Last of the Summer Wine (TV Series) Mending Stuart's Leg (1976) User Reviews

More comic shenanigans for the comedy trio.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 24 February 2016]

The trio of Compo, Cleggy and Foggy head to the Library, and discover an old adversary, 'Shagnasty' Mr Wainwright, who impresses his secretary Miss Moody. Ivy and Sid are fighting with each other, Ivy's annoyed how he's turned out, and the fact that he won't go up on the roof to mend it, naturally Compo and co offer to help.

Really fun episode, the shots of the Town Centre look great, so interesting to see after all these years. The Librarian Wainwright, and his assistant Miss Moody make a good double act, sadly he would only appear in one more episode. Favourite bit has to be Nora Batty being chased by Compo is absolutely joyful to watch, as are her wrinkled stockings. The joy on the actors faces, gold!

Foggy continues to be wonderfully batty and interesting, going into his little mental lapses.

This is a great time in the show's history.

8/10.

A big improvement on series 1 and 2

[professoritterrohl · 9/10 · 28 April 2019]

Roy Clarke has slowly been finding his feet with the series but with this episode he really nails it. Finally an episode that really captures the true essence of Last Of The Summer Wine. In this episode the gang tries to mend Stuart's leg that has an extra lump and a click. This involves the gang squatting down a listening for a non-existent click as Stuart walks past. Its a particularly silly premise for an episode but good fun all the same and is typical for the knockabout fun it became famous for. Its amazing how quickly Brian Wilde has established the Foggy character and integrated into the series. Its also noticeable that the Clegg character has been somewhat toned down. He is still sarcastic but in a funnier less unpleasant way and he has more or less lost the aggressive inflection that he used at the end of sentences. Foggy has already started his feud with Compo: near the start Foggy's intolerance of Compo is established with him criticising Compo's smoking habits and general appearance. This is one of the longest shots seen in LOTSW when the three are barely more than silhouettes on the hills. What I like about this episode is that it stops trying to be profound instead it relies on more simple but effective jokes and fun skits like the ladder scene. This is a big step forward and well worth a watch.

Timid Clegg arrives

[keysam-02610 · 8/10 · 6 July 2022]

There's a moment in this episode when the gang are carrying a very long ladder through the streets and they impede the progress of two older ladies. If they're extras I'd be very surprised and they really don't seem to recognise our heroes or that there's a TV show being made. They just look annoyed! Makes you realise how young the show still was and that not everyone was familiar with it.

Anyway, the leg of the title belongs to one of those characters we've never seen before & will never see again. Attempting (apparently for the umpteenth time) has all and sundry with their trouser legs rolled up in the cafe, much to Ivy's disgust, but is quite entertaining.

The original librarian is back too, lusting after a new assistant, though this one seems a bit more assertive. Not sure what Roy Clarke has against librarians but it's not until Josephine Tewson gets the gig that they're really portrayed sympathetically.

The ladder leads to the first time Clegg seems really timid - he's very much NOT going up it. Compo on the other hand....

Solid episode, if a bit scattered in terms of plot (not really sure there is one tbh)

Up on the roof

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 23 June 2016]

The new trio of Compo, Cleggy and Foggy go to the library and the randy librarian has returned, Mr Wainwright with another impressionable assistant. Compo refers him as 'Shagnasty' long before the name became infamous in British adult entertainment circles. Still Foggy has the indignity of being chased out of the library thanks to Compo.

Still Foggy is a man on a mission, rambling on the hills is not for him. When Ivy wants Sid to go up and check the slates on the roof but Foggy steps in to assist by literally roping Compo to the ladder but not before Clegg declines first. A contrast to the previous episodes where Clegg was happy to be a man of adventure, now he will settle down as the reluctant one.

There is also the case of an old friend with a dodgy leg who has ended up mixed up with the trio's wacky adventures which also means avoiding Ivy's wrath even with a gammy leg. Plus we have Nora rebuffing Compo's advances again but he does mutter something about VE day and how she was willing on that night. Interesting!

Foggy certainly has bought a new dimension to the series, with his regular frozen glazes, exploits in the military that are more Walter Mitty. We see the escapades with the ladder as Compo goes up the roof but we also see the grimy town, references to politics and the work shy. Plus actor Blake Butler has created a compelling character in Wainwright with his dreams of a socialist utopia which certainly seems to be a hit with the ladies. It was a shame that he was never to be come a regular character.