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    Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - The Complete Second Series

    BBC/Roadshow Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 170 mins . G . PAL

      Feature
    Contract

    Even before the first series of Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em was completed, the second series was being planned. Both series' were written by Raymond Allen and starred the same cast of Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer and Michele Dotrice as his ever-suffering wife, Betty. Even the irregular cast members such as Anthony Woofruff as Dr. Smedley are back, and little has changed.

    The second series was filmed in the same year, 1973, and is remarkably similar in every way, apart from the number of episodes, which was reduced from seven to six - perhaps the first series includes the pilot episode? Frank is still a lovable loser who can't take a trick, annoys everyone and fails at just about everything. He is still unable to hold a job, but refuses to give up. Everything he touches, and just about everything he doesn't, still falls apart at even the mention of his name, and no one seems to benefit from a single thing he does.

    The six episodes are just as funny, although Frank's antics become ever more predictable. Crawford still performs almost every stunt, and at quite some risk too. This series sees Frank at the seaside and almost in it, attending his RAF reunion where nobody seems to remember him (for a change), at a public relations course, attempting to be an entertainer at a seaside summer camp and becoming a father. This at least adds a fresh change, but the consequences are still quite predictable.

    There is little else to say. Six episodes that are just more of the same. A third series was made in 1978 after a five year break, but that is yet to make the transition to DVD in Region 4. There were three Christmas specials as well, but Crawford baulked at signing for another five seasons, wisely I would suggest. There are only so many times a person can be a complete failure before it becomes utterly predicatable and stale.

    As it is this is not stale, even after all these years, and while the character is frustrating. it is hard not to sympathise, and he's certainly good for laughs.

      Video
    Contract

    More of the same as Series One I am afraid. It is again presented in full frame, and shows a great difference between studio taping and location filming. The studio shots are clear and well-defined. Colours are bright and solid, there is little grain with just a few minor artefacts such as tape glitching that will pass most viewers by. Shadow detail is excellent, although skin tones appear slightly jaundiced at times.

    The outdoor scenes, however, are quite dirty, much softer, display an amount of grain and have poor shadow detail. There is little aliasing to be seen, but again the layer change has been plonked in the middle of an episode. There is no excuse for this. Most DVDs manage to place it between episodes, and this should not have been any different.

      Audio
    Contract

    The Dolby Digital mono track is as good as you could expect from a mono source. It is loud, clear, well-synchronised, virtually free from hiss and has no crackles or pops. There is reasonable depth for what is essentially a dialogue-only presentation. There is no input from the rear channels or the subwoofer, but it is not really missed. There are no subtitles, but they are not needed to understand anything that's said.

      Extras
    Contract

    Sorry, not a thing.

      Overall  
    Contract

    There are laughs to be had here with Frank, Betty and baby Jessica. There is little to distinguish this series from the first, and the jokes and situations are very familiar. Crawford is very much responsible for the laughs and was certainly commited to the character. The supporting cast all pitch in, and most viewers should be able to find something worth a giggle or two at the very least.


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      And I quote...
    "Frank's back..."
    - Terry Kemp
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
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    • TV:
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    • Speakers:
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    • Surrounds:
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    • Audio Cables:
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    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
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