitcom.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Mar 25, 2021 19:08:49 GMT
I thought the first series of Reggie Perrin was very good but it fell into the trap of being dragged on too long.
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Post by Charles Bronson on Mar 25, 2021 22:59:22 GMT
I thought the first series of Reggie Perrin was very good but it fell into the trap of being dragged on too long. They carried it on after Leonard Rossiter's death for one series I believe. I've not watched it myself. Charles.
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 26, 2021 8:03:02 GMT
I thought the first series of Reggie Perrin was very good but it fell into the trap of being dragged on too long. They carried it on after Leonard Rossiter's death for one series I believe. I've not watched it myself. Charles. Was that Fairly Secret Army? (1984-86)
Fairly Secret Army is a British sitcom which ran to thirteen episodes over two series between 1984 and 1986. Though not a direct spin-off from The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, the lead character, Major Harry Truscott, was very similar to Geoffrey Palmer's character of Jimmy in that series, and the scripts were written by Reginald Perrin's creator and writer David Nobbs.
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 26, 2021 8:04:09 GMT
I thought the first series of Reggie Perrin was very good but it fell into the trap of being dragged on too long. I don't remember being any less enthralled by the second or third series Cartman
They were the ones with the Grot shops I seem to recall
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Post by Gene Hunt on Mar 26, 2021 9:35:53 GMT
Loved this series. Classic performance from Rossiter. Sunshine desserts sadly is no longer in existence. It was demolished in 2014. This is how it was: Here is a view just before demolition - >Google View<Here is how it looks today - >Google View<Gene.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 26, 2021 10:38:57 GMT
True I think the later series of 'Reggie Perrin' just ran out of ideas, humour and enthusiasm to be honest and it did go on too long, old story of milking a success story too long. I suppose the best comparison is the Rising Damp film... absolutely awful compared to the fairly good TV series and sadly lacks the touch of the late Richard Beckinsale too.
IIRC didn't they make the series without Leonard Rossiter mid-90's a stand alone one from the main series? Again if I recall it wasn't that much of a success nor well received.
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 26, 2021 12:10:23 GMT
Loved this series. Classic performance from Rossiter. Sunshine desserts sadly is no longer in existence. It was demolished in 2014. This is how it was: Here is a view just before demolition - >Google View<Here is how it looks today - >Google View<Gene. Thanks Gene - not much of an improvement is it?
Should have been made a listed building!
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 26, 2021 12:16:58 GMT
True I think the later series of 'Reggie Perrin' just ran out of ideas, humour and enthusiasm to be honest and it did go on too long, old story of milking a success story too long. I suppose the best comparison is the Rising Damp film... absolutely awful compared to the fairly good TV series and sadly lacks the touch of the late Richard Beckinsale too.
IIRC didn't they make the series without Leonard Rossiter mid-90's a stand alone one from the main series? Again if I recall it wasn't that much of a success nor well received. I'm gonna have to revisit them now
I think the first series was definitely the best but I have fond memories of the other ones too
I've just checked, as I have no recollection of the 90s series but, lo and behold...
The Legacy of Reginald Perrin (22 September – 31 October 1996)
This follow-up series, made more than a decade after Leonard Rossiter's death, shows Reggie's legacy: a fortune left to friends and family but with strange conditions. It failed with most viewers, as the loss of Leonard Rossiter removed some affection for the series. Despite a leading man in Geoffrey Palmer, there was no central character. Both book and series were titled The Legacy of Reginald Perrin.
In the series, Reggie's circle of family and friends are told by lawyer Geraldine Hackstraw that each will inherit one million pounds, on the one condition that they do something totally absurd. The nature of their absurd task is left to the individuals, but it is to be judged by Ms Hackstraw. Most of them have fallen on hard times, having in the main been forced to retire or been made redundant due to their age. After several pathetic solo attempts at being absurd (including both C.J. and Doc asking out Geraldine), the potential legatees decide to pool forces and, with Jimmy as leader, decide to mount a bloodless coup. They intend to reverse age roles, with such policies as pensions for the young. The policies are a success – but with the unexpected outcome of their losing the money in the bequest. As Geraldine points out, the idea has turned out not to be absurd after all.
The series' characters and actors comprised all of the central characters of the earlier series except Reginald Perrin and Tony Webster (Trevor Adams). It also included Patricia Hodge as Geraldine Hackstraw and Michael Fenton Stevens as Hank. (Wikipedia)
The series was also rebooted in April 2009 as Reggie Perrin....
Martin Clunes starred in a BBC revival of the series, titled simply Reggie Perrin. The supporting cast were Fay Ripley, Wendy Craig, Geoffrey Whitehead, Neil Stuke and Lucy Liemann. The series was written by Simon Nye and original series creator David Nobbs. It ran for two series from April 2009 to November 2010. (Wikipedia)
I watched a few episodes of the Clunes reboot. Pretty pointless it was too.
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 26, 2021 12:25:54 GMT
A couple of classic clips from one of the later series (with Ronnie Barker at the beginning)....
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