The Crime Wave At Blandings

EPISODE 4 IN A MAJOR BBC DRAMA STARRING TIMOTHY SPALL, DAVID WALLIAMS AND JENNIFER SAUNDERS Baxter returns as summer tutor for Clarence’s grandson George and plans to weasel his way back into permanent employment. Blandings is threatened by the return of tyrannical secretary Baxter, hired by Connie to put an end to all tom-foolery. This is a tragedy for Clarence and he finds an unusual ally in his grandson George, who had been happily rampaging through the grounds with an air rifle. It is not long before there is an outbreak of shooting and wounding. Meanwhile, Freddie is back to ask Clarence to clear his debts, this time pursued by East-End gangsters and a beguiling dancer who takes a fancy to Beach. ‘Sublime comic genius’ Ben Elton ‘You don't analyse such sunlit perfection, you just bask in its warmth and splendour.’ Stephen Fry ‘The funniest writer ever to put words to paper.’ Hugh Laurie ‘P.G. Wodehouse remains the greatest chronicler of a certain kind of Englishness, that no one else has ever captured quite so sharply, or with quite as much wit and affection.’ Julian Fellowes

Seven stories in which well-known characters mix with new acquaintances.

"Nine stories include a crime wave at Blandings Castle; Ukridge appearing on Corky's doorstep at 3 in the morning, wearing his yellow mackintosh and requesting a whisky and soda; and the Oldest Member warning of the folly of driving into the father of the girl you loved"--Publisher's description.

A collection of golf stories from the celebrated satirist: “A delight. Wodehouse’s drives . . . were deadly accurate when writing about the game.” —TheBoston Globe P. G. Wodehouse, Britain’s beloved satirist and author of the famous Jeeves series, often said he wished he’d spent more time playing golf and less “fooling about writing stories and things.” Happily for all of us, the prolific writer often took his pen to the green. In Fore!, Wodehouse expert D. R. Bensen has collected a dozen pieces to delight golfers, those who know them, and even those who have never basked in the ecstasy of a perfect putt—into a collection by this great humorist that is “almost as much fun as playing a round” (The Philadelphia Inquirer). “Sure to please Wodehouse readers and re-readers, even those who’ve never sliced or putted.” —Kirkus Reviews

NOW A MAJOR BBC DRAMA STARRING TIMOTHY SPALL, DAVID WALLIAMS AND JENNIFER SAUNDERS Published to coincide with the star-filled BBC production of Blandings, this superb new anthology sees these celebrated stories together for the first time. Set in the delightfully dysfunctional mess of Blandings Castle these 6 gems follow the trials of poor Earl Emsworth and his beloved pig Empress as they clash with a panoply of friends and family, servants and spongers, bookies and hucksters. And all served up with great lashings of comedy from that rarest of geniuses: P.G. Wodehouse.

Beloved British humorist P.G. Wodehouse produced a wealth of literature in his lengthy career, contributing novels, short stories, plays, lyrics and essays to the canon of comic writing. His work in film and television included two stints as a screenwriter in Hollywood in the 1930s, and his stories have been the basis for more than 150 film and television productions. He also wrote 20 stories and essays about Hollywood, satirizing the city and its entertainment magnates. This book studies P.G. Wodehouse’s extensive, but often overlooked relationship with Tinsel Town. The book is arranged chronologically, covering Wodehouse’s Hollywood career from his early efforts in silent film, to his later contributions in television, to his work adapted posthumously for the screen. Radio is covered as well, including a discussion of his internment in occupied France and his brief appearances on German radio. Reflecting Wodehouse’s international appeal, the book covers Wodehouse films and television in England, Germany, Sweden, and India. Also included are a comprehensive, detailed list of Wodehouse’s stories and articles about Hollywood, and a complete filmography of motion picture and television works to which he contributed or which were based on his stories.

EPISODE 2 IN A MAJOR BBC DRAMA STARRING TIMOTHY SPALL, DAVID WALLIAMS AND JENNIFER SAUNDERS An American family come to stay at Blandings, but Freddie’s attempts to sell them dog-food causes major embarrassment. Connie is desperate to make a good impression on her visiting old school nemesis, Veronica, and her rich American husband, Mr Schoonmaker. She enlists the services of snobbish secretary Mr Baxter to tidy up Blandings, in particular Clarence, who is liberally spreading manure on his roses and causing a stink. Meanwhile, Freddie has fallen madly in love with dog-lover Pandora and attempts to impress her by becoming a dog-food salesman, much to his Aunt Connie’s embarrassment. ‘Sublime comic genius’ Ben Elton ‘You don't analyse such sunlit perfection, you just bask in its warmth and splendour.’ Stephen Fry ‘The funniest writer ever to put words to paper.’ Hugh Laurie ‘P.G. Wodehouse remains the greatest chronicler of a certain kind of Englishness, that no one else has ever captured quite so sharply, or with quite as much wit and affection.’ Julian Fellowes

EPISODE 3 IN A MAJOR BBC DRAMA STARRING TIMOTHY SPALL, DAVID WALLIAMS AND JENNIFER SAUNDERS Disaster at the annual fete at Blandings Castle. It is the annual fete at Blandings Castle, and Connie will again force Clarence to wear a miserable top-hat and make a speech. To top it off, he is banned from picking his favourite flowers by terrifying head-gardener McAllister. However, Clarence befriends Gladys and Ern, two cheeky school-children who encourage him to do what he wants. Connie is of course scandalised, and brings her howitzers to bear on the ghastly intruders. Freddie - needing to tap his old man for some cash - tries to help Clarence and the children and inevitably makes everything worse. ‘Sublime comic genius’ Ben Elton ‘You don't analyse such sunlit perfection, you just bask in its warmth and splendour.’ Stephen Fry ‘The funniest writer ever to put words to paper.’ Hugh Laurie ‘P.G. Wodehouse remains the greatest chronicler of a certain kind of Englishness, that no one else has ever captured quite so sharply, or with quite as much wit and affection.’ Julian Fellowes