"The Bagthorpe Saga" (1981) TV series

Creator:

Helen Cresswell

Release Date:

25 March 1981 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Comedic adventures of the eccentric Bagthorpe family - ineffective advice columnist Laura, frustrated comedy writer Henry, Scrabble cheating Grandma, serial arsonist Daisy, and psychic Jack.

Cast

Edward Hardwicke	...	Henry Bagthorpe
Rebecca Lalonde	...	Daisy Parker
Dandy Nichols	...	Mrs. Fosdyke
Richard Orme	...	Jack Bagthorpe
Ruth Potter	...	Tess Bagthorpe
Tim Preece	...	Uncle Parker
Ceri Seel	...	William Bagthorpe
Phillida Sewell	...	Grandma
Madeline Smith	...	Aunt Celia
Angela Thorne	...	Laura Bagthorpe

Runtime:

UK:30 min (TV version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Wonderful comedy

I remember watching this when it was aired and howling with laughter. The books were great as well, it inspired me to read the whole series. Daisy burying the pork chops, the fire, the goat ... a total classic which deserves either a re-run or release on DVD as soon as possible. Come on BBC!! The characterisation was superb, it was well written as an adaptation from the book, not always an easy task, and the actors were well chosen - harassed TV executive, dotty mum, eccentric old lady with absent minded and selectively deaf husband, training her cat to be a psychopath after the old one got run over ... and of course the Parkers down the road, with the manic Daisy who was a free spirit and other worldly Cecilia.