Saturday, February 6, 2010

Sykes (Complete)

Soon to reach the age of 87, Eric Sykes is a comedy legend whose career goes as far back as WWII. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Sykes
One of his greatest successes was a BBC sitcom in the early 1960's called "Sykes And A..."
They say about 25 of those episodes still exist, but I've only been able to track down 4 of them and they are on Disc 5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sykes_and_A...
When Sykes launched his new eponymous series in 1972 it continued the same scene and situation as Sykes And A and many episodes were remakes of the first series.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sykes
I'm pleased to say that Sykes is now complete, all 68 episodes broadcast between 1972 and 1979.
The program ended when it did because co-star Hattie Jacques died unexpectedly.
With the missing episodes added there's a new Disc 5 and Disc 4 has changed.
Also included are 5 Sykes films.

1979's Plank http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Plank_%281979_film%29 is a remake of his 1967 film The Plank http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Plank_%281967_film%29
1980's Rhubarb Rhubarb http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhubarb_Rhubarb is a remake of his 1969 film Rhubarb http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhubarb_%281969_film%29
It's Your Move (1982 and also found on Comedy Smörgåsbord Disc 1)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_Your_Move_%281982_film%29 is a remake of his 1969 film of the same name.
Mr H. Is Late (1988) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097716/ and The Big Freeze (1993) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Freeze_%281993_film%29 round out the disc.
Most people aren't aware that Sykes has been almost deaf for many years. Perhaps that is why he made so many silent films.

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