مسار: Are You Being Served?

With its innuendo-laden comedy, penchant for slapstick and panto-type characters, Are You Being Served? had something for everyone and became a juggernaut of 1970s television.

While appearing in It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes, Darling, writer and performer Jeremy Lloyd met comedy producer David Croft and touting for work, mentioned his idea for a new sitcom based upon his experience in the 1950s working in department store Simpson of Piccadilly.

Recognising the idea's potential, Croft insisted he be brought in as co-writer and a pilot edition was created for Comedy Playhouse in 1972. This lead to a full run, kicking off the following year.
Set in the antiquated Grace Brothers department store, the show followed the OTT antics of its staff.

Leading the troops was the dowdy Captain Peacock (Frank Thornton), a city gent with a penchant for pomposity.

Head of ladies fashion, Mrs Slocombe (Mollie Sugden) sported a different hair colour every week and continually harped on about her "pussy", while assistant, Miss Brahms (Wendy Richard) was the literal butt of a slew of bottom-pinching antics.
Meanwhile fussing manager Mr Rumbold (Nicholas Smith) watched on in bemusement.
The stand out character, however, was Mr Humphries (John Inman), a camp, senior assistant in the menswear department, who became infamous for trilling his catchphrase, "I'm free!".

Although clearly a laboured parody of an effeminate gay man, both Inman and Croft were resolute he was just 'a mummy's boy'.

Although the show was often criticised for its bawdy content, it was a family favourite, often attracting audiences of over 20 million.
When it finally came to an end in 1985, it did feel a little past its best, but that didn't stop Croft and Perry returning to the format for a 1992 spin-off series: Grace and Favour.

Cast

Frank Thornton: Captain Peacock
John Inman: Mr Humphries
Mollie Sugden: Mrs Slocombe
Wendy Richard: Miss Brahms
Nicholas Smith: Mr Cuthbert Rumbold
Harold Bennett: Young Mr Grace
Trevor Bannister: Mr Lucas
Arthur Brough: Mr Grainger
Arthur English: Mr Harmen
Larry Martyn: Mr Mash
Mike Berry: Mr Spooner
Kenneth Waller: Old Mr Grace
Penny Irving: Miss Bakewell (secretary)
Vivienne Johnson: Nurse

مسار

الخميس، 14 مارس 2013

Are You Being Served?

Cast

Crew

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