"Last of the Summer Wine" (1973) TV series 1973-????

Creator:

Roy Clarke

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | unknown

Release Date:

12 November 1973 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Three old men from Yorkshire who have never grown up face the trials of their fellow town citizens and everyday life and stay young by reminiscing about the days of their youth and attempting feats not common to the elderly.

Plot Keywords:

Elderly | Sitcom | Countryside | Eccentric | Old Man

Awards:

1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Peter Sallis	...	Clegg / ... (289 episodes, 1973-2009)
Jane Freeman	...	Ivy (269 episodes, 1973-2009)
Kathy Staff	...	Nora Batty / ... (245 episodes, 1973-2008)
Robert Fyfe	...	Howard (224 episodes, 1985-2009)
Juliette Kaplan	...	Pearl (220 episodes, 1985-2009)
Jean Fergusson	...	Marina (211 episodes, 1985-2009)
Sarah Thomas	...	Glenda / ... (209 episodes, 1986-2009)
Bill Owen	...	Compo Simmonite / ... (185 episodes, 1973-2000)
Jean Alexander	...	Auntie / ... (163 episodes, 1988-2009)
Mike Grady	...	Barry / ... (155 episodes, 1986-2009)
Thora Hird	...	Edie / ... (152 episodes, 1986-2003)
Gordon Wharmby	...	Wesley / ... (138 episodes, 1982-2002)
Stephen Lewis	...	Smiler / ... (135 episodes, 1988-2007)
Frank Thornton	...	Truly / ... (129 episodes, 1997-2009)
Brian Wilde	...	Foggy / ... (116 episodes, 1976-1997)

Also Known As:

Roy Clarke's Last of the Summer Wine (Australia)
The Library Mob (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

Higgin Brigg, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

By 1976, it was clear that Michael Bates was ill. The cancer which was to eventually kill him, meant the strenuous walking through the hills became impossible. He was written out of the series and his noticeable gap was filled by Brian Wilde, who had already become known as Mr. Barrowclough in "Porridge" (1974). Michael Bates did continue to appear in his other success, "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" (1974), but died soon after.

Quotes:

[the boys are climbing a hill that provides a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside]
Walter "Foggy" Dewhurst: Every time I come up here, the spirit soars! You can't help thinking what a wonderful place it would be to set up a machine gun! Give me a small squad of hand-picked men and I could defend this place indefinitely!
Norman Clegg: How long have you been a nature lover, Foggy?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Screenwipe: (#2.3)" (2006)

Nothing but praise

My father got me hooked on this series, after he mentioned how much he enjoyed it. A local PBS station was running it, and I just fell in love with the three old men and their antics. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Peter Sallis is also the voice of Wallace, as in "Wallace & Grommit" -- another personal favorite. My biggest frustration is that our PBS station stopped running it, the BBC has only released one set of tapes, and that is criminal for a show that's been on the air for 30 years! For gentle, character driven comedies, this show cannot be beat. Also, the scenery is beautiful. All those rural, rustic shots of the English countryside are gorgeous.