Butterflies (TV series)
Butterflies | |
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Genre | Sitcom |
Created by | Carla Lane |
Written by | Carla Lane |
Directed by | Gareth Gwenlan (1978–79) John B. Hobbs (1979–80) Sydney Lotterby (1980–83) Mandie Fletcher (1983) |
Starring | Wendy Craig Geoffrey Palmer Nicholas Lyndhurst Andrew Hall Bruce Montague Michael Ripper Joyce Windsor |
Theme music composer | Dolly Parton |
Opening theme | "Love Is Like a Butterfly" |
Ending theme | "Love Is Like a Butterfly" |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language | English |
No. of series | 4 |
No. of episodes | 30 (including 2 shorts) |
Production | |
Producers | Gareth Gwenlan (1978–79) Sydney Lotterby (1980–83) |
Production locations | Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | BBC2 |
Release | 10 November 1978 19 October 1983 | –
Butterflies is a British sitcom written by Carla Lane that aired on BBC2 from 10 November 1978 to 19 October 1983, with each series repeated on BBC1 a few months after the original transmissions.
The subject, the day-to-day life of the comfortable
In the first episode, an expository discussion between Ria and Leonard alludes to the significance of the series' title: "We are all kids chasing butterflies. You see it, you want it, you grab it, and there it is, all squashed in your hand." She adds, "I am one of the few lucky ones, I have a pleasant house, a pleasant man and two pleasant sons. My butterfly didn't get squashed." Ria's husband Ben collects and studies butterflies.
Cast and setting
The show stars
The Parkinsons have two teenaged sons, both of driving age (at least 17 years of age under UK law in 1978) and unemployed (in 1978, youth unemployment was increasing). Their younger son Adam is played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, and their elder son Russell by Andrew Hall. Throughout all four series, there is a continuing subplot running in tandem with the main storyline, tracking the difficulties faced by young adolescent men coming of age in the UK at a time when there were relatively few employment opportunities. Both of the Parkinson sons are seen making fun of their father's traditional post-war reserved British attitude, whilst also facing their own issues such as unemployment, girlfriend troubles, cannabis use against the wishes of their horrified father, and teenage pregnancy, when Russell fathers a child with his on-off girlfriend. Bruce Montague plays Ria's friend Leonard, a successful businessman aged 44, whose wife has recently left him; he, like Ria, is approaching a midlife crisis. The show also featured two recurring minor characters: Leonard's chauffeur and confidant Thomas (Michael Ripper) and the Parkinsons' cleaner, Ruby (Joyce Windsor), who often lends Ria an ear.
Theme song and music
The Butterflies theme song, "Love Is Like a Butterfly", is a 1974 single written and originally recorded by American country music artist Dolly Parton. The cover version used at the opening of each episode was recorded for the series by Clare Torry, with a band conducted by BBC TV composer Ronnie Hazlehurst.
The Adagio in G minor attributed to Tomaso Albinoni was used as interlude music in most of the episodes where Ria is reflecting on her dilemma, and walking through a park on her own.[2] It is a bittersweet twist on two partners, once very much in love, whose marriage is actually breaking down, but this is not recognised by the husband who is totally engrossed in his work and profession.
Ria starts a romance with another man, which is initially seen by the viewer as a virtual image (almost like a
Continuity
The Parkinsons' address is confirmed as 11 Jade Road in the season 3 episode "Gimme Shelter". However, this had changed to 27 Jade Road by the season 4 episode "Cleaning Windows".
Filming locations
Unlike most Carla Lane sitcoms, Butterflies is not set in
Episodes
The series comprises twenty-eight episodes.
Series | Year | Episodes |
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1 | 1978 |
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2 | 1979 |
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3 | 1980 |
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4 | 1983 |
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Christmas sketch (1982)
An eight-and-a-half-minute sketch aired as part of a Christmas special called The Funny Side of Christmas on BBC1 on 27 December 1982. The family are happy for a seasonal excuse to avoid eating Ria's food. She reveals to Adam privately that Leonard has gone to New York, but he is instead outside in his car, until Thomas reminds him that his former wife is waiting for him at home. Leonard calls Ria on the home phone and Adam answers. Asking for Ria, Leonard is told that Ria is kissing Ben under the mistletoe. When Ria gets to the phone, Leonard hears her voice and hangs up without speaking.
Special for Children in Need (2000)
In November 2000, the cast (save for Michael Ripper who had recently died) reunited for a 13-minute episode in aid of Children in Need. The premise is Ria's 60th birthday and the lack of change to her situation. Her son Adam is married and has a primary-school-aged daughter named Sophie. Russell however, has no interest in settling down.
American series pilot (1979)
An American remake was piloted but never commissioned. NBC broadcast the pilot in August 1979, with little change to the original scripting. It starred Jennifer Warren as Ria Parkinson and John McMartin as her husband, Ben Parkinson. Film actor Jim Hutton was featured as Leonard Dean in this version. It was Hutton's last acting job. He died suddenly from liver cancer at the age of 45 in June 1979, several weeks before the pilot aired.
DVD release
All episodes of Butterflies are available on DVD in the UK, distributed by
References
- ^ Acorn Media UK.
- ^ "Butterflies (TV Series)". Internet Movie Database (IMDB). Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ a b Gloucestershire On Screen Relocated Website
- ^ Butterflies (TV 1978), Gloucestershire Onscreen, archived from the original on 26 October 2010
External links
- Butterflies at BBC Online
- Butterflies at BBC Online Comedy Guide
- Butterflies at IMDb
- Butterflies at the BFI's Screenonline
- Butterflies at British Comedy Guide
- Butterflies at Phill.co.uk