British Sitcoms-turned-Films...

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Destroy... and search? ;) A few of these are airing over the christmas season here on British television, and this has set me thinking.

These are seen as one of the key manifestations of the British film industrial's inexorable decline after the 1960s... how do they stand up against the sexploitation/sex comedies and horror films of the era (late Hammer, Amicus, even Pete Walker, who bridges), as well as against the actual sitcoms...? I think myself it might be instructive to view these films in context.

I read some positive words on "The Likely Lads" (1976), but rather less for "Are You Being Served?" (1977) - both showing within the next few days. ;) Is the quality - or otherwise - of the original a boon or bane to a film version...? Have many of this sub-genre of British films actually been *better* than the TV original in some ways...?

The 1969 "Til Death Us Do Part" actually sounds very novel in approach, compared to what one might expect...

― Tom May (Tom May), Monday, 27 December 2004 01:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Good question. There were some very fine actors and writers involved in British sitcom, so these films should have had a lot going for them.

I seem to remember the 'Steptoe and Son' movie was OK, but I just don't remember these films well enough to be able to make any more general comments. They're the kind of thing I vaguely remember drowsing through after 1AM on local TV. (I wonder how well even the people who were in them remember them?) Be interested to know how well they repay more serious viewing.

― Soukesian, Tuesday, 28 December 2004 09:36 (twenty-one years ago)

the likely lads movie p-sses on the series. it's *side-splitting*. goes a bit off the rails in the last third (sort of turns into a sex comedy) but classic all the way up til then.

"how do bob, how do thelma...pet"

see also: porridge, only that's not as good.

― piscesboy, Tuesday, 28 December 2004 23:26 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

I recently saw the "Are You Being Served" film. It's pretty good. One of the best things is seeing the familiar set redered with an expensive budget, different camera angles, proper extras and shot on film. The first part of the film is pretty much a typical episode until the gang get to go on holiday to a country that's having a revolution. Andrew "Manuel" Sachs reprises his usual role as a bumbling foreigner. Hammer Films made a whole bunch of sitcom spinoffs in the 70's: three "On the Buses" films, "Love Thy Neighbour" and "Man About the House" are about all I recall. From my shaky memory of them days, our local cinema in Millport seemed to only ever show James Bond, Sinbad and Hammer Comedys.

― everything, Sunday, 23 January 2005 01:28 (twenty-one years ago)

The 'Please Sir' movie is a personal favourite

― borbetamagus, Wednesday, 26 January 2005 12:04 (twenty-one years ago)

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