Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais' 'The Further Adventures Of Lucky Jim' ( a remake of a Keith Barron show from the 60's ) was broadcast on B. B. C.-2 in 1982 and then forgotten ( no D. V. D. Nor U. K. Gold re-run ). Thanks to You Tube, I have seen it again. It is 1967, and 28 year old Jim Dixon ( Enn Reitel ) returns home to England following a teaching job in Holland. Britain has changed since he was last there. As he passes through Customs, a horrid smell emerges from his luggage. "That'll be my cheese!", says Jim, "Or it could be my socks!". Catching a train, he is taken with his fellow passenger ( and who wouldn't be? ) fashion model 'Lucy Simmons' ( Glynis Barber, fresh from her role as 'Soolin' in 'Blake's 7' ). His clumsy attempt at chat is interrupted by the arrival of her friend 'Kevin' ( Steven Pacey, who'd also been in 'Blake's 7, as 'Del Tarrant' ). Kevin lights up a joint, which he gives to Jim. Not wishing to appear a prude, he takes a puff. Lucy and Kevin go off for dinner, leaving Jim alone. Unfortunately, the next occupant of the carriage is a policeman ( David Ashton ). Jim finds himself up before the local beak ( Geoffrey Chater ).
It is easy to see a similarity between Jim Dixon's misfit status and Terry Collier in the first episode of 'Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads'. Reitel was tipped for stardom at the time, but despite his enormous talent, it never happened. He is perfectly cast as the face-pulling, witty Dixon, and the show has a good supporting cast including David Simeon ( this was soon after his memorable contribution to L. W. T's 'End Of Part One' ) and Barbara Flynn ( of 'A Family At War' fame and Roy Clarke's 'Open All Hours'. ). They played Jim's friends, Philip and Joanna Lassiter. Good old Tim Barrett ( what sitcom wasn't he in? ) pops up as a Customs officer. I liked this show at the time, and was curious to see how it would stand up now. Very well indeed in my view. Some good dialogue and a blinding central performance from Reitel. Barber sounds as if she is impersonating Samantha Fox, who would have graced Page 3 of 'The Sun' ( I refuse to call it a newspaper ) in the 1980's.
Funniest moment - as Jim enjoys his joint, he imagines himself in a romantic clinch with Lucy, which is then interrupted by the unexpected arrival of his disapproving parents, played by Margery Mason and Peter Hughes!
It is easy to see a similarity between Jim Dixon's misfit status and Terry Collier in the first episode of 'Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads'. Reitel was tipped for stardom at the time, but despite his enormous talent, it never happened. He is perfectly cast as the face-pulling, witty Dixon, and the show has a good supporting cast including David Simeon ( this was soon after his memorable contribution to L. W. T's 'End Of Part One' ) and Barbara Flynn ( of 'A Family At War' fame and Roy Clarke's 'Open All Hours'. ). They played Jim's friends, Philip and Joanna Lassiter. Good old Tim Barrett ( what sitcom wasn't he in? ) pops up as a Customs officer. I liked this show at the time, and was curious to see how it would stand up now. Very well indeed in my view. Some good dialogue and a blinding central performance from Reitel. Barber sounds as if she is impersonating Samantha Fox, who would have graced Page 3 of 'The Sun' ( I refuse to call it a newspaper ) in the 1980's.
Funniest moment - as Jim enjoys his joint, he imagines himself in a romantic clinch with Lucy, which is then interrupted by the unexpected arrival of his disapproving parents, played by Margery Mason and Peter Hughes!