"Fawlty Towers" Basil the Rat (TV Episode 1979) - Quotes - IMDb Share this: Facebook | Twitter | Permalink Hide options Mr. Carnegie : I think these premises do not come up to the standard required by this authority. Unless appropriate steps are taken instantly, I shall have no alternative but to prosecute or recommend closure to the appropriate committee of the council, uh, specifically: The lack of proper cleaning routines, dirty and greasy filters, greasy and encrusted deep fat fryer, dirty, cracked and stained food preparation surfaces, dirty, cracked and missing wall and floor tiles, dirty, marked and stained utensils, dirty and greasy interior surfaces of the ventilator hood... Basil Fawlty : Yes, about the deep fat fryer... Mr. Carnegie : ...inadequate temperature control and storage of dangerous foodstuffs, storage of cooked and raw meat in same trays, storage of raw meat above confectionery with consequent dripping of meat juices onto cream products, refrigerator seals loose and cracked, ice box undefrosted, and refrigerator overstocked...

Manuel (Character) - Quotes Manuel (Character) from "Fawlty Towers" (1975) The content of this page was created by users. It has not been screened or verified by IMDb staff. Manuel : [after Manuel loses Basil's money by "knowing nothing"] See, I know nothing! Basil Fawlty : I'm gonna sell you to a vivisectionist! Mrs. Richards : Are you the manager? Basil Fawlty : I am the owner, madam. Basil Fawlty : I am the owner. Mrs. Richards : I want to speak to the manager. Basil Fawlty : I am the manager, too. Basil Fawlty : I am the manager as well. Manuel : Manajer, he manajer. Basil Fawlty : I'm the manager! Mrs. Richards : Yes, I know, you've just told me. What's the matter with you? Mrs. Richards : [to Polly, acidly] Isn't there anyone else who could help me? Really! This is the most appalling service I've ever... Polly : What a good idea. Manuel? Could you lend Mrs.

Richards your assistance in connection with her reservation? [Manuel looks around, confused] Mrs. Richards : [to Manuel] Now, I reserved a very quiet room with a bath and a sea view. I specifically asked for a sea view in my written confirmation, so please make sure I have it. Mrs. Richards : Kay, sea? Kay sea? What are you trying to say? Manuel : No. No, no, no. Que... what. Manuel : Fawlty! Mrs. Richards : What are you talking about, you silly little man? Mrs. Richards : [to Polly] What is going on here? I ask him for my room and he tells me the manager is a Mr. Watt, aged forty. Manuel : No, no, no, no. FAWLTY! Mrs. Richards : He's faulty? What's wrong with him? Polly : It's all right, Mrs. Richards. He's from Barcelona. Mrs. Richards : The manager's from Barcelona? Manuel : No, no, no, he's from-a Swanage. Polly : And you're in 22. Mrs. Richards : What?

Polly : You're in Room 22. Manuel, take these cases up to 22, will you? Mrs. Richards : Now, listen to me. I'm not satisfied, but I've decided to stay here; however, I shall expect a reduction. Basil Fawlty : Why? Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment? Mrs. Richards : No, because the room is cold, the bath is too small, the view is invisible, and the radio doesn't work. Basil Fawlty : No, the radio works. You don't. Basil Fawlty : [crossing over to it] I'll see if I can't fix it, you scabby old bat! [He turns it on, loudly; it works fine; Manuel plugs his ears] Basil Fawlty : I think we got something then! Basil Fawlty : [loudly] I think we got something then! Mrs. Richards : [looking at Manuel with his fingers in his ears] What ARE you doing? Manuel : Que?

Basil Fawlty : [after smacking Manuel's head] Madam, don't think me rude, but, may I ask, do you by any chance have a hearing aid? Basil Fawlty : A HEARING AID! Mrs. Richards : Yes, I do have a hearing aid. Basil Fawlty : Would you like me to get it mended? Mrs. Richards : Mended? It's working perfectly all right. Basil Fawlty : No, it isn't. Mrs. Richards : I haven't got it turned on at the moment. Mrs. Richards : The battery runs down. Manuel : Ah, your horse. It win! It win! Basil Fawlty : [wanting him to keep quiet about his gambling venture] Shhh-shh-shh, Manuel. You - know - nothing. Manuel : You ALWAYS say, Mr. Fawlty, but I learn. Basil Fawlty : No, you don't. Manuel : Hey, I do understand that! Basil Fawlty : Shhh-shh-shh-shh-shh. You know nothing... about... the horse.

Manuel : [parroting] I know "nothing... about... the horse." Basil Fawlty : My horse, nitwit! Manuel : Your horse - Nitwit. Basil Fawlty : Yes, I know! Manuel : I know it won, too! Manuel : I put money on for you. You give me money; I go to betting shop. Basil Fawlty : Yes, I know, I know, I know. Manuel : Then why you say I know nothing? Basil Fawlty : [desperately] Look, look, look, you know the horse? Manuel : Uh, Nitwit or Dragonfly? Basil Fawlty : Dragonfly! There isn't a horse called Nit... YOU'RE the Nitwit! Manuel : What is Witnit? Basil Fawlty : It doesn't matter. Look, it doesn't matter. Oh, I can spend the rest of my life having this conversation. Now, please, please, try to understand before one of us dies. Basil Fawlty : You're going to forget everything you know about Nitwit. Manuel : No, no. Dragonfly.

Manuel : [to the workman, two of whom are clean-shaven] Please, which one is man with beard? Manuel : Ah... Hello, men! Lurphy - workman #1 : Good day, now. Manuel : Eh, you are men! Kerr - workman #3 : Not here, sport, not here. Manuel : You are men with Orelly! Kerr - workman #3 : He means O'Reilly. Lurphy - workman #1 : Wha...! Oh, yes! Dat's right, yeah. We are "Orelly men." Lurphy - workman #1 : [to the other workmen under his breath] Thick as a plank. Manuel : [to garden gnome] No room 16. No room 16. No, no pay, no Room 16! Basil Fawlty : Now while we're away - gone - clean the windows. [Manuel looks very confused] Basil Fawlty : You know, away, AWAY! Manuel : Oh, si si! Basil Fawlty : [grabbing Manuel before he scurries away] No, not you!

While we're away, CLEAN the windows! Basil Fawlty : No, no, look. Clean... [Pulls handkerchief from pocket, puts it in Manuels hand and makes a cleaning motion] Basil Fawlty : ...the windows! Clean... Manuel : [still not comprehending but parroting Basil] ... clean... clean... Basil Fawlty : [carrying Manuel] Morning Major! Major Gowen : [setting Manuel down and forcing him to clean the windows] The windows, see? Look. Clean the windows! Manuel : [finally getting it] Si! Comprendo, comprendo. Manuel : [practicing his English while cleaning behind and beneath the front desk] How are you, sir? You see, I speak English well. I learn it from a book... Hello... I am English... Helloooo... [Manuel continues as Major walks into the room] Manuel : [unseen] How are you, sir?... I can speak English. [Major looks at the moose head on the desk, thinking it's talking to him, and turns away astonished] Manuel : [popping up for a moment and spotting the major] Ah, hello, Major.

How are you today? [Manuel returns beneath the front desk] Major Gowen : [Major turns to look nervously at the moose head, not spotting Manuel] Well, buh, buh, buh, I-I-I'm fine, thank you. Manuel : [back to reciting is lessons] Is a beautiful day today. Major Gowen : Is it? Oh-oh-oh, yes, yes, I suppose it is. Manuel : Yes, I can speak English... I learned it from a book. Major Gowen : Did you? Did you really? Manuel : Ohh, he hit me on the head. Major Gowen : No! You hit HIM on the head. You naughty moose! German Guest : How ever did they win? Basil Fawlty : Look, uh, go and get me a hammer. Fawlty Towers/Basil the Rat - The TV IV Fawlty Towers/Basil the Rat Fawlty Towers — Season Two Basil the Rat is the sixth episode of the second season of Fawlty Towers, and the twelfth episode overall.

It is also the final episode of the series, although it aired seven months after the previous episode, 2x05 - The Anniversary . John Cleese claims he and Connie Booth thought long and hard on the order in which to write, shoot and air the episodes of the second season. As they did not intend to make a third season, their primary concern was how to end it. According to Cleese, there were just certain states he couldn't leave Basil Fawlty in. Although several episodes seem to close with logical endings for Basil ( 2x03 - Waldorf Salad and 2x04 - The Kipper and the Corpse among them), Cleese and Booth settled on this one: Basil, believing he is doomed, his 15 years as a hotel owner over, Fawlty Towers to be shut down forever, faints. As the hapless Manuel drags his mentor and tormentor away, Sybil, acting casual, remarks, "I'm afraid it's started to rain again." The most fitting end Cleese and Booth could conceive of for this remarkable, legendary series.

Guest Stars: John Quarmby (Mr Carnegie), Ballard Berkeley ( Major Gowen ), Brian Hall ( Terry ), Gilly Flower ( Miss Tibbs ), Renee Roberts ( Miss Gatsby ), David Neville (Ronald), Sabina Franklyn (Quentina), James Taylor (Mr Taylor), Melody Lang (Mrs Taylor), Stuart Sherwin (Guest) Contents 6 Reviews Plot Overview Government health inspector Mr. Carnegie visits Fawlty Towers and declares it filthy, but he gives Basil a day to clean everything up and avoid having his hotel closed down. Basil learns Manuel's pet "hamster" is really a rat, which simply must go before Carnegie returns. Polly claims to find Manuel's rat (named Basil) a good home, but secretly she, Manuel and Terry conspire to hide the rat in the shed. The next day, just before Carnegie arrives, the rat escapes and is spotted in the hotel. Basil the Man poisons a piece of veal as bait, but the veal gets mixed in with the other, non-poisoned meat just as Carnegie orders veal for lunch. While Terry and Basil use the cat as a guinea pig for Carnegie's veal, everyone tries frantically to catch the loose rat.

At last, Manuel catches Basil the Rat and hides him in the biscuits, just as those same biscuits are served to a very surprised Carnegie. Notes The sign reads, "FARTY TOWELS." The final "S" is halfway out of frame. Alternate Titles This episode was entitled "Rats" in the original TV listings and "Basil the Rat" in the 1980s VHS release and all subsequent releases. See 1x03 - The Wedding Party for an explanation of the alternate titles. (See also: 1x05 - Gourmet Night , 2x01 - Communication Problems , 2x03 - Waldorf Salad and 2x04 - The Kipper and the Corpse .) Timeline When Sybil learns of Manuel's rat, she says to Basil, "Well, you mean he's had it for a whole year and you've only just found out?" In 1x06 - The Germans , Manuel claimed to have a hamster, but that took place three years prior to this episode by the timeline.

However, as hamsters and rats alike have life spans of roughly two years, it is likely that Manuel had a hamster three years ago, and this "filigree Siberian hamster" was bought as a replacement for an earlier one, who died. Arc Advancement Happenings Characters Basil and Manuel : Manuel names his pet rat "Basil" - apparently as a tribute, although Basil takes it as an insult. This is further proof of the respect and affection Manuel has for Basil, even though Basil torments him. Referbacks 1x04 - Hotel Inspectors : Basil mentioned "the cat" in passing in that episode. Their cat Puss is at last seen in this episode. 1x06 - The Germans : Manuel first mentioned his hamster in that episode, but this is the first time we've seen that he indeed has a hamster. Also in that episode, Major Gowen revealed his hatred of Germans. Thus, when Basil first sees the Major firing at "vermin," it is understandable he would think the Major was firing at Germans. Trivia The Show Behind the Scenes Family Connection: Melody Lang, who plays Mrs.

Taylor, a guest at the hotel in this episode, is the real-life wife of Andrew Sachs , who plays Manuel. Donald Sinclair: When Quentina catches Basil checking her bag for the missing rat, Basil claims he is checking it due to a bomb scare. Donald Sinclair, the inspiration for Basil Fawlty, used the same excuse when he threw Eric Idle 's briefcase over a wall. (See also: At a Glance .) Delayed Filming: Due to a BBC strike - the result of a BBC executive punching a gaffer during a dispute - filming of this episode was delayed nearly two weeks, and the airing was delayed several months. This gave the cast and crew several extra days of rehearsal, which they all appreciated and made the most of. As a result, this episode is the favorite and the favorite experience of many members of the cast, including Andrew Sachs , whose character Manuel has the largest role in this episode of any episode in the series. There is a certain irony, as in several episodes of the series - including this one - Basil and Major Gowen make references to the strikes occurring in Britain at that time. Allusions and References Ludwig Wittgenstein: When Basil gives Manuel a task to prepare for Mr.

Carnegie's return, Manuel (as always) does not understand. Basil says, "It's not difficult, Manuel. This is not a proposition from Wittgenstein." Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein was one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century with his groundbreaking, influential work on logic, language and the mind. Francisco Franco: When Basil first tells Manuel his pet is a rat, Manuel argues it's a hamster. Basil replies, "Well, of course it's a rat. You have rats in Spain, don't you? Or did Franco have them all shot?" Generalisimo Francisco Franco was the fascist dictator of Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975. The Bubonic Plague: While arguing over the rat, Basil asks Manuel, "Have you ever heard of the bubonic plague, Manuel? It was very popular at one time. A lot of pedigreed hamsters came over on ships from Siberia." The bubonic plague is a highly infectious, deadly disease caused by bacteria which are spread through flea bites. The fleas typically infest rats but can pass on the infection to humans.

Throughout the Middle Ages, various parts of Europe and Asia were frequently ravaged by the Black Death, the greatest pandemic in recorded human history, believed to have been the bubonic plague. One of the last widespread outbreaks in Europe was the Great Plague of London, which first started in April 1665 and lasted throughout the year and into the first few weeks of the next. By some estimates, one-fifth of the population of that city was killed in the outbreak. It is believed to have occurred because of the growth of the rat population in the city. Mastermind : Sybil tells Basil if Mr. Carnegie sees the rat, he'll shut the hotel down, and Basil will have to get rid of it and make sure it doesn't return. Basil makes the snarky comment, "Can we get you on Mastermind, Sybil? Next contestant, Sybil Fawlty from Torquay, special subject: The bleedin' obvious." Mastermind was a highly popular quiz show in the UK from 1972 to 1997. It consisted of two rounds.

In the first, the contestant answered questions on a special field of his or her expertise, and in the second, questions in general knowledge. The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show : To conclude a confusing conversation with Major Gowen, Basil says, "Say good night to the folks, Gracie." This was a catchphrase used by the comedy straight man George Burns to the daffy, literalist comic (and Burns' real-life wife) Gracie Allen on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. Contrary to popular mythology, Gracie's response was always, "Good night," and never, "Good night, Gracie." John Cleese has claimed Burns and Allen as one of his comedy influences when he was growing up. Annie Hall: To stall Ronald and Quentina while Basil checks Quentina's bag for the missing rat, Polly says, "La-di-da. Did you see Annie Hall? La-di-da!" The classic romantic comedy Annie Hall, directed by and starring Woody Allen , was a blockbuster hit on its release in 1977 that made an international feminist idol of its titular female lead, played by Diane Keaton , who said, "La-di-da," when she was nervous.

It won four Oscars - including Best Picture and Best Actress for Keaton. Memorable Moments Quotes Manuel: I say to man in shop, "Is rat." He say, "No, no, no. Is a special kind of hamster. Is filigree Siberian hamster." Only one in shop. He make special price, only five pound. Basil: Have you ever heard of the bubonic plague, Manuel? It was very popular here at one time. A lot of pedigreed hamsters came over on ships from Siberia. Sybil: Basil, he's Manuel's pet. We have a duty to it. Perhaps we could find a home for him. Basil: All right, I'll put an ad in the papers. "Wanted: Kind home for enormous, savage rodent. Answers to the name of 'Sybil.'" Manuel: Don't hit me! Always you hit me!

Reviews no reviews yet Review Breakdown: A+: 1 A: 0 A-: 0 B+: 0 B: 0 B-: 0 C+: 0 C: 0 C-: 0 D: 0 F: 0 Fawlty Towers: Basil The Rat - Lessons - TES Teach FAWLTY TOWERS: BASIL THE RAT by David Mearns This tile is part of a premium resource. In order to access and share it with your students, you must purchase it first in our marketplace. Get resource Fawlty Towers - Season 2, Episode 6: Basil the Rat - TV.com Basil the Rat AIRED: 10/25/79 Manuel insists that his pet rodent is a Siberian hamster. However Basil is certain that the pet shop has conned the gullible Spaniard and sold him a rat - a fine thing to have running round the hotel when the public health inspector is also on the loose, Basil must find it before the inspector sees it and shuts the hotel down.moreless Who was the Episode MVP ?

Join the discussion of this episode Episode Discussion Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions See All Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions Trivia & Quotes Kevin Can Wait Ring Worm NEW Man With a Plan What About Bob? NEW NEW ABC Important: You must only upload images which you have created yourself or that you are expressly authorised or licensed to upload. By clicking "Publish", you are confirming that the image fully complies with TV.com’s Terms of Use and that you own all rights to the image or have authorization to upload it. Please read the following before uploading Do not upload anything which you do not own or are fully licensed to upload. The images should not contain any sexually explicit content, race hatred material or other offensive symbols or images. Remember: Abuse of the TV.com image system may result in you being banned from uploading images or from the entire site – so, play nice and respect the rules! Choose background: Basil the Rat episode guide [Fawlty Towers] #12: Basil The Rat Series Two, Episode Six — First shown 25 October 1979* Manuel serenades his new pet hamster on his guitar but things are not quite as they seem.

The Siberian hamster Manuel has been sold looks suspiciously like a rat to everyone (except Manuel). As if Basil didn’t have enough on his plate, he just happens to discover a Public Health Inspector nosing around the hotel kitchen. Sybil and Basil enter Fawlty Towers to a situation far more serious than the trivial argument they are having about whether Basil is free to go to some social occasion that Sybil is nagging him to take her to. Basil would rather do the hotel accounts than attend, which sums up Basil’s opinion about most of Sybil friends — the Sherrins aren’t even part of the human race he retorts. In the Fawlty’s absence, Mr Carnegie from the public health department is literally nosing around the kitchens, as Basil enters, Mr Carnegie has his nose in a tray of meat. Mr Carnegie is, to Basil, a complete stranger. Classic Scene… Basil (sarcastically): Shall I get you the wine list? Mr Carnegie: Mr Fawlty? Basil: Mister? Oh Please, call me waiter.

Look, I’ll go and get a chair and then you can really tuck in — there’s some stuff in the bin you might like, potato peelings, cold rice pudding, that sort of thing — not exactly haute cuisine but it’ll certainly fill you up. Ah Sybil, may I introduce you to the gentleman who’s just opened the self-service department here… Mr …? Mr Carnegie: Carnegie. Basil: Mr Carnegie the scavenger gourmet from…? Mr Carnegie: The Public Health Department. Basil quickly attempts to rescue the situation by pretending it was one of his little jokes, insulting visitors on official business is something he does all the time, which is of course completely true. Much to everyone’s surprise, Mr Carnegie gives the meat the all clear but proceeds to read out a very long list of other faults he has found in the kitchen and elsewhere in the hotel including two dead pigeons in the water tank. “Otherwise OK?” queries Basil. Mr Carnegie refrains from closing down Fawlty Towers immediately but vows to return tomorrow and warns the Fawlty’s that he expects all the many faults to be rectified. Basil and staff have some work to do. Basil rushes upstairs to get Manuel’s help for the clean up operation.

Manuel is sitting on his bed, playing his guitar, serenading his pet Siberian hamster. First task assigned to the hapless Manuel is to retrieve the two dead pigeons from the water tank in the loft, predictably this causes Manuel to misinterpret pigeons as pigs, Manuel collapses onto his bed in fits of laughter. “Oink! Oink!”, he imitates! Basil then spots the pet, which is in fact a rat — Manuel has been conned by the pet shop into snapping up their bargain, last one in shop, Siberian hamster. Basil then confiscates the rat and heads off down stairs, closely followed by the protesting Manuel. Gatsby and Tibbs at first offer to look after Manuel’s pet hamster until Basil holds up the cage to them… Arrrghhh! A Rat! A Rat!, as they scamper for safety. Downstairs, Polly lets Manuel into a little secret, it is a rat. Manuel knows he can trust Polly to tell him the truth. Basil and Sybil are in the kitchen discussing how they are going to deal with this little problem sympathetically.

Let it go free back into the wild, finding it a new home or even having it put to sleep (the rat, not Manuel), are just some of the solutions put forward until Polly comes in and tells Manuel her friend will take it and Manuel can visit it whenever he likes. They are then seen walking down the hotel drive carrying the rat in its cage off to its new home. This is to put Basil (the hotelier) off guard of course, Basil the Rat isn’t going far at all, they are really just going to put Basil the Rat out in the kitchen’s outbuildings where they hope Basil Fawlty won’t find it and Manuel can sneak out food from the kitchen for it. That was the plan, and as someone (Robert Burns) once said, “the best laid plans o’ rats an’ men gang aft agley…” Or was it mice? The kitchen is busy with everyone scrubbing and tidying ready for the inspection tomorrow by “old snoopy drawers” as Basil refers to him with mock affection. Meanwhile, Manuel is moping around with a black armband on just slightly overdoing the act of being in mourning for his departed friend. Polly warns him not to overdo it.

Manuel then begs a piece of fillet steak from Terry the chef and disappears outside and heads furtively in the direction of the outbuildings. Once he makes sure the coast is clear he goes inside and we first learn of the name Manuel has given his pet rat — Basil! Basil the Rat has escaped! Major Gowen walks through into the deserted bar, deserted except for the rat happily nibbling on a tray of peanuts on a table. The Major exits promising the rat he will be back, which he soon is, with his double-barrelled shotgun! Basil spots the Major striding past him into the bar again, this time with his gun at the ready. In the bar… Classic Scene… The Major is wandering cautiously around the bar, looking for the now departed rat: Basil: Do you need any help Major? Major (pointing the shotgun at Basil): Don’t move! Vermin! Basil: We haven’t got any this week, Major. No Germans staying this week… may I have the gun? Major: I’m going to shoot him, Fawlty. Basil: Yes… Major… Not… not legal anymore…murder… Major: But they’re animals, Fawlty!

Basil: Oh yes, yes… Still, forgive and forget, eh, Major? Major: Forgive ’em? Basil: Well, pretend we do. Major: But they spread disease, Fawlty… he was sitting there on that table, eating the nuts if you please. Basil (to himself): He’s really gone this time. Major: About that size. That with the tail (indicating the size of the rat). The penny drops for Basil: Basil: Tail… what did you say it was? Major: Vermin… A dirty rat! Basil heads out the bar leaving the shotgun behind the bar itself and enters the kitchen to find Terry looking behind a fridge, claiming he is cleaning behind it but he too is hunting for the elusive rat. Basil carries on through into the dining room where he soon discovers he has been betrayed — Polly and Manuel are both under tables hunting for the rat — and he also finds out the rat has been named in his honour! Once Basil has threatened them all with the sack, the rat hunt begins again with Basil taking the drastic measure of giving a veal fillet a liberal sprinkling of rat poison and placing it on the floor!

Just after Mr Carnegie arrives to carry out the inspection, two loud gunshots are heard coming from the bar, it seems the Major has decided to deal with the vermin once and for all. Mr Carnegie is looking slightly dismayed at this, and must be really wondering what kind of place Fawlty Towers is as Polly appears at reception wielding a large net. Poor Manuel! He gets upset as he thinks the Major has just blasted his beloved pet to bits and gets even more distressed when he thinks that Terry has put Basil the Rat in the ratatouille! Manuel then goes storming off in a rage, heading for the kitchens, intending to throttle Terry but in their struggle they only manage to knock over a tray of veal. They pick them up of course (off the floor!) but fail to realise that one of the fillets was already on the floor — the one Basil laced with rat poison! Much of the rest of the episode is taken up by a frantic Basil and the rest of the staff trying to deduce which of the veal fillets has the rat poison on it.

The unfortunate Fawlty Towers cat (which only seems to make an appearance in Basil the Rat) determines which of the fillets is OK or otherwise: it was seen nibbling on one, so they decide that if the cat is all right then they can serve that piece of veal. Minutes later the cat is not all right after all so Basil then has to snatch meals from under people’s noses that might kill them! This goes on as meals get given the all clear and then snatched away again seconds later, much to several guests’ annoyance. Mr Carnegie gets the worst of the “now you see it, now you don’t” routine. After giving the kitchens a clean bill of health he decides to take lunch at Fawlty Towers (Smash! Basil drops a wine bottle in fright) and happens to notice they had veal on the menu (Smash! There goes another wine bottle!). Basil even offers Mr Carnegie a bargain lobster or two, anything but the veal, as taking the life of a public health inspector would surely be the last straw for Fawlty Towers.

Everyone’s best efforts to cover up any evidence of a rat on the loose in the hotel aren’t helped much by the Major proudly announcing “So you’re the Rat Inspector” in a loud voice to Mr Carnegie, who must be beginning to at least smell a rat, even if he hasn’t seen it yet. Meanwhile, a young upper class couple are in the dining room trying to order but not having much luck getting any sense out of Manuel, as Manuel thinks he has spotted the rat under the toff’s table and keeps glancing under it and totally ignoring the man’s attempts to order his starter. Once Basil gets involved and starts doing the same thing, the toff really gets annoyed at everyone seemingly paying more attention to his fiancï¿½e’s legs and gets up and announces they are leaving immediately. The only problem is that the rat is now in the young ladies bag and Manuel wants it back before they storm off with it, never to be seen again. Now at reception, Polly is behind the desk trying to keep their attention while Basil sneakily tries to get the rat from the lady’s bag without her noticing of course.

Basil isn’t quite sneaky enough and the young lady does notice Basil in her bag and the upper class gentleman threatens to give Basil a “bunch of fives” as he is really “getting my dander up”! The quick-thinking Polly temporarily defuses the situation by admitting to the couple that they have had a bomb scare and Basil was only trying to check her bag without worrying her. This gives Basil a legitimate excuse to take the bag and have a proper look but he only succeeds in getting bitten by his namesake and the rat goes scuttling off into the dining room where it will play a starring role in the final episode's hilarious finale! Classic Scene… Manuel sees the rat scurrying past him, catches it and just after he has carefully hidden it in the biscuit tin, Mr Carnegie orders some cheese and biscuits! Basil’s world is about to collapse around him as, not knowing the biscuit tin now contains one large rodent, he proudly whips the lid of the biscuit tin right under Mr Carnegie’s nose to reveal the rat, sitting up, staring Mr Carnegie in the face… “Care for a rat!” says Basil nonchalantly to a dumbfounded Mr Carnegie who can’t quite believe what he is seeing.

Basil makes his final exit, being dragged feet first out of the dining room by Manuel, and no doubt straight off to the funny farm. Once the rat is whisked out of the tin Polly offers it again to a still stunned public health inspector, who isn't quite sure if he did indeed see a rat peeking at him from a biscuit tin. Sybil casually announces it has started to rain again and the credits roll. It's all over, twelve classic episodes. Despite being pestered ever since, John Cleese and Co have never revealed what happened next in the madcap world of Basil Fawlty. Unlike a lot of comedy series of that era such as On The Buses, Porridge, Dick Emery (another favourite of mine) etc, a feature film based on the series never got past the planning stage. You'll just have to make do with watching the original twelve over and over and over… Full cast list for Basil the Rat Character A List Of Every Page on the site. Fawlty Survey Sorry, the survey is now finished but you can view the results .

Previous episode #11: The Anniversary Sybil can’t believe that Basil has forgotten their 15th wedding anniversary, “not after what happened the last time he didn’t remember,“ she tells Polly. In fact, Basil has arranged a surprise party, with all of Sybil’s friends on the Fawlty Towers invitation list. Unfortunately Sybil flounces off to the golf course leaving Basil up to his neck floundering in guests, lies and mayhem. Basil the Rat Episode notes * The transmission of this episode was delayed for about seven months due to union trouble at the BBC. The seemingly endless strikes of that era are sometimes referred to in the episodes themselves. Basil the Rat who starred in this episode went on to have a glittering Hollywood career playing major rat parts in dozens of movies including Rat On A Hot Tin Roof. Fawlty Towers - Movies & TV on Google Play Fawlty Towers 1 $1.99 Manuel has been ordered to get rid of his pet rat before the health inspector pays a visit. But the pet breaks away, leading the Major to trying to shoot the rodent in the bar.

1 Season 2 Episode 6 Manuel has been ordered to get rid of his pet rat before the health inspector pays a visit. But the pet breaks away, leading the Major to trying to shoot the rodent in the bar. Season 2 1 $1.99 A nearly deaf and very difficult Mrs. Richards arrives at the hotel. When she loses a large sum of money, she demands that the police be called. 1 1 $1.99 Basil is certain one of the guests has smuggled a girl into his room and sets out to investigate. Unfortunately, he is caught in a compromising situation by Sybil. 1 1 $1.99 An American guest tips Basil to keep the kitchen open late, but chef has left for the day. Basil steps in, but he meets his Waterloo when the guest requests a Waldorf Salad. 1 1 $1.99 What should a hotelier do when he serves a guest breakfast in bed and finds that guest dead? Whatever that something may be, Basil does not do it. 1 1 $1.99 It is Basil and Sibyl's anniversary, and Basil has actually remembered.

In true Basil fashion, however, he has not told Sybil he has remembered and she is hugely upset. 1 1 $1.99 Manuel has been ordered to get rid of his pet rat before the health inspector pays a visit. But the pet breaks away, leading the Major to trying to shoot the rodent in the bar. 1 1 $1.99 Basil Fawlty is in a campaign to improve the class of his clientele at Fawlty Towers. His efforts have spectacular results ‑ in the short term. 1 1 $1.99 Sybil has picked a professional firm for the alterations to the hotel. But Basil makes an executive decision that his friend can do a better job. 1 1 $1.99 Basil occupies himself in a losing battle against moral turpitude. His predicament is exacerbated by Manuel's birthday celebrations. 1 1 $1.99 One of the dreaded events in a hotel manager's life is the inspector's visit. One calls, and Basil has to decide which of the guests he is. 1 1 $1.99 It is Gourmet Night at Fawlty Towers, and it seems that Basil's long cherished dream will be realized.

But the chef lies drunk on the floor. 1 1 $1.99 A moose head falls on Basil during a fire drill, giving him a concussion. But he must leave hospital to deal tactfully with a group of German tourists. Contains language which some may find offens... 1 $1.99 Description Everyone loves Fawlty Towers - except the poor, abused guests. Since that memorable evening in the mid 1970s when the hotel opened its doors to the public, it has become cult viewing in 61 countries worldwide. And despite being screened again and again, the programs haven't lost their appeal - Basil and Sybil's insults to each other, Manuel's plaintive "Que?", and "Don't mention the war" from The Germans have been absorbed into everyday speech. My review 1 1 Melissa Conaway It might be old but give it a shot! So I'm always reading about how Americans are too stupid to get British humor; but as one myself, that's not always the case. Monty Python is my favorite comedy show of all time, so when I read that John Cleese had a show, I had to check it out. I was not disappointed.

As a comedy aficionado, I've seen tons of comedy shows, but this one and MP are the only ones that literally make my stomach hurt from laughing. I have to pause this one at intervals because I can't hear the lines over my laughter. Teddi Runyon A hotelier that always has to go wth the flow. Always great fun! Giggles, groans, and outright whoops of laughter. Kelly Rusinack The Brits Just Do It Better Comedy, that is. They also know to quit on top. Every character in this show, from the main characters of Basil and Sybil, to the help, and the guests, dish out the droll humor made famous by the BBC. It's witty and in the gutter at the same time, though I would venture to think it's not the cup of tea of Americans looking for standard sitcom fare. Cleese is brilliant, but then again, when isn't he? I highly recommend for afficianados of silly, smart, character-driven humor that assumes you get the joke. J.J. Vermillion Faulty Towers Despite seeing every episode many times, I still laugh out loud. Perfect dysfunction! John Ford Love the show But don't love the service.

Needs to explain how you obtain the digital copies. I found out by accident looking under "my TV Shows" click on the thumbtack icon. Russ W John Cleese is one of the funniest men to ever live, and few things better embody his amazing sense of humor. I'm not sure there's much else I can say about Fawlty Towers other than I love it because after over 20 years of watching it(I'm 37, I'm not old!), it still makes me laugh and I still love John Cleese, Connie Booth, Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs. They had excellent chemistry on this show, and it's always a wonderfully great watch. User reviews Melissa Conaway June 12, 2015 It might be old but give it a shot! So I'm always reading about how Americans are too stupid to get British humor; but as one myself, that's not always the case. Monty Python is my favorite comedy show of all time, so when I read that John Cleese had a show, I had to check it out. I was not disappointed.

As a comedy aficionado, I've seen tons of comedy shows, but this one and MP are the only ones that literally make my stomach hurt from laughing. I have to pause this one at intervals because I can't hear the lines over my laughter. Full Review Teddi Runyon July 8, 2013 A hotelier that always has to go wth the flow. Always great fun! Giggles, groans, and outright whoops of laughter. Full Review Kelly Rusinack June 20, 2014 The Brits Just Do It Better Comedy, that is. They also know to quit on top. Every character in this show, from the main characters of Basil and Sybil, to the help, and the guests, dish out the droll humor made famous by the BBC. It's witty and in the gutter at the same time, though I would venture to think it's not the cup of tea of Americans looking for standard sitcom fare. Cleese is brilliant, but then again, when isn't he? I highly recommend for afficianados of silly, smart, character-driven humor that assumes you get the joke. J.J.

Vermillion September 14, 2014 Faulty Towers Despite seeing every episode many times, I still laugh out loud. Perfect dysfunction! Full Review John Ford June 9, 2013 Love the show But don't love the service. Needs to explain how you obtain the digital copies. I found out by accident looking under "my TV Shows" click on the thumbtack icon. Full Review Russ W January 13, 2016 John Cleese is one of the funniest men to ever live, and few things better embody his amazing sense of humor. I'm not sure there's much else I can say about Fawlty Towers other than I love it because after over 20 years of watching it(I'm 37, I'm not old!), it still makes me laugh and I still love John Cleese, Connie Booth, Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs. They had excellent chemistry on this show, and it's always a wonderfully great watch. Full Review sherri kenney June 20, 2013 Oldie but a MAJOR Goodie This show is so hysterically funny it's unreal.

If you enjoy Brtitish comedy, especially the older classics, you will absolutely LOVE Fawlty Towers. Highly recommended if you need a good laugh, and don't we all need to laugh more?? Full Review Mary A Seidman October 6, 2014 The Germans This is one of the funniest things I have ever seen on TV, it is absurd and unforgettable. I wish there was more like it today Full Review Brett A January 8, 2015 Excellent Every level of comedy is represented in this series too bad its run was so short lived Full Review Robert Rhody March 16, 2014 I love Fawlty Towers!!!!! It's one of the best British tv shows next to Bennie Hill, I ever watched I have seasons 1 & 2 on my phone & hope to find them on dvd. I've told all my friends about about Fawlty Towers. Basil Fawlty reminds me of myself at work, & Manual reminds me of some of people I have to work with. I had to stay in a hospital for a while, & one of my friends though Fawlty Towers was a hospital, I told him.

I would rather stay at Fawlty Towers, than any hospital. Take care everyone. Full Review elitists international August 12, 2015 You started it! Basil Fawlty is there least capable hotel owner in Britain. Hilarity ensues. This is John Clease at his best, and the supporting cast is brilliant. A must for anyone that enjoys British comedy. Full Review Michael Hillanbrand July 1, 2013 Best Sitcom of All Time Every episode was genius. All the characters really took their roles seriously and as ironic as that may sound, it is very much needed to make a good comedy. John Tibbs September 22, 2015 British Columbia Still funny after all these years Full Review Mike Pleban August 31, 2016 Great shows Love this show and a few others like, Keeping up appearances, are you being served, and of course Monty python flying circus Mordechai Flaks July 25, 2015 Wyle E Coyote Runs a bed and breakfast Richard Pisano July 1, 2016 Faculty Towers classic skits , also in (city of death) John Clease is Amazing!

Tara Smith July 12, 2015 This is my favorite British sit com! I could watch them over and over again! Alex Gregory May 25, 2016 Incredible One of funniest and one of the best shows of all time, hands down. Full Review Michael Salesky July 27, 2016 John Cleese was ahead of his time Best sitcom in the world. John Cleese is a comic genius Andrew Watt September 11, 2016 Ottery Fowls One of the funniest shows ever. Love, love, love John Cleese. Darrell Bartlett September 22, 2016 Fawlty towers Tv show Randy Moran September 17, 2014 The greatest show ever Basil rules he's from Barcelona lol Laura Fariello October 22, 2014 Good luck with your day :-) too funny,timeless fun Demetri Little August 5, 2016 A classic.........:).

Chet Mantello November 10, 2014 Every Episode Stephanie C April 20, 2016 So funny Mike Downey November 6, 2014 Fawlty towers Reuben Stell November 26, 2016 Awesome!!! Great comedy from John Cleese. Tanya Gibson July 19, 2015 Fawlty Towers BEST SHOW EVER!! Deborah Jenkiins January 7, 2016 Fawlty Towers Jocularity at it's finest! sue paul October 7, 2013 Superb Surpasses the imagination. Just wonderful. Charles Dunton April 18, 2014 Totally Awesome!!! The funniest stuff! Steve Goldman August 17, 2016 Classic John Cleese is a genius! Dru Morgan July 8, 2016 Simply the best sitcom ever Brad Kalinoski August 22, 2014 Superb Televisions finest comedies Mia Horn February 25, 2014 Just great comedy Funnyman Samm Robins November 21, 2015 Comedy at its best. Mike B.

October 14, 2015 :-) I love this show Sean Gallagher January 30, 2016 Love Tremendous show Fawlty Towers - Wikiquote Fawlty Towers Jump to: navigation , search Fawlty Towers (1975–1979) was a BBC television sitcom about hotel owner Basil Fawlty's incompetence, short fuse, and arrogance that form a combination that ensures accidents and trouble are never far away. Series 1[ edit ] A Touch of Class[ edit ] [Classical music is playing in the background. Basil is putting up a picture. Sybil walks in.] Sybil : Don't forget the menu. Basil : I beg your pardon? Sybil: Don't forget the menu. Basil: I thought you said you want— Right! I'll do the menu! [He puts down the picture, walks over to a typewriter and sits down.] Sybil: You could have had them both done by now if you hadn't spent the whole morning skulking in there listening to that racket. Basil: Racket? That's Brahms! Brahms' Third Racket! [pause] Basil: [mutters] All morning?

I've only had two bars! Basil: Hello, Fawlty Towers. Ah, yes, Mr. O'Reilly. Well, it's quite simple. When I asked you to build me a wall, I was rather thinking that instead of just dumping the bricks down in a pile, you might find time to cement them together one on top of the other in the traditional fashion. [to Melbury] Could you fill it in, please? [to O'Reilly] Oh, splendid! Yes, but when, Mr. O'Reilly? [to Melbury] There. There. [to O'Reilly] Yes, but when? Ah, I see: the flu. [to Melbury] Both names, please. [to O'Reilly] Yes, I should have guessed, Mr. O'Reilly; that and the potato famine, I suppose. Melbury: I beg your pardon? Basil: Could you put both your names please? [to O'Reilly] Well, can you give me a date? Melbury: I only use one. Basil: You don't have a first name? Melbury: No.

I am Lord Melbury, so I simply sign "Melbury." Basil: [Now realising that Melbury is of high class] [to O'Reilly] Go away. [hangs up] So sorry to have kept you waiting, your lordship. I do apologise. Basil: Sybil, I forbid you to open that safe. [She does so] Sybil, I forbid you to take that case out! [She does so] Sybil, you cannot open that case! I FORBID it! [She does so] Basil: Hello, Lord Melbury. BASTARD!!! Basil: [To Sir Richard and Lady Morris] Where are you going? Sir Richard: We're leaving!! Basil: Oh, don't! Please stay. You'll like it here. Sir Richard: I've never been in such a place in my life! [They drive away] Basil: [yells] You snobs! You stupid, stuck up, toffee-nosed, half-witted, upper class piles of... pus! Mr. Waering: [furious] A gin and orange, a lemon squash, and a scotch and water, please!

Basil: [smashing the picture, vexed] Right! [He frog marches Mr. Waering to his table to be served.] The Builders [ edit ] Sybil: O'Reilly, I have seen more intelligent creatures than you lying on their backs at the bottoms of ponds. I have seen better organized creatures than you running round farmyards with their heads cut off. Now collect your things and GET OUT!! I never want to see you or any of your men in my hotel again! Basil: Ah, hello, Mr. O'Reilly. How are you this morning? Oh, good, good. No rare diseases, or anything? Oh, I do beg your pardon: Basil Fawlty, you remember? The poor sod you do jobs for? Well now, how are things your end? Oh, good. Good, good, good. Well now, how would you like to hear about things my end? Oh, well, up to your usual standard I think I can say. A few holes in the floor, the odd door missing; but nothing you can't be sued for.

Basil: [down the phone to O'Reilly] ...No, I don't want to debate about it, if you're not over here in twenty minutes with my door I shall come over there and insert a large garden gnome in you. Good day. Sybil: [Seeing Basil walking down the road with a large garden gnome] Where are you going, Basil? Basil: Just going to see O'Reilly, dear. Then I might go to Canada. Manuel: [pretending to talk to someone down the phone] Manuel Towers. How are you? Is nice today. Good! Goodbye. Delivery man: Where's the boss? Manuel: ¿Que? Delivery man: The, the... the generalissimo ! Manuel: [looks at him incredulously] In Madrid! Tibbs: Don't do anything we wouldn't do. Basil: Just a little breathing, surely? Basil: Are you going to take something like that seriously?! O'Reilly: Well... well, I thought I might... Basil: YOU THOUGHT YOU MIGHT?!?!! What kind of man ARE you!?! Are you going to let her talk to us like that?! O'Reilly: She just did!!

Basil: No, no, no, she only thinks she did. But we'll show her! We're not only going to take that door out and put the other one back, we're going to add that new door and block that one off as well. We're going to to the BEST day's work you've EVER done, O'Reilly!! [Basil has just tripped over Sybil's garden gnome behind the reception desk] Basil: What is this!! What is this doing here?! What is going on here?? Polly: Your wife ordered it. Call O'Reilly! Basil: That golfing puff-adder?! What does she want a stupid... [begins strangling the gnome] Polly: [bangs phone on counter] CALL O'REILLY! Basil: WHAT!?! Polly: Shall I call him? Basil: No no I'll do it! I'll call him, you go and see if the roof's still on! The Wedding Party[ edit ] Basil: Did you ever see that film, How To Murder Your Wife? Major Gowen : "How To Murder Your Wife"? Basil: Yes, awfully good. I saw it six times.

Basil: Always reminds me of somebody machine-gunning a seal. Major Gowen: The heat? Basil: No, no. My wife's laugh. Basil: [about Sybil's laughter] Please don't alarm yourself, it's only my wife laughing. I'm afraid her local finishing school was bombed. Mrs. Peignoir: [shocked] Oh dear! Basil: No, no, not really. Just a thought. Well now, what can I get you? Mrs. Peignoir: Do you have any Ricard ? Basil: [confused] I'm sorry? Mrs. Peignoir: Any Ricard? Basil: [unsure what Ricard is, he pretends to check the bar] Uh, we're just out of it, I think... The Hotel Inspectors[ edit ] Mr. Hutchinson: OH NO NO, come on now, this is quite absurd, I'm sorry, I do not want the omelet! Manuel: Is nice! Mr. Hutchinson: I don't WANT the bloody thing, I've already sent it back! Basil: Here, give it to me. Mr.

Hutchinson: I fail to see how this sort of thing can happen! Basil: There, I've torn it up. You'll never see it again. Sybil: Don't shout at me. I've had a difficult morning. Basil: Oh, dear, what happened? Did you get entangled in the eiderdown again? Not enough cream in your eclair? Hmmm... or did you have to talk to all your friends for so long that you didn't have time to perm your ears? Basil: I would find it a little easier to cope with some of the cretins we get in here, my little nest of vipers, if I got smidgen of co-operation from you. Sybil: Co-operation? That's a laugh. The day you co-operate, you'll be in a wooden box. I've never heard such rudeness. Basil: Spoons, eh? Mr. Hutchinson: I beg your pardon? Basil: I understand you're in the spoon trade. Mr. Hutchinson: Oh, yes. Yes. Basil: Fascinating. How very absorbing for you. Mr. Hutchinson: Well...

Basil: So much more interesting than being a HOTEL INSPECTOR!! Mr. Hutchinson: Y'What...? Mr. Hutchinson: There is a documentary on BBC2 this evening about Squawking Bird, the leader of the Blackfoot Indians in the late 1860s. Now this starts at 8.45 and goes on for approximately three-quarters of an hour. Basil: I'm sorry, are you talking to me? Mr. Hutchinson: Indeed I am, yes. Now is it possible for me to reserve the BBC2 channel for the duration of this televisual feast? Basil: Why don't you talk properly? Mr. Hutchinson: I beg your pardon? Basil: No it isn't. Mr. Hutchinson: What? Basil: It is not possible to reserve the BBC2 channel from the commencement of this televisual feast until the moment of the termination of its ending thereof, thank you so much. Basil: Drunk! Soused! Potted! Inebriated! Got it?! Sybil: I don't believe it! Basil: Neither do I. Perhaps it's a dream.

[pounds his head on the desk several times, sits up, looks around.] Nope, it's not a dream. We're stuck with it. Basil: [yelling at his car] Come on! Come on! Start! Start, you vicious bastard! Come on! Oh, my God! I'm warning you! If you don't start... I'll count to three! 1, 2, 3! Right! That's it! [leaving the car, he starts yelling at it] I've had enough! You've tried it on just once too often! Right! Well, don't say I haven't warned you! I've laid it on the line for you time and time again! Right! Well, this is it! I'm going to give you a damn good thrashing! [he leaves the frame, returns holding a branch and starts thrashing the car over the bonnet] The Germans[ edit ] Basil: [calling up the stairs, with Manuel holding onto him] Right, ladies and gentlemen, sorry to disturb you. Could I have everyone down here, in the lobby. There is something I think I ought to mention. [The guests all gather in the lobby] Miss Gatsby: What is it?

Basil: The point is, can I put it this way… Fire. Miss Gatsby: Fire? Basil: Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fire! Fire! FIRE! [All the guests leave the hotel] Basil: Listen, don't mention the war! I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it all right. [returns to the Germans] So! It's all forgotten now, and let's hear no more about it. So, that's two egg mayonnaise, a prawn Goebbels, a Hermann Goering, and four Colditz salads. Basil: Is there something wrong? Elder Herr: Will you stop talking about the war? Basil: Me! You started it! Elder Herr: We did not start it! Basil: Yes you did — you invaded Poland. [Basil is in hospital and a nurse is tending to his injuries] Basil: Don't touch me! I don't know where you've been! Sister: Yes, yes. We must have our little jokes, mustn't we? Basil: Yes, we must, mustn't we? My God, you're ugly, aren't you? Mind boggling!

[The nurse is shocked by Basil's comments] Sybil: Basil?! Sister: I-I'll get the Doctor. Basil: You need a plastic surgeon, dear, not a doctor. Sister: Mr. Fawlty, we're concerned about your health. Basil: Well, I'll live longer than you. Manuel: [hidden behind front desk, with moose head in plain sight] How are YOU, sir? I can speak English. I learn it from a book. Communication Problems[ edit ] Mrs. Richards: What is going on here? I ask him for my room, and he tells me the manager's a "Mr Watt," aged forty. Manuel : No, no. Fawlty. Mrs. Richards: Faulty? What's wrong with him? Polly: It's all right, Mrs. Richards. He's from Barcelona. Mrs. Richards: The manager's from Barcelona? Manuel: No, no. He's from, er, Swanage. Mrs. Richards: Now listen to me. I booked a room with a bath. When I book a room with a bath I expect to get a bath.

Basil: [confused] You've got a bath. Mrs. Richards: I'm not paying seven pounds twenty pence per night plus VAT for a room without a bath. Basil: [goes into the bathroom] There is your bath. Mrs. Richards: You call that a bath? It's not big enough to drown a mouse. It's disgraceful... Basil: [quietly] I wish you were a mouse, I'd show you... Mrs. Richards: And another thing. I booked a room with a view. Basil: [quietly to Manuel] Deaf, mad, and blind. [Goes to the window] Yes, this is the view as I remember it, yes, yes, this is it. Mrs. Richards: When I pay for a room with a view, I expect something more interesting than that. Basil: That is Torquay, madam. Mrs. Richards: Well it's not good enough. Basil: Well, may I ask what you expected to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically...? Mrs.

Richards: Don't be silly. I expect to be able to see the sea. Basil: You can see the sea. It's over there between the land and the sky. Mrs. Richards: I'd need a telescope to see that. Basil: Well, then, may I suggest you move to a hotel nearer the sea? [mutters] Or preferably in it. Mrs Richards: Now listen to me. I am not satisfied. However, I have decided to stay. But I shall expect a reduction. Basil: Why, because Krakatoa 's not erupting at the moment? Mrs Richards: Because the room is cold, the bath is too small, the view is invisible, and the radio doesn't work. Basil: No, the radio works. [mutters] You don't. Mrs Richards: What? Basil: I'll see if I can fix it [mutters] you scabby old bat. Basil: Madam, may I ask do you have a hearing aid? Mrs Richards: What? Basil: [shouting] A hearing aid! Mrs Richards: Yes I do have a hearing aid! Basil: Would you like me to get it mended?

Mrs Richards: Mended? It's working perfectly fine. Basil: No it isn't! Mrs Richards: I haven't got it turned on at the moment. Basil: Why not? Mrs Richards: The battery runs down. Now what sort of reduction are you prepared to give me on this room? Basil: [whispering] 60% if you turn it on. Mrs Richards: What?! Basil: My wife handles all such matters, she'll be delighted to discuss it with you. Mrs Richards: I shall speak to her after lunch. Basil: [muttering] You heard that all right, didn't you... [Mrs Richards comes down the stairs] Misses Tibbs and Gatsby: Good afternoon. Mrs Richards: First they give me a room without a bath, then there's no lavatory paper. [goes to the reception desk and starts banging the bell] Misses Tibbs and Gatsby: Oohh. Miss Gatsby: Would you like some of ours? Miss Tibbs: We keep an extra supply Miss Gatsby: Yes, would you like some of ours? [Mrs Richards ignores them and continues to bang the desk bell] Mrs Richards: Hello!

[Polly comes out of the office] Girl. There's no paper in my room. Why don't you check these things? That's what you're being paid for, isn't it? Polly: Well we don't put it in the rooms. Mrs Richards: What? Polly: We keep it in the lounge. Mrs Richards: [shocked] In the lounge?! Polly: I'll get you some. Do you want plain ones, or ones with our address on it? Mrs Richards: [still shocked] Address on it?! Polly: How many sheets? [Mrs Richards looks appalled] Well how many are you going to use? Mrs Richards: [banging the desk bell] Manager! Polly: Just enough for one? Tell me! Mrs Richards: Manager! Manager! Mrs Richards: [To Polly, after looking everywhere for her glasses] Are you blind? They were on my head! Didn't you see them? Polly: Yes! Mrs Richards: Didn't God give you eyes? Polly: Yes, but I don't use them, because it wears the batteries out! Mrs Richards: [Leaving the room] I can get down stairs by myself. Basil: "Down" the stairs?

Oh well, don't stop when you get to the basement! Keep straight on! Give my regards to the Earth's core! Sybil: [to Mrs Richards] Are you sure you can manage? Basil: If you give us any more trouble I shall visit you in the small hours and put a bat up your nightdress! Basil: He gets paid for sticking his nose— Sybil: Oh, Basil— Basil: No, I'm going to have my say! Into people's private... um... details. Well, just speaking for myself, I don't want a total stranger nosing about in my private parts— details! Sybil: You're only single once. Basil: Twice can be arranged! Psychiatrist: There's enough material there for an entire conference. Terry: Mr. Fawlty, take it easy. Basil: Now listen here. I don't pay you to tell me to take it easy. I pay you to take it easy, I mean I pay you to tell you to take it easy. Fawlty Towers Quiz - By KennethBoon What was the name of the chef? Basil Fawlty was based on a real person. True or False?

Who did Major Gowan hate? What did Manuel name his rat? Who played the role of Manuel What was the name of Basil's American maid? What was the name of the first episode? Name the Irish builder who basil opted to use due to the fact he was cheap? What lands Basil in hospital in the episode 'The Germans'? Name the mostly-deaf woman in 'Communication Problems' How much money was missing from the deaf woman's room? What was the name of the horse that Basil asked Manuel to put a bet on for him? Where is the hotel located? Complete this line: 'It's what marriage is all about. I know - I read it on the back of a ________ ' Question Answer When Basil asked the chef to stay behind later, where was the chef claiming he was supposed to be going? When Basil claimed Manuel's pet was a rat, what type of hamster did Manuel claim it was? How many brothers did Manuel state that he had? When Stubbs the builder asks for the 'Generalissimo', where does Manuel say he is? Which war did Basil claim he fought in? During his time in the war, Basil said he killed how many men?

Basil calls Sybil his 'Nest of _______ ' What has become Basil's most famous catchphrase? What did Basil famously beat his car with? In the episode 'Gourmet Night' what was the only meat on the menu? Evidence that Basil smokes is only briefly seen in which episode? Which phrase does Sybil use constantly when on the phone? What was the last name of the supposed Lord in 'A Touch of Class'? Complete this line from Sybil: 'I have seen more intelligent creates than you lying on their backs at the ______ __ _____ ' report this ad Manuel the Spanish waiter played by Andrew Sachs in Fawlty Towers The Cast of Fawlty Towers Manuel Poor Manuel! Forever bullied and harassed by Basil, Manuel the Spanish waiter didn't even let Basil hitting him in the forehead with a spoon prevent him from naming his pet "hamster" in Basil's honour! My personal favourite Manuel scene was when he was crouched down behind the reception desk proudly announcing “My English is very good! I learn it from a book!” just as the Major walks through and sees only the moose head sitting on the counter and thinks the moose head is speaking!

Manuel's poor command of the English language and his perfectly acted dim-witted nature were often the downfall of Basil's carefully-crafted schemes as well as infuriating the guests of course. When Fawlty Towers was broadcast in Spain, the nationality of the character of Manuel was changed to an Italian. I have been asked a few times of the name given to the Italian "Manuel", apparently it was Paolo. Update! Mariona from Catalonia e-mailled me in May 2004 with this: "I live in Catalonia where we have another language. I watched Fawlty Towers as a child and we had the version in Catalan. I've never heard of a Spanish version. However, as you know the original Manuel was born in Barcelona, and, because of the silly behaviour he performs, his nationality was changed to Mexican, not Italian, in the Catalan version. His name was also Manuel but with the Catalan accent, which is very funny. The title of the serial was "Hotel Fawlty". Official iManuel App The App gives your phone its very own virtual waiter in the form of the classic comedy favourite Manuel from Fawlty Towers.

The App allows you to watch Manuel get to work polishing your screen, keeping you updated on how much battery life you have left and allowing you to set a Manuel alarm. The app also includes original Manual sound clips from the show itself. Visit the iTunes store for more info and to purchase the app. Carte D'or television advert In the early 1980s, Andrew Sachs appeared in a television advert for Carte D'or wine. Played by: Andrew Sachs Born: Andreas Siegfried Sachs Date of Birth: 07 April, 1930 — Andrew Sachs shares a birthday with Jackie Chan, Francis Ford Coppola and James Garner. Place of Birth: Berlin, Germany Andrew Sachs fled to England from Germany with his family when he was aged eight. His family had been planning to emigrate anyway when his father was arrested one night shortly before Kristallnacht . He was later released but the threats to a Jewish family in a Germany under the Nazis were too much so they fled to England. A stage career soon beckoned — Andrew looked at Lassie and thought “If a dog can do it, so can I”!

His career has encompassed many comedies and classical dramas in all media including TV, radio and theatre. He has also written and produced a number of works for radio and the stage. He is also well known for countless voiceovers for television documentaries. Andrew Sachs is married to Melody Lang, presumably the same one who played Mrs Taylor in Basil the Rat. Andrew Sachs/Manuel Lookalikes! Great lookalike and impersonator of both Manuel and HRH Prince Charles! Reception

Question: What name did Manuel give to his pet rat in ‘Fawlty Towers’?
Answer: BASIL