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    • Author: Adoraris
    This documentary traces the growth and development of the classic British sitcom THE GOOD LIFE, with the help of contributions from Richard Briers, Penelope Keith, director John Howard Davies, and a host of back-room staff. Gardener Monty Don argues that the sitcom was a timely response to the vogue for self-sufficiency at that time, particularly John Seymour's COMPLETE BOOK OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY, a best- seller that inspired people's desire to return to the land, so to speak, even if they lived in suburbia. The documentary contains some interesting anecdotes; the famous opening titles of the sitcom were apparently inspired by an old UFA film, while the famous adjoining suburban houses that formed the basis for location filming were to be found in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. The documentary contains fascinating archive footage of the sitcom in actual performance in front of a studio audience, with the four actors somewhat sheepishly introducing themselves before beginning the recording. Evidently Briers - in particular - was always nervous before a recording, despite his brilliance as a comic actor. The only jarring note in this documentary comes from the reminiscences of comic John O'Farrell, who accuses John Esmonde and Bob Larbey's scripts of being relentlessly middle class (with the implication that this rendered the comedy somehow cozy in tone). THE GOOD LIFE was set in suburban London, but it actually set out to challenge suburban stereotypes, even if it did so in a gently satirical way. Margot Leadbetter (Penelope Keith) was frequently presented as a figure of fun in her efforts to 'keep up with the Joneses,' so to speak, while Tom Good (Briers) was relentlessly selfish in his desire to pursue a self-sufficient life, ignoring his loyal wife Barbara (Felicity Kendal). To quote Margot, THE GOOD LIFE appealed to "the silent majority" of the British public - 15 million of them at the comedy's height of popularity.
  • Complete credited cast:
    Richard Briers Richard Briers - Himself / Tom Good
    John Howard Davies John Howard Davies - Himself - Producer and Director
    Penelope Keith Penelope Keith - Herself / Margo Leadbetter
    Felicity Kendal Felicity Kendal - Barbara Good (archive footage)
    Paul Eddington Paul Eddington - Jerry Leadbetter (archive footage)
    Brian Jones Brian Jones - Himself - Production Manager / Floor Manager
    Mark Jordan Mark Jordan - Himself - Current Owner of Goods' House
    Sheila Elkan Sheila Elkan - Herself - Current Owner of Leadbetters' House
    Oliver Elmes Oliver Elmes - Himself - Titles Designer
    Monty Don Monty Don - Himself
    Brian Sewell Brian Sewell - Himself
    John O'Farrell John O'Farrell - Himself
    Sally Nieper Sally Nieper - Herself - Costume Designer
    Paul Munting Paul Munting - Himself - Production Designer
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