The Hotel Inspectors: Difference between revisions
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*At the end of the episode, there are clearly three hotel inspectors. However, only two of them (John and Brian) are named in the closing credits. The 1st inspector says "Twenty-six rooms, twelve with private bathrooms." The 2nd inspector says "Yes, well, why don't you have dinner here, and Chris and I can try the Claremont." The 3rd inspector (presumably Chris) replies "OK. The owner's one Basil Fawlty." |
*At the end of the episode, there are clearly three hotel inspectors. However, only two of them (John and Brian) are named in the closing credits. The 1st inspector says "Twenty-six rooms, twelve with private bathrooms." The 2nd inspector says "Yes, well, why don't you have dinner here, and Chris and I can try the Claremont." The 3rd inspector (presumably Chris) replies "OK. The owner's one Basil Fawlty." |
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*The man named Bill Morton, whose friend overheard the hotel inspectors in a bar, was named after the vision mixer for the series; he is the only member of the crew distinguished enough to be mentioned in the series. |
*The man named Bill Morton, whose friend overheard the hotel inspectors in a bar, was named after the vision mixer for the series; he is the only member of the crew distinguished enough to be mentioned in the series. |
||
*Mr. Hutchinson asks if the hotel has a [[table tennis]] table, to which Basil replies, “Indeed we do. It is not ... in absolutely mint condition. But it certainly could be used in an emergency”. Apparently this is John Cleese’s favourite one-liner in all the episodes. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} |
*Mr. Hutchinson asks if the hotel has a [[table tennis]] table, to which Basil replies, “Indeed we do. It is not ... in absolutely mint condition. But it certainly could be used in an emergency”. Apparently this is John Cleese’s favourite one-liner in all the episodes. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} The main issue is how could he play on hi sown. |
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*The scene in which the wine is 'corked' involved improvisation on the actors' parts, John Cleese and James Cossins were unaware of which way the wine would go, if at all. Loosely scripted dialogue was therefore at hand. |
*The scene in which the wine is 'corked' involved improvisation on the actors' parts, John Cleese and James Cossins were unaware of which way the wine would go, if at all. Loosely scripted dialogue was therefore at hand. |
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*The only time in the series we ever see evidence of Basil smoking; when Sybil takes back all the matches (she is "just lighting up") and gives him back just one, in the opening scene. |
*The only time in the series we ever see evidence of Basil smoking; when Sybil takes back all the matches (she is "just lighting up") and gives him back just one, in the opening scene. |
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Revision as of 11:22, 22 March 2009
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| "The Hotel Inspectors" |
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"The Hotel Inspectors" is the fourth episode of the BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers.
Synopsis
When Basil hears of hotel inspectors roaming Torquay incognito, he realises with horror that the guest he has been monstering could easily be one of them.
Cast
Episode credited cast:
- John Cleese as Basil Fawlty
- Prunella Scales as Sybil Fawlty
- Andrew Sachs as Manuel
- Connie Booth as Polly Sherman
- Ballard Berkeley as Major Gowen
- Gilly Flower as Miss Abitha Tibbs
- Renee Roberts as Miss Ursula Gatsby
With:
- Bernard Cribbins as Mr. Hutchinson
- James Cossins as Mr. Walt
Uncredited:
- Peter Brett as Brian (hotel inspector, 1st?)
- Geoffrey Morris as John (hotel inspector, 2nd?)
- Andy Williams plays the 3rd hotel inspector, Chris
Plot
Two guests, Mr. Walt and Mr. Hutchinson, arrive separately at reception. Mr. Walt says very little, however Mr. Hutchinson speaks in a very drawn-out and pompous manner that immediately irritates Basil. Basil becomes increasingly irate as Hutchinson makes unreasonable requests and asks for specific directions to a meeting. He accidentally makes Mr. Walt think he tells him to 'P-off', and also produces subtitles for Manuel to understand what he is saying.
Sybil informs Basil that a friend of a friend overheard three hotel inspectors conversing in a pub in Torquay. This information raises Basil's blood pressure several notches, and he becomes obsessed with determining if any of the guests are actually inspectors.
When Mr. Hutchinson asks if he can reserve a television programme, he says something which makes Basil's hair stand on end: In my professional activity I am in constant contact with [hotels]. This, combined with the guest's neediness and over-inflated style of speaking, leads Basil to the conclusion that the guest is actually an inspector. Basil changes his attitude towards the guest and escorts him to the dining room, where lunch is about to be served.
Being as nice as pie to the demanding Mr. Hutchinson, he overlooks Mr. Walt who is forced to wait after his bottle of wine proves to be corked. The meals are mixed up by the chef, and Hutchinson gets several meals that he didn't order. Basil attempts to fix up the misunderstanding until Sybil reveals that Mr. Hutchinson is not an inspector but in fact a mere self-centered and snobbish man who sells spoons. Basil promises revenge on Hutchinson for his (in Basil's mind) deception.
Mr. Walt casually says to Basil that he is in Torquay with two colleagues leading Basil to believe that he is actually the inspector. In order to prevent Walt getting a bad impression, Basil tries to stop Hutchinson complaining by choking him, eventually rendering him unconscious.
Hutchinson regains consciousness and starts punching Basil at reception. Basil uncharacteristically accepts all this without retaliation as Mr. Walt is present at the time. Hutchinson tells Basil he is leaving instantly and doesn't expect to receive a bill. Mr. Walt, who witnessed the situation, is flabbergasted. Basil tries to pay Walt off, offering to bribe him not to mention the chain of events which has just taken place when he reviews the hotel. Basil then goes into hysterics, realising how much he has just risked the hotel's reputation. Mr. Walt reveals he sells outboard motors and is nothing to do with any hotel guide, and consoles Basil. Thinking he's in the clear, Basil runs to the kitchen with Manuel.
The real hotel inspectors turn up at reception whilst no one is around, and they briefly discuss their plan of action for looking at local hotels. Manuel stops Mr. Hutchinson as he leaves and says Basil wants to say goodbye to him. Before he can protest, Basil slaps pies on Mr. Hutchinson's face and crotch, and Manuel pours milk into his briefcase as Hutchinson gets marched to the door and literally kicked out of the hotel by a vengeful Basil. The gobsmacked inspectors watch in awe. Basil kisses Manuel on the head for his help, crosses over to the reception, welcomes the inspectors to the hotel, ("And what can I do for you three gentlemen?") and screams in terror when he realises who they are.
Connections and errors
- At the end of the episode, there are clearly three hotel inspectors. However, only two of them (John and Brian) are named in the closing credits. The 1st inspector says "Twenty-six rooms, twelve with private bathrooms." The 2nd inspector says "Yes, well, why don't you have dinner here, and Chris and I can try the Claremont." The 3rd inspector (presumably Chris) replies "OK. The owner's one Basil Fawlty."
- The man named Bill Morton, whose friend overheard the hotel inspectors in a bar, was named after the vision mixer for the series; he is the only member of the crew distinguished enough to be mentioned in the series.
- Mr. Hutchinson asks if the hotel has a table tennis table, to which Basil replies, “Indeed we do. It is not ... in absolutely mint condition. But it certainly could be used in an emergency”. Apparently this is John Cleese’s favourite one-liner in all the episodes. [citation needed] The main issue is how could he play on hi sown.
- The scene in which the wine is 'corked' involved improvisation on the actors' parts, John Cleese and James Cossins were unaware of which way the wine would go, if at all. Loosely scripted dialogue was therefore at hand.
- The only time in the series we ever see evidence of Basil smoking; when Sybil takes back all the matches (she is "just lighting up") and gives him back just one, in the opening scene.