|
Because of his illiteracy, Albert Dobson (Richard Briers) is given the
choice to either learn to read & write or give up his job at the church by
the new vicar (Andrew Burt), who wants to turn his church into a community
center. Albert, at quite an advanced age, had never had the opportunity - or
indeed the use - to learn to read & write, having first served in the army,
then many years as a butler & now as the church's verger, & so he now
finds it impossible to start at such a late age & quits his job. His wife
Milly (Patricia Routledge), also in the church's employ, does the same out of
loyalty.
Tossed out onto the streets & with too much time on his hand, Albert
finds it very hard to adapt to modern times - until he realizes he doesn't have
to: he & Milly start an old-fashioned tea-room where they just keep on
doing what they did in their years of service for their Lordship - & after
a few initial setbacks caused by some health inspector (Geoffrey Beevers),
their busines becomes a phenomenal success, soon developing into a chain of tea
rooms.
The crwoning achievement comes though when Krooger (Bruce Boa), head of an
American restaurant chain offers them a joint venture to their benefit ...
& it is at the signing of the contract when Albert has to admit he is
illiterate. "Do you know where you could be now could you read & write
?" Krooger asks, almost admiringly.
"I would still be the church's verger."
Unfortunately, Somerset Maugham's short story, while quite ineresting in
itself, does not translate easily to the screeen as it by & large lacks cinematic
moments (no wonder, since it has not been written for the screen),
& the direction as well is somewhat stagey, but good actors & a fine
delivery of the punchline keep this from b eing a total desaster.
|
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
amazon.de
eThaiCD.com
find Tales of the Unexpected - The Verger at adultvideouniverse.com
