Charlie Caroli

[Deleted]

I expect only the 40 something's amongst us can help with this one.
Do any of you remember a series which I believe was screened in the early 70's starring Charlie Caroli called (and this is where my memory may be failing me) "A right Charlie"?
It used to start with him riding on an old ice cream bicycle (the type with a large box at the front) along the road and then into a circus arena. He had a 'stooge' who used to just stand there and take abuse. The ringmaster was the best in the business, Norman Barrett.

I don't suppose for one minute any of this programme exists but am I remembering it corectly? I cannot find anything on imdb.

Peter

[Stephen Doran]

Wasnt this on BBC1 Fridays at 5.10 in 1972? ;D

[Daniel O'Brien]

I hadn't thought about Charlie Cairoli in years. I watched his 1970s BBC show, despite finding clowns more sinister than funny. His sidekick was called Jimmy and appeared to be what was once termed 'simple-minded'. I don't think he even spoke.

Cairoli is listed on the Imdb but there's no mention of this BBC programme. If it dates back to 1972, I don't rate its survival chances.

[Andrew Martin]

Two episodes of "Right Charlie" exist from 1972, one from 1974, and all seven episodes of the 1976 series exist.

[Daniel O'Brien]

andrewmartin said:

Two episodes of "Right Charlie" exist from 1972, one from 1974, and all seven episodes of the 1976 series exist.

Glad to hear that some have survived, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a DVD release. Nor would I watch it for that matter. No disrespect to the late Signore Cairoli, but some things are better left as vague childhood memories.

[Deleted]

Thanks very much for the info Andrew - glad some still exists.

Dobrin - I think I know what you mean but I'd still relish the chance to view it again. Any ideas on how to obtain a copy?

Peter

[Daniel O'Brien]

peter said:

Thanks very much for the info Andrew - glad some still exists.

Dobrin - I think I know what you mean but I'd still relish the chance to view it again. Any ideas on how to obtain a copy?

Peter

No idea I'm afraid. Maybe there are clips circulating on certain websites but I don't have any information.

On reflection, I would be curious to see a few minutes of Cairoli in action, though I recall finding the show both unfunny and a bit disturbing at the time.

[johnstewart]

I was thinking about this one.

Yes there was the kids thing in the 'Hope and Keen' BBC period; I thought they used a normal big top set; and Charlie Caroli kept kicking the Stooge; who had Pathos; up the backside.

Caroli was the articulate one and the other guy played the dopey one. I think there was a task where the silly one had to paint something and ended up painting Carolis face when something moved and Caroli went up to moan at him.

Caroli would as far as I recall; say something in Italian but basically 'Aw; naw naw naw' so decipherable as 'no'.

Now I do seem to think he would be seen in 'Billy Smarts Circus' show specials during bank holidays; regularly from about 1970 onwards.

As those shows were variety; not childrens; and a big event; my guess is some of those might have been kept.

I'm sure there was also something with Caroli in 71 on the BBC unless its the former series?

There seemed to be a lot of him on BBC up to about 1974.

I liked the kids TV appearances a lot; recall them as very funny.

[Daniel O'Brien]

peter said:

Thanks very much for the info Andrew - glad some still exists.

Dobrin - I think I know what you mean but I'd still relish the chance to view it again. Any ideas on how to obtain a copy?

Peter

If you're interested, someone is selling a May 1972 edition of the 'Radio Times' on eBay. It features an interview with Cairoli about his new 'Right Charlie' TV show. Not that cheap but maybe it's a rarity.

[darren70]

I was a big fan of this show when I was about 7 years old and even got to see a version of it in a circus in Blackpool in 1976. I think the circus was in the base of the tower? From the TV show, I seem to remember the Ringmaster (Norman) used to get very upset everytime "Lily the Pink" was sung. Was my memory right?
Thank you for reminding me what the show was called.

[eric lawton]

I saw Charlie as a kid, round about 1971 in Blackpool Tower circus.
Didnt he used to make the occasional appearance on Crackerjack ?

[johnstewart]

dobrien said:

peter said:

Thanks very much for the info Andrew - glad some still exists.

Dobrin - I think I know what you mean but I'd still relish the chance to view it again. Any ideas on how to obtain a copy?

Peter

If you're interested, someone is selling a May 1972 edition of the 'Radio Times' on eBay. It features an interview with Cairoli about his new 'Right Charlie' TV show. Not that cheap but maybe it's a rarity.

I haven't done any searches but anticipate a clip from something may turn up on YouTube eventually.

[tonymac]

If its not too late to respond to this thread - I was one of the two musicians who played for the 1972 and 1973 series of Right Charlie. The other was Peter Lingwood who is a Manchester based keyboard player.

It was recorded in front of a live audience at The Octagon Theatre Bolton and as well as Charlie there was Paul and Jimmy and Norman Barratt, the ringmaster from Blackpool Tower Circus with his perfoming budgies. Charlie Junior also appeared as I recall . Each week there was a circus styled Guest Act. Jugglers, Plate Spinners etc. Charlie and the gang would perfom a slapstick routine in each programme with Norman acting as straight man. This was before VHS etc and if the surviing footage ever appears I would love to see it.

Norman and Charlie Cairoli Junior are still working