The Old Men at the Zoo 1983
Director: Stuart Burge
Writers: Troy Kennedy-Martin, Angus Wilson (from his novel)
Rôle: Dr Emile Englander
Broadcast: 15 September 1983 - 13 October 1983 BBCTV
Synopsis: A satirical series set in a zoo, which is plunged into a crisis when a giraffe called Smokey kills an assistant keeper.
Comment: Marius plays the eccentric head of the reptile house. His first scene, set in the zoo's canteen, is hilarious as he sings a song about the death of Filson, the assistant keeper in the giraffe house. "On top of old Smokey, all covered in snow, they found bits of Filson, the lad he laid low".
Trivia: Marius once again wears that large, oval pinkish ring that he has worn in many film and TV roles. Also, in a scene set in Dr Englander's office you see a framed photo on a cabinet of a young Englander in Nazi uniform. This is actually a photo of Marius as Stormtroop Leader Fritz Gerte from Pastor Hall.
Availability: Episodes available through YouTube.
