The Likely Lads (film)

The Likely Lads

Company type	Film
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	1976
Founder	Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Comedy film

The Likely Lads is a 1976 British comedy film directed by Michael Tuchner, featuring James Bolam and Rodney Bewes in leading roles. This movie serves as a continuation of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? and shares its name with the original 1960s television series The Likely Lads. The screenplay was penned by the original TV series creators Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, with the main cast reprising their parts.

This production represents the last time Bewes and Bolam appeared together on screen. Despite reports of a personal estrangement around the film's release, Bolam later refuted any ongoing discord following Bewes’s passing in 2017.

Plot

The story begins with a pre-credits scene set during a Second World War air raid, illustrating the circumstances surrounding the conception of both "Lads." Now approximately thirty years old, Bob Ferris and Terry Collier are shown playing football, which leads to Bob requiring rescue from a rooftop.

They frequent their favourite pub, the Fat Ox, which is scheduled for demolition along with the adjacent working-class neighbourhood. Bob, having ascended to middle-class status, feels nostalgic about this change; conversely, Terry, residing in a new high-rise council flat, welcomes the urban redevelopment. Recently divorced while living in West Germany, Terry anticipates a fresh start, whereas Bob harbours mixed feelings about his marriage to Thelma.

Terry embarks on a relationship with Chris, who works in a Finnish boutique, provoking jealousy in Bob. Viewing this as a threat, Thelma convinces them all to go on a caravanning holiday in Northumberland. However, Bob and Terry soon grow weary of the trip and depart prematurely without informing the others, leaving Thelma and Chris stranded.

Subsequently, Terry and Chris end their relationship; Bob and Thelma also separate. Bob temporarily stays with Terry but leaves after discovering Terry involved with Iris, a coworker of Chris. Both couples suspect infidelity, culminating in an argument that is accidentally broadcast over the public address system of Terry’s employer’s van while he works as an advertising demonstrator. This incident results in Terry losing his job.

Seeking a break, Bob and Terry spend a weekend at a bed and breakfast in Whitley Bay. Their romantic pursuits involving the landlady and her daughter lead to humorous situations where both men are caught without trousers and make an awkward escape.

Back at Terry’s flat, tensions persist with Thelma and Terry’s sister Audrey present. Following Audrey’s counsel, Terry decides to emigrate and signs up as a deckhand on a ship departing from Newcastle docks. On his final night in England, the two friends share drinks aboard the vessel. At the last moment, Terry disembarks while Bob inadvertently sails away. Terry explains that Bob will be offloaded at the first port of call in Bahrain.

Production

Plans for this film were initiated before Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? aired and received approval from EMI Films executive Nat Cohen, known for successfully adapting British television series for cinema. EMI collaborated with Thames Television and announced in 1975 a £6 million production slate including this movie alongside titles such as The Sweeney and Aces High. Bewes confirmed that funding was secured following Cohen's involvement.

During filming, writers Clement and La Frenais remained in the United States and were unable to visit the set. Meanwhile, James Bolam insisted on significant revisions to the script.

Locations

The production was carried out at EMI's Elstree Studios alongside various on-site shoots throughout Tyneside, Newcastle, and Whitley Bay. Prominent filming spots featured the Spanish City amusement park, the Beehive public house, Coast Road residential blocks, and Tynemouth Pier.

Significant filming venues included:

• Scenes involving "Extralite" washing powder shot at Greggs Christon Road Department, Gosforth.
• Terry’s workplace depot located at the former George Angus site on Coast Road, Wallsend (now demolished and replaced by a B&Q store).
• Terry’s apartment situated in Taunton Close, Willington Square, Wallsend—part of the now-demolished 'fourteen stories' housing complex.
• A church sequence filmed in Corbridge, Northumberland.
• Caravan journey scenes crossing the Tyne Bridge heading towards Rothbury.
• The caravan site and The Beehive pub in Earsdon; also Whitley Bay Caravan Park near St Mary's Lighthouse.
• Market Street in Newcastle upon Tyne used for a bus sequence.
• Coastal shots along Whitley Bay.
• Zebra crossing on Wallsend High Street near the former Greenwood's store (which closed in 2019).
• Rooftop rescue scene filmed at City Road Quayside.
• Borehamwood Library (no longer standing).
• Hertford Road A414 dual carriageway between Hatfield and the B155 roundabout, utilized for hitchhiker and chase sequences.
• "Extralite" demonstration scenes captured at the junction of Links Drive and Park Crescent in Borehamwood.
• Black Horse pub served as the Collingwood pub in Jesmond.
• Ivanhoe bed and breakfast on the Links in Whitley Bay; with Briar Dene pub visible nearby.
• Total petrol station located at Harmondsworth Road and Holloway Lane, Hillingdon near Heathrow Airport (now operating as a Shell station).

Release

The film debuted at Newcastle’s ABC 1 cinema on 8 April 1976. The premiere was attended by most of the cast and writers, except James Bolam who was engaged in a London performance.

In his 2005 memoir, Bewes recounted a fallout with Bolam following the film’s release due to Bewes sharing a personal anecdote about Bolam, which led to a breakdown in their communication. Nonetheless, after Bewes passed away in 2017, Bolam denied that any feud had occurred.

Box office

Financially, the film achieved commercial success, with much of the earnings going to the BBC under their contractual arrangement. Bewes claimed to have secured a share of the profits (unlike Bolam), but stated in 2005 that he had yet to receive any payment.

Critical reception

As with many British television adaptations of the 1970s transitioning to film, reviews were mixed. Arthur Thirkell from the Daily Mirror commended it as an exception to typical disappointments, praising its "warmly-amusing situations," "sharp dialogue," and portrayal of "authentic characters."

In contrast, The Guardian implied that the film exhibited signs of creative exhaustion. Madeleine Harmsworth of the Sunday Mirror described it as a "genuine delight" for both dedicated fans and newcomers alike, noting its humorous yet realistic depiction of suburban Northern life translated effectively from TV to cinema. The Coventry Evening Telegraph criticized it for magnifying some weaknesses inherent in sitcoms.

Later critiques were more positive: the Radio Times film guide awarded it five stars in 2004, with What's on TV also offering favorable remarks. Sight and Sound criticized the movie for sacrificing the series’ incisive observation in favor of farcical elements but acknowledged some memorable lines, advising fans to remain loyal to the original television series.

Phil Wickham’s analysis described the film as "largely successful," expanding on themes from the series such as mid-life crises and domestic challenges while providing a suitable conclusion for its characters.

In New Zealand, the film carries an M rating for sexual themes, indicating suitability for mature viewers aged 16 and above.