Andrew Sachs is the only cast member of Falwty Towers to use his character outside the actual
television shows (with the expection of John Cleese who made a brief appearance on 'Not the Nine
o'clock News' as Basil Fawlty). As we have already mentioned in
the Audio section of the Fawltographies, Andrew Sachs provided the linking material on most of
the Fawlty Towers soundtracks, but he has taken his role as Manuel even further than that.
Andrew Sachs has released four singles as Manuel, the first was 'Manuels Good Food Guide' in
1977 which came in a picture sleeve with Manuel on the cover, Andrew Sachs also had a hand in
writing (or adapting) the lyrics. This was followed in 1979 by 'O Cheryl' with 'Ode to England'
on the B side. This was recorded under the name 'Manuel and Los Por Favors'. Andrew Sachs shares
the writing credits for the B side with B. Wade, who also wrote the A side.
In 1981 Manuel released a cover version of Joe Dolce's UK number one 'Shaddap You Face'
also called 'Shaddap You Face' with 'Waiter, there's a Flea in my Soup' on the B side. Andrew Sachs adapted
'Shaddap You Face' into Spanish, but was prevented from releasing it before Joe Dolce's version
by a court injunction. When finally released it reached 138 in the UK Chart.
Joe Dolce remarked that Manuels cover version of his single was his third favourite cover
version behind and Aboriginal version (which he helped write with an Aboriginal elder) and an
Italian version which Joe Dolce informs us is "out of this world".
More details on these singles can be found in the Fawltographies.
If you have any information on Manuel's fourth single or further information on any of Manuels solo work, please e-mail basil.fawlty@btinternet.com
TELEVISION ADVERTS
In the character Manuel, Andrew Sachs has made a least three set of adverts. One was in the UK
for 'The Halifax Building Society', one in Australia for wine and one in New Zealand for 'Polycell'.
The Australian wine advert was made in the early 80's and was for a wine called 'Carte D'or'.
Manuel appears as a waiter who is asked for a bottle of Carte D'or, but does not understand
what the customer is saying. After several attempts Manuel disappears saying "si, si".
Out of sight the sound of wrenching metal is heard, and returns with a door ripped off a car, he
explains, "see I bring you car door!" The wine is now no longer available, despite Manuels
performance. (This information supplied by Peter Hobbins)
At the moment we are unable to bring you any further information on the other two adverts.
STAGE PERFORMANCES
Andrew Sachs most important solo appearance as Manuel was at 'The Secret Policeman's Third Ball'
in aid of Amnesty International, staged at the London Palladium, England, from the 26th - 29th March 1987. Andrew Sachs performed
a monologue about England, a shortened version of the song 'Ode to England', before being shouted
off the stage by Alf Garnett (Actor Warren Mitchell). The monologue is not included in the original
video of the show, but is included in the book and on the soundtrack album. Further details can be found
in the Fawltographies, and a transcript of his monologue appears below or to download it click on
icon below.
© Amnesty International, Photographics by Davies and Starr
| Of all the countries in the world
|
| There's only one for me
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| Where a man can live and work and play
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| A country of the free
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| I speak of England's green and pleasant land
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| Just next door to France
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| I've been here an long long time
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| Not days, not weeks - but months
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| England! My England
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| I sing of you with pride
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| And Scotland which is at the top
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| And Wales on the lefthand side
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| And there's Ireland....
|
 ODE TO ENGLAND 321K
|
To find out more about Amnesty International click on the logo
FAWLTY YEARS ON
In September, October, November and December of 2000 Andrew Sachs appeared in a show entitles 'Fawlty Years on' the synopsis below discribes the content of this show.
Andrew Sachs demonstrate a dozen ways to survive the pain and pleasure of being a Spanish waiter. He and Victor Sangiorgio have concocted a show to make you laugh one minute and touch your soul the next...There are memories of Manuel - of course! - but there's also a performance of Tennyson's powerful yet tender epic poem Enoch Arden. In between, we'll dip into other classic verse, invite you to groan at some terrible doggerel, get groovy with Gershwin, bewitched by Beethoven, and thrill to a great short story...or two.
GUEST APPEARANCES
As well as 'The Sccret Policeman's Third Ball' Andrew Sachs has also made several guest appearances
as Manuel at business conferences, for charity and for private partys at hotels. These include appearances
at an IBM conference in Marbella and at the Bath Spa Hotel, Bath, England, where guests paid £600
to be served by manuel.
THE FUTURE
Last heard there were plans being hatched by Andrew Sachs for a new series based around Manuel
, but staring Andrew Sachs's son in the lead role. These plans do not appear to have come to anything
yet, but we will let you know should we hear anything.