The Bounder

Rating:
Summary: Lots of great British humor!
Review: Howard Booth (played by inestimable Peter Bowles) is an inveterate liar and con artist, and now that he is out of prison, he needs somewhere to stay. Descending on the home of his sister and long-suffering brother-in-law, Mary and Trevor Mountjoy (Rosalind Ayres and George Cole) he quickly shows that little has changed. However, the Mountjoys have a neighbor who is a wealthy widow; for Howard it is love at first sight!

This boxed-set contains two DVDs, which contain a total of seven of the half-hour episodes - the entire first series of this two series show! This is a great show, with lots of witty dialogue, and lots of that great British humor. Plus, it stars Peter Bowles, need I say more? I highly recommend these DVDs to any fan of British comedy.

He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother-In-Law - Series 1, episode 1 (April 16, 1982) - Howard's out of prison, but his terrible leg injury means that he cannot possible work a normal job. But, when Trevor notices that Howard's cane is often left behind, he begins to get suspicious...

Howard At The Majestic - Series 1, episode 2 (April 23, 1982) - When Howard forgets the Mountjoy's anniversary he has to think fast. Oh yeah, he can con the Majestic into giving them a free meal. Sadly for Trevor, Howard's little con begins to unravel.

We'll Go No More A-Roving - Series 1, episode 3 (April 30, 1982) - Now that Trevor is leaning on Howard to get a job, Howard needs a way out and decides that he will become a great author. His novel is a bust, but his poem is greeted with universal acclaim. Now, let's hope no one realizes that Howards stole it from Lord Byron!

Raising The Wind - Series 1, episode 4 (May 7, 1982) - Howard needs money, so he returns to his old bank. Sadly, there is a new manager there who knows him. So, there's nothing else to do, Howard will have to con the money out of him!

On Approval - Series 1, episode 5 (May 14, 1982) - Howard wants to buy the wealthy and available Laura's affections, but he has no money - what he needs is a con. Getting a very expensive bracelet on approval, Howard knows that Laura will reject such an expensive gift, but think highly of him for thinking so much of her. But, when Laura gladly accepts the bracelet, it's up to Howard and Trevor to get it back!

Suspicion - Series 1, episode 6 (May 21, 1982) - When Howard and the Mountjoys go shopping, Howard discovers a shoplifter who happens to be an old cell-mate. Unfortunately, Trevor also discovers the thief, and his attempt to set a high moral tone only lands him in trouble. Now it's up to Howard to rescue Trevor and set everything right.

The Rival - Series 1, episode 7 (May 28, 1982) - Laura has finally fallen in love...with an Italian count! Howard has to act fast and break this romance up. Suspecting that the count is really a con-artist, Howard maneuvers Trevor into hiring a private detective, but the results are something Howard never bargained for!

Rating:
Summary: An Enjoyable Little Britcom (4.5 stars)
Review: The Bounder is a cute early eighties' britcom starring Peter Bowles (To the Manor Born, Rumpole of the Bailey, The Irish RM) which was, in fact, written for him by series' writer Eric Chappell, with whom Bowles had worked previously on Only When I Laugh. If you're familiar with any of Chappell's other offerings, like Rising Damp or Home to Roost, for example, you will be familiar with his style of writing, and if you've enjoyed either of these two series, you will almost certainly enjoy this one. Fourteen episodes were made, of which the first seven (with a duration of just under 25 minutes each) appear in this boxed set.

Bowles plays Howard Booth, a convicted embezzler just released from prison. Howard, a posh, luxury-loving, smooth-talking layabout, immediately turns up on the doorstep of his sister Mary and her serious-minded, law-abiding husband Trevor (George Cole) and ends up moving in--temporarily (ahem) of course! Howard immediately takes a shine to Laura, the attractive widow next door--a shine which turns to a positive gleam when he finds out she also happens to be wealthy. Of course Howard cannot tell her of his rather embarrassing past (particularly as she was herself a victim of his embezzlement scheme!), so he simply contrives a story--something which seems to be a bit of a habit with him!

The episodes consist of Howard getting himself entangled in one lie or scheme after another, be it in an attempt to raise money (illegally, of course), to redeem himself in Laura's eyes (unsuccessfully, of course), to save face, and so on. Howard has a fairly easy time ingratiating himself with Mary, but Trevor is nobody's fool. So it's rather comical whenever Trevor ends up in humiliating situations thanks to Howard. All of Howard's schemes end up comically backfiring on him, but none does so more perfectly than when he has Trevor hire a private detective to dig up dirt on Laura's new love interest in the last episode. I wish I could say more, but I don't want to give anything away--suffice it to say that I look forward indeed to the release of the rest of the series!

If you're a fan of Britcoms in general and particularly if you've enjoyed Peter Bowles in some of his better-known roles, I think you'll enjoy this one. All in all it's a cute, entertaining, and very enjoyable little series which features a strong cast. Certainly, it's one which I enjoyed and look forward to watching again.

Rating:
Summary: Classic farce finally makes its way to America
Review: The Bounder is tightly written and perfectly cast. A comedy of character and situation, it's hilarious -- far better than any other British SitCom. My wife and I have almost worn out an old VHS off-the-air recording of it. This 2-disc set appears to have all seven episodes from the first season. Hopefully the second season will be issued soon. Some may find it over the top, but I think the writer, director and cast created a television classic.