LOSE YOURSELF IN 1971

BBC SCREENS THE TWO RONNIES

David Frost often featured Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett in his revues, and the pair adlibbed a routine during a technical hitch at the BAFTA Awards ceremony in 1970. As a result, the BBC offered them their own show, which started in April 1971 and ran until 1987. In his memoirs, Corbett reflected that the catchphrase came about because ‘we could never be a double act in the way that

Morecambe and Wise were’. Also, Barker ‘found it almost impossible to talk directly, as himself, to an audience. So the solution was ‘It’s Goodnight from me’, ‘And it’s Goodnight from him’.

ON THE BUSES ON THE BIG SCREEN

Or, a chance to see Stan, Jack and company in full colour; most Britons still had a black and white television set until 1977. Produced by Hammer Films, the big-screen version of the LWT sitcom became Britain’s second most successful picture, outselling Diamonds Are Forever. Certain critics suggest that its popularity reflected the desperation of Britain in 1971, one noting ‘ The screenplay entirely revolves around loud people hurling witless insults at each other’. Nick Larkin would doubtless tell you that the main buses were Eastern National Bristol KSW5Gs, with an LT AEC Routemaster RM200 for the now-famous skidpan scene.

ERNIE TOPS THE HIT PARADE

Alfred Hawthorne ‘Benny’ Hill became the first citizen of Southampton with a number one record in December 1971; the second was Craig David. Hill began his show business career with a local dance band and he was an adept guitarist, singer and songwriter. He composed

Ernie in 1955 to accompany a B film based on his experiences as a milkman. The picture was never made, but the song was far too good not to record.