This weekend the classic comedy series Fawlty Towers celebrates its 40th birthday!
In December 1974 John Cleese cast me as cockney detective Danny Brown in the pilot episode of the series that is now celebrated as one of the great comedy shows of TV history.
Quite why he cast me I have never been able to figure out–until this morning!
The only time I’d met him before was when we were both in an undergraduate production of Much Ado About Nothing directed by Trevor Nunn at Cambridge University in 1961. Although we were both in the same scene–Act IV Scene II–I can’t remember spending any time with him.
He was on the comedy side of university theatre in The Footlights and I was on the straight side, the ADC–the Amateur Dramatic Club.
This morning I pulled out my volume of The Works of Shakespeare (purchased, second hand, in 1960)–and looked up the scene.
John played a member of the Watch (comedy) and I was Borachio (straight)–a henchman of the villainous Don John.
Borachio and his fellow fixer, Conrad, are being arraigned by Constable Dogberry, having been caught red-handed by members of the watch.
Was John so impressed with my cockney accent that 13 years later he reincarnated a reformed Borachio as Detective Danny Brown?!
I was too nervous to ask him in rehearsal–seems the likely explanation though.
A week’s TV work just before Christmas after three years earning peanuts in the theatre was very welcome.
But it involved recording in front of a studio audience–something I’d never done–and I was nervous!
Snooty Basil didn’t like having his hotel foyer polluted with Danny’s broad Cockney accent, but was forced to show him a bit of respect when, failing to make Manuel–the waiter–understand his instructions to take the luggage upstairs–Danny steps into the breach with a surprising display of fluent Spanish.
I don’t speak Spanish–so I learned the lines by rote.
Come the “take”–nails biting into my palms–I managed a faultless rendition of the Spanish lines–only to be told by the floor manager that there was a camera in shot–and we would have to go again!
AAGH!
There I am on the DVD, speaking fluent Spanish, so I must have managed it again–but I have no memory of it!
I had just been cast as Ross Poldark and after Christmas began work on the epic that changed my life.
It wasn’t the end of Fawlty Towers for me though.
The pilot was approved and the series got the go-ahead. Six half-hour episodes were in the can, but a late plot change involving Polly–played by Connie Booth, John’s writing partner and wife at the time–meant they had to re-record part of my dinner scene exchange with Polly.
My hair had grown and changed color for Poldark–so for one afternoon at Television Centre in mid-summer, they dyed my hair dark brown and pinned it up at the back–and I was briefly Cockney Danny Brown again.
I just read a newspaper piece about the anniversary, in which actor Nicky Henson, who appeared in a later episode, rejoices that 40 years later the residuals (those were the days!) are still enhancing his pension.
Nicky Henson with John Cleese
I concur–we were lucky boys!
I doubt playing Borachio has ever paid off so well in the life of an actor!
Robin Ellis 
But you couldn’t forget that coat! Tres chic!!
Robin- did they let you keep that cool jacket?
They did not–and not sure I asked!
They did not–I’m not sure I asked!
LOVE Fawlty Towers! I quote it all the time! Such a brilliant show! And you, of course were great! And, a good boy,,, you ate all your sprouts!
Don’t remember that!
Oh yeah, I checked my Remastered DVD collection last night and there it was. Polly (Connie Booth) is taking your order for lunch and being her usual wise-cracking self. Your character was coming on to her and when she asked what you wanted you replied “A smile?” She quipped back sharply, “You’ll get that when you eat your sprouts!” Later, we see her smiling at you, so you must have eaten your sprouts,,, or Polly just fell for your too obvious charms!!! Either way, love you on Fawlty Towers!!!
I love sprouts!–see my book!
love the show!
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2015 18:02:46 +0000 To: earlymusic9@hotmail.com
Fabulous. Apparently the building used as Fawlty Towers was in Bourne End: not far from here (Cookham, Berkshire). It got destroyed in a fire. Must look up the name. I used to see Nicky Henson at the Young Vic in various productions in late 60s, early 70s. Here’s to the residuals.
Oh my goodness- that does bring back the memories!! Just married, new TV , Ross Poldark AND you on Fawlty Towers!! I can remember that episode and when I first saw it so vividly . Great TV. Happy days. I did wonder about the ‘hair do’ though!!!!
Regards,
Fran Shaw
I have seen this one so often, but it’s far more special now. ❤
Oh it was a great episode, and you were great in it, Robin. I loved Fawlty Towers and can well remember my amazement as I watched that first episode with my family, all hysterical with surprised laughter, what ON EARTH was coming next!!!, this was certainly new & quite brilliant comedy!
One of my biggest regrets (truly) is that my late father didn’t live long enough to ever see Fawlty Towers, he would have SO loved it, and indeed, he WAS Basil Fawlty, we had a sub post-office and he hated the public. If customers owed us money, he used to put a postcard up in the shop window asking if Mr & Mrs Whoever would please come in and settle their account .. they soon made an appearance!!.
Priceless, Linda!
Found it: “Fawlty Towers was never actually filmed in or even near Torquay. … the outside shots was the Wooburn Grange Country Club in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.” Just for info. It was not far from Cliveden, where Meredith spent time. The fire was in 1991.
Thanks Robin for helping to hook me on another TV series!!! 😀 I always loved Fawlty Towers – think i prob know most of the lines in each episode………you do have a lot to answer for 😉
We were all so young and pretty back then!
Great fun; I’ve watched a couple of episodes of Faulty Towers this afternoon, and they just leave you with a smile. Excellent timing and brilliant scripts.
thank you for telling us about the behind-the-scenes going on – when I see it again I will look out for the Spanish scene with added interest! How wonderful that John Cleese cast you after Cambridge – you must have made an impression! As you carried on to make on everyone as Poldark…
Robin, thank you for filling in the back story…I loved it!
Thank you, Sharon.
Robin! Thank you for filling in the back story…loved reading it…loved remembering the episode…you always make me smile!
Thanks,
Sharon
from Virginia, USA
I love that show, and remember the episode with you.
What an incredible background story!
Thanks for sharing!
Loved Fawlty Towers and Poldark. Both were required viewing in the early years of our marriage. Our adult sons grew up with repeats of Fawlty Towers and coming to know John Cleese from subsequent shows and films. They also know Poldark was my favorite series over the years. My husband and I are enjoying you in the new adaptation and look forward to you stellar performance as the despicable Dr. Halse in series two.
Thank you, Joan–I like despicable!
Perhaps my memory is “fawlty” but I seem to remember your having a fiancée in that episode and she and her parents stayed at “The Towers”; Basil thought you and the girl were “shacking up” so he skulked around, trying to catch you.
Not me, Guv!
I do not think this program has ever been shown on Italian TV, Robin. I am curious to see it now that you have written about it. It seems funny! I just remember the TV comic couple “George and Mildred” at the end of Seventies or even before….
I don’t know Paola–but you would have remembered it if you had seen it!
Via Wikipedia:
” Although it was initially a flop in Spain, because of the portrayal of the Spanish waiter Manuel, it was successfully resold, with Manuel’s nationality changed to Italian. In the Catalan region of Spain, however, Manuel was Mexican. The series was also briefly broadcast in Italy in the 90s on the satellite channel Canal Jimmy, in the original English with Italian subtitles”
Love every second of FT….and the owner of the first restaurant I worked in was so like him…he more than once moved people (in the middle of eating) off the ‘best’ table if he saw a Rolls Royce pull up outside. He’d just pick up their plates and leave them, forks halfway to their mouths, saying ‘come on, you have to move, hurry up!’…and they usually did, just because they were so bewildered! My favourite episodes were yours (obviously!) and Basil the Rat…oh, and the one where he thrashed his car with a branch when it wouldn’t start…I think we’ve all felt like doing that at some time to an irritating inanimate object! Sheer brilliance.
I think he bashed the car in the pilot!–very funny and classic J Cleese comedy.
I think that was Nicky Henson in his episode.
The thing with Fawlty Towers was the casting throughout. Whoever was responsible was a genius. Prunella was just fab and even the Irish builder, the Colonel, the sisters and every small cameo was perfect. So pleased you were chosen for your part as you were perfect, too. X
Thanks Sally in Padstow!?
For some reason, Robin, I saw you here on the San José and San Francisco public television stations — both of which used “Fawlty” as an evergreen for many years — as Ross Poldark first, so it was a bit jarring to see you in “Fawlty Towers” in a much smaller role.
Did you get to work with Andrew Sachs before or since or have you met him away from work? He seems such a dear man.
Lovely man and no I haven’t worked with him since–though I may have done a radio play with him come to think of it.
Wonderful memories, dear Robin, aren’t they? And they will never ever fade away. You and the whole cast of “Fawlty Towers” gave me so much pleasure and laughs in those days past. Thank you from the bottom of my heart
Thank you Odette.
I remember renting the videos years ago to see episodes that I had missed, and was tickled pink to find you in that pilot!! Thanks for the memories! 🙂
PS: When I heard you spout that line to Manuel so easily, I was quite impressed that you knew Spanish! All that and Poldark, too!!
Now you know!
I remember seeing you in that episode of Fawlty Towers, you were great. I loved the original Poldark and although my husband and I watch the new version it isn’t a patch on your brooding and if I dare say it, sexy Ross Poldark.
Thanks, Tawariel 10!
we’re all huge Fawlty Towers fans here. Such a shame they only made 12 episodes but they are comedy gold now. I recall you being in it but now i shall watch the scenes more carefully, thanks for the story behind the scenes.
Gill
I laughed myself silly watching this episode of Fawlty Towers and especially loved your jacket! I think I met Daughter of Basil Fawlty in an inn in Portsmouth in 1973 (she didn’t like [censored] Americans].
I just watched your Rev. Halse on You Tube and found myself agreeing with him! In the original Poldark series, I felt sorry for poor Carter and applauded Ross’ efforts to get him a reduced penalty. I think my reaction this time was due to your ability to make any character, even the humorless and dour Halse, sympathetic and human.
Poor Jim Carter!–thank you, Alix
What a lovely story Robin we all watched faulty in our house, and have done so for many times since.It does not seam possible that it was back in 1974 it is still so fresh.
Looking forward to seeing you in the next round.of poldark, though as said before, you will always be the one and only Ross, for me and so many others,but it,s a good try by the present cast, and this is better than no poldark at all
Regard to Mereith and you
Elaine and Jimmy
Thanks, Elaine.
Fawlty Towers remains one of the funniest Brit comedies ever!
Wow Mr. Cleese’s work has to arguably be among the greatest comedy series around the world. And hilarious in showing characters like ‘Lord’ Melbury the con-artist! And you have to go down laughing all the time when that fellow keeps pleading earnestly and continually for drinks from Basil (that gracious host!) that he never seems to get , ‘ a gin and orange, a lemon squash and scotch and water!!. Mr. Ellis we think you were in one of the best FT episodes there.
Never saw Fawlty Towers, but when you’ve got it you’ve got it!
It is so enjoyable to read all of the comments and thoughts about Fawlty Towers on it’s 40th birthday — and congratulations, Robin, on the being part of the inaugural launch of that memorable program!
We saw your episode of FAWLTY TOWERS well after we saw POLDARK. And actually, I believe our PBS in Ohio aired POLDARK in 1977 and 1978, so the feast of English drama and comedy we all loved made it’s way to the hinterlands slowly, but it was well worth waiting for!
Hugs to POLDARK and FAWLTY TOWERS forever!
Thanks, Nadine.
Hello Robin,
Loved reading everyone’s comments of you and Fawlty Towers. They certainly don’t make shows like that anymore! Forty years ago…wow! where has that time gone?
Time flies away and here we all are, dazed and confused by the speed of it all, but with such lovely memories of those times.
I have just got back from spending 10 days in Sardinia visiting my two brothers who live out there, I went with my elder brother and younger sister. It was the first time we’ve all been together for thirteen years.
Lots of talking,reminiscing and eating lovely food and making more memories to look back on !! Take care , love Heth xxx
(Oh, and I loved the look of the walnut pasta, great photo’s from Meredith!)
Robin, it’s always a pleasure when you share your experiences. Recently, I’ve been watching the original Poldark series again. It is currently on acorn.tv. You and Demelza had a wonderful and dynamic relationship. Great series! Love it! (Note: On two occasions, there was a message that the video was not available, and to check back later. Apparently, there were too many subscribers viewing it. Still in demand.) Best wishes, Linda
Great to hear that, Linda–thanks.
Hi Robin, We recently borrowed season 1 and 2 of your original Poldark at our library, and enjoyed it so much, as a follow up to the new series on PBS. Now I have to check out Fawlty Towers to find you!
I ran into John Cleese a couple of years ago in our farmers market in Halifax. Hard to miss – bright yellow baseball cap and pretty darn tall! I boldly walked up to him, welcomed him to town and he shook my hand. An old friend of mine back in Northern Ontario used to sing the Lumberjack Song in the 70’s and at the time I was not familiar with Cleese and gang – it is still pretty darn funny today (coming from Lumberjack country as I do).
Enjoying your site, recipes and stories! Marg
Thanks, Marg and welcome!
Oh, yeees! Started with Fawlty Towers and finished with Flay Otters! 😀 P.S. Well done, Polly! 😀
1
Robin,
Reading this comments thread emboldens me to inquire about another of your television performances that I still recall with great fondness: that of Georg Nowak in She Loves Me with Gemma Craven, David Kernan, and Diane Langton. I saw it twice here in the states (at least once at Christmastime) on PBS during the late seventies, and I have long hoped that this production would eventually surface on DVD. I would write a letter encouraging its release, but I have no idea who owns the rights to it. I wonder if you might know, or have any ideas about other avenues I could pursue.
Thanks for your delightful blog, and for many, many memorable performances!
Joel
Thanks, Joel.
She loves Me is available on YouTube I believe. The rights are still with the BBC I think.
Thanks, Robin — and hooray for YouTube! It continually amazes me as I discover what’s available there. Even so, perhaps your friends and fans would like to join me in petitioning the BBC to release this enchanting musical on home video. Such campaigns have succeeded before. I’ll keep you posted.
Re: ‘She Loves Me’
You know we were not aware of that production here across the pond. Not sure if it ever was shown here. Besides good and healthful food we also learn about something else almost all the time here on the blog! And after that we’ll put a plug in for ‘The Europeans’. A real fine film just as ‘The Good Soldier’ is!
And we also were told recently by relatives that the Gleneagles Hotel near or in Bristol has a thing where they ‘act’ out some scenes from Fawlty Towers with guests. They were at the table and ‘Basil’ came over and scolded a young girl on her not eating her green veggies! He ‘packed up’ a parcel and told her parents to take it home and feed it to her. Allegedly if we go they want us to ‘act out’ some lines from the ‘Waldorf Salad’ episode. Don’t know about that!.
I received a reply from my e-mail to the BBC suggesting that I write to the address below to express my interest in having “She Loves Me” released on home video. If others are interested, they can write or call:
BBC Worldwide America
1120 Avenue of the Americas
5th Floor
New York
NY 10036-6700
USA
Tel: +1 212 705 9300
Fax: +1 212 888 0576
Who knows? If there is enough interest, we may see it on DVD in the near future!
Wow Robin! You have some head of hair. I just wanted to ask what is cockney? Is that an accent? Or a city? Just wonderin thx.
Linda from PhoenixAz
Cockney is an east London working class accent, Linda.
[…] and a little background information as to exactly why his hair is different – take a look at this blog post by Robin Ellis, who played […]