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The Small Intricate Life of Gerald C. Potter
- A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama
- Narrated by: Ian Carmichael, Charlotte Mitchell, full cast
- Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins
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The Small Intricate Life of Gerald C. Potter
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Summary
The convoluted chronicle of an optimistic crime writer
Gerald C Potter is the proud author of Death in the Arboretum, described by the Bournemouth Echo as 'well-written'. He works hard on his books, and worries about every comma, adjective and unfortunate typo, but somehow, he never seems to get very much done. However, his wife and fellow novelist, Diana (aka Magnolia Badminton), is positively prolific - much to his chagrin.
These four series recount his daily activities and struggles for inspiration, as he tries to solve the mystery of his missing briefcase; goes up against his wife as they compete to publicise their new books; takes a holiday abroad that's far from relaxing and receives a double-edged surprise on United Potter Day. And in special festive episode 'The Cousin', an unexpected message in a Christmas card leaves Gerald and Diana scrambling to prepare for a last-minute visitor....
Written by celebrated humorist Basil Boothroyd, this witty, quick, clever sitcom ran for five years on Radio 4 between 1976 and 1981. It stars Ian Carmichael (The World of Wooster, Lord Peter Wimsey) as Gerald C Potter, with Charlotte Mitchell (Waggoners' Walk, The Adventures of Black Beauty) as Diana.
Production credits
Written by Basil Boothroyd
Produced by Bobby Jaye
Cast
Gerald C Potter - Ian Carmichael
Diana, his wife - Charlotte Mitchell
With Michael McClain, James Thomason, Trader Faulkner, Robin Browne, Michael Deacon, Jo Manning Wilson, Margaret Robertson, Peter Craze, Anthony Smee, Michael Goldie, Penelope Reynolds, Geoffrey Matthews, Edward Kelsey, Betty Huntley-Wright, Fiona Mathieson, Garard Green, Brian Carroll, Danny Schiller, Douglas Blackwell, Patricia Hughes, Margot Boyd, Pauline Letts, Brian Haines, Lolly Cockerell, Jane Knowles, Michael Spice, Preston Lockwood, Charles Colville, Paddy O'Byrne, John Church, Judy Franklin and John McAndrew
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 22 March-26 April 1976 (Series 1), 9 November-14 December 1977 (Series 2), 26 December 1977 (Christmas Special, 'The Cousin'), 24 September-29 October 1979 (Series 3), 27 April-1 June 1981 (Series 4)
Critic reviews
"Basil Boothroyd's quietly comic classic." (Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph)
What listeners say about The Small Intricate Life of Gerald C. Potter
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gary Welsford
- 22-10-23
Class Act
Very very enjoyable. Ian Carmichael and Charlotte Mitchell in perfect harmony. Can’t recommend highly enough.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lorraine Skinner
- 05-11-21
A really enjoyable series
I hadn’t come across this series before. It was a change from listening to Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter Wimsey and other upper-crust clots.
The only drawback is scenes fade out before they’ve finished properly, sometimes mid sentence, but that may have been the way they were originally broadcast.
It’s such a shame that there were no more episodes made.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- "moolo"
- 27-05-23
A delight
Always enjoy anything with Ian Carmichael and it’s a delight to be able to listen to these again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ManofLedger
- 16-09-21
My favourite radio comedy!
What a treat to hear once more the brilliant Ian Carmichael as Gerald C Potter. All six of this very entertaining series here which will bear listening to over again
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Cromarty
- 30-09-23
Dreadfully upper middle class domestic sitcom
while it’s always a pleasure to hear Ian Carmichael, this is a typical 1970s upper middle class domestic sitcom. Every other word is darling. Weak comedy. I only bought this because I have heard it before on BBC Radio four, and I can listen to it with my brain switched off. Dated gender attitudes and stereotypes.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- JMM
- 31-03-22
Rubbish
Struggled to finish... So boring... Not funny at all.....
Only got to half way to second chapter....
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1 person found this helpful