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Post by gra966 on Mar 10, 2021 19:36:27 GMT
Watched this one on You Tube last night , as hadn t seen it for a while . A brilliant episode for comedy scenes & dialogue between Arthur & Terry , also one of the few that steers away from the usual London locations . However , I have to agree that it does appear to lack something . One of the main factors being , no interaction with Dave in The Winchester & also no involvement from either Chisholm or Rycott . The scene with Terry trying to get to sleep , with the horse farting , still has me laughing out loud . Terry s line about the china figures being knocked up by a bunch of Pakistanis , in a shed behind Orient football ground , would most certainly be cut from tv showings today . I also have to agree that someone like Ken Hutchinson , should have had more limelight in the episode & perhaps we could have seen more of Liza Goddard s character . The summary states the episode was filmed around April 1980 , which would explain why Ken Hutchinson , looked absolutely frozen , in the final scenes , when he ended up in the water . The fire in the stables looked pretty fierce & I am sure it would have taken more than just one fire extinguisher to put it out . However , reading previous reports , I believe the blaze was much bigger , off screen !!
Most of the car spotting in this episode , involves a large assortment of background vehicles , in the racecourse car park . Near the beginning , Arthur & Terry walk passed a first generation Audi 100 , a pond green Rover SD1 & a couple of Renault 20s . Later on we see an old grey Morris Oxford , a white VW Beetle & a nice red Jensen Healey . Not forgetting of course , the usual collection of ancient Bedford TK horseboxes . We also see O Brady transporting the hay bales in a Mini Moke & Jocelyn & Everitt share a mustard coloured Range Rover . An " OLD " friend ( in more ways than one ! ) , turns up at the end , to take away a rather soggy Birkett , the regular MK2 Escort panda car , that appeared in just about everything , at the time .
I am surprised Liza Goddard didn t turn up again in Minder , playing a different character . In the mid 1980s , we were more used to seeing her , as re occuring Bergerac villain Philiipa Vale . Surprisingly , we never saw her in The Sweeney or The Professionals .
7/10
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Post by gra966 on Feb 3, 2021 19:09:52 GMT
Yes , you can certainly see & hear similarities . I wonder which model had " four candles " on its options list !!
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Post by gra966 on Jan 5, 2021 19:01:48 GMT
Gave this one a watch on You Tube last night , as I hadn t seen it for ages , & would say this is Minder at its best . Plenty of comedy situations & one liners . The scene at the football match is brilliant , with Terry ending on " If a Green Line bus was to knock down my old Mum , it would have to be doing a detour through Kilburn cemetry " I also love the moment Terry arrives at the golf club , and a punch up starts between him and Clifton , only to realise in a few seconds they knew each other & used to be the best of mates . The look on the others faces is priceless .
Some good performances from Karl Howman & George Sweeney . Danny s girlfriend was Adrienne Poster , who appeared in recently viewed , Carry on Behind . Another familiar face of the time , was the mini cab driver , who was a regular in It Ain t Half Hot Mum & also played one of the students in Mind Your Language . I could nt work out though , where I had seen the student nurse before .
In your summary , you mention the real life football match took place on 20th September 1980 , which was my 14th birthday !!!!
I can confirm Danny s car is a Lotus Esprit & is still with us , on SORN . It has a Norwich registration mark issued in July 1980 , so the boys at Lotus must have thought Minder was as important as James Bond & didn t mind loaning out one of their cars ! Clifton & his mate use a gold 5 Series Beemer & the angry farmer on Danny s tail has a green M registered Land Rover . A regular " background car " , a MK4 Cortina in Roman Bronze , puts in a couple of appearances , firstly in the street , where the football supporters scare Arthur to death & secondly in the underground car park at the end . As mentioned in the summary , a couple of " old friends " turn up for the finale , the Transit ambulance OMO227M & the Rover SD1 " Jam Sandwich " , SYY904S .
An episode that deserves a 9/10
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Post by gra966 on Dec 23, 2020 19:10:51 GMT
Watched this one , on You Tube last night , so here we go !
- I think I would have preferred the episode , to feature more of the dodgy deal with the Corvette & less of the darts . Most of the funniest scenes involved Arthur & this motor .
- I found it a bit difficult to take seriously , that several young kids managed to remove all four wheels , of a car that size , without even jacking it up . They most certainly qualified for the Quick Fit apprentice ship scheme !!
- Arthur explains to Wally , that the gold MK2 Granada was his second car & he crashed it while " under the influence " , but appears to have got away with it . Surely Chisholm or Rycott , would have loved an opportunity to nick him for drink driving .
- Arthur hires a car to travel to the darts tournament in London , which we only see briefly in the dark . It looks like a white Vauxhall Royale or Senator . I find it hard to believe Arthur would drive something , that bore such a striking resemblance to a police car !!
- Ted was a great character , played brilliantly by Edward Peel , who we are more used to seeing in " senior boss " roles , in shows like Juliet Bravo & London s Burning . Another one that would have been good as a re occur ing character .
On the motors front , the Corvette has to be star of the show . When Ted & Terry turn up to rescue it , they use a huge Chevy tow truck , rather than Des s old Bedford . We eventually get to see Arthur s gold Granada , after it has been repaired , it has the reg MLP2V , a genuine London issue from June 1980 , so approx a year old at the time of filming . The thugs arrive at the darts tournament , in a 7 series Beemer .
Will still give the episode 8/10 , although by part3 , I was beginning to find the darts a bit tedious . Shame Jim Bowen couldn t have made a guest appearance , to liven things up !
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Post by gra966 on Dec 17, 2020 18:28:32 GMT
I somehow think Terry wouldn t have lasted very long in that car dealership & he would have soon had a " barney " with the owner . To me , it looked like one of those places that sold second hand prestige cars , often owned by someone who had connections with motor sport , or had been a racing driver earlier in their life . Quite a few of these were springing up in the Windsor & Maidenhead area , at the time the episode was filmed , usually on sites of former franchised dealers. Terry would have been better in one of those " trade sales " centres , that sold almost new , run of the mill cars , usually ex rental & fleet disposals . However , these did n t really take off until the mid to late 90s .
When Tik Tak & his cronies were outside the house in Hounslow , they were stood next to a series 1 Jaguar XJ6 , that looked like it had a set of those " very 70s " Wolf Race alloy wheels . It is such a shame we did nt see more of this car in the episode . This was when series 1 XJ6s were going through their " low rent period " & could be picked up for next to nothing & usually driven by shady characters . Now , of course a very different story .
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Post by gra966 on Dec 9, 2020 19:20:27 GMT
Sorry about my lack of reviews lately , as my old dvd player has given up & I am unable to watch my boxsets . Trying to find a replacement is not easy . However , there are quite a few episodes of Minder on You Tube , that I have not written about , so watch this space !!
This is an episode I remember watching , as a repeat , in the late 80s & I agree , it was one of the very few season one episodes shown at the time . This was probably due to the fact , they were more grittier & violent & several contained long scenes in strip clubs ! I always like this one & there are some great scenes , firstly Arthur s revelation to Terry , that the bloke he has been minding is not the real " Stubbs " , is brilliant . The look on Arthur s face , when Rose Mellors kisses Terry , at the end , is absolutely priceless . I also love the finale in the pub , when it comes out that the old one pound notes are no longer legal tender , although I have to agree , it does seem a bit odd that Arthur was not aware of this , being the wheeler dealer that he is . This being an early episode , the absence of Chisholm or Rycott , is certainly noticeable . I am sure one of them would have loved to have got involved in this .
Some good supporting actors as well , Nicky Henson , memorable from one of my favourite Fawlty Towers episodes , Kenneth Cope & not forgetting that brief appearance by " Bill the driver " .
Terry s Capri in this episode , is a 2.0GL JRX782P , which I don t think we see him in again . Jack drives a MK3 Capri 3.0S , in Strato Silver , identical to Bodie s , right down to the " fish net " headrests . There is a great scene near the beginning , involving the two Capris , after Terry has picked up " Stubbs " from prison . The switch later on involves , two lime green Mini 850s , which have numerous trim differences , that have been noted in earlier reviews . They both use the registration GLH109N , which is the genuine plate , for one of them !!
An enjoyable early episode / 8/10
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Post by gra966 on Nov 7, 2020 6:14:17 GMT
Another great comedy actor , we have lost . I will always remember him in Butterflies , for his facial expressions , when Wendy Craig plonked one of her " delightful " meals on the table , in front of him , or when one of the sons walked into the room wearing' a T shirt with an explicit slogan on the front . R.I.P Geoffrey .
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Post by gra966 on Oct 29, 2020 18:49:16 GMT
Sad to hear this news , especially after quite a few of us commented on their name check in The Beloved single , " Hello " , on last week s TOTP . I always loved their shows in the 80s & found them hilarious , especially when Bobby shouted out to some unsuspecting member of the audience " You can shut your face and all !! "
R I P & Rock on !!
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Post by gra966 on Jun 25, 2020 18:49:52 GMT
Some interesting points reference current Audi drivers . There seems to be an Audi model for everyone now , whereas when I worked for a Volkswagen / Audi dealership in the early 90s , their range was still pretty limited . A large number of Audi 80s & 100s were company / fleet / lease cars & usually driven by " executive types " The Quattro was the car for rally & motorsport enthusiasts , or senior C.I.D officers ! Only joking on the last one .
Going back even further , I can remember when my father bought a secondhand 1974 M reg Audi 100 , in 1977 & telling my mates at school the next day . One replied " An Audi , isn't that one of those foreign jobs , with the rings on the front ? " We were more used to our cars , either wearing a blue oval or a griffin in those days !!
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Post by gra966 on Jun 6, 2020 15:32:39 GMT
I absolutely loved that Lone Ranger record & often play it on You Tube & recently left a comment , saying I couldn't believe it was 40 years ago that it was in the charts . R.I.P Rupert Hines
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Post by gra966 on Jun 4, 2020 17:44:30 GMT
Very sorry to hear that R.I.P
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Post by gra966 on Jan 18, 2020 6:16:41 GMT
My first memories of Derek Fowlds , were him presenting The Basil Brush Show , in the very early 70s I didn't watch Yes , Minister that much , but one of his best characters , was of course Oscar Blaketon in Heartbeat , both as police sergeant , & later pub landlord . I always used to like the way he pronounced " Greengrass " , when he was angry with him . RIP " Mr Derek " !!
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Post by gra966 on Dec 18, 2019 18:32:37 GMT
I remember him primarily from 'Get This!', with Harry Fowler, circa early/mid 1970s. I m glad someone else remembers this show , that I can always recall him presenting . I think it was very early 70s , on ITV , in a similar time slot to Magpie . He also presented Just Amazing , alongside Suzanne Danielle , in the mid 80s & was also a popular guest on shows like Celebrity Squares and Give us a Clue RIP KENNY
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Post by gra966 on Dec 16, 2019 19:55:41 GMT
One of my favourite Fawlty Towers episodes - R.I.P Nicky Henson
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Post by gra966 on Nov 22, 2019 18:50:29 GMT
Particularly this time of year , when it gets dark early , the drivers that think their day running lights act as headlights , totally unaware that the rear of their car is not illuminated !
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Post by gra966 on May 10, 2019 18:12:36 GMT
I used to think he was hilarious as a kid , especially when he used to run around the stage , dressed in the German uniform & Wellington boots . His zany style of humour fitted in well with the 1970s , but as political correctness crept in , he began to fade into obscurity . Lets not forget he was the original host of "The Madhouse " , with Russ Abbot as the supporting act , often ending up showering most of the audience & the band , with water & custard pies !!
In the late 80s & early 90s , he owned a restaurant , situated on the A4 , between Maidenhead & Reading , not far from the location of the motorcycle scrambling in The Professionals , "Wild Justice" . I think a lot of people found the hamster soup , a bit lumpy though !! RIP FREDDIE
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Post by gra966 on Jan 20, 2019 10:54:27 GMT
I can also remember a series of car adverts that Windsor Davies & Don Estelle did in the late 70s , for the British Leyland dealer chain , Wadham Stringer . As they were mainly based along the South coast & in the West Country , I think they only would have appeared on Southern & Westward . Don Estelle was usually playing the customer & Windsor Davies was the salesman trying to convince him , how marvellous the latest Princess or Maxi was ! Just goes to show what a good actor he was !
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Post by gra966 on Jan 19, 2019 16:47:42 GMT
Very sad to hear this , a childhood favourite with me as well . I thought he was absolutely hilarious in It Aint Half Hot Mum . You always had to stay tuned to the very end to hear his booming voice , cry SHAAADAAAP . HMV have the boxset of the complete series , so definitely now worth a purchase . RIP "Lovely Boy!! "
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Post by gra966 on Dec 30, 2018 10:43:24 GMT
A sad loss but will always be remembered for her great tv work
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Post by gra966 on Dec 8, 2018 6:02:53 GMT
Jaclyn Smith was probably the first tv star I "had a thing for" , when I was about 11 or 12 . She was the sort of woman you imagined yourself married to in the distant future , which probably explains why Im still single at 52 !!! It would have been great if she had come over to the UK & got a guest appearance in The Sweeney . There would have been loads of un pc comments from Regan & Carter that couldn't be shown today ! Although , no doubt , it would have ended in another failed romance , which ever one had ended up with her !
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Post by gra966 on Sept 23, 2018 11:08:43 GMT
This is very sad news . I always loved Chas & Dave songs , their lyrics were absolutely brilliant , especially their first hit Gertcha ! R.I.P
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Post by gra966 on Sept 19, 2018 18:30:57 GMT
Some more sad news , another favourite of mine , from the days when It ll be Alright on the Night , was the only out take show going & it was still fresh to see actors & actresses making fools of themselves . Somehow , whenever I ended up with a clip board on my arm , I always ended up doing an impression of him , pronouncing "c¤ck up" , much to the delight of my mates - RIP
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Post by gra966 on Sept 16, 2018 10:42:42 GMT
Very sad to read this , a great actor , who was in many things , but best known in later years , for his role as Tinker in Lovejoy - R.I.P
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Post by gra966 on Jun 11, 2018 17:58:48 GMT
I think we saw him with the Talbot , in a few season 4 episodes , very briefly . Looking back on my review of High Drains Pilferer . , I have mentioned it there They must have had to edit out the engine sound , otherwise it would have obliterated the dialogue !!
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Post by gra966 on Mar 31, 2018 5:08:26 GMT
Another sad loss from the world of entertainment He was a great comedy actor & I thought he was hilarious as bumbling buffoon Selwyn Froggit , in the late 70s He is also greatly remembered for his character , Greengrass , in Sunday night favourite Heartbeat . The show never seemed quite the same after he had left . I can always remember seeing him , stood next to that nice early red MK1 Capri , as Sid James neighbour in Carry on at Your Convenience - RIP
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Post by gra966 on Mar 12, 2018 19:23:54 GMT
One of my favourites as a kid , especially The Diddy Men , A great talent for both comedy & singing , he will be greatly missed , with so many others from his era , who have sadly passed away in recent years R.I.P - King of Knotty Ash !
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Post by gra966 on Aug 3, 2017 5:12:39 GMT
A great episode for the final series , with plenty of good lines & humour , especially Terry winding Arthur up , about his so called security system & non existent dog Its a pity Maltese Tony appeared this late in the series , he would have been a good re occurring character Dave talks to Terry about Unchained Melody , which in a couple of years would be back at number 1 , courtesy of Ghost One of my favourite scenes , is at the very end , when Terry & Imogen are trying to exchange phone numbers & Arthur is shouting in the background for him to hurry up . It reminded me of those days when you used to go clubbing & trying to get a girl s number at the end of the night and your mates were desperate to get home ! Soon after this episode was made , Don Henderson appeared in The Paradise Club , alongside Leslie Grantham On the motors front , Arthur is trying to sell a Polski Fiat , to an unsuspecting punter at the very beginning , without much luck , surprisingly ! Billy Murray screams around in a knackered MK2 Capri & Maltese Tony hands over the money to a guy in a nice green Bentley & falls asleep after his kicking in the back of a red Sierra on the car lot , putting matching claret over the back seat !
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Post by gra966 on Jul 29, 2017 4:13:17 GMT
A good amusing episode , again with some great one liners Although Nigel was a funny character , he was best kept as a one off . I would imagine if he had been a regular , he may have worn a bit thin At least with Justin , his gift of the gab , cheeky chappie image kept us amused There were some exchanges between Dennis Waterman & Rula Lenska , where it looked as though they were trying to keep a straight face One laugh out loud moment , for me , was when Arthur was sat in the Daimler , wearing the Russian hat , we are so used to seeing him in his trilby , this was hilarious When Arthur & Terry are driving to the pub , for the first meeting with Sergi , they appear to pass the same junction with the roadworks barrier , three times !! Michael Gothard playing Sergi , was familiar as Kodai from The Professionals episode , Stopover Probably one of the better episodes from this series , 7/10
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Post by gra966 on Jul 28, 2017 5:03:14 GMT
Not sure quite what to make of this one , having been watching earlier episodes & gone back to the later ones Still some good one liners & great to see Justin back Chisholm saying the only thing he believes in newspapers , is the date , was brilliant Good to see John Alkin aka Daniels from The Sweeney , I don't remember seeing him in much else He didn't seem to have changed much , considering there was 10 yrs between this & season 2 of The Sweeney 5/10
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Post by gra966 on Jul 26, 2017 4:53:17 GMT
A pretty amusing episode , but probably not one of the strongest Still plenty of good one liners & some great acting as usual & it does make good use of re occurring characters A great line , is when Terry & Rose are in bed & she says "This is like Lady Chatterley s Lover " & Terry replies " I don't know , I didn't see it " - she then says "No , it was a book ! " One major blooper , the Mercedes is referred to as a 450SEL , when it is a fairly base model E Class ! On Syd s car lot , we see a red Granada Ghia , identical to Cowley s Good to see Sam Kyd in a minor role here , I don't think we saw much of him after this Another episode , I would agree was filmed around August / September time
6/10
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