In Germany, but also in Austria, the broadcast of the classic has long been part of the New Year’s Eve tradition (this year on December 31st at 11:20 p.m. on ORF 1). You can’t start the New Year without “Dinner for One” – true to the now famous motto “The Same Procedure as Every Year”. However, the sketch did not have its German TV premiere on New Year’s Eve, but in March.
The black and white production with the two actors Freddie Frinton and May Warden was first broadcast on March 8, 1963 on the program “Good Evening, Peter Frankenfeld”. The likeable butler James and his mistress Miss Sophie were so well received by the German audience that “Dinner for One or The 90th Birthday” was recorded in English in Hamburg on NDR a few weeks later. Frinton had been performing the sketch in England for more than ten years with changing partners.
Watch the New Year’s Eve classic here:
Unknown in his home country for decades
The mini-theater piece found more and more fans over the years. However, “Dinner for One” was not established as a New Year’s Eve tradition until 1972. Since then it has only been shown at the turn of the year and no longer just to fill program gaps on German television. The sketch also had fans in many other countries – only in Frinton’s home country did the performance remain unknown for decades.
The story: Miss Sophie wants to celebrate her 90th birthday with her friends in the old tradition. All men. However, they have long since passed away. No reason to cancel the party. So the butler – as every year – takes on the roles of Sir Toby, Admiral von Schneider, Mr. Pommeroy and Mr. Winterbottom at the festive table. However, he only steps in to toast the fantasy guests. Stomach-filling food – namely soup, haddock, chicken and fruit – is only available for Miss Sophie. James is correspondingly tipsy following the second, third and fourth round – no wonder following four glasses of sherry, white wine, champagne and port.
2120 Euro Gage
So he stumbles unerringly – eleven times in total – over the tiger skin lying in the way, breaks his heels during the military salute from Admiral von Schneider and at one point even drinks from the flower vase. Language skills and a dignified demeanor noticeably decline.
The well-known duo didn’t make the sketch rich. According to NDR, they received 4,150 marks (at today’s exchange rate 2,120 euros) for it.
