Man About the House (TV Series) While the Cat's Away (1974) User Reviews

While the Cat's Away

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 24 July 2020]

The Roper's go away at Mildred's posh sister's house. They have a radio controlled garage door and a fancy Jaguar which irritates George.

It is an opportunity for Robin, Chrissy and Jo to have a party at the house without George raising an objection. They have been bored watching The Lone Ranger.

However the trio did not count on the Roper's returning early with George again causing embarrassment for Mildred. He kept going about her brother in law's drink driving conviction and rinsing his teeth on the bidet.

It really is a mid 1970s swinging party scene. You can tell from the clothes and the hairstyle. There is alcoholic punch and a couple of camp guests.

Chrissy fancies actor Mark (Ian Lavender) who has appeared in a deodorant commercial. However he did not get on with Peckinpah for a crowd scene in Straw Dogs. While Robin has invited Liz who he met at a pub in the previous series.

However it seems Mark and Liz get very cosy together at the party. George meanwhile realises the peril of drink driving himself after getting on the party swing.

"the mice will play!"

[ShadeGrenade · 9/10 · 3 August 2009]

Season 1 of 'Man About The House' ended on 26/9/73. Fans only had to wait three months for Season 2 ( it commenced on 9/1/74 ). Inbetween was a special sketch on 'All Star Comedy Carnival' in which Robin, Chrissy and Jo accept an invite to join the Ropers on Christmas Day, only to be bored out of their minds ( the show also featured Richard O'Sullivan as 'Bingham' in a 'Doctor In Charge' item ).

As the result of the show's success, O'Sullivan handed in his stethoscope at St. Swithins, to concentrate full time on his new role as would-be swinger 'Robin Tripp'.

The first episode of Season 2 opens with a bored Robin, Chrissy ( Paula Wilcox ) and Jo ( Sally Thomsett ) watching 'The Lone Ranger' on television. They want to throw a party, but there is a fly in the ointment - their landlord George Roper ( Brian Murphy ).

Luckily for them, the Ropers are planning on spending a night at Mildred's sister's. George does not want to go as his in-laws are always showing-off. "The last time it was their new garage door. We had to stand in the pouring rain watching the thing go up and down!". But when Mildred tells him that her sister's husband has been found guilty of drunk driving, he senses an opportunity to turn the tables.

The party gets underway the following night. All the booze is put on the slate at 'The Mucky Duck' pub. Robin hopes to get off with the lovely Liz ( Jenny Hanley ) while Chrissy has her eye on actor Mark ( Ian Lavender ), star of a deodorant commercial. But as the evening progresses, Liz and Mark become attracted to one another. Robin and Chrissy have an even bigger problem to contend with - the Ropers have come home early...

Ian Lavender, on leave from 'Dad's Army', sports a 'page boy' hairstyle of the kind in fashion at that time. Jenny Hanley's 'Liz' first appeared in 'And Then There Were Two'.

Things To Listen Out For - as Chrissy seethes with rage at Mark's interest in Liz, Jo quips sarcastically: "He's got big ears anyway!". It gets a big laugh from the audience, who would have recognised it as the punchline to a famous Bovril commercial. The star of said commercial was none other than Sally Thomsett.

Funniest moment - an angry George and Mildred returning home. "No wonder we were asked to leave!", storms the latter. "I did not know where to look when you rinsed your teeth in their bidet!".