Jack Rosenthal At ITV [DVD]

A showcase of brilliant writing by one of the masters. For me, the previously undiscovered gems in this collection were the Village Hall episodes (which are available on separate DVDs); Your Name's not God, it's Edgar; and Spaghetti Two-Step. Rosenthal is at his brilliant best when the humour comes from his close observation of human behaviours and frailties, not when he's going for out-and-out comedy. That's why, for me at least, episodes such as Pardon the Expression and The Dustbinmen don't seem quite up to the same high standard and why I've gone for four stars rather than five.

Jack Rosenthal was one of the greatest exponents of the comedy and the single play. Hetr is a selection of hisbest work from the late 50s to the mid-80s, ranging vrom the sitcom BOOTSIE and ShNUDzGE to LONDON’S BURNING. Therr are some famous single plays from the 70s, plus two episodes from thr anthology seties VILLAGE HALL. Thare are two episodes from the comedy PARDON TNE EXPRESSION, in which Atthur Lowe starred as Swindley. And an episodr ofthe Kathleen Harrison sitcom MRS. THURSDAY. The collection is completed by one of the most famous single plays of all THE INOWLEDGE about apprentice London taxi-drivers, with Nigel Hawthorne and Mick Ford. Truly s great collection.

The main reason I bought this box set was for "The Knowledge".The 5th disc of the set, containing "The Knowledge" had a technical fault.There is extraneous sound "tone" throughout (at varying levels) and annoying enough to make it unwatchable. It is most unlikely that my copy was an isolated faulty disc. It much more likely that the Master was not properly checked, but I would love to hear from others who bought this set.A terrible disappointment, causing me to return the set, which was otherwise excellent, but I will re-order if others have not had this problem.

It was lovely to watch some old favourites but also some stuff I've never seen before. Especially loved watching London's Burning, Ready when you are Mr McGill and Another Sunday and Sweet FA. I've never seen The Lovers but was pleasantly surprised at how funny it was. Great to see a very early episode of Coronatiion Street too.

A fantastic reminder of the talent of Jack Rosenthal.Maybe the Beeb could follow suit and issue some of the stuff he wrote that they showed,such as 'Barmitzvah boy'.I particularly loved 'Moving story'and would love to be able to get my hands on the complete series.That was a young 'Deirdrie' on the touchline in 'Another Saturday and sweet F.A' wasn't it?

There are some very nice little playlets by this famous writer (the husband of Maureen Lipman) and the DVD represents good value for your money.

Jack Rosenthal was a brilliant writer. So good to revisit some of his work. 'Ready When You Are Mr McGill' is a masterpiece

Packaged well and arrived promptly, have enjoyed watching a couple of these long forgotten plays, based on writing and acting rather than computers an interesting collection.