The Rag Trade is a British television sitcom broadcast by the BBC between 1961 and 1963 and by LWT between 1977 and 1978.[1] Although a comedy, it shed light on gender, politics and the "class war" on the factory floor.[2][3]
The action centred on a fictional small clothing workshop (the title is a reference to the textile industry), Fenner's Fashions in London.[1] Although run by Harold Fenner (Peter Jones) and the foreman and pattern cutter Reg Turner (Reg Varney), the female workers are led by militant shop steward Paddy Fleming (Miriam Karlin), ever ready to strike, with the catchphrase "Everybody out!" Other cast members included Sheila Hancock (as Carole Taylor), Esma Cannon (as Lily Swann), Wanda Ventham (as Shirley) in series 2 and Barbara Windsor (as Gloria, during series 1, who later returned as Judy in series 3) replacing Sheila Hancock.[1][6]
In 1975, a colour pilot was made, with only Peter Jones reprising his role, this colour pilot featured a young Tony Robinson (replacing Reg Varney), Gaye Brown (briefly replacing Karlin), Jumoke Debayo, Diane Langton, Annabel Leventon, Jamila Massey, Mollie Maureen (replacing Esma Cannon) and Trixie Scales.[1]
The theme tune for this colour pilot was performed by Alex Welsh and his Band, however, this was never transmitted, as the BBC rejected the colour revival of the series.
Two years later, the series was revived by ITV company LWT, with Jones and Karlin reprising their roles.[7] The 1977–78 version ran for two series, most of the scripts being based on the BBC episodes from the 1960s, and featured Anna Karen (reprising her role as Olive from On the Buses) and future EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth as factory workers.[8]
The theme tune for the LWT series was written and performed by Lynsey de Paul (credited as Joan Brown) and released as a track on an album of T.V. themes that also featured another de Paul penned theme "Hi Summer".[9]
In 1990, the series was remade as the series Fredrikssons Fabrikk by NRK in Norway, it ran for three seasons (1990–93, 17 half hours and one 45min special) and a feature film version Fredrikssons Fabrikk – The Movie in 1994 with a script credited to Chesney and Wolfe, and Norwegian series writer Andreas Markusson.[1][10]
On original transmission many episodes of the original BBC TV series of The Rag Trade were not given titles, so some are from production notes and repeat screenings.
When Fenner refuses the girls a raise, they decide to start running a laundry cleaning service from inside Fenner's Fashions, their source of dirty laundry coming from a barber shop owner.
Guest Stars: George Roderick, Barbara Keogh and Jean Conroy
"The Bank Manager"
29 June 1962
A bank manager threaten to close Fenners Fashion
Guest Stars: Ronnie Barker, Hugh Paddick and Jean Conroy
Christmas Night with the Stars 25 December 1962 – featured a short sketch. (Has been lost)
A new arrangement in the workroom sparks off confrontation between Fenner and Paddy
"The Sample"
18 September
Kathy steals a new dressing gown to impress her new boyfriend
"Fixing The Rate"
25 September
Fenner becomes obsessed with Time and Money, giving Paddy an idea of money making
"The Lunch Problem"
2 October
When Fenner refuses to open a canteen, the girls decide to run their own canteen
"The Export Order"
9 October
Fenner's Fashion is falling fast and Fenner is determined to make some changes
"The Italian Line"
16 October
A handsome Italian threatens to drive everyone out of Fenner's Fashion
"Olive's Baby"
23 October
The staff go on strike in a bid to help Olive look after her baby son
"The Wedding Dress"
30 October
Fenner discovers the work force are making their own clothes
"The Sideline"
6 November
Paddy gets attacked by a dishonest man and struggles to hold the workforce together
"The Guv'nor's Wife"
13 November
Mrs Fenner's dreams of meeting Margaret Thatcher land Fenner's Fashion in trouble
"The New Girl"
20 November
Fenner's new assistant takes a shine to the girls
"The Bet"
27 November
The workforce decide to make their own money on horse racing
"The Accident"
4 December
Fenner's Fashion faces closure when an inspector is injured whilst touring the factory
"The New Brother"
11 December
A diligent new Indian employee finds himself a victim of the girls' jokes
Christmas special (1977)Edit
Title
Airdate
Description
Notes
"Christmas Rush"
24 December
The workforce are forced to work during the Christmas Holidays. Mrs Fenner returns to Fenner's Fashion
Series 5 (1978)Edit
Title
Airdate
Description
Notes
"The Annual Ball"
8 September
The creation of a dress for Mrs Fenner causes chaos at Fenner's Fashion
"The Leather Line"
15 September
Another argument between Paddy and Fenner could cost Fenner's Fashion their best customers
"Stress"
22 September
Fenner's attempt to secure a loan results in a heath scare
"A Bad Patch"
29 September
Fenner has lost all his customers. The Girls think of a way of making money
"Come Back Paddy"
6 October
Paddy leaves Fenner's Fashion for another firm
"Self-Defence"
13 October
Paddy attempts of a defence program have disastrous consequences
"Fenner's Folly"
20 October
The possibility of a large order prompts Fenner to think about his future
Missing episodesEdit
Because of the BBC's wiping policy of that era, of the 36 episodes made only 21 episodes of the original BBC Television version (1961–62) still exist in the BBC archives.[8]
The first series of the original BBC TV version of the show is complete, whilst the second series remains incomplete, as two episodes remain missing. Only one of the 13 episodes of the third (and final) BBC TV series (1963) currently exists – "Baby Dolls", which was confirmed to have been unearthed by Philip Morris of the Television International Enterprises Archive and returned to the BBC in 2018.[14]
DVD releaseEdit
The 8 (out of the 10) existing episodes of the first series (broadcast in 1961) were released on DVD (DD Home Entertainment) in March 2006, followed by the 11 existing episodes of the second series (broadcast in 1962), released on DVD 7 months later in October 2006.[15]
A box-set consisting all the remaining episodes from the first two series of the show was later released (through Simply Media DVD) on 23 October 2017.[16]
All the episodes of both colour series 4 and 5 of the (1977–78) LWT version of the series, including the 1977 Christmas special, have been released on DVD by Network.[17]
^ abcde"BFI Screenonline: Rag Trade, The (1961-63)". www.screenonline.org.uk.
^The Rag Trade: ‘Everybody Out!’ Gender, Politics and Class on the Factory Floor by Mary Irwin, pp66-79, British TV Comedies, doi:10.1057/9781137552952_5
^British TV Comedies: Cultural Concepts, Contexts and Controversies, edited by Juergen Kamm and Birgit Neumann, 2016, ISBN9781137552945
^"BFI Screenonline: Wolfe, Ronald (1924-2011) and Chesney, Ronald (1920-) Biography". www.screenonline.org.uk.
^Guide, British Comedy. "Wild, Wild Women - BBC1 Sitcom". British Comedy Guide.
^Guide, British Comedy. "The Rag Trade cast and crew credits". British Comedy Guide.
^. BFI. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019.
trade, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, march, 2017, learn, . This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources The Rag Trade news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message For the clothing industry see Rag trade For the racehorse see Rag Trade horse For the television series episode named for the racehorse see Rag Trade Pennyworth The Rag Trade is a British television sitcom broadcast by the BBC between 1961 and 1963 and by LWT between 1977 and 1978 1 Although a comedy it shed light on gender politics and the class war on the factory floor 2 3 The Rag TradeActresses Sheila Hancock Esma Cannon and Miriam KarlinCreated byChesney and WolfeStarringPeter JonesMiriam KarlinSeries 1 3 BBC Sheila Hancock Barbara Windsor Reg Varney Esma Cannon Wanda Ventham Ann BeachSeries 4 5 LWT Christopher Beeny Anna Karen Gillian Taylforth Deddie Davies Diane LangtonNo of series5No of episodes58 15 missing ProductionProducersDennis Main Wilson BBC Bryan Izzard LWT Running time30 minutes per episodeReleaseOriginal networkBBCITVOriginal releaseFirst run 6 October 1961 1961 10 06 30 March 1963 1963 03 30 Second run 11 September 1977 1977 09 11 20 October 1978 1978 10 20 The scripts were written by partners Chesney and Wolfe who later wrote Wild Wild Women Meet the Wife and On the Buses Wild Wild Women was a period variation of The Rag Trade 4 5 Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Cast 2 1 1961 1963 2 2 1977 1978 3 TV episodes 3 1 Original BBC TV series 3 1 1 Series 1 1961 3 1 2 Series 2 1962 3 1 3 Series 3 1963 3 1 4 Colour pilot 1975 3 2 LWT relaunch series 3 2 1 Series 4 1977 3 2 2 Christmas special 1977 3 2 3 Series 5 1978 4 Missing episodes 5 DVD release 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksSynopsis EditThe action centred on a fictional small clothing workshop the title is a reference to the textile industry Fenner s Fashions in London 1 Although run by Harold Fenner Peter Jones and the foreman and pattern cutter Reg Turner Reg Varney the female workers are led by militant shop steward Paddy Fleming Miriam Karlin ever ready to strike with the catchphrase Everybody out Other cast members included Sheila Hancock as Carole Taylor Esma Cannon as Lily Swann Wanda Ventham as Shirley in series 2 and Barbara Windsor as Gloria during series 1 who later returned as Judy in series 3 replacing Sheila Hancock 1 6 In 1975 a colour pilot was made with only Peter Jones reprising his role this colour pilot featured a young Tony Robinson replacing Reg Varney Gaye Brown briefly replacing Karlin Jumoke Debayo Diane Langton Annabel Leventon Jamila Massey Mollie Maureen replacing Esma Cannon and Trixie Scales 1 The theme tune for this colour pilot was performed by Alex Welsh and his Band however this was never transmitted as the BBC rejected the colour revival of the series Two years later the series was revived by ITV company LWT with Jones and Karlin reprising their roles 7 The 1977 78 version ran for two series most of the scripts being based on the BBC episodes from the 1960s and featured Anna Karen reprising her role as Olive from On the Buses and future EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth as factory workers 8 The theme tune for the LWT series was written and performed by Lynsey de Paul credited as Joan Brown and released as a track on an album of T V themes that also featured another de Paul penned theme Hi Summer 9 In 1990 the series was remade as the series Fredrikssons Fabrikk by NRK in Norway it ran for three seasons 1990 93 17 half hours and one 45min special and a feature film version Fredrikssons Fabrikk The Movie in 1994 with a script credited to Chesney and Wolfe and Norwegian series writer Andreas Markusson 1 10 Cast Edit1961 1963 Edit Peter Jones as Harold Fenner Miriam Karlin as Paddy Fleming Reg Varney as Reg Turner Esma Cannon as Lily Swann series 1 2 Sheila Hancock as Carole Taylor series 1 2 Barbara Windsor as Gloria series 1 and Judy series 3 Ann Beach as Brenda series 1 Rita Smythe as Rita series 1 Wanda Ventham as Shirley series 2 3 Patricia Denys as Betty series 3 Stella Tanner as Olive series 3 Carmel Cryan as Gloria series 3 Amanda Reiss as Janet series 3 Irene Handl as Mrs Turner series 3 1977 1978 Edit Peter Jones as Harold Fenner Miriam Karlin as Paddy Fleming Anna Karen as Olive Rudge Christopher Beeny as Tony Gillian Taylforth as Lyn Diane Langton as Kathy Deddie Davies as Mabel Lucita Lijertwood as Jojo Rowena Cooper as Mrs Fenner series 1 Joy Stewart as Mrs Fenner series 2 TV episodes EditOn original transmission many episodes of the original BBC TV series of The Rag Trade were not given titles so some are from production notes and repeat screenings Original BBC TV series Edit Series 1 1961 Edit Title Airdate Description Notes The Baby 11 6 October 1961 Fenner is far from happy when factory girl Brenda Ann Beach brings her baby to work Getting Married 13 October 1961 Paddy must find Carole a wedding dress Early Start 20 October 1961 Fenner finds himself up against new factory Parks amp Spicer Guest Stars Frank Thornton and Raymond Glendenning French Fashions 27 October 1961 Carol stands for a modelling competition Guest Star Peter Gilmore The Sample 3 November 1961 Paddy gives Carol a dress to go on a date with but soon realizes the dress was specially made for a customer Unhappy Customer 10 November 1961 Fenner bans food in the workroom when an unhappy customer complains about Fenners Fashion Guest Star Brian OultonEpisode 7 17 November 1961 Fenners Fashion stands to win a contract with the biggest clothes store in London Guest Star Hugh Paddick Doctor s Orders 24 November 1961 Fenners Fashion are hired to design TV costumes Guest Stars Roy Stephens and Monte LandisEpisode 9 12 1 December 1961 To win a contract with a female buyer Reg masquerades as Roberto an Italian designer Christmas Box 8 December 1961 In a bid to make more money for Christmas Paddy and the girls go behind Fenner s back and start working for another company making Golliwogs Guest Stars Terry Scott Colin Douglas and Edward CaddickSeries 2 1962 Edit Title Airdate Description Notes The Thief 6 April 1962 There s a thief at Fenners Fashion and Paddy is determined to find out who The Dog 13 April 1962 Lily s dog runs riot at Fenners Fashion Guest Stars Patrick Cargill and Betty Huntley Wright Locked In 13 20 April 1962 Reg gets locked in the workroom just as an inspector arrives Guest Stars June Whitfield and Alec Ross The Flat 27 April 1962 With Fenner still in Amsterdam Paddy and Reg are given the task of painting his flatEpisode 5 4 May 1962 Paddy and Carol take the day off but soon find themselves in trouble when Fenner unexpectedly returns This episode no longer existsGuest Star Norman Mitchell The Client 11 May 1962 An important rich client is coming to Fenners Fashion and the girls decide to take him out for the day Guest Stars Bill Shine and Willoughby Goddard Stay In Strike 18 May 1962 Fenner s new assistant forces the staff to go on strike Guest Stars Lynda Baron and Barry Linehan The Fish And Chip Shop 25 May 1962 Reg and Paddy agree to take over a fish and chip shop This episode no longer existsGuest Stars Charlie Bird William Kendall Frank Peters and Harry Landis Safety Precaution 1 June 1962 Fenner faces money troubles when Reg destroys a load of dresses Guest Stars Dilys Laye and Jean Conroy Stainproofer 8 June 1962 The girls end up ruining Fenners new coat and have to work fast to replace it Guest Stars Fabia Drake and Jean Conroy Doctor 15 June 1962 The arrival of a handsome doctor causes trouble for Fenner and Carol Guest Stars Noel Trevarthen Richard Caldicot and Jean Conroy Barber s Shop 22 June 1962 When Fenner refuses the girls a raise they decide to start running a laundry cleaning service from inside Fenner s Fashions their source of dirty laundry coming from a barber shop owner Guest Stars George Roderick Barbara Keogh and Jean Conroy The Bank Manager 29 June 1962 A bank manager threaten to close Fenners Fashion Guest Stars Ronnie Barker Hugh Paddick and Jean ConroyChristmas Night with the Stars 25 December 1962 featured a short sketch Has been lost Series 3 1963 Edit Title Airdate Description Notes The Australian 5 January 1963 Fenner and Paddy try to find Reg a woman Guest Stars Aubrey Morris Philip Grout Sheena Marshe and Claire Davenport Triplets 12 January 1963Episode 3 19 January 1963 Fenners hires Reg s mother as his new assistantEpisode 4 26 January 1963 Guest Stars Sheena Marshe and Claire Davenport Baby Dolls 2 February 1963 Fenner becomes obsessed with horse racing This episode was rediscovered in 2018 Mistaken Tax 9 February 1963 Reg s lies over his tax forms come back to haunt him After The Ball 16 February 1963 Fenner has to pretend Judy is his daughter when they go to represent Fenners Fashion at a ball Guest Star Jack Smethurst The Budgie 23 February 1963 Guest Star Peter HowellEpisode 9 2 March 1963 The Italian Girl 9 March 1963 Judy accuses Reg of having an affair Babysitters Unlimited 16 March 1963 Fenner finds himself in debt with only the girls to help him Guest Star Frank Coda National Productivity Year 23 March 1963 Paddy s job is on the line when another strike attempt sadly backfires The Engagement Ring 30 March 1963 Reg and Judy s engagement party is ruined when the engagement ring is stolen Guest Star Patrick NewellColour pilot 1975 Edit Title Airdate Description NotesColour pilot UnairedLWT relaunch series Edit Series 4 1977 Edit Title Airdate Description Notes Stay In Strike 11 September A new arrangement in the workroom sparks off confrontation between Fenner and Paddy The Sample 18 September Kathy steals a new dressing gown to impress her new boyfriend Fixing The Rate 25 September Fenner becomes obsessed with Time and Money giving Paddy an idea of money making The Lunch Problem 2 October When Fenner refuses to open a canteen the girls decide to run their own canteen The Export Order 9 October Fenner s Fashion is falling fast and Fenner is determined to make some changes The Italian Line 16 October A handsome Italian threatens to drive everyone out of Fenner s Fashion Olive s Baby 23 October The staff go on strike in a bid to help Olive look after her baby son The Wedding Dress 30 October Fenner discovers the work force are making their own clothes The Sideline 6 November Paddy gets attacked by a dishonest man and struggles to hold the workforce together The Guv nor s Wife 13 November Mrs Fenner s dreams of meeting Margaret Thatcher land Fenner s Fashion in trouble The New Girl 20 November Fenner s new assistant takes a shine to the girls The Bet 27 November The workforce decide to make their own money on horse racing The Accident 4 December Fenner s Fashion faces closure when an inspector is injured whilst touring the factory The New Brother 11 December A diligent new Indian employee finds himself a victim of the girls jokesChristmas special 1977 Edit Title Airdate Description Notes Christmas Rush 24 December The workforce are forced to work during the Christmas Holidays Mrs Fenner returns to Fenner s FashionSeries 5 1978 Edit Title Airdate Description Notes The Annual Ball 8 September The creation of a dress for Mrs Fenner causes chaos at Fenner s Fashion The Leather Line 15 September Another argument between Paddy and Fenner could cost Fenner s Fashion their best customers Stress 22 September Fenner s attempt to secure a loan results in a heath scare A Bad Patch 29 September Fenner has lost all his customers The Girls think of a way of making money Come Back Paddy 6 October Paddy leaves Fenner s Fashion for another firm Self Defence 13 October Paddy attempts of a defence program have disastrous consequences Fenner s Folly 20 October The possibility of a large order prompts Fenner to think about his futureMissing episodes EditBecause of the BBC s wiping policy of that era of the 36 episodes made only 21 episodes of the original BBC Television version 1961 62 still exist in the BBC archives 8 The first series of the original BBC TV version of the show is complete whilst the second series remains incomplete as two episodes remain missing Only one of the 13 episodes of the third and final BBC TV series 1963 currently exists Baby Dolls which was confirmed to have been unearthed by Philip Morris of the Television International Enterprises Archive and returned to the BBC in 2018 14 DVD release EditThe 8 out of the 10 existing episodes of the first series broadcast in 1961 were released on DVD DD Home Entertainment in March 2006 followed by the 11 existing episodes of the second series broadcast in 1962 released on DVD 7 months later in October 2006 15 A box set consisting all the remaining episodes from the first two series of the show was later released through Simply Media DVD on 23 October 2017 16 All the episodes of both colour series 4 and 5 of the 1977 78 LWT version of the series including the 1977 Christmas special have been released on DVD by Network 17 See also EditNever Mind the Quality Feel the Width ITV sitcomReferences Edit a b c d e BFI Screenonline Rag Trade The 1961 63 www screenonline org uk The Rag Trade Everybody Out Gender Politics and Class on the Factory Floor by Mary Irwin pp66 79 British TV Comedies doi 10 1057 9781137552952 5 British TV Comedies Cultural Concepts Contexts and Controversies edited by Juergen Kamm and Birgit Neumann 2016 ISBN 9781137552945 BFI Screenonline Wolfe Ronald 1924 2011 and Chesney Ronald 1920 Biography www screenonline org uk Guide British Comedy Wild Wild Women BBC1 Sitcom British Comedy Guide Guide British Comedy The Rag Trade cast and crew credits British Comedy Guide The Sample 1977 BFI Archived from the original on 13 May 2019 a b The Rag Trade 9 April 2021 Unknown Artist T V Themes Vinyl LP Album Discogs Retrieved 22 March 2017 FREDERIKSSONS FABRIKK 1994 BFI Archived from the original on 8 August 2021 The Rag Trade 06 10 61 1961 BFI Archived from the original on 8 August 2021 The Rag Trade 01 12 61 1961 BFI Archived from the original on 8 August 2021 The Rag Trade 20 04 62 1962 BFI Archived from the original on 8 August 2021 Guide British Comedy The Rag Trade Series 3 Episode 5 Baby Dolls British Comedy Guide Guide British Comedy The Rag Trade Series One DVD British Comedy Guide The Rag Trade Series One and Two Simply Media DVD Review 2 November 2017 Guide British Comedy The Rag Trade The Complete First LWT Series DVD British Comedy Guide External links EditThe Rag Trade 1961 at IMDb The Rag Trade 1977 at IMDb The Rag Trade at BBC Online nbsp The Rag Trade at the BFI s Screenonline The Rag Trade at British Comedy Guide Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Rag Trade amp oldid 1180216553, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
