Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me (TV 2008)

In the 1950s Frankie Howerd, the famous radio and film comedian, meets a young waiter Dennis Heymer, who,like himself,is a closet homosexual. Their relationship blossoms into a partnership,... See full summary »

Director:

John Alexander

Writer:

Peter Harness

Stars:

David Walliams, Rafe Spall, Peter Sandys-Clarke

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
David Walliams	...	Frankie Howerd
Rafe Spall	...	Dennis Heymer
Peter Sandys-Clarke	...	Sheridan
Sally Leonard	...	Jane
Paul Anderson	...	Roger
Benedict Martin	...	Gunman
Melanie Hill	...	Ruth
Dilys Laye	...	Edith Howerd
Jeffrey S. Perry	...	Director (as Jeffrey Perry)
Chris New	...	Rent Boy
Peter Harness	...	Promoter
Paul Courtenay Hyu	...	Dr. Ling (as Paul Courtenay-Hyu)
Jake Maskall	...	Don
David Reed	...	Peter Cook
Tom Allen	...	Lighting Technician

Storyline

In the 1950s Frankie Howerd, the famous radio and film comedian, meets a young waiter Dennis Heymer, who,like himself,is a closet homosexual. Their relationship blossoms into a partnership, rather than a purely sexual one, and Dennis becomes Frankie's manager. By the early 1960s however things are looking bleak for Frankie. He has lost popularity with mainstream audiences and suffered a nervous breakdown.He is full of self hatred about his appearance - he wears a wig - and his homosexuality, putting huge stress on his relationship with Dennis. Matters are not helped by the death of Frankie's mother Edith. However, Frankie is able to reinvent himself as a satirical comedian, with a gig at Peter Cook's Establishment Club and his fortunes soar,with successful television comedies and a well-publicised appearance at the Oxford Union.

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Plot Keywords:

wig | homosexual | chat up line | oxford university | childhood sexual abuse | 

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Genres:

Biography

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [uk] BBC Four [uk]

Country:

UK

Release Date:

9 April 2008 (UK)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Drama Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Made as one of a four-part season "The Curse of Comedy" on BBC Four, though not billed on-screen with this series title. The other three films in the series were The Curse of Steptoe, Hancock & Joan and Hughie Green, Most Sincerely.

User Reviews

The Weakest of the Curse of Comedy Quartet

After the three excellent preceding entries in this quartet, (Steptoe,Hancock,Hughie Green)this was a considerable disappointment.

I've no complaint with the performances, both David Walliams and Rafe Spall as Howerd & Heymer respectively were on top form. Where Rather You Than Me falls down, as opposed to the three previous entries is it's lacklustre script, which can't make up its mind whether to concentrate on Howerd or Heymer and falls limply between the two.

This cramped production lasting barely sixty minutes, seems more interested in Heymer's uninteresting sex life than exploring Howerd himself. So we are then subjected to scenes of dimly lit homosexual nightclubs and sweaty couplings, whilst Howerd sits morosely at home.

Poor old Frank is made to look so miserable and dull, you wonder how he ever made people laugh at all. Further insight into his character by the writers would have revealed that despite his depressive nature, he could also be humorous and great company as his many friends including Cilla Black and June Whitfield would bare witness to. (Happiness doesn't sell progamme's it seems)

I'm sad to say that Rather You Than Me is a kick in the teeth to a great comic.