Customer Reviews
"You dirty old man!" - By: Zokko, 04 Aug 2007 
After being fired by Tony Hancock, Ray Galton & Alan Simpson were on the look-out for another comedy hit. They soon found it - an episode of 'Comedy Playhouse', entitled 'The Offer', broadcast on 5/1/62, & starring Harry H.Corbett & Wilfrid Brambell as rag & bone men Harold & Albert Steptoe.
Harold dreamt of escaping from his father & moving onto bigger, better things. Albeert was a seedy misanthrope determined to keep his son under his thumb.
By June the Steptoes had got their own show. Its hold over the British public was such that in 1964 Labour leader Harold Wilson begged the B.B.C. to delay an episode until after the polls closed in order to ( so he thought ) secure a few more votes.
Corbett & Brambell became stars overnight, the former going on to star in movies such as 'Rattle Of A Simple Man', 'The Bargee' & 'Carry On Screaming', while the latter played Paul McCartney's 'clean' grandfather in 'A Hard Days Night'.
By 1970, colour television had arrived, & the B.B.C. commissioned new episodes. Running until 1974, these were, if anything, funnier than the originals. In 'Steptoe & Son', Galton & Simpson created a comedy classic, one that remains undiminished by the passing of time. It brought working class humour to a mass audience. Without Albert & Harold, its unlikely there ever would have been an Alf Garnett.
Given the proliferation of books praising the accomplishments of other sitcoms, its surprising there hasn't been a 'Steptoe & Son' book before. Robert Ross is something of a controversial figure among comedy fans, with many disliking his irreverent, chatty style. Though the cover credits Galton & Simpson as co-authors, its mainly Ross' work. As well as television, the book comprehensively covers the radio series, movies, Royal Variety shows, commercials, even the U.S. spin-off 'Sanford & Son'. Even if you do not like 'Steptoe' but are interested in '60's television in general, its worth picking up.
I was pleased to see that Ross has resisted the temptation to go into lurid detail about the private lives of the show's stars. Some things should remain private even after death. What a contrast to that disgraceful Channel 4 'muck-umentary' 'When Steptoe Met Son' which couldn't even get right the date of Harry H.Corbett's death!
long needed publication. - By: Mr. A. E. Ward Davies, 01 Jun 2006 at long last, there is an official book covering the entire history of a truly classic comedy.
the author robert ross has done a marvellous job, including that of interviewing the writers who made it alll possible - ray galton & alan simpson.
there is interesting information about the main actors harry h. corbett & wilfred brambell: their early careers, how they came to be cast etc.
at the back of the book, there are detailed facts & figures on each individual episode - original broadcasting dates, the storylines. after that, there is a list of every video, book, record, dvd, audiotape & just about every bit of merchandise that involved the programme.
what the book doesn't mention, is the hosility that graduallly increased between corbett & brambell. their love-hate working relationship was made into a documentary by channel 4 a few years ago, but that's another story.
i would love it if there were a feature-length documentary on dvd or tv about them.
stil, enjoy this book in the meantime because you will not be disappointed.
A good read - By: , 29 Apr 2005 Very nicely compiled & with some interesting facts & images this book is worth getting. There is at present very little literature on these two great comic talents which is suprising as they are instantly recognisable to many ages groups. They are true gems in the British comedy world & 100% true English culture shines through via the writers & actors no matter what politicallly correct jibberish say.
Couldnt wait to start & finish this book, maybe a future biography of Harry H Corbett wouldnt go amiss hey???
Deeply disappointing - By: Mr. R. J. Knowles, 14 Apr 2003 
This book promised so much. The cover claims the book is written by Galton & Simpson (along with Robert Ross) themselves; however once the book is opened alll pretence is dropped & only quotes from Galton & Simpson can be found.
Much of the book is a glorified episode guide; entire episodes are described in tedious detail (when most readers will have SEEN the episodes already!)
Occasionallly, there are some interesting snippets of information, but it took a lot of trawling to find them.
A fascinating looking book, but overalll a missed opportunity & deeply disappointing.
Bit shallow - By: , 05 Mar 2003 
Interesting read, but seems to have taken a rather shalllow look at the subject, & not as in-depth as could have been expected. A lot of the book seems to be padding, but it's nice to see that someone has tackled the subject of Steptoe & Son, this is overdue.
