Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em is a British sitcom broadcast on BBC1, created and written by Raymond Allen and starring Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice. It was first broadcast in 1973 and ran for two series, including two Christmas specials in 1974 and 1975. After a three-year absence, the programme returned for a third series in 1978 and again in 2016 for a one-off special. The series regularly garnered 25 million viewers and was broadcast in 60 countries.
The series follows the maladroit Frank Spencer through his various attempts to get and keep a job, which frequently end in disaster. The sitcom was noted for its stunt work, performed by Crawford himself, and it featured several well-known and much-lampooned catchphrases that have become part of British popular culture. In the 2004 series Britain's Best Sitcom, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em placed 22nd in the list of all British sitcoms.
Title The series was originally conceived under the working title Have a Break, Take a Husband.
The expression "some mothers do have them" was once a common British euphemism to refer to a foolish or inept person.
Character of Frank Spencer The ambitious but accident-prone Frank Spencer, who often wears his trademark beret and mackintosh, is married to the long-suffering Betty (Michele Dotrice), and in later series they have a baby daughter, Jessica.
The character was popular with impressionists such as Mike Yarwood in the 1970s, particularly Frank's ostensible main catchphrase, "Ooh Betty", which may actually have been said in only one episode (Series 2, Episode 2).
Other catchphrases include a quavering "Oooh ...", usually uttered with Frank's forefinger to his mouth as he stands amidst the chaos of some disaster he has just caused. He also sometimes complains about being "ha-RASSed!", or, occasionally, "I've had a lot of ha-RASSments lately" (originally an American pronunciation). Other recurring catchphrases include references to "a bit of trouble" and to the cat having "done a whoopsie" (presumably a euphemism for having defecated in an inappropriate place, on one occasion in Spencer's beret). When Frank is pleased or confused, he will often use the catchphrases "Mmmm – nice!" or "Ohhh – nice!".
Frank is essentially a sympathetic character who is loved by Betty despite his faults. He venerates the memory of his late mother and treasures his daughter. References to Frank's mother suggest she was very much like her son. Frank claimed he last saw his father at Paddington Station when only 18 months old. Crawford has mentioned that he based many of Frank's reactions on those of a young child.
The final series was produced after a break of five years (not counting two Christmas specials). Though still written by Raymond Allen, it was based on stories by Crawford. Frank's character changes noticeably in this series, becoming more self-aware and keen to make himself appear educated and well-spoken. He develops an air of pomposity, best demonstrated when someone enquires for "Mr. Spencer?", to which he habitually replies, "I am he." He also becomes more self-assured and more willing to defend himself when criticised, sometimes winning arguments by leaving his opponents dumbfounded by the bizarre nature of his statements. Frank also commits numerous malapropisms, especially when using long words to sound clever. For example, in the final episode he says 'pissdomestic' instead of 'pessimistic'.
Acknowledging the show's success in Australia, in the final series Frank mentions relations who live there and contemplates emigrating himself.
Legacy Crawford later had difficulty disassociating himself from the role, despite his career as a successful musical performer on the West End and Broadway stage and in popular musicals such as Barnum and The Phantom of the Opera.
Cast Ronnie Barker and Norman Wisdom were the BBC's first and second choices for the role of Frank. David Jason was also a contender, but he was rejected because BBC executives at the time believed that he lacked star quality. However, the casting of Crawford proved effective because he invented many of Frank's mannerisms and catchphrases (some of which he had employed in the 1969 film Hello, Dolly!), and because of his ability to perform stunts and physical comedy.
Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer Michele Dotrice as Betty Spencer (née Fisher)
Supporting cast Jessica Forte as Jessica Spencer, Frank and Betty's daughter (5 episodes; series 3) Jane Hylton as Mrs. Fisher, Betty's mother (3 episodes; series 1) Anthony Woodruff as Dr. Smedley, one of several doctors who attend to the Spencers (3 episodes; series 1 and 2) Dick Bentley as Grandad Spencer, Frank's errant grandfather who visits from Australia (3 episodes; series 3) Glynn Edwards (3 episodes) and Jean Boht (2 episodes) as Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, the Spencers' neighbours after they move house (series 3) Cyril Luckham as Father O'Hara, a local priest (2 episodes; series 2)
Guest cameos Most episodes would introduce at least one other character (such as a doctor, neighbour or employer) who would usually become unnerved by Frank's peculiar manner and clumsiness.
Guest cameo roles were played by actors including George Baker, James Cossins, Peter Jeffrey, Richard Wilson, Fulton Mackay, Bernard Hepton, Christopher Timothy, George Sewell, Bryan Pringle, Christopher Biggins, Milton Johns, Diane Holland, John Ringham, David Ryall, Gretchen Franklin, Geoffrey Chater, Royston Tickner, Michael Redfern, Babar Bhatti, Norman Chappell, Geoffrey Whitehead, Desmond Llewelyn and Elisabeth Sladen (who, in her autobiography, mentions that she was considered for the role of Betty).
Theme tune The theme song by Ronnie Hazlehurst features two piccolos spelling out the title in Morse code, excluding the apostrophes.
Some Mothers Do Ave Em (full stop)
Series overview Regular episodes
Christmas special episodes
2016 Sport Relief sketch
Episodes
Series 1 (Early 1973) TitleEpisode NumberAirdateDescriptionNotes"Getting a Job" (aka "The Job Interview")115 February 1973Newly married Frank and Betty are due to move into their new flat, but are currently living with Betty's mother, Mrs Fisher. Betty has bought Frank a new briefcase for his impending job interview at Lewis & Co.'s ironmongers for the position of area sales manager. With Betty's advice of remembering to smile, Frank turns up at his interview later than expected, after getting stuck in a lift. When he finally meets the general manager, Mr Lewis, he causes him a lot of frustration. By the end of the interview, Mr Lewis is on the verge of a breakdown.The initial shot of the postman delivering the present that Betty has got for Frank's interview is of 2 Hemlock Road, White City, W12. Herne Bay in Kent features in this episode where Frank (Michael Crawford) arrives at a shop for a job interview."George's House"222 February 1973Frank and Betty are invited to stay the weekend at Betty's brother George's modern electronically designed home. George receives a visit from Mr Fletcher, an American house builder, who may well offer George's employer an order worth thousands of pounds if he likes the equipment, but after Frank loses his slippers down the toilet and ruins it, trouble begins to brew. The situation worsens when the cistern starts to leak and the water ends up interfering with the house's electrical systems, causing George's electronic gadgets to become uncontrollable and Betty and Frank to damage the electric control system, which then sets the house on fire.Stars Peter Greene, Michael Golden."Love Thy Neighbour"31 March 1973Betty's mother turns up at the Spencer household unexpectedly, suitcase in hand, after leaving her husband and collapses on their couch. Betty feels that Dr Smedley should be contacted, and Frank is the one left to do it, but with the phone box out of action, he pays a visit to his new neighbour, Mr Faraday. Frank calls Dr Smedley but gives him Mr Faraday's address rather his own, and causes a misunderstanding. After all the confusion, Frank locks himself out of the house, and once again has to trouble Mr Faraday, this time for the use of his ladder.First appearance of Dr. H. S. Smedley, the family doctor (portrayed here by Anthony Woodruff)."Have a Break, Take a Husband" (aka "Hotel")48 March 1973As a second honeymoon, Frank and Betty decide to take a trip to a very old fashioned hotel owned by Mr Bedford. Things get off to a bad start when Frank very nearly misses the train and has to run after it down the platform. After arriving at their hotel, Frank takes it upon himself to make a few adjustments to the broken room, which eventually result in their lino getting torn, a broken wardrobe and a hole in their floor. Meanwhile, across the landing, another guest, Kenny, is having difficulty getting to sleep between the noises coming from the Spencers' destroyed room and his furniture disappearing. Property that was allegedly damaged included two holes in the floor/ceiling, a lino, a painting, drawers and a wardrobe. After the episode, the hotel closed down the room for ten days for a renovation.Scenes were filmed in Herne Bay in Kent, including the railway station and Carlton Hotel. Interior scenes with the hotel room is filmed in the studios, guest-stars Cyril Shaps and Neil McCarthy."The Hospital Visit"515 March 1973Frank's been fending for himself with Betty in hospital, and has just had a spot of bother with a steak and kidney pudding (which explodes). Now he's off to visit her, but is the recovery ward ready for him?Guest-stars Elisabeth Sladen."The Psychiatrist"622 March 1973After being relieved of his job as a member of a fire crew, Frank feels that he is a failure. Betty thinks that he should go and see someone who would understand his situation. He goes to see Mr Webster, a psychiatrist who tries his best to get to the root of Frank's problem.Guest-stars Bernard Hepton."The Employment Exchange"729 March 1973Having lost his latest job as a window cleaner, Frank ends up back at the employment exchange, where new manager Mr Bradshaw insists that he can be employed. Bradshaw takes Frank on as an employee around the building, but soon begins to regret it.Guest-stars George A. Cooper, Edward Hardwicke.
Series 2 (Late 1973) TitleEpisode NumberAirdateDescriptionNotes"Cliffhanger"822 November 1973Frank's latest job includes a company car which he and Betty use to go on a picnic. Things start out well enough until Frank manages to reverse the car halfway over the edge of the cliff."The RAF Reunion"929 November 1973Frank Spencer is excited about attending his Royal Air Force reunion. He relives his short but eventful time in the RAF through flashbacks, including his air-crew medical, an unforgettable aptitude test, and his time as a cook. His enthusiasm for the reunion leads to a series of mishaps, including sleepwalking and causing chaos at the reunion itself.This episode contains flashbacks of Frank's past.