Each week, we will be taking an in depth look at some of the best sitcoms and comedy shows from both the UK and the USA.

Today we will be looking at a comedy that was so popular in the seventies and surprised everyone in the stunts that Michael Crawford would do for a comedy – Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em.

Opening title Sequence / Theme Tune

About the Show

Summary of Plot

Number of Seasons / Episodes

3 Seasons

Characters:

Michael Crawford – Frank Spencer

Michele Doltrice – Betty Spencer

Trivia

+ The house which collapsed around Franks ears was in the “Black Tom” area of Bedford. The site was being cleared for re-development.

+ When filming the show, Michael Crawford had to perform scenes over and over in front of the extras and other actors, until they no longer seemed funny to the cast and crew. Even then, some takes were still ruined by someone giggling in the background at Frank’s antics.

+ The rhythm of the theme tune is based on the words “Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em” (minus the apostrophes) written in Morse Code.

+ Michael Crawford performed all his own stunts. When performing stunts, he usually wore gloves, so if he suddenly appears wearing them, a stunt is usually about to follow. For this reason, there sometimes appear to be continuity errors (no gloves/gloves/no gloves).

+ Michael Crawford was the third choice for the role of Frank Spencer. The part had been created for Norman Wisdom (based on the physical clowning, pratfalls and ineptitude of his “Gump” character), but both he and Ronnie Barker turned it down. Dudley Moore was also considered for the role.

+ Michael Crawford based many of Frank’s reactions on those of a young child.

Classic Clips

Roller Skating

Betty tells Frank she’s pregnant

Driving Lesson