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Post by Charles Bronson on Jul 29, 2016 21:09:19 GMT
Are there any fans of this show out there ? I'm not an expert on the show, but I think it went to three series didn't it ? As a lot of us know the BBC wanted Norman Wisdom for the part, but he knocked them back. We'll never know how good he would have been, but Michael Crawford was a great replacement. My God though,He took some chances with those stunts. I must say though I found Frank a bit annoying at times, and sympathised with some of the people he come into contact with. I will have to read up on the series a bit, and try watch a few episodes.
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The Saint
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Post by The Saint on Jul 29, 2016 21:13:06 GMT
I didn't know that they had wanted Norman Wisdom, surely he would have been too old to play Frank Spencer as he was 27 years older than Michael Crawford.
The Saint
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Post by Charles Bronson on Jul 29, 2016 21:27:33 GMT
Yes that's correct Saint, I've heard that mentioned a few times in documentaries on the show, but as you say he would surely have been to old, so it's just as well it fell through. Bronson
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Post by Gene Hunt on Jul 29, 2016 21:46:27 GMT
Some Mothers Do Have 'Em is a show that I loathed as a kid, but have come to appreciate much more now. I can't see how it could have worked with anyone except Crawford. He was quite irritating at times but there is no question that it was classic comedy. Some great co stars along the way too...
Good thread Charles Gene.
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Jul 29, 2016 22:56:37 GMT
I'm a fan of this series as was most of the country. It drew big audience figures at a time when BBC Colour was relatively new. I like the way the programs of that era proudly boast of this feat in the credits I seem to remember this repeated a lot on the beeb in the early 80s and I loved it. Frank Spencer is such a disaster zone. I did find Betty a little whiny and annoying, but hey you got to feel for the woman married to Frank Spencer !! Good info Bronson I didn't know that Norman Wisdom was fancied for the Frank Spencer role but I think it would have worked if they cast him. According to an archived BBC page on the show I found the following. Some Mothers Do Ave EmRonnie Barker was also mooted for the lead role Some Mothers ran for only 22 episodes over three series from 1973. By the end of series two Frank had become the doting father of baby Jessica. Apart from two Christmas specials, the show then had a long gap to its final series in 1978 while Crawford went off to pursue other projects.
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Post by Steve Austin on Jul 30, 2016 9:54:50 GMT
As Del rightly says, most of us on this forum probably remember watching this in the 70's and I was no exception. I loved it then but cannot watch it now, I find it a little too cringy to be honest but I do appreciate the work that Michael Crawford puts into the role. I just cannot see how Ronnie Barker could have topped it or performed some of the stunts. No doubt Norman Wisdom could have done the stunts but I think that MC is probably better for the role.
His TV/movie career never really hit the heights but you cannot deny his stage career, he was in some of the very best theatre productions of the 80s/90s; I saw in Barnum, walking the high wire. I think in that genre he found his niche.
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Post by Charles Bronson on Jul 30, 2016 10:02:28 GMT
I agree Del, I think it would have worked with Norman in the part. They would have had to change a few things obviously. Norman must have been around sixty when the series started, but he was still fairly fit I think. I'm sure he regretted refusing the part after it became such a success. Charles.
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Post by Charles Bronson on Jul 30, 2016 11:26:07 GMT
Apparently Michael is back in the West End any time now, in a production called The Go Between. Charles.
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Jul 30, 2016 15:52:50 GMT
Some of the sillier, more slapstick aspects of it can grate ( the episode where he puts superglue on a chair & everyone gets stuck to it or the one with the futuristic house in particular ) but there are a few episodes that are classics & not many comedy characters are as memorable as Spencer, every impressionist impersonated him ( people still ask 'can you do Frank Spencer?' ). Favourite episodes would be the Public Relations course, Marvin the ventriloquist doll/holiday camp, the new Father's Clinic, the hotel stay & the Scottish Dancing one.
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Jul 30, 2016 16:15:50 GMT
I agree Arthur and know it's very silly but I like the Futuristic House episode. Its ridiculousness and because its a 70's view of a future house is its charm .
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