Margery and Gladys

Britain has had a long history of mainly 'gentle' if somewhat bawdy comedies committed to celluloid. Think St. Trinians, of course the many Carry Ons and the numerous TV series' movie outings from the 1970s onwards.

This little beauty is very much in the vein of that type of comedy. A bit slapstick, a bit naughty, a bit far fetched but above all, led by protagonists that you can actually relate to. We've all met a lady of the house who thinks she a bit above everyone else (Penelope Keith excels in those roles) and the 'Mrs Mop' types that always seem to get the upper hand in the end.

If you enjoy the genre of the 'classic' British comedy that this movie definitely belongs to, you won't be disappointed.

However.

This seems to be rarely shown on TV and as far as I'm aware, it's only ever been released commercially on an Australian region 4 DVD, and it's not easy to track down.

'Margery and Gladys' was transmitted by ITV1 on 21 September 2003. This TV film is a comedy, but it's inspired by a deadly-serious news event. In 1999, a Norfolk farmer named Tony Martin (not the American singer) shot dead a teenage burglar who broke into his property. Because the intruder was attacked from behind, a controversial court decision found Martin guilty of homicide; he served 18 months in prison before the conviction was changed to manslaughter and he was released with time served. The case still inspires angry debate.

Screenwriters Flanagan and McCulloch combined the Tony Martin incident with another real-life news item about two elderly ladies who committed a series of minor robberies across England, incurring bills at hotels and petrol stations and then bunking without paying. The British tabloid press called these women "Hell's Grannies" (after a Monty Python sketch). In this case, Hell's Grannies plus the Tony Martin affair equal hilarity.

The chief appeal of 'Margery and Gladys' is the first-ever teaming of two actresses who have been beloved mainstays on Britain's television screens for many years. Penelope Keith (classy as ever) has played society matrons and snobbish beldames in several long-running sitcoms. (In real life, Penelope Keith recently spent a year as the ceremonial High Sheriff of Surrey!) June Brown has had a long stint as chain-smoking whinger Dot Cotton on 'EastEnders': unlike Ms Keith, in real life June Brown *is* a great deal like her most well-known role.

Ms Keith plays Margery, a tetchy suburban matron -- recently widowed -- who attends a Neighbourhood Watch meeting that leaves her paranoid about burglars. Ms Brown plays Gladys, Margery's cleaning lady. The two women are an odd couple with (they think) little in common, until an intruder enters Margery's house and she coshes him (from behind) with her Waterford crystal vase. Believing that Margery has killed him, both women recall the Tony Martin case and they now realise that they can be charged with murder! Naturally, they must now go on the lam, as fugitives.

'Margery and Gladys' is (among other things) an intentional parody of 'Thelma and Louise', with two unlikely matrons as female outlaws. Instead of Texas highways, their getaway takes Margery and Gladys across the secondary B-roads of the Midlands, en route to sanctuary in (wait for it) Milton Keynes. There are some bizarre incidents, as the two women must commit other crimes to obtain funds and medications.

This TV film is quite funny, although it's a gentle character-driven humour of a typically British variety that doesn't play well in the rest of the world. The interplay between these two veteran actresses is delightful ... especially as they learn they have more in common than they'd suspected. Unfortunately, towards the end the dialogue gets all 'meaningful' in a manner more typical of American TV scripts. I laughed throughout 'Margery and Gladys', and I rate this TV movie 7 out of 10.

It is easy for the frequent viewer of television to become pessimistic about the future of the medium. The proliferation of channels has led to fragmentation of the audience and a general shortage of money for quality programs. But then, along comes a gem like "Margery and Gladys". The story and the humanistic style remind me strongly of the comedy/spy production "Sleepers" (1990) and it comes as no surprise that one of the writers, Andrew McCulloch, contributed to both productions. The direction, camera-work and acting were first rate and the editing (i.e. cutting from scene to scene) was just right for maintaining attention. As a person over 60 with UK background, I was delighted by the snatches of George Formby songs towards the end. Formby was to the 1940s what the Beatles were to the 1960s.

Anyway, the TV industry is not doomed as long as movies like this can be produced. I'm delighted to see that it is liked in the USA despite its rather British flavor.

I just saw this film. Sometimes I consult this db when planning the evenings TV-programme. When I saw this rated 7/10, I thought it had to be worth-watching. In my opinion, when a film hits 6, it's generally worthwhile.

Furthermore I find British TV-films a lot better than American. I read a review comparing this to Thelma and Louise, but I must say that I find T&L a lot more entertaining than this. This film has its moments; I like the leads, but the film tries too hard: The tempo is too high. The basic idea about the odd-couple is well-proved, but a bit trite. The plot (what gets them on the move) is outright implausible, but the neighbourwatch-theme is quite good, I think.

This film reminds me of a Simpsons episode, when Marge is at a book-club meeting with Helen Fielding. Marge tells her, that she hasn't actually read Bridget Jones' diary, HF replies that it's perfectly OK, as long as they all bought a copy, then leaps out the door in a wild police chase (on foot) in fast-motion accompanied by the music from Benny Hills ditto chases.

Not that I find British humour inferior.

Whoever cast this TV film, got it just right. UK TV viewers will recognise most of the faces from a wide series of TV soaps and comedies. After the start, Margery and Gladys confront in Margery's house and accidentally kill him, the plot follows a roller coaster of twists and turns to keep you guessing to the end. Well worth a night in to watch. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I am sure there are lots of gems that I missed, to be savoured when it is re-run.