Last of the Summer Wine

Last of the Summer Wine

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Last of the Summer Wine

Last of the Summer Wine is a British sitcom written by Roy Clarke that was initially broadcast on BBC1. Last of the Summer Wine premiered as an episode of Comedy Playhouse on 4 January 1973 and the first series of episodes followed on 12 November 1973. From 1983 to 2010. Last of the Summer Wine is the longest-running comedy programme in Britain and the longest-running sitcom in the world. It is considered to be one of the most popular and successful programmes on British television.

category – British Sitcom

Theme Tune

The last of the summer wine,
The sweet bouquet of memories,
Of you and I, as time goes by,
I still remember these.

The last of the summer wine,
When passing shadows still recur,
Of golden days, so young in love,
And that’s the way we were.

We had our dreams,
To change the world,
As people will,
But now we’re known as the folk,
Who live on the hill.

The last of the summer wine,
A vintage love, a vintage brew,
And now my love this toast I give,
Thank you for being you.

Cast

William “Compo” Simmonite (Bill Owen)
Norman “Cleggy” Clegg (Peter Sallis)
Cyril Blamire (Michael Bates)
Walter C. “Foggy” Dewhurst (Brian Wilde)
Seymour Utterthwaite (Michael Aldridge)
Herbert “Truly of the Yard” Truelove (Frank Thornton)
Billy Hardcastle (Keith Clifford)
Alvin Smedley (Brian Murphy)
‘Electrical’ Entwistle (Burt Kwouk)
Luther ‘Hobbo’ Hobdyke (Russ Abbot)
Nora Batty (Kathy Staff)
Walter ‘Wally’ Batty (Joe Gladwin)
Stella (Barbara Young)

Trivia

Officially announced by Buckingham Palace in 1996 as being Her Majesty the Queen’s favorite television series.

Quote

[the boys are climbing a hill that provides a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside]
Walter “Foggy” Dewhurst: Every time I come up here, the spirit soars! You can’t help thinking what a wonderful place it would be to set up a machine gun! Give me a small squad of hand-picked men and I could defend this place indefinitely!
Norman Clegg: How long have you been a nature lover, Foggy?

Trivia

The long-running series generated such a devout worldwide following, a special tour operation evolved over the years affording fans and visitors the opportunity to explore the actual series locations and enjoy the picturesque surroundings.

Last of the Summer Wine was set and filmed in and around Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England and centred on a trio of older men and their youthful antics; the membership of the trio changed several times over the years. The original trio consisted of Bill Owen as the scruffy and childlike Compo Simmonite, Peter Sallis as deep-thinking and meek Norman Clegg and Michael Bates as authoritarian and snobbish Cyril Blamire. When Bates dropped out due to illness in 1976 after two series, the role of the third man of the trio was filled in various years up to the 30th series by the quirky war veteran Walter ‘Foggy’ Dewhirst (Brian Wilde), who had two lengthy stints in the series, the eccentric inventor Seymour Uttherthwaite (Michael Aldridge), and former police officer Herbert ‘Truly of The Yard’ Truelove (Frank Thornton).

The men never seem to grow up, and they develop a unique perspective on their equally eccentric fellow townspeople through their stunts. Although in its early years the series generally revolved around the exploits of the main trio, with occasional interaction with a few recurring characters, over time the cast grew to include a variety of supporting characters and by later years the series was very much an ensemble piece. Each of these recurring characters contributed their own running jokes and subplots to the show and often becoming unwillingly involved in the schemes of the trio, or on occasion having their own, separate storylines.

Trivia

The series has been officially declared the world’s longest-running television sitcom, airing continuously between Wednesday 4th January 1973 to Sunday 29th August 2010.Peter Sallis was the sole cast member to appear (as Norman Clegg) throughout the whole 31 seasons. He also appeared (as Clegg’s father) in the spin-off prequel series First of the Summer Wine (1988).

Quote

Nora Batty: [angily] What are *you* doing, peering round corners?
Compo: Sssssh. Not so loud. There’s a man assaulting a woman.
Nora Batty: [terrified] Where? Do something about it!
Compo: I can’t.
Nora Batty: Why ever not?
Compo: [cheekily] He’s not started yet!
[Compo tries to grope Nora]

"Atmosphere" was released as a single by Russ Abbot in 1985.Who also appeared in Last of the Summer Wine

Quote

[Foggy is trying to get Howard in shape by leaping small walls]
Walter “Foggy” Dewhurst: It’s people like you who make this country so rich in idiots.

Filming Location

Sid’s Café in Holmfirth, a regular filming location. The café has become a tourist destination on the strength of the series.

Last of the Summer Wine RETRO TV 6

Info

Production locations Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England
Cinematography Pat O’Shea
Running time 30 minutes
Production company BBC
Distributor BBC Worldwide
2entertain
Universal Pictures
ABC (Australia, home video)
Warner Home Video (US, home video)
Release
Original network
  • BBC1
  • BBC HD

Trivia

The creator of Wallace and Gromit says he was amazed by the generosity of Peter Sallis, who was the voice of the wacky inventor. Peter, has died at the aged of 96

QUIZ 1

In the Final Season of Last of The Summer Wine Burt Kwouk played as one of the three main characters “Electrical’ Entwistle”. What other Film was he famous for his Outrageous Stunts

A. Carry on Doctor
B. The Ladykillers
C. Casino Royale
D. The Pink Panther

Press for Answer

D. The Pink Panther

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Last of the Summer Wine RETRO TV 5 (5)

QUIZ

In the Final Season of Last of The Summer Wine Burt Kwouk played as one of the three main characters “Electrical’ Entwistle”. What other Film was he famous for his Outrageous Stunts

A. Carry on Doctor
B. The Ladykillers
C. Casino Royale
D. The Pink Panther

He was best known for playing Cato (originally spelled “Kato”) Fong, Inspector Clouseau’s manservant, in the Pink Panther film series
The running gag was that Cato was ordered to attack Clouseau when he least expected it to keep him alert, usually resulting in a ruined romantic encounter or Clouseau’s flat being completely destroyed. Amid the chaos, the phone would ring and Cato would calmly answer it with “Inspector/Chief Inspector Clouseau’s residence”, before dutifully handing the phone to his employer and being thumped by Clouseau

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