Eric Morecambe — Writer
Episodes 170
Christmas Show (1969)
The musical guests are Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen, The Pattersons, Nina van Pallandt and Frankie Vaughan. Ernie starts the show dressed as a hippy. Eric and Ernie visit Fenella Fielding who is to star in Ernie's play about Lord Nelson.
Read MoreChristmas Show (1981)
This show marked in some ways the fact that Morecambe & Wise were no longer a prime asset; it was the first time in their television careers that their festive offering had not been broadcast on Christmas Night, the schedulers opting instead for 23 December. This was also because, until 1982, Thames Television only operated from Monday at 9.25am until Friday at 7pm; as Christmas Day fell on a Friday, London Weekend Television (LWT) held the franchise to broadcast that evening. The guest list was nonetheless impressive with Ralph Richardson heading up a stellar list, Suzanne Danielle doing a Razzle Dazzle routine with the boys, a re-hash of the BBC health food shop routine, now featuring Valerie Minfie, and the obligatory play, which was Julius Caesar, a thinly covered remake of the popular BBC sketch Antony & Cleopatra from ten years earlier. This show saw M&W use technology more to gain laughs with blue screen techniques being used in some sketches.
Read MoreChristmas Show (1982)
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
12 October 1961
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Acker Bilk
Acker Bilk
Read More2 November 1961
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
9 November 1961
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
16 November 1961
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
14 July 1962
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
21 July 1962
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
The King Brothers (20 July 1963)
--The King Brothers
Read MoreThe King Brothers (27 July 1963)
--The King Brothers
Read More-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
31 August 1963
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
The Raindrops
--The Raindrops
Read MoreThe Viscounts
The Viscounts
Read MoreAcker Bilk / Jackie Trent
Guests: Acker Bilk Jackie Trent
Read More-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
20 June 1964
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Susan Maughan / The Migil Five
Susan Maughan The Migil Five
Read MoreLulu / Paul and Barry Ryan
--Lulu --Paul & Barry Ryan
Read More-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
The Shadows
--The Shadows
Read More-
Music: --The Kinks - ""Dandy"" & ""Well-Respected Man"" --Engelbert Humperdinck - ""Release Me"" and ""Country Girl"" --Millicent Martin - ""Call Me""
Comedy: --Morecambe and Wise take a flight in a model airplane. --Morecambe and Wise do a ventriloquist act.
Aired 29-Jul-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 1-Oct-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)
Read More-
Music: --The Small Faces - ""I Can't Make It"" & ""All or Nothing"" --Bobby Rydell - ""The Impossible Dream"" & ""The Joker"" --Millicent Martin - ""The Day the Circus Left Town"" (with the Paddy Stone Dancers)
Morecambe and Wise comedy sketches: --A parody of Adagio dancers --A spoof of a popular soap opera
Aired 03-Jun-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC, colour) Aired 22-Oct-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)
Read More-
Music: --The Hollies - ""On a Carousel"" & ""Stop, Stop, Stop"" --Tom Jones - ""That Old Black Magic"" and ""Detroit City"" --Millicent Martin - ""Fever"" and ""Eleanor Rigby""
Morecambe and Wise comedy sketches: --A pie throwing demonstration --The problems of the nearsighted
Aired 27-May-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 12-Nov-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)
Read More-
Music: --Manfred Mann - ""Ha Ha, Said the Clown"" & ""Just Like a Woman"" --George Maharis - ""Baby Has Gone Bye-Bye"" & ""All Right, OK, You Win"" --Millicent Martin - ""Singin' in the Rain"" & ""Make It Easy on Yourself""
Morecambe and Wise comedy sketches: --The duo play figures on a Greek vase --A look at English village life
Aired 01-Jul-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 10-Dec-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)
Read More-
Music: --Frankie Avalon - ""I Could Write a Book"" & ""What Is This Thing Called Love?"" --The New Vaudeville Band - ""If I Had a Talking Picture of You"" and ""Finchley Central"" --Millicent Martin - ""Window Wishin'""
Morecambe and Wise comedy segments: --A version of Grieg's Concerto in A Minor --Impressions of Samson and Delilah, Julius Caesar
Aired 15-Jul-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 31-Dec-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)
Read More-
Music: --The Moody Blues - ""Fly Me High"" & ""Really Haven't Got the Time"" --Tommy Leonetti - ""Once Upon A Time"" and ""This is the Life"" --Millicent Martin - ""Light Another Cigarette""
Comedy: --Morecambe and Wise spoof Hollywood westerns and musicals.
Aired 22-Jul-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 14-Jan-1968 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)
Read More-
Music: --Peter Nero (pianist) - ""A Walk in the Black Forest"" & ""Variations on a Theme"" --The Tremeloes - ""Silence Is Golden"" & ""Here Comes My Baby"" --Millicent Martin - ""How Insensitive"" & ""Coronet Man""
Comedy: --Morecambe & Wise parody silent films --Eric Morecambe joins Peter Nero for a piano duet.
Aired 12-Aug-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 4-Feb-1968 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)
Read More-
Music: --Eric Burdon & the Animals - ""When I Was Young"" & ""Good Times"" --Gene Pitney - ""Town without Pity"" & ""On the Street Where You Live"" --Millicent Martin - ""Something Missing Now"" --Millicent Martin (with the Paddy Stone Dancers) - ""Running Wild""
Comedy: --Gladys Whitred joins Morecambe and Wise for a selection of arias. --Millicent Martin does an apache dance with Morecambe and Wise
Aired 5-Aug-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 25-Feb-1968 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)
Read More-
Music: --Georgie Fame - ""Sweet Thing"" & ""Funny How Time Slips Away"" --Bobby Vinton - ""Mr. Lonely,"" ""To Life"" and ""Sunrise, Sunset"" --Millicent Martin - ""You're Gonna Hear from Me""
Morecambe and Wise comedy: --An Arabian sheik's first impressions of London. --A parody of pop singing groups (with Morecambe & Wise and the show's writers)
Aired 24-Jun-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 17-Mar-1968 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)
Read MoreCliff Richard / The Dave Clark Five
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Georgia Brown / Los Zafiros
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Acker Bilk / Roy Budd
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Episode 4
In the opening, Eric has brought an Incan talisman from Peru to show Ernie. Kennyball and His Jazzman perform "I Wan'na Be Like You". Eric is bored again at home and reminisces with Ernie about their school days. The Pattersons sing "What Would You Do If You Married A Soldier?". Peter Cushing makes a cameo asking for his payment for his last appearance. Kenneth McKellar performs "I Will Wait for You". Edward Woodward is the guest actor and is in the role of a policeman in Ernie's play called "Murder at the Grange".
Read MoreChristmas Special
Guests: Frankie Vaughan, Nina, The Pattersons, Fenella Fielding, Sacha Distel
Read MoreEpisode 6
This episode was entered for the Golden Rose Of Montreaux. The opening spot see the duo attempting to exchange trousers, then Nina performs the Banana Boat Song with some backing and percussion from the duo; a powerful binoculars skit is followed by Eric's enormous ventriloquist doll "Oggy" closing the show with Bring Me Sunshine.
Read More1970: The Lost Tape
As a Christmas treat for comedy fans, this is a complete episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show, that had been considered lost for over 50 years. Eric’s son Gary Morecambe discovered the programme in an unmarked film can last year, and now it has been lovely restored and can be enjoyed in full for the first time since being broadcast on October 8th 1970. This remastered version was broadcast on 25 December 2021. The show, written by the legendary Eddie Braben, was episode one of Eric and Ernie’s first series to appear on BBC1, and was originally watched by over 14 million viewers. As well as some classic sketches from Eric and Ernie, the show also features songs and music from Paul Anka, Patricia Lambert, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, and the boys themselves rounding things off with a burst of Bring Me Sunshine.
Read MoreSpecial (8 October 1970)
Moustache seeds, Ernie in hospital, Ear specialist, Honeymoon couple next door.
This episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show, had been considered lost for over 50 years. Eric’s son Gary Morecambe discovered the programme in an unmarked film can last year, and now it has been lovely restored and was broadcast on 25th December 2021 for the first time since its original broadcast in 1970.
The show, written by the legendary Eddie Braben, was episode one of Eric and Ernie’s first series to appear on BBC1, and was originally watched by over 14 million viewers. As well as some classic sketches from Eric and Ernie, the show also features songs and music from Paul Anka, Patricia Lambert, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, and the boys themselves rounding things off with a burst of Bring Me Sunshine
Read MoreThe Lost Tapes Episode 1
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
The Lost Tapes Episode 2
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Christmas Show (1970)
The second seasonal offering saw the return of recurring guest star Peter Cushing who still hadn't been paid (a joke that was to continue well into their Thames Television days); also starring was William Franklyn who, at the time, fronted an advertising campaign for Schweppes lemonade with his "Shhh, You Know Who..." tagline. Much comedy was drawn from this, especially in light of the fact that the BBC was forbidden to advertise products. He appears in one of the duo's legendary plays at the end of the show in which the Three Musketeers are parodied. Well-known actor Edward Woodward also sang The Way You Look Tonight rather than appearing within a sketch has he had done in previous appearances.
Read More1970 Christmas Special
The second seasonal offering saw the return of recurring guest star Peter Cushing who still hadn't been paid (a joke that was to continue well into their Thames Television days); also starring was William Franklyn who, at the time, fronted an advertising campaign for Schweppes lemonade with his "Shhh, You Know Who..." tagline. Much comedy was drawn from this, especially in light of the fact that the BBC was forbidden to advertise products. He appears in one of the duo's legendary plays at the end of the show in which the Three Musketeers are parodied. Well-known actor Edward Woodward also sang The Way You Look Tonight rather than appearing within a sketch has he had done in previous appearances.
Read MoreChristmas Show (1971)
Considered by many to be their finest hour, the festive edition for 1971 contains several all-time classics such as Shirley Bassey singing Smoke Gets in Your Eyes whilst the boys re-arrange the scenery, with Bassey memorably ending with Eric's boots on, the Hollywood Melody with Glenda Jackson and the BBC newsreaders and, of course, André Previn conducting Eric's rendition of Greig's Piano Concerto (by Grieg!). The BBC's other headlining star Dick Emery also makes a brief but memorable cameo appearance in the opening spot of the show. Bassey also sang Diamonds Are Forever which of course had been the titular song to the James Bond film of the same years' release.
Read MoreChristmas Special 1971
Considered by many to be their finest hour, the festive edition for 1971 contains several all-time classics such as Shirley Bassey singing Smoke Gets in Your Eyes whilst the boys re-arrange the scenery, with Bassey memorably ending with Eric's boots on, the Hollywood Melody with Glenda Jackson and the BBC newsreaders and, of course, André Previn conducting Eric's rendition of Greig's Piano Concerto (by Grieg!). The BBC's other headlining star Dick Emery also makes a brief but memorable cameo appearance in the opening spot of the show. Bassey also sang Diamonds Are Forever which of course had been the titular song to the James Bond film of the same years' release.
Read MoreChristmas Show (1972)
No series was produced in 1972 with the duo concentrating on a high-quality spectacular for Christmas Night, by this time their show had become a staple part of festive viewing and the pressure was on to deliver the goods. Braben had suffered a breakdown and was not producing material for some time, but they bounced back with another successful show. This show is a curious mix, showing that the by now established formula worked. For instance, the ridiculing of a guest singer by providing backing vocals and/or dancers is featured twice here, once with Vera Lynn and once with Jack Jones in what are basically similar routines. Also, there are two "plays", one with Pete Murray in the Great War epic Dawn Patrol and of course, the Prince Albert spoof at the conclusion of the show.
Read MoreChristmas Special 1972
No series was produced in 1972 with the duo concentrating on a high-quality spectacular for Christmas Night, by this time their show had become a staple part of festive viewing and the pressure was on to deliver the goods. This show is a curious mix, showing that the by now established formula worked. For instance, the ridiculing of a guest singer by providing backing vocals and/or dancers is featured twice here, once with Vera Lynn and once with Jack Jones in what are basically similar routines. Also, there are two "plays", one with Pete Murray in the Great War epic Dawn Patrol and of course, the Prince Albert spoof at the conclusion of the show. Several guests from previous shows returned, as well as Vera Lynn singing Pass Me By with Eric and Ernie as backing, and Kenny Ball joining in the fun with the Cabaret finale to the Victoria & Albert play with Glenda Jackson.
Read MoreEpisode 1
The series opened with a visit from pop star Cliff Richard to the pair's fictional flat, interrupting Eric's painting of his model Spitfire; whilst Ernie tries valiantly to be "hip" and "with it" sporting a terrible purple-flared trouser suit and red kaftan, the scene concludes with the three appearing as sailors for one of their most memorable routines based on The Fleet's In Town ending with Morecambe stepping off the ship and notable for the Playschool parody mid-way through.
Read MoreEpisode 2
Respected thespian Robert Morley appears in The Curse Of Tutankhamen in which it is discovered that the mighty king took some unusual items to his grave including a fan belt and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps! It is also revealed that his had a sister (Tutantesi, a parody on Two-Ton Tessie) who is revealed to still be alive and played by none other than Janet Webb otherwise known as the lady who comes down at the end.
Read MoreEpisode 4
This show featured The Mighty Kong as the closing play and featured the actress Susan Hampshire as the love interest; the comedically crude special effects including a chimpanzee wreaking havoc on a terrible scale model city (complete with biplane on string!) is a memorable moment, and the blue-screened apes at the back of the set are also one of their most fondly-recalled scenes. Fame & Price sang You Are My Sunshine and the show closed in the familiar way, with Bring Me Sunshine and an appearance from the amply-proportioned lady who comes down at the end.
Read MoreEpisode 5
Fresh from his appearance in the BBC's own adaptation of Casanova in which he played the title role, Frank Finlay appears in the play Lust Of London which centres around the main characters of Casanova and (of course!) Moveova with long-time collaborator Ann Hamilton providing the love interest. With music from Design and Wilma Reading who sang I Don't Know How to Love Him the show concluded with the usual appearance by the guest stars and Janet Webb.
Read MoreEpisode 6
Not all the shows concluded with a play What Ern Wrote and this is one notable case; instead there is a riotous scenario with Ernie deciding to get healthy, appearing at the flat with a large box of supposed health foods which were in vogue at the time. Eric fishes out a tin of "Sugar-Raspa" which of course turns out to be an asparagus tin upside down (!) before they both visit the associated shop, run by Frank Williams, at the time famous for playing the vicar in Dad's Army.
Read MoreEpisode 7
Mr Memory, Soap advert, Pretty baby song, Greeting card poetry, Northwest frontier of India 1890 This programme was the subject of a documentary made by the BBC's Omnibus team entitled Fools Rush In which traced the production of a Morecambe & Wise show from its inception at the script read-through stage, through to the filming of the final product. It featured a scene set in 10 Downing Street which was closely followed in the documentary, with music from Anita Harris. The show was written by Eddie Braben, as was the majority of their output, and he is featured on the accompanying documentary being interviewed, as is producer John Ammonds among others.
Read MoreEpisode 10
Roy Castle, Pete Murray, Anne Murray, The Pattersons, Raymond Mason, Les Rawlings, Johnny Vyvyan, John East, Hugh Elton, Charles Finch, Eric French
Read MoreEpisode 11
Nana Mouskouri, The Black & White Minstrels, Sooty with Harry Corbett, George Hamilton IV, Grazina Frame, Constance Carling, Johnny Vyvyan
Read MoreEpisode 12
Peter Cushing, Bernie Winters, Wilma Reading, Alan Price, Georgie Fame
Read MoreChristmas Show (1973)
By this time, an established running gag was the fact that our intrepid duo could not get stars to work with them, and this show features four cameo appearances from Yehudi Menuhin, Rudolf Nureyev, Laurence Olivier and André Previn all making excuses not to appear. Perhaps the most memorable is Lord Olivier who pretends to be a Chinese Laundry attendant over the telephone! Vanessa Redgrave joins in the Latin American Extravaganza, and the Napoleon & Josephine play, with music (suitably interrupted!) by John Hanson. The other memorable scene from this show is Hannah Gordon's effort to sing the song The Windmills of Your Mind used in the film The Thomas Crown Affair against a wind generator with "help"...
Read MoreChristmas Special 1973
By this time, an established running gag was the fact that our intrepid duo could not get stars to work with them, and this show features four cameo appearances from Yehudi Menuhin, Rudolf Nureyev, Laurence Olivier and André Previn all making excuses not to appear. Perhaps the most memorable is Lord Olivier who pretends to be a Chinese Laundry attendant over the telephone! Vanessa Redgrave joins in the Latin American Extravaganza, and the Napoleon & Josephine play, with music (suitably interrupted!) by John Hanson. The other memorable scene from this show is Hannah Gordon's effort to sing the song The Windmills of Your Mind used in the film The Thomas Crown Affair against a wind generator with "help"...
Read MoreParkinson Takes A Christmas Look At Morecambe & Wise 1974
This was the only year that the duo were with the BBC that no festive programme was made and there was a decrease in their output after this time. Instead of a brand new show the pair were instead interviewed by Michael Parkinson who also introduced some of their most memorable clips from previous shows. Again, the programme was broadcast on the evening on 25 December but, other than the interview, there was no new footage available. Their slot was filled by the Mike Yarwood Show and the interview shown at 11.20pm.
Read MoreChristmas Show (1975 )
The musical guests are Diane Solomon, Brenda Arnau, Des O'Connor and Diana Rigg. Eric and Ernie go to the psychiatrist. Des O'Connor has trouble singing. Diana Rigg stars as Nell Gwynne in Ernie's latest play called 'Nell Gwynne'.
Read MoreChristmas Special 1975
The pair make a welcome return with a memorable festive offering penned by Eddie Braben; the opening routine which features the much maligned Des O'Connor is the most repeated piece of material still today, aside from Grieg's Piano Concerto from 1971. The show concludes with the historical romp Nell Gwynne which is a brilliant finale to the show and features the first location shots used for an end-of-show play with Diana Rigg in the title role and Gordon Jackson parodying his own character from Upstairs, Downstairs effectively. The show is interspersed with Robin Day who, over the course of the programme has his "friendly" discussion turned into a brawl, at the end of the programme, as Morecambe and Wise close with the song Positive Thinking, he is seen to stagger past with the aid of a walking stick.
Read MoreChristmas Show (1976)
The only BBC show that Eric and Ernie made (save for series one) that wasn't penned exclusively by Eddie Braben. Instead, established writers Barry Cryer and John Junkin (among others) were drafted in to create what became another iconic show, with The Sweeney stars John Thaw and Dennis Waterman in the play, Elton John in the Won't You Play A Simple Melody? routine and, Angela Rippon's legs! The opening credits were a comic strip presentation, whilst closing credits had baby photographs of all the stars.
Read MoreChristmas Special 1976
The only BBC show that Eric and Ernie made (save for series one) that wasn't penned exclusively by Eddie Braben. Instead, established writers Barry Cryer and John Junkin (among others) were drafted in to create what became another iconic show, with The Sweeney stars John Thaw and Dennis Waterman in the play, Elton John in the Won't You Play A Simple Melody? routine and, Angela Rippon's legs! The opening credits were a comic strip presentation, whilst closing credits had baby photographs of all the stars.
Read MoreEric & Ernie's Christmas Show (1977)
The final BBC Christmas Show attracted audience figures of 28.5 million, a record that has still to be broken; this was also the first time that Christian names were used in the opening titles, the "boys" having become something of a national institution by this stage. The following opening sequence features a parody of Starsky and Hutch, in which the comics star as 'Starkers' and 'Krutch', driving through the streets in a red Mini Clubman emblazoned with the same white vector stripe as seen on the TV crimefighters' Ford Torino. Boasting the longest guest list of all their shows, the casts of both Dad's Army (which by that time had finished its run) and The Good Life all appeared, as did Elton John (eventually!), and the classic There Is Nothing Like A Dame routine featuring a host of BBC news presenters. Angela Rippon also reprised her high-kicking role from the previous Christmas show and Angharad Rees struggled against the blizzards to duet with Ernie.
Read MoreChristmas Special 1977
The final BBC Christmas Show attracted audience figures of 28.5 million, a record that has still to be broken; this was also the first time that Christian names were used in the opening titles, the "boys" having become something of a national institution by this stage. The following opening sequence features a parody of Starsky and Hutch, in which the comics star as 'Starkers' and 'Krutch', driving through the streets in a red Mini Clubman emblazoned with the same white vector stripe as seen on the TV crimefighters' Ford Torino. Boasting the longest guest list of all their shows, the casts of both Dad's Army (which by that time had finished its run) and The Good Life all appeared, as did Elton John (eventually!), and the classic There Is Nothing Like A Dame routine featuring a host of BBC news presenters. Angela Rippon also reprised her high-kicking role from the previous Christmas show and Angharad Rees struggled against the blizzards to duet with Ernie.
Read MoreThames Special 1978
No series was made in 1978 in an effort to make the Christmas Show stronger, but there was one hour-long offering (the same length as the BBC shows had been, but with adverts. This opened with an amusing sequence whereby a lorry with a BBC logo emblazoned on its side, appears at Thames Television's studios, the back doors are flung open, and Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise are thrown out, in a direct nod to the bad feeling that was present at the time the partnership had departed their previous employers. The format remained reasonably faithful to that used previously although Eddie Braben did not join them immediately. There's the familiar end-of-show play "What Ern Wrote", this time it is a pastiche of Dr Jekyll & Mrs Hyde: however, there is a more cinematic feel to the parody and it moves beyond the confines of being a single set stage piece.
Read More1978 Christmas Special
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Christmas Special
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Episode 1
Content: the sketch featuring Terry Wogan is largely a re-hash of a routine done with Cliff Richard some years earlier although there are updates, and the production number at the end is different. However, Morecambe appears to be in good health and he is clearly relishing the opportunity to be performing again. A good start to a fine series.
Read MoreEpisode 2
Content: the sequence that features Hannah Gordon re-uses material from her previous appearance on a BBC show, only the song at the end changes, and the sketch with Hugh Paddick as the "fellow writer" is directly copied from a previous BBC incarnation too. Only the nature of the comedy in this sketch have dated it somewhat, with stereotypical allusions to homosexuality – although Morecambe's jibes are good natured and largely inoffensive. Frank Coda also features.
Read MoreEpisode 3
Contents: the opening scene sees Dave Prowse as Ernie's bodyguard "Cosmo" fresh from his fame as Darth Vader in the Star Wars films, and also features a new sketch set in a Chinese Restaurant which is something of a return to form; Anthony Chinn, Raymond Mason and Fiesta Mei Ling also star.
Read MoreEpisode 4
Contents: Deryck Guyler appears in a flat scene as a local vicar who turns out to be a champion spoon and washboard champion; one suspects this routine was re-worked and written especially for Guyler who was himself a keen washboard player and percussionist. Gerald Case also stars and, in line with other programmes in this series, Guyler performs the signature tune Bring Me Sunshine with Wise, whilst Morecambe "goes and waits for the bus" only to disturb the song.
Read MoreEpisode 5
Contents: With further reworkings from the BBC era Suzanne Danielle appears as a budding writer (the BBC routine featured a character that Morecambe refers to as "Miss Flanagan & Allen", and there's also a travel agent sketch featuring Valerie Minfie as Morecambe's largely mute wife. The pay-off to the flat-based sketch sees sit-com star Tessa Wyatt appear and she also performs the final song with Wise, whilst Morecambe again disappears only to re-appear and disrupt the proceedings.
Read MoreEpisode 6
Contents: In another re-working of a popular BBC routine, Morecambe appears as a "Hell's Grandad" complete with three-wheeled bike. This had previously been a feature showing him as "Spick Sparkle" (the new singing sensation) and is re-used here to good effect. Harking back to the glory days of the BBC, Gemma Craven joins Little Ern in another Gene Kelly recreation, this time to a clever arrangement of "Bring Me Sunshine" whilst Morecambe interrupts the proceedings in usual riotous style.
Read MoreChristmas With Morecambe & Wise 1980
Another outing sees further material re-used; the opening spot on-stage is however largely new and sees Eric presenting Ernie with a life-sized monogrammed wallet which he is at times. duly trapped inside; following this Mick McManus replaces Henry Cooper in a re-worked sketch, Jill Gascoigne visits the duo for dinner (previously Ann Hamilton had appeared in this sketch), a new Rolf Harris sketch also features, Alec Guinness is the doctor who sees two as one, and Peter Barkworth provides the butt for jokes in the Ernie Wise's Hamlet skit at the end.
Read MoreKate Lock / Kay Korda / Gemma Craven
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Max Bygraves / Richard Vernon
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Diane Keen
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
George Chisholm / Hannah Gordon / Richard Vernon
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Peter Bowles / Faith Brown / April Walker
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Ian Ogilvy / Kay Korda
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Joanna Lumley / Richard Vernon
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Christmas Special
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Diana Dors / Richard Briers / Peter Salmon / Bonnie Langford
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Jimmy Young / Wayne Sleep / Trevor Eve
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Isla St. Clair / Colin Welland
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Christmas Special
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Maggie Moone / Anna Dawson / Margaret Courtenay
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Cherry Gillespie / Anita Graham / Jenny Meredith
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Margaret Courtenay
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
-
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
Christmas Special
We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.
The Best of Morecambe & Wise
A collection of some oof your favourite sketches from an irreplaceable comedy partnership, including: Anthony and Cleopatra Monty on the Bounty The meeting of Byron and Keats Eric being well and Truely Laquered The classic Singing in the Rainn sketh.
Read MoreSong and Dance
Penelope Keith throws a spotlight on Eric and Ernie's passion for music with a waltz through the archives, showcasing the most brilliant Morecambe & Wise routines and unearthing the stories behind them.
Read More