Vince Powell and Harry Driver script-wrote several ITV comedy successes of the Sixties and Seventies, notably NEVER MIND THE QUALITY, FEEL THE WIDTH (1967-71), BLESS THIS HOUSE (1971-6), and NEAREST AND DEAREST (1968-73). Their humor was not especially subtle, centering around the battle of the sexes between a supposedly strong man and a strong woman, or two strong men. Their work provided a suitable vehicle for such talents as Hylda Baker, Irene Handl, Wilfred Pickles and Jimmy Jewel, all stalwarts of television and radio for many years.
Premiering in 1966, GEORGE AND THE DRAGON paired the twin talents of Sidney James and Peggy Mount. The plots were not especially subtle; they were designed to show off the talents of two outstanding comedy actors. James plays his customary role of the philanderer always on the lookout for "birds." However he meets his match with the presence of Mount's Miss Dragon, whose character is suggested by her surname - a dominant woman with a penchant for crushing anything and everyone who stands in her way. Both of them are domestic servants in the employ of Colonel Maynard (John le Mesurier); George is the manservant, Mount the cook.
The plot of this opening episode is straightforward enough: George wants to get his "bird" Gloria employed as the cook, but due to a series of comic misunderstandings, Miss Dragon takes the job instead. The twenty-five minute episode ends with a classic farcical situation, with George trying to conceal his "bird" and the Colonel from Miss Dragon's sight by pushing them into separate rooms, but finding all his best-laid plans coming to naught.
The jokes are fairly obvious; and highly sexist by today's standards. Nonetheless we can enjoy the sight of two legendary comic talents at work.
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