Three Men in a Boat (1979 film) Three Men in a Boat (1979 film) Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) () is a 1979 Soviet two-part musical-comedy miniseries directed by Naum Birman and based on the eponymous novel by Jerome K. Jerome. Three friends: J, Harris and George, tired of idleness and wanting to correct their ill health, decide to go on a boat trip along the Thames. Together they take the fox terrier Montmorency. Before their journey, they agree to travel without females. But almost immediately on the road they meet three women going the same way as themselves: Anne, Emily
Three Men in a Boat discussion of "Advantages of cheese as a travelling companion" was also a memorable extract. The reception by critics varied between lukewarm and hostile. The use of slang was condemned as "vulgar" and the book was derided as written to appeal to "'Arrys and 'Arriets" – then common sneering terms for working-class Londoners who dropped their Hs when speaking. "Punch" magazine dubbed Jerome "'Arry K. 'Arry". Modern commentators have praised the humour, but criticised the book's unevenness, as the humorous sections are interspersed with more serious passages written in a sentimental, sometimes purple, style. Yet the book sold in huge numbers.