Butterflies (TV series)

Butterflies was a British sitcom series written by Carla Lane broadcast on BBC2 from 1978 to 1983.

The situation is the day-to-day life of the Parkinson family in a bittersweet style. There are both traditional comedy sources (Ria's cooking, family squabbles) and more unusual sources such as Ria's unconsummated^[1] relationship with the outwardly-successful Leonard. Ria is still in love with her husband, Ben, and has raised two potentially fine sons, yet finds herself dissatisfied and in need of something more. Throughout the series Ria searches for that "something more" and finds some solace in her unconventional friendship with Leonard. In a 2002 interview, Carla Lane explained, "I wanted to write a comedy about a woman contemplating adultery."^[1]

In the first episode, an expository discussion between Ria and Leonard alludes to the significance of the series' title: "We are all kids chasing butterflies. You see it, you want it, you grab it, and there it is, all squashed in your hand." She adds, "I am one of the few lucky ones, I have a pleasant house, a pleasant man and two pleasant sons. My butterfly didn't get squashed." Ria's husband Ben collects and studies butterflies.

Cast and setting

Wendy Craig and Geoffrey Palmer, pictured on Butterflies Region 1 DVD cover

The show stars Wendy Craig as frustrated 'stay at home' housewife, Ria Parkinson and Geoffrey Palmer as her reserved dentist husband, Ben, who is also an amateur lepidopterist. Ria's early dialogue in the first series suggests her age as early 40s, whereas her husband, Ben, quotes himself to be "the wrong side of 45". Ben is a typically traditional, conservative white-collar professional, ill at ease with his sons' lack of work-ethic and carefree post-punk attitudes (the series starts in 1978) whilst remaining unaware of his wife's impending mid-life crisis. They have been married for 19 years and are depicted as having a comfortable lifestyle, supported by one bread-winner in the household at a time in British history when 'stay at home' housewives were becoming less common. Ria's disastrous attempts at cooking are a recurring gag.

The Parkinsons have two sons, both of driving age (at least 17 years of age under UK law in 1978) and unemployed (in 1978 the UK was heading towards recession under Prime Minister, James Callaghan, with youth unemployment on the increase). Their youngest son, Adam, is played by Nicholas Lyndhurst and their older son, Russell, by Andrew Hall. Bruce Montague plays Ria's friend Leonard, a successful businessman, aged 44 whose wife has recently left him and is, like Ria Parkinson, approaching his own mid-life crisis. The show also featured two recurring minor characters: Leonard's chauffeur and confidant Thomas (Michael Ripper) and the Parkinsons' cleaner, Ruby (Joyce Windsor), who often lent Ria an ear.

Theme song

The Butterflies theme song, "Love Is Like a Butterfly", is a 1974 single written and originally recorded by American country music artist Dolly Parton. The cover version used at the opening of each episode was recorded for the series by Clare Torry, with a band conducted by BBC TV composer Ronnie Hazlehurst.

The Adagio for Strings and Organ (Albinoni) was used as interlude music in most of the episodes where Ria is reflecting on her dilemma, and walking through a park on her own. It is a very bitter-sweet twist on two, once very in love partners where the marriage is actually breaking down, but not recognised by the husband who is totally engrossed in his work and profession.

Ria, starts a romance with another man, which is initially seen by the viewer as virtual image, (almost like a bubble thought you would see in a strip cartoon) as she walks through the park. He later turns out to be real. The Adagio is used as a "filler" for the lack of script.

Filming Locations

Unlike most Carla Lane sitcoms, Butterflies is not set in Liverpool, but rather Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Ben refers to this in the final episode, "Loose Ends"). Many of the exterior scenes were filmed there, including the High Street, Montpellier and Hatherley Park.^[2] Exterior shots for the Parkinson house were filmed at 30 Bournside Road in Up Hatherley, Cheltenham.^[2] Locations included properties along Bournside Road, Lansdown Road and Christchurch Road in Cheltenham, and that town's Hatherley Park, Pittville Park, Imperial Gardens and Neptune's Fountain; High Street; The Promenade, Montpellier; Peter's Bar, 23 Montpellier Walk, which later became J.J. O'Neill's; and Presto Supermarket, Grosvenor Terrace, which later became Bannatyne's Health and Fitness.^[3]

Episodes

The series comprises twenty-eight episodes.

Christmas special: 1982

Shown as part of "The Funny Side Of Christmas" on BBC1 on 27 December 1982. The family are happy for a seasonal excuse to avoid eating Ria's food. She reveals to Adam privately that Leonard has gone to New York, but he is instead outside in his car, until Thomas reminds him that his former wife is waiting for him at home. Leonard calls on the phone asking for Ria, but she is kissing Ben under the mistletoe as he learns from Adam. As she gets to the phone, Leonard hangs up without speaking after hearing her voice.

Special for Children in Need (2000)

In November 2000, the cast (save for Michael Ripper who had recently died) reunited for a 13-minute episode in aid of Children in Need. The premise is Ria's 60th birthday and the lack of change to her situation.

American series pilot (1979)

An American remake was piloted but never commissioned. NBC broadcast the pilot in August 1979, with little change to the original scripting. It starred Jennifer Warren as Ria Parkinson and John McMartin as her husband, Ben Parkinson. Film actor Jim Hutton was featured as Leonard Dean in this version. It was Hutton's last acting job. He died suddenly from liver cancer at the age of 45 in June 1979, several weeks before the pilot aired.

DVD release

All episodes of Butterflies are available on DVD in the UK, distributed by Acorn Media UK. Only the first two series are available in the US.

References

External links

• Butterflies at BBC Programmes
• Butterflies at BBC Online Comedy Guide
• Butterflies at the Internet Movie Database
• Butterflies at the BFI's Screenonline
• Butterflies at the British Comedy Guide
• Butterflies at Phill.co.uk