Don't Utter A Note

Don't Utter A Note

1966 - United Kingdom

Call it a fringe benefit - the hoard of banknotes bequeathed to two delightfully dotty old girls, Florence (Dame Sybil Thorndike) and Nellie (Athene Seyler), in Don't Utter a Note a comedy presented as part of ITV's Armchair Theatre strand on Saturday 9th April, 1966. Brother Charles's will did not mention the notes; nor the printing press hidden behind the sitting-room wall. But by the time the sisters realise that the hidden nest egg is counterfeit, the notes have been sent to charities-fortunately anonymously. Faced with the printing press, however, the two dear, daffy spinsters' resourcefulness is equal to the situation. With happy, if confused reasoning, Florence and Nellie convince themselves that "out of evil cometh good". By creating a little extra wealth they can vastly improve many other people's lives. So they decide to enlist the help of their lodger, the breezy Basher Bates (Sid James). Basher has been reclaimed by the sisters, from a life of crime and is an undertaker's mate. 

Don't Utter A Note with Sid James

Dame Sybil Thorndike, a brisk 83 at the time of this production, and Athene Seymour, 76, made a splendid pair of shady operators. Crime seemed to pay for them, as they were both appearing as the sisters kindly poisoning lonely widowers in the London production of 'Arsenic and Old Lace' at the same time. This production, written especially for television by Anton Delmar, was part of a season of comedies for Armchair Theatre and was directed by Leonard White and produced by Patrick Dromgoole. Also starring was Peter Bowles, Kathleen Breck, Peter Copley, Tim Preece and Jack Watson. This was an ABC Weekend Network Production. 

Published on July 31st, 2019. Based on original TV Times article 1966.

Read Next...

The Frost Report

Political satire and current affairs in a sketch comedy format.

Also released in 1966

Hancock's Half Hour

"Hancock was below the laughter filled surface (like many brilliantly gifted comedians), a darkly troubled, insecure soul."

Also starring Sid James

Hell Drivers

A recently released convict takes a driving job at a haulage company only to become unwittingly involved in violence and corruption

Also starring Sid James

Daktari

"The real stars of the series were Clarence the lion and Judy the chimpanzee."

Also released in 1966

George and the Dragon

Classic sitcom starring Sid James as an over-amorous handyman who wants his boss to employ a 'dolly-bird' housekeeper, but ends up with a 'dragon' (Peggy Mount).

Also starring Sid James

The Close Prisoner

"We are all conceived in close prison: in our mother's wombs, we are close prisoners all...and then all our life is but a going out to the place of execution, to death..." John Donne.

Also tagged Single Play

Dumb Martian

Earthman Duncan Weaver on a solo tour of duty on one of Jupiter's moons buys a Martian woman as a companion. He mistreats her, assuming her to be just a "dumb Martian." He learns, to his cost, that she has more intelligence than he gives her credit for.

Also tagged Single Play

Carry On Cowboy

The outlaw The Rumpo Kid rides into the frontier town of Stodge City, and immediately guns down three complete strangers. It's time to send for a Marshal. The problem is, Marshal P. Knutt's idea of cleaning up a town is to install a new drainage system!

Also starring Sid James

Freedom in September

A Soviet musician is missing from his hotel. He wanders through 1962 London trying to contact people he has met and known in Russia. Who are these people? What lies behind his desperate search?

Also tagged Single Play