Review of On the House

The now-defunct Network Distributing released hundreds of films and television series on D. V. D., including some obscure offerings like 'The Corridor People' and 'Alcock And Gander'. But a series that eluded them was this short-lived Yorkshire Television sitcom, about a gang of builders working on a construction site who never seem to do much by way of work. Not unless you call playing cards and 'spending a penny' work. Their leader, 'Gussie Sissons', is played by Kenneth Connor. The boys' arch-enemy, site foreman 'Charlie Cattermole', is portrayed by John Junkin. Looking at this now, its hard not to be reminded of 'On The Buses'. Working-class lads at war with an authority figure with a moustache. It is as if Sid Colin, the show's writer, had seen Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney's show ( it begun the year before ) and thought he could do better. He did not. In addition to those actors I've just mentioned, the show also has Gordon Rollings, John Normington ( whose 'Old Ned Spooner' character looks a lot like 'Uncle Mort' from 'I Didn't Know You Cared' ) and, later on, Derek Griffiths and future 'Confessions' star Robin Askwith. Tommy Godfrey was a busy man in the 70's; his other shows include 'Love Thy Neighbour' and 'Mind Your Language' ( both written by Vince Powell ).

Guest-stars include Milo O'Shea, Patrick Troughton ( as a Germanic scientist ) and Hermione Baddeley. So there was a good cast but the weak scripts sadly let them down. Connor was seen to much better comic effect in the 'Carry On' pictures, 'Hi-De-Hi!', and 'Allo, Allo!'.

Rubbish builders also featured in the much funnier 'Cowboys' made by Thames Television over a decade later.