5 British TV Comedies That Transformed Into Films – With Mixed Results
There’s a long history of British television comedies, and stars, making the transition to the big screen. In the ’60s and ’70s, it seemed that nearly every sitcom was made into a film, and every popular TV comedian tried their hand at the medium. When it worked, it worked really well, as was the case with Monty Python. Already popular on television with their surreal sketch show Flying Circus, the group reached worldwide audiences with now classic films Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Life of Brian. Those films have been responsible for introducing younger generations to the Pythons, and if they like what they see, they usually investigate the TV show afterwards. As many others have found out, though, just because something works on TV, it doesn’t mean it will necessarily translate well to film. Here is a look at some more British sitcoms and comics from the ‘60s and ‘70s that decided to take that risk with varying degrees of success.
1) Porridge
This much-loved sitcom ran between 1974 and 1977 and starred the inimitable Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher, an inmate at Slade Prison. Richard Beckinsale played Lennie Godber, Fletcher’s younger cellmate, serving his first sentence. The show thrived on the chemistry between the two, as Fletcher took Godber under his wing and helped him adjust to prison life. It also had a number of strong supporting characters, such as the two prison warders with contrasting personalities — Mr. Barrowclough, timid and sympathetic, and Mr. Mackay, authoritarian and suspicious of Fletcher’s every move.
The film version, also called Porridge, was made in 1979. It also had a release in the United States, where it was called Doing Time. The plot involves the organization of a football match between the prisoners, with Fletcher as their manager, and a celebrity team. However, the whole thing is a diversion for another prisoner to escape, and when Fletcher and Godber accidentally discover this, they are forced to go along with it and accompany him. This leads to a plan for the two of them to break back into the prison before the police catch them — and another chance for Fletcher to outsmart Mr. Mackay in the process.
Porridge stands out as one of the better film versions of a sitcom, with plenty of laughs and wonderful performances from the cast. It probably helps that the plot is in keeping with the style of the TV show. It’s funny but not too outrageous, and is interesting enough to keep people entertained. Sadly, Richard Beckinsale died of a heart attack aged 31, just weeks after filming was completed, which meant there were to be no further Porridge projects.
2) Morecambe and Wise
In the eyes of many (myself included), Morecambe and Wise was one of the greatest double acts of all time, second only to Laurel and Hardy. For well over a decade, they were the kings of TV comedy in Britain, and their annual star-studded Christmas specials attracted millions of viewers. Although both Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise are no longer with us, just the mere mention of their names still brings a smile to many people’s faces as they fondly recall classic sketches such as the Singin’ in the Rain parody or Eric’s hilarious rendition of Grieg’s “Piano Concerto” with Andre Previn conducting.
For all their popularity in Britain, the duo never managed to make it big in the United States. They made several Ed Sullivan appearances in the ’60s, which didn’t really catch on (note the polite yet muted laughter from the audience in any of the clips available on YouTube). The main reason was probably their reluctance to leave Britain and make a real go of it abroad. They never managed to forge a successful film career either, something else they attempted to do in the ’60s.
Morecambe and Wise made a total of three films for Rank: The Intelligence Men (1965), That Riviera Touch (1966) and The Magnificent Two (1967). The first of the three, which sees Eric and Ernie pose as MI5 agents, is probably the best. There are some genuinely funny slapstick scenes. In the second film, they become involved in a jewel-smuggling operation while taking a holiday in the French Riviera. There are still some amusing moments, though things seem a lot slower and the ending is quite weak. The third film has them playing two salesmen in South America who become caught up in a revolution and is really not very memorable.
The general consensus is that Morecambe and Wise were fantastic TV and stage comedians, but were just not suited to the medium of film. All the things they did best needed a live audience reaction, and in front of film cameras with endless retakes, it simply didn’t work. They were also let down by over-complicated plots (particularly in The Magnificent Two), which didn’t suit them, considering they were comedians rather than actors. They were unhappy with their big screen endeavors and never stopped searching for the perfect film script, but sadly it didn’t happen. A final effort, Night Train to Murder, was so disappointing that it was only ever screened on TV after Eric Morecambe’s death in 1984.
3) Steptoe and Son
Steptoe and Son originally ran for four series in black and white between 1962 and 1965 and was revived in color from 1970 to 1974 when it became even more popular (it was remade in America as Sanford and Son). It focuses on the dynamic between father and son Albert (played by Wilfrid Brambell, also known for his memorable portrayal of Paul McCartney’s grandfather in A Hard Day’s Night) and Harold Steptoe (played by Harry H. Corbett), who are in the rag-and-bone trade. They have a tempestuous relationship. Albert is a “dirty old man” (to use Harold’s famous catchphrase) with nasty habits who seems intent on ruining his son’s life, while Harold is pretentious and determined to better himself, desperate to escape his miserable living situation. It was unusual at the time for its emotional moments as well as the comedy, and it became clear to viewers that, as all of Harold’s plans were ruined by Albert, he would always be stuck with him.
There were two film spin-offs: Steptoe and Son (1972) and Steptoe and Son Ride Again (1973). In the first, Harold actually takes a step towards achieving his aim of escaping from Albert by getting married, but things don’t go according to plan. Albert, scheming as ever, insists on accompanying Harold and his new wife on their honeymoon to Spain, where he tries seemingly every trick in the book to ruin things for them. As the film progresses, it looks like Albert could be right after all, as Harold’s new wife appears to be taking advantage of him.
The second film revolves around Albert pretending to be dead in order to claim life insurance after he and Harold get into debt. As you might expect, this provides a lot of comic opportunities, making it a much better film than the first, which is probably too serious, even by the standards of the TV series. For all its wonderfully tender moments, Steptoe and Son was comedy first and foremost, and you can’t help but feel the laughs are lacking in the first film.
4) The Likely Lads
The original series of The Likely Lads ran from 1964 to 1966, and it was followed by Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? in 1973. Both series were centered around the friendship between Terry and Bob (played by James Bolam and Rodney Bewes), two working-class guys from Newcastle, as they move through their lives. At the end of The Likely Lads, Terry joins the Army while Bob is rejected, and the follow-up series sees them reunited after several years. Terry still lives at home with his parents and retains his working-class outlook, while Bob is about to marry Thelma and seems keen to move up in the world and adopt a middle-class lifestyle.
The film spin-off, made in 1976, was also called The Likely Lads. Bob and Thelma are joined on a caravan holiday by Terry and his girlfriend, and relationship tensions occur on both sides. It works quite well, just as the Porridge film did, continuing the spirit of the TV series. Stretching a half-hour sitcom to 90 minutes is always a risk, but a good script and excellent performances can make up for that.
5) Rising Damp
It’s fair to say that the BBC produced most of the best comedy in the ’60s and ’70s. One of the exceptions was Rising Damp, one of the most popular sitcoms of the ’70s, which ran on ITV. Based on a 1971 stage play, it starred Leonard Rossiter as Rigsby, a vain and miserly landlord. His tenants include Miss Jones (played by Frances de la Tour), with whom he is in love but is too cowardly to do anything about it, medical student Alan (played by Porridge star Richard Beckinsale), and the charismatic Philip (played by Don Warrington), who unnerves Rigsby with his intelligence and sophistication, and attracts the affections of Miss Jones.
The film version was made in 1980, by which time Richard Beckinsale had died, and so his character was replaced by an art student called John, played by Christopher Strauli. Throughout the series, Philip pretends to be the son of an African Chief, which Rigsby believes (owing to his ignorance about other cultures). In the film, Rigsby finds out the truth, but doesn’t tell the other tenants. Rising Damp is generally considered to be one of the most faithful film versions of a sitcom, which is probably why it works so well. Fans of the show have complained that the film simply re-uses bits of previous episodes, but it’s fair to say that those unfamiliar with the characters will enjoy what’s on offer, even though Beckinsale’s character is sadly missed.
What’s your favorite, or least favorite, film spin-off of a comedy series? Tell us in the comments!
