User reviews

So pleased that this great series is being shown again on UK television. I remember it so well from the evenings I and my boyfriend (later husband) watched it together after the commute home from working in London in the early 1970s. Adam Faith as Ron "Budgie" Bird and Ian Cuthbertson as Charlie Endell were very different in character but gelled perfectly. Both are sadly missed, especially Faith whose premature death robbed us of a fine young actor who would have very probably have gone on to even greater things. Early episodes are in black and white due to technicians strikes, but don't let that put you off this popular series which now looks like a prototype for "Minder" - although Charlie Endell is not as lovable a rogue as Arthur Daly, having a vicious and somewhat darker persona. All in all I recommend this to anyone especially those like me who enjoy a dollop of 70's nostalgia now and then.

This quirky little series, dating from the early 1970's, established former pop idol Adam Faith as a television talent of some repute, following on from some earlier movie roles which really were only intended to cash in on his popularity as a singing star.

In the early days of rock & roll; following on from the transition of Elvis Presley into a movie actor; no sooner had a good-looking young vocalist managed a couple of hit records, than he would be cast in some, usually forgettable, movie designed entirely around the public perception of his image. Mostly these films were of poor quality, and usually the hapless pop star would be revealed as being way out of his depth in this new aspect of his show business persona. A few singers turned into decent actors; such as Sinatra and Presley; although the choice of acting role was not always entirely to their credit; but most, such as Cliff Richard, Billy Fury, and The Beatles were obviously not intended by nature to be actors. Adam Faith was a different situation entirely. An indifferent vocal talent, but a man of definite intellect, he obviously was aware of his own vocal limitations and set out very deliberately to become an actor; as opposed to being a dodgy singer who occasionally also appeared in dodgy films.

With 'seventies-trendy' longer hair than his former pop star appearance, Faith, as Ronald (Budgie) Bird, is cast as a (very) small-time cockney crook, whose every 'fail-safe' money-making scheme invariably ends in disaster. Occasionally he pays the price for his dishonesty, and stupidity, by a short stretch behind bars; which is indeed where we first encounter this likeable dimwit at the very beginning of the series, in episode 1. Obviously the Soho area of London is Budgie's natural habitat, with its profusion of sex shops, strip clubs, and various dodgy dealings; which is where Budgie is immediately drawn to at every ill-advised opportunity.

Apart from Budgie himself there are three other main characters who make up the nucleus of his world. His sluttish, estranged, wife Jean; his long-suffering girlfriend Hazel Fletcher; and, most crucial of all, Charlie Endell; superbly portrayed, in an unforgettable characterisation, by Iain Cuthbertson. This amiable - but also slightly sinister- individual is everything that Budgie is not. He is successful and rich; through his chain of dirty book shops and sex clubs; and, although not given to random pointless violence, is actually entirely ruthless when provoked; or when the occasion demands; as Budgie himself is fully aware; sometimes to his cost. The interaction between these, the two principle characters, is really what drives the action throughout the entirety of the two series (seasons). This is evidenced by the two episodes in which Endell's character is not featured; which are significantly less watchable than the rest of the series. Cuthbertson is a real scene-stealer, and his rich and colourful staccato Scottish accent was much imitated at the time by schoolboys around the UK. Very possibly he was the actual star of the show, despite Faith's top billing; and there were even some plans to give the character of Charlie Endell his very own series. Although this never did come to pass, his appearance in 'Budgie' was unquestionably vital to the success of what was, in those early seventies, a very widely watched show indeed.

Of the others; unfaithful and feckless wife Jean, is well played, by Georgina Hale, with delightful eccentricity and a memorable squeaky voice. Although only appearing in a few episodes her character is nonetheless valuable to the series overall. She and Budgie can hardly be in the same room for two minutes without antagonising each other; and there is the very definite possibility that her sanity might be a bit iffy; with possibly a touch of sexual sadism/masochism in her unstable personality.

Far more attractive in every way is the only truly sympathetic character in the show; girlfriend Hazel; played by Lynn Dalby; who finds Budgie to be more trouble than he is worth (which isn't much), and yet, for reasons never made quite clear, appears unable to disentangle herself from him entirely. She is also the mother of his child, which obviously forms an ongoing common bond between the pair; but still the viewer is left with the feeling that she could do much better elsewhere. Budgie himself appears almost completely disinterested in his own son, to the extent that the boy is about three years of age before he even discovers what the kid's name is.

Worthy of an additional mention here is Charlie Endell's occasional hired heavy 'Laughing Spam Fritter' (East-end rogues usually did tend toward catchy nicknames), played by John Rhys-Davies, a good ten years before he found greater fame in the 'Indiana Jones' films. He does a welcome occasional turn, whenever Endell wants Budgie leaned on, and can't be bothered to do it himself. 'Laughing S' (as Charlie calls him) is apparently non-malicious in his actions, but simply acts rather efficiently on behalf of his paymaster without resort to conscience either way.

Despite everything, it appears that Budgie's only ongoing connection to anyone is with the (equally self-centred) Charlie Endell. Mostly this is a matter of mutual convenience. Budgie sees the very successful Endell as a possible route to his own financial betterment. Charlie's view of Budgie is more realistic, in that he occasionally employs Budgie to run errands or to be the fall guy for some dodgy deal which might attract unwelcome attention from the cops. When you get right down to it; Budgie is likeable with a thin surface charm, but is also selfish and pretty stupid. This is evidenced by some of the 'crimes' he commits; such as stealing a champion racing greyhound, without asking himself where he can possibly race the dog without drawing attention to the fact that it is very hot property indeed. Another example is stealing a light bulb from its fitting at a semi-deserted railway station, or pilfering a few pens from Charlie Endell's office. On yet another occasion he sinks sufficiently low as to swindle an elderly lady shopkeeper out of just four pounds. True; four pounds in 1971 was worth considerably more than it is now - but even so this is pretty shoddy low-life behaviour.

Although quite decorous by today's dubious standards; for its time this would have been a bit groundbreaking in its (moderately) frank attitudes to subjects like sex, single mothers (Hazel) and Charlie's porno empire. Also, somewhat breaking new ground for the time, was its portrayal of the cops as mostly bent and 'on the take' from rogues such as the prosperous Charlie Endell. Although a corrupt subsection of the London constabulary were perfectly well known (within limited circles) to be getting paid by Soho's porno kings for 'looking the other way', this was nevertheless a side of the police which was largely hidden from the awareness of most people at the time. The common misguided perception would be derived from amiable shows such as 'Dixon of Dock Green', in these years before programs such as 'The Sweeney' came to show an entirely different view of our British cops. But; taken overall; presumably the underlying good humour of Budgie's hapless antics, and Endell's dry, if slightly menacing, charisma, kept it all on the right side of a questionable sort of good taste. Indeed; in re-showings today; it is preceded by far more 'may not be suitable for children' type warnings than anyone ever bothered with at the time.

Faith's performance overall is good and very watchable. He is certainly well cast in playing Budgie Bird; although, to some extent, this set something of a pattern for his persona in future acting roles, such as in the 1974 film 'Stardust', or later on in 'Shady Tales'. Possibly this was the only character he was truly suited for; but if so, then 'Budgie' remains as his lasting memorial, and definitely worth watching again.

Budgie (or 'The Loser', as it was originally intended to be called) was a big hit with audiences back in 1971/2. It gave 60's songster Adam Faith, another chance at stardom, and led him on an interesting career as an actor. The show highlighted a certain (jailbird/chancer/petty thief/lovable rogue) Ronald 'Budgie' Bird, and his frequent (yet never successful) attempts to make 'easy' money. His futile attempts are also thwarted, due to his connection with Glasweigan sex shop owner/crime boss Charlie Endell (played brilliantly by Iain Cuthbertson) who constantly hangs over Budgie, depriving him of any earnings, and always coming out on top. His henchman, Laughing Spam Fritter (great name) is also menacingly portrayed by John Rhys-Davies. Given Endells questionable background, yet his (seemingly) respectable 'public' facade, the series has a lot to say about class system (or at very least, the idea of a class system) than it does about petty crime in the seventies. Budgie is not without redeeming features, and the one good thing in his life, is (his ever put upon girl-fiend/mother of his child) Hazell (another great down to earth performance by Lynne Dalby.) She constantly stands by her man (even when he seemingly leaves her for other women) yet receives little or no thanks for her endeavours. The show (in it's 26 episode run, in 2 series) covers a lot of ground, and also features some great guest cameos (including: John Thaw, Gordon Jackson, Derek Jacobi and James Bolam, to name but a few) Some (if not most) times this show has a certain comedic flow to it, yet other times, it takes on a darker sinister edge (mostly due to the sometime psychotic rages of Charlie Endell) but all in all, it's not only a great seventies time capsule, but (still to this very day) a highly moving and involving television show, that was long overdue a repeat in the UK (it's last and only repeat, being on Channel 4 circa 1985) but it seems the great minds at Network DVD have put together a excellent release of series 1 & 2 (Series two, also has some great special features)

Highlights from series one are: Out, Grandee Hotel, Everybody Loves A Baby, Sunset Mansions.

Highlights from series two are: And The Lord Taketh Away, Do Me A Favour, Twenty-Four Thousand Ball Point Pens, King For A day, Brief Encounter, Run Rabbit, Run Rabbit, Run, Run, Run

All in all, a great series. Hopefully Network DVD can release the rarely seen 1979 spin off 'Charlie Endell Esq' in the near future?

10 out of 10 (and surprisingly, the first comment, on this great show)

Budgie is the greatest TV drama of all time. Brilliant scripts, brilliant characters, brilliant performances and all with so much charm. Adam Faith is wonderful as Budgie Bird, small time petty criminal, but a charmer too and there is a career best by Iain Cuthbertson as Charlie Endell, probably my favourite TV character of all time. Series 1 highlight is the Grandee Hotel with several guest stars including Peter Sallis while Series 2 is packed with great episodes. The very sexy Georgina Hale as Budgie's wife and the excellent Lynn Dalby as Budgie's lover add to the charm. Keith Waterhouse wrote some great stories to be played out here. It is a standout show and fully merits 10 out of 10.

I vaguely remember this from first time around but Talking Pictures TV in the UK has just started screening it from the very first episode. It was a bit of a shock, and an illustration of inflation, that a "full English" breakfast in a cafe was just 27 pence, which is hard to believe but back then £1,000 a year, yes a year, was consider to be a very good wage to be earning.

Very well cast and scripted with great plots and very well filmed, a nice blast from the past.

I look forward to the episodes to come. Budgie is not the luckiest person in the world.

I can't recommend this highly enough so tune in to TPTV and don't miss out.