Wodehouse Playhouse: Series 2

Settle in for another invigorating round of this much-loved 1970s BBC series in which real-life couple John Alderton and Pauline Collins (Upstairs, Downstairs and No, Honestly) bring to life several of P.G. Wodehouse's most delightful stories and colorful characters. Jeeves and Bertie are hardly missed at all, but Roberta Wickham (Collins), one of Wooster's former (aren't they all?) fiancées, does figure in "Mr. Potter Takes a Rest Cure." Collins also has a field day as an impoverished minister's ambitious wife in "Anselm Gets His Chance," and the couple are well-matched as fellow mystery lovers in "Strychnine in the Soup," and golf fanatics in "Feet of Clay." Alderton's finest half hour may be "The Code of the Mulliners," in which he, fearing insanity runs in the family, attempts to break off his engagement, which is, of course, against the code of the Mulliners. Dashing and witty and faithful to Wodehouse's deft use of language and daft characters, this second helping (see review of Wodehouse Playhouse in VL-3/03) is recommended. (K. Lee Benson)