8mm Forum: Are You Being Served?

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Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 08, 2017, 01:21 PM:

Has this feature film of the TV show, ever been found as a super 8 optical sound feature?

I ask as, "Rising Damp" was a super 8 optical sound feature, released at the almost same time as "Are You Being Served", so i hold out hope.

Posted by Will Trenfield (Member # 5321) on June 08, 2017, 05:43 PM:

"Rising Damp" was an ITV production whereas "Are You Being Served?" came from the BBC, the rival TV broadcaster.

Posted by Martin Davey (Member # 2841) on June 09, 2017, 01:48 AM:

But the films themselves are not from TV companies. The property is licensed to a third party for a film to be made. Are you Being Served was an Anglo -EMI production. Rising Damp was a Black Lion/ ITC production.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 09, 2017, 12:20 PM:

Interesting info, folks!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 10, 2017, 02:25 AM:

Not worth waiting for.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 10, 2017, 02:33 AM:

The 1977 cinema version of "Are You Being Served" was on British television in April this year, and, frankly, it was terrible. Just proving that a normal half-hour TV show should not be elongated to 95 minutes.

The staff of Grace Bros take a trip to the Costa Plonka whilst the store is being remodelled.

The beginning set in the store was acceptable normal store fun, but when they arrived at their hotel it all escalated into rubbish.

Posted by David Skillern (Member # 607) on June 10, 2017, 02:35 AM:

Osi,

Are you being Served the film is a real guilty pleasure of mine - I love it - I went to see it when it was on general release over here in the late 70's - although politically incorrect - who cares - its a great slice of British Comedy with the original cast. I have it on DVD - but I'd love a copy on super 8 - optical or 16mm.

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on June 10, 2017, 03:06 AM:

Just goes to show - one mans meat.................etc. But I tend to agree that the film was not of the standard of the TV episodes.

......

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on June 10, 2017, 03:06 AM:

I know the story has been used both as a film and a stage play. I've seen both and find them much inferior to the TV show.

Posted by Simon Balderston (Member # 5106) on June 10, 2017, 05:26 AM:

i agree TV to feature film goes off the boil are you being served,porridge,rising damp etc but at least we got them

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on June 10, 2017, 05:35 AM:

Porridge and Rising Damp were both really good.

The super 8 400 footer of Porridge from Walton is worth hunting down as well done and keeps the feel of the film.

George and Mildred was very pale compared to the sitcom, Man about the House was OK ish, Bless this house was OK, Dads Army was very good.

Are there any otrhers beside Are you being served.

I think there may have been one about the languade school ?

Best Mark.

Posted by Mark Mander (Member # 340) on June 10, 2017, 06:33 AM:

Mind your language, Mark, another slice of terrible TV..Mark

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on June 10, 2017, 10:36 AM:

You forgot Please Sir 400ft extract and 4x400 mini feature from Walton.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 10, 2017, 12:45 PM:

I agree that the first 30 minutes are literally like a episode of the TV show, but I thought it was a nice change of pace (the feature) and it's a fun slice of British Comedy, the likes that would never be made these days (well, by what I see coming out now on the BBC, although "Still Open" is a decent reboot of the classic).

Posted by Clive Carmock (Member # 347) on June 10, 2017, 01:54 PM:

Are you being served did get issued to the libraries on 16mm. I have a copy which has survived with good colour

They are variable for sure but I have a liking for the 1970's adaptations from sitcoms.

So far I have tracked down:-

Rising Damp - 16mm
Are you Being Served - 16mm
Man About the House - 35mm
Steptoe & Son Ride again - 16mm
Father Dear Father - 16mm
Please Sir! - Walton 4x400 Super 8
Bless This House - both 16mm & Powell 4x400 Super 8
Porridge - 16mm
Up Pompeii - 35mm

[ June 11, 2017, 11:06 AM: Message edited by: Clive Carmock ]

Posted by David Skillern (Member # 607) on June 11, 2017, 05:43 AM:

As people have already said - "horses for courses" - I love the feature length spin offs of British Comedy Shows - I have Porridge full length optical print and Rising Damp full length optical print as well as the walton 4x400ft of Please Sir and the PM or Powell release of Up Pompeii - these features, although couldn't and wouldn't be made or remade today in this era of Political Correctness - still have a place in British Film History and especially in the world of collecting prints as these very well known comedic stars need to be remembered - for the humour they brought into our homes and at the cinema for many more years to come.

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