Fawlty Towers
Updated: 12/10/2025, 10:45:06 AM Wikipedia source
Fawlty Towers is a British television sitcom written by John Cleese and Connie Booth, originally broadcast on BBC Two in 1975 and 1979. Two series of six episodes each were made. The series is set in Fawlty Towers, a dysfunctional hotel in the English seaside town of Torquay in Devon. The plots centre on the tense, rude and put-upon owner, Basil Fawlty (Cleese), his bossy wife Sybil (Prunella Scales), the sensible chambermaid Polly (Booth), and the hapless and English-challenged Spanish waiter Manuel (Andrew Sachs). They show their attempts to run the hotel amidst farcical situations and an array of demanding and eccentric guests and tradespeople. Fawlty Towers was inspired by the Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay, where Cleese and the rest of the Monty Python group stayed in 1970. The snobby and eccentric owner, Donald Sinclair, was the inspiration for Basil Fawlty. While some critics initially derided Fawlty Towers, it soon received general acclaim. In 1976 and 1980, it won the British Academy Television Award for Best Scripted Comedy. In 1980, Cleese received the British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance. The popularity of Fawlty Towers has endured and it is often re-broadcast. The show was ranked first on a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000. In a 2001 poll conducted by Channel 4, Basil Fawlty was ranked second (to Homer Simpson) on their list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters. In 2019, it was named the greatest-ever British TV sitcom by a panel of comedy experts compiled by the Radio Times. The BBC profile for the series states that "the British sitcom by which all other British sitcoms must be judged, Fawlty Towers withstands multiple viewings, is eminently quotable ('don't mention the war') and stands up to this day as a jewel in the BBC's comedy crown." In 2023, Cleese suggested that a sequel series was being developed.
Infobox
Genre
mw- Sitcom Farce
Created by
John Cleese Connie Booth
Written by
John Cleese Connie Booth
Directed by
John Howard Davies Bob Spiers
Starring
John Cleese Prunella Scales Andrew Sachs Connie Booth Ballard Berkeley Brian Hall Renee Roberts Gilly Flower
Theme music composer
Dennis Wilson
Opening theme
"Fawlty Towers"
Ending theme
"Fawlty Towers"
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Original language
English
No. of series
2
No. of episodes
12
Producers
John Howard Davies Douglas Argent
Editors
Susan Imrie Bob Rymer Bill Harris
Running time
30–35 minutes
Production company
BBC
Network
BBC Two
Release
19 September 1975 (1975-09-19) –25 October 1979 (1979-10-25)
Tables
First released
First released
Series
First released
Episodes
Last released
Episodes
Network
1
1
Series
1
Episodes
6
Episodes
19 September 1975 (1975-09-19)
Originally released
24 October 1975 (1975-10-24)
Originally released
BBC Two
2
2
Series
2
Episodes
6
Episodes
19 February 1979 (1979-02-19)
Originally released
25 October 1979 (1979-10-25)
| Series | Episodes | Originally released | |||
| First released | Last released | Network | |||
| 1 | 6 | 19 September 1975 (1975-09-19) | 24 October 1975 (1975-10-24) | BBC Two | |
| 2 | 6 | 19 February 1979 (1979-02-19) | 25 October 1979 (1979-10-25) | ||
· Episodes › Series 1 (1975)
1
1
No.
1
Title
".mw- } }A Touch of Class"
Sign reads
FAWLTY TOWERS (Crooked S)
Original release date
19 September 1975 (1975-09-19)
As Basil tries to raise the tone of the hotel, the aristocratic Lord Melbury comes to stay at the hotel. Basil fawns over him at every opportunity, causing himself to neglect or annoy other guests, until Polly discovers Melbury is actually a confidence trickster. Meanwhile, Sybil orders Basil to hang a picture.
Featuring: Michael Gwynn as Lord Melbury, Robin Ellis as Danny Brown, Martin Wyldeck as Sir Richard Morris, David Simeon as Mr Mackenzie, Terence Conoley as Mr Wareing and Lionel Wheeler as Mr Watson.
As Basil tries to raise the tone of the hotel, the aristocratic Lord Melbury comes to stay at the hotel. Basil fawns over him at every opportunity, causing himself to neglect or annoy other guests, until Polly discovers Melbury is actually a confidence trickster. Meanwhile, Sybil orders Basil to hang a picture.
Featuring: Michael Gwynn as Lord Melbury, Robin Ellis as Danny Brown, Martin Wyldeck as Sir Richard Morris, David Simeon as Mr Mackenzie, Terence Conoley as Mr Wareing and Lionel Wheeler as Mr Watson.
No.
As Basil tries to raise the tone of the hotel, the aristocratic Lord Melbury comes to stay at the hotel. Basil fawns over him at every opportunity, causing himself to neglect or annoy other guests, until Polly discovers Melbury is actually a confidence trickster. Meanwhile, Sybil orders Basil to hang a picture.
Featuring: Michael Gwynn as Lord Melbury, Robin Ellis as Danny Brown, Martin Wyldeck as Sir Richard Morris, David Simeon as Mr Mackenzie, Terence Conoley as Mr Wareing and Lionel Wheeler as Mr Watson.
2
2
No.
2
Title
"The Builders"
Sign reads
FAWLTY TOWER (Crooked L and missing S)
Original release date
26 September 1975 (1975-09-26)
Major renovations are made to the lobby while the Fawltys are out, but when a misreading causes the incompetent builders to mess it up spectacularly, Basil must try to remedy the situation before Sybil finds out.
Featuring: David Kelly as O'Reilly, James Appleby as Stubbs, George Lee as Delivery Man, Michael Cronin as Lurphy, Michael Halsey as Jones and Barney Dorman as Kerr.
Major renovations are made to the lobby while the Fawltys are out, but when a misreading causes the incompetent builders to mess it up spectacularly, Basil must try to remedy the situation before Sybil finds out.
Featuring: David Kelly as O'Reilly, James Appleby as Stubbs, George Lee as Delivery Man, Michael Cronin as Lurphy, Michael Halsey as Jones and Barney Dorman as Kerr.
No.
Major renovations are made to the lobby while the Fawltys are out, but when a misreading causes the incompetent builders to mess it up spectacularly, Basil must try to remedy the situation before Sybil finds out.
Featuring: David Kelly as O'Reilly, James Appleby as Stubbs, George Lee as Delivery Man, Michael Cronin as Lurphy, Michael Halsey as Jones and Barney Dorman as Kerr.
3
3
No.
3
Title
"The Wedding Party"
Sign reads
FAW TY TOWER (Crooked W, missing L and missing S)
Original release date
3 October 1975 (1975-10-03)
Basil gets annoyed when a young, flirtatious couple start "hanky-pankying" under his nose and tries to avoid the advances of a female French antique dealer. Meanwhile, misfortune conspires to put him in compromising situations whenever the couple are around.
Featuring: Yvonne Gilan as Mrs Peignoir, Conrad Phillips as Mr Lloyd, Diana King as Mrs Lloyd, Trevor Adams as Alan, April Walker as Jean and Jay Neill as Bar Guest.
Basil gets annoyed when a young, flirtatious couple start "hanky-pankying" under his nose and tries to avoid the advances of a female French antique dealer. Meanwhile, misfortune conspires to put him in compromising situations whenever the couple are around.
Featuring: Yvonne Gilan as Mrs Peignoir, Conrad Phillips as Mr Lloyd, Diana King as Mrs Lloyd, Trevor Adams as Alan, April Walker as Jean and Jay Neill as Bar Guest.
No.
Basil gets annoyed when a young, flirtatious couple start "hanky-pankying" under his nose and tries to avoid the advances of a female French antique dealer. Meanwhile, misfortune conspires to put him in compromising situations whenever the couple are around.
Featuring: Yvonne Gilan as Mrs Peignoir, Conrad Phillips as Mr Lloyd, Diana King as Mrs Lloyd, Trevor Adams as Alan, April Walker as Jean and Jay Neill as Bar Guest.
4
4
No.
4
Title
"The Hotel Inspectors"
Sign reads
FAW TY TO ER (Missing L, missing W and missing S)
Original release date
10 October 1975 (1975-10-10)
When Basil hears of hotel inspectors roaming Torquay incognito, he realises with horror that guests he has been abusing could easily be among them. Basil becomes increasingly obsessed with trying to determine which guests are hotel inspectors, and gets frustrated when his suspects turn out not to be. But then, without warning, the real inspectors show up.
Featuring: Bernard Cribbins as Mr Hutchinson, James Cossins as Mr Walt, Geoffrey Morris as John (inspector) and Peter Brett as Brian (inspector).
When Basil hears of hotel inspectors roaming Torquay incognito, he realises with horror that guests he has been abusing could easily be among them. Basil becomes increasingly obsessed with trying to determine which guests are hotel inspectors, and gets frustrated when his suspects turn out not to be. But then, without warning, the real inspectors show up.
Featuring: Bernard Cribbins as Mr Hutchinson, James Cossins as Mr Walt, Geoffrey Morris as John (inspector) and Peter Brett as Brian (inspector).
No.
When Basil hears of hotel inspectors roaming Torquay incognito, he realises with horror that guests he has been abusing could easily be among them. Basil becomes increasingly obsessed with trying to determine which guests are hotel inspectors, and gets frustrated when his suspects turn out not to be. But then, without warning, the real inspectors show up.
Featuring: Bernard Cribbins as Mr Hutchinson, James Cossins as Mr Walt, Geoffrey Morris as John (inspector) and Peter Brett as Brian (inspector).
5
5
No.
5
Title
"Gourmet Night"
Sign reads
WARTY TOWELS
Original release date
17 October 1975 (1975-10-17)
Basil holds a gourmet night to attract posher guests and climb Torquay's social ladder. Unfortunately, thanks to the chef's alcoholism, Basil must try to get hold of a duck from his friend, André. This, combined with the Fawltys' faulty car and his social awkwardness leads Basil ever closer to a nervous breakdown.
Featuring: André Maranne as André, Steve Plytas as Kurt, Allan Cuthbertson as Colonel Hall, Ann Way as Mrs Hall, Richard Caldicot as Mr Twitchen, Betty Huntley-Wright as Mrs Twitchen, Jeffrey Segal as Mr Heath, Elizabeth Benson as Mrs Heath and Tony Page as Master Heath.
Basil holds a gourmet night to attract posher guests and climb Torquay's social ladder. Unfortunately, thanks to the chef's alcoholism, Basil must try to get hold of a duck from his friend, André. This, combined with the Fawltys' faulty car and his social awkwardness leads Basil ever closer to a nervous breakdown.
Featuring: André Maranne as André, Steve Plytas as Kurt, Allan Cuthbertson as Colonel Hall, Ann Way as Mrs Hall, Richard Caldicot as Mr Twitchen, Betty Huntley-Wright as Mrs Twitchen, Jeffrey Segal as Mr Heath, Elizabeth Benson as Mrs Heath and Tony Page as Master Heath.
No.
Basil holds a gourmet night to attract posher guests and climb Torquay's social ladder. Unfortunately, thanks to the chef's alcoholism, Basil must try to get hold of a duck from his friend, André. This, combined with the Fawltys' faulty car and his social awkwardness leads Basil ever closer to a nervous breakdown.
Featuring: André Maranne as André, Steve Plytas as Kurt, Allan Cuthbertson as Colonel Hall, Ann Way as Mrs Hall, Richard Caldicot as Mr Twitchen, Betty Huntley-Wright as Mrs Twitchen, Jeffrey Segal as Mr Heath, Elizabeth Benson as Mrs Heath and Tony Page as Master Heath.
6
6
No.
6
Title
"The Germans"
Sign reads
None
Original release date
24 October 1975 (1975-10-24)
With Sybil in the hospital with an ingrown toenail, a moose's head to hang up and some German guests arriving the next day, Basil has his work cut out for him. After an attempted fire drill goes wrong and Basil lands up in the hospital with concussion, he succeeds in causing much offence to the German guests after finally escaping back to the hotel. This episode is the origin of the quotation "Don't mention the war."
Featuring: Claire Davenport as Mrs Wilson, Brenda Cowling as Sister, Louis Mahoney as Doctor, John Lawrence as Mr Sharp, Iris Fry as Mrs Sharp, Willy Bowman, Nick Kane, Lisa Bergmayr and Dan Gillan as German Guests.
With Sybil in the hospital with an ingrown toenail, a moose's head to hang up and some German guests arriving the next day, Basil has his work cut out for him. After an attempted fire drill goes wrong and Basil lands up in the hospital with concussion, he succeeds in causing much offence to the German guests after finally escaping back to the hotel. This episode is the origin of the quotation "Don't mention the war."
Featuring: Claire Davenport as Mrs Wilson, Brenda Cowling as Sister, Louis Mahoney as Doctor, John Lawrence as Mr Sharp, Iris Fry as Mrs Sharp, Willy Bowman, Nick Kane, Lisa Bergmayr and Dan Gillan as German Guests.
No.
With Sybil in the hospital with an ingrown toenail, a moose's head to hang up and some German guests arriving the next day, Basil has his work cut out for him. After an attempted fire drill goes wrong and Basil lands up in the hospital with concussion, he succeeds in causing much offence to the German guests after finally escaping back to the hotel. This episode is the origin of the quotation "Don't mention the war."
Featuring: Claire Davenport as Mrs Wilson, Brenda Cowling as Sister, Louis Mahoney as Doctor, John Lawrence as Mr Sharp, Iris Fry as Mrs Sharp, Willy Bowman, Nick Kane, Lisa Bergmayr and Dan Gillan as German Guests.
| No. | Title | Sign reads | Original release date | |
| 1 | A Touch of Class" | FAWLTY TOWERS (Crooked S) | 19 September 1975 (1975-09-19) | |
| As Basil tries to raise the tone of the hotel, the aristocratic Lord Melbury comes to stay at the hotel. Basil fawns over him at every opportunity, causing himself to neglect or annoy other guests, until Polly discovers Melbury is actually a confidence trickster. Meanwhile, Sybil orders Basil to hang a picture. Featuring: Michael Gwynn as Lord Melbury, Robin Ellis as Danny Brown, Martin Wyldeck as Sir Richard Morris, David Simeon as Mr Mackenzie, Terence Conoley as Mr Wareing and Lionel Wheeler as Mr Watson. | ||||
| 2 | "The Builders" | FAWLTY TOWER (Crooked L and missing S) | 26 September 1975 (1975-09-26) | |
| Major renovations are made to the lobby while the Fawltys are out, but when a misreading causes the incompetent builders to mess it up spectacularly, Basil must try to remedy the situation before Sybil finds out. Featuring: David Kelly as O'Reilly, James Appleby as Stubbs, George Lee as Delivery Man, Michael Cronin as Lurphy, Michael Halsey as Jones and Barney Dorman as Kerr. | ||||
| 3 | "The Wedding Party" | FAW TY TOWER (Crooked W, missing L and missing S) | 3 October 1975 (1975-10-03) | |
| Basil gets annoyed when a young, flirtatious couple start "hanky-pankying" under his nose and tries to avoid the advances of a female French antique dealer. Meanwhile, misfortune conspires to put him in compromising situations whenever the couple are around. Featuring: Yvonne Gilan as Mrs Peignoir, Conrad Phillips as Mr Lloyd, Diana King as Mrs Lloyd, Trevor Adams as Alan, April Walker as Jean and Jay Neill as Bar Guest. | ||||
| 4 | "The Hotel Inspectors" | FAW TY TO ER (Missing L, missing W and missing S) | 10 October 1975 (1975-10-10) | |
| When Basil hears of hotel inspectors roaming Torquay incognito, he realises with horror that guests he has been abusing could easily be among them. Basil becomes increasingly obsessed with trying to determine which guests are hotel inspectors, and gets frustrated when his suspects turn out not to be. But then, without warning, the real inspectors show up. Featuring: Bernard Cribbins as Mr Hutchinson, James Cossins as Mr Walt, Geoffrey Morris as John (inspector) and Peter Brett as Brian (inspector). | ||||
| 5 | "Gourmet Night" | WARTY TOWELS | 17 October 1975 (1975-10-17) | |
| Basil holds a gourmet night to attract posher guests and climb Torquay's social ladder. Unfortunately, thanks to the chef's alcoholism, Basil must try to get hold of a duck from his friend, André. This, combined with the Fawltys' faulty car and his social awkwardness leads Basil ever closer to a nervous breakdown. Featuring: André Maranne as André, Steve Plytas as Kurt, Allan Cuthbertson as Colonel Hall, Ann Way as Mrs Hall, Richard Caldicot as Mr Twitchen, Betty Huntley-Wright as Mrs Twitchen, Jeffrey Segal as Mr Heath, Elizabeth Benson as Mrs Heath and Tony Page as Master Heath. | ||||
| 6 | "The Germans" | None | 24 October 1975 (1975-10-24) | |
| With Sybil in the hospital with an ingrown toenail, a moose's head to hang up and some German guests arriving the next day, Basil has his work cut out for him. After an attempted fire drill goes wrong and Basil lands up in the hospital with concussion, he succeeds in causing much offence to the German guests after finally escaping back to the hotel. This episode is the origin of the quotation "Don't mention the war." Featuring: Claire Davenport as Mrs Wilson, Brenda Cowling as Sister, Louis Mahoney as Doctor, John Lawrence as Mr Sharp, Iris Fry as Mrs Sharp, Willy Bowman, Nick Kane, Lisa Bergmayr and Dan Gillan as German Guests. | ||||
· Episodes › Series 2 (1979)
7
7
No.
7
Title
"Communication Problems"
Sign reads
FAWLTY TOWER (Crooked L and missing S)
Original release date
19 February 1979 (1979-02-19)
The arrival of the "guest from hell"—Mrs Richards, a rather deaf, domineering and bad-tempered woman—interferes with Basil's attempts to prevent the money he won on a racehorse from being discovered by Sybil, who disapproves of gambling.
Featuring: Joan Sanderson as Mrs Richards, Robert Lankesheer as Mr Thurston, Johnny Shannon as Mr Firkins, Bill Bradley as Mr Mackintosh, George Lee as Mr Kerr and Mervyn Pascoe as Mr Yardley.
The arrival of the "guest from hell"—Mrs Richards, a rather deaf, domineering and bad-tempered woman—interferes with Basil's attempts to prevent the money he won on a racehorse from being discovered by Sybil, who disapproves of gambling.
Featuring: Joan Sanderson as Mrs Richards, Robert Lankesheer as Mr Thurston, Johnny Shannon as Mr Firkins, Bill Bradley as Mr Mackintosh, George Lee as Mr Kerr and Mervyn Pascoe as Mr Yardley.
No.
The arrival of the "guest from hell"—Mrs Richards, a rather deaf, domineering and bad-tempered woman—interferes with Basil's attempts to prevent the money he won on a racehorse from being discovered by Sybil, who disapproves of gambling.
Featuring: Joan Sanderson as Mrs Richards, Robert Lankesheer as Mr Thurston, Johnny Shannon as Mr Firkins, Bill Bradley as Mr Mackintosh, George Lee as Mr Kerr and Mervyn Pascoe as Mr Yardley.
8
8
No.
8
Title
"The Psychiatrist"
Sign reads
WATERY FOWLS
Original release date
26 February 1979 (1979-02-26)
A psychiatrist and his wife—also a doctor—come to the hotel for a weekend break, and notice all of Basil's odd behaviour. Initially enthused by his guests' class and professions, Basil is later perturbed when he discovers the doctor's specialty is psychiatry. Another guest, Mr Johnson, is secretly sharing his room with a woman and Basil becomes obsessed with catching him out, which leads to several incidents with a buxom Australian female guest, which gets him in trouble with Sybil.
Featuring: Nicky Henson as Mr Johnson, Basil Henson as Dr Abbott, Elspet Gray as Mrs Abbott, Luan Peters as Raylene Miles, Aimée Delamain as Mrs Johnson and Imogen Bickford-Smith as Girlfriend.
A psychiatrist and his wife—also a doctor—come to the hotel for a weekend break, and notice all of Basil's odd behaviour. Initially enthused by his guests' class and professions, Basil is later perturbed when he discovers the doctor's specialty is psychiatry. Another guest, Mr Johnson, is secretly sharing his room with a woman and Basil becomes obsessed with catching him out, which leads to several incidents with a buxom Australian female guest, which gets him in trouble with Sybil.
Featuring: Nicky Henson as Mr Johnson, Basil Henson as Dr Abbott, Elspet Gray as Mrs Abbott, Luan Peters as Raylene Miles, Aimée Delamain as Mrs Johnson and Imogen Bickford-Smith as Girlfriend.
No.
A psychiatrist and his wife—also a doctor—come to the hotel for a weekend break, and notice all of Basil's odd behaviour. Initially enthused by his guests' class and professions, Basil is later perturbed when he discovers the doctor's specialty is psychiatry. Another guest, Mr Johnson, is secretly sharing his room with a woman and Basil becomes obsessed with catching him out, which leads to several incidents with a buxom Australian female guest, which gets him in trouble with Sybil.
Featuring: Nicky Henson as Mr Johnson, Basil Henson as Dr Abbott, Elspet Gray as Mrs Abbott, Luan Peters as Raylene Miles, Aimée Delamain as Mrs Johnson and Imogen Bickford-Smith as Girlfriend.
9
9
No.
9
Title
"Waldorf Salad"
Sign reads
FLAY OTTERS
Original release date
5 March 1979 (1979-03-05)
Basil is not altogether keen on a loud and demanding American guest who demands a higher class of service—and food—than Fawlty Towers is accustomed to providing. Basil soon learns that the American guest will not tolerate any shenanigans.
Featuring: Bruce Boa as Mr Hamilton, Claire Nielson as Mrs Hamilton, Norman Bird as Mr Arrad, Stella Tanner as Mrs Arrad, Terence Conoley as Mr Johnston, June Ellis as Mrs Johnston, Anthony Dawes as Mr Libson, Beatrice Shaw as Miss Gurke and Dorothy Frere as Miss Hare.
Basil is not altogether keen on a loud and demanding American guest who demands a higher class of service—and food—than Fawlty Towers is accustomed to providing. Basil soon learns that the American guest will not tolerate any shenanigans.
Featuring: Bruce Boa as Mr Hamilton, Claire Nielson as Mrs Hamilton, Norman Bird as Mr Arrad, Stella Tanner as Mrs Arrad, Terence Conoley as Mr Johnston, June Ellis as Mrs Johnston, Anthony Dawes as Mr Libson, Beatrice Shaw as Miss Gurke and Dorothy Frere as Miss Hare.
No.
Basil is not altogether keen on a loud and demanding American guest who demands a higher class of service—and food—than Fawlty Towers is accustomed to providing. Basil soon learns that the American guest will not tolerate any shenanigans.
Featuring: Bruce Boa as Mr Hamilton, Claire Nielson as Mrs Hamilton, Norman Bird as Mr Arrad, Stella Tanner as Mrs Arrad, Terence Conoley as Mr Johnston, June Ellis as Mrs Johnston, Anthony Dawes as Mr Libson, Beatrice Shaw as Miss Gurke and Dorothy Frere as Miss Hare.
10
10
No.
10
Title
"The Kipper and the Corpse"
Sign reads
FATTY OWLS
Original release date
12 March 1979 (1979-03-12)
With no regard to Basil's blood pressure, a guest dies at the hotel, and Basil and the staff are left with the unpleasant task of removing the body discreetly while the doctor staying at the hotel, Dr. Price, waits for his sausages. Elsewhere, Polly and Manuel feed an elderly woman's pampered pet dog some extra spicy sausages after it bites them both.
Featuring: Geoffrey Palmer as Dr Price, Mavis Pugh as Mrs Chase, Richard Davies as Mr White, Elizabeth Benson as Mrs White, Derek Royle as Mr Leeman, Robert McBain as Mr Xerxes, Pamela Buchner as Miss Young, Raymond Mason as Mr Zebedee, Charles McKeown as Mr Ingrams and Len Marten as Guest.
With no regard to Basil's blood pressure, a guest dies at the hotel, and Basil and the staff are left with the unpleasant task of removing the body discreetly while the doctor staying at the hotel, Dr. Price, waits for his sausages. Elsewhere, Polly and Manuel feed an elderly woman's pampered pet dog some extra spicy sausages after it bites them both.
Featuring: Geoffrey Palmer as Dr Price, Mavis Pugh as Mrs Chase, Richard Davies as Mr White, Elizabeth Benson as Mrs White, Derek Royle as Mr Leeman, Robert McBain as Mr Xerxes, Pamela Buchner as Miss Young, Raymond Mason as Mr Zebedee, Charles McKeown as Mr Ingrams and Len Marten as Guest.
No.
With no regard to Basil's blood pressure, a guest dies at the hotel, and Basil and the staff are left with the unpleasant task of removing the body discreetly while the doctor staying at the hotel, Dr. Price, waits for his sausages. Elsewhere, Polly and Manuel feed an elderly woman's pampered pet dog some extra spicy sausages after it bites them both.
Featuring: Geoffrey Palmer as Dr Price, Mavis Pugh as Mrs Chase, Richard Davies as Mr White, Elizabeth Benson as Mrs White, Derek Royle as Mr Leeman, Robert McBain as Mr Xerxes, Pamela Buchner as Miss Young, Raymond Mason as Mr Zebedee, Charles McKeown as Mr Ingrams and Len Marten as Guest.
11
11
No.
11
Title
"The Anniversary"
Sign reads
FLOWERY TWATS
Original release date
26 March 1979 (1979-03-26)
Basil invites some friends for a surprise wedding anniversary party, but Sybil assumes he has forgotten their anniversary and storms off, leaving her husband and Polly, in disguise, desperately telling the others she is 'ill'.
Featuring: Ken Campbell as Roger, Una Stubbs as Alice, Robert Arnold as Arthur, Pat Keen as Virginia, Roger Hume as Reg, Denyse Alexander as Kitty and Christine Shaw as Audrey.
Basil invites some friends for a surprise wedding anniversary party, but Sybil assumes he has forgotten their anniversary and storms off, leaving her husband and Polly, in disguise, desperately telling the others she is 'ill'.
Featuring: Ken Campbell as Roger, Una Stubbs as Alice, Robert Arnold as Arthur, Pat Keen as Virginia, Roger Hume as Reg, Denyse Alexander as Kitty and Christine Shaw as Audrey.
No.
Basil invites some friends for a surprise wedding anniversary party, but Sybil assumes he has forgotten their anniversary and storms off, leaving her husband and Polly, in disguise, desperately telling the others she is 'ill'.
Featuring: Ken Campbell as Roger, Una Stubbs as Alice, Robert Arnold as Arthur, Pat Keen as Virginia, Roger Hume as Reg, Denyse Alexander as Kitty and Christine Shaw as Audrey.
12
12
No.
12
Title
"Basil the Rat"
Sign reads
FARTY TOWELS
Original release date
25 October 1979 (1979-10-25)
The local health inspector notes and reads out a long list of hygiene infractions which the staff must rectify before his next visit, or else face closure. After Manuel's pet rat escapes from his cage and runs loose in the hotel, the staff must catch it before the inspector sees it. At the same time, they must discern which veal cutlets are safe to eat after one covered in rat poison gets mixed up with the others.
Featuring: John Quarmby as Mr Carnegie, David Neville as Ronald, Sabina Franklyn as Quentina, James Taylor as Mr Taylor, Melody Lang as Mrs Taylor and Stuart Sherwin as Guest.
The local health inspector notes and reads out a long list of hygiene infractions which the staff must rectify before his next visit, or else face closure. After Manuel's pet rat escapes from his cage and runs loose in the hotel, the staff must catch it before the inspector sees it. At the same time, they must discern which veal cutlets are safe to eat after one covered in rat poison gets mixed up with the others.
Featuring: John Quarmby as Mr Carnegie, David Neville as Ronald, Sabina Franklyn as Quentina, James Taylor as Mr Taylor, Melody Lang as Mrs Taylor and Stuart Sherwin as Guest.
No.
The local health inspector notes and reads out a long list of hygiene infractions which the staff must rectify before his next visit, or else face closure. After Manuel's pet rat escapes from his cage and runs loose in the hotel, the staff must catch it before the inspector sees it. At the same time, they must discern which veal cutlets are safe to eat after one covered in rat poison gets mixed up with the others.
Featuring: John Quarmby as Mr Carnegie, David Neville as Ronald, Sabina Franklyn as Quentina, James Taylor as Mr Taylor, Melody Lang as Mrs Taylor and Stuart Sherwin as Guest.
| No. | Title | Sign reads | Original release date | |
| 7 | "Communication Problems" | FAWLTY TOWER (Crooked L and missing S) | 19 February 1979 (1979-02-19) | |
| The arrival of the "guest from hell"—Mrs Richards, a rather deaf, domineering and bad-tempered woman—interferes with Basil's attempts to prevent the money he won on a racehorse from being discovered by Sybil, who disapproves of gambling. Featuring: Joan Sanderson as Mrs Richards, Robert Lankesheer as Mr Thurston, Johnny Shannon as Mr Firkins, Bill Bradley as Mr Mackintosh, George Lee as Mr Kerr and Mervyn Pascoe as Mr Yardley. | ||||
| 8 | "The Psychiatrist" | WATERY FOWLS | 26 February 1979 (1979-02-26) | |
| A psychiatrist and his wife—also a doctor—come to the hotel for a weekend break, and notice all of Basil's odd behaviour. Initially enthused by his guests' class and professions, Basil is later perturbed when he discovers the doctor's specialty is psychiatry. Another guest, Mr Johnson, is secretly sharing his room with a woman and Basil becomes obsessed with catching him out, which leads to several incidents with a buxom Australian female guest, which gets him in trouble with Sybil. Featuring: Nicky Henson as Mr Johnson, Basil Henson as Dr Abbott, Elspet Gray as Mrs Abbott, Luan Peters as Raylene Miles, Aimée Delamain as Mrs Johnson and Imogen Bickford-Smith as Girlfriend. | ||||
| 9 | "Waldorf Salad" | FLAY OTTERS | 5 March 1979 (1979-03-05) | |
| Basil is not altogether keen on a loud and demanding American guest who demands a higher class of service—and food—than Fawlty Towers is accustomed to providing. Basil soon learns that the American guest will not tolerate any shenanigans. Featuring: Bruce Boa as Mr Hamilton, Claire Nielson as Mrs Hamilton, Norman Bird as Mr Arrad, Stella Tanner as Mrs Arrad, Terence Conoley as Mr Johnston, June Ellis as Mrs Johnston, Anthony Dawes as Mr Libson, Beatrice Shaw as Miss Gurke and Dorothy Frere as Miss Hare. | ||||
| 10 | "The Kipper and the Corpse" | FATTY OWLS | 12 March 1979 (1979-03-12) | |
| With no regard to Basil's blood pressure, a guest dies at the hotel, and Basil and the staff are left with the unpleasant task of removing the body discreetly while the doctor staying at the hotel, Dr. Price, waits for his sausages. Elsewhere, Polly and Manuel feed an elderly woman's pampered pet dog some extra spicy sausages after it bites them both. Featuring: Geoffrey Palmer as Dr Price, Mavis Pugh as Mrs Chase, Richard Davies as Mr White, Elizabeth Benson as Mrs White, Derek Royle as Mr Leeman, Robert McBain as Mr Xerxes, Pamela Buchner as Miss Young, Raymond Mason as Mr Zebedee, Charles McKeown as Mr Ingrams and Len Marten as Guest. | ||||
| 11 | "The Anniversary" | FLOWERY TWATS | 26 March 1979 (1979-03-26) | |
| Basil invites some friends for a surprise wedding anniversary party, but Sybil assumes he has forgotten their anniversary and storms off, leaving her husband and Polly, in disguise, desperately telling the others she is 'ill'. Featuring: Ken Campbell as Roger, Una Stubbs as Alice, Robert Arnold as Arthur, Pat Keen as Virginia, Roger Hume as Reg, Denyse Alexander as Kitty and Christine Shaw as Audrey. | ||||
| 12 | "Basil the Rat" | FARTY TOWELS | 25 October 1979 (1979-10-25) | |
| The local health inspector notes and reads out a long list of hygiene infractions which the staff must rectify before his next visit, or else face closure. After Manuel's pet rat escapes from his cage and runs loose in the hotel, the staff must catch it before the inspector sees it. At the same time, they must discern which veal cutlets are safe to eat after one covered in rat poison gets mixed up with the others. Featuring: John Quarmby as Mr Carnegie, David Neville as Ronald, Sabina Franklyn as Quentina, James Taylor as Mr Taylor, Melody Lang as Mrs Taylor and Stuart Sherwin as Guest. | ||||
References
- John Cleese himself was only 13 when the Korean War ended, making the character of Basil at least five or six years olde
- This is the only episode of the twelve that does not feature the hotel as the backdrop for the titles. Footage of the No
- This is the same opening shot as in episode 2, "The Builders", from Series 1.
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