Canned Laughter (TV 1979)

Director:

Geoffrey Sax

Writer:

Rowan Atkinson

Stars:

Rowan Atkinson, Sue Holderness, Joan Scott

Cast

Cast overview:
Rowan Atkinson	...	Robert Box / Dave Perry / Mr. Marshall
Sue Holderness	...	Lorraine
Joan Scott	...	Mrs. Nolan
John J. Carney	...	Bus Conductor
Harry Shacklock	...	Old Man
George Belbin	...	Passenger
George Romanov	...	Foreigner
Michael Staniforth	...	Sanders
Martin Wimbush	...	Lloyd
Michael Brennan	...	Security Guard
Alan Curtis	...	Head Waiter
Christopher Lillicrap	...	Waiter
Alan Hay	...	Pianist

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy | Short

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 1979 (UK)

Also Known As:

Rowan Atkinson Presents... Canned Laughter

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Weekend Television (LWT)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Story of Bean (1997)

User Reviews

Before Bean There was Box

Every now and then something comes along which hits you in the face like a wet flannel. I caught 'Canned Laughter' on its original I.T.V. transmission in 1979, following a showing of 'Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes'. Not having heard of Mr.Atkinson, I wasn't sure what to expect. Thirty minutes later, my sides ached from laughing too much. I spent the next few days telling all and sundry about this strange rubber-faced man whom was clearly destined to be the next Peter Sellers. Atkinson played three roles; the nerdy Robert Box, his sinister boss Mr.Marshall, and would-be stand-up comic Dave Perry. Box has somehow gotten the most attractive girl in his office, Lorraine ( played by the lovely Sue Holderness ) to agree to a date, and, being a right twit, messes it up. Box was clearly the inspiration for 'Mr.Bean'. Despite its excellence, 'Canned Laughter' strangely never became a series, leaving Rowan free to do 'Not The 9 O'Clock News' for the B.B.C.