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(More customer reviews)Anyone who has ever watched Open All Hours or Keeping Up Appearances will already be familiar with writer Roy Clarke's distinctive brand of humour, and if you've enjoyed the type of humour in either of these two shows, Last of the Summer Wine is certainly worth checking out. Humour aside, however, this series is somewhat different from the other two. It's overall a very laidback, gentle series filled with some extremely scenic views of the Yorkshire dales and the loveliest theme music of any Britcom. One ought not to expect, therefore, to find a powerhouse (like Arkwright or Hyacinth) leading the show (oh, they are here--and in greater numbers than in the BFS boxed set which contains the earliest episodes--but they're relegated to supporting roles!). Rather, the series revolves around the humorous adolescent antics and "philosophical" musings (if one can call it that) of three carefree, lay-about geriatric men.
Most memorable is the tatty, peg-toothed Compo Simonite (Bill Owen, who sadly died at age 85 of pancreatic cancer in 1999--like most, he was with the show till the very end), who's spent his life on the dole, is the most rangy-tang and mischievous of the lot, and is forever dreaming of his neighbour, Nora Batty--wrinkled stockings and all. Then there is Norman Clegg (Peter Sallis), a man who's terrified of women--which is unfortunate as he is constantly called upon by his neighbour Howard (the epitomy of a hen-pecked husband) to assist Howard in communicating with his "young lady" friend, the man-eating Marina. Lastly is Foggy Dewhurst (Brian Wilde), a humorously regimental (but totally inept) ex-military man, without whom the other two would never do anything and there'd be no show! Wilde, who left the show for a brief period from 1985-90, retired permanently in 1997.
Though series is still in production after more than 30 years, the years from 1990-1997 (the Howard & Marina/Foggy Dewhurst years) were among the strongest for the series. This BBC boxed set, subtitled Vintage 1995, falls within that classic era and includes ten 30-minute episodes (the complete second series of episodes to be filmed during 1995) plus the 60-minute Christmas special entitled "A Leg Up for Christmas."
Special features include "30 Years of Last of the Summer Wine", a 60-minute look back at the show, the characters, how the series came about, the scoring of the music, etc.--even the odd blooper is included. The producer, writer, and many of the actors share their thoughts. Also included are a 6-minute skit entitled "The Funny Side of Christmas" (which dates between 1976-1985) and an enjoyable 30-minute "Tribute to Dame Thora Hird", who was unforgettable as the "motor-vehiclely challenged" Edie Pegden, the battle-axe wife of Wesley (who rarely appeared without his greasy overalls and could always be found tinkering in his shed with something mechanical--usually to a disastrous end!). Sadly, Gordon Wharmby (Wesley) passed away at age 68 in 2002 from lung cancer, whilst Dame Thora died at age 91 in 2003 after suffering a stroke.
This series is a classic example of British character comedy--and what a wealth of characters there are. Apart from the aforementioned, who can forget wily Auntie Wainwright, who sells antiques like a venus flytrap catches flies; or the hilarious antics of blind-as-a-bat Elie (sadly Danny O'Dea also died in 2003 aged 91). From the ladies' coffee mornings, to Compo's amorous advances towards Nora Batty, to Howard's ill-fated clandestine romance with Marina, this is a series our entire family enjoys (it's my dad's favourite). Although we enjoy the current episodes, with the loss of so many memorable characters, the 1995 Vintage hails back to a time when the series was truly at its zenith. One can only hope the BBC will continue to bring more episodes to DVD.
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An endearing trio of aging delinquents enjoy their second childhood in this gentle comedy set in a small town in England.
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