The Rag Trade

For the clothing industry, see Rag trade. For the racehorse, see Rag Trade (horse). For the TV theme, see The Rag Trade (song).

The Rag Trade
Actresses Sheila Hancock, Esma Cannon and Miriam Karlin
Created by	Chesney and Wolfe
Starring	Peter Jones Miriam Karlin Sheila Hancock Barbara Windsor Reg Varney Esma Cannon Wanda Ventham Ann Beach Christopher Beeny Anna Karen Gillian Taylforth Deddie Davies Diane Langton
No. of series	5
No. of episodes	58 (15 missing)
Production
Producers	Dennis Main Wilson (BBC) Bryan Izzard (LWT)
Running time	30 minutes
Production companies	BBC (Series 1–3) LWT (Series 4–5)
Original release
Network	BBC
Release	6 October 1961 (1961-10-06) – 30 March 1963 (1963-03-30)
Network	ITV
Release	11 September 1977 (1977-09-11) – 20 October 1978 (1978-10-20)

The Rag Trade is a British television sitcom broadcast by the BBC between 1961 and 1963 and by ITV 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 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]

Synopsis

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 TV 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

1961–1963

• 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

• 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

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.

Original BBC TV series

Series 1 (1961)

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 & 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 Oulton
Episode 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 Landis
Episode 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 Caddick

Series 2 (1962)

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 flat
Episode 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 exists Guest 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 exists Guest 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 Conroy

Christmas Night with the Stars 25 December 1962 – featured a short sketch. (Has been lost)

Series 3 (1963)

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 1963
Episode 3	19 January 1963	Fenners hires Reg's mother as his new assistant
Episode 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 Howell
Episode 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 Newell

Colour pilot (1975)

Title	Airdate	Description	Notes
Colour pilot	Unaired

LWT relaunch series

Series 4 (1977)

Title	Airdate	Description	Notes
"Stay-In Strike"	10 September[14]	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)

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)

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 episodes

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 almost 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.^[15]

Music

"The Rag Trade" was the theme song to the 1977 revival of The Rag Trade,^[16][17][18] The song was written by Lynsey de Paul, but the vocals are credited to Joan Brown singing "It's the rag trade" over a quirky tune, sounding remarkably like de Paul. Indeed, some sources credit the vocal performance of the song to de Paul.^[19][20] The recording was arranged by John Bell and the conductor was Denis King. It was released on an album of TV themes on the DJM Records subsidiary label Weekend Records.^[21] The DVD set featuring all 22 episodes of the LWT episodes, with the theme music at the beginning and ending of every episode, was released by Network. The original version of "The Rag Trade" can be heard on de Paul's official website.^[22]

DVD release

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.^[23]

A 4-disc 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.^[24]

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.^[25]

References

1. "BFI Screenonline: Rag Trade, The (1961-63)". www.screenonline.org.uk.
2. 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
3. British TV Comedies: Cultural Concepts, Contexts and Controversies, edited by Juergen Kamm and Birgit Neumann, 2016, ISBN 9781137552945
4. "BFI Screenonline: Wolfe, Ronald (1924-2011) and Chesney, Ronald (1920-) Biography". www.screenonline.org.uk.
5. Guide, British Comedy. "Wild, Wild Women - BBC1 Sitcom". British Comedy Guide.
6. Guide, British Comedy. "The Rag Trade cast and crew credits". British Comedy Guide.
7. "The Sample (1977)". BFI. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019.
8. "The Rag Trade". 9 April 2021.
9. "Unknown Artist – T.V. Themes (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs. 20 October 1977. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
10. "FREDERIKSSONS FABRIKK (1994)". BFI. Archived from the original on 8 August 2021.
11. "The Rag Trade[06/10/61] (1961)". BFI. Archived from the original on 8 August 2021.
12. "The Rag Trade[01/12/61] (1961)". BFI. Archived from the original on 8 August 2021.
13. "The Rag Trade[20/04/62] (1962)". BFI. Archived from the original on 8 August 2021.
14. https://x.com/woodg31/status/1833558026122629417/photo/4
15. Guide, British Comedy. "The Rag Trade Series 3, Episode 5 - Baby Dolls". British Comedy Guide.
16. "The Rag Trade Series 4 episode guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
17. The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937-2013 by Chris Perry, ISBN 978-1900203609
18. "The Rag Trade". IMDb.com. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
19. Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2014, by Harris M. Lentz III, ISBN 978-0786470631
20. "Chesney and Wolfe's Most Popular Britcoms from the 1960s and 1970s". Simplyhe.com. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
21. "Unknown Artist - T.V. Themes". Discogs.com. 1977. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
22. "TV Music". Lynseydepaul.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
23. Guide, British Comedy. "The Rag Trade - Series One DVD". British Comedy Guide.
24. "The Rag Trade – Series One and Two. Simply Media DVD Review". 2 November 2017.
25. Guide, British Comedy. "The Rag Trade - The Complete First LWT Series DVD". British Comedy Guide.

External links

• The Rag Trade (1961) at IMDb
• The Rag Trade (1977) at IMDb
• The Rag Trade at BBC Online
• The Rag Trade at the BFI's Screenonline
• The Rag Trade at British Comedy Guide