Butterflies (TV series)
| Butterflies | |
|---|---|
 Series title card |
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| Format | Sitcom |
| Created by | Carla Lane |
| Written by | Carla Lane (1978–83) |
| 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 |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 30 (including 2 shorts) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Gareth Gwenlan (1978–79) Sydney Lotterby (1980–83) |
| Location(s) | Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England |
| Running time | 30 mins |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC2 |
| Original run | 10 November 1978 – 19 October 1983 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Bread (1986–91) |
Butterflies is a British sitcom written by Carla Lane broadcast on BBC2 from 1978–83.
The situation is the day-to-day life of the Parkinson family in a bittersweet style. There are both traditional comedy sources (Ria's cooking, family squabbles) and more unusual sources such as Ria's unconsummated[1] relationship with the outwardly-successful Leonard. Ria is still in love with her husband, Ben, and has raised two potentially fine sons, yet finds herself dissatisfied and in need of something more. Throughout the series Ria is searching for that "something more" and finds some solace in her unconventional friendship with Leonard. In a 2002 interview, Carla Lane explained "I wanted to write a comedy about a woman contemplating adultery."[1]
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.
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[edit] Cast
The show stars Wendy Craig as frustrated housewife Ria Parkinson and Geoffrey Palmer as her reserved dentist husband, Ben. Their youngest son, Adam, is played by Nicholas Lyndhurst and their older son, Russell, by Andrew Hall. Bruce Montague plays Ria's friend Leonard. 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 lent Ria an ear.
[edit] Theme song
The Butterflies theme song, 'Love Is Like a Butterfly', was written and originally recorded by American country and western music artist Dolly Parton. The version used at the opening of each episode was recorded specially for the series by Clare Torry, with a band conducted by BBC TV composer Ronnie Hazlehurst.
[edit] Scene location
Many of the exterior scenes were filmed in Cheltenham including the High Street, Montpellier and Hatherley Park. The Parkinson house is situated on Bournside Road in Up Hatherley, Cheltenham.[2]
[edit] Episodes
The series comprises twenty-eight episodes.
| Series | Year | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1978 |
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| 2 | 1979 |
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| 3 | 1980 |
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| 4 | 1983 |
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] DVD release
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This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability. |
All episodes of Butterflies are available on DVD in the UK, distributed by Acorn Media UK. Only the first two series are available in the US.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Lane, Carla (2002). Butterflies – Series 1. (Interview). Acorn Media UK.
- ^ 'Butterflies TV Locations' at Gloucestershire On Screen
[edit] External links
- Butterflies at BBC Programmes
- Butterflies at BBC Online Comedy Guide
- Butterflies at the Internet Movie Database
- Butterflies at the BFI's Screenonline
- Butterflies at the British Comedy Guide
- Butterflies at Phill.co.uk
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