The Further Adventures of Lucky Jim

Big things were expected of the talented Enn Reitel in the early '80's. This short-lived B. B. C.-2 series cast him as Jim Dixon, an ex-University lecturer struggling to make it in Swinging '60's London. Dixon is no 'dedicated follower of fashion', as he wears glasses and tweed suits with leather elbow patches. Kingsley Amis' character was intended as a spoof of the 'angry young men' movement of the late '50's. Ian Carmichael played him in a memorable 1957 film. Reitel was perfectly cast as the quick witted, face-pulling Dixon, Anthony Sher guest-starred along with Clive Swift, and the stunning Glynis Barber. It helped that the show was written by people who'd actually lived through the 60's. It captured perfectly the heady flavour of 1967, with opening titles played against footage of dancing flower-people, backed by an Alan Price song called "Where Do I Go From Here?". Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais's scripts, whilst hardly in the same class as their earlier stuff, were funny. But there was no second series. Dick and Ian went to I. T. V. The following year to write 'Auf Wiedershen Pet'. Reitel provided voices for I. T. V.'s long-running 'Spitting Image'.

Remember watching this as a child when it was broadcast and it is pretty standard fare for the comedy of the time. Set in the nineteen sixties it is awash with pretty girls in mini skirts and mini cars. Everyone smokes cigarettes and drinks alcohol at lunch time with the occasional reference to cannabis and free love. Probably wouldn't be allowed before 9pm now although it was early evening viewing then. It's good fun as you follow Jim Dixon round Swinging London never quite getting into the groove and gelling with the beautiful people no matter how much he tries.

They get the atmosphere right with the various classes portrayed accurately and the humour comes from the clashes and 'unlucky' Jim's near misses with girls and success. Jim's 'Walter Mitty' monologues liven up his dull life as he scrapes his way through. Clean whimsical fun for everyone.

Lots of British actors who made names for themselves at the time or a bit later. Glynis Barber, fabulous in sixties attire, and Steven Pacey just out of Blakes Seven in completely different characters. I was a Blakes 7 fan at the time and it wasn't until watching this again that I realised they were both in it, their characters are so different. Miranda Richardson, Anthony Sher, Barbara Flynn, Bill Treacher and John Altman all appear for an episode or two.