"Happy Release" | |
---|---|
Porridge episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 5 |
Directed by | Sydney Lotterby |
Written by | Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais |
Original air date | 21 November 1975 |
"Happy Release" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 21 November 1975, [1] and is the fifth episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher concocts a scheme to help another prisoner get revenge on someone for cheating them of their possessions.
Due to an accident caused by falling off a ladder, Fletcher is put in the prison infirmary with a broken ankle, much to the annoyance of prison officer Mackay, who had him down for drainage detail. Fletcher is joined in the infirmary by the elderly Blanco and the unpleasant Norris, both of whom are not speaking to each other. Whilst they are on their own, Blanco reveals to Fletcher that he suspects Norris of cheating in a game of nine-card brag that they had had, which resulted in Blanco losing his possessions as a result.
That night, Blanco informs Fletcher that if he dies before he is released from prison, he would bequeath to him a treasure map to the loot he stole. Norris overhears this and attempts to search Fletcher's bed for it. However, this attracts the attention of prison officer Barrowclough, who scolds Norris for causing trouble and jeopardising his upcoming parole. Although he attempts to find out what he was looking for, Barrowclough decides against this on the belief it was a diversion for prisoners to escape. The next morning, Norris makes a proposition to Fletcher and Blanco for the map, offering to look after it until they are released. Fletcher agrees, only if he can find the map.
After leaving the infirmary, Norris visits Godber, since he has been visiting with meals while on kitchen duty. Godber refuses to betray Fletcher when asked about taking anything from him with a piece of paper in it, but eventually hands over the map after Norris offers several valuable items for it. When Godber visits the infirmary on his next round, Fletcher takes delight that Norris fell for a dirty trick; the map was a fake, and the items he used to get it were those taken from Blanco. That night, the group listen to the news on Blanco's radio, which reports that Norris was arrested for digging up a football pitch in Leeds, much to their amusement.
Actor | Role |
---|---|
Ronnie Barker | Norman Stanley Fletcher |
Brian Wilde | Mr Barrowclough |
Fulton Mackay | Mr Mackay |
Richard Beckinsale | Godber |
David Jason | Blanco |
Colin Farrell | Norris |
Terence Soall | Medical Officer |
Paul McDowell | Mr Collinson |
Steve Ismay | Gardener (uncredited) |
Porridge is a British sitcom, starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and broadcast on BBC1 from 1974 to 1977. The programme ran for three series and two Christmas specials. A feature film of the same name based on the series was released in 1979.
Norman Stanley Fletcher, commonly nicknamed "Fletch", is the main fictional character in the BBC sitcom Porridge, and the spin-off, Going Straight. He was played by Ronnie Barker.
"No Way Out" is the first Christmas special of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 24 December 1975. In this episode, prisoner Tommy Slocombe makes an escape attempt in the lead-up to Christmas.
"The Desperate Hours" is the second Christmas special of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 24 December 1976. In this episode, Fletcher and Godber are in trouble for brewing liquor in the lead-up to Christmas, but are caught up in a hostage situation in the Governor's office. It was the only episode of Porridge to air in 1976.
"A Day Out" is the fourth episode from the first series of the British sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 26 September 1974, and is the fourth episode of the first series. In this episode, Fletcher and some of his fellow prisoners are allowed out for the day to dig drainage ditches for the local council, only for mishaps to soon occur.
"New Faces, Old Hands" is the first episode of British sitcom Porridge, produced for the BBC. It first aired on 5 September 1974, and forms part of the first series of the sitcom. The episode focuses on Norman Stanley Fletcher's arrival at Slade Prison alongside two others, where he attempts to manipulate things to his benefit.
"A Night In" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 19 September 1974, and is the third episode of the first series. A bottle episode, and the only one in which officers Mackay and Barrowclough did not appear, it focuses on Fletcher finding himself sharing a cell with Godber and developing a friendship with him, despite having to endure a difficult first night with him.
Porridge is a 1979 British comedy film directed by Dick Clement and starring Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay and Brian Wilde. It was written by Clement and Ian La Frenais based on their BBC television series Porridge (1974–1977). Most of prison officers and inmates from the original series appear in the film, with the notable exceptions of Lukewarm, Blanco, Heslop, and Harris. There is also a different governor, played by Geoffrey Bayldon rather than series regular Michael Barrington.
"The Hustler" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, produced for the BBC. It first aired on 12 September 1974, and is the second episode of the first series. In this episode, Fletcher and his friends hold an illicit gambling syndicate under Mr Mackay's nose.
"Ways and Means" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 3 October 1974, and is the fifth episode of the first series. In this episode, Fletcher intends to help new prisoner who has an attitude problem, when they decide to hold a rooftop protest.
"Just Desserts" is an episode of the British Porridge. It first aired on 24 October 1975, and is the first episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher finds a tin of pineapple chunks he stole has since been stolen, and this soon causes problems for others.
"Heartbreak Hotel" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 31 October 1975 and is the second episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher becomes depressed after his daughter visits him, while Godber receives a letter with bad news from his fiancée.
"Disturbing the Peace" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 7 November 1975, and is the third episode of the second series. In this episode, Mr Mackay leaves Slade Prison to go on a course, though the prisoners soon wish for him back when they discover how awful his replacement is.
"No Peace for the Wicked" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 14 November 1975, and is the fourth episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher tries to have some peace during a weekend afternoon, but fails to achieve this.
"The Harder They Fall" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 28 November 1975, and is the sixth episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher finds himself in trouble when two rival prisoners decide to fix a boxing match, leaving him at risk of the wrath of one of them for helping the other.
"A Storm in a Teacup" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 18 February 1977. In this episode, Fletcher is tasked by Grouty to replace a bottle of pills Harris stole. But there is a surprise for Fletcher in his teacup.
"Pardon Me" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 11 March 1977. In the episode, elderly prisoner Blanco Webb is due to be paroled, but he does not accept it, as he would be admitting his guilt. Fletcher and the rest of Slade Prison petition to the Home Office for Blanco to be pardoned.
"A Test of Character" is the fifth episode from the third series of the BBC sitcom Porridge which aired on 18 March 1977. In the episode, Godber is studying for his O Level History exam but does not approve of Fletcher's method of cheating. Meanwhile, Fletcher and Warren are having a dispute on the Solar System.
"Final Stretch" is the final episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge, the sixth episode of the third series. It first aired on 25 March 1977. Godber's upcoming parole hearing is threatened by the prospect of a fight with fellow inmate Jarvis. Meanwhile, Fletcher is suspicious of his daughter's holiday plans.