Only When I Laugh (Complete Series) - 4-DVD Set

Only When I Laugh (Complete Series) - 4-DVD Set (DVD) (*)

Out of Stock

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )

Product Origin/Format:
Australia ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
680 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Multi-DVD Set
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1979 - 1982 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Actors:
James Bolam ..... Roy Figgis (29 episodes, 1979-1982)
Peter Bowles ..... Archie Glover (29 episodes, 1979-1982)
Christopher Strauli ..... Norman Binns (29 episodes, 1979-1982)
Richard Wilson ..... Dr. Gordon Thorpe (29 episodes, 1979-1982)
Derrick Branche ..... Gupte (24 episodes, 1979-1982)

Synopsis:

This hilarious hospital-based sitcom, starring James Bolam (New Tricks), Peter Bowles (To The Manor born) and Richard Wilson (One Foot In The Grave), features a trio of very different patients forever playing a game of one-upmanship and getting into scrapes with each other, at the same time causing grief to the overworked and irritable hospital staff. A huge ratings success for the ABC when it originally aired from 1979-1982, Only When I Laugh was written by Eric Chappell (Rising Damp, Home to Roost) and directed by Vernon Lawrence (The Bounder). This 4-DVD special edition set brings you the entire 28 episodes of the classic UK series available for the first time on DVD.

Season 1
A Bed with a View S1, Ep1 29 Oct. 1979
Young Norman Binns is admitted to Dr Thorpe's hospital ward and is tricked by pessimistic patient Figgis into swapping beds with him so that Figgis can have the bed with the window view. As a result the doctor and staff nurse Gupte confuse the two men's symptoms. Then hypochondriac Glover tells Figgis that the last occupant of the bed has 'gone to a better place', scaring him into giving it back to Norman, though Glover's claim that he is dying means that Norman loses the bed again.
Operation Norman S1, Ep2 5 Nov. 1979
Norman has to have an operation for his appendix to be removed but Figgis's doom-laden description of operations and Dr Thorpe's tiredness do not give him confidence and he hides in the toilet, having to be coaxed out. Gupte uses a hypodermic syringe to knock him out but accidentally injects Glover so that the only way Norman will be persuaded to have the operation is if he is accompanied by Figgis - who, to Dr Thorpe's glee, hates the sight of blood.
The Rumour S1, Ep3 12 Nov. 1979
Dr Thorpe is telling Gupte that his dog Victor is not well but Gupte misunderstands and thinks he is talking about his son. The patients also fall prey to the misunderstanding, for various reasons each of them believing that they are going to die. Dr Thorpe manages to tell Figgis and Norman the truth but by this time Glover has rung up his boss to tell him exactly what he thinks of him.
The Man with the Face S1, Ep4 19 Nov. 1979
Glover has been seeing a Greek girl Anna and panics when her violent boyfriend Nico comes looking for him so Figgis wraps his head in bandages and says he is a burns victim. Aware that Nico will want to see him with the bandages removed Figgis then swathes Norman in bandages so that he can be the one to face Nico - and for good measure covers his own head up, causing Dr Thorpe no end of confusion.
Let Them Eat Cake S1, Ep5 26 Nov. 1979
The patients find the hospital food disgusting and decide to go on hunger strike but soon weaken. However Clegg, who serves the food then decides to go on strike himself, but has his foot run over by Dr Thorpe whilst on the picket line outside the hospital. Eventually he is persuaded to go back to work and the patients can eat again - only to be confronted by the irate cook demanding to know who is criticizing her food.
Tangled Web S1, Ep6 3 Dec. 1979
Norman is reading 'Tangled Web', a hospital romance, when he sees new nurse Sally, who is exactly like the book's heroine. He is keen to express his feelings for her but finds he has rivals in Glover, Dr Thorpe and Gupte, who are all keen to pursue. Eventually Figgis sets Thorpe and Gupte against each other and gets rid of Glover but even Norman is surprised by his idol's passionate response.
Is There a Doctor in the House? S1, Ep7 10 Dec. 1979
Glover is discharged and Figgis is unhappy as he has nobody with whom to argue so he goes to the local pub pretending to be a doctor and diagnosing people with terrible illnesses, filling the ward. When Dr Thorpe finds out he goes after Figgis, giving Gupte instructions to hit him but when Gupte sees Thorpe examining a patient he assumes it is Figgis in his doctor's guise and hits him instead. As a result the doctor ends up as a patient with Norman, Figgis - and Glover, who has been readmitted as not well enough to go home.
Season 2
Whatever Happened to Gloria Robins?
S2, Ep1 29 Apr. 1980 Whatever Happened to Gloria Robins?
Glover is thrilled when Gloria Robins, the beautiful film star, is admitted to a woman's ward and is soon romancing her with flowers. Characteristically Figgis is cynical but even he falls under Gloria's spell - as do Norman and Dr Thorpe. When Gloria is discharged she delivers an emotional farewell to Glover, which touches his heart - until he hears it again in one of her old films on the TV that evening.
Where There's a Will S2, Ep2 6 May 1980
Glover does not take kindly to eccentric new patient Joe Perkins - with his invisible dog - due to his lack of hygiene and use of Glover's drinking tumbler for his false teeth. However when he discovers that Joe's tin box contains a fortune and the man is considering changing his will Glover - and Norman - both fawn on him to get into his good books. In the event the heir turns out to be Figgis, who is uncharacteristically noble in refusing the legacy and preventing Joe from being sectioned.
It Can Damage Your Health S2, Ep3 13 May 1980
Norman has recently taken up smoking but long term smokers Glover and Figgis are feeling the ill effects of the habit and try, respectively, a pipe and yoga to help quit - but in vain. Glover goes for a job interview but, off the cigarettes, he is a bag of nerves and fails. Figgis carries on secretly smoking behind the others' backs, leading to Dr Thorpe getting a nasty surprise in the gents' toilets.
The Cosmic Influence S2, Ep4 20 May 1980
When Figgis becomes obsessed with horoscopes in magazines and believes their predictions the others are sceptical - until Norman continually beats Glover at cards. However, Figgis becomes so preoccupied with astrological predictions he is convinced he is going to die - forcing Dr Thorpe to beat him at his own game to cure him of his obsession - though Glover's change of luck at cards also plays a part.
The Visitors S2, Ep5 27 May 1980
Norman's overbearing, hypochondriac mother comes to visit and he is initially scared to tell her he is romancing nurse Jenny. Norman's cowardice gives Glover the opportunity to try and make a move but Figgis puts him off with lies about Jenny and the young couple eventually stand up to Mrs Binns. Figgis meanwhile shares a passionate embrace with a visitor who is not his wife - and is also unaware that he has one. Thanks to a misplaced gesture by Norman, though, she will shortly come face to face with her.
The Lost Sheep S2, Ep6 3 Jun. 1980
When the hospital vicar comes to discuss Norman's wedding agnostic Figgis gets into a religious argument but ultimately fears for his soul because he has not been christened and so he agrees to go ahead with the ceremony. This turns him into a zealous religious missionary - until he hears a confession from Glover, which drastically alters his charitable outlook.
Last Tango S2, Ep7 10 Jun. 1980
Feeling wistful that they were unable to attend the staff dance with its majority of females, the patients decide to make their own alcohol and have a party of their own, inviting Nurse Eileen. Needless to say Figgis and Glover - and Dr Thorpe - vie with each other to impress her with their dance moves whilst Norman merely gets drunk and the whole thing is ended with the arrival of Matron, who has escaped from Gupte's passionate declarations.
Season 3 A Day in the Life Of S3, Ep1 2 Sep. 1981
A documentary television crew come to the hospital to shadow Dr Thorpe for a day. He has primed Norman to give him a glowing report but Norman keeps fluffing his lines so Glover is only too keen to take over. However he plays to the gallery so outrageously that finally Figgis speaks to camera - using the opportunity to criticize everything about the hospital and leading to a shut-down.
The Right Honourable Gentleman S3, Ep2 9 Sep. 1981
Extreme right wing politician Sir Julian Briggs is admitted to the ward, angering socialist Figgis though Dr Thorpe is anxious to get him on side as the hospital is facing closure. Unfortunately Sir Julian is not sympathetic. However after he has received a death threat and a parcel, erroneously believed to be a bomb, is delivered, Dr Thorpe is able to capitalize on Sir Julian's cowardly response to pressure him into opposing the closure.
Adam's Rib S3, Ep3 16 Sep. 1981
When new doctor Amy Glossop starts on the ward, Dr Thorpe is initially hostile because she is a woman, though both Glover and Norman have soon fallen in love with her. Figgis decides to warn her of their amorous intentions in a somewhat cryptic manner so that when Dr Thorpe comes to offer an apology she wrongly believes that he is her secret admirer. Figgis himself, however, shows that he too is not immune to her charms.
Postman's Knock S3, Ep4 23 Sep. 1981
Believing that Glover is lonely Figgis writes an anonymous letter in character as Glover to agony aunt Clare Butterfield, who is annoyed by the writer's arrogance. However Glover has answered a want ad and is expecting a visit from free-thinking Leonora. Much confusion arises when Glover mistakes occupational therapist Mrs Roper-Jones for Leonora and is later visited by Ms. Butterfield herself. Figgis accidentally ends up having a wild time with Leonora but Glover is about to write another letter to the agony aunt to exact revenge.
Accident S3, Ep5 30 Sep. 1981
Norman witnesses an accident outside the hospital gates involving Dr Thorpe and young speed freak Ronnie though it is the doctor who would appear to be in the wrong when his breath sample taken by the attendant traffic cop proves positive for alcohol. Figgis and Glover stage a mock court trial to get Norman to divulge the truth though it is Gupta who actually sets the record straight, before Norman sees another accident - this time caused by the policeman.
Dear Diary S3, Ep6 7 Oct. 1981
Norman has been keeping a diary and Figgis and Glover are anxious to see what he has written about them. On stealing the diary from him they find that most of the entries are fantasies in which Norman is the brave patient soothing everybody else's nerves, as well as inventing a romance between himself and the notoriously icy Nurse Bradley. However when Nurse Bradley also reads the diary Norman is in for a pleasant surprise.
These You Have Loved S3, Ep7 14 Oct. 1981
Figgis takes exception to the anodyne hospital radio run by nurse Victoria Plumtree and, when she accidentally leaves her recording equipment in the ward, spices things up by taping and broadcasting one of Dr Thorpe's tirades. Having persuaded Victoria to allow him to record his own show he gets Glover and Norman to roam the hospital in search of stories - and gets one when they accidentally stumble upon Victoria's passionate meeting with Dr Thorpe and allow the whole hospital to hear their emotional outpourings.
Away for Christmas S3, Ep8 24 Dec. 1981
On Christmas Eve the ward gets a new patient, eight year old elected mute Danny, whose parents are abroad and is a known arsonist. Figgis dresses up as Santa Claus to steal presents for him from the children's ward but is rumbled and has to escape, getting the benefits of kisses from nurses who mistake him for the hospital's other Santa, Dr Thorpe. Eventually Dr Thorpe brings Danny some Christmas cheer and accidentally gets him talking again.
Season 4
Blood Brothers S4, Ep1 4 Nov. 1982
Dr Thorpe believes that Glover needs a blood transfusion and Figgis is the same blood group but Glover, being a snob, is not happy to be the recipient, especially when he hears that Figgis has received a transfusion himself from a West Indian. In the event it turns out to be Figgis who needs the transfusion and Glover who is the donor, as a result of which Figgis begins to act in an unusually upper class manner.
Conduct Unbecoming S4, Ep2 11 Nov. 1982
Dr Thorpe becomes an unlikely sex object when nymphomaniac patient Fiona demands they run off together and has written a complaint letter to the hospital board, whose chairman is her father, unless he agrees to her demand. The patients adopt various disguises in order to try and retrieve the letter from Fiona's room but ultimately it is Glover, in his persona as a suave specialist, that causes Fiona to switch her affections and save Thorpe's job.
All in the Mind S4, Ep3 18 Nov. 1982
Having got a book on psychology from the library Figgis takes it upon himself to analyze his fellow patients, alleging that Glover has a persecution complex and Norman is sexually repressed. After a disastrous group therapy session and an unsuccessful attempt to cure Norman's fear of cats it is Figgis who ends up having to see a psychiatrist - though she is young and pretty.
In Sickness & in Health S4, Ep4 25 Nov. 1982
Norman is to marry the dull and plain Deirdre, rather than Jenny, and is most reluctant. Glover decides to flatter Deirdre in order that she might blossom but rather overdoes it so that she transforms into a glamorous, confident woman with no need for Norman. Dr Thorpe brings his marriage guidance counsellor wife in to speak to Deirdre but, having heard her speak glowingly of her encounter with an older man, gets the wrong idea.
Escape S4, Ep5 2 Dec. 1982
Glover is charmed by new admission Harry Bridgewater - until it transpires that he is a prisoner who has come in for an operation with a guard in attendance. Having tried to pass himself off as a hardened criminal Bridgewater has to admit he is but a getaway driver but asks the patients to cover for him whilst he escapes - for a night - to have sex with his wife. They agree and persuade Dr Thorpe to assist them but will the convict return next day?
When Did You Last See Your Father? S4, Ep6 9 Dec. 1982
Charlie, an elderly drunk, arrives at the hospital, claiming that he is looking for his son, from whom he has long been estranged. The assumption is that his son is Norman though it turns out to be Glover, who, after initial disgust, starts to warm to the old boy, especially when Charlie promises to lay off the booze. In fact he gets so emotional that Charlie has to resort to playing at being drunk just to get rid of him.
The Reunion S4, Ep7 16 Dec. 1982
The patients are discharged on the same day - somewhat reluctantly given their lengths of stay - and decide to have a reunion the same evening in a restaurant. By chance Dr Thorpe is there with Hilary, who is emphatically not his wife, and when Thorpe goes to make a phone call, Glover, seeing her alone, moves in and succeeds in going home with her. Figgis cannot stop himself from presenting the doctor with his latest list of ailments, causing Thorpe to flee.

Only When I Laugh was a screamingly funny show from 'Rising Damp' author Eric Chappell. Three patients from differing social backgrounds - trouble making lorry driver Roy Figgis ( James Bolam ), naive Norman Binns ( Christopher Strauli ), and rich hypochondriac Archie Glover ( Peter Bowles ) - share a hospital ward. Their 'nemesis' is the pompous Dr.Gordon Thorpe ( Richard Wilson in what was his best television role before 'One Foot In The Grave' ). The Indian male nurse Gupte ( Derrick Branche ) was well-meaning but incompetent, and this led to the series being branded 'racist' in some quarters. Gupte mysteriously vanished from the later episodes. Bolam's 'Figgis' wasn't far removed from 'Terry Collier' of 'Likely Lads' fame, while Bowles' 'Glover' was a try-out for his later series 'The Bounder'.

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 06 May, 2008.