The Steptoe and Son Encyclopedia E-Book

Brian Carver

• Herausgeber: epubli
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 61

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Steptoe and Son is a classic British sitcom that ran on the BBC between 1962-74. The series has two iconic characters – Albert Steptoe and his rag and bone man son Harold. Wildred Brambell as Albert and Harry H. Corbett as Harold both give wonderful performances in the series. As well as being a great comedy, Steptoe and Son has many dramatic elements and social commentary relating to the relationship between father and son, changes in society, their working class existence and their rather old fashioned rag and bone trade. Find out more about this iconic series in this Encyclopedia.

Leseprobe

TheSteptoe and SonEncyclopedia  

Brian Carver© Copyright 2024 Brian Carver

-

ContentsIntroductionThe EncyclopediaPhoto CreditsIntroductionSteptoe and Son is a classic British sitcom that ran on the BBC between 1962-74.The series has two iconic characters – Albert Steptoe and his rag and bone man son Harold. Wildred Brambell as Albert and Harry H. Corbett as Harold both give wonderful performances in the series. As well as being a great comedy, Steptoe and Son has many dramatic elements and social commentary relating to the relationship between father and son, changes in society, their working class existence and their rather old fashioned rag and bone trade.Find out more about this iconic series in this Encyclopedia.The EncyclopediaAAdvertsIn 1977 Harry H. Corbett and Wilfrid Brambell appeared in British advertisements for Ajax cleaning products. Two ads were made and they were filmed in Australia during a tour.In 1981 they filmed another British tv ad, this time for Kenco Coffee. This was their last appearance together as Steptoe and Son.And Afterwards At...And Afterwards At... is an episode of Steptoe and Son. It was first shown on the 4th October 1965. It is the 1st episode of series 4.Harold is getting married to Melanie. will it go to plan?Also stars  George A. Cooper as Uncle Arthur, Rose Hill as Auntie May, Joan Newell as Aunt Ethel, Mollie Sugden as the bride’s mother, Karol Hagar as Melanie, Robert Webber as the Vicar, Rita Webb as Auntie Freda, Gretchen Franklin as Aunt Daphne, Fred Hugh as First Man, Leslie Sarony as Melanie's father, George Tovey, George Hirste and Betty Cardno.Harold is going to marry at last - although he is planning to carry on living at the house with Albert. When Melanie decides to not go through with the wedding at the Church Harold is upset, but Albert is pleased that the status quo can be resumed. This one has a bigger than usual cast featuring the Steptoe clan.And So to BedAnd So to Bed is an episode of Steptoe and Son. It was first broadcast on the 7th September 1974. It is the 2nd episode of series 8.Harold's girlfriend is not impressed with his dirty old bed, so he buys a new one -  a water one!Also features Lynn Farleigh as Marcia and Angus MacKay as Salesman.This is a good late episode. Harold again has to deal with a snooty salesman who looks down on him when making a purchase. And of course it was obvious what was going to happen to the water bed and what Albert was going to do to it.Any Old IronAny Old Iron is an episode of Steptoe and Son. It is the 3rd episode in series 5 and was first broadcast on the 20th March 1970.An elderly cultured antiques dealer - Timothy -  visits the Steptoes. Harold sees the chance to have an intellectual friend who will help him open an antiques shop. But Timothy is gay and interested in more than friendship.Also features Richard Hurndall as Timothy Stanhope, Valerie Bell as Dolly Miller and Roger Avon as the Policeman.This is not very politically correct but wonderful episode with Harold seemingly unaware of the gay man's interest in him. Albert tries to warn him, only to be told that he has "poof mania" by Harold!ArgentDouglas Argent (1921-2010) was a British director and producer who produced and directed series 8 of Steptoe and Son.His other work includes Till Death Do Us Part,The Liver Birds, Q8 and Q9, Never the Twain and Fawlty Towers.He was born in Bexleyheath.BBack in FashionBack in Fashion is an episode of Steptoe and Son. It was first broadcast on the 31st August 1974. It is the first series of series 8.A photographer wants to use the Steptoes' yard as a location for a fashion shoot with some attractive models.Also features Madeline Smith as Carol, Roy Holder as the photographer, Peter Birrel as the agent, Michael Earl as policeman, Ava Cadell, Christine Donna, Sally Farmiloe, Claire Russel, Hazel Wilson.A very farcical episode of Steptoe with the models thinking Harold is blind due to his sunglasses, and Albert looking through the keyholes and even the ceiling to get a look at the models undressing. Of course Harold sees the chance to be a model, but Albert is asked and is a success.The BathThe Bath is an episode of Steptoe and Son. It was first broadcast on the 10th January 1963. It is the 2nd episode of series 2.Harold wants a normal bath - he is fed up with the tin one they use in the living room. He attempts to build one in Albert's room. When Harold brings round a girlfriend, Albert has a bath in the tin bath in the living room.This episode also stars Yootha Joyce as Delilah, Harold's girlfriend, and Marjie Lawrence as Martine.A great episode where Albert embarrasses Harold as usual disrupting his love life with his slovenly behaviour.BearThe bear seen in the Steptoes’ lounge was a real stuffed bear. After the series ended it resided at Mr Potter's Museum of Curiosities at Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor.  The museum sold the bear in 2003. It can now be seen at the Museum of Comedy at Bloomsbury Way in London.BellValerie Bell is a British actress who appears in 3 episodes of Steptoe and Son. In The Bird (1962) she plays Roxanne. In Any Old Iron? (1970) she plays Dolly Miller. In The Party (1973) she plays a party guest.She appears widely in British television in the 60s and 70s in programmes such as Benny Hill, The Avengers, Armchair Theatre, The Saint, Z Cars and The Sweeney.Her film roles include Secrets of a Door-to-Door Salesman (1973) and Crossplot (1969).BirdNorman Bird (1924-2005) was a British actor. He appears in two episodes of Steptoe and Son: Without Prejudice (1970) where he plays the head of the Residents' Association, and Men of Property (1970) where he plays the Bank Manager.A prolific character actor, he appears many film and television productions.His television work includes Fawlty Towers, Rising Damp, Department S, Ever Decreasing Circles, Worzel Gummidge, and Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense.His film roles include The League of Gentlemen (1960), Victim (1961), Maniac (1963), Young Winston (1972), The Medusa Touch (1978), Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981).Bird was born in Coalville in Leicestershire.The BirdThe Bird is an episode of Steptoe and Son. It was first aired on the 14th June 1962. It is the first episode from series 1.Harold is attached to a woman and wants to bring her back to meet his father. But Albert is determined to scupper the relationship, and uses his usual brand of tricks to do so.This episode features Valerie Bell as Roxanne, Harold's girlfriend.Another episode where Albert spoils things for Harold. When Harold's girlfriend is late, Albert takes pleasure in teasing Harold about it, and when she turns up late, Harold slams the door in his face. We then find that horrible Albert has put the clock forward to trick Harold into thinking his girlfriend is late, which is a typical Albert.The Bonds That Bind UsThe Bonds That Bind Us is an episode of Steptoe and Son. It was first broadcast on the 11th February 1964. It is the 6th episode of series 3.Albert wins £1000 on the Premium Bonds. He refuses to share the money with Harold (because Harold sold his share of the bonds to Albert previously) and goes on a spending spree and smartens up his image, and takes a girlfriend Madge who is interested in his new wealth.Also features June Whitfield as Madge.