Ronnie Barker announced his retirement from television in 1988 but decided to bow out with one last sitcom - 'Clarence' ( set in 1937 ) - which he wrote himself under the pseudonym Bob Ferris ( which was, funnily enough, the same name as Rodney Bewes' character from 'The Likely Lads' ). Here he played Clarence Sale, a well meaning but perpetually clumsy ( as well as severely short-sighted ) removals man who has an unfortunate habit of breaking anything he touches.
The character was first introduced in an episode of Ronnie Barker's six part anthology series 'Six Dates With Barker' entitled 'The Removals Person' ( broadcast on 8/1/71 and written by Hugh Leonard ), though on this occasion, his name was Fred. Fred is called up by a rich widow to carry out a removal job whilst she is away watching The Coronation. It is there he meets the maid Jane Travers ( Josephine Tewson ), with whom he falls instantly in love with and later proposes marriage to. Seventeen years later, Barker used this as the premise for his final sitcom, changing of course the character's name from Fred to Clarence. Josephine Tewson once again stepped on board to play Travers whilst Mike Stephens ( who later worked on 'The Brittas Empire' ) produced and directed. Over the course of the six episodes, Clarence and Jane have a trial period of living together in the countryside to see if they are compatible. Although they share a bed, a bolster is placed in between them to ensure that no intimate behaviour takes place. The final episode ends with Clarence and Jane finally getting wed to each other.
Well, it would not be unfair to say that 'Clarence' is not in the same league as 'Porridge' or 'Open All Hours' but if like me you are a fan of the late, great Ronnie Barker, it is not to be missed. Ronnie is in fine form as usual and Josephine Tewson backs him up excellently as the mousy Jane Travers. Aside from being funny, there are also many moments of pathos. In particular, the moments in which Clarence muses on his past days are deeply moving. It is a pity that a second series could not be made. It would have been interesting to see how Clarence and Jane would have adapted to married life. Two years after 'Clarence' ended, Tewson went on to play Elizabeth, the harassed neighbour of Hyacinth Bucket in 'Keeping Up Appearances'.
For the record, 'Clarence' was good, clean, pleasant fun. Corny gags are in use an awful lot but with Barker in charge you know you are safe. Ronnie Barker sadly passed away on October 3rd, 2005 but his iconic status lives on both good and strong.
The character was first introduced in an episode of Ronnie Barker's six part anthology series 'Six Dates With Barker' entitled 'The Removals Person' ( broadcast on 8/1/71 and written by Hugh Leonard ), though on this occasion, his name was Fred. Fred is called up by a rich widow to carry out a removal job whilst she is away watching The Coronation. It is there he meets the maid Jane Travers ( Josephine Tewson ), with whom he falls instantly in love with and later proposes marriage to. Seventeen years later, Barker used this as the premise for his final sitcom, changing of course the character's name from Fred to Clarence. Josephine Tewson once again stepped on board to play Travers whilst Mike Stephens ( who later worked on 'The Brittas Empire' ) produced and directed. Over the course of the six episodes, Clarence and Jane have a trial period of living together in the countryside to see if they are compatible. Although they share a bed, a bolster is placed in between them to ensure that no intimate behaviour takes place. The final episode ends with Clarence and Jane finally getting wed to each other.
Well, it would not be unfair to say that 'Clarence' is not in the same league as 'Porridge' or 'Open All Hours' but if like me you are a fan of the late, great Ronnie Barker, it is not to be missed. Ronnie is in fine form as usual and Josephine Tewson backs him up excellently as the mousy Jane Travers. Aside from being funny, there are also many moments of pathos. In particular, the moments in which Clarence muses on his past days are deeply moving. It is a pity that a second series could not be made. It would have been interesting to see how Clarence and Jane would have adapted to married life. Two years after 'Clarence' ended, Tewson went on to play Elizabeth, the harassed neighbour of Hyacinth Bucket in 'Keeping Up Appearances'.
For the record, 'Clarence' was good, clean, pleasant fun. Corny gags are in use an awful lot but with Barker in charge you know you are safe. Ronnie Barker sadly passed away on October 3rd, 2005 but his iconic status lives on both good and strong.
