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Post by Gareth Kavanagh on Apr 19, 2008 20:52:10 GMT
I've been reading a few accounts of a rumoured 13th episode of Fawlty Towers that was cancelled due to industrial action, after it had been largely completed.
Given that opinion seems divided as to whether this is correct or not (depending on how much credence you put in an account by this fella - ), does anyone here know for sure?
Has anyone seen either footage and/or the script?
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RWels
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Post by RWels on Apr 19, 2008 22:08:56 GMT
I know there's a book that claims for sure it exists. But there is a certain complete lack of evidence. I too am curious what the people here have to say (I can guess though).
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Post by B Thomas on Apr 19, 2008 22:51:00 GMT
As far as I'm aware it has only ever been a rumour with no documented evidence to back it up...
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Post by eric lawton on Apr 20, 2008 10:50:20 GMT
Re, the 13th episode of FAWLTY TOWERS. Recently read an interview with Lars Holger Holm, author of FAWLTY TOWERS - A WORSHIPPERS COMPANION. Heres what Lars said. ( Apologies if this has already been covered ) Q: Is the 13th episode, "The Robbers", for real? If so, why do you think it was never broadcast, even in later years as a TV special? A: I have absolutely no idea why the 13th episode, called The Robbers, has never been aired. I only know that I saw it once in Bill Morton's flat not far from Piccadilly Circus on a particularly wet evening. Hadn't it been for this, I might myself have doubted the otherwise striking authenticity of the script, reproduced in the book. As things stand, I can only assure the reader that the show, as far as I remember, was amazing. Rarely have I seen John Cleese and his crew reach such continuous heights of sublime entertainment, and the only reason I can see for not wanting this episode to reach the fans, is that it would perhaps create the false impression that there was so much more to wring out of the material, whereas, in fact, the 13th episode represents the ultimate solution to the problem of how to carry this tormented universe to a happy end. As concerns the reason for never admitting its existence, let alone airing it, I must refer the reader to the BBC. They should know why. And poor Bill. The last time I tried to call him he had a parrot recorded on his answering machine, exclaiming: P-off! There you go, its a mouth watering prospect. Someone, somewhere is sitting on a goldmine !! The full interview with Hans can be read here. www.fawltytowersrevisited.com/blog/FawltyTowersCollectiblesEric
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RWels
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Post by RWels on Apr 20, 2008 14:34:13 GMT
Listen to what he had to say about Fawlty Towers and the occult - and then decide if you can take him serious.
Q: What inspired you to research and investigate the occult of Fawlty Towers?
A: This is the metaphysical dimension of their work. Already as members of the Monty Python, John Cleese and Connie Booth took a special interest in the arcane aspect of history. One only needs to recall that one of the films they participated in bears the title Monty Python and the holy Grail, the Grail being a perfectly illusive object, perhaps just an "objectified" spiritual essence.
In the film Life of Brian, after which the members of the group took farewell of one another and henceforth went separate ways, the Gnostic themes are so prevalent that any spectator with some knowledge of the alternative doctrines and interpretations of God's kingdom that were propagated in the early Christian era, simply can not disregard the fact that the script writers, including Gnostic director Terry Gilliam, constantly make references to secret doctrines and hidden messages. As an example we have the ascension of Terry Jones as the mother of Brian emerging out of an unfolding lotus-flower in the animated opening scene. Another typical thing about Gnostics is that they habitually make fun of dogma and, quite especially, all monotonotheism.
The occult reality is always there for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. The only thing I have done is to point out where the heavenly and mundane worlds interact in Fawlty Towers. The old Jewish arcane science par excellence is numerology, translating numerical combinations into spiritual messages. In medieval Europe alchemy and astrology were prominent sciences engaging even perfectly incorruptible scientists such as Copernicus and Newton.
It is my belief that the alchemical quest for the Philosopher's Stone, implied in the series, has met with success in my work, since I have unearthed for the reader the Holy Grail, that is, the illusive 13th episode, symbol of Master J.C. himself. Seek, and thou shalt find!
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Post by Greg H on Apr 20, 2008 15:00:34 GMT
Hmm, im sure hes just having a laugh, but he doesnt sound like he knows what hes talking about when it comes to gnosticism and "jewish numerology".
All this 13th episode business sounds like wishful thinking to me, but then I dont have any hard evidence either way.
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RWels
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Post by RWels on Apr 20, 2008 16:12:46 GMT
Yes, so perhaps the 13th episode is also a sort of joke / tribute / fanfic thing?
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Post by Gary Critcher on Apr 20, 2008 16:48:20 GMT
what a pile of crap. There isn't, and never was, a 13th episode!
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Post by Andrew Martin on Apr 21, 2008 12:33:53 GMT
I've been reading a few accounts of a rumoured 13th episode of Fawlty Towers that was cancelled due to industrial action, after it had been largely completed. Given that opinion seems divided as to whether this is correct or not (depending on how much credence you put in an account by this fella - ), does anyone here know for sure? Has anyone seen either footage and/or the script? The last episode of series 2, "Basil the Rat", was delayed by industrial action and went out in October 1979 (the rest of the series was transmitted in February/March). There is no untransmitted episode in the BBC archive, and if there had been there would still be a record of it even if it had been wiped.
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Post by Andy Howells on Apr 21, 2008 14:18:25 GMT
I'm pretty sure if it had existed the BBC would have eventually put it out and why has John Cleese never mentioned it if so in his numerous interviews. He seems very favourable about broadcasting his early stuff that survives and I'm sure if this had been the case it would have turned up on the DVD's
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Post by Gary Critcher on Apr 21, 2008 15:26:32 GMT
See my earlier answer.
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RWels
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Post by RWels on Apr 21, 2008 15:27:15 GMT
I wonder if the rumour wasn't invented completely by this Lars as a hoax. Does anyone recall if this story went round before he wrote that book?
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Post by Adrian Gregg on Apr 22, 2008 6:50:39 GMT
yep i can remember rumour's about an extra epp as far back as the mid 80's..
when i looked into it in the late 80's all i found was that people told me about an epp which they'd caught the end of with cleese talking "at" the viewer. or an epp with tom baker. the stories sounded good, they were from people that were very very reliable etc etc. in the end they ALL turned out to be "not the nine o clock news" intro and bits of one of the VT XMAS tapes.. you see when dr who/britcom fans got ourselfs Video recording gear around the early to mid 80's our friends in the UK would offer the "earth" for 1st gen copys of who and other shows.. to convince us to trade with em they would offer up "to us" amazing tapes full of hidden gems, copied presumedly at the bbc by employes firering up a telecine after hours. we had the xmas tapes pretty early on and other stuff that would make today's archive type torrent sites pretty lame.
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Post by StevePhillips on Apr 24, 2008 15:58:54 GMT
I wonder if the rumour wasn't invented completely by this Lars as a hoax. Does anyone recall if this story went round before he wrote that book? I think that bloke might be a little bit mad.
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Post by David Barron on Apr 24, 2008 20:16:25 GMT
There are a few questions that no one has seemed to ask. If there is a thirteenth episode, was John Cleese or Connie Booth too busy to do a final edit at the time? If so, I guess the BBC didn't want the episode shown without their approval.
Also is there anyone out there who was in the studio audience when the episode was made? Now that would be interesting if there is a few replies.
Also has anyone asked any of the surviving cast who is happy to talk about Fawlty Towers, whether this episode was made?
According to Wikipedia the "Basil The Rat" episode was only shown several months after the rest of the Second Series, because the master tape went missing at the time. The BBC, what they don't wipe, they mislay.
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