The Fossett Saga

The Fossett Saga

1969 - United Kingdom

Victorian comedy series starring Jimmy Edwards as James Fossett, a writer of "penny dreadfuls", who, from his address at 14 Old Cobblers Street (eventually demolished under the Nauseous Dwellings Abatement Act of 1902) tried his hand at being an inventor, journalist, patron of the arts, company director and bon viveur, or any other scheme - by hook or by crook - that might earn him a pretty penny. An article he had contributed to a new magazine, The Amateur Astronaut, entitled "Constructing a Flying Machine for three and sixpence" caused considerable comment. But the magazine was short lived - although not as short lived as those readers who followed Fossett's advice. His only companion is Herbert Quince (Sam Kydd), a self-employed window cleaner, friend, unpaid valet, biographer, amanuensis and moneylender. 

The Fossett Saga
Jimmy Edwards as James Fossett

Fossett characteristically despised the only work which brought him his livelihood, 523 episodes of the Green Dwarf library, a boys' magazine, but his despairing cry that he was capable of better things was largely ignored. Fossett and Quince were the only regular characters in this 7-part series written by Dave Freeman while the likes of June Whitfield, Eric Barker, Eric Chitty and Graham Stark stopped by for single visits. 

Published on December 13th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

The Brady Bunch

Architect Mike Brady marries beautiful young Carol, who has three girls to care for. Likewise, Mike's previous wife's death has left him to raise his three boys all alone. In no time this amalgam becomes the ideal average American middle class family.

Also released in 1969

The Pursuers

Low budget cop show where a police officer and his dog go in search of crime...

Also starring Sam Kydd

Big Breadwinner Hog

Peter Egan stars as Hogarth, a ruthlessly ambitious, flash and violent small-time criminal who has visions of being king of London's criminal underworld.

Also released in 1969

And Mother Makes Three

Almost a direct follow on from the BBC's hugely popular Not In Front Of The Children starring Wendy Craig who was in an almost constant state of domestic discord...

Also tagged Britcom

Doctor In The House

Hospital comedy based on Richard Gordon's series of books, which had previously been adapted for the cinema starting with a 1954 production starring Dirk Bogarde. New medical students arrive at St Swithin's Hospital...mayhem ensues

Also released in 1969

The Shillingbury Tales

A delightfully amusing story about rural village life and the local residents, a number of whom are members of the village brass band.

Also starring Sam Kydd

Charley's Aunt

Eric Sykes and Jimmy Edwards star in an adaptation of the celebrated farce that broke all box-office records when it first appeared on the London stage

Also starring Jimmy Edwards

Orlando

A detective agency is inherited by two youngsters.

Also starring Sam Kydd

The Mating Machine

A series of seven stand-alone comedies featuring some of Britain's best sitcom writers and performers. The Mating Machine is united by a single theme - computer dating.

Also starring Sam Kydd