MovieChat Forums > Happy Families (1985) Discussion > Happy Families on dvd??

Happy Families on dvd??

posted 19 years ago by chrismarshall66
25 replies | jump to latest

Anyone know whether an old BBC sitcom called 'Happy Families' is available on dvd? It was aired in the mid 80's (in the UK obviously), written by Ben Elton following his success with the 'Young Ones' and starring Jennifer Saunders (later of 'Absolutely Fabulous'), Adrian Edmondson ('The Young Ones', 'Bottom' etc), Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie('Blackadder', 'Jeeves & Wooster', 'A Bit Of Fry & Laurie') & Dawn French ('French & Saunders', 'Comic Strip Presents').

I can only vaguely remember it and would love to get hold of a copy but not sure if it's available.

Thanx

[–] BananaFruitCup 19 years ago

It's never been officially released on either DVD or VHS that I'm aware of. However, some people have recorded it off the TV, so you might try hunting around for someone who's willing to trade or sell you a copy.

[–] Wolf_Solent 19 years ago

I've a funny feeling it may have been briefly available on VHS shortly after broadcast, but it's unlikely ever to get an official release nowadays because of music clearance issues. Most of the soundtrack was commercially-available music, including Elton John's "Song For Guy" a couple of times in every episode. The cost of clearing this for DVD release would presumably be absolutely prohibitive.

It does pop up very occasionally on satellite/cable channels, so the best advice is probably to keep your eyes peeled and your video recorder on standby!

[–] podwilliams 18 years ago

Wolf says: "I've a funny feeling it may have been briefly available on VHS shortly after broadcast, but it's unlikely ever to get an official release nowadays because of music clearance issues. Most of the soundtrack was commercially-available music, including Elton John's "Song For Guy" a couple of times in every episode. The cost of clearing this for DVD release would presumably be absolutely prohibitive."

I suspect this must apply to countless shows, Wolf, right? I'd not given what you've said much thought before. Consequently, I'm now utterly depressed. As with Set of Six and How Do You Want Me?, the prospect of never seeing this gem again makes my heart sink deep into the mire of resignation.

The lion and the calf shall lie down together, but the calf won't get much sleep.

[–] robbie87 19 years ago

Hi,

I just wanted to write and say that I am desperately looking for a copy of this also - if I get lucky I'll let you know - if you have found a supplier then I'd be really appreciative of a contact email.

Cheers !

[–] kkimberley 18 years ago

I've been vainly hoping this will be released on dvd for years!

[–] imdb-12884 18 years ago

ditto here - if anyone has a copy on VHS I would happily pay for a copy!

[–] glassbook 18 years ago

I HAPPEN TO WORK ON DVD CLOSED CAPTIONING,
AND AS OF 3/06,
THIS SERIES IS CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON TO BE
RELEASED AS A DVD--
SAY 6 MONTHS OR SO?

[–] colinbreen-1 18 years ago

This is GREAT news!

Keep us posted!

[–] kevinshelbourne 18 years ago

You probably all know this by now, but its currently being repeated as we speak on paramount comedy 2!!

[–] evelyne71 13 years ago

I've just been reading these old messages from 2006... and am also desperately seeking Happy Families!! Did the DVD ever get released?? Thanks!!

[–] TimMulviel 18 years ago

I have just purchased a 2 disc dvd from ebay.
I don't know how reliable it is or how legal it is either.

Tim Mulviel

[–] FoxRyan 18 years ago

I have Happy Families. I am willing to put the six episodes onto DVD. The quality is about 7/10. All episodes are complete. These are NOT official. Please e mail me at [email protected] if you are interested in buying a copy.

No. That is not the way. Dalcroix is NOT a croissant. Although he is greasy. And bent.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] acetremendous 17 years ago

I also have a copy on dvd I would be happy to copy for other people, though I don't want my message to be "deleted by an administrator." If you want one, post your email address & I'll write you about it.

I am a BIG FAN of the Comic Strip, and all of those guys - Ade Edmondson, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Nigel Planer, Rik Mayall, Alexie Sayle, Peter Richardson, Kathy Burke, Robbie Coltrane, etc.

This show stars Jennifer Saunders and Ade Edmondson - newly married at the time. Every episode features Dawn French, Stephen Fry, and Helen Lederer. Individual episodes feature Harriet Thorpe, Jim Broadbent, Stephen Frost, Mark Arden, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Ben Elton, Lenny Henry, Ruby Wax, Chris Langham, Pauline Melville, Una Stubbs, Chris Ryan, Sandi Toksvig, and more!

Ben Elton wrote it, it's a sitcom with a running soap-type storyline running through the six shows. The first show is quite bad and the last one is weak, but the middle four shows are REALLY funny, cramming in a lot of different types of parody.

I agree that the music rights make this too expensive to release on dvd without extra editing. No one will be willing to do that editing now, because the show was considered to be a "failure" (like Elton's other show "Filthy, Rich & Catflap").

Ben Elton doesn't need the money anymore, so it'll never come out on a proper dvd. Buy a bootleg today!

* "We may be stupid, but we're not clever!" *

[–] MattLee 17 years ago

Filthy Rich and Catflap got a DVD release though!

[–] starredark 17 years ago

I guess Filthy, Rich & Catflap didn't have the same issues with music rights, tho.

I popped on to IMDB to see if there were quotes from this show. Remember the bit where Guy is looking for his sister (Madeleine?), who is living with a French artist (in France, coincidentally), whose fixated assistant has attempted to kill his mentor, as he rides his motorcycle and sidecar through a wood, because Delcroix (fo it is he) doesn't smother *him* in kisses...

Assistant: Zat is why I hung a piano across ze road!'

Delcroix: Zat is 'piano *wire*'

Assistant: 'Piano', 'piano wire', what is ze difference?!'

Delcroix: (having seen the suspended piano in plenty of time to stop) 'There is a very *big* difference...'

[–] amyl_nitrate 17 years ago

I've only seen the first episode of this series so far. I'd like to see more. :) I'll look on youtube.

I guess Filthy, Rich & Catflap didn't have the same issues with music rights, tho.

Actually it did so some scenes were cut. I don't know for myself as I never saw it's original airing but a lot of people on the imdb board for it say that several scenes have been cut due to issues with the music including a song by the Nolan Sisters and when Richie sand 'Pick a Pocket or Two' from Oliver!

[–] acetremendous 17 years ago

I have a dvd copy of that Filthy Rich & Catflap epidode with the Oliver song. I have the whole series. I'm not sure if the Nolan episode is cut, but I know that I have several minutes of previously cut Midge Ure stuff in the last episode. I know, that's not necessarily interesting, but it IS actually very funny comedy and he lets them slam him pretty hard, so it's worth seeing.

Eddie insists that Midge wrote Roxanne:
"ROOOOOX-anne, you don't have to stick your message up a bottle...."

*********************************************
* "We may be stupid, but we're not clever!" *

[–] apostasia 16 years ago

Would love to have this on DVD.

Just a painted face on a trip down suicide row

[–] hiyacath 17 years ago

Please Please Please can one of those people in the know get in touch with me about Happy Families? I would love to see this again. Thanks

Andy

[email protected]

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] colin-preece1 16 years ago

Re Happy Families DVD any chance [email protected]

[–] podwilliams 16 years ago

http://www.classicuktv.co.uk/inc/sdetail/145

The lion and the calf shall lie down together, but the calf won't get much sleep.

[–] sonicbloo 15 years ago

cheers for that link, I got mine within 2 days. good quality too

[–] caulfield-s 15 years ago

If you want a copy CHECK OUT:
http://raretvclassics.co.uk
this site has it for sale.