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Short summary

Trouble ensues for the Majestics, Scotland's "Kings of Rock", when a good-looking redhead joins the band on tour.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: TheJonnyTest
    I am astonished that this is not yet out on DVD. It was simply wonderful comedy and featured actors and actresses who went on to become famous individually after this show.

    Basically the BBC description of this show sums it up: "This was a corking comedy-drama featuring dazzling Decalogue and all-round knock-out performances. Robbie Coltrane was particularly outstanding as the rotund but sexy Danny, and Emma Thompson was appealing as the sharp, strong and independent Suzi. Their romance was played out against a background of funny, dramatic and touching scenes depicting a band, well past its best-by date, suddenly finding a new lease of life. Adding to the heady brew was Richard Wilson as the Majestics' hilariously dour manager Eddie (almost a prototype Victor Meldrew), and Katy Murphy as his lippy secretary Janis Toner. A joy." What I don't understand about the (new?) IMDb system is why the most known and regular cast members don't appear on the main page cast list for "Tutti Frutti" - only later under individual episodes.
  • comment
    • Author: Nalmetus
    This has to one of the best programmes to come out of Scotland if not the UK from the BBC. The acting and the script are just wonderful and combines great (Scottish/Glasgow) humours and rock'n'roll, can't get much better! The script was adapted for stage in late 2006 and had a run of shows in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Managed to get to the Edinburgh show and it was just a good as the TV show! The cast played and sang and were very good, OK you can't compete with Coltrane/Thompson but they come close. They are coming to Glasgow in April 2006 so get there if you can!! The reason the show has never been repeated or issued as a video/DVD is to do with the licensing of the music used in the show. I believe they are trying to sort this out so maybe we'll get the chance to buy a DVD version soon.

    Some DVD copies surface on ebay occasionally but the quality isn't that great...

    Cheers, Al
  • comment
    • Author: Mohn
    An extremely accurate depiction of a bunch of (almost) "over the hill" Scottish rockers - on their farewell tour. A veritable galaxy of stars, MOST of whom have since become household names. Can it be one (or more) of those big names holding back an agreement for this classic movie/series to be released on video/DVD?

    Anyone out there with a copy of this on video/dvd? I'd pay well to get a hold of this - purely in the interests of research, you understand.

    Hoping

    O T Hill
  • comment
    • Author: crazy mashine
    Tutti Fruti was one of the best BBC series of the 1980s. John Byrne's script was smart, witty and full of lively banter. It cleverly captures the delusions of an aging Scottish rock band who return for one last tour. Although the band don't seem to have much of a following they still believe they should have made the big time. There are similarities to Spinal Tap, but the characters in Tutti Friti seem more real.

    Byrne creates an amazing cast of characters and the acting is excellent. Emma Thompson was never better or sexier as Suzy Kettles. Katy Murphy was a revelation playing Miss Toner. Richard Wilson, Robbie Coltrane and Maurice Roeves were all superb. I would love to see this again.
  • comment
    • Author: Andromathris
    Well, the wait is finally over, Amazon have sold out and the DVD is now in my hands via the High St store. It is just as brilliant as a I remembered it, so no rose tinted glasses. Fantastic performances, Glesga gallus humour and real locations (including one round the corner from where I grew up and across the road from the swimming baths I learned to swim in.)

    I remember being gobsmacked when I heard Emma Thompson's real accent after the series as she did a very accurate West End Glasgow accent which I thought was authentic at the time the series was broadcast.

    SO glad they sorted out all the copyright issues and the DVD can take it's place in the ranks of great ones.

    I'm not going to spoil the story. For anybody new to it just go with it, for the ones who have seen it before enjoy!
  • comment
    • Author: Seevinev
    I was too young to catch this when it came out back in 1987, and as it was only repeated once shortly after then confined to the archives it remained a bit of a mystery. However there had to be something about the show as it seemed to be spoken about in terms of 'masterpiece'

    Therefore I was glad to finally get hold of a copy on DVD over 20 years on, and now I know what people were talking about, it's a perfect 6 hours of deathly dark but usually hilarious comedy.

    The casting is spot on at all levels, a real ensemble of the some of the best Scottish talent that at most levels are still highly familiar today. I love the use of location, whether in Glasgow the main setting or one of the less than glamorous towns on the road, namely Buckie, Methil and Ardrossan. It's almost as if they chose the locations after listening to 'Letter from America' by the Proclaimers.

    I'm sure I'm not the only one when watching this to get the most enjoyment from the Clockerty/Toner relationship. Is there something gong on here, or is it merely penny pinching on Clockerty's behalf that Eddie and Janice share twin rooms and cabins on Sleeper Trains. Either way it's a blast.

    All in all I'm very thank full that they finally got this out on DVD, keeping it locked away for so long is a crime on a par with wiping all those great sitcoms back in the 1960s.
  • comment
    • Author: happy light
    Looking back this had a dream cast - Robbie Coltrane, Emma Thompson, Richard Wilson. And they were perfect in it. Even the supporting cast, particularly Maurice Roeves and Katy Murphy were fantastic. It was bright and funny, well written, well acted and the music was pretty good.

    So of course it's been repeated (once?) and not available on DVD.

    I remember loving this when it was first shown... and missing the last episode. And then it was repeated a couple of years later... and I missed the last episode. That it's not out on DVD yet is nothing short of criminal. Please... I'd like to see for myself just how it ends.
  • comment
    • Author: Alsath
    A truly classic series. I looked for this on DVD and found the same as others on this board. I searched various sites, and it seems that the reason it's disappeared from site is that there are copyright issues on some of the songs used in the series, which have prevented repeating and releasing of the series. Damned shame. From memory, one of our very finest series and a terrific cast. I remember Katy Murphy was absolutely fantastic in this as Richard Wilson's assistant, and I simply don't understand how she has not been a more significant star since. I have seen her in a few minor parts since, but nothing significant.
  • comment
    • Author: Sermak Light
    Been looking for this for ages and finally managed to track it down. Why do the BBC think it's fine to repeat the same old crap over & over again, but sit on gems like this which never make it to UK Gold or Dave? I originally thought they must have deleted it or something, but looking on Google it seems the original cast aren't keen on a re-run for some reason. Look on ebay, there's a guy selling the whole 6 episodes on DVD, can't wait to receive mine, hope it's not a poorly recorded pirate copy. Even if it is it will still be worth the £7.50 just to relive some classic Scottish comedy, the genius stuff the BBC used to be good at knocking out.
  • comment
    • Author: Zavevidi
    This short running but fondly remembered comedy drama series is notable now for bringing into the limelight Oscar winning actors Robbie Coltrane and the beautiful Emma Thompson. Writer and artist John Byrne supplied the six one hour long scripts which focused on the exploits of a failing rock 'n' roll band whose future looks to be bleak when their lead singer is unexpectedly killed. 'Tutti Frutti' was a smash hit when it first appeared in 1987, winning awards not only to its stars but also to its creator as well as its production crew but despite its popularity it was repeated by the BBC only once and for many years was blocked from being released on VHS or DVD due to royalty issues by the copyright holder and artist of the show's theme music Little Richard. However, in 2006 the ban was lifted when it was repeated by BBC4 and three years later was released on DVD by 2entertain. I was one of many of queued up to by a DVD of the show and I was pleased to say it was worth every penny.

    Scottish rock 'n' roll band The Majestics are about to embark upon their silver jubilee tour however the lead singer James 'Big Jazza' McGlone is killed in a car crash ( the very car which happened to belong to the band's corrupt manager Eddie Clockerty, who also runs a dingy clothing store ). Flying in from New York for the funeral is Jazza's younger brother, destitute art student Danny, who bears a strong resemblance to his late brother. This gives Eddie an idea - put Danny in place of his brother and carry on with the tour. Danny is initially reluctant but realising he doesn't really have anything to lose, eventually relents. His first day with the group is not a success. He incurs the verbal wrath of the band's roadie Dennis, and ends up in a punch up with drummer Bomba McAteer, rock guitarist Vincent Diver and bass player Fud O'Donnell.

    Whilst trying to find himself some digs, Danny bumps into an old flame called Suzi Kettles, who he attended art college with. Suzi has romantic feelings for Danny but has difficulty yielding them due to a failed marriage with her estranged and violent dentist husband who is eventually given his comeuppance by Danny. After some initial setbacks, Suzi becomes a member of the band as well.

    The rest of the group is not without problems - Vincent is two timing his wife Noreen ( played by Anne Kidd ) with a young woman named Glenna, much to the chagrin of Bomba, who is Noreen's brother. Glenna claims to be pregnant at the start of the series but by the end of the run she has suffered a miscarriage and later kills herself by plunging herself into the River Clyde. In the final episode, Vincent commits suicide during the farewell concert of The Majestics' at the Glasgow Pavilion by dousing Polish vodka on himself and setting himself alight.

    Emma Thompson is wonderful as Kettles though Robbie Coltrane has the most challenging role of playing both Jazza and Danny. Maurice Roeves is a suitably nasty piece of work as Vincent. Richard Wilson as Clockerty forms a hilarious double act with his sassy and sexy secretary Janice Toner ( played by Katy Murphy ). Also excellent were Ron Donachie as Dennis, Stuart McGugan as Bomba and the late Jake D'Arcy as Fud. Only Fiona Chalmers failed to make an impression as Glenna.

    John Byrne next series for the BBC was 'Your Cheatin' Heart' but it was nowhere near as successful as 'Tutti Frutti'. For Coltrane, this was his final regular comedy series. In the 90's he later branched into straight acting with the wonderful Carlton Television drama 'Cracker'. Emma Thompson pursued a successful film career while Richard Wilson became a household name with the role of Victor Meldrew in 'One Foot In The Grave'.
  • Series cast summary:
    Robbie Coltrane Robbie Coltrane - Danny McGlone / - 6 episodes, 1987
    Maurice Roëves Maurice Roëves - Vincent Diver 6 episodes, 1987
    Emma Thompson Emma Thompson - Suzi Kettles 6 episodes, 1987
    Stuart McGugan Stuart McGugan - Bomba MacAteer 6 episodes, 1987
    Jake D'Arcy Jake D'Arcy - Fud O'Donnell 6 episodes, 1987
    Ron Donachie Ron Donachie - Dennis Sproul 6 episodes, 1987
    Richard Wilson Richard Wilson - Eddie Clockerty 6 episodes, 1987
    Katy Murphy Katy Murphy - Janice Toner 6 episodes, 1987
    Fiona Chalmers Fiona Chalmers - Glenna McFadden 5 episodes, 1987
    Anne Kidd Anne Kidd - Noreen Diver 3 episodes, 1987
    Annabel Logan Annabel Logan - Baby Wanda 3 episodes, 1987
    Annie Bruce Annie Bruce - Sheena Fisher 2 episodes, 1987
    Archie Duncan Archie Duncan - The Inverbervies 2 episodes, 1987
    John Carmichael John Carmichael - The Inverbervies 2 episodes, 1987
    Isobel Hirst Isobel Hirst - The Inverbervies 2 episodes, 1987
    Linda Thain Linda Thain - The Inverbervies 2 episodes, 1987
    Gordon Young Gordon Young - The Inverbervies 2 episodes, 1987
    Bob Watson Bob Watson - The Saxophone Brothers 2 episodes, 1987
    Bob Wishart Bob Wishart - The Saxophone Brothers 2 episodes, 1987
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