1974's 'The Big Job' was a 'Comedy Playhouse' episode written by and starring the late Peter Jones. He played 'Eddie', the leader of a gang of useless thieves. The others were 'Dolly' ( Prunella Scales ), 'Ginger' ( Nick Brimble ) and 'Norma' ( Andonia Katsaros ). Thy live in a dilapidated house in London.
Eddie is small-time but dreams of being big time. He dreams up new criminal schemes ( with the aid of toy cars ) but they usually come to nothing. In this instalment, he decides to kidnap and hold to ransom the rich Lord Maybrick. He gets the wrong man and instead winds up with his pompous butler, 'Grimes' ( Aubrey Woods ). Grimes urges Doily to ditch Eddie and team up with him, but she decides to stay where she is.
'The Big Job' is not too far removed from the 1965 Sid James movie of the same time. It has its moments, but Jones should have brought in a co-writer. For the resulting series, entitled 'Mr. Big', he did jus that. Christopher Bond got the job, and the resulting show lasted two years.
The roles of 'Ginger' and 'Norma' would be recast for the series, with Ian Lavender and Carol Hawkins replacing Brimble and Katsaros. Their characters are said to be brother and sister and yet they are often seen in bed together. Possibly the term 'sister' was one of endearment. Alfred Marks is seen briefly as a well-organised crook who keeps records of all his crimes.
Funniest moment - Dolly entering the house carrying two heavy-looking bags. Has she been shopping? No. Shoplifting!
Eddie is small-time but dreams of being big time. He dreams up new criminal schemes ( with the aid of toy cars ) but they usually come to nothing. In this instalment, he decides to kidnap and hold to ransom the rich Lord Maybrick. He gets the wrong man and instead winds up with his pompous butler, 'Grimes' ( Aubrey Woods ). Grimes urges Doily to ditch Eddie and team up with him, but she decides to stay where she is.
'The Big Job' is not too far removed from the 1965 Sid James movie of the same time. It has its moments, but Jones should have brought in a co-writer. For the resulting series, entitled 'Mr. Big', he did jus that. Christopher Bond got the job, and the resulting show lasted two years.
The roles of 'Ginger' and 'Norma' would be recast for the series, with Ian Lavender and Carol Hawkins replacing Brimble and Katsaros. Their characters are said to be brother and sister and yet they are often seen in bed together. Possibly the term 'sister' was one of endearment. Alfred Marks is seen briefly as a well-organised crook who keeps records of all his crimes.
Funniest moment - Dolly entering the house carrying two heavy-looking bags. Has she been shopping? No. Shoplifting!
