The Rag Trade
The Rag Trade is a British television sitcom broadcast by the BBC between 1961 and 1963 and by LWT between 1977 and 1978. The scripts were by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney, who later wrote Wild, Wild Women, Meet the Wife and On the Buses. Wild, Wild Women was a period variation of The Rag Trade. The action centred on a small clothing workshop, Fenner Fashions in London. Although run by Harold Fenner and Reg the foreman, the female workers are led by militant shop steward Paddy Fleming, ever ready to strike, with the catchphrase "Everybody out!" Other cast members included Sheila Hancock, Esma Reese Cannon, Wanda Ventham and Barbara Windsor. 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, most of the scripts being based on the BBC episodes from the 1960s, and featured Anna Karen and future EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth as factory workers. The theme tune for the LWT series was written and performed by Lynsey De Paul.
Episodes
Runtime: 30m
The girls are busy getting an order ready for Glamour Gowns, but once again their work is interrupted by Mrs Fenner, who wants her dress altered, unfortunately it vanishes.
Runtime: 30m
Fenner has an order, a design and the stock for a range of leather garments, unfortunately Paddy and the girls feel that it is work they should not be carrying out, claiming that leather work is a specific skill.
Runtime: 30m
The Banks start to close in on Fenner Fashions, and he's forced to economise or go under. Fearing for his health, and the possibility of Mrs Fenner taking over, Paddy demands the girls work harder and economise.
Runtime: 30m
Things go from bad to worse for Fenner, not a single order comes through, to keep busy, the girls offer to decorate the restroom, for £30 a head.
Runtime: 30m
Fenner is close to landing a large order, but he's up against Roger Jackson's rival factory. Chances of the order seem slim when Jackson offers Paddy a job at his factory.
Runtime: 30m
The girls are terrified by the number of attacks in the area, and threaten industrial action, unless Fenner pays for them to have lessons in self defence.
Runtime: 30m
Fenner's in a flap over a sample cocktail dress, and even agrees to an extortionate rate from Paddy, the reason, Miss Butler of The Chelsea Boutique.
