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{{for|the spin-off film of the same name|George and Mildred (film)}} | {{for|the spin-off film of the same name|George and Mildred (film)}} | ||
{{Infobox television | {{Infobox television | ||
| genre = [[Sitcom]] | | genre = [[Sitcom]] | ||
| Line 9: | Line 6: | ||
| caption = Title screen | | caption = Title screen | ||
| runtime = 30 minutes<br />(including adverts) | | runtime = 30 minutes<br />(including adverts) | ||
| company = [[ | | company = [[Thames Television]] | ||
| creator = [[Brian Cooke]]<br />[[Johnnie Mortimer]] | | creator = [[Brian Cooke]]<br />[[Johnnie Mortimer]] | ||
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Man About the House]]''|Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke}} | | based_on = {{based on|''[[Man About the House]]''|Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke}} | ||
| starring = *[[Yootha Joyce]] | | starring = *[[Yootha Joyce]] | ||
*[[Brian Murphy (actor)|Brian Murphy]] | *[[Brian Murphy (actor)|Brian Murphy]] | ||
*[[Norman Eshley]] | *[[Norman Eshley|Norman Eshley]] | ||
*[[Sheila Fearn]] | *[[Sheila Fearn]] | ||
*[[Nicholas Bond-Owen]] | *[[Nicholas Bond-Owen]] | ||
| Line 21: | Line 18: | ||
| country = United Kingdom | | country = United Kingdom | ||
| language = English | | language = English | ||
| picture_format = [[ | | picture_format = [[4:3|4:3]] | ||
| network = [[ | | network = [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]] | ||
| first_aired = {{Start date|1976|9|6|df=y}} | | first_aired = {{Start date|1976|9|6|df=y}} | ||
| last_aired = {{End date|1979|12|25|df=y}} | | last_aired = {{End date|1979|12|25|df=y}} | ||
| Line 30: | Line 27: | ||
| preceded_by = ''[[Man About the House]]'' | | preceded_by = ''[[Man About the House]]'' | ||
| related = ''[[Robin's Nest (TV series)|Robin's Nest]]''<br />''[[The Ropers]]'' | | related = ''[[Robin's Nest (TV series)|Robin's Nest]]''<br />''[[The Ropers]]'' | ||
| distributor = [[ | | distributor = [[Fremantle (company)|Fremantle]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''George and Mildred''''' is a [[British sitcom]] produced by [[Thames Television]] and first aired between 1976 and 1979. It is a [[ | '''''George and Mildred''''' is a [[British sitcom|British sitcom]] produced by [[Thames Television|Thames Television]] and first aired between 1976 and 1979. It is a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] from ''[[Man About the House]]'', and starred [[Brian Murphy (actor)|Brian Murphy]] and [[Yootha Joyce]] as constantly-sparring married couple [[George Roper (character)|George]] and [[Mildred Roper]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/579074/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: George and Mildred (1976–79)|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> The premise of the series had George and Mildred leaving their flat as depicted in ''Man About the House'' and moving to a modern, upmarket housing estate in [[Hampton Wick|Hampton Wick]]. Their arrival horrifies their snobbish neighbour Jeffrey Fourmile, a middle-class estate agent who fears the Ropers' presence will devalue his home. | ||
It was written by [[Brian Cooke]] and [[Johnnie Mortimer]]. Like [[List of films based on British sitcoms|many British sitcoms]], ''George and Mildred'' was made into a [[George and Mildred (film)|film]]. The movie was dedicated to actress [[Yootha Joyce]] who died suddenly in August 1980, just as the cast were about to film a sixth and final series. | It was written by [[Brian Cooke|Brian Cooke]] and [[Johnnie Mortimer]]. Like [[List of films based on British sitcoms|many British sitcoms]], ''George and Mildred'' was made into a [[George and Mildred (film)|film]]. The movie was dedicated to actress [[Yootha Joyce]] who died suddenly in August 1980, just as the cast were about to film a sixth and final series. | ||
==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
| Line 41: | Line 38: | ||
*[[Yootha Joyce]] as [[Mildred Roper]] | *[[Yootha Joyce]] as [[Mildred Roper]] | ||
*[[Brian Murphy (actor)|Brian Murphy]] as [[George Roper (character)|George Roper]] | *[[Brian Murphy (actor)|Brian Murphy]] as [[George Roper (character)|George Roper]] | ||
*[[Norman Eshley]] as Jeffrey Fourmile | *[[Norman Eshley|Norman Eshley]] as Jeffrey Fourmile | ||
*[[Sheila Fearn]] as Ann Fourmile | *[[Sheila Fearn]] as Ann Fourmile | ||
*[[Nicholas Bond-Owen]] as Tristram Fourmile | *[[Nicholas Bond-Owen]] as Tristram Fourmile | ||
| Line 47: | Line 44: | ||
===Recurring guest cast=== | ===Recurring guest cast=== | ||
*Simon Lloyd as Tarquin Fourmile ''(from series 3)'' | *Simon Lloyd as Tarquin Fourmile ''(from series 3)'' | ||
*[[ | *[[Avril Elgar|Avril Elgar]] as Ethel Pumphrey | ||
*[[ | *[[Reginald Marsh (actor)|Reginald Marsh]] as Humphrey Pumphrey | ||
*[[ | *[[Gretchen Franklin|Gretchen Franklin]] as Mildred's Mother | ||
*[[Roy Kinnear]] as Jerry | *[[Roy Kinnear]] as Jerry | ||
==Premise== | ==Premise== | ||
George and Mildred Roper have left their old house after receiving a [[ | George and Mildred Roper have left their old house after receiving a [[compulsory purchase order|compulsory purchase order]] from the council, and move to 46 Peacock Crescent in upmarket [[Hampton Wick|Hampton Wick]]. While Mildred enjoys the chance to better herself in her new surroundings, she is always being thwarted—usually by the lazy, inept, and generally unemployed George, who has no interest in climbing the social ladder, and also continues to show a lack of interest in sexual relations with Mildred. | ||
George and Mildred's next-door neighbours are Jeffrey Fourmile, a snobbish estate agent and his wife Ann. Ann and Mildred become good friends, but Jeffrey is frequently irritated by George, with their spats providing much of the show's humour. The Fourmiles have a young son, Tristram, who gets on well with George, much to the chagrin of Jeffrey (particularly because Jeffrey supports the Conservative Party, while George puts socialist ideas into Tristram's head). In series three, Ann gives birth to a second child; Tarquin. | George and Mildred's next-door neighbours are Jeffrey Fourmile, a snobbish estate agent and his wife Ann. Ann and Mildred become good friends, but Jeffrey is frequently irritated by George, with their spats providing much of the show's humour. The Fourmiles have a young son, Tristram, who gets on well with George, much to the chagrin of Jeffrey (particularly because Jeffrey supports the Conservative Party, while George puts socialist ideas into Tristram's head). In series three, Ann gives birth to a second child; Tarquin. | ||
| Line 59: | Line 56: | ||
Mildred's snobbish sister Ethel and her rich husband Humphrey occasionally visit, as does Mildred's elderly mother. Having married wealth, Ethel enjoys trying to make Mildred feel inferior by showing off her latest car or fur coat, at which point Mildred often makes subtle digs at Ethel's age, or social status and pretensions. George however, is far less subtle. George's friend Jerry, a jack-of-all-trades and common swindler, also visits occasionally, much to Mildred's annoyance. Jerry is fond of referring to Mildred as "Mildew". Jerry is the only other character from ''Man About the House'' to reappear in this series. | Mildred's snobbish sister Ethel and her rich husband Humphrey occasionally visit, as does Mildred's elderly mother. Having married wealth, Ethel enjoys trying to make Mildred feel inferior by showing off her latest car or fur coat, at which point Mildred often makes subtle digs at Ethel's age, or social status and pretensions. George however, is far less subtle. George's friend Jerry, a jack-of-all-trades and common swindler, also visits occasionally, much to Mildred's annoyance. Jerry is fond of referring to Mildred as "Mildew". Jerry is the only other character from ''Man About the House'' to reappear in this series. | ||
In the first series, George buys Mildred a [[ | In the first series, George buys Mildred a [[Yorkshire Terrier|Yorkshire Terrier]] called Truffles after the Ropers are unable to adopt a child (Mildred later registers her with the kennel club as "Truffles duBorbon Fitzwilliam III"). | ||
==Episodes== | ==Episodes== | ||
| Line 65: | Line 62: | ||
==Props== | ==Props== | ||
George Roper's 1933 [[ | George Roper's 1933 [[Brough Superior|Brough]] motorcycle combination—shown to regular comic effect in the opening titles of series 2, 3 and 5—is now exhibited at the [[London Motorcycle Museum|London Motorcycle Museum]]. It also appeared in the BBC sitcom ''[[Dad's Army]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycle-uk.com/lmm/beginning.html|title=London Motorcycle Museum|website=www.motorcycle-uk.com}}</ref> In episodes 1-6 of Series 1, George drives a [[Reliant Regal|Reliant Regal]] three-wheeler - which he swaps for a [[Caravan (towed trailer)|caravan]] in the episode "Where My Caravan Has Rested". The Fourmiles' car was [[Ford Granada (Europe) #Mark I (1972–1977)|Ford Granada Mk1]] in Series 1 and 2 changing to a [[Volvo 240|Volvo 240]] estate in Series 3-5. | ||
==Filming locations== | ==Filming locations== | ||
The exterior shots for the Roper and Fourmile residences were filmed at 46 and 44 Manor Road, [[ | The exterior shots for the Roper and Fourmile residences were filmed at 46 and 44 Manor Road, [[Teddington|Teddington]], Middlesex (now South West London) TW11 8AB. Interior scenes were filmed at the nearby Thames Television studios in Teddington. | ||
==Stage show== | ==Stage show== | ||
During 1977, Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce, joined at one point by [[Reginald Marsh (actor)|Reginald Marsh]], toured in a successful stage version of the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/meet-the-new-neighbours-george-and-mildred|title=George and Mildred, 1976 – British Classic Comedy|date=1 September 2016}}</ref> The tour included appearances at The King's Theatre, Edinburgh. In 1976 and 1977, Murphy and Joyce appeared as the [[ | During 1977, Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce, joined at one point by [[Reginald Marsh (actor)|Reginald Marsh]], toured in a successful stage version of the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/meet-the-new-neighbours-george-and-mildred|title=George and Mildred, 1976 – British Classic Comedy|date=1 September 2016}}</ref> The tour included appearances at The King's Theatre, Edinburgh. In 1976 and 1977, Murphy and Joyce appeared as the [[ugly sisters|ugly sisters]], Georgina and Mildred, in the [[London Palladium|London Palladium]] [[pantomime|pantomime]], ''[[Cinderella|Cinderella]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O35196/costume-design-tingey-cynthia/|title=Costume design – Tingey, Cynthia – V&A Search the Collections|website=collections.vam.ac.uk}}</ref> | ||
==Film version== | ==Film version== | ||
{{main|George and Mildred (film)}} | {{main|George and Mildred (film)}} | ||
Following the fifth series, a feature film version of the series was produced in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmovie.com/movie/george-and-mildred-v92850|title=George and Mildred (1980) – Peter Frazer Jones – Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related – AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref> The film was not written by Cooke and Mortimer but by [[Dick Sharples]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f856d71|title=Dick Sharples}}</ref> The Fourmiles only played a small role in the film, which focused on George and Mildred celebrating their wedding anniversary, at Mildred's insistence, at an upmarket London hotel. It featured several guest stars including [[Stratford Johns]], [[Kenneth Cope]] and [[Vicki Michelle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6bbc3ed1|title=George and Mildred (1980)}}</ref> The film was neither a critical nor box office success.<ref>Julian Upton, [http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/35/britishsitcoms1.php "Carry on Sitcom: The British Sitcom Spin-off Film 1968–1980"], ''[[ | Following the fifth series, a feature film version of the series was produced in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmovie.com/movie/george-and-mildred-v92850|title=George and Mildred (1980) – Peter Frazer Jones – Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related – AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref> The film was not written by Cooke and Mortimer but by [[Dick Sharples]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f856d71|title=Dick Sharples}}</ref> The Fourmiles only played a small role in the film, which focused on George and Mildred celebrating their wedding anniversary, at Mildred's insistence, at an upmarket London hotel. It featured several guest stars including [[Stratford Johns]], [[Kenneth Cope]] and [[Vicki Michelle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6bbc3ed1|title=George and Mildred (1980)}}</ref> The film was neither a critical nor box office success.<ref>Julian Upton, [http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/35/britishsitcoms1.php "Carry on Sitcom: The British Sitcom Spin-off Film 1968–1980"], ''[[Bright Lights Film Journal|Bright Lights Film Journal]]'', no. 35, January 2002.</ref> It was shown on ITV on Christmas Day 1980. | ||
==The end== | ==The end== | ||
The final caption of the ''George and Mildred'' film read "The End – or is it the beginning?" It would prove to be the former as Yootha Joyce died from [[ | The final caption of the ''George and Mildred'' film read "The End – or is it the beginning?" It would prove to be the former as Yootha Joyce died from [[liver cirrhosis|portal cirrhosis of the liver]] due to chronic [[alcoholism|alcoholism]] on 24 August 1980, before the film was released. Friends and colleagues were unaware that Joyce had been habitually consuming half a bottle of brandy every day for over 10 years. | ||
In 2004, on an [[ | In 2004, on an [[audio commentary|audio commentary]] on the Australian Umbrella [[DVD|DVD]] release of ''George and Mildred'': the Complete Series 2, Brian Murphy revealed that there had been plans for a sixth series of eight episodes of the show. These were to have been recorded in late 1980. Murphy also revealed that this was due to have been the final series of ''George and Mildred'', as he and Yootha Joyce were afraid of being typecast after playing the characters since 1973 on television and in two films. However, despite scripts being written, Joyce's hospitalisation and subsequent death brought a premature end to the show. Her funeral took place on the day the cast were due to begin rehearsals for the new series. Speaking of their relationship in a 2001 ITV programme, ''The Unforgettable Yootha Joyce'', Murphy said that when they had first met at [[Joan Littlewood|Joan Littlewood]]'s [[Theatre Workshop|Theatre Workshop]] he had, "always regarded Yootha as very stylish and very confident. I was rather over-awed by her at first, full of admiration for her. "At her death, "People said, 'You've lost a working partner' and I said, 'No, I've lost a chum'... and then I realised I've lost my working partnership ''as well''...". | ||
Thames Television did consider producing a spin-off for the character of George, looking at him cope with life as a widower. However, this project did not materialise, with Brian Murphy briefly moving to the BBC the following year for ''[[L for Lester]]'' which was cancelled after just one series due to its writer's death. | Thames Television did consider producing a spin-off for the character of George, looking at him cope with life as a widower. However, this project did not materialise, with Brian Murphy briefly moving to the BBC the following year for ''[[L for Lester]]'' which was cancelled after just one series due to its writer's death. | ||
| Line 113: | Line 110: | ||
In Australia, the first series was released by Umbrella on 15 May 2003. Unlike the Clear Vision release of Series 1, all ten episodes were included, as were the original advertising captions, the Thames TV idents at the start and original end boards. A DVD of Series 2 was released on 19 March 2004. A DVD of the movie was released on 18 November 2004. Unlike the UK Network release of Series 2, the Australian version contained some audio commentaries with series star Brian Murphy. Series 3, 4 and 5 were released in Australia on DVD in 2008. | In Australia, the first series was released by Umbrella on 15 May 2003. Unlike the Clear Vision release of Series 1, all ten episodes were included, as were the original advertising captions, the Thames TV idents at the start and original end boards. A DVD of Series 2 was released on 19 March 2004. A DVD of the movie was released on 18 November 2004. Unlike the UK Network release of Series 2, the Australian version contained some audio commentaries with series star Brian Murphy. Series 3, 4 and 5 were released in Australia on DVD in 2008. | ||
In 2009, [[ | In 2009, [[Fremantle (company)|FremantleMedia]] re-released DVDs of each of the five series with the same cover art as the UK releases with Season 1 released on 14 May 2009 and remainder seasons following. In 2011, Fremantle once again re-released all five series with new cover art with Series 1, 2 & 3 on 3 March 2011 and Series 4 & 5 on 1 September 2011, and a complete box set was released on 8 April 2015. | ||
Via Vision Entertainment later released "The Complete Series" on 17 March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=George & Mildred - The Complete Series - DVD|url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/56180/george-mildred-the-complete-series|access-date=31 December 2020|website=Madman Entertainment|language=en-US}}</ref> | Via Vision Entertainment later released "The Complete Series" on 17 March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=George & Mildred - The Complete Series - DVD|url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/56180/george-mildred-the-complete-series|access-date=31 December 2020|website=Madman Entertainment|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
| Line 119: | Line 116: | ||
==Poland== | ==Poland== | ||
In poland, the first series was by TVP1 on 2001 as "Lokatorzy" and 2003 as spin-off "Sąsiedzi". | In poland, the first series was by TVP1 on 2001 as "Lokatorzy" and 2003 as spin-off "Sąsiedzi". | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 07:09, 16 March 2023
| George and Mildred | |
|---|---|
 Title screen | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Brian Cooke Johnnie Mortimer |
| Based on | Man About the House by Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Series 1: Johnny Hawksworth Series 2–5: Roger Webb |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 38 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes (including adverts) |
| Production company | Thames Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV |
| Release | 6 September 1976 – 25 December 1979 |
| Related | |
| Robin's Nest The Ropers | |
George and Mildred is a British sitcom produced by Thames Television and first aired between 1976 and 1979. It is a spin-off from Man About the House, and starred Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce as constantly-sparring married couple George and Mildred Roper.[1] The premise of the series had George and Mildred leaving their flat as depicted in Man About the House and moving to a modern, upmarket housing estate in Hampton Wick. Their arrival horrifies their snobbish neighbour Jeffrey Fourmile, a middle-class estate agent who fears the Ropers' presence will devalue his home.
It was written by Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer. Like many British sitcoms, George and Mildred was made into a film. The movie was dedicated to actress Yootha Joyce who died suddenly in August 1980, just as the cast were about to film a sixth and final series.
Cast
- Yootha Joyce as Mildred Roper
- Brian Murphy as George Roper
- Norman Eshley as Jeffrey Fourmile
- Sheila Fearn as Ann Fourmile
- Nicholas Bond-Owen as Tristram Fourmile
Recurring guest cast
- Simon Lloyd as Tarquin Fourmile (from series 3)
- Avril Elgar as Ethel Pumphrey
- Reginald Marsh as Humphrey Pumphrey
- Gretchen Franklin as Mildred's Mother
- Roy Kinnear as Jerry
Premise
George and Mildred Roper have left their old house after receiving a compulsory purchase order from the council, and move to 46 Peacock Crescent in upmarket Hampton Wick. While Mildred enjoys the chance to better herself in her new surroundings, she is always being thwarted—usually by the lazy, inept, and generally unemployed George, who has no interest in climbing the social ladder, and also continues to show a lack of interest in sexual relations with Mildred.
George and Mildred's next-door neighbours are Jeffrey Fourmile, a snobbish estate agent and his wife Ann. Ann and Mildred become good friends, but Jeffrey is frequently irritated by George, with their spats providing much of the show's humour. The Fourmiles have a young son, Tristram, who gets on well with George, much to the chagrin of Jeffrey (particularly because Jeffrey supports the Conservative Party, while George puts socialist ideas into Tristram's head). In series three, Ann gives birth to a second child; Tarquin.
Mildred's snobbish sister Ethel and her rich husband Humphrey occasionally visit, as does Mildred's elderly mother. Having married wealth, Ethel enjoys trying to make Mildred feel inferior by showing off her latest car or fur coat, at which point Mildred often makes subtle digs at Ethel's age, or social status and pretensions. George however, is far less subtle. George's friend Jerry, a jack-of-all-trades and common swindler, also visits occasionally, much to Mildred's annoyance. Jerry is fond of referring to Mildred as "Mildew". Jerry is the only other character from Man About the House to reappear in this series.
In the first series, George buys Mildred a Yorkshire Terrier called Truffles after the Ropers are unable to adopt a child (Mildred later registers her with the kennel club as "Truffles duBorbon Fitzwilliam III").
Episodes
Props
George Roper's 1933 Brough motorcycle combination—shown to regular comic effect in the opening titles of series 2, 3 and 5—is now exhibited at the London Motorcycle Museum. It also appeared in the BBC sitcom Dad's Army.[2] In episodes 1-6 of Series 1, George drives a Reliant Regal three-wheeler - which he swaps for a caravan in the episode "Where My Caravan Has Rested". The Fourmiles' car was Ford Granada Mk1 in Series 1 and 2 changing to a Volvo 240 estate in Series 3-5.
Filming locations
The exterior shots for the Roper and Fourmile residences were filmed at 46 and 44 Manor Road, Teddington, Middlesex (now South West London) TW11 8AB. Interior scenes were filmed at the nearby Thames Television studios in Teddington.
Stage show
During 1977, Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce, joined at one point by Reginald Marsh, toured in a successful stage version of the programme.[3] The tour included appearances at The King's Theatre, Edinburgh. In 1976 and 1977, Murphy and Joyce appeared as the ugly sisters, Georgina and Mildred, in the London Palladium pantomime, Cinderella.[4]
Film version
Following the fifth series, a feature film version of the series was produced in 1980.[5] The film was not written by Cooke and Mortimer but by Dick Sharples.[6] The Fourmiles only played a small role in the film, which focused on George and Mildred celebrating their wedding anniversary, at Mildred's insistence, at an upmarket London hotel. It featured several guest stars including Stratford Johns, Kenneth Cope and Vicki Michelle.[7] The film was neither a critical nor box office success.[8] It was shown on ITV on Christmas Day 1980.
The end
The final caption of the George and Mildred film read "The End – or is it the beginning?" It would prove to be the former as Yootha Joyce died from portal cirrhosis of the liver due to chronic alcoholism on 24 August 1980, before the film was released. Friends and colleagues were unaware that Joyce had been habitually consuming half a bottle of brandy every day for over 10 years.
In 2004, on an audio commentary on the Australian Umbrella DVD release of George and Mildred: the Complete Series 2, Brian Murphy revealed that there had been plans for a sixth series of eight episodes of the show. These were to have been recorded in late 1980. Murphy also revealed that this was due to have been the final series of George and Mildred, as he and Yootha Joyce were afraid of being typecast after playing the characters since 1973 on television and in two films. However, despite scripts being written, Joyce's hospitalisation and subsequent death brought a premature end to the show. Her funeral took place on the day the cast were due to begin rehearsals for the new series. Speaking of their relationship in a 2001 ITV programme, The Unforgettable Yootha Joyce, Murphy said that when they had first met at Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop he had, "always regarded Yootha as very stylish and very confident. I was rather over-awed by her at first, full of admiration for her. "At her death, "People said, 'You've lost a working partner' and I said, 'No, I've lost a chum'... and then I realised I've lost my working partnership as well...".
Thames Television did consider producing a spin-off for the character of George, looking at him cope with life as a widower. However, this project did not materialise, with Brian Murphy briefly moving to the BBC the following year for L for Lester which was cancelled after just one series due to its writer's death.
He did reunite with George and Mildred co-star Roy Kinnear and writers Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke for The Incredible Mr. Tanner, a comedy produced by Thames Television.
Adaptations
George and Mildred was adapted in the United States as The Ropers, a spin-off from Three's Company (itself the US adaptation of Man About the House).[9][10]
Book
Man About the House – George and Mildred: The Definitive Companion by Tex Fisher was published on 1 July 2010. The book includes contributions from many of the original cast, including Brian Murphy, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett and Nicholas Bond-Owen. It explains the background and history of both programmes, together with an episode and film guide, full cast biographies, details of the stage play, full catalogue of support cast, and a 1970s phrase dictionary. ISBN 978-0-9565634-0-8. The book is published by Deck Chair Publishing.[11]
Home releases
UK
The first DVD of George and Mildred was released by Clear Vision in the UK in 2001, featuring six episodes of series one (four episodes of the first series were omitted). The DVD was criticised for poor image quality and changes to the original captions.
The George and Mildred movie was released on DVD in 2003.
Network DVD in Region 2 (UK) from 2005–2007 with superior image quality and unedited captions.
Region 2 "Network DVD" Releases:
- Series 1 – 2005
- Series 2 – 30 January 2006
- Series 3 – 20 March 2006
- Series 4 – 7 August 2006
- Series 5 – 22 January 2007
- The Complete Series (all 5 individual seasons in a box) – 24 September 2007
- The Complete Series (repackaged into slimmer packaging) – 26 May 2008
Australia
In Australia, the first series was released by Umbrella on 15 May 2003. Unlike the Clear Vision release of Series 1, all ten episodes were included, as were the original advertising captions, the Thames TV idents at the start and original end boards. A DVD of Series 2 was released on 19 March 2004. A DVD of the movie was released on 18 November 2004. Unlike the UK Network release of Series 2, the Australian version contained some audio commentaries with series star Brian Murphy. Series 3, 4 and 5 were released in Australia on DVD in 2008.
In 2009, FremantleMedia re-released DVDs of each of the five series with the same cover art as the UK releases with Season 1 released on 14 May 2009 and remainder seasons following. In 2011, Fremantle once again re-released all five series with new cover art with Series 1, 2 & 3 on 3 March 2011 and Series 4 & 5 on 1 September 2011, and a complete box set was released on 8 April 2015.
Via Vision Entertainment later released "The Complete Series" on 17 March 2021.[12]
Poland
In poland, the first series was by TVP1 on 2001 as "Lokatorzy" and 2003 as spin-off "Sąsiedzi".
References
- ^ "BFI Screenonline: George and Mildred (1976–79)". www.screenonline.org.uk.
- ^ "London Motorcycle Museum". www.motorcycle-uk.com.
- ^ "George and Mildred, 1976 – British Classic Comedy". 1 September 2016.
- ^ "Costume design – Tingey, Cynthia – V&A Search the Collections". collections.vam.ac.uk.
- ^ "George and Mildred (1980) – Peter Frazer Jones – Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related – AllMovie". AllMovie.
- ^ "Dick Sharples".
- ^ "George and Mildred (1980)".
- ^ Julian Upton, "Carry on Sitcom: The British Sitcom Spin-off Film 1968–1980", Bright Lights Film Journal, no. 35, January 2002.
- ^ "The Ropers". Sitcoms Online.
- ^ "Top 10 Worst TV Spin-Offs". Time. 30 September 2008.
- ^ "Our latest book is out on June 30th 2010". Deck Chair Publishing. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010.
- ^ "George & Mildred - The Complete Series - DVD". Madman Entertainment. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
External links
- Articles with short description
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- IMDb title ID not in Wikidata
- 1970s British sitcoms
- 1976 British television series debuts
- 1979 British television series endings
- British television spin-offs
- English-language television shows
- Fictional married couples
- Hampton Wick
- ITV sitcoms
- Man About the House
- Television duos
- Television series about marriage
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- Television shows adapted into films
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- Television shows set in London
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- Works about social class
