The Anniversary (26 Mar. 1979)

Basil plans a surprise anniversary party for Sybil but, thinking he's forgotten it again, she walks out just before the guests arrive.

Director:

Bob Spiers

Writers:

John Cleese (by), Connie Booth (by)

Stars:

John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
John Cleese	...	Basil Fawlty
Prunella Scales	...	Sybil Fawlty
Andrew Sachs	...	Manuel
Connie Booth	...	Polly Sherman
Ken Campbell	...	Roger
Una Stubbs	...	Alice
Robert Arnold	...	Arthur
Pat Keen	...	Virginia
Roger Hume	...	Reg
Denyse Alexander	...	Kitty
Christine Shaw	...	Audrey
Ballard Berkeley	...	Major Gowen
Gilly Flower	...	Miss Agatha Tibbs
Renee Roberts	...	Miss Ursula Gatsby
Brian Hall	...	Terry

Storyline

Outraged that Basil has forgotten their 15th wedding anniversary, Sybil leaves the hotel. But little does she know that Basil has indeed remembered and has invited some of their close friends to celebrate. How will Basil explain Sybil's absence?

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Plot Keywords:

wedding anniversary | wig | fight | chef | impersonation | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 1979 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

29 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anagram: FLOWERY TWATS

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Goofs

The anniversary party is meant to be at night, with Paella for dinner. When Basil comes out of the kitchen after the exchange with Manuel and Polly, Ms Tibbs and Ms Gatsby greets him with "Good Morning Mr. Fawlty" to which he replies naturally "Good Morning".

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Quotes

Basil Fawlty: I'll ruin you... you'll never waitress in Torquay again!

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Connections

Referenced in The John Cleese Interview (1998)

User Reviews

Fancy Footwork

For the first time (except maybe in "Gourmet Night"), Basil really makes an effort to do something nice for someone - and it of course goes totally sour. "The Anniversary" takes the meaning of 'fancy footwork' to a whole new level. The storyline itself is definitely not the best or most entertaining of the series, but it's still fairly fun. Basil and Sybil have had a fight over Basil forgetting their 15th wedding anniversary - but Basil didn't really forget - he's throwing a surprise party. Meanwhile, Manuel and Terry the chef fight over who will cook the Spanish Paella for The Fawlty's anniversary dinner. The performances are good (namely Ken Campbell as Roger, the wise party guest who isn't fooled by Basil's lies as to why Sybil isn't at the party). Una Stubbs is also a very good addition to the cast, playing the ultra-sweet friend Alice (wife of Roger), with a high-register soprano vocal inflection. There are a few good short bits between Basil and Manuel, particularly the one where Basil sneaks away from the madness for a quick drink of booze, only to be interrupted once again by Manuel, who only exacerbates things once again.