Casanova 73: Episode 1 (BBC-1 13 Sep 1973, with Neil Wilson)

In the opening episode of the sitcom Casanova 73, Henry has a major problem on his hands – an air hostess called Valerie that he had a fling with cancels an assignation because she has to go to Australia for three weeks. She does though promise to write to him every day. Much to his distress.

He hits upon a plan, persuading the postman to not deliver the letters. Matters become further complicated when the regular postman, that he made the arrangement with, is injured in an accident and a stand in (who knows nothing about the arrangement of course) has to take his place. Henry ends up taking two weeks away from work to make sure he gets to the post before his wife.

The farcical elements of the series are very much on display here. It’s mostly a two hander between Henry and his wife Carol (played by Jan Holden). There is a quite a bit of talking aloud by Phillips when he is by himself and the studio audience are in absolute hysterics when he thinks he has found a grey hair and then takes a surreptitious peak “below stairs” to check if he has any there.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×30 minute episode / Broadcast 13 September 1973

Writers: Ray Galton, Alan Simpson / Production Design: Tim Gleeson / Director: Harold Snoad

Series: Casanova 73 Episode 1 (of 7)

cast
Leslie Phillips as Henry Newhouse
Jan Holden as Carol Newhouse
Neil Wilson as Postman
Stuart Sherwin as Another Postman
Pik-Sen Lim as Henry’s Oriental Friend