The Odd Job
Encyclopedia
The Odd Job is a 1978 British
comedy film starring Graham Chapman
(who previously starred in Monty Python's Flying Circus
). It tells the story of a man named Arthur Harris (Chapman) who is recently abandoned by his wife. He becomes so depressed
that he hires an "odd job man" to kill him. Once his wife returns, Harris finds himself unable to cancel the contract.
The concept was originally made as an episode of the London Weekend Television
/ITV
series 6 Dates With Barker in 1971, with Ronnie Barker
as Arthur Harris and David Jason
as the Odd Job Man (who plays the same role in the feature film).
The role of the odd job man was originally intended for Chapman's friend, Keith Moon
, but Moon was going through alcohol withdrawal at the time and in no real physical shape to play the part, although he did audition.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
comedy film starring Graham Chapman
Graham Chapman
Graham Arthur Chapman was a British comedian, physician, writer, actor, and one of the six members of the Monty Python comedy troupe.-Early life and education:...
(who previously starred in Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python’s Flying Circus is a BBC TV sketch comedy series. The shows were composed of surreality, risqué or innuendo-laden humour, sight gags and observational sketches without punchlines...
). It tells the story of a man named Arthur Harris (Chapman) who is recently abandoned by his wife. He becomes so depressed
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
that he hires an "odd job man" to kill him. Once his wife returns, Harris finds himself unable to cancel the contract.
The concept was originally made as an episode of the London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
/ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
series 6 Dates With Barker in 1971, with Ronnie Barker
Ronnie Barker
Ronald William George "Ronnie" Barker, OBE was a British actor, comedian, writer, critic, broadcaster and businessman...
as Arthur Harris and David Jason
David Jason
Sir David John White, OBE , better known by his stage name David Jason, is an English BAFTA award-winning actor. He is best known as the main character Derek "Del Boy" Trotter on the BBC sit-com Only Fools and Horses from 1981, the voice of Mr Toad in The Wind In The Willows and as detective Jack...
as the Odd Job Man (who plays the same role in the feature film).
The role of the odd job man was originally intended for Chapman's friend, Keith Moon
Keith Moon
Keith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
, but Moon was going through alcohol withdrawal at the time and in no real physical shape to play the part, although he did audition.