Fawlty Towers

Fawlty Towers was a British sitcom made by the BBC and first broadcast on BBC2 in 1975. It is set in a fictional hotel named Fawlty Towers in the Devon town of Torquay on "the English Riviera". The hotel is owned and run by the eccentric Basil Fawlty and his censorious wife Sybil, helped by the maid Polly, the Spanish porter Manuel who could barely speak English and (in the second series) the chef Terry. Permanent guests were the half-senile Major Gowen and the bewildered old ladies Miss Tibbs and Miss Gatsby. Very few other guests ever stayed long.

Episode list

First broadcast on BBC 2 on September 19, 1975. The episodes of the first series were:

Related Topics:
BBC 2 - September 19 - 1975

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• "A Touch of Class"

:Basil is delighted when a member of the aristocracy chooses to stay at the hotel. Featuring Michael Gwynn as Lord Melbury.

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:Sign outside the hotel reads: FAWLTY TOWERS

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• "The Builders"

:When some work is required on the hotel lobby, Basil goes for the cheapest quote the moment his wife is out of the way. Featuring David Kelly as O'Reilly and Michael Cronin as Lurphy.

Related Topics:
David Kelly - Michael Cronin

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:Sign reads: FAWLTY TOWER

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• "The Wedding Party"

:Wherever he turns, Basil sees guests fraternising in what he considers an immoral way. But he is the one who ends up with his trousers down in public. Featuring Trevor Adams as Alan.

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:Sign reads: FAW TY TO?ER

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• "The Hotel Inspectors"

:When Basil hears of hotel inspectors anonymously roaming Torquay, he realises with horror that the man he has been monstering could easily be one of them. Featuring Bernard Cribbins and James Cossins as men who turn out not to be hotel inspectors.

Related Topics:
Bernard Cribbins - James Cossins

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:Sign reads: FAW TY TO ER

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• "Gourmet Night"

:Basil is thrilled when local VIPs accept an invitation to a gourmet evening, but does not bank on the new chef's refuelling habits. Featuring André Maranne as Andre and Allan Cuthbertson as Colonel Hall.

Related Topics:
VIP - André Maranne - Allan Cuthbertson

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:Sign reads: WA RTY TOWELS

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• "The Germans"

:A fire drill leaves Basil concussed in hospital, but somehow he still manages to nip back to the hotel in time to treat his German visitors to some of his unique welcoming methods. Featuring Brenda Cowling as Sister.

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All six episodes were directed by John Howard Davies.

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The second series was transmitted three and a half years later, with the first episode being broadcast on February 19, 1979. The episodes of the second series were:

Related Topics:
February 19 - 1979

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• "Communication Problems"

:The guest from hell arrives — Mrs. Richards, a deaf and hot-tempered widow. Featuring Joan Sanderson as Mrs Richards.

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:Sign reads: FAWLTY TOWER

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• "The Psychiatrist"

:A shrink and his wife come to the hotel for a break, and cannot help but notice the eccentricities of their perturbed host. Featuring Elspet Gray as Mrs Abbott and Luan Peters as Raylene Miles.

Related Topics:
Elspet Gray - Luan Peters

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:Sign reads: WATERY FOWLS

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• "Waldorf Salad"

:Basil is not altogether keen on the American who demands a higher class of service — and food — than Fawlty Towers is accustomed to providing. Featuring Bruce Boa as Mr Hamilton.

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:Sign reads: FLAY OTTERS

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• "The Kipper and the Corpse"

:A guest dies naturally in bed, another faints at the sight of the body, and Basil frantically tries to hide the out-of-date breakfast kipper which he is convinced was responsible. Featuring Geoffrey Palmer as Dr Price.

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:Sign reads: FATTY OWLS

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• "The Anniversary"

:Basil organises some friends for a surprise wedding anniversary party, but Sybil assumes he has forgotten their anniversary and storms off, leaving her husband and Polly, in disguise, desperately telling the others she is 'ill'.... Featuring Ken Campbell as Reg and Una Stubbs as Alice.

Related Topics:
Ken Campbell - Una Stubbs

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:Sign reads: FLOWERY TWATS

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• "Basil the Rat"

:The local Health Inspector issues a long list of hygienic aberrations which the staff immediately sort out. Sadly, they had not reckoned with Manuel's pet — a 'Siberian hamster' — escaping on the same day. Featuring John Quarmby as the Health Inspector.

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:Sign reads: FARTY TOWELS

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All six episodes were directed by Bob Spiers.

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The last episode, "Basil the Rat", was not aired until a few months after the other episodes because of a BBC industrial strike which caused the tape to go missing.

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There have been persistent rumours about a "lost" 13th episode which involved a blackout at the hotel. However, no such episode was ever taped.

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