The Very Best of Morecambe & Wise at the BBC - Volume 1

**The Very Best of Morecambe & Wise at the BBC - Volume 1** is a UK VHS release by Reader's Digest Video on 2001 and a UK DVD release by Reader's Digest DVD on 2005. It contains 25 of the best clips from the the BBC version of the best-loved sketch-comedy TV series starring Britain's best-loved comedy duo that are "Morecambe and Wise", all piled up on one omnibus mixture of segments, including some footage previously unreleased on video.

## Description

**Reader's Digest and the BBC present a tribute to Morecambe and Wise - Britain's best-loved comedy duo.**

Ernie was the one with the 'short, fat, hairy legs' and Eric the tall one with the specs. Together they bought laughter into our homes with uproariously funny jokes and great song-and-dance routines. Their impeccable timing turned every sketch into a comic gem whether it was Eric wrestling with a 10-foot ventriloquist's dummy or the duo preparing breakfast to the tune of *The Stripper*. And who can forget Ernie's atrocious period plays and the *Bring Me Sunshine* theme song? Now you can savour some of their funniest sketches in this exclusive collection.

**Memorable sketches include:** ᛫ Shirley Bassey sings *Smoke Gets In Your Eyes* ᛫ Eric and Ernie as monks playing hoopla in a monastery ᛫ Des O'Connor 'accidentally' disappearing from view as he makes a magnificent appearance ᛫ An interfering Eric spoils Ernie's bath time bliss

## Segments / Cast / Credits

#### *Clip Segments*

* Opening titles / Hamlet ().
* Bed & Breakfast Next Door ().
* The Wedding Sketch ()
* Monks Playing Hoopla ().
* Shirley Bassey sings "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" ()
* Disappearing Piano - No. 1 ()
* Comedy Black Eye ()
* Slaughter on Western Avenue ()
* In Bed Reading Dandy
* Ernie in Bath ().
* Penelope Keith on Stars ().
* Morning Standard (from the 1976 Christmas special).
* Cricket Streaker Sketch (from the 1975 Christmas special).
* Eric Eating Crisps ().
* Ernie's New Book ().
* My Blue Heaven Musical Routine (from Series 9, Episode 4)
* Stair Routine with Des ().
* Eric at Piano with Big Hands ()
* Rattle ()
* Arise Sir Ernest ()
* Giant Dummy Routine ()
* Toy Football Sketch ()
* In the Garden Sketch ()
* The Stripper in the Kitchen ()
* Bring Me Sunshine () / closing credits.

#### *Character Cast*

* Eric Morecambe.
* Ernie Wise.
* Margery Mason.
* Ann Hamilton.
* Hatti Rhemer.
* Penelope Keith.
* Shirley Bassey.
* Billy Gray.
* Peter Allan.
* Gerry Davis.
* Nicky Denny.
* Roger Finch.
* Bill Dysdale.
* Richard Goff.
* David Hampshire.
* Harry Higham.
* Des O'Connor.
* Clare Russell.
* Lindy Benson.
* Peter Murray

#### *Omnibus Credits*

* Written by Eddie Braben, Mike Craig, Lawrie Kingsley, Jay Rhyberd, Barry Cryer and John Junkin.
* Starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise With Margery Mason, Hatti Rhemer, Penelope Keith, Shirley Bassey, Billy Gray, Peter Allan, Gerry Davis, Nicky Denny, Roger Finch, Bill Dysdale, Richard Goff, David Hampshire, Harry Higham, Des O'Connor, Clare Russell, Lindy Benson and Peter Murray.
* Orchestra Directed by Peter Knight.
* Choreography by Ernest Maxim and Geraldine Davies.
* Produced by John Ammonds and Ernest Maxim.
* Directed by Victor Meredith.
* Video Edited by Simon Ashcroft.
* Video Produced by Terry Walsh.
* Executive Producer: Joe Mahoney.
* Executive Producer for Reader's Digest: Sukai Eccleston.