Lots And Lots Of Morecambe and Wise

Video Review from 2007

This video, distributed by BFS, is only available in America or as an NTSC import. Running in at 45 minutes, it consists of a compilation of clips taken from the Thames archive, despite having the onscreen title of Eric & Ernie’s Christmas Show.

The reason behinds the title is that much if it’s content is in fact taken from the UK released video of the same name. Things start with the same intro sequence; Eric and Ern try to sneak the royal family into their show, only to have them stolen by Eamonn Andrews.

The running order remains the same until we get to the Fabulous Forties and the Andrew Sisters routine with Leonard Rossiter. At this point the content changes and we get a great little sketch staring Frank Finlay. Arriving at the flat with no intention of appearing in one of Ern’s plays, he is tricked into making several one-liners, that is then edited into the final play. Even though you now what’s coming, it still remains fun to watch.

A quick jump back to the old video with the TV Times, Brutus the Dog, Doctor and taking over from Syd Lawrence sketches before again some different material appears.

Victorian Theatre/Jack Valliant has to be up amongst their funniest work, and for me it was the first time I had seen it. Ern along with guest stars Denise Gyngell and Nicholas Parsons, play out an old fashioned tale as the slightly drunk Eric watches on from one of the theatre boxes. Throwing comments at every opportunity, it is clear that all involved really enjoyed this sketch.

From then on its down hill for the last few routines, one of which demonstrates how they re-used ideas and gags from their earlier BBC shows. Remember the brilliant routine with Eric driving a horse and cart along, with Ern and guest star. Ern sings romantically to her as Eric keeps lashing the horses, only to be thrown from the cart each time. This idea is re-used, this time seeing them on a boat. As Ern sings, Eric begins to fish, subsequently being pulled from the boat by a large fish again and again.

Another sad thing is that there is no song at the end. No Sunshine, no Following You Around… just the last sketch fades and the credits come up!

Apart from its obvious faults, this is worth trying to grab if only for the Victorian Theatre routine. Let’s hope that Thames follows the BBC and release the whole shows series by series.


© morecambeandwise.com 2007


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