Steptoe and Son (TV Series) The Party (1973) User Reviews

Seasonal Steptoe fun.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 10 August 2021]

The first Steptoe Christmas inside The Common Market, Harold's off to Majorca, Albert's busy putting up the decorations.

The Steptoe Christmas special was always an event, this perhaps isn't the best of them, but it is a funny watch. So used to being a duo, the old man is devastated by Harold's revelation. It's the usual mix of funny and sad, the duo shining brightly as always, maybe the low was perhaps missing here.

Albert's monologue is a fabulous moment, absolutely brilliant, what a great actor Brambell was, Harold's scene at the travel agent was equally as funny.

People moan about The BBC having a political stance, it's always had one, Albert slating Enoch Powell is very evident.

It's good fun, 8/10.

The Party

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 25 December 2017]

Harold plans a festive break to Majorca with a girlfriend but he has just been given the push by her. He goes to the travel agent and is met with a snooty assistant played by Frank Thornton. Not for the first time he has played a snooty man in Steptoe and Son.

Harold with his clobber and shoes with horse manure on it puts off a posh couple who were also planning a Christmas holiday to Majorca.

Albert on the other hand is looking forward to another Christmas as he puts up the same decorations again that he has been doing since Harold was born. Once he finds out about Harold's plans though he feigns illness and makes out he is on death's door. Not acknowledging that Harold is sick and tired of doing the same thing every year, even his present from Albert is three handkerchiefs and a pair of Y fronts like all the other years.

Harold reluctantly decides to throw a lavish party with the neighbours and brings a big goose, turkey and makes a strong alcoholic punch. Things are going swimmingly until Albert gets an outbreak of spots.

The best bit was Harold shrieking when he went to the lavatory and sat on the wreath that Albert left behind.