Casanova '73

Casanova '73 is a British sitcom broadcast on BBC1 in 1973. Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Casanova '73 starred Leslie Phillips as wealthy womaniser Henry Newhouse (the English translation of "casa nova").[1]

Casanova '73
GenreSitcom
Directed byHarold Snoad
StarringLeslie Phillips
Jan Holden
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes7
Production
ProducerHarold Snoad
Running time30 minutes
Release
Original networkBBC1
Original release13 September (1973-09-13) –
29 October 1973 (1973-10-29)

Background

Casanova '73 followed an episode of Galton and Simpson Comedy ("The Suit", 1969) for London Weekend Television in which Phillips played Howard Butler, a philandering businessman whose clothes are stolen whilst he is in bed at his secretary's home. As with this series, it also featured Jan Holden as his wife. Casanova '73 was specially written for Phillips.[2]

Cast

Plot

Henry Newhouse has a successful career in public relations. Despite being happily married to Carol, he is a compulsive philanderer and leads a double life. His relationships always backfire and lead to farcical situations.[1]

Reception

Casanova '73 was badly received by the critics.[3] It was criticised by Mary Whitehouse, of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association, and others for its risque contents.[2] This led to the programme being moved to a later time slot. The first three episodes aired at 8.00pm on Thursdays and the final four on Mondays at 9.25pm.[1] The quiz show Mastermind replaced it in the slot, helping it to become a hit.[4]

Episodes
#TitleOriginal airdate
1"Episode One"13 September 1973 (1973-09-13)
When Henry receives letters at home from a girlfriend he feigns sickness so he can intercept the postman each morning. However, when the letters suddenly stop arriving he rejoices but wonders why.
2"Episode Two"20 September 1973 (1973-09-20)
After believing he has been spotted by a neighbour having a romantic meal with another woman, Henry does what he needs to do to ensure her silence.
3"Episode Three"27 September 1973 (1973-09-27)
Henry's son is about to be expelled from his boarding school (formerly Henry’s too) for taking inappropriate photos of his maths mistress.
4"Episode Four"1 October 1973 (1973-10-01)
Henry's business partner Arthur believes his wife is having an affair and he hides a tape recorder in their apartment to catch her in the act.
5"Episode Five"15 October 1973 (1973-10-15)
Henry organises a beauty contest, Miss European Dairy Produce and gets involved with Miss West Germany.
6"Episode Six"22 October 1973 (1973-10-22)
Henry gets a proposition such that he fails to rise to the challenge but finds that Carol has had no such scruples about what she has been offered.
7"Episode Seven"29 October 1973 (1973-10-29)
A worn out Henry turns to one of his regular girlfriends for assistance. However, when her wrestling husband returns home early Henry has to hide in the wardrobe.

DVD releases

All seven episodes of Casanova '73 were released on DVD by Acorn Media UK on 8 October 2012.

References
General
  • "Casanova '73 - Episode Guide". British Comedy Guide. 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
Specific
  1. Lewishohn, Mark (2003). Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy. London: BBC Worldwide. ISBN 0-563-48755-0.
  2. Phillips, Leslie (2006). Hello: The Autobiography. Orion Publishing Group. ISBN 0752868896.
  3. Oliver, John (2003–14). "Galton, Ray (1930-) and Simpson, Alan (1929-)". BFI Screenonline. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  4. Brooke, Michael (2003–14). "Mastermind (1972-97, 2003-)". BFI Screenonline. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
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