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Post by Arthur Pringle on Sept 5, 2016 18:50:18 GMT
Watched the film 'Life At The Top' ( 1965 ) yesterday & recognised OTB semi-regular character 'Chalky' ( Glen Whitter, middle of picture ) in one scene. It was funny seeing him as I've never seen him in anything else. He's only got 5 imdb credits.  |
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Post by Brown Cortina on Nov 12, 2016 10:03:55 GMT
On The Buses is my all time favourite sit com. I remember watching it in the 80's, the film that is and I couldn't believe how many times they said Blimey ! Every other words seemed to be cor Blimey!
I do like the films but I much prefer the series. I can watch the series over and over and never tire of it although as has been mentioned on here it can be a little shouty.
I like all the characters and I think Arthur brought a lot to the series, some of his expressions and one liners are priceless. He is a little unfair towards Olive sometimes I think. It wasn't as good after he left the show and the Same applies for when Stan left to go and work up North. There were some funny Story Lines like Hot water but with the other two characters gone it was lacking something.
If you're familiar with the series and the films the producers re used a lot of the story lines from the series in the films, On The Buses especially.
Overall a great Sit Com and we'll worth watching.
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Nov 12, 2016 15:44:59 GMT
One of my favourite shows & I think it's mostly due to the great performances. There are better written, more sophisticated sitcoms but few shows have the same magic as OTB. Anna Karen had a thankless role, just there to suffer abuse & be the butt of jokes, but without her there would be no Arthur with his looks to camera & 'I think we can do without your offensive remarks'. It's not a cynical show, I think the problem with a lot of humour, particularly today, is that it tries too hard to be clever & lacks that essential ingredient when it comes to making the audience forget their worries- warmth. Comedy today has no warmth, it's all about sniping & undermining others rather than looking at what makes us similar.
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Post by Brown Cortina on Nov 12, 2016 16:30:42 GMT
One of my favourite shows & I think it's mostly due to the great performances. There are better written, more sophisticated sitcoms but few shows have the same magic as OTB. Anna Karen had a thankless role, just there to suffer abuse & be the butt of jokes, but without her there would be no Arthur with his looks to camera & 'I think we can do without your offensive remarks'. It's not a cynical show, I think the problem with a lot of humour, particularly today, is that it tries too hard to be clever & lacks that essential ingredient when it comes to making the audience forget their worries- warmth. Comedy today has no warmth, it's all about sniping & undermining others rather than looking at what makes us similar. Very well put Arthur, I couldn't agree more. |
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Apr 30, 2017 17:40:34 GMT
TV Times March 1974   |
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Post by Charles Bronson on Apr 30, 2017 18:56:04 GMT
Another good article Arthur.
Reg had a very good marriage it seems, and was a real family man. Hard to believe he was once in a comedy partnership with Benny Hill though.
Reg lived to his nineties I believe in spite of the heart trouble he suffered earlier in life.
Charles.
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Apr 30, 2017 21:24:21 GMT
I read that in 1948 Benny Hill was paired with Varney for a few seasons in Kent & Margate in a revue called 'Gaytime'. They were looking for a stooge for Varney, apparently Peter Sellers auditioned with a George Formby impression that failed to impress the promoter. Reg lived a long life for someone with heart problems & from the interviews I've seen with him on youtube he seemed like a humble & down to earth man. Came across this photo of Hill & Varney onstage.  |
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Post by Arthur Pringle on May 1, 2017 18:03:32 GMT
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on May 4, 2017 19:23:16 GMT
Nice article Arthur  I see that it went out very early on a Saturday evening 6.15PM  Perhaps that was the norm for Seventies Saturday nights to use the 6 till 7 slot to show sitcoms. |
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Post by Arthur Pringle on May 4, 2017 21:42:45 GMT
Not sure Del, 6.15 does seem early for a sitcom. Before it was the US series 'Tarzan' with Ron Ely & after it a western.
TV was very different in those days, particularly during the day where you see dramas instead of qiuiz shows. The standard of programmes was much higher, though I suppose with only 3 channels it had to be. Today with so many channels they can get away with fobbing the audience off with endless quiz, property & cooking shows. No reality tv then either of course which makes up the bulk of tv today.
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