Best Comedy Drunk

[Maralyn]

My first thoughts were of Freddie Frinton just as Bhowells has said. Freddie used to do an act where he came on with top hat and tails doing his drunken man bit. Also I do remember watching him with Thora Hird as both my brother and I, young though we were, loved watching this popular comedy of the 1960s with our parents.

Maralyn

[dominicjames]

In 'Scotch and Rye' the scottish comedian Ricky Fulton did a great priest giving a goodnight message where he was under the influence from the 'water' provided.Unfortunately,whilst hugely popular on Scottish TV it never made the journey south. Rab C of course is always a bit squiffy but manages to get the balance right between comedy and tragedy.

[deancosmos]

Originally Posted by scholes Willie Ross in 'Rita and Sue and Bob too'

Good call. Willie is the best drunk ever to grace the screen. IMHO it was Arthur Houseman up till 1986 then Willie took the crown. Very difficult to get the balance right, most actors go waaay over the top.
Sadly died in 2000 according to IMDB.

[Piccadilly]

Arthur Lowe's turn as Mainwaring's own brother springs to mind. He was a great comic actor; drunkenness being just one of many facets.

[Piccadilly]

I've also seen Arthur Houseman in the Laurel and Hardy films. He's the most convincing drunk I've seen, though it's unclear how inebriated he actually was whilst acting.

[tgunnell]

Freddie frinton for me i was always fascinated by his broken in half cigarette with two halfs held by a strand of tobbaco.the series with thora hird was very popular at the time sadly ended by freddie's death

[ShirlGirl]

Originally Posted by bhowells I neglected to mention Dudley Moore in Arthur.

Although DM can be hilarious, I didn't find him at all funny in this role. He played the part very well, but Arthur was a tragic alcoholic rather than a funny drunk.

[john audley]

Ian Carmichael in Privates Progress makes a great effort in one of the funniest British films.

[ShirlGirl]

What about actresses?

I can't think of any just at the moment, but there must be some.

The most recent scene that comes to mind is one episode of Doc Martin when Caroline Catz as Louisa was supposed to be tipsy. I'm afraid she didn't do it well at all. She was lovely as Louisa, but couldn't act inebriated - perhaps she never has been.

Like me.

[scholes]

Originally Posted by ShirlGirl What about actresses? I can't think of any just at the moment, but there must be some. The most recent scene that comes to mind is one episode of Doc Martin when Caroline Catz as Louisa was supposed to be tipsy. I'm afraid she didn't do it well at all. She was lovely as Louisa, but couldn't act inebriated - perhaps she never has been. Like me.

Well both Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders aren't bad for starters.

[CaptainWaggett]

Film rather than tv but Joan Hickson does a splendid drunk act in Carry on Sergeant and Joan Sims gets very merry at the wine-tasting in Carry On Regardless

[Maralyn]

Originally Posted by john audley Ian Carmichael in Privates Progress makes a great effort in one of the funniest British films.

What about Ian in Lucky Jim when he is so drunk he can't give the awful boring lecture on Merry England and falls over at the lecturn he's so sloshed. I love that scene!

Maralyn

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by CaptainWaggett Film rather than tv but Joan Hickson does a splendid drunk act in Carry on Sergeant and Joan Sims gets very merry at the wine-tasting in Carry On Regardless

Beryl Reid does a great drunk performance. Like she's just managing to act sober even though she's really totally sloshed

Steve

[CaptainWaggett]

Originally Posted by CaptainWaggett Film rather than tv but Joan Hickson does a splendid drunk act in Carry on Sergeant

Of course, I meant Carry on Constable but you all knew that.

[lordtednfs]

The late great Patricia Hayes as "Edna, the Inebriate Woman".

Classic TV.

____________________
Hooked off the line