A Fish Called Wanda 1988

A tale of murder, lust, greed, revenge and seafood!

I understand that a comedy set in 1988 is not a period drama, but this is my blog and A Fish Called Wanda is one of my fave films of all time. Yes, it has lots of swearing and raunchiness in it, but it is all there for comedic effect. And I would much rather see this film than the crappy violence in the theatres these days. In fact, we watched this at the cottage with our adult sons and their girlfriends a few weeks ago. And boy does it ever hold up. Great comedy is great comedy.

Archie: All right, all right, I apologize.
Otto: You're really sorry?
Archie: I'm really really sorry. I apologize unreservedly.
Otto: You take it back?
Archie: I do. I offer a complete and utter retraction. The imputation was totally without basis in fact, and was in no way fair comment, and was motivated purely by malice, and I deeply regret any distress that my comments may have caused you or your family, and I hereby undertake not to repeat any such slander at any time in the future.
Otto:...Okay.

Archie: Wanda, do you have any idea what it's like being English? Being so correct all the time, being so stifled by this dread of, of doing the wrong thing, of saying to someone, 'Are you married?' and hearing, 'My wife left me this morning' or saying, uh, 'Do you have children?' and being told they all burned to death on Wednesday. You see, Wanda, We're all terrified of embarrassment. That's why we're so - dead. Most of my friends are dead, you know; we've these piles of corpses to dinner. But you're alive, God bless you, and I want to be, I'm so fed up with all this. I want to make love with you, Wanda. I'm a good lover - at least, used to be, back in the early 14th century. Can we go to bed?

Otto: Guess I'll have to ask you an easy one, eh, Ken? OK. Um...Let me think, let me think. Um...Where are the diamonds? I'll give you a clue. Somewhere around the airport.
Ken: I'm n-n-n...
Otto: No hassle. There's plenty of time. I'll just sit here and eat my chips till you tell me. The English contribution to world cuisine: the chip. What do the English usually eat with chips to make them more interesting? Wait a moment! It's fish. Isn't it? [Dipping into the fish tank with a net] Oh! Here, boy. Down the hatch. [Eats the fish] Delicious!
Ken: You b-b-b...
Otto: Better eat the green one? OK. What's this one's name? Well, not Wanda, anyway. I'm going to call her Lunch. Hello, Lunch. Hello! [Eats the fish] Ew! Avoid the green ones - not ripe yet!

Otto: Don't call me stupid.
Wanda: Oh, right! To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people! I've known sheep that could outwit you. I've worn dresses with higher IQs. But you think you're an intellectual, don't you ape?
Otto: Apes don't read philosophy.
Wanda: Yes they do, Otto. They just don't understand it. Now let me correct you on a couple of things, OK? Aristotle was not Belgian. The central message of Buddhism is not "Every man for himself" and the London Underground is not a political movement. Those are all mistakes, Otto. I looked them up.

Ken: Re-venge!
Otto: [Laughing] It's K-K-K-Ken! C-c-c-coming to k-k-k-kill me! How you gonna c-c-c-catch me K-K-K-Ken?

Politically incorrect? Absolutely. But Ken does get his revenge, doesn't he? If you haven't seen this one in a while, it is well worth seeking out. And don't watch the watered down TV version. This one deserves to be seen uncut and without commercials.


Any other fans out there???

Cheers!

As Time Goes By

As Time Goes By with Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer

This is one of my favourite TV shows ever. I can watch this anytime even if I have seen the episode a few times before. I just stumbled upon one I had never seen last night (PBS is still running them on Monday night where I live). It just makes me smile!

Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer- As Time Goes By

For anyone who has never seen this show, Lionel (Geoffrey Palmer) and Jean (Judi Dench) were lovers many years ago during the Korean War. They are separated by a misunderstanding but meet again by chance when Lionel needs a secretary from Jean's firm to help with his book "My Life in Kenya". He takes her daughter, Judith, out on a date and discovers she is Jean's daughter. The two reunite and fall back in love.

Alistair and Lionel- As Time Goes By

If you are a fan, you know that half the fun of this show is the witty banter between Lionel and Jean and the rest comes from interactions with the rest of the regular cast. Philip Bretherton plays Alistair Deacon, Lionel's smooth talking book publisher who is constantly annoying everyone, especially "Li".

Moira Brooker as Judith

Moira Brooker plays Jean's daughter Judith. She is twice divorced and always on the lookout for a good man. She doesn't work too hard at the office possibly due to the fact that the boss is her mum.

Jenny Funnel as Sandy

Sandy lives with Lionel, Jean and Judith by about the second season. She is like another daughter to Jean and keeps the office running like a top. She is also on the lookout for a man and we see her dating a variety of "interesting" characters.

As Time Goes By Reunion Special

This wonderful series ran from 1992 all the way to 2008, the later episodes being reunion specials. We follow our main 5 characters, plus Madge and Rocky, Penny and Stephen, Mrs. Bale the housekeeper at the country house and Lol Ferris the gardener. Funnily enough, Tim Wilton who plays Lol Ferris is Mr. Gardener from Pride and Prejudice 1995.

Jean and Lionel- As Time Goes By

So if you have never seen this show, you now know enough to pick up at any episode and enjoy it. A pot of tea every Monday night and a cuddle on the couch for me! Ahhhhh!

P.S. If you love this show too, please comment below with your fave episode, character or line from the show.

The Young Visiters (Author's spelling) DVD and book

The Young Visiters, or Mr. Salteena's Plan

I just stumbled across the film The Young Visiters from 2003 on the BBC Canada website  and I had to find out more about it. After all, look at the DVD cover. It stars Jim Broadbent and Hugh Laurie! How bad could it be? And then I find out that it also stars Bill Nighy, Geoffrey Palmer, Sophie Thompson and Sally Hawkins. Awesome! But what is it about?

The Young Visiters written by 9 year old Daisy Ashford in 1890

It is a hilarious story written by a 9 year old Victorian girl Daisy Ashford in 1890 (with rather creative and variable spelling) about a young girl Ethel Monticue, who meets Mr. Salteena, "an elderly man of 42", who falls in love with her at first sight and promises to introduce her to high society. Only one problem... he only knows one aristocrat by the name of Lord Bernard Clark! Hilarity ensues.

Daisy Ashford, authoress and child prodigy

I shan't say any more about this except that it is adorable and very "BBC", so very well done. So if you would like to travel back in time through the imagination of a little girl, this is the DVD for you. And now excuse me while I go order the book for Christmas. Apparently, it has never been out of print.

P.S. This would be perfect to watch or read WITH a similar little girl with a good imagination.