Steptoe and son ride again.

[Gerald Lovell]

The two Steptoe films are broader and coarser than the tv series (which itself became broader and coarser towards the end of its run), but are still good laughs.

[Ivytree]

I absolutely love this movie. Sure, I'm a huge Neil McCarthy fan, but besides the supremely well-organized Lennie, there's Sam Kydd! George Tovey! Yootha Joyce! And what about Bill Maynard offering the affronted insurance man a beer, explaining helpfully that it contains as much alcohol as two shots of whisky.

I particularly appreciate Harold's dissertation on the grave goods of Albert Steptoe, as seen by puzzled future archeologists. And both Albert's and Harold's reactions to the gang's plan for a wake. And all the ladies piling Harold's plate with goodies. And Lennie and Frieda's expert bickering. And the dog riding on top of the coffin. And Henry Woolf arriving at graveside with a nice wreath.

As an American, I've never seen the whole series (I'm more familiar with the radio version, actually). Maybe the movie is better that way!

[Zandalee]

Hi Faginsgirl...long time no see!

I love both the Steptoe films...classic scene of old man Steptoe bathing in the kitchen sink with the 'Falsh'...cult viewing! LMAO!

[DB7]

I currently have the other S&S film on as I speak (or type) where Harold marries Zita the stripper. Out of the two I like the `ride again` film, the stripper one isn`t half as funny and at one point reminds me of carry on abroad with palm trees and flowery 70s shirts.

xx

I watched S&S at the weekend and Albert's sabotaging of his sons honeymoon really does bring a nasty sadistic streak to the story, whereas in the series it was oneupmanship and hi-jinks. Thankfully 'Ride Again' was more inkeeping with their original relationship and had a few funny turns like Milo O'Shea's drunken doctor.

[dvdman]

I've always had a crush on Harry H. Do I need help?

harry once came to my home town to do the garage scene shot in Film Silver Dream Racer

[cumberbatches_woman]

i love watching the Steptoe films, no matter how many time i see them laughs are always guaranteed

[didi-5]

I've always had a crush on Harry H. Do I need help?

Heh. No - join the club ....

I don't like the two films though. Bit too coarse and mean spirited when compared to the series.

[faginsgirl]

I've always had a crush on Harry H. Do I need help?

That`s a no from me too!

I do like the cockney chappies (although Harry wasn`t really a Londoner).

[cumberbatches_woman]

i used to very much like Harry H Corbett too until i watched a drama about the two stars of Steptoe and Son, i cant remember what it was called, but it shed a new light on him for me, apparantly he was a man who had affairs behind his wifes back and generaly wasnt a very nice man at all, im sorry to burst your bubble loopinpooter, for some reason i always thought he would have had a likeness to his character in Steptoe.

[faginsgirl]

i used to very much like Harry H Corbett too until i watched a drama about the two stars of Steptoe and Son, i cant remember what it was called, but it shed a new light on him for me, apparantly he was a man who had affairs behind his wifes back and generaly wasnt a very nice man at all, im sorry to burst your bubble loopinpooter, for some reason i always thought he would have had a likeness to his character in Steptoe.

The drama was very controversial and the family kicked up a fuss about it, a lot of it was untrue and put in for sensationalism. The thing about these dramas is that they put in stuff for dramatic effect and the actors they have concentrated on have passed away (i.e Kenneth Wiliams, Wilfred Brambell) and sometimes they have had no other living relatives to answer back for them. Unfortunately for the programme makers, Harry H Corbett still has family alive and kicking and they weren`t happy.

[Sgt Sunshine]

test post.....

[didi-5]

I have a strong dislike for dramas which focus on dead celebrities who can't answer back. I watched The Curse of Steptoe and was irritated by it (despite Jason Isaacs and Phil Davis being excellent in the leads). As fg says the Corbett family have blocked it from being reshown or released to DVD due to perceived inaccuracies in the script.

No one is like their most fondly remembered characters. Harry H Corbett was at heart a serious actor who ended up typecast by a comedy role - but before that he played Richard II for Joan Littlewood and was that chilling 'Cover Girl Killer'. I doubt very much he would want to be confused as Harold Steptoe.

[cumberbatches_woman]

its a shame that the makers of these dramas have to make more of the lives they are showing, maybe Harrys affairs and such were put in to add to things, its not surprising his family werent too pleased.

[didi-5]

Anyone who is interested in the real story behind Harry's first marriage should read Sheila Steafel's excellent autobiography 'When Harry Met Sheila' which came out last year. Very interesting.

[Eduardo3410]

The meet and greet guy where I used to work years ago in Manchester got talking about HHC one day and said he was in the services with him and what a nice man he was. Next day he produced a hand written letter from HHC replying to his letter sent speculatively to the BBC asking if he still remembered him. It was a lovely warm and lengthy personal note, he remembered everything and everybody, and from then on I always put him in the 'good guy' sector.
However, after reading the posts above (which you cannot dispute) it justs shows how wrong you can be....

[didi-5]

The meet and greet guy where I used to work years ago in Manchester got talking about HHC one day and said he was in the services with him and what a nice man he was. Next day he produced a hand written letter from HHC replying to his letter sent speculatively to the BBC asking if he still remembered him. It was a lovely warm and lengthy personal note, he remembered everything and everybody, and from then on I always put him in the 'good guy' sector.
However, after reading the posts above (which you cannot dispute) it justs shows how wrong you can be....

How do you know that you can't dispute? Really, you believe a BBC drama documentary over the word of his daughter and both his wives, plus Galton and Simpson themselves? That is the strongest reason I've seen for putting that trashy drama in the bin.

Unless of course you know something those closest to him didn't?

[faginsgirl]

I`ve READ that the Corbetts often used to have Wilfred round for dinner, Hmmm, they must have gone some unpleasent evenings if they `hated` each other as the press would have us believe and the tv biog suggests