The second 'In Sickness' Christmas Special manages to be extremely good even without the formidable Dandy Nichols. To earn a few bob, Alf is working as a Department store 'Santa'. His customers are an awkward lot, particularly one mother ( Alison Steadman ) who angrily demands to know why Father Christmas never brings anything for her boy. After losing his rag ( and who wouldn't ) Alf quits. Rita wins a prize in a competition - a holiday for two in sunny Spain. Alf thinks he will be going with his daughter, but she is planning on taking husband Mike, seeing the trip as an opportunity to repair their crumbling marriage. Alf faces the prospect of Christmas on his own...
This was one of Una's final appearances in the role of 'Rita'. The actress was committed to filming the children's show 'Worzel Gummidge Down Under' in New Zealand with Jon Pertwee, and could not spare the time. Why Speight decided to break up Rita's marriage to Mike was rather strange, as they'd been shown previously to be a devoted couple. There was no danger of Tony Booth returning as he had publicly refused to work with Warren Mitchell again. The marriage could have survived intact. Alison Steadman's mad-as-a-hatter mother is quite a hoot, almost on a par with 'Beverly' from 'Abigail's Party'. Jo Kendall of 'I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again' fame is seen in the grotto also.
There is a poignancy to Alf's situation. In one scene, he fakes hanging himself in order to attract attention, but the Johnsons pull the curtains shut so they can enjoy their turkey in peace! Funniest moment - Alf, dressed as Santa, pushing a wheelchair loaded with Christmas food through the streets. He loses control and it careers down a steep hill, straight through someone's front door. By the time Alf arrives, the owner has slammed it shut!
This was one of Una's final appearances in the role of 'Rita'. The actress was committed to filming the children's show 'Worzel Gummidge Down Under' in New Zealand with Jon Pertwee, and could not spare the time. Why Speight decided to break up Rita's marriage to Mike was rather strange, as they'd been shown previously to be a devoted couple. There was no danger of Tony Booth returning as he had publicly refused to work with Warren Mitchell again. The marriage could have survived intact. Alison Steadman's mad-as-a-hatter mother is quite a hoot, almost on a par with 'Beverly' from 'Abigail's Party'. Jo Kendall of 'I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again' fame is seen in the grotto also.
There is a poignancy to Alf's situation. In one scene, he fakes hanging himself in order to attract attention, but the Johnsons pull the curtains shut so they can enjoy their turkey in peace! Funniest moment - Alf, dressed as Santa, pushing a wheelchair loaded with Christmas food through the streets. He loses control and it careers down a steep hill, straight through someone's front door. By the time Alf arrives, the owner has slammed it shut!
