‘A TOUCH OF CLASS’
Please feel free to comment on my review.
The first episode of ‘Fawlty Towers’ introduces us to Basil Fawlty. He meets the mild-mannered Lord Melbury who comes to the Torquay hotel. This is a pretty good episode to start off the series, as it establishes Basil’s snobbery in wanting to raise the hotel standards as well as impress Lord Melbury.
Michael Gwynn guest stars as Lord Melbury in the episode. It’s amusing how Lord Melbury takes advantage of Basil’s pandering to him. This includes asking Basil to take money out for him from his own pocket. It transpires Lord Melbury is a confidence trickster. Basil isn’t happy when he finds out!
Robin Ellis guest stars as Danny Brown in the episode. Robin Ellis is well-known for starring in the original ‘Poldark’ BBC drama TV series from the 1970s. Danny Brown turns out to be from the CID, working on a case to expose Lord Melbury as a confidence trickster. Polly hears about it from Danny.
There’s also Martin Wyldeck and Pat Symons as Sir Richard and Lady Morris. These two come to the hotel after Basil put in an expensive advertisement in the papers. Sir Richard and Lady Morris are shocked by Basil’s behaviour to Lord Melbury at the episode’s conclusion. They both leave in disgust.
The episode also features Terence Conoley as Mr. Wareing with his family, including Annet Peters as Mrs. Wareing and Oscar Peck as Master Wareing. They get moved about to different tables in the dining room and Mr. Wareing is annoyed when Basil is not providing their ordered drinks in the bar.
“A gin and orange; a lemon squash; and a scotch and water, please!” I’m surprised Sybil didn’t provide the drinks for the Wareing family whilst Basil was out of the room. Was she too busy talking to the Major? Sybil even doesn’t like it when Basil gives her a quick kiss on the cheek in the episode.
I love the slapstick and miscommunication between Basil and Manuel in the episode. This includes Manuel having ‘too much butter on those trays’ and Basil telling Manuel to take Lord Melbury’s suitcases to Room 21. It’s funny when Basil told Manuel to ‘throw’ a grapefruit ‘away’ in the episode.
‘A Touch of Class’ is a decent beginning to the ‘Fawlty Towers’ TV series. It sets things up nicely with Basil established as a snob and being a really bad and rude hotel manager. The scenes between Basil and Manuel are also amusing and I like how it develops with Lord Melbury as a confidence trickster.
On Disc 1 of the ‘Fawlty Towers – The Complete Collection Remastered’ DVD, there are two audio commentaries on ‘A Touch of Class’. There’s an audio commentary with producer/director John Howard Davies and there’s an audio commentary with John Cleese.
‘A Touch of Class’ rating – 7/10
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