User Reviews

Might as well admit it. This was just a trip down memory lane for me. Although I was surprised to realise the series ran until 1964. I thought it must have finished about 1961.

Anyway, as soon as Jeff started his opening monologue, I recalled all of the characters and even some of the actors' names. Peggy Mount of course is unforgettable with her relentless way of speaking. Her role honed by seasons of stage work as the mother in Sailor Beware. David Kossoff was familiar from the dozens of Jewish characters he had played down the years. But here he is a a novel role as the henpecked husband.

The story is very dated, and may require internet research on some of the references. Son Eddie's demobilization from National Service in the army is an excuse for a party but, of course everything goes wrong. The funniest scene for me was when Alf and Ada were arguing and Eddie, having just arrived, keeps trying to say hello but is completely ignored. Strangely, the comedy, which I recall as being frenetic, now seems to move at a gentler pace. Much of the humour is obvious and a few of the jokes are now definitely not PC . E.g Jeff being tasked with preparing tomato sandwiches "I've slit more redskins than Davy Crockett!". Get used to it there's another 39 episodes to go!