Tag Archives: Robert Ross

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Kino Lober Blu-Ray Releases

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Robert and Gemma are delighted to have provided new audio commentaries for Are You Being Served? The Movie and Two-Way Stretch for the Kino Lober Blu-ray releases.

The Blu-ray’s are now available to pre-order ahead of their releases:

Are You Being Served? The Movie

Screwball shenanigans are served in this feature-length 1977 movie version of Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft’s beloved BBC television series that has become one of the most popular British comedies in PBS history! While London’s Grace Brothers department store undergoes renovations, the staff is treated to a continental holiday in sun-kissed Costa Plonka where they tangle with the local cuisine, swap cheeky lust letters—and are caught in the middle of an armed rebel insurrection. Join Mr. Humphries (John Inman), Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), Captain Peacock (Frank Thornton), Mr. Lucas (Trevor Bannister), Miss Brahms (Wendy Richard), Mr. Grainger (Arthur Brough), Mr. Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), Mr. Harman (Arthur English) and Young Mr. Grace (Harold Bennett) as the bullets and knickers fly! 

Product Extras :

  • Audio Commentary by Authors and Comedy Historians Gemma and Robert Ross
  • Theatrical Trailer

Two-Way Stretch

In this caper-comedy classic of 1960s British cinema, the great Peter Sellers (The Ladykillers, The Pink Panther) stars as cocky criminal “mastermind” Dodger Lane, who has been concocting the perfect robbery in prison. With two cellmates he intends to break out of jail, steal a fortune in diamonds from a rich Maharajah, and then break back in. He only has a few days left of his sentence to serve and his alibi couldn’t be any tighter. As long as the operation runs smoothly, what could possibly go wrong? Everything—in one of Sellers’ funniest farces packed with a rib-tickling rogues’ gallery of British comedy legends: Lionel Jeffries as the hilariously humiliated prison officer; Wilfrid Hyde-White as a bogus vicar; David Lodge as the meat-headed muscleman; and Bernard Cribbins in the nice young man part. Riotously directed by Robert Day (The Green Man).

Product Extras :

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Authors and Comedy Historians Gemma Ross and Robert Ross
  • Theatical Trailer
  • Optional English Subtitles
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The First Rule of Comedy ..! Memories and Moments by Jeffrey Holland with Robert Ross

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Coming this Spring a New Collaboration between Jeffrey Holland and Robert Ross

Fondly remembered as Spike Dixon in Hi-De-Hi, Jeffrey Holland is one of our best-loved situation comedy actors. An invaluable member of the repertory company of writer and director David Croft, his many other television credits include Are You Being Served?, Dad’s Army, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Oh, Doctor Beeching!, and You Rang, M’Lord?

Written in collaboration with Britain’s foremost comedy historian, Robert Ross, producer and presenter of the hugely successful touring show Jeffrey Holland: Comedy Friends and Heroes, this unique memoir reveals the hilarious tales from Holland’s long and illustrious career, through the comedy greats that have inspired him, to the comedy colleagues with whom he has worked.

There will be heart-warming stories from his twenty-year association with Paul Shane and Su Pollard: BBC’s comedy ‘A’ Team of sitcom. There will be poignant and deep reflection on his all-time favourite comedian, Stan Laurel, and revealing stories of working with the great and good of variety theatre – from understudying Frankie Howerd in pantomime, to unforgettable encounters with Ben Warriss, the no-nonsense straight man of Jewel and Warriss fame, via many happy years as part of Russ Abbot’s Madhouse.

Not to mention blissful thoughts on the joy of The Goon Show, and the thrill of stepping into the huge shoes of Peter Sellers, when the crazy characters were resurrected for Goon Again!

Filled with the enthusiasm and affection, The First Rule of Comedy..! is a life told through the eyes of one of the true greats of the genre.

Pre-order here.

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Best Sellers

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Coming October 15th 2024

Robert’s latest book Best Sellers celebrates the work of Peter Sellers.

As creative force of The Goon Show, Spike Milligan was the architect of the lunatic style of humour that permeates the best-loved performances of Peter Sellers; a friend and colleague who Milligan considered: “one of the true comedy greats of the 20th century. He can hold his head up with the very best.”

And it is the comic genius of Peter Sellers that is the driving passion of this book. A labour of love by Robert Ross, Britain’s Comedy Historian, in which the well-documented wealth, wives, and weirdness of Peter’s personal life is referenced only when it fully impacts his happiest place: as an interpretive, dedicated, truthful actor.

Whether it is Doctor Strangelove; Inspector Clouseau; or Chance the Gardener, Sellers had the conviction and the control to become his characters.

It’s a legacy of laughter which still holds the world bewitched and enthralled; a legacy here put into historical and comical context.

Pre-order

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The Carry On Girls

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Celebrating the women who shaped British Comedy

Whether it is the seaside postcard bubbly blondes of Barbara Windsor, or the hysterically historical leading ladies of Joan Sims; the coquettish authoritarians of Hattie Jacques, or the statuesque confidence of Valerie Leon; the Carry On Girls are stoic, sexy, and fiercely independent.

In this lavish celebration of a pioneering generation of comedy actresses who continue to radiate charm and contemporary relevance, a few home truths are revealed, some myths are debunked, but above all some of the best-loved icons of British entertainment are given fitting affection and respect.

Written by Gemma and Robert Ross this is their first book collaboration together.

We are grateful to Valerie Leon for writing the wonderful forward for the book.

The book is now available to order from all good book shops and will be released on 23rd November 2023. Please subscribe the newsletter to keep up-to-date with all our latest news about the book.

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December News

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This month Robert has articles in three best-selling nostalgia magazines. He’s back in Best of British, with a festive look at the Christmas comedy special, from The Goon Show to Gavin & Stacey. In the first of an occasional series of Past Masters of Comedy for Infinity magazine, Robert profiles that pantomime dame extraordinaire Arthur Askey. It’s in issue 31, which also includes our good friend Mick Clews’ salute to Phil Silvers. Finally, in Yours Retro issue 32, Robert reveals the amazing facts of when Elton John met Elvis Presley! All are on sale at newsagents now.

And talking of magazines, we are chuffed to have brought back an old favourite. Cor! was Robert’s fanzine from when he was a baby comedy historian! Dormant for twenty-two years, it’s now resurrected as an on-line publication. The all-new issue one includes The Goodies at Christmas, a centenary tribute to Carry On director Gerald Thomas, and a brand new and exclusive interview with Barry Cryer, including his 2020 message for the nation! Cor! is priced at just £2.50, and you can pick up your copy by clicking this link

You can buy Robert’s books and plays on our Facebook Page – they make the perfect Christmas stocking filler. 

Robert and Gemma will be hosting a Christmas Comedy chat on Tuesday, 22nd December over on Robert’s Facebook Page. Have your questions ready for when we go live & lively, from 7pm.

Please make sure you subscribe to Robert’s monthly newsletter by adding your details to this website for all the latest updates.