'Man About The House' topped the Thames Television ratings when it first appeared in 1973. Indeed, it was so well liked that in its first year, a special sketch was made specially for that year's edition of 'All Star Comedy Carnival', so it seemed inevitable that a feature film based on the show would appear, and sure enough it did. 'Man About The House' went on release in 1974. The entire cast were retained. Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke fleshed out the premise, though John Robins produced and directed. With these plus points, 'Man About The House' should have been good. Sadly, it was not. 'Man About The House', whilst not spectacularly bad, was on the whole very mediocre.
It starts off with Robin getting a job as an assistant chef at a grotty restaurant where the head chef ( played by Bill Maynard ) is so filthy he makes 'Rab C. Nesbitt' look like Gordon Gekko. The rest of the plot ( if you are able to call it that ) focuses on the attempts of unscrupulous property developer Mr. Pluthero to make a compulsory purchase order on the properties in Mydellton Terrace to demolish them and make way for office buildings. George is only too happy to sell the house but Mildred is adamant that they are staying put.
Robin, Chrissy and Jo meanwhile have made up a petition in order to save the street from demolition. Pluthero, desperate to get Chrissy to change her mind and sell up, attempts to wine and dine her but the meal ends in disaster after Robin sabotages his meal which results in him having to run to the toilet every two minutes.
'Man About The House' is patchy and disjointed. If made as a thirty minute episode, it may have worked but expanded into a 90 minute format it was a bit much. Peter Cellier ( who played the lecherous Major in 'Keeping Up Appearances' ) is Mr. Pluthero. Arthur Lowe, of 'Dad's Army' fame plays his moon faced boss. Sadly, their presence was not enough to bring the film to life. The presence of Andrea Lawrence as the nympho neighbour and Aimi McDonald ( who many will probably remember from 'At Last The 1948 Show' ) as a mistress do not help matters either.
There are some good cameo appearances from the likes of Spike Milligan, Jack Smethurst and Rudolph Walker. It's just a pity the film isn't really worthy of their talents.
I don't hate this movie personally but it is not unjust to say that it is pale ( almost anaemic in fact ) in comparison with its television counterpart.
Funniest bit - George, scuttling around the bar at Thames Television, bumps into Jack Smethurst and Rudolph Walker from 'Love Thy Neighbour'. Recognising Walker, George greets him with: ''Hey, I know your face, you're s*mbo the n*g n*g off the telly, aren't you!''.
It starts off with Robin getting a job as an assistant chef at a grotty restaurant where the head chef ( played by Bill Maynard ) is so filthy he makes 'Rab C. Nesbitt' look like Gordon Gekko. The rest of the plot ( if you are able to call it that ) focuses on the attempts of unscrupulous property developer Mr. Pluthero to make a compulsory purchase order on the properties in Mydellton Terrace to demolish them and make way for office buildings. George is only too happy to sell the house but Mildred is adamant that they are staying put.
Robin, Chrissy and Jo meanwhile have made up a petition in order to save the street from demolition. Pluthero, desperate to get Chrissy to change her mind and sell up, attempts to wine and dine her but the meal ends in disaster after Robin sabotages his meal which results in him having to run to the toilet every two minutes.
'Man About The House' is patchy and disjointed. If made as a thirty minute episode, it may have worked but expanded into a 90 minute format it was a bit much. Peter Cellier ( who played the lecherous Major in 'Keeping Up Appearances' ) is Mr. Pluthero. Arthur Lowe, of 'Dad's Army' fame plays his moon faced boss. Sadly, their presence was not enough to bring the film to life. The presence of Andrea Lawrence as the nympho neighbour and Aimi McDonald ( who many will probably remember from 'At Last The 1948 Show' ) as a mistress do not help matters either.
There are some good cameo appearances from the likes of Spike Milligan, Jack Smethurst and Rudolph Walker. It's just a pity the film isn't really worthy of their talents.
I don't hate this movie personally but it is not unjust to say that it is pale ( almost anaemic in fact ) in comparison with its television counterpart.
Funniest bit - George, scuttling around the bar at Thames Television, bumps into Jack Smethurst and Rudolph Walker from 'Love Thy Neighbour'. Recognising Walker, George greets him with: ''Hey, I know your face, you're s*mbo the n*g n*g off the telly, aren't you!''.