The greatest movie ever made..!

Disappointment for a huge fan!

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

Blistering performances.

This short running but fondly remembered comedy drama series is notable now for bringing into the limelight Oscar winning actors Robbie Coltrane and the beautiful Emma Thompson. Writer and artist John Byrne supplied the six one hour long scripts which focused on the exploits of a failing rock 'n' roll band whose future looks to be bleak when their lead singer is unexpectedly killed. 'Tutti Frutti' was a smash hit when it first appeared in 1987, winning awards not only to its stars but also to its creator as well as its production crew but despite its popularity it was repeated by the BBC only once and for many years was blocked from being released on VHS or DVD due to royalty issues by the copyright holder and artist of the show's theme music Little Richard. However, in 2006 the ban was lifted when it was repeated by BBC4 and three years later was released on DVD by 2entertain. I was one of many of queued up to by a DVD of the show and I was pleased to say it was worth every penny.Scottish rock 'n' roll band The Majestics are about to embark upon their silver jubilee tour however the lead singer James 'Big Jazza' McGlone is killed in a car crash ( the very car which happened to belong to the band's corrupt manager Eddie Clockerty, who also runs a dingy clothing store ). Flying in from New York for the funeral is Jazza's younger brother, destitute art student Danny, who bears a strong resemblance to his late brother. This gives Eddie an idea - put Danny in place of his brother and carry on with the tour. Danny is initially reluctant but realising he doesn't really have anything to lose, eventually relents. His first day with the group is not a success. He incurs the verbal wrath of the band's roadie Dennis, and ends up in a punch up with drummer Bomba McAteer, rock guitarist Vincent Diver and bass player Fud O'Donnell.Whilst trying to find himself some digs, Danny bumps into an old flame called Suzi Kettles, who he attended art college with. Suzi has romantic feelings for Danny but has difficulty yielding them due to a failed marriage with her estranged and violent dentist husband who is eventually given his comeuppance by Danny. After some initial setbacks, Suzi becomes a member of the band as well.The rest of the group is not without problems - Vincent is two timing his wife Noreen ( played by Anne Kidd ) with a young woman named Glenna, much to the chagrin of Bomba, who is Noreen's brother. Glenna claims to be pregnant at the start of the series but by the end of the run she has suffered a miscarriage and later kills herself by plunging herself into the River Clyde. In the final episode, Vincent commits suicide during the farewell concert of The Majestics' at the Glasgow Pavilion by dousing Polish vodka on himself and setting himself alight.Emma Thompson is wonderful as Kettles though Robbie Coltrane has the most challenging role of playing both Jazza and Danny. Maurice Roeves is a suitably nasty piece of work as Vincent. Richard Wilson as Clockerty forms a hilarious double act with his sassy and sexy secretary Janice Toner ( played by Katy Murphy ). Also excellent were Ron Donachie as Dennis, Stuart McGugan as Bomba and the late Jake D'Arcy as Fud. Only Fiona Chalmers failed to make an impression as Glenna.John Byrne next series for the BBC was 'Your Cheatin' Heart' but it was nowhere near as successful as 'Tutti Frutti'. For Coltrane, this was his final regular comedy series. In the 90's he later branched into straight acting with the wonderful Carlton Television drama 'Cracker'. Emma Thompson pursued a successful film career while Richard Wilson became a household name with the role of Victor Meldrew in 'One Foot In The Grave'.

Well, the wait is finally over, Amazon have sold out and the DVD is now in my hands via the High St store. It is just as brilliant as a I remembered it, so no rose tinted glasses. Fantastic performances, Glesga gallus humour and real locations (including one round the corner from where I grew up and across the road from the swimming baths I learned to swim in.)I remember being gobsmacked when I heard Emma Thompson's real accent after the series as she did a very accurate West End Glasgow accent which I thought was authentic at the time the series was broadcast.SO glad they sorted out all the copyright issues and the DVD can take it's place in the ranks of great ones.I'm not going to spoil the story. For anybody new to it just go with it, for the ones who have seen it before enjoy!

This has to one of the best programmes to come out of Scotland if not the UK from the BBC. The acting and the script are just wonderful and combines great (Scottish/Glasgow) humours and rock'n'roll, can't get much better! The script was adapted for stage in late 2006 and had a run of shows in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Managed to get to the Edinburgh show and it was just a good as the TV show! The cast played and sang and were very good, OK you can't compete with Coltrane/Thompson but they come close. They are coming to Glasgow in April 2006 so get there if you can!! The reason the show has never been repeated or issued as a video/DVD is to do with the licensing of the music used in the show. I believe they are trying to sort this out so maybe we'll get the chance to buy a DVD version soon.Some DVD copies surface on ebay occasionally but the quality isn't that great...Cheers, Al

An extremely accurate depiction of a bunch of (almost) "over the hill" Scottish rockers - on their farewell tour. A veritable galaxy of stars, MOST of whom have since become household names. Can it be one (or more) of those big names holding back an agreement for this classic movie/series to be released on video/DVD?Anyone out there with a copy of this on video/dvd? I'd pay well to get a hold of this - purely in the interests of research, you understand.HopingO T Hill