The Waterloo Bridge Handicap ~ Leonard Rossiter (1978)

Each weekday morning, a group of commuters on the 8.15 from Surbiton race each other from Waterloo station to the north side of Waterloo Bridge. On this particular morning, Charles Barker (Leonard Rossiter), the favourite, is confident of winning. As the train enters the station Barker is on the wrong side of the carriage and subsequently sets off in 6th place behind Red Hair (G.B. Zoot Money), The City Gents, Likely Lady (Lynda Bellingham), Lincoln's Inn (Ian Marter) and Austin Reed (John Quentin). Barker makes his way through the field and is delighted to see his opponents fall by the wayside -- but he's not prepared for the late run of newcomer Chubby Chap (Gordon Kaye). The film is narrated throughout by Rossiter and horse-racing commentary is provided by Brough Scott.

Cast

Leonard Rossiter: Charles Barker
Gorden Kaye: Chubby Chap
Lynda Bellingham: Likely Lady
Patricia Hodge: Gossiping girl
John Quentin: Austin Reed
Brough Scott: Commentator

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Leonard Rossiter
• Rising Damp
• Reginald Perrin
• Waterloo Bridge
• John Cunningham
• Glasgow

[innit27]

brough scott sounds about 12

[pcam100]

Fantastic! - Thankyou so much for uploading this film. I only every saw it once at the cinema in the early 80's and have always wanted to see it again. It is a pity that the opening sequence is missing. As I remember it, the Rossiter character waits for the very last second to board the train and jumps on as the doors are closing so his back is against the door and he will be first off at Waterloo. He then spots the other players and he gives a brief rundown of their form. It is brilliant.

[JadeeyBabeey1011]

Good old uncle Leonard :) xxx

[shakespearo]

Wow - I've been looking for this for years, having seen it on TV in the early 8os.  Thanks so much. If only it were released on DVD I'd willingly pay for it!

[atoff]

I've been waiting years to see this film again. I wish I could remeber what film it was the trailer for. There is a bit missing at the start because i remember him assessing his competitors whilst on the station platform, he was determined to be the last one on. Amazing to see it again after all these years, thanks for the upload.

[macronencer]

Very grateful for the upload - I've yearned to see this film again for years! Shame the opening credits are missing though. At least, I think they are. Wasn't there an opening scene where he's trying to get a good position on the train?

[slhgina]

Saw this as a trailer film at the cinema in the late 70s, and have been looking for it online for years..... thanks for posting it, was great to see it again!

[iangoodfella]

I wonder if Frank Skinner and Team have seen this? He's always banging on about Pedestrian Racing on his Absolute Radio Podcast. Anyone else heard it?