Identitwit (18 Sep. 1971)

Director:

Howard Ross

Writers:

John Esmonde, Bob Larbey

Stars:

John Alderton, Deryck Guyler, Noel Howlett

Cast

Episode credited cast:
John Alderton	...	Bernard Hedges
Deryck Guyler	...	Norman Potter
Noel Howlett	...	Mr. Cromwell
Joan Sanderson	...	Doris Ewell
Richard Davies	...	Mr. Price
Erik Chitty	...	Mr. Smith
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Edward Brooks	...	CID man
Brinsley Forde	...	Herman
Liz Gebhardt	...	Maureen Bullock
David Howe	...	Colin Lovelace
Jill Kerman	...	Penny Hedges
Kevin Moody	...	Gerald Davis
Barry Stokes	...	PC Riordan
Kenneth Thornett	...	Sergeant
Kate Williams	...	Mrs. Davis

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Release Date:

18 September 1971 (UK)

Company Credits

User Reviews

What is it, Treason, Murder, Arson, Television Liscensing, I'm your Man

A great start to the series that shouldn't have been of 'Please Sir'

It's a new school year at Fenn Street and Bernard is ready for it. He is seen by Maureen the morning of it, to make sure he's all-right. On the way to school, he sees a boy called Gerald, who is about to start secondary school and he refuses to go, meaning an argument. Bernard, wanting to be a good man, decides to take him to school himself. He drags him all the way there and then it is revealed that the boy goes to Weaver Street. Bernard drags the boy to Weaver Street, but makes the mistake of not seeing him in, so the boy runs off. Gerald's mother is in the Police-station, as she rang to tell the school that Gerald forgot his dinner money. But when she hears he hasn't been in, she automatically assumes, she isn't the first parent to think this over the course of the series, that Bernard is a bit Gary Glitter. She manages to describe Bernard and the sketch artist does a spot on drawing of Bernard. Potter then walks into the police-station, wanting to volunteer his services. They say he could help, they give him the sketch of Bernard and ask him to look out for him. Norman knows he does, but can't picture where. Back at Fenn Street, Bernard meets his new form, 4C and it gets off to a bad start when one pupil, Lovelace, makes a rude comment about Eric Duffy, calling him a yob. As Bernard made a great relationship with Eric, he is very annoyed at this comment and loses his temper, making Lovelace run out of the room. Lovelace has ran away from school. Bernard makes it to the Police-station and says 'He is looking for a boy' The desk Sergent's know who he is from the photograph and is disgusted with him. The Chief Inspector comes and rushes Bernard into the interview room. Then Gerald and his Mum come in and say that he has found his Son and that Bernard did take Gerald to school. Then the Inspector walks into the interview room, explains the situation and Bernard is released. But Potter has had a brainwave and knows that picture of being Bernard. When he is seen in the interview room by Potter, he tries to hit Bernard with a stick, trying to look the hero, but misses him and destroys the police-station tea set. Bernard may have just left the interview room, but a certain Mr Potter finds himself in it.

Brinsley Forde had played Wesley in 'Please Sir the Movie' was now in it as a pupil, playing Herman. Gerald's mother is played by Kate Williams who today is most famous for playing Joan Booth, the poor wife of Eddie in the controversial sitcom 'Love thy Neighbour' It is a great start to the series actually this episode and to be honest, the first half of 'Please Sir' wasn't that bad at all. This was a great episode, as it was fresh, was written by Esmonde and Larbey and still had John Alderton in it and also a nice appearance from Liz Gebhardt as Maureen. You know though that the show was never going to be the same again. But there is only one quick scene in the class-room and it isn't very good, as you can quite clearly see that the new pupils are not in the slightest bit likable, unlike the old 5C. So there was just a short scene, but there is more staff-room scenes and all the staff at this point in the series were still strong and well on form. But as the series went on, John Alderton would soon leave and unfunny teachers like Miss Petting would join the staff-room and the Weaver Street pupils would then join, where there was quite a lot of time given to Gobber and co. and they were such a nasty lot, it made the show so unfunny. But this episode, the first, still had all the original teachers in the classroom and what a funny bunch they were. John Alderton is on good form, his 'Right' catchphrase becomes a lot more frequent in this episode. As I've been re-watching 'Please Sir' recently, I've constantly been saying it all the time by accident.

Best Bit: Potter volunteering his services at the police-station and the policeman basically telling him to go away, feeling sorry for Potter this happens: POLICEMAN: Okay Mr Potter there is something you can do, POTTER: (Comes running over, basically touching the Policeman) Is it Treason, Murder, Arson, Television Liscening, I'm your man.