Classic Screen Moments

30/10/2025

17/10/2025

16/09/2025

Our Daisy has always looked absolutely marvellous! Judy Valerie Cornwell, born 22 February 1940, is now 85 and is forever beloved for her portrayal of Daisy in Keeping Up Appearances. Her career has been long and varied: from playing Anya Claus in Santa Claus: The Movie (1985), to appearing in TV dramas such as EastEnders, The Bill, Heartbeat, Doctor Who and many others. Over the years she has also worked extensively on stage, including playing Miss Marple in productions like A Murder Is Announced. Outside of acting, Judy Cornwell has dedicated much energy to writing. Her autobiography Adventures of a Jelly Baby was published in 2005, and she has authored several novels including Cow and Cow Parsley, Fishcakes at the Ritz, The Seventh Sunrise and Fear and Favour. Even now she occasionally appears in interviews and public events reflecting on a life in the theatre and television, reminding us yet again what a remarkable presence she is.

27/08/2025

"Musical Mondays with The Flumps" offers a delightful plunge into 1970s nostalgia, inviting viewers to revisit the charming world of the Flump family. This stop-motion animated series, created by Julie Holder and first aired on BBC1 in 1977, centres around the endearing Flumps—Grandfather, Father, Mother, Posie, Perkin, and the toddler Pootle. Known for their whimsical adventures and Yorkshire accents, the Flumps often express themselves through playful, nonsensical language, adding a unique touch to their stories. The series is renowned for its catchy musical interludes, with the theme tune performed by George Chisholm on the trombone. In 1978, the BBC released a record featuring four stories from the show, narrated and sung by Gay Soper, further cementing its musical legacy.

The Flumps' blend of endearing characters, imaginative storytelling, and memorable tunes continues to captivate audiences, making "Musical Mondays" a perfect way to relive the magic of this classic children's programme.

25/08/2025

Bernard Bresslaw and Kenneth Williams were both outstanding in Carry On Up the Khyber (1968), one of the most celebrated entries in the long-running Carry On series. Bresslaw, towering at 6’7”, played Bungdit Din, the formidable leader of the Burpa tribe, bringing a mix of physical presence and comic exaggeration that made his performance unforgettable. In contrast, Kenneth Williams delivered one of his most iconic roles as the pompous British Governor, Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond, whose clipped tones and flamboyant delivery provided a perfect foil to the chaos surrounding him. Their contrasting styles—Bresslaw’s booming gravitas and Williams’ sharp, waspish wit—helped elevate the film into a classic of British comedy, still fondly remembered for its farcical humour, cheeky innuendo, and satirical take on the stiff upper lip of the British Empire.

25/08/2025

Young people today should definitely watch Laurel and Hardy, for their timeless humour will never grow old. The legendary comedy duo, made up of Englishman Stan Laurel and American Oliver Hardy, first came together in the late 1920s during the silent film era before seamlessly transitioning into sound.

Their unique chemistry and contrasting personas – the bumbling, thin and hapless Laurel alongside the pompous yet loveable Hardy – created a brand of comedy that remains universally appealing. From their slapstick routines to their impeccable timing, they elevated simple scenarios into masterpieces of laughter, influencing generations of comedians that followed. Even nearly a century later, their films such as Way Out West and Sons of the Desert continue to charm audiences, proving that true wit and physical comedy never lose their sparkle.

25/08/2025

Sir Rod Stewart did not mince his words when he took to social media to lambast Gregg Wallace, ex-host of MasterChef. He wrote in a blistering Instagram post that Wallace had “humiliated my wife when she was on the show,” pointing out with biting sarcasm that “they had that bit cut out, didn’t they?”. He went on to call him “a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully,” and added, “Good riddance Wallace… Karma got ya.”

The outburst came amid a storm of allegations from multiple individuals accusing Wallace of inappropriate and sexualised behaviour during his long tenure at the BBC—a controversy that also led Penny Lancaster, Stewart’s wife and a former contestant on Celebrity MasterChef, to come forward about her own experiences of bullying and harassment.

23/08/2025

Michele Dotrice was an absolute delight to watch as Betty Spencer in the classic BBC sitcom Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em, bringing warmth, patience, and quiet wit to her role as the long-suffering wife of Michael Crawford’s hapless Frank. First appearing when the show debuted in 1973, Dotrice’s Betty became a beloved character in British comedy, admired for her gentle forbearance in the face of Frank’s endless blunders and dangerous antics.

Her performance added emotional depth and balance to the slapstick chaos, making the series more than just a farce. After the show ended in 1978, she continued a varied career on stage and screen, yet it is her role as Betty that remains most fondly remembered, with audiences cherishing the way she embodied kindness and understated humour.

23/08/2025

The passing of Dermot Morgan at just 45 was a heartbreaking and immeasurable loss to the world of humour, cutting short the life of a man whose wit and sharp timing had already cemented him as a comedy legend. Best known for his unforgettable role as Father Ted Crilly in the much-loved Anglo-Irish sitcom Father Ted, Morgan brought warmth, absurdity, and satire together in a way that captured audiences across Britain and Ireland.

His performance was central to the show’s cult success, earning him a BAFTA Award for Best Comedy Performance in 1999, tragically awarded posthumously. Beyond Father Ted, Morgan had a vibrant career as a satirist and entertainer, particularly known for his work on the Irish television show The Live Mike and his political parody programme Scrap Saturday. His sudden death in 1998, the day after recording the final episode of Father Ted, shocked fans and colleagues alike, leaving behind a legacy of laughter that continues to influence British and Irish comedy.

22/08/2025

Twenty years ago, popular culture was shaped by towering figures such as Johnny Cash, the legendary American singer-songwriter whose gravelly voice and storytelling captivated generations; Bob Hope, the iconic comedian and entertainer renowned for his quick wit and decades of work in film, radio, and USO shows; and Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple who transformed technology and design. In contrast, Bill Murray’s wry observation highlights a sense of loss in contemporary times: “no cash, no hope, and no jobs,” while playfully invoking Kevin Bacon, another enduring icon of American cinema, as a humorous plea against further cultural erosion. Murray’s quip underscores both nostalgia for the past and his trademark sardonic humour, reminding audiences of the enduring influence of these cultural touchstones and the way comedy can frame societal reflection.

22/08/2025

Butterflies was a British sitcom that aired from 1978 to 1983, created by Carla Lane. Set in the affluent town of Cheltenham, the show centred on Ria Parkinson, a middle-aged housewife played by Wendy Craig, who finds herself in a midlife crisis. Her husband, Ben (Geoffrey Palmer), is a dentist and amateur lepidopterist, while their two sons, Adam (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and Russell (Andrew Hall), are young adults. Ria's life seems comfortable but lacks excitement, prompting her to contemplate an affair with Leonard Dunn (Bruce Montague), a divorced businessman. The series blended comedy with poignant moments, exploring themes of dissatisfaction and the search for fulfilment. The show's theme song, "Love Is Like a Butterfly," was performed by Clare Torry and conducted by Ronnie Hazlehurst. Butterflies received critical acclaim and was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Television Comedy Series in 1981.

The sitcom was praised for its unique blend of humour and emotional depth, offering a fresh perspective on the lives of suburban families. Its success led to a lasting legacy, influencing future British comedies that sought to balance light-heartedness with serious themes.

22/08/2025

Man About the House, which first aired in 1973, broke new ground in British television comedy with its daring premise: a young man sharing a flat with two single women, something considered quite risqué at the time. The show’s clever writing, sharp humour, and relatable domestic situations resonated strongly with viewers, making it an instant hit. Its influence extended beyond mere entertainment, inspiring spin-offs like George and Mildred and Robin’s Nest, and helping to normalise more modern depictions of gender dynamics and urban living in sitcoms. With performances full of charm and wit, the series became a touchstone of 1970s British comedy, remembered fondly for its originality and the way it captured a shifting social landscape.