Fawlty Towers Quotes

In such a scenario, you can expect that the type of language used in the program is not the usual casual one but one which is aimed at leaving you in stitches. There are various conversations that took place in the twelve episode sitcom which would otherwise not pass any critical ear. The humor and message delivery used in the conversations is not only powerful but the light touch is also the type which adds flavor to the whole presentation.

In some other times, music has been used as the background form of noise whenever the message delivery was on going. The most captivating quotes from this sitcom are those between Sybil and her husband Basil. They bring out the stark differences between man and wife’s managerial capabilities. The husband comes out as an insensitive and thoughtless manager who’s always on the wife’s receiving end. From his conversations, he does not come out as a smart man, and neither do the conversations show him trying to put in any effort to change the perception of things. This is what triggers insults from his much smarter wife.

The following is a quote of their conversation:
[Classical music is playing in the background. Basil is putting up a picture. Sybil walks in.]
Sybil: Don't forget the menu.
Basil: I beg your pardon?
Sybil: Don't forget the menu.
Basil: I thought you said you want— Right! I'll do the menu!
[Puts down the picture, walks over to a typewriter and sits down.]
Sybil: You could have had them both done by now if you hadn't spent the whole morning skulking in there listening to that racket.
Basil: Racket? That's Brahms! Brahms' Third Racket!

The following is another excerpt from Basil’s conversation with one of his guests, one who he doesn’t like much though he prefers not to show it for the business’s sake. The guest is major Gowen who is accompanied by Mrs. Peignoir.

Basil: Did you ever see that film, "How to Murder Your Wife"?
Major Gowen: "How to Murder Your Wife"?
Basil: Yes, awfully good. I saw it six times.

Basil: Always reminds me of somebody machine-gunning a seal.
Major Gowen: The heat?
Basil: No, no. My wife's laugh.

Basil: [about Sybil's laughter] Please don't alarm yourself, it's only my wife laughing. I'm afraid her local finishing school was bombed.
Mrs. Peignoir: [shocked] Oh dear!
Basil: No, no, not really. Just a thought. Well now, what can I get you?
Mrs. Peignoir: Do you have any Ricard?
Basil: [confused] I'm sorry?
Mrs. Peignoir: Any Ricard?
Basil: [unsure what Ricard is, he pretends to check the bar] uh, we're just out of it, I think...

 

From the above quotes it is clear that the main cast is not in any way trying to redeem his image through his conversation. The following is another between him and his wife.
Sybil: You're going to wear that jacket, are you?
Basil: Yes I am, thank you dear, yes.
Sybil: You just haven't a clue, have you?
Basil: You wouldn't understand, dear - it's called 'style'.
From: Series 1: The Builders