User Reviews

Before Vince Powell and Harry Driver tackled racism as a subject for comedy with 'Love Thy Neighbour'. they penned this sweet little show which was a heartwarming tale about two elderly people finding romance. Broadcast from Thames Television, 'For The Love Of Ada' featured Irene Handl as Ada Creswell ( in a role that was apparently written for Beryl Reid ), a widow of many years who befriends and ends up courting Walter Bingley ( Wilfred Pickles ), a gravedigger who works in the local cemetery and who is the same one who buried her husband.

Ada's relationship with Walter at first worries her aloof daughter Ruth ( the attractive, and sadly deceased, Barbara Mitchell ) but over time she gradually comes to accept her mother's choice. The second series sees Walter and Ada getting married and in the fourth series ( which was the last ) they became grandparents when Ruth and her husband Leslie ( played wonderfully by Jack Smeithurst ) had a baby boy, which they named Antony.

The show was intended as easy light viewing rather than being played for loud guffaws, something which seemed to be established in the opening and closing credits, which lacked applause from the studio audience ( an uncommon practice back then ). Irene Handl was marvelous as Ada and she was ably backed up by the fine supporting cast, particularly Jack Smethurst, who later found greater success when Powell and Driver placed him in the leading role of Eddie Booth in 'Love Thy Neighbour'. A feature film was made in 1972 but it was not as good.

All four series plus the film are out on DVD and make fine viewing for those who just want to unwind from the awfulness of the real world.

On the surface you could be forgiven for merely considering this as one of those gentle old fashioned sitcoms a la Last of the Summer Wine, but far from it, when you look closely you will find a very deep and meaningful core.

Irene Handl, a definite British institution who never failed to entertain and amuse in any role, she is utterly hilarious as Ada. Wilfred Pickles is also wonderful, a truly talented Yorkshire man. The pair combine beautifully, they cause genuine laughs, cause the odd tear, but always leave you with a feel good factor. Mitchell and Smethurst are excellent too, great characters.

One scene in particular that chokes me, is when Walter decides to sell his father's military medal, to buy Ada's engagement ring, he discusses his father's bravery and blindness. It's intensely moving, Pickles' acting is superb. So many great moments.

The scenes in the graveyard Series 1 look very studio bound, but that was changed in the second series, looked so much better.

It has a very deep social message, looking at attitudes towards the elderly, and attitudes generally in 1970's Britain.

Don't be put off by the age of it, this is excellent viewing. 9/10