Home List of books Alphabetical list of works Films Theatre works - musicals and plays

Blandings - the logo of www.blandings.org.uk, the Companion to the works of P G Wodehouse

Wodehouse on the Screen

Television - the Small Screen

For more information, try the BBC's web site at www.bbc.co.uk.
Lord Emsworth and his Little Friend
1956, BBC, UK, B&W. A one-off for Children's TV.
The World of Wooster
1965, BBC, UK, B&W. Starring Ian Carmichael as Wooster and Dennis Price as Jeeves, it ran for three series of 30m episodes: Series 1, six episodes, 1965; Series 2, seven episodes, 1966; Series 3, seven episodes, 1967.
Blandings Castle
1967, BBC, UK, B&W. Starring Ralph Richardson as Lord Emsworth in a single series of six 30 minute episodes.
Uncle Fred Flits By
1967, BBC, UK, B&W. A one-off production starring Wilfred Hyde-White, 25m.
Ukridge
1968, BBC, UK, B&W. A single series of seven 30m episodes, with Anton Rodgers in the title role.
The Reverent Wooing of Archibald
1974, BBC, UK, Colour. A one-off in the Comedy Playhouse series - 1h30m.
Wodehouse Playhouse ¹
1975, BBC, UK, Colour. Three series starring husband and wife team John Alderton (all series) and Pauline Collins (series 1 & 2). Series 1 has the distinction of being introduced by Wodehouse himself, recorded shortly before his death. Series 1, seven episodes of 30m; Series 2, six episodes of 35m each; Series 3, seven episodes of 35m. See contents list for more details and comments.
The Old Reliable
1988, TV Movie, US, Colour.
Jeeves and Wooster ²
1990, Granada, UK, Colour. Four series with Stephen Fry as Jeeves and Hugh Laurie as Wooster. Series 1, five episodes, 1990; Series 2, six episodes, 1991; Series 3, six episodes, 1992; Series 4, six episodes, 1993; all 60m (less advert space). For details and comments, see the contents list.
Heavy Weather
1995, TV Movie, BBC, UK, Colour. Starring Peter O'Toole as Lord Emsworth and Richard Briers as Galahad.
¹ Issued on video (VHS/PAL) in the UK and on DVD in regions 1 and 2 (2006).

² Despite its undoubted merits in other respects, notably the excellent Fry and Laurie, this production suffered from some appallingly misguided changes to the plots and a poor continuity of actors with two Gussie Fink-Nottles, three Madeline Smiths, two Aunt Agathas and four Aunt Dahlias - one per series. 'To lose one Aunt may be regarded as misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness' (with apologies to Oscar Wilde).

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Films - Wodehouse at the Movies

This list covers films in English only - for more details, films in other languages and silent films, I recommend the Internet Movie Database (IMDB).

Wodehouse's direct contribution to many of these films might be quite small.

Sally
1929, US, two colour, 1929. Based on his 1920 musical.
Those Three French Girls
1930, US, B&W. PG was one of four credited writers; based on a story by two others. MGM Director: Harry Beaumont. Writers: Sylvia Thalberg, Frank Butler, and P. G. Wodehouse from a story by Dale Van Every and Arthur Freed.
The Man in Possession
1931, US, B&W. PG is credited as co-writer with Sarah Y. Mason. Based on the play by H. M. Harwood. MGM Director: Sam Wood.
Brother Alfred
1932, UK, B&W. Based on his play of the same name.
Summer Lightning
1933, UK, B&W. From the book of the same name.
Leave it to Me
1933, UK, B&W. From the play Leave it to Psmith.
Dizzy Dames
1935, US, B&W. From the story The Watch Dog ³ [credit to IMDB for this info].
Anything Goes
1936, US, B&W. Starring Bing Crosby and Ethel Merman. PG co-wrote the book of the original musical.
Piccadilly Jim
1936, US, B&W. From the book of the same name.
Thank You, Jeeves
1936, US, B&W. Starring Arthur Treacher as Jeeves and David Niven as Bertie Wooster! Apparently not the Jeeves we know and love.
Damsel in Distress
1937, US, B&W. Starring Fred Astaire, George Burns and Gracie Allen. PG is credited as one of three authors, the story based on his book. (Issued on VHS video in the UK.) RKO Director: George Stevens. Writers: P. G. Wodehouse, Ernest Pagano, and S. K. Lauren, from the Wodehouse novel. Cast: Fred Astaire, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Joan Fontaine, Reginald Gardiner.
Step Lively, Jeeves
1937, US, B&W. Said to be based on a Wodehouse novel, but which one? The plot description in imdb.com bears no resemblance to any book, but PGW is credited as one of four writers. Featuring Arthur Treacher as 'Jeeves' again.
Her Cardboard Lover
1942, US, B&W. Wodehouse co-adapted the original play by Deval to the play on which this film is based. MGM Robert Taylor and Norma Shearer, under George Cukor's direction, co-star as a penniless songwriter in love with a millionairess who hires him as a secretary-cum-bodyguard to inflame the jealousy of her on-again/off-again lover, George Sanders.
Anything Goes
1956, US, Colour. With Bing Crosby again.
The Girl on the Boat
1962, UK, B&W. See Reggie's notes on the book page.
Piccadilly Jim
2004, UK.

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3. An alternative title for Love Me, Love My Dog.