Dinner for One (1963)

As a Brit working working in Sweden in the early 1980's, I first saw this hilarious sketch there and subsequently in Denmark. I knew of Freddie Frinton from the U.K. in music hall and TV performances but was totally unaware of the sketch's existence. I'm sure it would also be become a New Year institution in the U.K. if it was "introduced" there and made available on DVD. I believe there would also be a market for Germans and Scandinavians living outside those countries.I have Danish friends in the U.S.A. who would love to have a DVD of this. Does anyone know of a source, presumably in Germany, of the DVD shown on this site? Or maybe I have missed a link to such a site?!Roy Hindle

During preparations for Thanksgiving a few years back, my dad noticed that no one had made any candied yams. Fine, we bought a can, warmed them up and set them out. Nobody touched them, pa included. "Why," we asked, "did you insist on the yams?" Simple--tradition. With Thanksgiving you need candied yams.And with New Years in central Europe, you need "Dinner for One." That people here love it, is clear. *Why* they love it is an absolute mystery. I honestly believe that it is enjoyed primarily because it is tradition -- it is beloved, so people love it. Being married to a German, I have now seen this short at least five times; I *have* laughed during it. Of course, I can pretend to like yams, too.The film relies entirely on the clownish antics of the protagonist, Freddie Frinton, as he steadily drinks himself into oblivion. Purely pie-in-the-mush humor here, with gags that were old when the film was made forty years ago. Neither is Frinton a genius of physical comedy, his timing truly hit-and-miss in the skit.If you are from central Europe, you have already seen this film. Otherwise, spare yourself the bother.

Well, in my opinion this is just a great movie, even though it s rather old...what can I say...it is just perfect. I watched it about 5-10 times (and I only discovered it half a year ago) and still I can laugh...and it cheers me up. It also is a good party / new year's eve movie, I think.Everybody should watch this at least one in their lifetime...or you'll miss a true masterpiece of cinematic work.Hm, I guess there's nothing more to say, really...you gotta watch it. But in order to make this comment fit the IMDb guidelines...I had to add this last line.

Even here in Australia one is not spared the ritual of "Dinner for One".For many years SBS (the multi language public broadcaster here) has shown "Dinner for One" on New Year's Eve.The version that is shown is the 1963 German TV version with English subtitles for the German introduction. (Although for some reason they have edited out the Heinz Piper's German explanation of the English dialogue!)It remains a simple pleasure to be savoured each year!