In my opinion, he was the best comedy actor that Britain has ever produced. From an era of immense talent like, The Pythons, Morecambe and Wise, Les Dawson, Michael Crawford, The Goons and his comedy partner Mr Corbett to name but a few. To be able to mix it with that lot is immense and to be able to effortlessly deliver a wide variety of humorous characters was his genius. May God rest his soul.
I was working as a prison officer at Chelmsford Prison when In 1978 we had a very serious fire that resulted in the prison being closed down for 2 years for refurbishment. It was during these 2 years that Witzend Productions descended on us to make 'Porridge the Movie.' We all got to meet the actors which of course included the lovely Ronnie Barker. The man was a gentleman of the first order, believe it or not, he was somewhat shy off-camera. He was the consummate professional and would go back to the hotel he was staying at and study his lines ready for the next day. Witzend productions arranged a meet and greet for all the friends and families of the prison staff with Ronnie heading it up at the prison. It was a most memorable day and Ronnie was so friendly and accommodating throughout. You could say his genius was backed up by all the hard work he put into it. Yes, indeed he was truly a lovely human being.
Anything Ronnie Barker did was a guaranteed laugh from start to finish! I loved watching The Two Ronnies with their serialised sketches, such as "The Phantom Raspberry Blower" and "The Worm that turned". Ronnie was a fantastic wordsmith, and this could be seen in The Two Ronnies' musical sketches and, of course, the skit "Four Candles". What a real pleasure to watch this comedic genius! RIP Ronnie and thank you for the many laughs. 🕯
As a huge fan of Open All Hours, I felt I couldn't pass this one up without commenting. Ronnie Barker as Arkwright was indeed a comedy genius. His timing and acting was the dynamics behind this iconic series... and here we are, to this day, still watching him with awe. Thanks for such a great vid, Paul. 👍
I have them all on DVD, and despite watching Open All Hours countless times, I still end up in fits of laughter when I rewatch them. That's the true sign of a well written and well acted comedy.
Thankyou Paul. A lovely video of Ronnie Barker. It makes me extremely sad after you say Thankyou and walk away leaving a great man there behind you. He has gone but the laughter keeps going. 😢
Ronnie Barker was quite possibly the funniest man to ever walk this planet. An absolute comedy genius. If only he'd made more Porridge episodes. I absolutely love it. Real shame we had to lose him. God bless him 🙏❤️
Ronnie wrote lots of stuff under different names for many TV shows and comedians. He was a total genius and let’s not forget those who stared along side him. The entire cast of porridge was flawless and probably the greatest cast of comedy actors ever gathered together.
I agree and I think he actually helped the early career of David Jason not only starring with him in Open All Hours , but casting him as Blanco , the old bloke in Porridge .
Always remember when Richard Beckinsale died and he spoke of his passing, he was literally literally heart-broken his grief was deep....then he had the issues with his son , his son didn't go to his funeral as he was at that time wanted by the police........ porridge was brilliant.. xx
Awh, that man is responsible for bringing some of the most joyous moments and biggest laughs to so many people. RIP to the genius that is Ronnie Barker.
I absolutely loved all of Ronnie Barkers work. The fork handles sketch still has me laughing today as it did when it was originally broadcast. Ronnie Barker was comedy genius x
Comic genius the four candles sketch has me in stitches every time I see it. I still love watching re runs of Open All, Hours and Porridge he was such a versatile actor.RIP Ronnie.♥
Thanks again for another great show.there ain't no other words to describe Ronnie barker than a comic genius who bought so much laughter into our lives.a laughter which will live on forevermore r.i.p Ronnie barker
Pure genius,a fabulous comedy actor,no one to beat him in today's world,loved him in everything he was in, porridge, open all hours, Clarence,and the two Ronnie's,never be another Ronnie barker,RIP Ronnie,forever missed,thank you Paul, respect shown as usual,stay safe xxxx also a great comedy writer ❤️
Remember the two Ronnie's,open all hours,the corner shop,my parents had a shop in the 1970s.when you said good night from me and good night from him,made me smile.miss those years,corner shop,just great.
Always remember the catchphrase it’s good night from me and it’s goodnight from him….. not forgetting the fantom raspberry blower , always stuck in my head for years, used to watch the 2 Ronnie when I was younger 😊
The best thing about Ronnie Barker is that he'll never be forgotten that's for sure,,, rest in peace Ronnie you deserve it and a huge thank you for the laughs 👍
The Phantom Raspberry Blower……my childhood right there.Things we talked about it the playground at school happy memories.Genius,absolute comedy genius.
The greatest comedy actor of all time. Its hard to believe he was the same man in Porridge, Open All Hours as he was in the 2 Ronnies performing. He was also a brilliant writer of some of his own sketches. So many wonderful sketches and song medleys are there to treasure and watch time and again.
I got more than a little misty- eyed when I first read that both he and Ronnie Corbett had four candles on the altar instead of the usual two at their funerals.
Some of these videos are sad to watch but I had a smile on my face at the end of this one. His acting and writing was of a consistently high standard. I wasn't aware Porridge ran for such a short time.That was a bold decision by the BBC to produce a sitcom set in a prison. Most of the Porridge cast are no longer with us such as Fulton Mackay and Richard Beckinsale who died far too young.
True . Brian Wilde who played Mr.Barraclough and was also in Last of the Summer Wine died a few years back as did Sam Kelly of Allo Allo fame and who played Bunny Warren . I think out of the main characters there is only really Christopher Biggins , Tony Osaba and David Jason left .
What an incredible comedy genius our dear Ronnie was. He was so gifted and I still look in awe when I watch his tongue and mind twisters like the mis-pronouciation club! What a piece of comedic genius that was! Thank you Paul for sharing this with such respect and humility
I had the immense privilege and pleasure of meeting our comedic titan, Ronnie Barker, at a book-signing event in Birmingham twenty years ago. So cheerful, down-to-earth and polite, a real gentleman, giving the impression of one's favourite cuddly uncle. Bless him; there must be eternal laughter in heaven!
I used to go to a private dentist in Rickmansworth where Ronnie Barker was also a patient. He didn't live locally but travelled the extra distance because he was a friend of the dentist in question. He once showed me his patient book in which Ronnie Barker had written: "I only come here for a laugh!". Never had the privilege of sharing a waiting room with the great man, but was nice to know we had a shared interest in oral health!! 😁
An absolute comedy genius. Pinpoint perfect comedy timing. Love the way he could start to stutter and come out with a joke at the end of his stutter, what an absolute comedy genius. Apart from been the comedy genius he was, he was a fantastic character actor too. They don't make them like Ronnie anymore, you are very sadly missed. RIP Ronnie.
When I was a little boy, The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town was one of my all time favourite mini stories in the show. I can remember clearly giggling my head off. Pure comedic genius, writer and performer that sadly we don't see on TV anymore. All we have is crappy reality TV shows.
Happy memories growing up in the late 70s and early 80s I used to love The Two Ronnies on a Saturday night . Ronnie Corbett's rambling in that massive chair ( or it looked too big for Ronnie C ) before finally getting to the punch line , the comedy musical numbers , the sketches such as when they played village idiots leaning on a gate with a piece of straw in their mouths , The special guests which always seemed to be either Elaine Paige or Barbara Dickson and of course the mini series like The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town ( written by Spike Milligan I believe and he also provided the raspberry sound ) , The Worm that Turned with Diana Dors and Charlie Farley and Piggy Malone .And dont let me get started on Porridge , what a great programme and film !
@@scooby1992 wow you really know your stuff Scooby1 I have never watched the two ronnies I will get round to watching them at some point. I love the way you talk about the 70s and 80s it’s sounds like a great life I wish I’d of grown up then I was born in 1986 I’m 36 now but my life isn’t good. Your life sounds brilliant were you are from i may visit you one day 🤣🤣🤣 take care.
Such an amazing actor and icon of British TV. Absolutely agree The Two Ronnie's, Porridge and Open All Hours are some of the finest TV creations of all time. RIP Ronnie Barker and thanks for the memories. ⛪🙏
Awww love this one Paul. So nice to see fresh flowers there. I loved Ronnie Barker - four candles or Fork handles 😂 Charlie Farley and Piggy Malone the two detectives. Open all hours he was brilliant. I love Porridge as well. He was such a talented man. Sadly missed ❤
I feel honoured that I was alive ,and still am! when this amazing man was alive. What a great actor in all aspects. He is sadly missed but great memories.🥰
Ronnie Barker was an incredibly talented gentleman , a Legend indeed . I still sit at night & watch Porridge & the Two Ronnies "Four Candles" "Mastermind" some of my favourites ...... Thank You so much for this beautiful respectful tribute , God Bless Ronnie Barker always .....Peace be Still ....
I attended a taping (I was in the audience) of The 2 Ronnies in London in around 1981 when I was about 11, it was fabulous, so lucky to see how it was made.
Another excellent video Paul, to this day I am still watching Ronnie and he never fails to make us laugh. Was nice to see the fresh flowers and to know someone visits him regularly..well done. RIP Ronnie....
So many fond memories of the Two Ronnies. My whole family looked forward to watching it whenever it was on. I can still hear my Dad's laughter ringing in my head. And the Four Candles/Fork Handles sketch....just brilliant. Thanks so much for taking us to his resting place
Ronnie Barker was a legend!! I still watch Porridge and Going Straight with a very young Nicholas Lyndhurst, Ronnie wrote all the scripts for 2 Ronnies, Porridge and just about everything else, so it just goes to show how clever and funny he was ... R.I.P Ronnie you'll never be forgotten!
Ronnie Barker was the best in terms of comedy genius. He could take simple everyday scenarios and make them hilarious just by playing around with his words. Some of the sketches he produced for the two ronnies were absolute classics.
Another great and very talented man gone, but not forgotten. Ronnie Barker was my favourite growing up. The Two Ronnies was never missed in our house. Porridge was absolutely brilliant. Open All Hours was my personal fave. Thanks for another great video Paul, very interesting to hear about his life.
He was a true genius & a gentleman. To this day I watch porridge & I still howl with laughter. I miss him so very much. One of the greatest that ever lived.
Hi Paul, Thank you. Both Ronnie's, and as individual performers always had us all in stitches. Quintessential English, costumes mannerisms, speech, combined to bond too an adoring audience, joined in laughter. I was surprised he decided not to have heart surgery, I had stents at 64, had he, he would perhaps be still with us today. The best trimmed hedging ever. Perth WA
True comic genius, should have been knighted for his vast contribution to British comedy. Loved every show he starred in or sketch he wrote,. Greatly missed 😪
My mum was his cleaner at his house in Paines Lane Pinner in the 70’s and sometimes she took me with her. She said he was a lovely man and very kind to her.
Yes I I remember watching all them programs as a kid brilliant you don’t get shows like that anymore thank you for sharing that enjoyed watching you take care keep safe all the family drive carefully 😊👍
Not only was he a brilliant comedy genius and writer (he secretly wrote under the name Gerald Wiley) but he was a superb straight actor too. He played Winston Churchill's butler (to Albert Finney's Churchill) and was incredible. He was pure genius regardless of what he did!
I loved the two Ronnie's and porridge I still watch porridge when ever it's on tv the two Ronnie's were on when I was a child the phantom raspberry blower scared my youngest sister silly great to see where he's at rest thank you for showing us
I had the honour of meeting the 2 Ronnies.. At the Coventry Theatre.. When they did pantomime.. They were 2 great gentlemen.. Always very pleasant and had time for their fans.. Thank you so much for allowing us to see his resting place... Thankyou for sharing xx ❤️ 🙂
As a 70's child I loved watching the two Ronnie's with their sketches which appealed to all ages . Would try to watch porridge sometimes too yet as 9 year old in 77 didn't always get the gags .Always felt it was more grown up comedy .
I'm overjoyed your doing Ronnie Barker. A legend of a performer. We will never see another Ronnie Barker ❤ I have a boxset of Porridge, Open All House. The Two Ronnie's volume 1 and 2
Loved Ronnie Barker/the two Ronnie's...primetime Saturday night television . Back in the day. He bought all these characters ti life...Fletch (or Fletcher) in Portidge was a loveable rogue...along with prison officer Mckai. And Fletchers cell mate Gobber played by the talented Richard Beckinsale. Sadly all 3 passed on now. Thank you Paul for all your research and hard work.... Thanks to Ronnie Barker for all the laughs over the years. The lovely thing is he left a legacy if work which we can still enjoy today......God Bless x
