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The Rag Trade is a British television sitcom transmitted by the BBC between 1961 and 1963.

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 associates with 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 (Miriam Karlin), ever ready to strike, with the catchphrase "Everybody out!" Other cast members included Sheila Hancock (as Carole), Esma Reese Cannon (as Brother Lil), 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 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 70s LWT series was written and performed by Lynsey De Paul.

Contents 1 Episode list 1.1 Season 1 1.2 Season 2 1.3 Season 3 1.4 Season 4 (LWT re-launch) 1.5 Season 5 1.6 Surviving BBC Episodes 2 DVD release 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Episode list

On original transmission many early episodes were not given titles so some are from production notes and repeat screenings.

[edit] Season 1

1. The Baby
2. Getting Married
3. Early Start
4. The French Fashions
5. The Sample
6. Unhappy Customer
7. Title unknown
8. Doctor’s Orders
9. The Italian Designer
10. The Golliwogs (now re-titled Christmas Box for DVD)

[edit] Season 2

1. Title unknown
2. Title unknown
3. Title unknown
4. Title unknown
5. Title unknown (Lost)
6. Title unknown
7. Stay-In Strike
8. The Fish And Chip Shop (Lost)
9. Safety Precaution
10. Stainproofer
11. Doctor
12. Barber’s Shop
13. Title unknown

[edit] Season 3

(All 13 episodes are believed lost)

1. The Australian
2. Triplets
3. The Budgie
4. The Baby Sitter
5. Second Mrs. Fenner
6. Chef’s Special
7. The Italian Bit
8. Baby Dolls
9. After The Ball
10. The Engagement Ring
11. Crocodile Tears
12. National Productivity Year
13. The American Buyer

[edit] Season 4 (LWT re-launch)

1. Stay-In Strike
2. The Sample
3. Fixing The Rate
4. The Lunch Problem
5. The Export Order
6. The Italian Line
7. Olive’s Baby
8. The Wedding Dress
9. The Sideline
10. The Guv’nor’s Wife
11. The New Girl
12. The Bet
13. The Accident
14. The New Brother
15. Christmas Rush

[edit] Season 5

1. The Annual Ball
2. The Leather Line
3. Stress
4. A Bad Patch
5. Come Back Paddy
6. Self-Defence
7. Fenner’s Folly

[edit] Surviving BBC Episodes

• Series 1 Episode 1 (1961)
• Series 1 Episode 2 (1961)
• Series 1 Episode 3 (1961)
• Series 1 Episode 4 (1961)
• Series 1 Episode 5 (1961)
• Series 1 Episode 6 (1961)
• Series 1 Episode 7 (1961)
• Series 1 Episode 8 (1961)
• Series 1 Episode 9 (1961)
• Series 1 Episode 10 (1961)
• Series 2 Episode 1 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 2 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 3 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 4 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 6 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 7 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 9 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 10 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 11 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 12 (1962)
• Series 2 Episode 13 (1962)

[edit] DVD release

Despite the BBC's wiping policy of the 1970s, only 21 of the original 36 episodes of the original 1960s BBC TV series exist in the BBC Archives.

All 10 episodes, in the original BBC Season 1, are on DVD (DD Home Entertainment).

The 11 surviving episodes of 13, in the original BBC Season 2, are on DVD (DD Home Entertainment). Two are not broadcast standard and are included as 'Extras' due to the low quality of the print.

All 13 episodes in the original BBC Season 3, still remain "missing presumed wiped"

Cinema Club has bought the rights to the original BBC series of the show and are re-releasing all 10 episodes of the original BBC Season 1. 11 of the 13 episodes of the original BBC Season 2 is to follow. A box set containing all 21 surviving episodes of the original BBC series in a descending order is to be made available on DVD by the show's 50th anniversary in 2011.

All 22 episodes, including the 1977 Christmas special, in the 1970s LWT revival, are available on DVD by Network.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The Rag Trade (1961) at the Internet Movie Database.
• The Rag Trade (1977) at the Internet Movie Database.
• Comedy Guide - The Rag Trade at bbc.co.uk
• British Film Institute Screen Online