Are You Being Served? - Series 1 And Pilot (DVD)

ARE YOU BEING SERVED?
======================

Written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft

Setting:
~~~~~~
Grace Brothers Store - Men and Womens Department. A fictional London based store and ran by the original dirty old man, Mr Grace played by Harold Bennett. He was perpetually surrounded by buxom, mini skirted, air headed women who constantly threatened to give him a heart attack. Usually by bending ...
...Hilarious.
When ever asked are you free? He would answer with his catch phrase “I’m Free”

Mollie Sugden as Mrs Slocombe
Again of unknown age but roughly 65, she became famous or should that be infamous for constantly referring to her “Pussy”.
Her pussy of course being her cat ‘Tiddles’ . However when she came out with one liners such as :
‘My pussy got soaking wet and I had to dry it out in front of the ... more

ARE YOU BEING SERVED?
======================

Written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft

Setting:
~~~~~~
Grace Brothers Store - Men and Womens Department. A fictional London based store and ran by the original dirty old man, Mr Grace played by Harold Bennett. He was perpetually surrounded by buxom, mini skirted, air headed women who constantly threatened to give him a heart attack. Usually by bending over and showing a little too much leg or flashing their ample bosoms, poor old chap.

The cast:
~~~~~~~
John Inman as Mr Humphries
The campest gay man in the history of TV. He would use every situation to slip in, oops, a sexual innuendo or three. Lived at home with his mother and was of indiscernible age. Took every opportunity to dress up in womens clothes and mince about, Hilarious.
When ever asked are you free? He would answer with his catch phrase “I’m Free”

Mollie Sugden as Mrs Slocombe
Again of unknown age but roughly 65, she became famous or should that be infamous for constantly referring to her “Pussy”.
Her pussy of course being her cat ‘Tiddles’ . However when she came out with one liners such as :
‘My pussy got soaking wet and I had to dry it out in front of the fire’.
‘The central heating broke down and I had to light the oven and hold my pussy in front of it’
Jaw dropping things to say.

Frank Thornton As Captain Peacock
He was the authoritarian floorwalker who mistakenly fancied himself something of a ladies man, despite being married and despite coming across as another dirty old man when chasing Miss Brahms.

Wendy Richards as Miss Brahms.
Shirley was a rough talking cockney girl who more oft than not showed a little too much leg or bosom. Usually to the distaste of Mrs Slocombe but to the liking of Captain Peacock and junior assistant Mr Lucas.

Trevor Bannister as Mr Lucas
Constantly jibing Mrs Slocombe and leering at Miss Brahms, he was a sexist pig who was quite happy working with the gay Mr Humphries because he could chase all the girls he wanted. The irony being the girls all preferred Mr Humphries!

Nicholas Smith as Mr Rumbold
The manager of the floor and always the butt of any bald jokes. But he always had the last word being the boss.

Arthur Brough as Mr Ernest Grainger
The senior menswear salesman but always being found fast asleep somewhere.

The program ran from 1972 right through to 1985 ! With and amazing 10 series and even a film.

This DVD contains all 5 episodes from the 1st series. And the pilot episode.

PILOT:
Are You Being Served?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was basically the coming together of the mens and ladies department on the same floor.

1. Dear Sexy Knickers...
Due to a misunderstanding Mrs Slocombe thinks that she has an admirer from the mens dept.

2. Our Figures are Slipping
The staff stay behind to learn how to smile more.

3. Camping In
The staff are forced to stay in the store overnight due to transport strikes.

4. His and Hers
Joanna Lumley stars as a new perfume saleswoman but the staff get together to sabotage her and get her removed from the floor.

5. Diamonds are a Man's best friend
The staff turn the floor upside down looking for a customers lost diamond and claim the £100 reward money.

At its height ‘Are you being Served’ made household names of many of its cast and even though the program was incredibly sexist, homophobic and full to the gunnels of double entendres, it never the less was a gigantic success.

Each week would involve a barmy plot which was either the cast dressing up in ridiculous costumes or some new display gimmick would arrive onto the floor or perhaps the cast would be chatting each other up, whatever the ploy it was still very funny.

It stuck religiously to tried and tested methods, each week Mrs Slocombe would make some dubious remark about her ‘Pussy’, Mr Lucas would make disparaging remarks about Mrs Slocombes age, weight or looks and he would constantly be chasing Miss Brahms.
Miss Brahms would be showing off parts of her body and Captain Peacock would be chasing anything with a heart beat.

Even old Mr Grace got in on the act with various semi naked nubiles that would serve his every whim ending with his catch phrase, ‘You’ve all done very well’.

To last 10 series is some accomplishment and even though it had gone past its sell by date one thing cannot be denied it will always be remembered and repeated which in its self is its own testament.

Hope you enjoyed,
Greg 

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