The Rag Trade. Image shows from L to R: Harold Fenner (Peter Jones), Paddy Fleming (Miriam Karlin). Copyright: BBC
The Rag Trade

The Rag Trade

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One / ITV
  • 1961 - 1978
  • 58 episodes (5 series)

Each working day at Fenner's Fashions is a new struggle between the management and the workers. Stars Peter Jones, Miriam Karlin, Reg Varney, Christopher Beeny, Esma Cannon and more.

The Rag Trade. Image shows from L to R: Paddy Fleming (Miriam Karlin), Harold Fenner (Peter Jones), Carole Taylor (Sheila Hancock). Copyright: BBC
Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
1961 - 1978
Channels
BBC One, ITV
Episodes
58 (5 series), plus 1 short insert
Stars
Peter Jones, Miriam Karlin, Reg Varney, Christopher Beeny, Esma Cannon, Sheila Hancock, Wanda Ventham, Barbara Windsor and more
Writers
Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe
Directors
Dennis Main Wilson, Bryan Izzard and William G Stewart
Producers
Dennis Main Wilson, Bryan Izzard and William G Stewart
Companies

Fenner's Fashions make high quality clothing. Unfortunately for managing director Harold Fenner, the loud-mouthed shop steward, Paddy, is on the look-out for any excuse to take the almost entirely female workforce out on strike.

As a consequence, every day is a battle between Paddy and Harold, aided (and often hindered) by the foremen, Reg, and later, Tony. But somehow they seem to pull together at the last minute and get things done.

Additional details

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Black and white / Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Friday 6th October 1961 at 8:45pm on BBC One
Last new broadcast
Friday 20th October 1978 at 7:30pm on ITV

Recording details

  • The London Studios - Series 4 and 5.

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