Morecombe & Wise with Glenda Jackson: COMPLETE "Antony & Cleopatra"

Recorded in 1971. Most "straight" actors and actresses yearn to do comedy. But most only yearn - Glenda DID it. And this outing led to several VERY successful comedy films - whilst her earlier "heavy" roles permitted her to continue those. A full career indeed.
Later, she tried her hand at politics and became the only MP with an Oscar - two, in fact - one for a straight role and the other for a comedy one. Now 74, she plans to retire at the end of the current Parliament (in four years). So a full LIFE then.
But what would have happened if she HADN'T appeared in that play what Ernie wrote?

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

"Terrible news from overseas!" "They want the Oscar back." Love how Glenda came close to breaking a few times, but was able to hold on for the whole scene.

[@stevew1904]

Morecambe and Wise were a national treasure! There's nothing to compare with them now. No vulgarity, no swearing, just pure talent. Such simple comedy, yet so effective. You are sorely missed guys!

[@planomathandscience]

No vulgarity 😂 innuendo from start to finish😮

[@robertridley-fj8zz]

Here today for obvious reasons. Glenda Jackson was simply wonderful, and will be sorely missed

[@oak4901]

Dear God! the sets, the sets!

[@josephtreacy667]

RIP Glenda. Comedy drama you could do the lot. And a great politician.

[@RHP-pw8xt]

The most polished comedy routine ever. Simply superb, all 14 minutes, pure play on words and the actors characters.

[@manchesterisred318]

Vanessa regrave gave a powerful performance too. How she kept a straight face is beyond me 😂

[@stephg1413]

I think you meant Glenda Jackson - she always said this was the highlight of her career!

[@duncanholding7636]

I would have said the Previn sketch was the most polished comedy routine ever. Considering Andre Previn wasn't an actor....

[@imeanithonest5704]

No matter what Jackson says or does, her natural elegance shines through. I wish she had made more movies🥰

[@MrDavey2010]

Hilariously simple comedy. No agenda. Just pure comedy

[@anapaulalemos3547]

R.i.p Glenda Jackson 😢 One of the best.

[@mikeharvey7913]

2019 & I still finding myself coming back to watch this.. Great work by Glenda Jackson, funny with out any bad language. M&W at their funniest & well supported..

[@mizofan]

One of the best M&W sketches. Excellent actress and MP of rare decency and integrity, Glenda Jackson.

[@johnquinn3956]

Classic, Brilliant. RIP Glenda. Eric would be so proud of the Hatters. Thank you for the laughs.

[@tomtom21194]

This is the best play wot Ernie wrote they did in my opinion. It's always hilarious no matter how many times i see it

[@fliegeroh]

Filmmaker Melvin Frank saw her comedic potential on the Morecambe and Wise Show and offered her the lead female role in his next project. She gained a second Academy Award for Best Actress for Frank's A Touch of Class (1973), a romantic comedy co-starring George Segal.

[@martinlewis2279]

I just adore Glenda Jackson. She was such an amazing actress. She was so good in the mini series, Elisabeth R. This is such a good pairing, her and Eric and Ernie.

[@jonathanlinton6522]

Glenda Jackson is brilliant in this sketch..one of the best ever!

[@StevePhillips]

Fabulous performance; Lots of very funny lines too.

[@ciaohound]

This is my first viewing and they are utterly hilarious, delightful, and endearing. Marvelous!

[@browneye1967]

'Would you like to rest your head on my lap?' 'If you can get it off, yes' and The bit after she kisses Eric.... 'Have you ever thought of being a plumber?' Absolute Gold

[@mofrakker]

I love the comedic timing of this.

[@jlennon48]

Great stuff, funny men these two. Two of the worlds best ever comics.

[@larrydirtybird]

This comedy sketch inadvertently won her her second Oscar. Prior to this, she had been thought of as a serious dramatic actress, not as a comedy performer. But after this scene, she was seen in a different light and was offered the lead in the comedy film A Touch of Class. She took the role and won an Academy Award for it.

[@outinsider]

Because of this skit, Glenda Jackson scored the part of Vicki Allessio in A Touch Of Class, which garnered her her second Best Actress Oscar.

[@ianrhodes6928]

'When did you last see a woman?' 'I've forgotten, sir...' My favourite Morecambe & Wise sketch.

[@avengernemesis7990]

Absolutely brilliant ❤

[@hellspite]

Classic Brilliant Stuff. Celes used to queue up to be on their shows. South Pacific is one of my all time Favourites.

[@mckavitt]

Glenda Jackson is still so full of life. Acute mind always.

[@aclark903]

RIP

[@ceebee23]

and now vale Glenda Jackson .... a massive talent .. a great lady indeed!!

[@martinlagrange8821]

Glenda Jackson at her height ! Loved the opening credits....awesome skit !

[@1madhammer]

Pure brilliance! Thank you for uploading this!

[@MissRosie89]

The biggest asp-idistra in the world ... (cries of 'Shame, shame') ... definitely one of M&W's best. And if I remember correctly, this is the play what led Glenda Jackson to being cast in 'A Touch of Class,' one of the most marvelous things on celluloid. An actress and MP of integrity - hail Glenda!

[@to95610]

Is it me or is this the funniest comedy skits ever written especially when 06.18 when Glenda Jackson is trying not to laugh. or your heart is pounding like a whippet in a bowler hat.

[@juliedargie8670]

I have forgotten what a stone fox Glenda Jackson was

[@wotan10950]

Brilliant! Besides the comedy, Glenda Jackson was the greatest Lady Macbeth I’ve ever seen.

[@nogisweb]

Glenda Jackson R.I.P Great actress!

[@DF-oy4pf]

Simply Fantastic

[@sheilawhite8314]

loved this one many years old

[@mlpsh6995]

Morecambe and Wise were, alonside the Two Ronnies, comic genius. So sad that most comedy in england relies on shock, foul language or behaviour.

[@silentgd]

I love the Wilson Keppel and Betty tribute

[@degsbabe]

Glenda was brilliant in this sketch. As were they all. Its a shame she gave up acting. I actually think this sketch rivals the Andre ' Preview' sketch...Classic stuff.

[@goatboy420]

Oh, I absolutely get you, about this being on par with "Mr Andrew Preview"! I could never chose between the two. :)

[@aidangriffiths5075]

Previn* 😂😂😂 love that sketch

[@MrGlobalcarrot]

It is the match of the day theme as Ernie is a massive Luton fan :)

[@Dontblamethemonkey]

Rest in Peace Glenda

[@katerossi5432]

This was a treat.

[@siobhan104]

Brilliant!! I wonder what poor old Eric would think of his beloved Luton town in the Conference? I'm sorry I'm late.........Class.

[@dexterccf2]

that off set "Ow me eye!" really tickled me !

[@SceneArtisan]

Quality!

[@FreeKentHovind]

"I GEG your GARGON??"

[@mackiemesser9319]

"All men are fools, and what makes them so is having beauty like what I have got!"

[@philip2595]

Gee GJ really was good (really) and seems so charming as well!

[@paulcook7986]

Great stuff!

[@Marvynmonkey]

It's Eric who enters to "Match of the Day". Ernie enters to "Z Cars" and Glenda Jackson to "Dr Finlay's Casebook"

[@phyllanders9503]

RIP Glenda Jackson.

[@1946Ash]

The music is the theme to Dr Finlay's Casebook.

[@steverose7112]

Glenda is great 👍

[@DRAINPIPE57]

FUNNY COINCIDENCE WITH THIS CLASSIC AND THEIR BEST SKETCH EVER . I LIVE IN "JULIUS" GARDENS IN LUTON BEDS. ERIC AND ERN AT THEIR BEST. THE PEAK OF THEIR COMEDY GENIUS.

[@davidhull1481]

I wish I could understand this better, but it’s still quite funny

[@sabejreid2072]

RIP GLENDA JACKSON

[@slaphead6000]

Without THIS, Melvin Frank wouldn't have cast her in "A Touch Of Class" - which touched off her second career - in comedy.

[@xr6lad]

Love it that Eric is wearing a hat totally alien to the time period and is a hussars hat, not Egyptian.

[@MANFROMMARS46]

I would also recommend "The Old Bazar in Cairo" by Ken Morris and Joan Savage.

[@keepdancingmaria]

"In order of ability" First listed, The glorious Glenda Jackson. Last listed, Yoko Ono, Himself. What a riot!

[@melefth]

Yes, in 1971 maybe.

[@diddymuck]

why, Ms Jackson! You're FUNNY!

[@Tazabarth]

That's the theme to Z Cars. The BBC police series fom the early 60's

[@dereksheils5410]

What do you think of the pyramids? Excellent, there last record was a belter 😂😂

[@fadhilramadhani1847]

They want the Oscar back LOL

[@auscomvic9900]

Glenda is such a good sport

[@aidangriffiths5075]

Brilliant

[@BegCrimson]

"Don't forget the sleeking kowder!"

[@synthonaplinth5980]

'Get the grapes and let's get at it!' Hahahaha

[@TheHumbleFellow]

"A gockle of geer if you hurry!"

[@MANFROMMARS46]

I have done mate, it's brilliant.

[@LivyathanAD]

It's the theme from Z-Cars. Lot's of Football teams used to come out to that tune around the time.

[@slaphead6000]

Helen Davis: yes indeed - "Elizabeth R" - same year as this.

[@georgeclark96]

Eric- "Match Of The Day" Ern- "Z-Cars" Glenda- "Dr. Finlay's Casebook"

[@jaderuri3581]

cool episode

[@simpsonfreak1996]

I have only loved like this once before and when I die you will find on my heart the words 'Morcambe and Wise'... and Benedict Cumberbatch

[@johnking5174]

It was a shame they had to re-has this sketch ten years later in 1981 when they were over at ITV Thames Television and did the play "Julius Caesar" which was plainly a direct copy of this fantastic sketch in 1971. By 1981 they were running out of new ideas of at Thames I think.

[@ianhowell1666]

They went to ITV for the money and their writer, Eddie Braben, didn't go with them... that's why they weren't so funny any more

[@ireland1953]

Does anyone know the jingle that plays when Eric enters his scene? I start dancing to it every time I hear it, even when I'm seated.

[@melefth]

Match of the Day

[@prh47bridge]

No, Eric enters to "Match of the Day". Whilst Everton do use the music to which Ernie enters, at the time it was better known as the theme to Z-Cars, a popular police show.

[@flippa74]

it's definitely the music that Everton run out to- which is the theme from Z cars- which would have been familiar to the audience in the 70s :) Match of the Day is Eric's music :)

[@slaphead6000]

@lomax343 Ah, sadly I'm old enough to KNOW about Wilson, Kepple & Betty (but not quite old enough to have SEEN them, at least). Thanks for the info, regarding the Sand Dance music. I can RETURN the favour - Glenda enters to the theme from "Dr Finlay's Casebook" - which IS here, on KZbin!

[@Jawz2308]

Ernie came out to the Everton music (Z Cars). Eric came out to MOTD

[@mrubbish1]

it's the theme from Z-cars, which EFC still run out to.

[@gloveslime]

@outinsider They sent her an congratulatory telegram that said if she worked with them again they would win her another Oscar, so she did and she did win another!

[@giantbully1]

the music to ernie also you to be a police series called softly softly i think and eric s music was match of the day hence luton town

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

Eric was a keen supporter of Luton Town FC and at one time was the Club President.

[@pambrown8697]

Love em

[@JepMasta]

Glenda looks a LOT like Lucy Lawless in this sketch...rawr!

[@slaphead6000]

@Jiminypost It's one of those pieces one hears so often, but doesn't know the title of. It'll be something like "Sand Dance" or something. ANYONE???

[@mcurran6505]

6:41 "What do you think of it so far?" "RUBBISH!"

[@MrBearwood123]

Do not hate but love

[@Shinkicker64]

It was the 'Z-Cars' theme

[@idealjohn]

I am pretty sure Ernie enters to the theme tune to Z Cars

[@Salas666]

Yoko Ono................... Himself

[@lomax343]

@slaphead6000 It's The Ballet Egyptien by Luigini. However, the joke is that they take off the routine of Wilson Keppel and Betty - popular music-hall entertainers of the twenties and thirties. Available of You-Tube. BUT - what about the music they come on to. Eric - Match pf the Day; Ernie - Z-Cars; Glenda - Aaargh I can't bloody remember. Help!

[@normanby100]

Everton - a Liverpudlian team - take to the field to the tune of a police series. Talk about alienating your natural constituency.

[@Tazabarth]

That was a Roman salute. It was stolen by the Fascisti under Benito Mussolini and subsequently the Nazis.

[@RedLester09]

Luton for the Cup!

[@anonUK]

What's the music which is played when Cleopatra enters the scene at 00:54 and what's its significance?

[@SuperGingernutz]

The music at 00:54 is the theme from an old BBC drama programme - possibly Dr Finlay's Casebook. When Ernie Wise enters, the BBC theme is Z Cars (a police drama which inspired future progs like The Bill) and Eric Morecambe enters to the BBC soccer programme called Match Of The Day. Hope this helps.

[@anonUK]

SuperGingernutz I knew the latter two, I just wasn't sure about the first.

[@VHKDK]

SuperGingernutz You are correct with all three, the first is Dr Finlay's Casebook.

[@SuperGingernutz]

VHKDK Phew! Thanks for your reply confirming that. Much appreciated.

[@mohanicus]

6:08..😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@manchesterisred318]

/6/2023 today glenda joined these two in heaven.

[@Jiminypost]

What is the music called they do the funny dance to? Wendy

[@slaphead6000]

I think it was "Match Of The Day" - but then, not being into footballing, I could be wrong...

[@KenFromBeara]

Yep it is. Its hilarious