The Ronnie Barker Collection - Six Dates With Barker - Series 1 - Complete/Hark At Barker - Series 1-2 - Complete

A lot of modern sketch shows are as funny as watching paint dry. The Armstrong and Miller Show. The Fast Show. Big Train. These are the ones I have and I find difficult to even chuckle at. And I have tried liking them. The two Ronnie Barker shows on offer in this set do it right. Six Dates With Barker and Hark At Barker. The atmosphere is a happy one. I don't even need to laugh at any of Ronnie's jokes to be entertained. That's how good he is. I just enjoy the happy atmosphere on offer. It's pure escapism. I do eventually chuckle at some of Ronnie's jokes. I mean the writing is too good not to. He was best alone when he did comedy Ronnie. Don't like Corbett as much as I do Barker. I have this set (obviously) and Clarence, Porridge and it's sequel Going Straight and Open All Hours and it's sequel series. By the way there are many recognizable faces throughout Six Dates With Barker and Hark At Barker. Some in their younger days. Buy this. Enjoy some old school escapism that makes you forget about the world outside for a time. Oh and the first episode of the Six Dates With Barker show. It's The Removal Man. This is basically the pilot episode for Ronnie's one series sitcom Clarence. Only The Removal Man was made nearly ten years prior. Both of which co-star the lovely Josephine Tewson.

I recall the Lord Rustless part of this disc set as a kid and liked it although I had no idea what was going on. Today I watched it and would describe it as early Two Ronnies. (And Mr Corbett does appear from time to time) To be fair I think it's better than the Two Ronnies and this was obviously where they got the structure for their shows . This was written by a team of 'hip' writers of the time and much sharper than the latter. Extremely funny in places. It is however a celebration of Mr Barkers work and talents. There is something for everyone. Give it a go, he'd want you to!!

Excellent value and service.

Overall I found these shows to be okayish. Some smile humour here and there, but not as good as I was lead to believe.3 stars out of 5.

Bought it mostly cause the Six Dates With Barker bit, but discovered I actually liked the Lord Rustless part much better. The Odd Job on former is really good, others not so impressive. The best parts on Hark at Barker are not the Lord Rustless bits (never really liked Barker playing all those old haggard men!) but small sketches that were included here and there. Most were very, very good, some simply brilliant!

Some of Ronnie Barker's best work are in this set. The original raspberry blower and the original removals man episodes that would later turn into Clarence. Also the odd job man is outstanding.

Sen better ronnie Barker stuff

I had either missed these the first time around, or I had forgotten them. Yes, it is dated - yes, the special effects are not so special - and YES, I laughed and laughed! Great fun!

One of the best British TV shows ever.I wish it went for 10 seasons, but what little I got on this disc was well worth it.

Ronnie is the best.

My only complaint was the Region 2 (which I can still play on a multi-format player)... It was the only way I could get the second series of Hark at Barker AND the bonus scripts for both series...

After Seeing Ronnie Barker in Open All Hours & Clarence, both which I enjoyed, I decided to buy this collection which includes two discs of Hark the Barker (1969-1970) & one disc of Six Dates with Barker (1971). Here are the pros & cons of this collection as I see it, I hope this helps you.Pros:1. Moira Foot is on many of the episodes of these three discs, one of the most beautiful actresses ever in my opinion.2. Episode 1 – 1937: The Removals Person, of Six Dates with Barker was good & the first episode and inspiration for the much better series Clarence.3. Episode 6 – 2774 AD: All the World's a Stooge, of Six Dates with Barker was also very good and unusual.Cons:1. Overall, most episodes are just not that funny & they get old pretty fast. I will not be watching these three discs again.