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...

Carry On Cabby

Sid James and Hattie Jacques play husband and wife, Charlie and Peggy, who find themselves at odds with each other after Peg, frustrated at constantly playing second fiddle to Charlie's cab company, sets up a rival taxi firm - staffed by glamourous women

Also starring Sid James

Bless This House film 1972

Sid just wants to get on with building his illegal whiskey still. But when a new couple move in next door, and he's an officer at Customs and Excise - garden-fence shenanigans are about to begin

Also starring Sid James

Sid James

With his battered features, wicked leer and possibly the most recognisable laugh in show business, Sid James appeared to the world as a streetwise Cockney ex-heavyweight boxer. But Sid was no more an East End boy than he was a fighter.

Also starring Sid James

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

After the Funeral

When Alun Owen's play 'After the Funeral' was read by Sydney Newman, head of drama for ABC Television, and William Kotcheff, the television director, they were so taken by his conception of Wales and the Welsh, they decided to see for themselves.

Also tagged Single Play

The Frost Report

Political satire and current affairs in a sketch comedy format.

Also released in 1966

Taxi

Sid Stone is a London cab driver who often gets tangled up in the problems of others, usually through no fault of his own, in a rare straight role for Sid James. With only one episode surviving, we see how far this particular taxi will take us

Also starring Sid James

Daktari

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

Also released in 1966