Legendary comic actor Norman Wisdom takes centre stage in Almost Like A Holiday playing holiday maker Vincent who is mugged whilst on a late night walk. Charlie Hungerford, as part of his make Jersey safer campaign, takes it upon himself to start a fund to help Vincent get back on his feet.
Vincent is a complete Walter Mitty character telling tales every chance he gets. He is not just on the island for a holiday though, he is actually an ex-con safe cracker and has teamed up with a former cell-mate Frank, to pull off a diamond robbery. Of course what Frank wants is for a quiet little job but Vincent’s lies very quickly get out of control.
The plot is slight but Norman Wisdom gets a lovely chance to shine as Vincent. It’s his claim to have been a chauffeur for the Queen and Prince Philip that causes his safe cracking plans to go awry.
classic quote
“I hate court rooms, they seem to create a strange sense of foreboding.”
production details
UK / BBC One / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast Sunday 6 February 1983 at 9.10pm
Writer: Alistair Bell / Production Design: Eric Walmsley / Director: Laurence Moody
Series: Bergerac Season 2 Episode 5
cast
John Nettles as Jim Bergerac
Terence Alexander as Charles Hungerford
Sean Arnold as Crozier
Annette Badland as Charlotte
Mela White as Diamante Lil
Celia Imrie as Marianne
Tony Melody as Chief
Norman Wisdom as Vincent
Jeff Rawle as Mitch
Elv Hale as Eva
Sheila Ruskin as Felicity
Michael Attwell as Frank
John Carlin as Frazer
Peggy Ann Wood as Mrs Frazer
Kevin Stoney as ‘Horatio’ Nelson
Raymond Adamson as Senator
Geoffrey Leesley as Det Con Wilson
Penelope Lee as Radiologist
David Quilter as Fairfax
Kate Lock as Kiosk girl
Oscar Peters as Carlos
Dickie Arnold as Fisherman
Peter Godfrey as Reporter
Peter Lorenzelli as Hospital porter
Roy Spencer as Alcoholic
