Only When I Laugh - Season 2 ( Only When I Laugh - Season Two )

Only When I Laugh - Season 2 (DVD) (*)

Out of Stock

Alternate Title: Only When I Laugh - Season Two
Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )

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

Running Time:
169 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1980 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Vernon Lawrence
Graeme Muir

Written By:
Eric Chappell

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:

Only When I Laugh Season Two follows the hilarious exploits of three hypochondriacal hospital patients who drive the doctors and nurses nutty with their silly antics. Driven batty with boredom, Archie, Roy and Norman dish up outrageous rumours and wild speculation, throwing the rest of the ward into full scale panic. By the time the wacky trio has bickered over window views, surgical operations, and coveted collection of girlie mags, you will find yourself in stiches!

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.

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 08 April, 2014.