Merry Entwistle And Jackson Day
Christmas special, first shown 18 Dec 2005, 30 min
Our take
A late-era Christmas special with the biggest cast of any here, and a simple seasonal hook: a tired Santa who needs perking up, and well-meaning helpers who reach for the bottle. By 2005 the show had become an ensemble piece, and this half hour gives a crowd of veteran comic actors a moment each. Mild, sweet and rated U, it suits a family audience of any age.
What happens
It is Christmas, and Smiler is playing Santa. After a strenuous day in the role he needs reviving, and the obvious remedy, a strong drink, may not be the wisest one. The later-years ensemble is out in force: Clegg, Truly and Alvin, Billy Hardcastle, Entwistle, Howard and Marina, Nora Batty and Ivy, with Toby Mulberry Smith and Nelly also in the cast.
Can the kids watch it?
Rated U by the BBFC for very mild innuendo, so suitable for all ages.
Cast and crew
Starring
- Peter Sallis as Clegg
- Frank Thornton as Truly
- Brian Murphy as Alvin
- Keith Clifford as Billy Hardcastle
- Burt Kwouk as Entwistle
- Kathy Staff as Nora Batty
- Robert Fyfe as Howard
- Jean Fergusson as Marina
Guest stars
- Mike Grady as Barry
- Sarah Thomas as Glenda
- Josephine Tewson as Miss Davenport
- Tom Owen as Tom Simmonite
- Juliette Kaplan as Pearl
- June Whitfield as Nelly
- Jane Freeman as Ivy
- Ken Kitson as PC Cooper
- Louis Emerick as PC Walsh
- Jean Alexander as Auntie Wainwright
- Stephen Lewis as Smiler
- Trevor Bannister as Toby Mulberry Smith
Writer
- Roy Clarke
Director
- Alan J. W. Bell