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Frequently Asked Questions

Well, this website has been running for awhile now, and the e-mail I've recieved has been amazing - both in quality and sheer quantity. So, though I love reading the friendly sort of e-mail composed by chaps interested in Bertie & Jeeves and the lot, I thought I might clear up a couple of the most frequently asked questions. Not a particularly novel idea, I know... you see FAQ's all over the place. So, let's dig our teeth in, shall we? Most questions tend to be about the music, so we'll start there.

Where can I listen to music from "Jeeves & Wooster?"
Right here! Since the soundtrack is long out of print and impossible to find, I'd made mp3 files available on The Soundtrack Page.

Is the CD really out of print?
Very. There have been few CD's in the history of the Earth that have been as out of print as this one is. I've looked for years upon years with many methods and never found it. People who've e-mailed me have had similar problems. However, I did once hear from someone who found it - the copy I own is a CD-R of their's. If you're still unconvinced, here's the CD info:

Title: The World of Jeeves and Wooster
Featuring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie
Music by Anne Dudley, Words by Clive Exton
Label: EMI (Catalog number CDP 7 99010 2)


Can you send me a copy of the CD?
Sadly, I get way too many requests to do this sort of thing. Really, the mp3's are great! Take the time to download them.

Where can I get sheet music?
All the information I could find was that none had ever been printed, but I've been proven wrong and you can now get images here. Also, much of the music used in the programme was actually period music that you may be able to purchase. Here is a List of Songs used in the show with their corresponding composers and publishers to start you out.

Is that really Hugh Laurie singing?
Yes siree. And in the television shows he's the one playing the piano as well. He also writes a great novel. Probably can cook well too...

How can I watch/buy the shows?
It depends highly on which part of the world you live in. All information I have is collected on the Television and Videos Page. This is far from complete, so please (please) e-mail me with more information if you have it.

What are the words to "47 Ginger-headed sailors?"
I've no idea why this is such a popular question. As far as I can tell:

As Sung By Hugh Laurie As Performed by Jack Hylton
Now there's a good ship,
H.M.S. Cock-Robin.
On her home trip,
Up and down she's bobbin'
Oh the crew's pretty tough.
The sea is so rough.
They're all fed up and say
That they've had more than enough.

She's got a father
He's an able seaman
And they call him Redhead Tom

I wire to say I'll meet you
And with your friends I'll treat you
So who do you think I've had a message from?

Forty-seven ginger-headed sailors
Coming home across the briney sea
When the anchor's weighed
And the jouney's made
Yes they'll start the party
With a heave-ho, me-hearty

Forty-seven ginger-headed sailors
You can bet you're going to hear them when they hail us
An old maid down in Devon
Said my idea of heaven
Is forty-seven ginger-headed sailors!
Now there's a good ship,
H.M.S. Cock-Robin.
On her home trip,
Up and down she's bobbin'
So the crew's pretty tough.
The weather's so rough.
They're all fed up and say
That they've had more than enough.

I've got a brother
He's an able seaman
And they call him Redhead Tom

I wire to say I'll meet you
And with your pals I'll treat you
So who do you think I've had a message from?

Forty-seven ginger-headed sailors
Coming home across the briney sea
When the anchor's weighed
And the jouney's made
Then they'll start the party
With a heave-ho, me-hearty

When there's Forty-seven ginger-headed sailors
You can bet you're going to hear them when they hail us
And as they step ashore
There'll be one mighty roar
For forty-seven ginger-headed sailors!


An old maid down in Devon
Said my idea of heaven
Is forty-seven ginger-headed sailors!

Where are all those great mansions they filmed in?
Totleigh Towers was filmed at Highclere Castle near Newbury in Berkshire.
Other than that, they were mostly in the Home Counties, London, but I have no specifics. (Thanks to "Stinker" Pinker himself, Simon Treves, and many others for pointing this out) I'm hoping to put up some pictures on a page so that people who recognize the other locations could e-mail me. But, until then, please E-Mail Me with anything you know!

What Jeeves books should I read?
Well, you should read them all, but this gets a bit complicated. There are the short stories, and there are the novels. Most of the short stories come before the novels, but there are exceptions of course.
I've created a special Jeeves Books Section for just this subject.

Are the PBS Videos of the first series different from the A&E ones?
Yes. There is a whole different scene that introduces the series in the A&E videos (And DVDs) - namely, Bertie's trial on boatrace night. This was cut from the versions that aired on Masterpiece Theatre and were published on their videos. The question then pops up "What else has Masterpiece Theatre done?" The answer is "Not much." With some the help of some chaps on the internet we've determined that there are some bits of scenes that were cut slightly (for instance, Bertie's reaction to Jeeves' pick-me-up concoction, or footage of Bertie walking down the street), but the courtroom scene seems to be the only scene removed completely by PBS's editors. These scenes are restored both on A&E's DVD and VHS release of the first series.

Is that the Jeeves & Wooster theme in Mickey Blue Eyes?
Yes. Mickey Blue Eyes fetures the entire Jeeves and Wooster theme during a scene or two. Unfortunately, the song is not on the soundtrack. The movie itself is very funny, but one of those one where one sits in the theatre wincing at the painful actions taken by the characters.

Why does a certain part of the website not work?
or
I'm pretty sure you're wrong about some piece of information.

Most likely, I've messed up. I'm not a J&W messiah or anything. I have no inside-information and just kind of wing it. Also, I write this in Windows' Notepad, so it doesn't get processed much... I do, however, love friendly e-mail giving me tips, so E-mail me and I'll fix it!

Come on, really, where can I find the CD? It can't be that hard to find. You must have some inside information on how to get it!
Sorry to say, I really don't. I am just an average chap running a website, not a rare CD store or anything. I wish you the best of luck in your searches (And if you find two, I'll buy one from you!).

Copyright © 1997-2001 Derek Keevil the World Famous Hat Sharpener