'Allo Allo' is a great comedy series that carries on the classic old British tradition of farce.
Ordinary situations are driven into complete absurdity, employing the comedy of manners and double entendres. Brian Rix was the past master of his day in British theatre, whilst the 'Carry On' franchise pushed it into sexual innuendo overdrive. Because it is such a traditional format of light entertainment, it has tended to lose ground against the more modern, cruel 'fringe' style of comedy.
That's a pity, because of one thing we can be certain: the likes of 'Allo Allo' and its kinder contemporaries will continue to be shown in repeats long after each generation of 'fringe' has been consigned to the dustbins of history. Just check-out the up-coming terrestrial TV Christmas schedules.
Gordon Kaye plays small-town restaurateur Rene in WW2 occupied France. He has more problems that can easily be counted. Although a patriot, he is also a coward. Unfortunately, his cafe is favoured by the German high-command, whilst also employed as a clearing-house by the Le Resistance. All manner of intrigues develop over which he has no control. Fugitive British pilots are concealed in his cellar, bombs are brought in through his kitchen, German officers take wine in his bar and plot their post-war lives, usually to be funded by a famous stolen painting.
Rene is the focus of desire by both of his waitresses as well as his wife. At the same time, the female leader of the French resistance also adores him, though she would as readily execute him in the name of Liberty. Adding to his woes comes homosexual German Lt Gruber, who has likewise developed a fondness.
Nobody and no nation is spared. Brits, French, Germans and Italians are each presented in a national pastiche that is often biting but never cruel. Bizarre situations abound. A cranky, bed-ridden old mother-in-law unwittingly plays host to the concealed radio. The undertaker is in love with Rene's wife. Arthur Bostrom plays a British spy masquerading as a gendarme with pronunciation issues. Richard Gibson is the resolutely conniving gestapo officer complete with leather trench-coat and bumbling side-kick Von Smallhausen.
This series has so many sight-gags, double-entendres, lampooned characters and spoof situations that it is literally a laugh a minute. At times, moments appear to be overplayed, but that's all part of the farce mentality - it's supposed to be like that.
The series ran from 1982-1992. today, most of the principal characters have passed away, whilst those who survive have grown old with justified grace. So: it's history. But happily, because of its historical setting, it will never age.
As a piece of farce, I believe this program exceeds everything that has gone before, even the ever-popular 'Are You Being Served'.
Much loved and very highly recommended.
Ordinary situations are driven into complete absurdity, employing the comedy of manners and double entendres. Brian Rix was the past master of his day in British theatre, whilst the 'Carry On' franchise pushed it into sexual innuendo overdrive. Because it is such a traditional format of light entertainment, it has tended to lose ground against the more modern, cruel 'fringe' style of comedy.
That's a pity, because of one thing we can be certain: the likes of 'Allo Allo' and its kinder contemporaries will continue to be shown in repeats long after each generation of 'fringe' has been consigned to the dustbins of history. Just check-out the up-coming terrestrial TV Christmas schedules.
Gordon Kaye plays small-town restaurateur Rene in WW2 occupied France. He has more problems that can easily be counted. Although a patriot, he is also a coward. Unfortunately, his cafe is favoured by the German high-command, whilst also employed as a clearing-house by the Le Resistance. All manner of intrigues develop over which he has no control. Fugitive British pilots are concealed in his cellar, bombs are brought in through his kitchen, German officers take wine in his bar and plot their post-war lives, usually to be funded by a famous stolen painting.
Rene is the focus of desire by both of his waitresses as well as his wife. At the same time, the female leader of the French resistance also adores him, though she would as readily execute him in the name of Liberty. Adding to his woes comes homosexual German Lt Gruber, who has likewise developed a fondness.
Nobody and no nation is spared. Brits, French, Germans and Italians are each presented in a national pastiche that is often biting but never cruel. Bizarre situations abound. A cranky, bed-ridden old mother-in-law unwittingly plays host to the concealed radio. The undertaker is in love with Rene's wife. Arthur Bostrom plays a British spy masquerading as a gendarme with pronunciation issues. Richard Gibson is the resolutely conniving gestapo officer complete with leather trench-coat and bumbling side-kick Von Smallhausen.
This series has so many sight-gags, double-entendres, lampooned characters and spoof situations that it is literally a laugh a minute. At times, moments appear to be overplayed, but that's all part of the farce mentality - it's supposed to be like that.
The series ran from 1982-1992. today, most of the principal characters have passed away, whilst those who survive have grown old with justified grace. So: it's history. But happily, because of its historical setting, it will never age.
As a piece of farce, I believe this program exceeds everything that has gone before, even the ever-popular 'Are You Being Served'.
Much loved and very highly recommended.