The Goodies and the Beanstalk
The Goodies fall on hard times, and Tim and Graeme send Bill to sell their trusty three-seater trandem. All the local townspeople find it ridiculous and Bill is humiliated by only being offered a tin of baked beans. Tim and Graeme are disgusted with only getting baked beans, instead of money, but Graeme gets the idea to plant a bean. This rapidly grows into an enormous beanstalk - reaching all the way from England to the summit of Mt. Everest. In hot pursuit of their beanstalk, the Goodies enter an "It's a Knockout" competition, which is being held at the foot of Mt. Everest. Among other things, the Goodies have to climb the beanstalk to the top of the mountain, as part of the contest. There, they find the Giant's castle and, in it, a Giant of surprising height who has a valuable secret to protect.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this Christmas pantomime-style special, The Goodies find themselves in a magical land after encountering a giant beanstalk. They must help a poor girl, her mother, and a talking hen escape the clutches of a fearsome giant and his crony, the Wicked Undertaker. Their adventure involves encountering a variety of eccentric characters and overcoming slapstick-filled challenges.
Critical Reception
As a one-off television special from a popular comedy troupe, 'The Goodies and the Beanstalk' was primarily enjoyed by fans of the show for its characteristic blend of surreal humor and slapstick. It is remembered fondly as a charming, albeit somewhat low-budget, festive offering that showcased the unique comedic talents of Tim, Graeme, and Bill.
What Reviewers Say
- A fun, silly, and anarchic take on the classic fairy tale.
- Showcases the trademark Goodies' blend of physical comedy and wordplay.
- A charmingly dated but enjoyable festive special for fans.
Google audience: Audience reception for this specific special is difficult to gauge with modern metrics, but contemporary viewers likely appreciated the Goodies' signature brand of surreal and anarchic British humor, especially during the holiday season.
Fun Fact
This special was a pantomime-style production, a genre traditionally performed in British theatres during the Christmas season, which The Goodies adapted for television.
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