Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1097 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-06-15
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 352 minutes

DVD Description
The classic BBC Comedy series starring Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett. Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett were an unlikely comedy team but their talents complemented each other perfectly in a series which would run for 16 years and become part of British television history.

From their introduction, "And in a packed programme tonight..." to the “Goodnight from him”, viewers would savour the familiar features – the opening and closing news items, the party sketches, the doctor’s surgery set pieces, Ronnie Barker’s word-play speeches, the rambling monologues from Ronnie Corbett and some magnificent musical pastiches.

This fifth series was broadcast in September and October 1976 and, many would claim, showcases the two comedians at their peak. Among these eight episodes you will find their most famous sketch, Fork Handles or ‘Annie Finkhouse’, as well as such gems as Pismonuncers Unanimus, It’s A Washout and Tomorrow’s Kitchen. The series also featured the Spike Milligan penned serial The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town.

Synopsis
The dynamite pairing of Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett is captured here in all its glory for this fifth series of the hugely popular sketch show. Originally broadcast in September and October of 1976, this release features all eight episodes from the fifth series and features such comedy classics as 'Fork Handles', 'Annie Finkhouse', ' Pismonuncers Unanimus', ' It’s A Washout' and 'Tomorrow's Kitchen'.

Customer Reviews

The comedy duo at their absolute best!
Series 5 is finally here, and it just keeps on getting better!

The format is still the same - opening with the usual news items, guest stars - (another seriously scary looking woman!) more news, serials and more sketches.

Well, this series proved to be one of the best, because it contains Two Ronnie's fans most beloved sketch of all time - "Fork Handles!" an absolutely diamond sketch that was nothing short of genious, beautifully played out by a deadpan Barker and irritated Corbett.

Thought it couldn't get better? Oh yes it can! Follow this up with the series' best serial to date- the wonderfully Spike Milligan penned, "Phantom Raspberry blower of Old London Town."

Then there's the equally funny sketch "Cain and Abel Church of Hampsted Heath" featuring cockney rhyming slang, more (p)ispronnounciation, Dr Death, Barker and Corbett as red indian chiefs, Corbetts witty monologues, Barker's televised appeals for women...and himself... and broadcasts on behalf of all three political parties.

And that's just the first four episodes!

Sp I guess what I'm trying to say, is that for Two Ronnies fans, this just keeps on getting better - this dynamic, well loved comedy duo are at their peak here - I can't remember if they were funnier - and certainly the Fork Handles sketch is legendary.

For newcomers, presented here is the golden age of comedy, when you could still take the mikey out of everything and anything and PC still meant Police Constable and not Political Correctness.

So - add it to your DVD collection - and be prepared to fall off your seat laughing!

The best one yet!
About time series 5 is here, it's been ages since series 4 was released but was it worth the wait? You can bet your Dad's car it was!

As it says on the DVD, this is probably the best of all the series. I haven't seen all of them, so I don't know about that but it's certainly one of the best, if anything just because of the Fork Handles sketch! For anyone who hasn't seen it, it's basically just legendary in terms of writing and acting and is easily one of the best sketches in the history of comedy.

But it's not just that. Oh no! This is also the series that features the fantastic Phantom Raspberry Blower (written by the marvellous Spike Milligan) which features various unusual events such as a man and woman's voices swapping persons due to the shock of their attack, displaying the inept capacities of the Police force, someone having raspberries tattooed on their knees, and the main Police inspector falling into a coffin full of.....you guessed it, rapberries.

Other great moments include the speeches on behalf of the three political parties (where they each talk at once), Ronnie Corbett's monologues, the Round of Drinks, mispronunciation and GPO sketches. Each adding a further touch of genius to the series.

A must buy for any true fan. If you thought the last four series were good, you haven't seen anything yet!

gets better as the time passes
Firstly I would like to point out that this season (Season 5) of the great Two Ronnies shows was broadcast between 4 September 1976 and 23 October 1976 - and yes some of the jokes are telling of the time (i.e. not politically correct when compared to our current "standards"). Some of the jokes will require a little explanation for the younger viewers

The running serial through the shows is the iconic Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town, which was written especially for the show by the late Spike Milligan.

Barbara Dickson is the featured singer for this season; once again the age of the show is evident when you look at her clothes and hairstyle.

The musicals are:

- American Indians
- Nana Moussaka and Charles Azenough
- Orchestra Cleaners
- Morris Dancers
- Jehosophat and Jones
- Chelsea Pensioners
- Amateur Dramatics
- Arbroath Pipe Band

The season also includes some great sketches including:

- rhyming slang service at St Cain and Abel Church, Hampstead Heath
- fork handles
- joint Party Political Broadcast (stands the test of time)
- rhyming train journey
- mixed up drinks order
- GPO spokesman

For me the Two Ronnies are well worth the money.