Dinner for One (1963 TV Short)

Freddie Frinton: James

Quotes 

• [last lines] 

  James : By the way... Same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?

  Miss Sophie : Same procedure as every year, James.

  James : [hesitates]  Well, I'll do my very best!

  [They rush up the stairs to the bedroom] 

• James : Ooh, I'll kill that cat!

• James : Sugar in the morning!

• James the Butler : Must I, Miss Sophie?

  Miss Sophie : James... please!

• [at the end of the dinner] 

  Miss Sophie (starting to rise) : I think I'll retire.

  James : Are you going to bed? Sit down, Madam, I'll help you up!

• James : [as Mr Winterbottom, now affected by what he has drunk so far]  Here's to one of the nicest little women... *hic!*... one of the nicest little WOMEN!... that's ever breathed... ever breathed...

  [James hesitates, then looks closely at Miss Sophie for a moment] 

  James : [after partly composing himself]  ... ever breathed. I now declare this bazaar open, and so forth.

  [James drinks Mr. Winterbottom's drink and belches loudly] 

• James : [impersonating Mr Pommeroy]  Happy New Year, Sophie dear!

• [after having served the second round of drinks, the alcohol is starting to take effect on James] 

  Miss Sophie : Mr Winterbottom?

  James : [somewhat slurring]  Well, here we are again old love, here's to me and thee...

  [James goes to drink but stops suddenly] 

  James : By gum... you look younger than ever, love. Younger than ever!

  [James cackles cheekily then downs Mr Winterbottom's drink] 

• Miss Sophie : Sir Toby?

  James : [rough voice]  Cheerio, Miss Sophie!

  [James downs Sir Toby's drink then moves to Admiral von Schneider's seat] 

  Miss Sophie : Admiral von Schneider?

  James : [reluctantly]  Must I say it this year, Miss Sophie?

  Miss Sophie : [insistently]  Just to please me, James.

  James : [nodding]  Just to please you, very good, yes.

  [James grabs von Schneider's cup] 

  James : [German accent]  Scholl!

  [James clicks his heels, winces, downs von Schneider's drink, then moves to Mr Pommeroy's seat] 

  Miss Sophie : Mr Pommeroy?

  James : [high-pitched bubbly voice]  Happy New Year, Sophie girl!

  [James downs Mr Pommeroy's drink, then moves to Mr Winterbottom's seat] 

  Miss Sophie : And dear Mr Winterbottom.

  James : [fast-paced Yorkshire accent]  Well, here we are again, old love. Here's to me and thee, lass.

• James : Scholl!