The Strange World of Gurney Slade (1960– )

Stars:

Anthony Newley, John Bosh, Margaret Cox

Cast

Series cast summary:
Anthony Newley	...	Gurney Slade (6 episodes, 1960)
John Bosh		(3 episodes, 1960)
Margaret Cox		(3 episodes, 1960)
Edwin Richfield	...	Husband (3 episodes, 1960)
Joy Stewart	...	Wife (3 episodes, 1960)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated Television (ATV)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (6 Episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anthony Newley insisted that his childhood friend Bernie Winters be cast as the only other regular performer on the show

User Reviews

Pioneering, imaginative TV comedy

A pioneering comedy series, postmodernist before there was such a thing, and a wonderful demonstration of Anthony Newley's genius in the art of self-mockery.

The Newley character, playing the lead in a ghastly domestic soap opera, suddenly walks off the set in disgust, but to his horror finds he can't escape the cameras.

A slight, pathetic figure in a shabby raincoat, he wanders about London - seen and unseen - talking to himself, a dog, a dustbin, dancing with a girl who's come down from an advertising poster... He's looking for some answers, but finds the world is surreal, absurd, trivial and bewildering. Like Alice.

The theme tune - wistful but jaunty - (which Newley summons up with a piano-playing action of the hand) - expresses his character unforgettably.

The series probably altered the history of comedy, and forty years on we still get allusions to it in advertisements.