Anything Legal: A Tale of Two City Gents

Summary

Wally K. Daly's 1980s comedy about a pair of new entrepreneurs who'll do anything...as long as it's legal

Best friends George and Charles have been commuting to work together for 15 years. Then, one fateful day, they both find out that they're being laid off. For a while, they keep the news secret and carry on as normal, but eventually they have no choice but to admit the truth. It's time to take action and find alternative employment - but how?

When the Job Centre proves a dead end, they set up an agency offering their services. They'll do anything - as long as it's legal... Their first ventures meet with mixed results: a commission to compose a poem gets them into hot water; a spoilt ambassador's son leads Charles a merry dance, and George has a spot of bother tailing a bizarre giant. Worried that they're not getting enough clients, the duo take on a new secretary, go on a business course that sets tongues wagging, try to improve their DIY skills and branch out into hypnotherapy - but with their business struggling, they're forced to turn to Nanny...

Created by well-known radio and TV writer Wally K. Daly, this entertaining sitcom stars Donald Hewlett and Michael Knowles (It Ain't Half Hot Mum) as Charles and George, with a veteran cast including Norma Ronald (The Men from the Ministry) and Dilys Laye (Carry on Camping).

NB: Contains some dated language and attitudes

Production credits
Written by Wally K. Daly
Produced by John Fawcett Wilson
Theme music by Jim Parker

Cast
Charles - Donald Hewlett
George - Michael Knowles
Hilary - Norma Ronald
GJ - Tony Anholt
Futuristics Manager - David Ryall
Billy - Michael Bilton
Harry the Publican - Colin Starkey
Mr Rollings - Jon Glover
Ticket Collector - Renu Setna
Black Market Job Salesman - Ron Pember
Waitress - Sonia Fraser
Publican - Douglas Blackwell
Isabel - Madeline Smith
Little Willy - Stephen Greif
Simon - Elizabeth Proud
Miss Folliate - Frances Jeater
Belinda Bustrom - Sherrie Hewson
Job Applicant - Helena Breck
Fiona Fenning - Jennifer Croxton
Course Chairman/Ghost- Henry Stamper
Advertising Lecturer - John Kane
Finance Lecturer - Peter Cellier
Mr Hunter - Roland MacLeod
Marjorie - Dilys Laye
Nanny - Marjorie Withers

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 12 November 1984-7 January 1985

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