Steptoe and Son Updates and Breaking News

New Review - Sunday for Seven Days

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:16:42 +0000

We would like to thank Tom Cole for his excellent review of Sunday for Seven Days.

It really is excellent and well worth a read. If you would like to submit your review of this or any other episode of Steptoe and Son, you can use our Review Submit page on our website.

It's time for a night out at the cinema for Albert and Harold but the Steptoes are beset with problems before they even set foot onto Oil Drum Lane: Albert's lost his shirt, Harold can't find his socks and neither of them can agree on what to go and see. Harold suggests that they go to a film somewhere close to home in Shepherd's Bush before Albert tells him that he's seen all the movies showing locally, skiving out in the weekday afternoons while Harold's on his rounds. Additionally, they can't go back to the Rembrandt cinema because Albert got booted out of there on Monday afternoon during the old people's matinee for harassing an old lady who had, according to Albert, 'skinny old legs'. He'd have preferred a go at the monster, naturally.

Harold suggests they go a bit further afield and catch a flick in Hammersmith instead. Looking through the local paper, he discovers that there are two films screening down the road from the Bush: Fellini's 8 and a Half and a picture called Nudes of 1964. Albert's not seen the latter and he's keen but Harold sees the cinema as an art form, not a tawdry peepshow. After convincing Albert that, based on what happened at the Rembrandt, he wouldn't be able to control himself in such a racy feature, Harold persuades his dad to see the Fellini instead. After a half-hour wait for a bus to Hammersmith the elder Steptoe is cold, miserable and grumbling: "Them buses is gettin' worse. Half an hour! Gah, I can't wait to get into the warm. I can't feel me feet...". However, his mood takes a turn for the better as the pair wonder past the cinema showing Nudes of 1964. After a good letch at the film's poster displayed outside ("'Arold, come an' 'ave a look at these birds! She's a big girl, isn't she?!"), Albert tries to change Harold's mind. Undeterred, Harold drags his dad away and into the theater screening 8 and a Half, despite Albert protesting that he'd like to see the starlet from Nudes of 1964's 48 and a halfs.
With his plans for a good evening foiled, the Steptoe patriarch sets about making Harold's night out a misery: he flirts with the girl at the ticket booth, and once inside the cinema he doesn't stop talking for a moment. When Harold tries to reprimand Albert he's hushed by the other members of the audience. Eventually an usherette guides the Steptoes to two seats, uprooting a row of grumpy moviegoers in the process and causing mass panic when Albert misses his seat and ends up on the floor emitting a banshee-like wail. However, as soon as they're sat down Albert complains that he can't see over a tall gentleman's head. The two switch seats, causing yet more disturbance in the cinema. Albert complains that he still can't see, so the pair uproot yet again and move to the front row of the theater. After causing another row of cinemagoers a bit of grief, the two Steptoes eventually get seated. More bad news: Albert's glasses need a wipe and the old man wheezes and hacks as loudly as possible into a handkerchief before giving them a rub to a chorus of shhhs. His glasses on, Albert's contentment is momentary as he asks Harold for a drink. Harold's naturally exasperated by all this irritation and begins to argue with his dad, prompting more reprimands from the rest of the audience. Eventually he acquiesces to the old man's request and Albert shuffles past the people he'd uprooted only seconds earlier on his way to the lobby. With his dad out of the way, Harold spies a pretty brunette sitting near him and reaches over to touch her knee with his. The girl's boyfriend isn't impressed and shoots Harold a murderous look. By this time Albert's back, laden down with snacks. After shuffling past those same poor people for a third time, he plonks down next to a dejected Harold and doles out an ice cream and drink each. Oh, and 'shovels' too. But there's another problem. Albert's been short-changed at the food stand and is very vocal in his outrage at being diddled out of a tanner. Another headache: Albert can't get the straw through the lid of his drink, and he's not shy about letting Harold know his discomfort. By this point the veins in the other moviegoers' necks are bursting, and Harold sacrifices his own drink just to pacify his pater. Albert sucks on his drink sounding like a vacuum cleaner with emphysema and Harold begins to wish that the ground would open and swallow him up. By now Albert just doesn't care and begins openly and loudly talking to Harold about a bloke coming to fix the mangle in the Steptoes' yard and a chap asking him for the price of a pair of ornamental dogs. Finally one of the men sitting behind the noisy twosome can take no more and threatens to stuff Albert's ice-cream down the back of his 'dirty little throat'. Harold's not standing for such rudeness and an argument ensues, eventually developing into a cinema-wide brawl. The manager appears on the scene and, upon hearing about the Steptoes' uncouth behavior and Harold's bit of minor sexual harassment, slings them both out. Outside, Albert blames Harold solely for getting them evicted from the theater, which is the last straw for the apoplectic junior Stpetoe. He's not daft: he knows that Albert deliberately sabotaged the evening and tells his dad to clear off out of his sight. It just so happens that their argument has taken them down the road, back to the cinema showing Nudes of 1964. Harold tells Albert that he's subhuman and belongs 'in there' pointing to the cinema: "go on, go in there and drool with the rest of them. That's where you want to be and that's where you belong!" Naturally Albert retorts with "come in with me, son." Harold's having none of it and Albert scarpers inside, buying a 4'6d ticket to sit in the balcony. With his evening ruined and no chance of getting in to see the rest of 8 and a Half, Harold weighs up his options before timidly going up to the cash-desk for Nudes... "What seat did that old man just take?" "One of the 4 and 6ers, upstairs." "OK love, give me a 1 and 9 downstairs". And with that both Steptoes take up their rightful place in the skin-flick, gawping open-mouthed as the credits roll. Sunday For Seven Days is easily my favourite episode of Steptoe and Son. There's a not a word wasted in the script and the performances from Wilfrid Brambell and Harry Corbett are phenomenal. Every aspect of the Steptoes' chracters and relationship with each other is touched on in the script and the sheer amount of social taboos smashed by Albert beggars belief. Anarchic, character-driven and utterly hilarious, Sunday For Seven Days is literally Steptoe and Son at its very best.

Live Feeds Back

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:38:18 +0000

We are pleased to announce the return of our live Steptoe and Son news feed.

There were no complicated reasons for the service going down, but quite simply, our situation was similar to Albert and Harold in The Desperate Hours episode, and we never had a shilling for the meter.

Anyway we have found a few Fennig's in the bottom of a drawer and so normal service is now resumed.

Back in Fashion Episode Review Published

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 20:22:24 +0000

It gives me very great pleasure to submit my first review for over 2 years. The review of Back in Fashion means that we now have a review for every episode of Steptoe and Son Series 8. We are still waiting for our first review from Series 2.

The Full Review can be read below or by visiting the website.

BACK IN FASHION

Towards the end of the Steptoeseries, Ray and Alan started to introduce episodes that included a larger cast. Back in Fashion has the yard awash with photographers and a whole lot models.

Having said all of that this episode starts off with classic Steptoe with Harry and Willy bickering in the yard as they go through the various items that Harold has brought back off the round. Albert sets his eyes on a bag of rags that Harold has acquired. Going through the bag Albert reckons there is some good stuff here and suggests the contents would form the basis of his winter collection.

Harold had had enough stating that the things he brings back off the round are to sell, and not to go into Albert’s wardrobe. What’s the point of a winter collection ? Albert always wears the same clothes? In the end Albert is insistent that he keeps a nice yellow jacket, Harold is equally insistent that it is to be sold. They start to argue over the jacket and in the tussle the jacket sleeve gets ripped of. An act of pure vandalism in Albert’s book.

While Albert and Harold go indoors to continue their bickering, two men arrive in the yard. A photographer and his agent. It comes as a shock to them both to find Albert confronting them with a revolver. Harold disarms him. It appears that they want to use the yard as contrast to the glamour models they are going to be photographing for Vogue magazine. Albert conducts the financial negotiations in true Steptoe style and all is set for the photo shoot tomorrow. The girls can use Harold’s room to change if they like, after all it has got a mirror and a comb !!

The following morning Harold comes down to breakfast not dresses for the rounds at all, in fact he is wearing a very dated velvet smoking jacket, dark glasses and a walking cane. He explains that he can’t go out of the rounds as he has a “slight headache”. Albert sees through this and realises that Harold is trying to impress the models that are soon to arrive. Albert brings him down to earth by explaining “You don’t think you’re going to get a tumble off one of the do you”.

The girls arrive and in no time at all they are starting to undress in the lounge. One of the girls in particular takes particular care of Harold, making sure he doesn’t bump into things. When Harold suggests he leave and the girls undress she states “there’s no need for YOU to leave”. It suddenly hits Harold that the girl has misunderstood his circumstances “I’m not blind” he shouts in a room full of semi-naked girls, only for the girls to shriek as they try to cover themselves.

As Harold leaves to room he finds Albert trying to peep through the keyhole. In his attempt to thwart his Father’s spying it is Harold who appears to the girls to be a dirty old man, much to Harold’s frustration.

With the shoot underway things aren’t going to plan. Suddenly Harold makes an inspired suggestion. A male model may help spice things up a bit. “Alright, get yer work clothes on” he’s told.

Could this be Harold’s route to fame and a Vogue bird to boot, or will Albert manage to get one over on his son.

Menu Errors Corrected

Sun, 8 Mar 2009 08:26:50 +0000

We would like to take this opportunity to thank website visitors for the patience while problems with the home page menu we fixed.

The problem has now been resolved and everything is back in working order.

Please feel free to make us aware of any errors you encounter when exploring the site.

Full Radio 2 Schedule Available

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:28:11 +0000

Thank you to Tessa LeBars who has provided details of the full schedule.

7th March "YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE" - FRANK SKINNER 14th March "IMPASSE" - David MITCHELL & Robert WEBB(of Comic Relief "Flashdance" fame) 21st March "I TELL YOU IT'S BURT REYNOLDS" - RIK MAYALL & JUNE WHITFIELD 28th March "THE BLOOD DONOR" - PAUL MERTON

Galton & Simpson's Half Hour on BBC Radio 2

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 16:42:08 +0000

A little earlier that expected the new Galton and Simpson's Half Hour starts this Saturday (7th March 2009) on BBC Radio 2. The first episode of four features Frank Skinner in "You'll Never Walk Alone". The series is the BBC's tribute to Ray and Alan's 60 years in the business

Harry H. Corbett

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:01:42 +0000

Harry was born 84 years ago today in Burma, India.

Find out more about Harry H. Corbett by visiting his page on the albertandharold website.

Actress Wendy Richard dies at 65

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:45:35 +0000

Former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard has died aged 65, her agent has confirmed The star, who played Pauline Fowler in the BBC One soap opera, had been suffering from cancer. Her agent Kevin Francis said: "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end." Last October, Richard revealed she had an aggressive, terminal form of cancer. Soon after that she married her long-term partner John Burns. Wendy Richard was in EastEnders for 21 years

Although Wendy did not appear in Steptoe and Son, she shares in the legacy of actors who made British comedy of the 1970's the envy of the world.

She featured as Miss Brahms in the BBC's Are You Being Served and Private Walker's girlfriend in Dad's Army. She would have made an excellent Dolly Clacket in Steptoe.

Our thoughts are with Wendy's family and friends.

New Reviews Received & Poster Search

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:49:11 +0000

Thank you those people who have submitted some new episode reviews.

The aim is to publish them over the next few weeks, there is also a new review from the author on the site, the first in almost 2 years.

You can see a list of all Steptoe and Son episodes and those that have been reviewed by visiting our episode guide page. Even if your favourite program has already been reviewed you can still submit another one as we will publish all reviews we receive. Just go to out review an episode page and fill out our simple form

What ever you have to say about any episode of Steptoe and Son, we to hear it.

Pot Black Episode Review

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:27:05 +0000

We are grateful to Scott for his review of the Steptoe and Son episode Pot Black
You can still review this or any other episode of Steptoe and Son by submiting you review on our "Review an Episode" page.
What is it that makes Steptoe and Son funny? Well the scripts of course, and the ability of the two principle actors to take that script and make it come alive on screen. My favourite type of Steptoe and Son episode is the two hander format without the meaningful participation of guest actors/characters, The Offer, The Lodger, Those Magnificent Men And Their Heating Machines, Death In The Family, Divided We Stand are all this style of story, Pot Black is of course another. Pot Black is memorable for showing us just how pathetic and lonely Harold really is, the fact that he will do anything to score a victory over the old man, even to the extent of keeping him playing snooker in the rain against his wishes, shows just how downtrodden he really is. The fact that he has to resort to beating his dad just once at something to get some pleasure out of life is really sad indeed, it is also very, very funny. The look on Harold's face when he is putting his final points onto the score board that says he has won is priceless, he is so wrapped up in his victory that he doesn't catch on to what the old man has done. I would have loved Harold to have come back into the yard at the end to see what his Dad was up to, but perhaps that would have been cruel. Let him believe he got a moral victory over Dad, those little phantom triumphs are the only things that he has to look forward to, the only things that keep him going. A great episode and perhaps one of the best performances from Harry H. Corbett.

Steptoe and Son Movie Purchase Banner Added

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:41:40 +0000

In line with the continued development of the Albert and Harold home page, we have added a banner that features the two Steptoe and Son movies. These movies can either be purchased direct from our on line shop The Totters Yard, or by clicking the link that appears on the banner which will take you direct to the Amazon website.

Please use any of the links on our website whenever you want to make any purchase from Amazon. By going to Amazon via our link we receive a small commission, but every little helps.

The most comprehensive review of the first Steptoe and Son movie appeared on Wikipideia. We hope to put this to rights soon, but if you are interested the review is reproduced below.

During a gentlemen's evening at a local football club, Harold meets one of the acts, a stripper called Zita. After a whirlwind romance the couple are married and they go on honeymoon. With Albert. After eating some of the local cuisine Albert is taken ill and Harold is forced to fly home with him, leaving Zita abroad. After three days Zita takes up with a holiday rep, leaving Harold heartbroken. On meeting Zita again Harold finds that she is pregnant but does not know who the baby's father is. Harold offers to take care of them both but on returning home Albert makes sure that Zita feels unwelcome and she flees. A short while later a baby appears in the horse's stable and it is obvious that this is Zita's child. They name the child after the priest who officiates the christening. Unfortunately for Harold, he is also called Albert. Zita soon returns and takes the baby back while Albert, who should be looking after him, is asleep. Harold tries to find her and comes across her in a local rugby club where she is soon forced into the scrum of cheering rugby fans. Attempting to save her, Harold is beaten up and is only rescued when Zita's musician saves him. Hustled into a back room he hears a baby's cries but when he pulls back a curtain a mixed-race baby is there instead. It turns out that Zita and her musician, who is black, are a couple. As Harold says at the end to his father "That one wasn't mine either".

Assorted Rags Webpage Goes Live

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:26:06 +0000

Many of you who were active members of this site in the Autumn of 2008 will recall the excellent work done by Phil Glass in compiling a DVD and CD of rare Steptoe and Son gems. The Assorted Rags DVD now has its own page on the site. Look out for further additions to this page soon.

New Review Submitted | The Economist

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:46:26 +0000

We have just received a new review from"Scott" who has sent in his analysis of the 1962 Steptoe and Son offering "The Economist ". It make interesting reading.

We hope to publish it soon. In the mean time you can read our other reviews or even submit your own by clicking the title bar for this update, our cut and paste the following code into your browser : http://www.albertandharold.co.uk/tvepisode.html

New Link and Porn Yesterday Banner

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:28:35 +0000

Forum member "Frenchy" who has impressed so many forum readers with his new Steptoe and Son scripts has now gone a step further and launched his own tribute website to the worlds greatest Rag and Bone Men.

A Link has been added to the Links page (where else !!!) but for those of you who keen to have a look it can be found here : http://www.steptoeandsonscripts.com/

The bullet / anniversary features that appear on the top right hand corner of the home page had proved quite popular. One featuring the"Porn Yesterday" episode has just been released. Keep an eye out for it.