Man About the House

One year after its launch, 'Man About The House' was filmed by Hammer. All the original cast were present and correct, and at least the characters stayed on home territory rather than flying off to Spain. But the 'opening out' of the format to encompass new characters such as the nymphomaniac Miss Bird ( Andrea Lawrence ) and the gay couple played by Michael Ward and Melvyn Hayes diluted the premise. The plot about the unscrupulous property developer was old hat even in 1974. The production designer seems not to have seen the show, as his sets don't resemble the television versions. The Ropers' sitting room is located on the left of the front door, not the right. The finale in the Thames Television building is silly and looks like an lame attempt to publicise the company's other shows. Nice cameo from Spike Milligan, though. The only redeeming features are Arthur Lowe as the tycoon and Peter Cellier as his slimy sidekick. Get a D.V.D. of the T.V. show instead.

December 2021

Just watched this again, i must say i had forgotten just how likeable this classic British comedy was and its full of very recognisable faces.

This film and TV series unusually lead to 2 spin off series, Robins Nest as well as George and Mildred!

Fun film

8 out of 10.

The entire main cast of the series are involved. The Film could be an extended episode of the series, which is always a plus in my opinion. The series has been shown regularly on Paramount 2 & UK Gold (or Granada Plus)The show always brings a smile to my face and uplifts my spirits. I think this is due to the fact that it takes me back to the simpler happy days of my youth; mind you those 70's fashion styles do make me cringe sometimes. There are some duplication of certain actors in the series. I only noticed them when I watched the repeats en bloc. Norman Eshley (actor) plays a unfaithful husband who dates Chrissy (Paula Wilcox)in one of the early episodes, then turns up as Robins (Richard O'Sullivan) brother in the last series and ends up marrying Chrissy at the end of the series. John Carlin plays Larrys (Doug Fisher) Landlord before Larry moves to the Ropers and then turns up in a later episode as a Barman in the local. I was sorry to hear of the passing of Doug Fisher. He added much to the series as Robins friend a 'Jack the Lad' character.

Man About the House was an hilarious film and a spin off from a wonderful series. Cleverly written by that great duo Cooke & Mortimer, the humour is ageless and well put across by Richard O'Sullivan and Paula Wilcox whose timing was impeccable. Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy provide excellent foils and watch out for some of the up and coming British starlets cameo-ing in different episodes of the series. The entire cast did extremely well, considering that they had to carry the 'unfortunate' acting ability of Sally Thomsett along with them.

'George and Mildred', another spin off from this movie and series was funnier but lacked the situations. It did, however, show the raw talents of Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy to their fullest.

MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE was a slightly risqué popular sit com with a Jack the lad type sharing a flat with two girls one an intelligent red head and the other a blond bimbo . I was never too keen on the show and thought the two spin offs ROBIN'S NEST and GEORGE & MILDRED were better comedies . The problem I think I had was that it was unsophisticated and this feature film version reflects this . Check out this sample of dialogue:

" The girls have just put a new lock on the door "

" Really "

" Yeah . That's to stop me getting out of their bedroom "

Hmmm I guess feminists won't be queuing to watch this . But to give it some credit it was never a show that claimed to be sophisticated and this film version stays true to its bawdy roots without going overboard . The very vague plot revolves a property developer wanting to buy out the tenants and we are treated to a fairly amusing sequence where the villain has laxatives put into his meal . We're also treated to cameo appearances from very well known comedy faces at the time including Spike Milligan , but the show stopping moment involves the two protagonists from LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR a legendary TV show that is totally despised by the PC brigade for its alleged racism:

" What do you want to drink old friend ? "

" I'll have a white lady "

" Pardon ? "

A sometimes amusing and completely low brow comedy