First of the Summer Wine

Why is the Industrial-Video Complex so cruel, denying me the chance to buy this on DVD, and in the United States? I saw the first series of episodes in England in the fall of 1988, and I have just now seen 8 episodes from the run of 13. Terrible copies, but it's great to see again this show that I loved and adored.

I can't watch 'Last of the Summer Wine' at all because it just seems to be a bunch of tiresome old farts and their cutesy high jinks, but the minute this show starts and you hear a crooner sing 'Sweet & Lovely,' you know that the show will be an evocative and nostalgic look at the vanished late 30s. But what makes it is the solidly delightful cast, every one of which is charming and superbly well chosen.

Maybe you'll think I'm insane, but I think that David Fenwick as Norman Clegg is, at least in this, exceptionally dreamy. Maybe it's the voice, the lively facial expressions, the sense of independence and irony and secret rebellion, and, oh gosh, the fact that he's so pretty (I think).

I don't think they have it in the pilot, but the inappropriate and overbearing laugh track is really offputting and the show doesn't remotely need it. The characters are lovable and the action and humor are naturally delightful. I don't need a Trademarked Automo-Laff Trak breaking in with plastic guffaws.

If I win the Powerball lottery prize, I'll buy the show and issue it on DVD (laugh track free).

This show was made as a prequel to the classic comedy "Last of the Summer Wine". It follows the [mis]adventures of the cast when they where still young right on the brink of World War II (the final episode ended with the famous radio broadcast announcing we were at war with Germany).

The series manages to pull it off, with a believable portrayl of how everyones favourite retirees would have behaved when they where lads. Compo was just as much in love with Nora Batty back then, and she loathed him just as bad. You'd think after 50 years she'd have softened to him a little! Look out for Peter Sallis who has a small role playing his own Father.

Such a shame the series only lasted a year, it would have been interesting to see how it would have progressed as a compliment to Last of the Summer Wine. I've never seen repeats of this show so hopefully someone will pick it up one day.

This series was first broadcast in August September 1989 on the 50th anniversary of the start of the Second World War but has never been repeated on main terrestrial television in the UK until recently. Perhaps the long time span has made it more enjoyable because I had forgotten how good this was, and that is said from one who has never been particularly enamoured with the either Last of the Summer Wine or the concept of prequels. It is a good quality and very genteel comedy with solid performances from the cast enhanced by good period details and a sharp script. Only Peter Sallis is a well known name and who played Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine ; he now plays his characters father! None of the other cast members are well known and seem to have disappeared.

First off, I love Last of the Summer Wine. It did lose its way in quality after the departure of Compo, but in the glory days with the likes of Compo, Seymour and especially Foggy it was relaxing, hilarious and made me feel warm and cosy inside. I also love the scenery and the immortal harmonica theme. When I heard of its prequel series First of the Summer Wine, I was interested. After seeing the whole series, I was impressed. Last of the Summer Wine is better for me, but this is a very worthy and entertaining prequel series that sticks in spirit and style to a classic comedy series that I'll always have a lot of fondness for.

Of course the setting is different, First of the Summer Wine's setting is pre-World War 2 with the final episode ending with the famous radio broadcast. But this setting is a convincing one, the sets and scenery have a certain authenticity to them and the photography is skillful enough without making it dated. The music is good too, it sticks to its respective period and its main theme is memorable and quite rousing. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the series maintains Last of the Summer Wine's gentle tone. The stories are also believable, and while some of the situations are on the silly and predictable side they are always funny, and the relationships of the characters especially between Nora and Compo stick true to Last of the Summer Wine as well.

The acting is very good. Peter Sallis here plays Clegg's father, and while he is somewhat more understated and his dialogue with less of a wry approach he is rock solid and amusing as always. David Fenwick and Paul Wyatt are especially good as young Clegg and Compo. In regards in who made this show, whereas Compo made Last of the Summer Wine, young Clegg with his wide-eyed innocence and charm makes First of the Summer Wine. I do wish though this series lasted longer than it did, it showed great potential and while I was thoroughly impressed with what there was I think this series had the potential to grow even more. If you do ignore the occasionally distracting and unnecessary laughter track and the contradiction in regards to Seymour, I think you will be in for a great time. 9/10 Bethany Cox