Casanova '73
| Casanova '73 | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Starring |
Leslie Phillips Jan Holden |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Harold Snoad |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC1 |
| Original release | 13 September – 29 October 1973 |
Casanova '73 is a British sitcom that aired on BBC1 in 1973. Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Casanova '73 starred Leslie Phillips as wealthy womaniser Henry Newhouse (the English translation of "casa nova").[1]
Background
Casanova '73 was inspired by "The Suit", a 1969 pilot that aired as part of the The Galton & Simpson Comedy where Phillips played Howard Butler, a philandering businessman whose clothes are stolen whilst he is in bed at his secretary's house. The Suit was re-made in 1997 in Paul Merton in Galton & Simpson's....[2] Casanova '73 was specially written for Phillips.[3]
Cast
- Leslie Phillips - Henry Newhouse
- Jan Holden - Carol Newhouse
Plot
Henry Newhouse works has a successful career in public relations. Despite being happily married to Carol, he is a compulsive philander and leads a double-life. His relationships usually backfire and lead to farcical situations.[1]
Episodes
| # | Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode One" | 13 September 1973 |
| When Henry receives letters at home from a girlfriend he feigns sickness so he can intercept the postman each morning. However, when the letters suddenly stop arriving he starts to worry. | ||
| 2 | "Episode Two" | 20 September 1973 |
| After believing he has been spotted by a neighbour having a romantic meal with another woman, Henry does what he can to ensure her silence. | ||
| 3 | "Episode Three" | 27 September 1973 |
| Henry's son is threatened with expulsion from boarding school for taking inappropriate photos of his maths mistress. | ||
| 4 | "Episode Four" | 1 October 1973 |
| Henry's business partner Arthur is having an affair and he hides a tape recorder in his apartment in order to catch her in the act. | ||
| 5 | "Episode Five" | 15 October 1973 |
| Henry organises a beauty contest, Miss European Dairy Produce and gets involved with Miss West Germany. | ||
| 6 | "Episode Six" | 22 October 1973 |
| Henry gets a proposition such that he fails to rise to the challenge and Carol has had no such qualms about what she has been offered. | ||
| 7 | "Episode Seven" | 29 October 1973 |
| A worn out Henry turns to one of his regular girlfriends for assistance. However, when her wrestling husband returns home early Henry has to hide in the wardrobe. | ||
Reception
Casanova '73 was criticised by Mary Whitehouse and others for its risque contents.[3] This led to the programme being moved to a later time slot. The first three episodes aired at 8.00pm on Thursdays and the final four on Mondays at 9.25pm.[1] The quiz show Mastermind replaced it in the 8pm slot, helping it to become a hit.[4]
DVD releases
All seven episodes of Casanova '73 were released on DVD by Acorn Media UK on 8 October 2012.[5]
References
- General
- "Casanova '73 - Episode Guide". British Comedy Guide. 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- Specific
- 1 2 3 Lewishohn, Mark (2003). Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy. London: BBC Worldwide. ISBN 0-563-48755-0.
- ↑ "Casanova '73". British Comedy Guide. 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- 1 2 Phillips, Leslie (2006). Hello: The Autobiography. Orion Publishing Group. ISBN 0752868896.
- ↑ "TV preview: John's in the hot seat for Mastermind". Edinburgh Evening News. Edinburgh: The Scotsman. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- ↑ "Amazon.co.uk". Amazon.co.uk. 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.