Lucky Jim (ITV-1 2003, Stephen Tompkinson, Keeley Hawes)

Period comedy Lucky Jim focuses on Jim Dixon who is a luckless lecturer at a provincial British university, trying to make a splash with his pompous boss, Professor Neddy Welch. Jim is also trying to make it with the woman of his dreams, Christine Callaghan , while simultaneously being pursued by the woman of his nightmares, fellow lecturer Margaret Peel. One (of many) complications is that Christine is the girlfriend of Professor Welch’s egotistical artist son, Bertrand. Another is that Margaret keeps attempting suicide to get Jim’s attention. But despite his misadventures, Jim keeps his eyes on the prize: a leg up on the ladder to a professorship in medieval history.

Some very high production values and top notch casting made this a joy to watch and easily the equal of the 1950’s Boulting Brothers version with Ian Carmichael.

production details
UK / ITV-1 – WTTV- WGBH Boston / 1×120 minute episode / Broadcast 11 April 2003

Based on the novel by Kingsley Amis / Writer and Associate Producer: Jack Rosenthal / Director of Photography: Julian Court / Production Design: Tim Hutchinson / Costume Design: Anushia Nieradzik / Music: Mark Russell / Producer: Sanne Craddick, Analisa Barreto / Director: Robin Sheppard

cast
STEPHEN TOMPKINSON as Jim Dixon
KEELEY HAWES as Christine Callaghan
ROBERT HARDY as Professor Neddy Welch
PENELOPE WILTON as Celia Welch
HELEN McCRORY as Margaret Peel
STEPHEN MANGAN as Bertrand Welch
HERMOINE NORRIS as Cecil Goldsmith
ANTHONY CALF as Julius Gore-Urqhart
DENIS LAWSON as Stanley
DAVID RYALL as Alfred Beesley
HUGH PARKER as Evan Johns
ROBERT WILFORT as Mr Wilson
TIM WYLTON as Mrs Cutler
URSULA JONES as Mr Pringle
ANTHONY SMEE as Taxi Driver
DORIAN LOUGH as Bus Conductor
IAN LINDSAY as Mr Catchpole