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Post by Andy Howells on Jul 13, 2008 2:13:51 GMT 12
Now, I quite liked this series, I feel it was a bit more enjoyable than Hi-De-Hi and it was interesting to see Paul Shane and jeffrey Holland in reversed roles of superiority. I actually quite liked Su Pollard in it too.
Perhaps the interesting aspect was the guest stars who turned up in it including people from the David Croft stable like Windsor Davies.
A shame when the show was cancelled.
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Post by bramleyman on Jul 13, 2008 11:59:48 GMT 12
The gentleman that wrote the series being one Richard Spendlove, was at one time a Signalman on BR, then a Station Announcer at Cambridge before becoming a Presenter on Late Night Radio for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on most Saturday nights between 9 & 11 p.m. on 96fm and 95.7 fm.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 13, 2008 16:36:29 GMT 12
I personally found it a lacklustre disappointment. It had a great cast, a great writer and producer in David Croft and lots of potential, yet it just failed to deliver imho. I was not surprised it never got past the second series.
The lady who played Mabel in You Rang M'Lord was magnificent in that series, and among the top stars in my opinion. But in this one she was given a dreadful part with basically one very unfunny catchphrase.
It's a shame Jimmy Perry decided not to be involved. It would have undoubtedly have been better under his influence.
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Post by Andy Howells on Jul 13, 2008 20:05:20 GMT 12
I personally found it a lacklustre disappointment. It had a great cast, a great writer and producer in David Croft and lots of potential, yet it just failed to deliver imho. I was not surprised it never got past the second series. The lady who played Mabel in You Rang M'Lord was magnificent in that series, and among the top stars in my opinion. But in this one she was given a dreadful part with basically one very unfunny catchphrase. It's a shame Jimmy Perry decided not to be involved. It would have undoubtedly have been better under his influence. Good point Dave, but as the series went out on a Sunday evening was ideal for the period it was broadcast in (and probably much better than other comedies produced at the time.) Certainly would have been interesting to see what the show would have been like with Jimmy Perry's involvement. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 13, 2008 22:10:54 GMT 12
Oh yes, undoubtedly better than other mid-90's comedies, there have been few good ones in recent years.
I did like the trains.
I found none of them to be likeable characters. Normally you had characters in other Croft and Perry comedies that you really warm to and feel for, they become like old friends as the series progresses. People like Peggy Ollerenshaw, Frank Pike, Mavis the scullery maid and Henry the boot boy. But in ODB the characters were all either nasty and scheming against each other or just complete dimwits. A bit like Eastenders or Coro St... No thanks.
Maybe if I viewed it now I may warm to it, I don't know. I have some on tape I think but most I have wiped.
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Post by bramleyman on Jul 15, 2008 11:56:51 GMT 12
Sorry, but you are wrong about a second series, because while at a Model Railway Exhibition recently, I saw a dvd OF the second series. I have an E-mail address for the writer, so can confirm with him as to if this was ever broadcast.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 15, 2008 20:12:39 GMT 12
A second series was broadcast here in New Zealand. Not sure about Britain.
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Post by bramleyman on Jul 16, 2008 8:57:08 GMT 12
Thanks Dave.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 16, 2008 11:41:16 GMT 12
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Post by Andy Howells on Jul 17, 2008 5:29:14 GMT 12
Yes, I remember the second series well - I remember spending very pleasant Sunday evenings watching it!
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Post by straycat on Oct 15, 2008 7:42:00 GMT 12
Perry Benson's character was enough like You Rang M'Lord's Henry that I still found him likeable. Unfortunately, he was the only one I can say that for.
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Post by jonboy on May 20, 2010 0:27:30 GMT 12
David Croft says in his autobiography that he approached the BBC about a third series - he had been retired as a director/producer for a while - and was more or less told that they were not interested, he has said that the BBC has no plans to ever repeat it - I see that the dvd's are issued through another company & not the BBC
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Post by karl on Nov 18, 2010 19:22:39 GMT 12
David Croft says in his autobiography that he approached the BBC about a third series - he had been retired as a director/producer for a while - and was more or less told that they were not interested, he has said that the BBC has no plans to ever repeat it - I see that the dvd's are issued through another company & not the BBC DD video is the company that released "Oh dr Beeching",I thought that Stephen Lewis as Harry Lambert is the star of the show ;D he always gave Cecil Parkin "the flat end of his tounge!"  |
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Post by nunky on Dec 25, 2010 7:21:59 GMT 12
This is one of my 'easy watches' when its late at night and the wife and kids are in bed.
Cup of tea and a digestive, watch an episode. then bed.
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mortimer
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Post by mortimer on Dec 30, 2010 21:42:40 GMT 12
Jimmy Perry worked with David Croft on the pilot episode but pulled out due to his lack of inside knowledge of British Railways of the era.
Such a shame, as it would have been so much better and perhaps we'd have got about four series before it was shunted into the sidings.
I can't say I liked Stephen Lewis' overbearing gurning, and think Bill Pertwee would have suited the role better.
Apparently, all David Croft did on location was fall asleep!
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Post by jonboy on Dec 31, 2010 0:16:12 GMT 12
According to David Croft's biography when he approached Jimmy he did offer some help with the pilot but he did tell David he had no interest in trains so he didn't want to get involved with the series - the series was filmed at Arley station on the Seven Valley Railway but the railway cottages didn't exist they were a mockup for the show. Not Stephen Lewis best performance , still better than 'Smiler' on Summer Wine, his accent is never the same 2 episodes running.
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mortimer
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Post by mortimer on Dec 31, 2010 2:52:40 GMT 12
Not Stephen Lewis best performance , still better than 'Smiler' on Summer Wine, his accent is never the same 2 episodes running. Last of the Summer Whine: The McCarthy and Stone of SitcomsRoy Clarke writes repeating lines. Why does Roy Clarke keep repeating lines? Is to fill in time? He does it to fill in time, surely? Just watch an episode to see what I mean. You'll need to watch an episode.....  |
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Post by jonboy on Jan 1, 2011 5:08:28 GMT 12
I've noticed that on the Royle family as well
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Post by nunky on Nov 28, 2011 2:24:18 GMT 12
Just begun another viewing of series 1. Makes me wonder why most of the actors are so little used in todays television.
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Post by jonboy on Nov 30, 2011 0:29:45 GMT 12
Most of the main actors are over 60 now and tv sitcoms don't really exist anymore, its mainly sketch based shows.
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