Reviewed by Janina Conboye
Stars David Barry, Malcolm McFee, Peter Cleall, Carol Hawkins | Written by John Esmonde & Bob Larbey
UK cert PG | UK RRP £14.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 200 minutes | Directed by David Askey & Philip Casson
Pay homage to the 70s working class with this utterly rubbish, but charming comedy series. The Fenn Street Gang was created as a spin-off to Please Sir! in response to the popularity of the latter, but this series didn't quite achieve the same success – The Fenn Street Gang ran for 40 episodes over two years, from 1971 to 1973.
The unruly students of Fenn Street school are all grown up and striving to find their way in life. Frankie (Barry) has a grotesque domineering mother, Craven (McFee) is finding it hard to get a legitimate job and Duffy (Cleall) struggles to cement his relationship with Sharon as they buy a house….er sorry, mews cottage, (aka falling down wreck) and prepare to get hitched. One comedy genre I have never warmed to is slapstick, and this comedy is full off it. And a lot of it tends to be naff slapstick at that. The sets are dreadful, but what more can you expect from a 70s comedy? Not much, really. With the animated credits at the beginning, you could almost mistake it for an episode of Scooby Doo.
One unexpected use for this comedy is that you may just pick up some fashion tips. The girls in particular look like they've spent the day in Topshop and Sharon has fabulous hair that wouldn't look out of place in Camden Town. If anything it's nostalgic and may even be of comfort of some who lived their youth through the 70s. Writers John Esmonde and Bob Larbey have created a storyline that marks the coming-of-age of the gang, but it's not really anything out of the ordinary. I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy it, but on a rainy day it might well be worth looking out for re-runs on UK Gold.
EXTRAS None