"Steptoe and Son" Oh, What a Beautiful Mourning (TV Episode 1972) Poster

(TV Series)

(1972)

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10/10
Who'd have thought a funeral could be so funny.
Sleepin_Dragon1 August 2019
Oh what a beautiful mourning is without a doubt one of the funniest episodes of the show. We get a great concept, great lines, and an array of comic talent, that any show would have loved.

We learn more about the Steptoe family, and see the return of some wonderful characters. Rita Webb and Mollie Sugden in particular are great fun. If only we'd seen more of them.

The scenes of the greedy family rushing back from the funeral and fighting over the possessions are great, but it's Albert's line of 'that's the first drink I've ever had on him' that makes it. Nice to see the two characters on the same side.

Classic. 10/10
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10/10
"What a bleeding family!"
ShadeGrenade2 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Harold's Uncle George has died, meaning another family funeral is imminent. The Steptoe clan would scare even the Mafia, openly fighting one another over the deceased's possessions and money. Even Albert is not immune - he wants back the £25 his brother borrowed off him years ago to go to Australia ( but never went ). At George's house, everyone agrees that only thing of value is the porcelain figure on the mantelpiece...

Another cracking episode, featuring the return of characters from 'And Afterwards At...' in 1965, such as George A.Cooper's money-grabbing 'Uncle Arthur' and Rita Webb's loud 'Potty Ada'. It is a pity they were not to be seen in the film 'Steptoe & Son Ride Again' ( 1974 ). Queenie Watts was in 'Romany Jones' and its sequel 'Yus My Dear', while Tommy Godfrey played 'Arthur in 'Love Thy Neighbour' and 'Sid' the caretaker in 'Mind Your Language'. The late Arthur Negus ( to whom Harold refers ) was an antiques expert who appeared on B.B.C. shows such as 'Going For A Song' and 'The Antiques Roadshow'.

Funniest moment - Albert and Harold wearing suits with bowler hats. Says the latter: "we look like a couple of pox doctor's clerks!".

Second funniest moment - Albert puts a glass on George's coffin and says that it is a momentous occasion as it is the only time he has ever had a drink on him!

Third funniest moment - Caroline ( Yvonne Antrobus ), Harold's cousin, agrees to go on a date with her uncle. Then Albert warns him that because she is Alice's daughter there is a good chance she could also be his sister!
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10/10
A half-hour I can revisit endlessly
valkyber5 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
As someone who has lived away from Britain for a long time, this beautifully erratic portrayal of a family getting together reminds me what I'm missing out on. As a teacher of English, this episode with its varied pace of dialogue at different stages and implicit conversations, as well as replayed feuds, shows the range, both spoken and unspoken, of the English language.

Albert's past and present relationships with the baker's dozen of siblings are fleshed out enough to make it clear there are differences, and. Harold's assessment of his dad's chances ("They're professional grave robbers") once again elevates an episode of this classic sit-commentary to show how much the change from where you started in life matters as well.
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6/10
Oh, What a Beautiful Mourning
Prismark1014 December 2016
Albert Steptoe had 12 siblings and they are now dropping off rapidly. When Uncle George dies, it means another funeral and another raid on the deceased possessions like vultures ripping a carcass.

Harold knew little about Uncle George even though he was his godfather; all we know was that he was mean which also meant he was likely to be wealthy. Albert lent him £25 some years ago to emigrate to Australia and he went to the pub instead.

At the deceased house which they attend wearing black suits and bowler hats, we see the rest of the Steptoe clan, otherwise known as the late British comedy character actors of the 1960s and 1970s. Rita Webb is Aunt Ada known for flashing her kickers to the vicar. Mollie Sugden is another aunt and Harold takes a shine to his young cousin, Uncle Nobby's daughter. Nobby turned to religion when he found out that none of his kids were his.

Albert has his eye on the porcelain figure on the mantelpiece but so does everyone else but Uncle George knows the family too well and has the last laugh from beyond the grave.

It is nice to see the Steptoe clan and their money grasping attitude, all jockeying for position to make rich pickings. Albert makes the best joke when he plays a glass on George's coffin and says that it is the only time he has ever had a drink on him.
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