Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Steptoe and Son Ride Again (1973)

Feature length movie versions of popular British sitcoms were popular in the 1970s, this indeed was the second film based on Steptoe and Son and unfortunately they should have quit while they were ahead.

Steptoe (Wilfred Brambell) and his son Harold (Harry H Corbett) are rag and bone men in London, trying to turn people's trash into treasure (and unfortunately usually failing). With money running out and bills mounting, Steptoe and Harold are in trouble. Things are made worse when their horse becomes lame and needs to be retired. Harold is given his Dad's life savings to buy a new horse, he comes home drunk with a greyhound instead!

Harold claims the greyhound will win them enough money to turn their business and lives around. Naturally things do not go to plan. In desperation Harold concocts a plot to fake Steptoe's death and claim the insurance...

The film is a reasonable watch but it just doesn't seem to be that funny. The situations are comical, and there are some good guest stars including Diana Dors, but the magic just seems to be missing and, with most sitcom movie conversions, the ideas just get overstretched. That is not to say the film isn't worth a watch, the view of a soon to vanish London is fascinating and the greyhound is a lovely dog.