johngraham64 Reviews

Let Them Eat Cake (1999)

anyone for voopee???

[8/10 · 8 September 2007]

This is a lot funnier than the critics would have you believe. Panned when it first went out on the BBC there is a lot to enjoy here.

Jennifer Saunders (who, it appears, is not a fan of this show) plays a costumed, period version of Edina from Ab Fab, with a little less clown tumbling and a lot more knowing winks. A fun performance and well written.

Dawn French supports as her over-bosomed and over-sexed maid. Cleverer than the aristocracy and certainly not above a little bribery! Oh and she gets ravished repeatedly by the Marquis de Sade! Well, why not?

Then there's the star of the show - Bouffant! He camps his way through it all with wonderfully cutting comments and a despising stare that could shatter glass. And don't mention the wigs....

And lest we forget the Madame du Plonge and her nubile daughter... Quite an excellent ensemble cast.

If you haven't caught this - or did so ages ago - it's now out on DVD.

Up Pompeii (1971)

What? You want to see the murals???

[7/10 · 3 September 2007]

As a fan of Frankie Howerd and the Up Pompeii TV series in particular, I have to admit to being disappointed by this big screen outing for his character, the slave Lurcio.

A brave attempt to transfer the TV series to the bigger screen it is hampered by a lacklustre plot, a lack of the glorious puns and filth, and an entire change of cast (apart from Howerd himself).

Howerd's priceless reactions to his studio audience and comments to them had to be omitted, of course.

Lance Percival crops up in an over-the-top and unfunny role as a Roman soldier. After 5 minutes of his performance you just can't wait for the volcano to blow! Patrick Cargill hams it up as Nero. Julie Ege looks suitably Voluptuous but does little else of note. And was she dubbed???

And why does Lurcio keep turning down Scrubba's advances? In the TV series he was always after the girl, but never got her. Here she is waiting on a plate for him at any opportunity. Only at the end does he relent, and the funniest visual gag takes place as the senate disintegrates.

It's not a bad film by any means. But it cannot and does not compare to the TV series.

There are a couple of gems in it:

Frankie's disappointment at the beginning at the size of the title screen.... bigger....bigger... etc

The theme song is a hoot, sung by Frankie himself.

And Lurcio choosing the orgy girls is good for a laugh...

Watch and enjoy, then pick up the DVD of the TV series and have a much bigger laugh.

Lost in Space (1998)

Not as bad as you think...

[6/10 · 2 September 2007]

OK so maybe it wasn't that good... but it was a spirited attempt with some lovely knowing winks back to the original TV series (the outer casing the Jupiter 2 launches in mimics the original ship, for example).

The basic plot premise that sends out the Robinsons into space recalls the original pilot, as does the sabotage by Dr Smith (Gary Oldman doing his best - and fun - Jonathan Harris impression).

Casting is a bit up and down. I can't warm to William Hurt and he does come across as quite unlovable. Maureen's character doesn't get much to do. Will and Penny are OK and at least Will doesn't come across as one of those modern-day child actors (never show me Star Wars I!!!).

Don West is suitably photogenic and has obviously worked out for the role. Judy falls for him but I'm sure it's purely physical! Hey - who needs character development??? It all comes apart when they crash land on the planet and travel in time . I mean, why not let older Will travel back and stop it all happening? That would save the entire family and Dr Smith and stop them being lost all in one go. Ah well....

I would have liked to have seen a sequel though. The effects were good and popping in ex-cast members in cameos was greatly appreciated - and the original voice of the robot! Much more could have been done with it in Lost In Space 2....

DANGER, WILL ROBINSON! DANGER!

The Chastity Belt (1972)

An enjoyable romp

[7/10 · 2 September 2007]

Frankie Howerd is the serf, Lurkalot, in this movie spin-off from the Up Pompeii TV series and the Up Pompeii film.

Taking exactly the same idea - servant to a stupid master/over-bosomed mistress, thick son and less-than-virginal daughter - this film pitches Frankie Howerd into the middle ages in England. He plays Lurkalot - and good King Richard too.

OK it's not the Up Pompeii TV series (which I loved) but for me it's a worthy successor the the Up Pompeii film (which didn't recreate the fun or laughs of the TV version).

Eartha Kitt pops up in impressive form for her cameo part. And Lurkalot actually gets the girl!!! Despite it's failings there is still plenty to enjoy here - the locksmith unable to open his own lock, let alone Anne Astons'! Lurkalot questioning the yokel. And his selling of Chastity Belts in the market....... 'Spare keys!!!!'

Graham Crowden has fun with the role - and the campest of camp Robin Hoods turns up with his merry 'men'!!! And then we meet Maid Marian.... well you can't blame him, can you?

Pour out something nice and settle down on a wet afternoon for a harmless laugh.

'Oh sod this for a lark - I'm off for a Crusade....'

The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (1986)

This is how it should be done...

[9/10 · 2 September 2007]

Quite superb! Well done for bringing this novel to the small screen. It knocks socks of the (later) film version.

Never seen what anyone sees in Dennis Waterman (as a sex symbol, that is - he's a great actor) but all these women lust over him in this show. Mary Fisher is suitably glamorous and disintegrates as the show goes on very believably. Ruth of course is superbly played and goes from frumpy downtrodden housewife to vamp to nurse to lesbian to business supremo to SM queen to Mary Fisher! Loved it all.

Oh and post-doctor Tom Baker is a catholic priest! And I'd hire Garcia any day! Look it out - it's on DVD now.

UFO (1970–1971)

Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organisation...

[8/10 · 2 September 2007]

UFO is undoubtedly a slick and glossy show, ahead of it's time maybe - and unfortunately cancelled before it's time...

OK so some of the episodes had flimsy plots - and some had plot holes large enough to swim Skydiver through - but I enjoyed it none-the-less.

SHADO hides under the Harlington-Straker film studios. Ed Straker appears to head the studio - but it's all a cover. Passing the efficient Miss Ealand, Straker enters his office only for it to sink into the ground to SHADO proper. Personnel in incredibly tight jump suits patrol the corridors and control room. All to track and destroy invaders from outer space who are coming here to kidnap people for organ transplant (a nice plot device which seems to get lost along the way).

Aided by submarines that have jet planes attached to the front, the Space Intruder Detector satellite, mobiles, lunar modules and the wonderfully-designed moonbase with it's interceptors and proper sci-fi-silver-suited personnel, the series is set up for some dramatic battles and intriguing story lines.

Oh and the moonbase ladies have purple wigs on...

Ed Bishop excels as Straker, ably supported by all the cast. Can I put in a vote here for Keith Alexander (playing Lt Ford)? He was used well in more than one story. And another vote for Delores Mantez (playing Nina Barry). The episode when she is stuck underwater with Straker is a real classic and gives one of the ladies (sans purple wig) more to do.

My favourite episode has to be the one where Staker and Virginia Lake (Wanda Ventham looking superb!) find themselves stuck in time. I loved all the frozen things around the studio - and people. Cleverly filmed. Perhaps someone will explain what it was all about to me one day - but I love it.

As a child I had a corgi or dinky or whatever die-cast moonbase interceptor that actually fired it's plastic missile at the touch of a button. Don't tell health and safety! Oh and I loved the UFO's themselves.

Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's visions of the future were often stunning and beautifully realised through props (Straker's car with it's gull-wing doors), models (moonbase, interceptors, SID, Skydiver etc), fashion (purple wigs again!) and plausible story lines. This was another credit to them.

Interceptors - immediate launch!!!

You Rang, M'Lord? (1988–1993)

I can't remember the last time.....

[10/10 · 30 August 2007]

This certainly was one of the best sitcoms but somehow remains underrated and largely forgotten.

Unlike some of the more outrageous characters in other sitcoms written by the same hands (most of the characters in the wonderful Are You Being Served? for example) this had more realism going for it.

Based on such shows as Upstairs Downstairs this series deals with 'them upstairs' and 'those down below'. With a cast of actors culled mainly from previous sitcom hits (notably Hi De Hi and You Ain't Half Hot Mum) laughs were assured.

After all, in which other sitcom do you get:

Lord Meldrum (having an affair with Lady Agatha) Teddy Meldrum (having many affairs with housemaids - and getting 5 of them pregnant) Poppy Meldrum (wanting to have an affair with James, the footman) and Cissy Meldrum (having a lesbian affair with Penelope)

While Poppy's character gets less and less likable as the series goes on, the other three family members become more endearing, and the distress of Lord Meldrum when Lady Agatha dumps him in the last episode is quite upsetting. Comedy is woven round it of course.

And downstairs there are gentle touches amongst the comedy too - such as when Alf invites the charlady, Mabel, to the staff ball.

And much of the comedy is held together by the innocence of the maid, Ivy (played superbly by Su Pollard) and her attempts to stop the butler Alf Stokes (her father, played by Paul Shane) getting his hands on money, and trying to get some attention from James, the footman, who she has fallen in love with.

I loved all the characters and there are some treasurable comedic moments, played out as period drama.

If you missed it then look it out, now that it is on DVD.

Any chance of a cup of your most excellent tea, Mrs Lipton?

Up Pompeii! (1969–1970)

What are you expecting? Wit???

[10/10 · 30 August 2007]

Hugely enjoyable (if you like Frankie Howerd) and the most famous role of his career.

With scripts mostly written by Talbot Rothwell (writer of many Carry On films) and peppered with ancient jokes and puns (as FH says, the audience might find the jokes old, but they were new back then!) Frankie Howerd, as the slave Lurcio, pulls us through his turbulent life.

With Rothwell digging out some of his Carry On jokes and FH mugging and ooo-ing and aaah-ing for all he is worth (no missus! no don't titter! oh well, please yourselves' etc etc) the stage is set for some very funny programmes.

Lurcio is forever trying to finish (or even start) 'the prologue' but he is always interrupted by Senna, the Soothsayer (oh she does go through you) or his Mistress (I say mistress... I don't mean... mind you, she would!) or his Master, the aged Ludicrus Sextus! And don't forget the young master, Nausius, and his ode - they always raise a smile with me and Nausius is the ONLY person in the universe who can't find the rhyme at the end of every one! As a showcase for FH this could't be topped. In fact, it wasn't, with the same format being adopted in 'Whoops Baghdad' and, much later, in 'Then Churchill said to Me', neither of which lived up to Pompeii.

But corny gags and all the 'filth' (as Lurcio puts it) add up to a fun half hour or so per episode. Shame there wasn't a season 3 to enjoy.

Salute!

Doctor Who: Love & Monsters (2006) Season 2, Episode 10

Oh dear...

[1/10 · 30 August 2007]

Oh dear oh dear...

OK so this is how NOT to do an episode where the doctor doesn't actually appear very much.

I'm told you either love it or hate it - guess which category I fall into? The monster appearing in this episode was designed by a schoolboy in a Blue Peter competition on BBC1. Fair enough. And the idea of him absorbing fully grown people into himself could have been quite scary.

But it wasn't. Peter Kay gives a comedy performance as the monster. And the script is fairly childish. More CBBC than BBC1.

I understand why the doctor is out of the episode so much. But if you want to see exactly how it should be done, skip straight ahead to 'Blink' in series 3!

Doctor Who: Blink (2007) Season 3, Episode 10

Blink and you're dead....

[10/10 · 30 August 2007]

Brilliant! Superb writing, great idea behind the monsters, a much better use of the Doctor. Even though he wasn't there that much, you felt he was, thanks to the DVD easter egg! And suspense! Real suspense! This is heading towards being my favourite Dr Who of season 3.

Oh and.... please please please.... if they want to bring someone back to be a companion in season 5, then surely it must be Carey Mulligan, who sparkled her way through the whole show, acted her socks off and looked disturbingly like Jo Grant (like a daughter - now that could be a story twist! hmmm maybe not)...

Oh and the policeman was HOT!

An Audience with Kenneth Williams (1983 TV Special)

what? the lamp post?

[9/10 · 30 August 2007]

A very funny summary of Kenneth Williams career, told by the man himself in front of a 'celebrity' audience.

Camping his way onto the stage (and throughout the show) KW tells funny stories of his professional life as an actor and some of the people he acted with, from Maggie Smith to Fenella Fielding (FF to KW: Why is your bum so hard? Do you leave it out at night?) to various Carry On players and the greats of the theatre. The 'actor playing the bishop in his cloth of gold' story will haunt Ms Mckenna to her grave.

OK so the questions are pre-planned, as are the responses, but this is one of the better 'Audiences With...'. A wonderful and entertainingly funny trip down memory lane for KW and his audience, it's always good for a load of laughs. Impossible to pick a favourite anecdote from it - there are too many.

Look it out and enjoy.