Last of the Summer Wine (TV Series) The Secret Birthday of Norman Clegg (2003) User Reviews

An undercover Birthday.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 31 July 2021]

It's Cleggy's birthday, and he's hoping for a quiet, genteel celebration with Truly. He's desperate for people not to know his secret, but suspicions arise when all and sundry are dressed in their best gear, including Ivy.

This was pretty funny, a good premise, some funny lines, and of course, who doesn't love a party, especially one crashed by Marina.

It's the first time that Frank Thornton has looked Captain Peacock like, it was the smart suit and hat, even in later years, he was still a smart man, and very upright in stature.

Out of interest, Sallis was 82 in this one, he doesn't look anywhere near that. Sadly Thora Hird looks very poorly, clearly a double standing in for her at times here.

When Marina is powdering her nose, the contents of her drink are going up and down with every shot.

A good one, 7/10.

Entertaining

[keysam-02610 · 8/10 · 19 April 2022]

The plot for this really doesn't hang together. Even if there was a wedding that Clegg & Truly weren't invited to, but newcomer (& son of reprobate Compo) Tom *was*, there's no way they wouldn't know about it. The other men would have been whinging for weeks about having to go!

It's also pretty unbelievable that Tom & Smiler possess decent suits!

Anyway, leaving that aside, it's a very entertaining episode, with Clegg's quiet birthday lunch ruined not only by having bumped into Marina but then also finding he's at the same venue as literally everyone else. Poor Clegg.

Poor Marina too, who really doesn't deserve to be stuck with the egregious Howard (this is another episode where Pearl gets to dress up & he's horrible about it) or to be treated so badly by the others. I would have loved it if she'd been given a plot where some really nice gent swept her off her feet.

Ah well, never mind.

The Secret Birthday of Norman Clegg

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 5 September 2020]

It is Clegg's birthday but he does not want anyone to know apart from Truly.

Wisely Roy Clarke does not disclose how old Clegg is. Although Clegg does note that it comes around quicker each year.

As Clegg gets dressed up to go for a pot of lunch with Truly. He notices everyone else is dressed up as well. Even Billy, Tom, Smiler and Entwistle.

Clegg believes that they all know and are up to something. It is just that they are going to a wedding.

Of course the reception takes place at the same place Clegg ends up for lunch. Marina invites herself to have lunch with Truly and Clegg as well. It makes Howard envious.

There are some nice touches. The elderly groom revealing himself to be a misery. The bride's daughter being a bit too friendly with Barry. She wants to know the latest interest rates. Smiler talking about the reaction he gets when talking to the ladies.

It is a puzzle that Clegg and Truly know nothing about the wedding and are not even invited. Apart from Marina, all the other regulars have. This includes Tom who is basically a stranger.