Saki -The Improper Stories of H. H. Munro - Granada TV - 1962

[@niallmac44]

When I was about 15 my father, as he did now and then, gave me a book and said "I think you are ready for this now." In this case it was Saki's short stories. That was well over fifty years ago and I still reread him every now and then and love to introduce others to his works.

[@cliff9685]

I could watch Fenella Fielding all day!

[@edithmolinavanzant1592]

thank you for the show

[@ritawing1064]

I love Saki!

[@ritawing1064]

And Fenella Fielding!

[@williamchadwick7948]

Thanks for posting this. I used to like these dramatizations when I watched them on PBS decades ago.

[@tinapeters5725]

Thank you, Saki, one of my favourite authors, top of the list of his stories is Srendi Vashti, the stories are well told, absolutely delightful. A note, I have a 1939 Penguin edition of 'Saki's short stories' the cover & fly page is missing , my son thought they would look better as part of an art composition, I think H H Munro would have agreed with my son.Thank you once again

[@paulgrad5183]

I taped the soundtrack of this in 1963 off educational television when it first began, with a reel2reel tape recorder and know every inflection of the actors dialogue, but I haven't seen the video since then. Great stories and wonderful acting. Saki was a genius and a great prose stylist. The rhythm of his writing, and his superb choice of vocabulary, married to an incredibly dry wit, make him one of the best writers in English. And he's always fun! Foreigners learning English should read and study Saki. Don't read him anywhere where you're not aloud to burst out laughing.

[@felixdembinski_]

Paul Grad Did you record the audio for any other programmes from the time? Many programmes don't exist anymore, so any audio recordings could be important.

[@larrybd100]

If one bursts out laughing, one will be laughing aloud. Be sure you're some place where that's allowed.

[@tessierashpoolmg7776]

@@larrybd100 30 days in the Hole, for public laughter, what next?

[@georginacolwell7103]

I've never seen this before! I've added it to my Facebook page Saki, H H Munro.

[@paulbacchus1015]

Super, just wonderful, great acting, very very funny, truley fine writeing from Saki the most underated writer. Paul Bacchus esq

[@653j521]

paul bacchus What makes you think he is underrated? He is in many an English class collection as one of the excellent writers. His work reminds me of Oscar Wilde or PG Wodehouse.

[@Mark-fv8vt]

I like the brief obituary for Philip Mackie as well. Talented writer!

[@rosetaylor8700]

Brilliant, Mr Munro is missed.

[@shefkimeka6577]

Missed?! I have read all of his published short stories. Also,I have memorized a lot of his witty remarks just to bore any unwilling listener

[@drednm]

My memory of this series in the US was that it was titled SAKI: The short stories of H.H. Munro. I specifically remember an episode about the talking cat Tobermory and possibly the hyena story.

[@parkview113]

Vintage, quality entertainment - thank you for posting... I have an ex-library book of the Complete Short Stories... woth looking for it on Abe Books or World of Books...

[@drednm]

Actually this clip proves the 8 episodes from the 1962 series still existed when it was made in 1985. There are 5 snippets from the original 8 episodes. As I noted, TOBERMORY and ESME (the hyena) were among the 8 episodes but are not in this clip. The stories represented here are: THE STAMPEDING OF LADY BASTABLE, A HOLIDAY TASK, THE WAY TO THE DAIRY, SREDI VASHTAR, and A DEFENSIVE DIAMOND. The other missing episode is THE DISAPPEARANCE OF CRISPINA UMBERLEIGH.

[@amylivingston4590]

According to the Classic TV Archive, what we're seeing here is episode 1 of 8 (each episode comprising several stories). Does anyone, anywhere, have a copy of episode 2, which includes "The She-Wolf" and "The Storyteller"? My dad has been trying to find it for decades.

[@videocurios]

[@kathleencampbell1138]

Never heard of this

[@NoonaticBanky]

Here can I watch the rest of the episodes?

[@52memor]

Saki became a Sergeantin the first world war. He was in the trenches and his last words were when a soldier lit a match for his cigarette. He shouted. "Put that bloody match o................." last thing he said. "

[@Master_Blackthorne]

One way or another, cigarettes will kill you.

[@rickholland8421]

Did this lead into the later series THE LIARS? have hazy memories of that series only remember a handful of the stories, but did find 1 segment "bicycyle made for two" here. great little stories.

[@kgs42]

Oh boy, I hope more of The Liars emerges. I have dim memeories of it but it was so witty and elegant .... brilliant cast. The story you mention came from Sheila Steafel's personal archive so it os possible other fragments exist - I hope!

[@thedativecase9733]

Yes The Liars was one of my favourites. I thought I was the only person who still remembered it.

[@tituscaesar]

Not sure if you’re interested but some time ago I uploaded a documentary on Saki kzbin.info/aero/PLwbpUPveGpR4Ij4Hada4rU4eOV8L3_4eD A month ago I also uploaded a programme that brings together three of Saki’s three short stories kzbin.info/www/bejne/fajXgn1um52SiK8 Let me know what you think! Enjoy!

[@videocurios]