User reviews

Broadcast between 1994 and 1995, with 6 episodes one year and 3 episode the next, "The Tales of Para Handy" was the third version to be televised of Neil Munro's hugely popular (in Scotland, at least) tales, originally written as newspaper columns in the Glasgow Herald between 1905 and the early 1930s. Previous series had starred Duncan Macrae (1959) and Roddy Macmillan (1963, 1974-5) as the Captain, and this time the "chust sublime" Gregor Fisher donned the authentic red beard and bowler hat for the role.

Rather than the previous sit-com format, 1994's version was a longer comedy drama, of a style that would later become popular Sunday night entertainment with shows like "Ballykissangel" and "Hamish Macbeth". Unlike these two contemporary shows, "Tales of Para Handy" takes place in the early 1930s (possibly 1934-5, just after the final stories were published) and makes a decent job of portraying the Scottish west coast at the time. The classic tales of the Glasgow "puffer" (steam vessels similar to barges, that ran goods and trade all over the West Coast between about 1860 and 1960) were sometimes adapted from the original Munro stories, and sometimes written from scratch (usually by Bob Black, writer of "Scotch and Wry" and "City Lights"). However, these stories were possibly a little too "couthy" and low-key for mass appeal, and the series never really took off. Possibly this is why they only made three episodes in series two (or possibly it was because Ricki Fulton's health was deteriorating).

The cast included Ricki Fulton as Dan the Engineer (the last major role by this Scottish comedy legend) and Andrew Fairlie as Davie "Sunny Jim" Green (Alex McAvoy, who played Jim in the 1960s and 1970s, had a cameo in the first episode of series one). Sean Scanlan played Dougie - but sometimes his acting, all jiggled shoulders and shouted lines in semi-exasperation, could irritate, and he's the main reason why I take one point off this show (the other is its occasional lack of pacing).

Incidentally, many Scottish comedy stars of the time played cameos in the show, and even a young David Tennant (Doctor Who) can be seen in the penultimate show of the second season.

This series has never been completely available to buy. The first six episodes were available on two BBC videos in 1995, but these now regularly go for around £25 each on Ebay. The last three episodes have never been made available anywhere - although a cassette of Neil Munro stories, released on the back of the series and read by Gregor Fisher, was also available through the BBC in 1995.

Hopefully, the recent DVD issue of the Roddy Macmillan era "The Vital Spark" series will soon see a DVD set of this excellent mid-1990s comedy drama.

Production values on this can't be faulted - everything was right in that way. The 1930s period costuming, cars, boats etc are all superb and its shot and recorded very well indeed - in lovely locations too. The problem was a little miscasting plus I felt it never quite found the right pace - though the two series they made are very watchable even now. However, I felt that the studio bound 1970s version got the characters better. Perhaps if this had been allowed a series 3 it might have come right? - but we will probably never know.

Gregor Fischer as Para Handy is spot on - and Rikki Fulton as McPhael the bad tempered engineer was excellent. Sean Scanlon as Para Handy's second in command never quite clicked and Andrew Fairleigh as Sunny Jim was fine, but perhaps a little too grown up for the role.

The playing and pacing was the other problem. Some episodes are fine, but some move along at a snails pace. To be clear I am not suggesting that the show should have been fast-paced - this is gentle, dry, considered humour I know - but even by those lights the pace was too slow on some episodes. In series 2 they did get that better, so again, in a series 3.....

Does anyone know why the BBC failed to pick it up for a third series? Was it a ratings flop or did one of the principals drop out?

Anyway, if gentle, dry humour is your thing, take a look at this - you'll find something to like.

I have to first say I have absolutely no idea why this series never continued on for at least another 5 seasons.

The Tales Of Para Handy is an absolutely beautifully made gentle Scottish comedy centring around Neil Munros famous character Peter "Para handy" McFarland, captain of the puffer boat "The Vital Spark" and it's crew.

Those a little older (I myself am 30!) May recall the 1970's version of the stories simply titled "The Vital Spark" with the magnificent Roddy McMillan in the title role. While the old series was wonderful, it was low budget and it showed sometimes with the 70's cars and buildings.

This new series is expertly crafted into a beautiful period piece. All the clothes, streets, and cars are circa 1930's (which the stories are set!) the music is fantastically folky and the tales are just engaging entertainment. The scripts are wonderful and the stories range from heartfelt to side splitting!

Every moment is magical!

The only downside I can think of is that the main cast do not quite live up to their 1970's counterparts who are considered the definitive representations of the characters, but do NOT let that fool you! Gregor Fisher, Rikki Fulton and co. all do an absolutely amazing job of bringing life to the characters in their own way and having a rich script and wonderful stories, it is perfect Sunday night (Or any night!) family entertainment.

It is a crime that production stopped as soon as it did!

Buy it and enjoy!