The Likely Lads *** (1976, Rodney Bewes, James Bolam, Brigit Forsyth, Mary Tamm, Sheila Fearn, Zena Walker) – Classic Movie Review 6323

James Bolam and Rodney Bewes star in director Michael Tuchner’s amiable 1976 comedy spin-off from their sequel British TV show Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (January 1973 to April 1974) – though it has the title of their earlier Sixties series The Likely Lads (1964-66). Happily, Brigit Forsyth also re-creates her role as Bob’s long-suffering wife Thelma Ferris and Sheila Fearn again plays Terry’s sister Audrey Collier.

Bewes and Bolam again star as Tyneside lads Bob Ferris (Bewes) and Terry Collier (Bolam) take off on a caravan holiday with Bob’s wife Thelma (Forsyth) and Bolam’s Finnish girlfriend Christina (Mary Tamm), and Thelma is soon trying to force Terry into hitching the knot with Christina.

This predictable Seventies British comedy is over extended and too broad, and not a patch on the sparkling TV series from which it is a spin-off. But the very decent, well-honed acting by the TV show’s star quartet, the enjoyable character support, and the amusing enough writing (by series creators Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais) manage to hold the attention and raise smiles most of the time.

It was shot at EMI’s Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire and on location on Tyneside, in and around Newcastle and Whitley Bay, including the Spanish City funfair, the Beehive public house, the Coast Road flats and Tynemouth Pier.

Also in the cast are Zena Walker as Laura, Anulka Dziubinska as Dawn, Alun Armstrong as Milkman, Judy Buxton as Iris, Vicki Michelle as Glenys, Penny Irving as Sandy, Edward Wilson as Les Ferris, Michelle Newell as Alice Ferris, Gordon Griffin as Cyril Collier, Susan Tracy as Edith Collier, Roger Avon as Joe the Landlord, Ronald Lacey as Ernie, Elizabeth Lax as Wendy, Linda Robson as Marsha, Ian McDiarmid as Vicar, Eric Mason as Truck Driver, Vicki Michelle, Penny Irving, Michelle Newell, Hugh Turner, Ronald Taylor, Penny Irving and Eric Mason.

It is shot in Technicolor by Tony Imi, produced by Aida Young and scored by Mike Hugg.

Sadly, Bewes and Bolam fell out around the time of its release over a misunderstanding involving the press and did not speak again. Bewes died on 21 November 2017.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6323

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