Small Tune On A Penny Wassail
Christmas special, first shown 26 Dec 1978, 30 min
Our take
One of the two Christmas-themed episodes made in 1978, and a modest one: a hospital visit and an exchange of presents rather than a stunt or a scheme. Scheduled late at night, it plays like a quiet postscript to the year. For anyone who knows only the slapstick later years, this is the gentler, wordier show at its most reflective, and a good place to hear the original trio talking.
What happens
Christmas arrives in the Yorkshire town, and Compo, Clegg and Foggy mark it in their own way: first they go to visit a friend who is in hospital over Christmas, and then they settle down to open their presents. Around them the usual life of the town goes on, with Nora Batty, her husband Wally, and Ivy and Sid at the cafe all in the cast.
Can the kids watch it?
Not rated by the BBFC as a separate episode; gentle and fine for all ages, though young children may find the talk slow.
Cast and crew
Starring
- Bill Owen as Compo
- Peter Sallis as Clegg
- Brian Wilde as Foggy
- Kathy Staff as Nora Batty
- Jane Freeman as Ivy
- Joe Gladwin as Wally Batty
- John Comer as Sid
Guest stars
- Teddy Turner as Edgar
- Larry Noble as Man on Phone
- Stuart Fell
Writer
- Roy Clarke
Director
- Sydney Lotterby