Reviews & Ratings for
"The Fenn Street Gang" The Great Frock Robbers (1972)

"A lot of villains are having a tickle!", 6 April 2008

Author: ShadeGrenade from Ambrosia

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Duffy, Craven and Dennis are doing a decorating job for the London gangster Mr.Bowler. His trendy flat comes equipped with all the latest gadgets and labour saving devices, as well as blue movies on tap and lampshades bearing topless photos of his wife.

Sacked from Luigi's restaurant, Frankie becomes a security guard at the boutique where Sharon works. Left to his own devices, he stupidly assists two men he believes to be suppliers. They are thieves, and make off with the shop's entire stock of expensive dresses.

Concerned for her job, Sharon turns to Duffy. He and the others ( minus Frankie ) set about stealing the garments back. Unfortunately for them, the culprit is none other than Mr.Bowler...

The final episode of the first series of 'The Fenn Street Gang' introduces the character of 'Bowler', a small-time Cockney crook who fancies himself as an upper class toff. Played by George Baker, 'Bowler' would return in Season 2 and went on to star in his own short-lived spin-off. This would be the last time Leon Vitali played 'Craven' as Malcolm McFee returned for Season 2. Louis Mansi, seen as 'Luigi', also returned, but as a different character - 'Guilio', boyfriend of Sharon's mum. The actor is best known for his role as 'von Smallhausen' in 'Allo, Allo'.

While its true that this show - taken as a whole unit - came nowhere near the quality of 'Please Sir!''s first three seasons, I defy anyone to claim it was inferior to the fourth. Indeed the Gang was lured back to the school for one episode - 'Old Fennians' Day' - in a desperate bid to salvage the foundering parent show.

Funniest moment - the Gang are passing dresses from Bowler's flat to Duffy's van by sliding them along a wire. An elderly couple - Molly Weir and Ken Parry - are on their way home from a spiritualists' meeting when they see the garments floating about in mid-air and assume that they are ghosts!

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