The only Manuel for the job! John Cleese’s threat to stop writing Fawlty Towers scripts unless he could sign up Andrew Sachs as beloved clumsy waiter

As a lifelong fan of classic British comedy, I cannot help but marvel at the extraordinary journey that led to the creation of Fawlty Towers and the iconic character Manuel, played by Andrew Sachs.

In my opinion, John Cleese’s decision to stubbornly pursue Sachs for the role was a masterstroke, as it resulted in one of the most memorable and beloved sitcom characters of all time. The chemistry between Cleese and Sachs, fueled by their comedic timing and impeccable delivery, elevated Fawlty Towers to the pantheon of great television comedy.

Reflecting on this story, I am reminded of a time in my own life when I was determined to cast a certain actor for a role in one of my productions, despite facing resistance from others involved in the project. While my situation may not have been as high-profile or historic as Cleese’s pursuit of Sachs, it serves as a reminder that sometimes, taking a stand and fighting for the right person can make all the difference in bringing a vision to life.

And now, to lighten the mood, let me share a little joke: A waiter, a hotel owner, and a producer walk into a bar… The waiter says, “I’ve got just the job for you!” The hotel owner replies, “I don’t know, I’m always getting mixed up with the guests.” The producer says, “Well, if it’s any consolation, we can always blame it on Manuel!

In the role of Manuel, the bumbling Spanish waiter at a particular worn-out hotel in Torquay, Andrew Sachs delivered such an exceptional comic counterpart that it’s hard to picture anyone else embodying this character.

50 years back, when John Cleese was initially penning scripts for the later acclaimed sitcom “Fawlty Towers,” it’s a perspective he already held at that time.

With such confidence did the Monty Python star believe Sachs would excel as the ‘ideal’ Manuel, that he vowed to cease writing until the actor officially agreed to the role.

Cleese stated to The Mail on Sunday, “I’d seen Andrew in Alan Bennett’s Habeas Corpus [on London’s West End], and I recognized a fantastic farce actor. Granted, we could have found others, but none would have been as ideal as Andrew, so I determinedly persisted.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but delve into the fascinating behind-the-scenes tale unveiled by BBC archives. It seems that while Monty Python’s Flying Circus legend John Cleese was crafting scripts with his spouse Connie Booth, who later charmed us as Polly in the series, there were worries about the delay caused by securing Eric Sachs for the show.

While Sachs was striving for success in theater acting, he moved on from his part in Habeas Corpus to take the leading role in the comedic play titled “No Sex Please We’re British.

BBC bosses launched a charm offensive to woo Sachs amid fears for the future of the sitcom.

On February 11, 1975, a letter was written to the actor’s representative by John Howard Davies. As the producer and director of the initial Fawlty Towers series, he expressed urgency for a response. He also noted that John Cleese is currently delaying the writing of the series because he can’t proceed until the situation regarding Andrew Sachs is resolved.

In three days, Davies penned another note detailing the importance of the situation. He expressed: ‘You’re aware of our strong desire to have Andrew Sachs in the John Cleese series… Additionally, I must convince John Cleese to write the series, as this could potentially secure Andrew Sachs’ involvement. However, John Cleese informs me that he prefers writing for the actor who will portray the character.’

As the program gears up for its 50th anniversary next year, these unveiled documents do not disclose specifics regarding Sachs’s choice to participate in the show.

In a 2014 interview, two years before his death at the age of 86, Sachs expressed concerns about his ability to convincingly portray a Spanish accent. He then inquired if Cleese could make the character German instead. However, Cleese responded by saying, ‘No! You would excel at many things if you were German,’ and insisted that the character should remain Spanish.

In the BBC’s Written Archives Centre, it’s clear that Monty Python’s Cleese didn’t always have his preferred choices for casting. For instance, the significant character of Mr Hutchinson in the episode of The Hotel Inspectors, which was ultimately portrayed by Bernard Cribbins, had initially been offered to Richard Briers, a star from The Good Life television series.

On July 10, 1975, Davies wrote to Briers: ‘The character of Hutchinson was intended for you, with you in mind while writing. I’m boldly asking if you’d consider playing it, and we’d be thrilled if you would, but completely understand if you decline.’

About two weeks on, Davies proposed the identical role to Leonard Rossiter, who starred in Rising Damp, and cautioned him that Cleese portrays Basil with rapid flair.

In a nod to Sachs, Cleese also subtly criticized political correctness. He expressed, ‘The essence of Manuel’s character lay in his unwavering efforts to assist, and it was merely the language gap that caused misunderstandings.’

Unfortunately, people who take things literally tend to perceive only a single meaning, and it’s seldom one that contains any humor.

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2024-12-29 01:18