"Steptoe and Son" (1962) TV series 1962-1974

User Rating:

8.9/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

5 June 1962 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Classic 1960s British comedy series about a middle aged man and his elderly father who run an unsuccessful...

Plot Keywords:

Father Son Relationship | Junkyard | Rag And Bone Man | Laziness | Father Son Conflict

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Wilfrid Brambell	...	Albert Steptoe (57 episodes, 1962-1974)
Harry H. Corbett	...	Harold Steptoe (57 episodes, 1962-1974)

Runtime:

45 min (2 episodes) | 29 min (55 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Lime Grove Studios, Lime Grove, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Wilfrid Brambell planned to leave the series in 1965 because he had been offered a part in the Broadway musical "Kelly" by Eddie Lawrence and Moose Charlap. Realising that they would not be able to re-cast the part of Old Man Steptoe, Galton and Simpson wrote an episode showing Harold at Albert's grave, followed by the introduction of a new character, the illegitimate son of Harold whose existence he never knew about. However "Kelly" folded after only one performance, and Brambell asked for his old job back as Old Man Steptoe.

Quotes:

Albert Edward Ladysmith Steptoe: [looking at old newspapers] 'Ere, I remember this - Mussolini invades Albania - King Zog flees.
Harold Steptoe: That's nothing mate, we got King Size fleas here!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Comedy Connections: To the Manor Born (#4.5)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Old Ned

Classic comedy with a heart of truth

Although Steptoe and Son ran on British TV for twelve years it is one of those rare (maybe unique) examples of an idea which continued to develop and evolve rather than slide into stale repetition.

In its early years the series emphasised broad comedy. One well-remembered episode features Albert eating a meal while sitting in his bath, earning a rebuke from his son which became a national catchphrase: "You dirty old man!"

As time went by the characters became established and the writing began to emphasise the mutual dependency of two basically lonely men (Harold the batchelor and Albert the widower). Harold dreams of a better quality of life away from his father and constantly makes attempts to achieve something in his own right. His attempts are thwarted by his own lack of social standing and his father's scheming: if Harold joins a local theatre group, Albert joins too and becomes the star of the show.

Albert, for his part, fears losing his son and being abandoned in his old age. He will use any means (especially moral blackmail) to keep Harold at his side. More importantly he is far more realistic than Harold and sees that his attempts at social ambition are doomed.

In one of the most moving episodes an old girlfriend of Harold's reappears after many years. They still feel the same way about each other and plan to marry. Finally Harold can break away from the old man. Naturally Albert has other ideas, but at the climax of the show it is the girl who ends the relationship, telling Harold he is already married.

The performances of Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett never faltered through the show's run. Galton and Simpson produced scripts of wit and insight and they performed with great skill and subtlety. This is a show where you laugh while recognising the truth and basic sadness of the situation in which the characters live.