Shelley (TV Series) Nor Iron Bars a Cage (1981) User Reviews

Nor Iron Bars a Cage

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 31 March 2021]

An episode of Shelley that is a three hander. Although made in 1981, all the principle actors are now dead.

Shelley is busy doing repairs in the new home that he and Fran have purchased.

As Shelley puts up the kitchen shelves, his friend Bunter comes knocking on the door. He is on the run from the police and needs a place to hide out.

Soon Sergeant Brunton (Peter Vaughan) comes knocking asking Shelley if he has seen Bunter, his friend on the run lately. Apparently Bunter is wanted for dealing in drugs.

There is plenty of sardonic wit from Vaughn in this episode. He is a good match for Shelley. There is even a reference to the sitcom Porridge where Vaughn played Harry Grout.

A very amusing episode, it seems everyone apart from Shelley can sniff out dry rot.

Bunter on the run!

[ShadeGrenade · 8/10 · 22 December 2009]

Shelley, once more with bags of time on his hands, is attempting to put up kitchen shelves, when he is interrupted by Paul 'Bunter' Englund ( Warren Clarke ), the best man at his recent wedding. Bunter is in a state of high anxiety. The police are after him.

When they arrive, Shelley gives him refuge under the stairs. Sergeant Brunton ( Peter Vaughan ) asks if Shelley has had contact with Bunter recently. Shelley lies to help out an old friend. Then Brunton drops his bombshell - Bunter is wanted on suspicion of drug possession...

After 'Signing Out', this is a bit of a comedown. Once again, its a small number of people talking incessantly with little actually happening on screen. The return of Warren Clarke's 'Bunter' is welcome though, as is that old warhorse Peter Vaughan, despite looking like the oldest sergeant on the force.

Note the line about prison not being 'all Ronnie Barker and mailbags!'. A clear reference to 'Porridge' in which Vaughan played 'Harry Grout'.

Funniest moment - Brunton is about to leave when he sniffs the air. "You've got a touch of Dry Rot!". Without asking for permission, he opens the door to the cupboard under stairs - and there is the very man he has been looking for!