3pc Box: Set 1 - Wodehouse Pla

P.G. Wodehouse himself introduces each episode of Wodehouse Playhouse, a ringing endorsement, eh, what? This much-loved 1975 series, a sparkling jewel in the BBC crown, brings to the screen several of Wodehouse s most delightful stories and eccentric characters, as embodied by John Alderton and Pauline Collins, the real-life couple perhaps best known stateside for their endearing series No, Honestly, as well as their stints on Upstairs, Downstairs. Sadly, Jeeves and Wooster are absent in these tales, but the daft Mulliver family is here, in The Truth About George, Romance at Droitgate Spa, Portrait of a Disciplinarian, Unpleasantness at Bludleigh Court, and A Voice from the Past. Rodney Fails to Qualify, one of Wodehouse s famed golf stories, is anything but par for the course, as a clueless young man almost loses his beloved golfing partner to a poet. Only the Hollywood tale The Rise of Minna Nordstrom is a bit of a letdown, but is redeemed by Collins s considerable charms. This series is faithful to Wodehouse s gentle humor and his nimble use of language (Dogface, my demon lover, you did not endear yourself, rebukes one woman to her companion in one story). For his devoted readers, or better, for those yet to have the pleasure of his literary company, Wodehouse Playhouse is jolly good! --Donald Liebenson

Wodehouse in his usual brilliance!!!! - I bought this DVD because of all the Jeeves and Wooster stories I have watched, read, and listened to over the last 18 years. These stories are as superbly written and acted as I expected they would be. P.G. Wodehouse had a way with words that is unsurpassed in the literary field of humor and the stories on these DVD s highlight Wodehouse s ability to entertain with words. The two lead actors are wonderful in their portrayal of Wodehouse s characters and the humor is priceless. Having seen both John Alderton and Pauline Collins on stage live and in this series, they are actors who can play a variety of roles effectively and with passion. I strongly recommend this DVD set to all fans of P.G. Wodehouse s style and humor.

An Absolute Pipterina! - I say old thing, I didn t even know about this series until I happened upon it here on Amazon. Once I read all the other great reviews I had to have it. Now that I ve seen it, I have to review it because it s a jolly good classic. I must say, 6/7 of the episodes are ",the tree upon which the fruit of my love hangs.", (however, the Minna Nordstrom episode fails to qualify) Before receiving this series, I had already collected all the Jeeves and Wooster DVD sets. I hadn t expected this one to be quite as good, but I actually find that I watch it even more often. As a matter of fact, I probably watch this one the most of all the DVD s I own! John Alderton and Pauline Collins are excellent actors and play the different characters swimmingly. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves British comedy. There are also 2 other seasons out on DVD that I m looking forward to getting. (hint, hint) If they re anywhere near as good as this season, I know I will love them. Toodle-pip!

P. G. Wonderful: The Wodehouse Britcoms - I had no idea who PGW was when I stumbled on these shows, which ran as a summer replacement for some other comedy in the US in 1975. One of them was the funniest thing I ve ever seen on TV, and I laughed hysterically. After the summer season, the other show returned. I searched in vain for years to find these classics again, having no idea what they were. Just this year I was rewarded, with their appearance on DVD. In the nearly quarter century between that first show and this DVD, I had luckily stumbled onto (and devoured) PGW s books. I d also had the great good fortune to watch Jeeves and Wooster, all four seasons having recently found their way onto DVD. Volume One of Wodehouse Playhouse includes seven shows drawn from the Mr. Mulliner stories, with John Alderton playing the various Mulliner relations and Pauline Collins playing everyone else. These are very much stark, stripped down Britcoms: part Vaudeville, part comic play, part slapstick craziness, lively, witty dialogue, with the dynamic duo changing hats and playing all the roles--not unlike the cast of Monty Python or Kids in the Hall. Most of the earlier film adaptations of his stories PGW felt missed the mark, these he introduces and gives his seal of approval in what must be his last TV appearances. Avid readers, of course, have their own ideas of what these characters would look like and how they would act. It helps to suspend that critical faculty and just enjoy these shows for what they are: one of many possible takes on some of the comic Master s best bits. An interesting inclusion is a brief history of the Mulliner, Golf and Drones Club stories from which Wodehouse Playhouse was drawn, by Tony Ring, president of the International Wodehouse Association. All in all, Wodehouse Playhouse is a must have for any devoted reader of the Master or lover of Britcoms.

Alderton and Collins at their best - Alderton and Collins (known for their roles in Upstairs, Downstairs and the comedy series No, Honestly) are in to form in this collection of the classic show.Each half-hour episode stars the pair in a classic P.G. Wodehouse story. The stories help show the range of these talents. Alderton can be a stuttering Milquetoast, swishy poet, a prestidigitator, blustering producer, or even a forceful suitor. Each episode is introduced by P.G. Wodehouse himself.The Truth About George is about a stutterer trying to overcome his impediment so that he can propose to the woman he loves.Romance at Droitgate Spa tells of snobbery amongst the ill and a romance beset by a mad magician.Portrait of a Disciplinarian has to childhood friends visiting their addled but still stern nanny for tea.Unpleasantness at Bludleigh Court has two poets in love overcome by the blood curse of the house full of hunters.The Rise of Minna Nordstrom tells of how a chambermaid rose to stardom in Hollywood during Prohibition.Rodney Fails to Qualify has a mild golfer competing for a woman s love with a non-golfing poet.A Voice from the Past tells of a mix-up with a correspondence course and childhood memories of stern teachers.Each story is a classic and will be enjoyed by Wodehouse fans (Jeeves & Wooster, Blandings Castle, Mulliner, etc.) and fans of British humor.

British highbrow humor at its finest - It s unfortunate that the first episode involved stuttering. This must be a painful memory for some people, and they can hardly be expected to react favorably. But in fact, it is NOT treated cruelly here, and John Alderton s extremely likeable character can only bring sympathy for suffers of the affliction. For any viewer who has not this particular slant on the work, this is a gem. And the other 12 episodes, on this and the second series DVDs, are priceless as well. John and Pauline Collins are a comedy team made in heaven. Their timing is exquisite and their ability to play so many different characters and make them all quite distinguishable from each other is nothing short of amazing. Don t let anything deprive you of the pleasure of watching these comedies. They can be enjoyed over and over again. And yes, do buy the Mulliners stories too. They ve been collected in book form and are a treasure.

3pc Box: Set 1 - Wodehouse Pla