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"No lesser an authority than Napoleon identified the essence
of this great Isle in 1807. We are a nation of shopkeepers, and
one hundred and seventy years later Arkwright's Emporium proved
that the British love nothing more than the real life that can be
found in that great British institution, the corner shop".
"And 'Open All Hours' is more than just sitcom - it's a work
of literature. Following in the great tradition of 'Steptoe and
Son' and 'The Likely Lads', 'Open All Hours' finds our two heroes
trapped within their own circumstances with no chance of escape.
Arkwright has come to terms with his lot but Granville is ever desperate
to climb the social ladder and find a new and better life for himself
- but he never will. It is not fanciful to compare their plight
to the heroes of Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot'".
"And it's gloriously politically incorrect! That stammer,
the Hungarian-ophobia, the nudge-nudge jokes about Nurse Gladys.
You just couldn't get away with it nowadays - but, boy was it funny"!
"'Open All Hours' is also the only sitcom in the top 10 based
in the North of England, which when one bears in mind the comic
heritage of the region is quite astonishing. The wit and warmth
of northern people is accurately illustrated in Roy Clarke's script
and brilliantly portrayed by the greatest comic leads ever to have
appeared on our screens".
"Think of that mousetrap cash register, the great
shopkeeping philosophy dispensed weekly over the end credits, and,
of course, Granville's delivery bike".
"And perhaps the greatest, and most unique, asset of 'Open
All Hours' is its sheer cosiness! The programme fits like a favourite
pair of old slippers, welcoming the viewer to the warmth of the
TV fireside. The show is like mother's treacle pudding, or a settling
brandy on a cold winter night".
About the Advocate
Clarissa Dickson Wright is a chef, television presenter and actress,
best known as half of the 'Two Fat Ladies'.
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