Welcome to Grace Brothers, an ailing department store where the management are beginning to show signs of wear and the staff are clashing! The complete first series including the pilot episode starring Mr. "I'm Free" Humphries, outrageously bouffant Mrs Slocombe, naive Miss Brahms, haughty Captain Peacock and the rest of the Grace Brothers' staff.
Episodes Comprise:
1. Are You Being Served? (Pilot Episode)
2. Dear Sexy Knickers
3. Our Figures are Slipping
4. Camping In
5. His and Hers
6. Diamonds are a Man's Best Friend
The ebullient comedy films of the 1930's brought escape and laughter to millions of British cinemagoers, enabling veteran stars of the music-hall and theatre to reach out to a wider audience making household names of performers like Leslie Fuller, Hal Gordon, Bobby Howes, Ernest Lotinga and Gene Gerrard. Although comedy would prove to be the decade's most successful film genre, many of these classic early talkies have remained unseen since their original release. This ongoing collection showcases a wealth of rare features, each presented uncut...
One Good Turn (1936)
Leslie Fuller stars as a stall keeper who - along with his assistant and their horse - tries to save a musical show when it gets into trouble.
Spring Handicap (1937)
Will Fyffe plays a compulsive gambler and born loser who feels sure some money he's inherited will turn his luck to the better!
Filmed in Rusholme, Manchester, for the great Mancunian Film Corporation, 'Cup-Tie Honeymoon' is a riotous post-war comedy from the North of England where the gags come quicker than the team's wingers! Joe Butler (Sandy Powell) is the soccer-mad son of the company chairman, who has to decide which team he will play for in a cup-tie: his school or his father's. If he makes the right decision he can also score with his dad's pretty secretary! Features an excellent supporting cast of Dan Young, Betty Jumel and Pat Phoenix, most of the film was shot on local streets and at Manchester City's Maine Road stadium.
Double bill of British wartime comedies directed by Oswald Mitchell.
Jailbirds (1940)
Charles Hawtrey stars as Nick, a prisoner who escapes along with Bill (Albert Burdon) dressed in drag. Both get jobs in a bakery where they hide some stolen jewellery in a loaf Hawtry at his "campest" best.
Sailors Don't Care (1940)
Boat-building father and Son Nobby Clark (Edward Rigby, Tom Gamble) join the River Patrol service. They are 'vamped' by two nightclub girls who are spies. Manning a listening post on the ship 'Terrific' Joe and Nobby see a parachutist landing in the river with a time bomb in his hands....
Reservist Tommy Smart (Tommy Trinder) has made his fortune selling army surplus and is not best pleased to be recalled to barracks for two weeks' compulsory training. Arriving with his trusty manservant, his dreams of a quiet life are shattered when he gets an ear-splitting welcome from his old enemy, Sergeant Thickpenny (Rufus Cruickshank), and the notorious RSM Brittain, who's already decided Tommy is an ''orrible little man'. The war might be over but with a mountain of spud-bashing to do and some highly irregular night manoeuvres to be carried out, it's just one skirmish after another around this highly active army base. But will Tommy make it back to civvy street in one piece?
The ebullient comedy films of the 1930's brought escape and laughter to millions of British cinemagoers, enabling veteran stars of the music-hall and theatre to reach out to a wider audience making household names of performers like Leslie Fuller, Hal Gordon, Bobby Howes, Ernest Lotinga and Gene Gerrard. Although comedy would prove to be the decade's most successful film genre, many of these classic early talkies have remained unseen since their original release. This ongoing collection showcases a wealth of rare features, each presented uncut...
Housemaster (1938)
The incoming headmaster of a venerable public school causes ructions when he unleashes a welter of red tape and puritanical 'reforms'.
Me and My Pal (1939)
A soft-headed driver is recruited by a racketeer who thinks he's just the kind of mug he could put to good use...
When a wealthy newspaper proprietor passes away, his crooked business partner moves to secure the deceased's fortune by substituting a false will. But 'Corona' Flanagan (Bud Flanagan) is onto the fraudster, and his efforts to unmask the villain see him popping in and out of jail - which isn't all that bad, since the governor is an old friend of his - and dressing up as a Russian countess...
'Professor' Fortescue (Ronald Shiner) is a fake 'Professor' trying unsuccessfully to sell his system for picking racehorse winners. When by chance, he succeeds he is chased by the local bookmakers. Attempting to escape, Fortescue stumbles into Bagshot Boys College and despite his lack of formal education, accepts the role of Professor of an unruly bunch of boys. When the boys cheat in an exam and win a trip to Paris Fortescue has to maintain control as they all head to France. His task becomes more difficult when the brother of one of the boys joins the trip to steal the famous Marie Antoinette necklace, and the trip quickly descends into hilarious chaos.
In London seeking employment, Eileen (René Ray) gets framed for knifing a man who got on the bad side of a gang of crooks. Escaping capture, Eileen feverishly hunts for the victim's brother, to whom she must deliver an important message.
Continuing the BFI's exploration of Britain on Film, this fascinating collection brings together a selection of public information films, propaganda shorts and adverts from the Second World War, drawn from the BFI National Archive, all of which give essential advice to a nation living in an age of austerity. Amongst the handy hints and tips, we learn how to support the war effort from home by rationing, staying healthy, growing vegetables, cooking and salvaging. Also includes an illustrated booklet with essays, film notes and full film credits.
Cookery Tips
- Cookery Hints: Oatmeal Porridge
- When the Pie was Opened
- Mrs. T and her Cabbage Patch
- Two Cooks and a Cabbage
- Tea Making Tips
- Food Flash: Milk, Fish and Potatoes
Save Your Shillings and Smile
- Did You Ever See a Dream Talking
- Keep Them Safe Keep Them Happy
- Bob-in the Pound
- Save Your Shillings and Smile
- Get Cracking
- Food Flash: Bread and Dough
Make Do and Mend
- Salvage with a Smile
- Wisdom of the Wild
- Sabotage!
- Mrs Mopp Entertains
- Wicked Witch
- Dustbin Parade
- Little Annie's Rag Book
- Little Miss Muddlehead
- Food Flash: Ration Books
Fighting Fit
- Fitness Wins: 4 and 20 Fit Girls
- A-Tish-oo!
- ABCD of Health
- Round Figures
- Food Flash: Eggs, Cocoa and Cod Liver Oil
Dig for Victory
- The Backyard Front
- Bampton Shows The Way
- Food Flash: Canteens and Rats
29 Acacia Avenue (1945)
The Robinsons (Gordon Marker and Betty Balfour) are two respectable middle class parents living with their children in a suburban house in Acacia Avenue. Preferring to holiday every year in Bognor they are pressed into booking a cruise for their annual vacation and thereby leaving their teenage children (Jimmy Hanley and Carla Lehmann) the free run of their house. As the youngsters enjoy their newfound freedom and discover the angst of teenage life, Mr and Mrs Robinson begin to have second thoughts about their cruise and decide to return home early...
Operation Cupid (1960)
When three bumbling conmen win a dating agency in a rigged card game they think their luck has finally changed. When they take charge of the business though, they discover that the con is on them and that the agency is in debt, the furnishings are all on credit and the staff" haven't been paid! Salvation appears in the form of a millionaires client who is searching for a suitable husband and one of the conmen pretends to also be a millionaire. But who is conning who?
Come Back Peter (1952)
A charming comedy, directed by Charles Saunders starring Patrick Holt, Peter Hammond, Humphrey Lestocq, Kathleen Boutall and Charles Lamb. Pandemonium is created in a small country house when various relatives come to stay.
Boys will be Girls (1937)
Filmed at Elstree, this British comedy tells the story of a man who has to give up drinking, smoking and wild women in order to inherit a legacy. Directed by Gilbert Pratt, it stars Leslie Fuller with Nellie Wallace, Greta Gynt Georgie Harris, Judy Kelly, D.J. Williams,Toni Edgar-Bruce, Constance Godridge, Syd Crossley and Syd Courtenay.
A Hole Lot of Trouble (1969)
The efforts of a group of workmen trying to dig a hole forms the basis for this delightful comedy, with a classic British cast. Directed by Francis A Searle, the film stars Arthur Lowe,Victor Maddern, Bill Maynard and Tim Barrett Also features: Ken Parry, Leslie Dwyer, Benny Lee, Brian Weske, Neal Arden, Hani Borelle, Hazel Coppen and Geraldine Gardner.
A Night of Magic (1944)
This previously lost British musical comedy was directed by Herbert Wynne and stars Robert Griffith, Gerald Pring, Billy'Uke' Scott, Marian Olive and Elsa Tee. A man discovers an ancient Egyptian princess alive inside a sarcophagus, and the pair enjoy an unforgettable night of romance and adventure, including chorus girls and music.
A Touch of The Sun (1956)
In swanky London hotel the Royal Connaught, if you need anything, just ask for'Mr Fix-it', aka Mr Darling, a hotel porter who has come into an inheritance! Made at Nettlefold studios, this British comedy was directed by Gordon Parry and stars Frankie Howerd, Ruby Murray, Alfie Bass and Dennis Price.
Under A Cloud (1937)
Directed by George King, this British comedy tells the story of a man who returns from Australia after 20 years on the run and tries to reconcile with his estranged family. His wife is now well-to-do through inheritance, and has painted a completely different picture of him to their children. Starring Edward Rigby and Betty Ann Davies.
Just William's Luck (1948)
This once lost British comedy was directed byVal Guest and stars: William Graham, Garry Marsh and Jane Welsh. It is based on the popular books written by Richmal Compton, who was so impressed by it that she then wrote a novel based on the film.
It's a Wonderful World (1956)
This musical comedy was written and directed by Val Guest. It stars Terence Morgan, George Cole, Kathleen Harrison and Mylene Demongeot in her first English-language film.Two struggling composers hit on a novel way of producing music backwards! Songs include- Rosanne, When You Came Along, Girls! Girls! Girls! (Ted Heath, Moira Heath), A Few Kisses Ago (Robert Farnon.Val Guest).Also features: Dennis Lotis, James Hayter, Harold Lang, Maurice Kaufmann, Richard Wattis, Charles Clay, Derek Blomfield, Sam Kydd, Shirley Anne Field and Jon Pertwee.
Pick a Star AKA Movie Struck (1937) This American musical comedy film stars Rosina Lawrence, lack Haley, Patsy Kelly and Mischa Auer.Telling the story of a girl who comes to Hollywood and becomes a big star, it was directed by Edward Sedgwick and produced by Hal Roach. Best known for scenes featuring'Laurel and Hardy, the film was reissued as Movie Struck by Astor Pictures in 1954.
Where There's A Will (1955) Directed by Vernon Sewell and starring George Cole, Leslie Dwyer and Kathleen Harrison. In this endearing comedy, a cockney family inherit a ramshackle farm and decide to make a go of it Also features:Ann Hanslip, Michael Shepley, Dandy Nichols,Thelma Ruby, Norman MacOwan, Hugh Morton, Edward Lexy, Edward Woodward, Philip Ray, Sam Kydd and Bill Shine.
A family reduced to imminent poverty by the father's disinclination to work; an American lawyer looking for the heir to half a million pounds; the scene is set for a hilarious tale of creative deception from director John Paddy Carstairs!
All in Good Fun (1955)
Comedy Compilation of film comedy from its earliest days to the golden age of slapstick. Includes Max Linder, Tontolini,John Bunny, Ford Sterling Marie Dressier, Fred Mace, Keystone Cops, Mack Sennett and Chaplin. Introduced by Bob Monkhouse.
Inn for Trouble (1960)
Peggy Mount and David Kossoff star as Ada and Alf Larkin in this big screen version of the hugely popular 1950's TV comedy he Larkins'.
Dentist in the Chair (1960)
Student David makes a big mistake of falling in love with the Dean's niece Peggy and he may have just made Britain's 'Most Wanted' list too, by getting accidentally involved with stolen goods from a bungling crook!
Two on the Tiles (1951)
A married couple both face temptations while separated for a few days.The husband meets an attractive female fellow traveler in Paris while the wife accidentally spends a night aboard a Royal Navy ship with a male friend after she is stranded following a party.
And the Same to You (1960)
British comic farce featuring performances by Sid James and Tommy Cooper. Brian Rix plays Dickie Dreadnought, the boxing-mad nephew of pious clergyman Reverend Sydney Mullet (Leo Franklyn). Dickie embarks on an elaborate plan to keep his budding boxing career a secret.
Carry On Admiral (The Ship Was Loaded) (1957)
After a hard night's drinking, the Assistant to the First Sea Lord and a new ship's captain accidentally swap clothes and are mistaken for one another! Now the Captain must help handle the reorganising of the entire navy while the hapless assistant must run a fully armed warship.
Crazy Days (1962)
Made in 1962, Scenes from the silent era greats. Including Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin plus many more.
Demobbed (1944)
Demobbed from the army Nat, Norman and Dan get new jobs, solve a crime and stage a concert party.
Lifetime of Comedy (1960)
Compilation of comedy sketches from the comedy kings Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby.
Tell Me Another (1976)
Filmed with Dick Hills with a live studio audience. A Comedy Compilation of stories from Norman Wisdom, Arthur Askeyjim Dale, Jimmy Jewel, Ted Ray, Roy Hudd, Spike Milligan, Reg Varney, Leslie Phillips, Terry Scott, Thora Hird, Warren Mitchell and Peggy Mount.
The Silent Comics
A short documentary reflecting on the timeless works of silent comics Buster Kantan Harold Llovd and Ben Turbin.
Leaving a notorious trail of arson behind them, the St. Trinian's schoolgirls are always on the move. Their headmistress is more than 'just friends' with the Minister of School. Armed with a government grant, she re-houses her girls in yet another home - Halimgwell Grange. What she doesn't know is that the Great Train Robbers have got there before her. And left £2.5 million hidden under the ballroom stage...
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