Of Funerals and Fish
- Episode aired Jan 4, 1973
- 30m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
82
YOUR RATING
Pilot for BBC's Last of the Summer Wine (1973) series.Pilot for BBC's Last of the Summer Wine (1973) series.Pilot for BBC's Last of the Summer Wine (1973) series.
Photos
- Director
- James Gilbert(uncredited)
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis pilot episode was originally shown as an episode of Comedy Playhouse (1961), a series of self-contained situation comedy plays.
- GoofsCompo refers to Mrs. Batty's husband Harold. In the series he is named Wally (short for Walter).
- ConnectionsFollowed by Last of the Summer Wine (1973)
Featured review
Not an auspicious start
This is where it all began and this pilot is a long way off what the series would become. There are no elements of slapstick, farce or visual gags to be seen. Instead the show relies solely on dialect. This makes the pace somewhat laboured so the location constantly changes in an attempt to move the pace along.
The Compo character would remain consistent throughout the years; however its noticeable how different Clegg was in the early episodes. He was a more confident cocky character and quite a long way removed from the Clegg of later years. The episode is a bit of a time capsule to life in the 70's as we get views of the town and a glimpse of the lives of ordinary folk. Its noticeable how class plays a part in this episode through the characters Blamire and Compo which was a common theme of many sitcoms of the time. The episode doesn't have much in the way of plot; instead its focus is mainly on establishing the characters. Unfortunately the episode is uneventful and the jokes are rather unfunny and dated. The lustful librarians are a welcome relief and can be viewed as a forerunner for Howard and Marina. Worth watching to see how it all started but a weak episode.
helpful•22
- professoritterrohl
- Apr 18, 2019
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