MovieChat Forums > Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (1973) Discussion > Michael Crawford is a great actor for pu...

Michael Crawford is a great actor for pulling this role off

posted 16 years ago by pgreenfi
8 replies | jump to latest

Watching the re-runs on UK GOld made me realize just what a great actor and performer Michael Crawford is in pulling this role off. Playing Frank Spencer is not easy and few actors could make it convincing. The programme could have fallen flat on its face with a lesser actor.

Also virtually all the stunts were his own and some of them are really dangerous.
i doubt there will ever be anything like this ever on TV again. I couldn't think of any actor even today who could pull this off.

[–] aspartame 16 years ago

No kidding!
I think I read Ronnie Barker (maybe Corbet) was considered first for the roll of Frank? I cant imagine either playing that roll.

[–] captaincheekypants68 16 years ago

It was Norman Wisdom.

My god, can you imagine how bad it would have been with that buffoon in the role.

I'm getting the word 'Nonce'

[–] by_candlelight 16 years ago

I agree. Apparently that scene where the car was dangling over the cliff was real!

[–] avia2 15 years ago

And he was my favourite Phantom of the Opera too :)

[–] MissyH316 8 years ago

MINE, TOO!! 

"I dislike being outnumbered-it makes for too much [b]stupid[/] in the room." --Sherlock Holmes, "Sherlock" BBC Series (2012)

[–] Gauis-the-wise 14 years ago

I agree, no offence to either Barker or Corbet who are both are and were great comedic actors but It's hard to imagine anyone else but Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer. He just made the role completely his own.

[–] zachtheman 13 years ago

i think Crawford was the buster Keaton of 1970s tv

you will have to forgive the lack of full stops lack of proper spelling im dyslexic but not stupid

[–] MissyH316 8 years ago

"i think Crawford was the buster Keaton of 1970s tv"
Oh, WOW - you intelligent person, you - you're absolutely CORRECT!  

"I dislike being outnumbered-it makes for too much stupid in the room." -"Sherlock" BBC Series (2012)