Our take
The last Still Open All Hours ever made, though nobody knew it at the time, and it ends the run on a conjuring trick. A magic act, a cabinet that swallows people and a doomed attempt at romance across the cafe table give it a playful, end-of-term air. Archie Panjabi's guest turn is a surprise, and Granville's determination to bring some wonder back to Christmas is a fitting final scheme.
What happens
Granville sets out to put the magic back into Christmas, but things do not go to plan and people keep disappearing, thanks to a disappearing cabinet in the shop. The grocer may have one last trick he can pull off, if only he can find himself a glamorous assistant. Eric and Cyril try to persuade their wives to try Arkwright's special French custard. Mr Newbold mixes up his gifts, and he also bumps, not quite by accident, into Mrs Rossi at the cafe; she invites him to Christmas lunch, leaving him to wonder whether the Black Widow, Mrs Featherstone, will throw the book at him when she finds out.
Can the kids watch it?
Not separately rated by the BBFC; the rest of its series was mostly rated PG for mild innuendo and sex references, so fine for most families.
Cast and crew
Starring
- David Jason as Granville
- James Baxter as Leroy
- Stephanie Cole as Mrs Featherstone
- Maggie Ollerenshaw as Mavis
- Brigit Forsyth as Madge
- Johnny Vegas as Wet Eric
- Kulvinder Ghir as Cyril
- Tim Healy as Gastric
Guest stars
- Sally Lindsay as Kath
- Geoffrey Whitehead as Mr Newbold
- Sue Holderness as Mrs Rossi
- Katie Redford as Beth
- Sophie Willan as Ruby
- Archie Panjabi as Jasmine
Writer
- Roy Clarke
Director
- Dewi Humphreys