The Rag Trade
Encyclopedia
The Rag Trade was a British
television sitcom broadcast by the BBC
between 1961 and 1963 and by LWT
between 1977 and 1978.
The scripts were by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney, who later wrote Wild, Wild Women
, a period variation of The Rag Trade.
The action centred on a small clothing workshop (the title refers to the textile industry
), Fenner Fashions in London. Although run by Harold Fenner (Peter Jones
) and Reg the foreman (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), Esma Reese Cannon
(as Lily Swann), Wanda Ventham
(as Shirley) and Barbara Windsor
(as Judy).
The Rag Trade was revived by ITV
company LWT
in 1977, with Jones and Karlin reprising their roles. The 1977 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.
The theme tune for the LWT series was written and performed by Lynsey De Paul
.
In 1990 the series was remade as the series Fredrikssons Fabrikk by NRK in Norway, it ran for three season (1990–93) (17 half hours and one 45min special) and spawned a film version Fredrikssons Fabrikk - The Movie in 1994 with a script credited to Chesney and Wolfe, and Norwegian series writer Andreas Markusson.
Only 8 of the 10 existing episodes of the first BBC TV series, broadcast in 1961, were released on DVD (DD Home Entertainment) in March 2006, the other two episodes (episodes 7 and 9 of series 1) were not included as DDHE thought the prints were of such poor quality.
All 11 existing episodes, of the second BBC TV Series, broadcast in 1962, were released on DVD (DD Home Entertainment) in October 2006. It should be noted that the film recording prints used are of a uniformly poor quality throughout this set.
All episodes of Series 1 and 2 of the (1977/1978) LWT
version of the series, including the 1977 Christmas special, have been released on DVD by Network
.
Cinema Club
have bought the rights to the original BBC TV series of the show and are releasing all 10 surviving episodes of the first BBC TV series. All 11 existing episodes of the second BBC TV series is to follow shortly after. A box set containing all 21 surviving episodes (the first two series 1961-62) of the original BBC TV series in a descending order is to be made available on DVD by the show's 50th anniversary in 2011.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television sitcom broadcast by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
between 1961 and 1963 and by LWT
London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
between 1977 and 1978.
The scripts were by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney, who later wrote Wild, Wild Women
Wild, Wild Women
Wild, Wild Women was a British sitcom that aired on BBC from 1968 to 1969. Made in black-and-white, it starred Barbara Windsor and was written by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney.-Pilot:*Barbara Windsor - Millie*Derek Francis - Mr Harcourt...
, a period variation of The Rag Trade.
The action centred on a small clothing workshop (the title refers to the textile industry
Textile industry
The textile industry is primarily concerned with the production of yarn, and cloth and the subsequent design or manufacture of clothing and their distribution. The raw material may be natural, or synthetic using products of the chemical industry....
), Fenner Fashions in London. Although run by Harold Fenner (Peter Jones
Peter Jones (actor)
Peter Jones was an English actor, screenwriter and broadcaster.-Early life and career:Jones was born in Wem, Shropshire and he was educated at the Wem Grammar School and Ellesmere College. He made his first appearance as an actor in Wolverhampton at the age of 16 and then appeared in repertory...
) and Reg the foreman (Reg Varney
Reg Varney
Reginald Alfred "Reg" Varney was an English actor, most notable for his role as Stan Butler in 1970s TV sitcom On the Buses.-Early life:...
), the female workers are led by militant shop steward Paddy Fleming (Miriam Karlin
Miriam Karlin
Miriam Karlin, OBE was a British actress who worked on screen for over 60 years. She was best known for her role as Paddy in The Rag Trade, a 1960s BBC and 1970s LWT sitcom , especially for her catchphrase "Everybody out!"...
), ever ready to strike, with the catchphrase "Everybody out!" Other cast members included Sheila Hancock
Sheila Hancock
Sheila Cameron Hancock, CBE is an English actress and author.-Early life:Sheila Hancock was born in Blackgang on the Isle of Wight, the daughter of Ivy Louise and Enrico Cameron Hancock, who was a publican. Her sister Billie is seven years older...
(as Carole), Esma Reese Cannon
Esma Cannon
Esma Ellen Charlotte Cannon was a diminutive Australian-born character actress, who moved to England in the early 1930s.-Career:...
(as Lily Swann), Wanda Ventham
Wanda Ventham
Wanda Ventham is an English actress, mainly on television. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama....
(as Shirley) and Barbara Windsor
Barbara Windsor
Barbara Ann Windsor, MBE , better known by her stage name Barbara Windsor, is an English actress. Her best known roles are in the Carry On films and as Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders....
(as Judy).
The Rag Trade was revived by ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
company LWT
London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
in 1977, with Jones and Karlin reprising their roles. The 1977 version ran for two series, most of the scripts being based on the BBC episodes from the 1960s, and featured Anna Karen
Anna Karen
Anna Karen is a South African-born British film, television and theatre actress.-Career:Early in her career, Karen worked as a striptease dancer at London's Panama Club. During her acting career she has starred in many films and television programmes, including the BBC sitcom Wild, Wild Women,...
(reprising her role as Olive from On the Buses
On The Buses
On the Buses was a British situation comedy created by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney which was broadcast in the UK from 1969 to 1973. The writers' previous successes with The Rag Trade and Meet the Wife were for the BBC, but the Corporation rejected On the Buses, not seeing much comedy potential...
) and future EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
star Gillian Taylforth
Gillian Taylforth
Gillian Taylforth is an English actress. She is best known for her roles as Kathy Mitchell on the BBC soap opera, EastEnders and as Jackie Pascoe-Webb on ITV's Footballers Wives , but more recently as Sgt. Nikki Wright in ITV's The Bill...
as factory workers.
The theme tune for the LWT series was written and performed by Lynsey De Paul
Lynsey De Paul
Lynsey de Paul is an English singer-songwriter. Allmusic journalist, Craig Harris stated, "one of the first successful female singer-songwriters in England, de Paul has had an illustrious career".-Early life:De Paul was born to Meta and Herbert Rubin, a property developer...
.
In 1990 the series was remade as the series Fredrikssons Fabrikk by NRK in Norway, it ran for three season (1990–93) (17 half hours and one 45min special) and spawned a film version Fredrikssons Fabrikk - The Movie in 1994 with a script credited to Chesney and Wolfe, and Norwegian series writer Andreas Markusson.
Episode list
On original transmission many early episodes of The Rag Trade were not given titles so some are from production notes and repeat screenings.Series 1 (1961)
(all 10 episodes exist)- The Baby: Fenner is far from happy when the factory girls start bringing their kids to work
- Getting Married: Paddy must find Carol a wedding dress
- Early Start: Fenner finds himself up against new factory Parks & Spicer
- The French Fashions: Carol stands for a modelling competition
- The Sample: Paddy gives Carol a dress to go on a date with, but soon realises the dress was specially made for a customer
- Unhappy Customer: Fenner bans food in the workroom when an unhappy customer complains about Fenners Fashion
- Fenners Fashion stands to win a contract with the biggest clothes store in London
- Doctor’s Orders: Fenners Fashion are hired to design TV costumes
- The Italian Designer: The arrival of Roberto, an Italian designer, sparks confrontations at Fenners Fashion
- The Golliwogs (now re-titled Christmas Box for DVD): 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
Series 2 (1962)
(only 11 episodes exist)- There's a thief at Fenners Fashion and Paddy is determined to find out who
- Lily's dog runs riot at Fenners Fashion
- Reg gets locked in the workroom just as an inspector arrives
- With Fenner still in Amsterdam, Paddy and Reg are given the task of painting his flat
- Paddy and Carol take the day off but soon find themselves in trouble when Fenner unexpectedly returns (This episode has been lost)
- An important rich client is coming to Fenners Fashion and the girls decide to take him out for the day
- Stay-In Strike: Fenner's new assistant forces the staff to go on strike
- The Fish And Chip Shop: Reg and Paddy argee to take over a fish and chip shop (This episode has been lost)
- Safety Precaution: Fenner faces money troubles when Reg destroys a load of dresses
- Stainproofer: The girls end up ruining Fenners new coat and have to work fast to replace it
- Doctor: The arrival of a handsome doctor causes trouble for Fenner and Carol
- Barber’s Shop: When Fenner refuses the girls a raise they leave Fenners Fashion to start a barbers shop
- A bank manager threaten to close Fenners Fashion
Christmas Night with the Stars
25/12/1962 - featured a The Rag Trade short sketch. (Has been lost)Series 3 (1963)
(All of the 13 episodes have been lost)- The Australian: Fenner and Paddy try to find Reg a women
- Triplets: Reg's lies over his tax forms come back to haunt him
- The Budgie: Fenners hires Reg's mother as his new assistant
- The Baby Sitter: Reg's mother causes trouble amongst the workforce
- Second Mrs. Fenner: Fenners wedding anniversary proves to be eventful
- Chef’s Special: Reg and Judy's engagement sends shock waves through Fenners Fashion
- The Italian Bit: Judy accuses Reg of having an affair
- Baby Dolls: Fenner becomes obsessed with horse racing
- After The Ball: Fenner has to pretend Judy is his daughter when they go to represent Fenners Fashion at a ball
- The Engagement Ring: Reg and Judy's engagement party is ruined when the engagement ring is stolen
- Crocodile Tears: Fenner finds himself in debt with only the girls to help him
- National Productivity Year: Paddy's job is on the line when another strike attempt sadly backfires
- The American Buyer: Reg and Judy reveal their plans to leave Fenners Fashion
Series 4 (1977)
- Stay-In Strike: A new arrangement in the workroom sparks off confrontation between Fenner and Paddy
- The Sample: Kathy steals a new dressing gown to impress her new boyfriend
- Fixing The Rate: Fenner becomes obsessed with Time and Money giving Paddy an idea of money making
- The Lunch Problem: When Fenner refuses to open a canteen, the girls decide to run their own canteen
- The Export Order: Fenner's Fashion is falling fast and Fenner is determined to make some changes
- The Italian Line: A handsome Italian threatens to drive everyone out of Fenner's Fashion
- Olive’s Baby: The staff go on strike in a bid to help Oliver look after his son
- The Wedding Dress: Fenner discovers the work force are making their own clothes
- The Sideline: Paddy gets attacked by a dishonest man and struggles to hold the workforce together
- The Guv’nor’s Wife: Mrs Fenner's dreams of meeting Margerate Thatcher lands Fenner's Fashion in trouble
- The New Girl: Fenner's new assistant takes a shine to the girls
- The Bet: The workforce decide to make their own money on horse racing
- The Accident: Fenner's Fashion faces closure when an inspector is injured whilst touring the factory
- The New Brother: A dilligent new Indian employee finds himself a victim of the girls' jokes
Christmas special (1977)
- Christmas Rush: The workforce are forced to work during the Christmas Holidays. Mrs Fenner returns to Fenner's Fashion.
Series 5 (1978)
- The Annual Ball: The creation of a dress for Mrs Fenner causes chaos at Fenner's Fashion
- The Leather Line: Another argument between Paddy and Fenner could cost Fenner's Fashion their best customers
- Stress: Fenner's attempt to secure a loan results in a heath scare
- A Bad Patch: Fenner has lost all his customers. The Girls think of a way of making money
- Come Back Paddy: Paddy leaves Fenner's Fashion for another firm
- Self-Defence: Paddy attempts of a defence program have disastrous consequences
- Fenner’s Folly: The possibility of a large order prompts Fenner to think about his future
Surviving BBC TV episodes
- Series 1 - all 10 episodes exist.
- Series 2 - 11 of the 13 episodes exist.
- Series 3 - none of the 13 episodes are currently known to exist.
DVD release
Because of the BBC's wiping policy of the 1970s, of the 36 episodes made only 21 of the original 23 episodes of the first two BBC series (1961–62) still exist in the BBC archives, all 13 episodes of the third (and final) BBC series (1963) and the 'Christmas Night with the Stars' sketch (1962) do not exist.Only 8 of the 10 existing episodes of the first BBC TV series, broadcast in 1961, were released on DVD (DD Home Entertainment) in March 2006, the other two episodes (episodes 7 and 9 of series 1) were not included as DDHE thought the prints were of such poor quality.
All 11 existing episodes, of the second BBC TV Series, broadcast in 1962, were released on DVD (DD Home Entertainment) in October 2006. It should be noted that the film recording prints used are of a uniformly poor quality throughout this set.
All episodes of Series 1 and 2 of the (1977/1978) LWT
London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
version of the series, including the 1977 Christmas special, have been released on DVD by Network
Network DVD
Network DVD is a DVD publishing company that specialises in classic British television. In particular, it has the rights to a number of well-known ITV programmes...
.
Cinema Club
2 Entertain
2 Entertain is a British video and music publisher, formed by the merger of BBC Video and Video Collection International in 2004....
have bought the rights to the original BBC TV series of the show and are releasing all 10 surviving episodes of the first BBC TV series. All 11 existing episodes of the second BBC TV series is to follow shortly after. A box set containing all 21 surviving episodes (the first two series 1961-62) of the original BBC TV series in a descending order is to be made available on DVD by the show's 50th anniversary in 2011.