The Lovers is a British television sitcom by Jack Rosenthal, starring Richard Beckinsale and Paula Wilcox as a courting couple, Geoffrey and Beryl. It was made between 1970 and 1971 by Granada Television for the ITV network. A spin-off feature film was released in 1973. The series was also given a repeat run on Channel 4 in 1996.
| The Lovers | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Opening title card | |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Created by | Jack Rosenthal |
| Written by | Jack Rosenthal Geoffrey Lancashire |
| Directed by | Michael Apted (Series 1) Les Chatfield (Series 2) |
| Starring | Paula Wilcox Richard Beckinsale Robin Nedwell Joan Scott |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company | Granada Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV |
| Release | 27 October 1970 – 18 November 1971 |
The show is based on the struggles of the two protagonists as they develop their relationship, particularly in the area of sex (which Beryl calls "Percy Filth," presumably a play on the name of Canadian bandleader Percy Faith). Beryl is a slightly dizzy character obsessed with marriage, while Geoffrey is instead determined to bed her.[1]
Episodes edit
The series ran for 13 episodes over two series. Michael Apted directed Series 1, while Les Chatfield directed Series 2.
Series 1 (1970) edit
- "Sardine Sandwiches" (27 October 1970)
- "The Date" (3 November 1970)
- "Freckle Face" (10 November 1970)
- "Brainwashing" (17 November 1970)
- "A Pipe and a Moustache" (24 November 1970)
- "The Truth Game" (1 December 1970)
Series 2 (1971) edit
- "The Engagement" (7 October 1971)
- "Breaking It Off" (14 October 1971)
- "Birthday" (21 October 1971)
- "Joint Bank Account" (28 October 1971)
- "The Better Homes Exhibition" (4 November 1971)
- "A Trial Marriage" (11 November 1971)
- "The Best Laid Plans..." (18 November 1971)
Cast edit
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Geoffrey Scrimshaw | Richard Beckinsale |
| Beryl Battersby | Paula Wilcox |
| Mrs Battersby | Joan Scott |
| Roland Lomax | Robin Nedwell |
Film spin-off edit
The series was used as the basis for a feature film. The Lovers! was released in 1973 and featured Beckinsale, Wilcox and Scott, together with Susan Littler, Rosalind Ayres and John Comer (as Geoffrey's father).[2]
See also edit
DVD release edit
The Lovers was released on DVD by Network in 2007 and featured all episodes from the two series runs.
Bibliography edit
- Evans, Jeff (2001). The Penguin TV Companion. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-051467-8.
References edit
- ^ "BFI Screenonline: Lovers, The (1970-71)". www.screenonline.org.uk.
- ^ "The Lovers! (1973)". BFI. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018.
External links edit
- The Lovers at IMDb
- The Lovers at British Comedy Guide
- The Lovers at the BFI's Screenonline
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