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The Knowledge
- 392 statements
- 76 feature instances
- 24 referencing feature instances
| The Knowledge | type |
TVTItem | |
| The Knowledge | label |
The Knowledge | |
| The Knowledge | page |
TheKnowledge | |
| The Knowledge | comment |
The Knowledge is a 1979 made-for-TV comedy film with a runtime of 89 minutes, written by Jack Rosenthal, about the extremely demanding test of the geography of London, known as "the Knowledge", which must be passed by all those aspiring to drive the famous black London taxis. London is a big place: they have to bone up in their heads a grand total of approximately fifteen thousand, eight hundred and forty-two streets, and the few thousand buildings on those streets, by heart. No other taxi driver in no other city, in no other country in the world has to know a fraction of what they have to know.The film follows the attempts of four working-class "Knowledge boys": the nervous Chris and his crotchety girlfriend Janet, the Nice Jewish Boy Ted, the cocky Gordon, and melancoly "Titantic", as they embark on their marathon quest to pass the Knowledge, which might take a year, or two, or seven, or ten, often to the exclusion of everything else in their lives. To do this, they learn routes (known as "runs") through London, while they ride on mopeds.They regularly have to present themselves for tests, known as "appearances", in which they have to recite "runs" in a manner of Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness such as "The journey from Manor House station to Gibson Square is: left Highbury Grove, right St Paul's Road, comply Highbury Corner, leave by Upper Street, Islington town hall on left, right Theberton Street, Gibson Square." These appearances are conducted by the ultimate Deadpan Snarker, Mr Burgess (played by Nigel Hawthorne), known by the Knowledge boys as "The Vampire", who drills them not only in Knowledge, but their ability to deal with people, who are a very peculiar form of life: compared with people, the Knowledge is a piece of marzipan.There was a theatrical adaptation of The Knowledge, directed by Maureen Lipman (widow of Jack Rosenthal), which had a brief run (no pun intended) at the Charing Cross Theatre: forward Whitehall, comply roundabout, forward Northumberland Avenue, left Villiers Street, set down on left. | |
| The Knowledge | fetched |
2023-07-15T16:58:34Z | |
| The Knowledge | parsed |
2023-07-15T16:58:34Z | |
| The Knowledge | processingComment |
Dropped link to God: Not a Feature - ITEM | |
| The Knowledge | processingComment |
Dropped link to JackOfAllTrades: Not a Feature - ITEM | |
| The Knowledge | processingComment |
Dropped link to TheReasonYouSuck: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN | |
| The Knowledge | processingUnknown |
TheReasonYouSuck | |
| The Knowledge | isPartOf |
DBTropes | |
| The Knowledge / int_111f14e | type |
Proverbial Wisdom | |
| The Knowledge / int_111f14e | comment |
Proverbial Wisdom: A Gunnersbury Park proverb: you'll never drop your pants if you never raise your hat. | |
| The Knowledge / int_111f14e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_111f14e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_111f14e | |
| The Knowledge / int_130436b9 | type |
Annoying Younger Sibling | |
| The Knowledge / int_130436b9 | comment |
Annoying Younger Sibling: Janet's little sister Margaret-Louise catches Janet and Chris smooching when Chris has been banned from Janet's flat. However, having made the Comically Small Demand of a skateboard, Margaret-Louise later becomes an accomplice, when Janet pays her to keep watch for their parents returning. | |
| The Knowledge / int_130436b9 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_130436b9 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_130436b9 | |
| The Knowledge / int_1392fbe7 | type |
Drunk Driver | |
| The Knowledge / int_1392fbe7 | comment |
Drunk Driver: Poor Ted, having been bullied into drinking the day he passes the Knowledge. | |
| The Knowledge / int_1392fbe7 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_1392fbe7 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_1392fbe7 | |
| The Knowledge / int_15184afb | type |
This Loser Is You | |
| The Knowledge / int_15184afb | comment |
This Loser Is You: Chris, at the beginning, who has been unemployed since leaving school, has low self-esteem, and little purpose in life, apart from meeting Janet after work. Janet only rarely shows him affection, and is yelling at him the rest of the time. | |
| The Knowledge / int_15184afb | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_15184afb | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_15184afb | |
| The Knowledge / int_1b60dcba | type |
The Bully | |
| The Knowledge / int_1b60dcba | comment |
The Bully: Gordon, when he bullies the teetotal Ted into drinking on the day he passes the Knowledge. | |
| The Knowledge / int_1b60dcba | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_1b60dcba | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_1b60dcba | |
| The Knowledge / int_1f799027 | type |
Obstructive Bureaucrat | |
| The Knowledge / int_1f799027 | comment |
Obstructive Bureaucrat: The officious young lady at the appointments window. | |
| The Knowledge / int_1f799027 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_1f799027 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_1f799027 | |
| The Knowledge / int_20b5cce7 | type |
"Do It Yourself" Theme Tune | |
| The Knowledge / int_20b5cce7 | comment |
"Do It Yourself" Theme Tune: In the opening and closing credits, a song about "The Knowledge" is sung by Mick Ford, who plays Chris. | |
| The Knowledge / int_20b5cce7 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_20b5cce7 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_20b5cce7 | |
| The Knowledge / int_2482df9c | type |
Companion Cube | |
| The Knowledge / int_2482df9c | comment |
Companion Cube: Because Lillian flatly refuses to talk to her husband Titanic, she instead talks to her crinoline lady on the mantelpiece. | |
| The Knowledge / int_2482df9c | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_2482df9c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_2482df9c | |
| The Knowledge / int_2ae7bc4b | type |
Captain Oblivious | |
| The Knowledge / int_2ae7bc4b | comment |
Captain Oblivious: Ted tells a story of how he completely failed to notice a naked woman jogging, because he was too busy clocking points on a run. | |
| The Knowledge / int_2ae7bc4b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_2ae7bc4b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_2ae7bc4b | |
| The Knowledge / int_2b78c29d | type |
And Another Thing... | |
| The Knowledge / int_2b78c29d | comment |
And Another Thing...: Just as Gordon leaves Mr Burgess's office for the last time, Mr Burgess cheerfully asks "tell me something: do they still call me 'the vampire'?". See The Reason You Suck below for the full scene. | |
| The Knowledge / int_2b78c29d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_2b78c29d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_2b78c29d | |
| The Knowledge / int_2c11d835 | type |
Kitchen Sink Drama | |
| The Knowledge / int_2c11d835 | comment |
Kitchen Sink Drama: the background most often shows the less glamourous parts of London, contrary to many films based in London. | |
| The Knowledge / int_2c11d835 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_2c11d835 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_2c11d835 | |
| The Knowledge / int_2cc5703c | type |
Potty Emergency | |
| The Knowledge / int_2cc5703c | comment |
Potty Emergency: Twice, Gordon is desperate for a Jiminy Riddle, after dressing up in his extensive motorcycle leathers. | |
| The Knowledge / int_2cc5703c | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_2cc5703c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_2cc5703c | |
| The Knowledge / int_2dc0d2bf | type |
Hidden Depths | |
| The Knowledge / int_2dc0d2bf | comment |
Hidden Depths: Chris and Janet. Despite his lack of confidence and street wisdom, Chris eventually passes the Knowledge; and despite her sharp tongue, Janet has a kind heart. | |
| The Knowledge / int_2dc0d2bf | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_2dc0d2bf | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_2dc0d2bf | |
| The Knowledge / int_35858a0b | type |
Open the Door and See All the People | |
| The Knowledge / int_35858a0b | comment |
Open the Door and See All the People: When Chris nervously makes his way to the acceptance interview, he knocks timidly at the door of room 12; then opens it, to find a large number of people silently seated in the small room. | |
| The Knowledge / int_35858a0b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_35858a0b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_35858a0b | |
| The Knowledge / int_3b97fb10 | type |
Pursue the Dream Job | |
| The Knowledge / int_3b97fb10 | comment |
Pursue the Dream Job: Being a London cabby, and the marathon of studying which the Knowledge boys have to do for this, for the much-coveted green badge. | |
| The Knowledge / int_3b97fb10 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_3b97fb10 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_3b97fb10 | |
| The Knowledge / int_3d038b36 | type |
Rhetorical Question Blunder | |
| The Knowledge / int_3d038b36 | comment |
Rhetorical Question Blunder | |
| The Knowledge / int_3d038b36 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_3d038b36 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_3d038b36 | |
| The Knowledge / int_41f26c58 | type |
Happy Dance | |
| The Knowledge / int_41f26c58 | comment |
Happy Dance: Just after mastering his first run (with great difficulty), Chris does an exaggerated happy dance in the street, kicking rubbish about, repeatedly yelling "I know the way from Manor House station to Gibson Square!!" Ted also does a happy dance when he passes the Knowledge. | |
| The Knowledge / int_41f26c58 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_41f26c58 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_41f26c58 | |
| The Knowledge / int_4394b4be | type |
Messy Hair | |
| The Knowledge / int_4394b4be | comment |
Messy Hair: Eddie Hairstyle, who is occasionally seen brushing his messy hair. Janet mutters that she wishes he would do something about it, before he becomes her boyfriend. | |
| The Knowledge / int_4394b4be | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_4394b4be | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_4394b4be | |
| The Knowledge / int_463084f4 | type |
Giving Someone the Pointer Finger | |
| The Knowledge / int_463084f4 | comment |
Giving Someone the Pointer Finger: Mr Burgess points his finger at Gordon during is appearance, one of his many tactics to make Knowledge boys uneasy. | |
| The Knowledge / int_463084f4 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_463084f4 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_463084f4 | |
| The Knowledge / int_46d3f869 | type |
Family Business | |
| The Knowledge / int_46d3f869 | comment |
Family Business: Ted is from a family of cabbies: his grandad, his father, his father-in-law, his two brothers; so he sets out to become "the best Margolies who ever pushed a cab". | |
| The Knowledge / int_46d3f869 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_46d3f869 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_46d3f869 | |
| The Knowledge / int_48309ad4 | type |
Screaming Woman | |
| The Knowledge / int_48309ad4 | comment |
Screaming Woman: The Knowledge widows, mourning their husbands who are earnestly discussing which page of the Blue Book they are on. | |
| The Knowledge / int_48309ad4 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_48309ad4 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_48309ad4 | |
| The Knowledge / int_4fc6385e | type |
Unreliable Voiceover | |
| The Knowledge / int_4fc6385e | comment |
Unreliable Voiceover: Chris provides voiceovers, which sometimes do not match what happens on-screen, especially concerning the final fates of the characters. When Margaret Louise interrupts Chris and Janet smooching, Chris's voiceover says that they were discussing the American involvement in Cambodia. On Gordon: On Titanic: | |
| The Knowledge / int_4fc6385e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_4fc6385e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_4fc6385e | |
| The Knowledge / int_569a95e9 | type |
The Teetotaler | |
| The Knowledge / int_569a95e9 | comment |
The Teetotaler: Ted, who doesn't drink, until Gordon bullies him into doing so. | |
| The Knowledge / int_569a95e9 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_569a95e9 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_569a95e9 | |
| The Knowledge / int_583ec33e | type |
Snark-to-Snark Combat | |
| The Knowledge / int_583ec33e | comment |
Snark-to-Snark Combat: Chris and Janet. | |
| The Knowledge / int_583ec33e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_583ec33e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_583ec33e | |
| The Knowledge / int_5ce2c9c6 | type |
Suddenly Shouting | |
| The Knowledge / int_5ce2c9c6 | comment |
Suddenly Shouting: Mr Burgess goads Ted into shouting during his first appearance, by pretending to be "a little hard of hearing". | |
| The Knowledge / int_5ce2c9c6 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_5ce2c9c6 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_5ce2c9c6 | |
| The Knowledge / int_5d753b19 | type |
The Smurfette Principle | |
| The Knowledge / int_5d753b19 | comment |
The Smurfette Principle: Among the Knowledge boys, there is one Knowledge girl, Miss Stavely. She has little role in the film, apart from smiling at Chris. In the theatrical adaptation, she has a bigger role. | |
| The Knowledge / int_5d753b19 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_5d753b19 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_5d753b19 | |
| The Knowledge / int_5ff56a1f | type |
Long List | |
| The Knowledge / int_5ff56a1f | comment |
Long List: Mr Burgess lists the buildings the Knowledge boys have to know. | |
| The Knowledge / int_5ff56a1f | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_5ff56a1f | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_5ff56a1f | |
| The Knowledge / int_602ac1f9 | type |
World's Shortest Book | |
| The Knowledge / int_602ac1f9 | comment |
World's Shortest Book: Titanic says that he could write a book on happiness, which would be be the cheapest book on the market, with no pages in it. | |
| The Knowledge / int_602ac1f9 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_602ac1f9 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_602ac1f9 | |
| The Knowledge / int_61e3b6ae | type |
It's a Small World, After All | |
| The Knowledge / int_61e3b6ae | comment |
It's a Small World, After All: Chris lampshades this, as he runs into Gordon leaving his mistress's house late at night, instead of being out on the Knowledge. | |
| The Knowledge / int_61e3b6ae | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_61e3b6ae | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_61e3b6ae | |
| The Knowledge / int_6375f746 | type |
Drill Sergeant Nasty | |
| The Knowledge / int_6375f746 | comment |
Drill Sergeant Nasty: Mr Burgess the "vampire", in a deadpan fashion. He makes no secret of how difficult the Knowledge is, and goes out of his way to make the Knowledge boys feel uncomfortable during their appearances, which even reduces the cocky Gordon Weller to silence. He eventually explains his reasoning (see "The Reason You Suck" Speech), but only after giving Gordon a very hard time. | |
| The Knowledge / int_6375f746 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_6375f746 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_6375f746 | |
| The Knowledge / int_643659d4 | type |
Spit Take | |
| The Knowledge / int_643659d4 | comment |
Spit Take: Gordon spits out his drink when Ted mentions that he is on page 25 (out of the 26-page marathon task). | |
| The Knowledge / int_643659d4 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_643659d4 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_643659d4 | |
| The Knowledge / int_65bc92fc | type |
Four-Temperament Ensemble | |
| The Knowledge / int_65bc92fc | comment |
Four-Temperament Ensemble: Phlegmatic: Chris. Sanguine: Ted. Choleric: Gordon. Melancolic: Titanic. | |
| The Knowledge / int_65bc92fc | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_65bc92fc | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_65bc92fc | |
| The Knowledge / int_69718ac9 | type |
Romantic Spoonfeeding | |
| The Knowledge / int_69718ac9 | comment |
Romantic Spoonfeeding: Janet does this in the opening scene, when she is persuading Chris to take up the Knowledge. | |
| The Knowledge / int_69718ac9 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_69718ac9 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_69718ac9 | |
| The Knowledge / int_6a6e2a10 | type |
Don't Call Me "Sir" | |
| The Knowledge / int_6a6e2a10 | comment |
Don't Call Me "Sir": Inverted in that Mr Burgess says "if any of you wishes to call me 'sir', I shall try not to be offended"; and thereafter, they mostly do call him sir. | |
| The Knowledge / int_6a6e2a10 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_6a6e2a10 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_6a6e2a10 | |
| The Knowledge / int_71105dfc | type |
Everybody Smokes | |
| The Knowledge / int_71105dfc | comment |
Everybody Smokes: As they did in the 1970s, especially indoors; many characters are seen smoking, especially at home. | |
| The Knowledge / int_71105dfc | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_71105dfc | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_71105dfc | |
| The Knowledge / int_71152dd | type |
One Dialogue, Two Conversations | |
| The Knowledge / int_71152dd | comment |
One Dialogue, Two Conversations: A very stilted conversation between Ted and Titanic, who is not used to conversation, because of his silent wife. | |
| The Knowledge / int_71152dd | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_71152dd | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_71152dd | |
| The Knowledge / int_7360806f | type |
In-Series Nickname | |
| The Knowledge / int_7360806f | comment |
In-Series Nickname: Mr Burgess is known by the Knowledge boys as "The Vampire". Most of the boys despise him, although Chris seems to develop an affection for him towards the end. The melancoly middle-aged Knowledge boy Mr Walters is known as "Titanic"; because his wife reckons he's a disaster. | |
| The Knowledge / int_7360806f | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_7360806f | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_7360806f | |
| The Knowledge / int_77195de1 | type |
Contagious Laughter | |
| The Knowledge / int_77195de1 | comment |
Contagious Laughter: During one of Chris's appearances, Mr Burgess starts deliberately laughing hysterically, while Chris is trying and failing to keep a straight face; then he instantly switches to his usual serious manner with "something amusing you, Mr Matthews?". | |
| The Knowledge / int_77195de1 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_77195de1 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_77195de1 | |
| The Knowledge / int_7719cf90 | type |
It Began with a Twist of Fate | |
| The Knowledge / int_7719cf90 | comment |
It Began with a Twist of Fate: When Janet's sister Margaret Louise demands a skateboard, Chris and Janet see one advertised second-hand, and on their way from buying it, they wander into a cafe populated by "Knowledge boys", earnestly discussing their subject. Janet persuades Chris to apply for The Knowledge, without him knowing what it really is. | |
| The Knowledge / int_7719cf90 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_7719cf90 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_7719cf90 | |
| The Knowledge / int_86288daf | type |
Cactus Cushion | |
| The Knowledge / int_86288daf | comment |
Cactus Cushion: During the closing credits, Mr Burgess impales himself on a cactus in his office. | |
| The Knowledge / int_86288daf | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_86288daf | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_86288daf | |
| The Knowledge / int_863fac26 | type |
Jerk Jock | |
| The Knowledge / int_863fac26 | comment |
Jerk Jock: Gordon, who is cocky and over-confident, a serial philanderer, and bullies Ted into drinking the day he gets his green badge. He also thinks he is above the law, as Mr Burgess points out to him. | |
| The Knowledge / int_863fac26 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_863fac26 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_863fac26 | |
| The Knowledge / int_919a622 | type |
Driver of a Black Cab | |
| The Knowledge / int_919a622 | comment |
Driver of a Black Cab: The aspiration of all the Knowledge boys. | |
| The Knowledge / int_919a622 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_919a622 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_919a622 | |
| The Knowledge / int_96251156 | type |
Deer in the Headlights | |
| The Knowledge / int_96251156 | comment |
Deer in the Headlights: Titanic, during his first appearance, staring fixedly at Mr Burgess, his eyes full of terror. | |
| The Knowledge / int_96251156 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_96251156 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_96251156 | |
| The Knowledge / int_9d12bbc1 | type |
Foreshadowing | |
| The Knowledge / int_9d12bbc1 | comment |
Foreshadowing: At the very beginning, when Chris and Janet wander into the Knowledge boys' cafe, they are carrying a skateboard: see It Began with a Twist of Fate below. Mr Burgess tells them that run number one on page number one is Manor House Station to Gibson Square: not that anybody's ever wanted to go from Manor House to Gibson Square, but they have to know how to. At the end, one of Chris's passengers asks to make that very journey, to Chris's astonishment. The viewer is reminded of this first run by a voiceover shortly before this scene. Mr Burgess has this warning for Knowledge boys with a criminal past, present or future: "If your hobby is mugging old ladies, or driving a vehicle with a gallon of martinis inside you and a cherry on your head, go into politics, not cab driving; because one conviction EVER... and you're back in the bus queue". Later, Ted is disqualified for drink driving. | |
| The Knowledge / int_9d12bbc1 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_9d12bbc1 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_9d12bbc1 | |
| The Knowledge / int_a00c13e0 | type |
Awesome Moment of Crowning | |
| The Knowledge / int_a00c13e0 | comment |
Awesome Moment of Crowning: Inverted when Chris gets his green badge, noting that after three years of hard grafting, there is no fanfare of trumpets, no choir of angels, nothing. | |
| The Knowledge / int_a00c13e0 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_a00c13e0 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_a00c13e0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_a03509ce | type |
You Have No Idea Who You're Dealing With | |
| The Knowledge / int_a03509ce | comment |
You Have No Idea Who You're Dealing With: Just after the acceptance interview, Ted eagerly tries to impress Mr Burgess with his family tree of cabbies. | |
| The Knowledge / int_a03509ce | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_a03509ce | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_a03509ce | |
| The Knowledge / int_a458ae3d | type |
The Notable Numeral | |
| The Knowledge / int_a458ae3d | comment |
The Notable Numeral: Mr Burgess's pearls of wisdom are awash with numbers. There's not one page, there's twenty-six; not one run on each page, as eighteen; so that's four hundred and sixty-eight runs altogether. Which means that the amount of macaroni you have to bone up in your head, Mr Weller, is a grand total of approximately fifteen thousand, eight hundred and forty-two streets. And the few thousand buildings on those streets. By heart. Now don't blame me: Knowledge goes back three hundred and fifty years, slightly before my time. I'll tell you a little secret: seven out of the ten of you sitting here today will never make it. Your next appearance will be in fifty-six days' time; eventually, if you're still with us, it will be every twenty-eight days; finally, every fourteen. There are only sixty suburbs in London. If you're a genius, it might take a year. On the other hand, it might take two, or seven, or ten. If it looks as if it's taking longer than that, I should pack it in and have a go at ballet dancing. | |
| The Knowledge / int_a458ae3d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_a458ae3d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_a458ae3d | |
| The Knowledge / int_ae3d6438 | type |
Deadpan Snarker | |
| The Knowledge / int_ae3d6438 | comment |
Deadpan Snarker: Mr Burgess, in spades. Also Janet. | |
| The Knowledge / int_ae3d6438 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_ae3d6438 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_ae3d6438 | |
| The Knowledge / int_aed65980 | type |
All for Nothing | |
| The Knowledge / int_aed65980 | comment |
All for Nothing: The day he receives his green badge, Ted is charged with drunk driving, and disqualified from cab driving. It is also revealed he lost his job at a laundry the same day. | |
| The Knowledge / int_aed65980 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_aed65980 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_aed65980 | |
| The Knowledge / int_b53077b3 | type |
Take That! | |
| The Knowledge / int_b53077b3 | comment |
Take That!: Janet delivers a particularly nasty insult to Chris, given that she bullied him into doing the Knowledge. | |
| The Knowledge / int_b53077b3 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_b53077b3 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_b53077b3 | |
| The Knowledge / int_b5b4b077 | type |
The Ace | |
| The Knowledge / int_b5b4b077 | comment |
The Ace: Ted, who passes the Knowledge in a record thirteen and three-quarter months. | |
| The Knowledge / int_b5b4b077 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_b5b4b077 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_b5b4b077 | |
| The Knowledge / int_b77808f2 | type |
"Where Are They Now?" Epilogue | |
| The Knowledge / int_b77808f2 | comment |
"Where Are They Now?" Epilogue: In the closing credits, a brief montage of each of the main characters is seen, hinting at their futures: Mr Burgess in his office, accidentally pricking himself on a potted cactus. Chris at the wheel of of a cab, stuck in traffic. Janet looking pregnant, inspecting prams in a shop. Ted memorising routes, with a map of Tel Aviv in the background. Titanic at the wheel of a cab, yelling at a woman on a bicycle. Gordon hanging up his milkman's hat, and walking in on his wife Brenda, who waves at him, while hugging somebody else. | |
| The Knowledge / int_b77808f2 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_b77808f2 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_b77808f2 | |
| The Knowledge / int_bb0197af | type |
Cool Bike | |
| The Knowledge / int_bb0197af | comment |
Cool Bike: Inverted in that the bikes ridden by the Knowledge boys are very basic mopeds. | |
| The Knowledge / int_bb0197af | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_bb0197af | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_bb0197af | |
| The Knowledge / int_c132c0c5 | type |
I Have No Son! | |
| The Knowledge / int_c132c0c5 | comment |
I Have No Son!: When Ted loses his green badge, he's disowned and his family goes so far as to sit Shiva to show that he's dead to them. | |
| The Knowledge / int_c132c0c5 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_c132c0c5 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_c132c0c5 | |
| The Knowledge / int_c7839568 | type |
Nice Jewish Boy | |
| The Knowledge / int_c7839568 | comment |
Nice Jewish Boy: Ted. | |
| The Knowledge / int_c7839568 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_c7839568 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_c7839568 | |
| The Knowledge / int_c7853b1e | type |
On the Rebound | |
| The Knowledge / int_c7853b1e | comment |
On the Rebound: It is strongly implied that Chris and Miss Stavely get together, after Chris separates from Janet. | |
| The Knowledge / int_c7853b1e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_c7853b1e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_c7853b1e | |
| The Knowledge / int_ca87e3ec | type |
No Name Given | |
| The Knowledge / int_ca87e3ec | comment |
No Name Given: the receptionist at the Public Carriage Office, who is regularly referred to as "the young lady at the appointments window". | |
| The Knowledge / int_ca87e3ec | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_ca87e3ec | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_ca87e3ec | |
| The Knowledge / int_cd149b1e | type |
Silent Treatment | |
| The Knowledge / int_cd149b1e | comment |
Silent Treatment: Titanic's wife, Lilian, who hasn't spoken to him since their honeymoon, seventeen years previous. She never said why. Poor Titanic is desperate for conversation with anybody, and after a brief exchange with Ted in which hardly anything is said, he says "I enjoyed that discussion, I don't often get the chance of a good discussion". | |
| The Knowledge / int_cd149b1e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_cd149b1e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_cd149b1e | |
| The Knowledge / int_cdb45c07 | type |
No Sense of Personal Space | |
| The Knowledge / int_cdb45c07 | comment |
No Sense of Personal Space: Mr Burgess the Vampire regularly invades the Knowledge boys' personal space during their appearances, as one of the many things he does to make them feel uncomfortable. | |
| The Knowledge / int_cdb45c07 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_cdb45c07 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_cdb45c07 | |
| The Knowledge / int_d0b60f23 | type |
GoshDangItToHeck | |
| The Knowledge / int_d0b60f23 | comment |
Gosh Dang It to Heck!: The swear words of choice are "sodding" and "bloody". The script contains several "buggers", which were watered down for TV. | |
| The Knowledge / int_d0b60f23 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_d0b60f23 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_d0b60f23 | |
| The Knowledge / int_d1d4cf48 | type |
Cheating with the Milkman | |
| The Knowledge / int_d1d4cf48 | comment |
Cheating with the Milkman: Gordon is a serial philanderer, calling on housewives for a bit of extra crumpet on the side; and later, he becomes a milkman. | |
| The Knowledge / int_d1d4cf48 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_d1d4cf48 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_d1d4cf48 | |
| The Knowledge / int_d5d265ec | type |
Housewife | |
| The Knowledge / int_d5d265ec | comment |
Housewife: The wives of the Knowledge boys are often seen at home doing housework. | |
| The Knowledge / int_d5d265ec | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_d5d265ec | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_d5d265ec | |
| The Knowledge / int_dcd423d2 | type |
Affectionate Nickname | |
| The Knowledge / int_dcd423d2 | comment |
Affectionate Nickname: Ted and Val call each other "Doll". | |
| The Knowledge / int_dcd423d2 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_dcd423d2 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_dcd423d2 | |
| The Knowledge / int_dce6cd15 | type |
Family Versus Career | |
| The Knowledge / int_dce6cd15 | comment |
Family Versus Career: many of the Knowledge boys spend every waking moment "clocking runs", sometimes to the detriment of their families. Ted's wife Val muses that their daughter will never know her father, and that on her wedding day, she'll see her father and not recognise him. Janet becomes bored with Chris's devotion to the Knowledge, even though she pressed him into taking it up. | |
| The Knowledge / int_dce6cd15 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_dce6cd15 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_dce6cd15 | |
| The Knowledge / int_deecc9eb | type |
Awful Wedded Life | |
| The Knowledge / int_deecc9eb | comment |
Awful Wedded Life: The middle-aged "Titanic" and Lillian have a loveless marriage, where Lilian has not spoken to Titanic since their honeymoon, and spends all her time doing crosswords and other competitions by the thousand. Chris and Janet (engaged, but not married) are regularly sparring and snapping at each other, with only occasional moments of affection. | |
| The Knowledge / int_deecc9eb | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_deecc9eb | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_deecc9eb | |
| The Knowledge / int_e201cc | type |
The Bore | |
| The Knowledge / int_e201cc | comment |
The Bore: Any Knowledge boy, most of whom devote their lives to their subject. Chris lampshades this, explaining in a voiceover that real people know what's going on by what's happening in the world, like Elvis Presley dies, or Argentina win the World Cup. With the Knowledge boys, it's different; they know when roadworks start and when they finish, or if a new roundabout appears on Fulham Palace Road. The only thing they would know about Elvis Presley dying is about a concert paying tribute to him, and what's the quickest way to get there from the Hilton Hotel. This is shown in a scene with Janet and Chris, on their way to a Sunday afternoon meet up of the Knowledge boys and their wives: | |
| The Knowledge / int_e201cc | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_e201cc | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_e201cc | |
| The Knowledge / int_e43130c1 | type |
Interrupted Intimacy | |
| The Knowledge / int_e43130c1 | comment |
Interrupted Intimacy: Chris and Janet, interrupted from smooching in Janet's dad's garage, by Janet's younger sister Margaret Louise, who has to be bribed into silence. | |
| The Knowledge / int_e43130c1 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_e43130c1 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_e43130c1 | |
| The Knowledge / int_e563bf09 | type |
Insistent Terminology | |
| The Knowledge / int_e563bf09 | comment |
Insistent Terminology: The routes which the Knowledge boys have to learn are called "runs". The book containing these runs is called "the Blue Book", even though it's coloured pink. The tests the Knowledge boys take are called "appearances". | |
| The Knowledge / int_e563bf09 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_e563bf09 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_e563bf09 | |
| The Knowledge / int_e83f211c | type |
O.O.C. Is Serious Business | |
| The Knowledge / int_e83f211c | comment |
Out of Character is Serious Business: Having told Chris in his usual deadpan manner that he has passed his Knowledge, Mr Burgess has a moment of sudden warmth, seeing that Chris is not reacting at all to the good news. | |
| The Knowledge / int_e83f211c | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_e83f211c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_e83f211c | |
| The Knowledge / int_edaedf90 | type |
Vomit Discretion Shot | |
| The Knowledge / int_edaedf90 | comment |
Vomit Discretion Shot: Just before his first appearance, Chris is so terrified that he vomits into his hand, and rushes off. | |
| The Knowledge / int_edaedf90 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_edaedf90 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_edaedf90 | |
| The Knowledge / int_efbd4c52 | type |
All Bikers are Hells Angels | |
| The Knowledge / int_efbd4c52 | comment |
All Bikers are Hells Angels: This is assumed by a cafe owner, who throws Gordon out of his cafe, when he arrives in his bike attire. | |
| The Knowledge / int_efbd4c52 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_efbd4c52 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_efbd4c52 | |
| The Knowledge / int_f1d3f0c9 | type |
Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness | |
| The Knowledge / int_f1d3f0c9 | comment |
Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness: The manner in which the Knowledge boys have to recite their runs. This is most notable in a scene where Janet is asked for directions by a passing football fan in a car, made especially funny by Janet merely being a Knowledge widow, rather than studying the Knowledge herself: | |
| The Knowledge / int_f1d3f0c9 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_f1d3f0c9 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_f1d3f0c9 | |
| The Knowledge / int_f511ea9b | type |
Product Placement | |
| The Knowledge / int_f511ea9b | comment |
Product Placement: A passing Arab man seems to have a fondness for Marks and Spencer's department store, while Ted is studying his map beside the road. | |
| The Knowledge / int_f511ea9b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_f511ea9b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_f511ea9b | |
| The Knowledge / int_f64b5d46 | type |
Forbidden Love | |
| The Knowledge / int_f64b5d46 | comment |
Forbidden Love: Chris and Janet. | |
| The Knowledge / int_f64b5d46 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_f64b5d46 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_f64b5d46 | |
| The Knowledge / int_f9f2c33 | type |
Running Gag | |
| The Knowledge / int_f9f2c33 | comment |
Running Gag: The spiel given by the brisk, officious young lady at the appointments window, which is heard several times. Titanic is very wobbly on his bike. When he passes the church, he falls off because he is distracted by the church noticeboard, which has a quotation involving the word "Knowledge", which is amusingly topical: Janet frequently berates Chris, before asking in a softer tone "what's wrong?". | |
| The Knowledge / int_f9f2c33 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_f9f2c33 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_f9f2c33 | |
| The Knowledge / int_name | type |
ItemName | |
| The Knowledge / int_name | comment |
||
| The Knowledge / int_name | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge / int_name | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Knowledge | hasFeature |
The Knowledge / int_name | |
| The Knowledge / int_name | itemName |
The Knowledge |
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Copyright of data TVTropes.org contributors under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.