The hidden chemistry between Compo and Cleggy....a.k.a. Bill and Peter.

MoodyBlue

Dedicated Member
We are all aware of the special bond and mutual love and respect Bill Owen and Peter Sallis had for each other.
It is unique,and is proved by the fact that Peter chose to be buried next to his true friend Bill.
The bond that existed is so special,because officially,they only met when filming OUR series....who knows how close they were outside of "Summerwine Land"
There are 2 beautiful examples of ad libs that sum up this special bond......
In "Return of the Warrior" Compo and Cleggy have just left the cafe....Compo states that he is going to go and annoy Nora...to which Cleggy says " well what am I going to do ?"...here's where the hidden magic is.....Compo grabs him round the shoulders,pulling him and starts laughing..it is a beautiful scene [please check it out !!].
The other is in " Come In Sunray Major"......whilst Foggy is busy walking up the hill on his " route march" Compo and Cleggy have sloped off and are relaxing....lying in the grass.
The first lovely ad lib moment is when Compo tickles Cleggy in his ear with a long piece if grass...Cleggy squeals and the scene continues...but the tickling scene is a beautiful piece of acting and ad libbing...and is a scene between 2 actors who are so comfortable with each other.
Compo is explaining how a friend told him he had a bad leg...and has to wear a slipper whilst they were in the post office...and that Nelly [his Jack Russel terrier] was licking his ear...
Cleggy asks " and he told you all this while you were in the post office ?".....here is the other special moment....Compo says " yep"...and throws the piece of grass he was eating at Cleggy.....[please check them both out !!].
Our series is SO PERFECT that sometimes it is easy to think of the characters as real people.......when you see the close bond between Compo and Cleggy it makes you realise just how special OUR show is....a glimpse into a world we would all love to reside in..
 
So true RickAns......that is why when an actor passes away who has been a central figure in our show it feels like a death in the family.
People genuinely mourn their passing...then celebrate the impact they have had on all our lives by watching them work their magic on screen !!
 
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