Raymond Allen was glad to get Betty out of the way for one episode as he thought it would be easier to write, but, in fact, it was not. She goes into hospital to have an ingrowing toenail removed, and Frank has to live on his own. The house soon resembles the aftermath of a well-attended jumble sale. When Frank tries to use the pressure cooker, it blows up. He goes to visit his wife in hospital, but first stops at a high-street greengrocer to buy fruit. He has limited money and has to haggle with the greengrocer - 'Judy' - over the prices of the grapes and apples. Eventually, she gives him some just to get shot of him. The role of 'Judy' was a consolation prize for actress Elisabeth Sladen - she had auditioned unsuccessfully for the role of 'Betty'. A year later landed she the part for which she is best remembered - plucky reporter 'Sarah Jane Smith' in 'Dr.Who'.
At the hospital, Frank proceeds to annoy both his wife, other patients, and 'Dr.Boyde' ( John D. Collins ). When Betty is told she can go home, the other female patients - among them Deddie Davies from 'The Rag Trade' - want to leave with her, and Frank has to push them on a trolley down dimly-lit corridors. 'Dr.Boyde' resurfaced in the final episode of Season 2, the one where Betty gives birth.
This is one of Season 1's weaker offerings, despite good work from Sladen and Crawford. Julia Breck - later to grace the Spike Milligan 'Q' shows - is seen fleetingly as a nurse.
Funniest moment - Frank falling on to a trolley and hurtling into the back of an ambulance. Not quite as funny as Jim Dale's similar scene in 'Carry On Again Doctor' ( 1969 ), but its okay.
Finally, a quick ( unrelated ) comment on the news that Matt Smith is to leave 'Dr.Who' at Christmas. He did his best, I suppose, but just wasn't the Doctor. I hope whoever takes his place won't repeat the mistake of trying to mimic an earlier incarnation ( in this case, Patrick Troughton's ).
At the hospital, Frank proceeds to annoy both his wife, other patients, and 'Dr.Boyde' ( John D. Collins ). When Betty is told she can go home, the other female patients - among them Deddie Davies from 'The Rag Trade' - want to leave with her, and Frank has to push them on a trolley down dimly-lit corridors. 'Dr.Boyde' resurfaced in the final episode of Season 2, the one where Betty gives birth.
This is one of Season 1's weaker offerings, despite good work from Sladen and Crawford. Julia Breck - later to grace the Spike Milligan 'Q' shows - is seen fleetingly as a nurse.
Funniest moment - Frank falling on to a trolley and hurtling into the back of an ambulance. Not quite as funny as Jim Dale's similar scene in 'Carry On Again Doctor' ( 1969 ), but its okay.
Finally, a quick ( unrelated ) comment on the news that Matt Smith is to leave 'Dr.Who' at Christmas. He did his best, I suppose, but just wasn't the Doctor. I hope whoever takes his place won't repeat the mistake of trying to mimic an earlier incarnation ( in this case, Patrick Troughton's ).
