Are You Being Served - Christmas

Christmas Treat With The Gang At Grace Brothers

Growing up I found "Are You Being Served", was one of the British comedies we always looked forward to each week and whether it was the witty banter by the flamboyant Mr. Humphries (John Inman), the pompous carrying on by Floor Walker Capt. Peacock (Frank Thornton), or the outrageous hair styles or pussy references by Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), we were always guaranteed an enjoyable viewing experience with the wacky set of workers in the combined Men's and Ladies department at London's Grace Brothers store. In "Are You Being Served? - Christmas", we are treated to the two very rarely seen Christmas episodes, one from 1976 "The Father Christmas Affair", and the earlier one "Christmas Crackers", from 1975. Included also is the non Christmas episode "Top Hat and Tails from 1976. The two Christmas themed episodes are not generally included in the usual rerun packages of "Are You Being Served", so it is a real treat for these rare episodes to be able to be viewed again after all these years.

The first episode on the tape is "The Father Christmas Affair", where we find with the fast approaching Christmas season Grace Brothers decides to install a Father Christmas Robot in the department to draw in customers however all does not work out well when Father Christmas through a mechanical fault ends up revealing a little too much of himself for a family store. The race is then on to find a replacement and when word gets out that a bonus is being offered suddenly everyone is anxious to take on the role. Mr Humphries and Mr. Lucas (Trevor Bannister), meanwhile are trying to teach bumbling old Mr. Granger (Arthur Brough), to dance and despite his total lack of any skill a mishap causes him to be selected as the Store's rather "unusual", version of Father Christmas.

The second episode is the classic "Christmas Crackers", where we find the staff yet again being asked for ideas about raising the profits in their department for the Christmas period. The suggestion is made by Mr. Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), that all the staff wear fancy dress costumes based on children's stories much to the opposition of the staff. Meanwhile the department are given their annual Christmas lunch courtesy of Grace Brothers however the cost cutting store provides the meanest of meals imaginable complete with an emaciated looking Turkey and an exploding Plum Pudding that ruins everyone's appetite. Back at work after the terrible meal the staff try on their costumes to great comic effect and as a finale break into a musical number to celebrate the Christmas season.

The third episode is "Top Hat and Tails", and sees the staff asked to participate in the combined Department Stores annual Golden Shoes Competition. However finding the right partner and getting all the right steps in place is no easy matter and so when Capt Peacock finds out that Mr. Humphries was a former teacher at the Twinkletoes Dance Academy, he is recruited to lead the group in brushing up their dance steps. After some not so impressive rehearsals where Mr. Lucas uses a false arm to get around Mrs. Slocombe's back and Mr. Granger can't seem to get in step with anyone it is left up to Young Mr. Grace (Harold Bennet), to decide which pair should enter the competition. Instead of the men and ladies of the department however Young Mr. Grace picks two automated store dummies that apparently look better on the dance floor than any of the staff!

A good round of festive laughs are guaranteed with these very funny episodes of this now classic British comedy. Performers such as John Inman, Mollie Sugden, Frank Thornton and Arthur Brough are really superb in characters that very quickly became much loved household names. John Inman probably still stands out most in peoples memories playing the oh so fey Mr. Humphries who nevertheless had many of the series best lines. The second of the two Christmas episodes "Christman Crackers", is I believe the classic one on this tape and the unforgettable Christmas lunch scene complete with dried up Turkey, sagging Plum Pudding and hilarious novelities in the crackers, is sure to give you a wonderful laugh. Some people would say that alot of the humour of "Are You Being Served?" has not travelled well down the years since it first screened however I find it still as effective and highly amusing today as I did watching it as a child. The Christmas themed stories are a superb showcase for the talents of this very gifted group of performers and that is what makes this tape "Are You Being Served? - Christmas", such good viewing at this time of the year. Enjoy the festive highjinks of the colourful staff at Grace Brothers Department Store soon, an enjoyable time full of great humour is guaranteed.
December 10, 2004

Ho ho ho, Little Boy....

You'll love this video, with 3 terrific episodes that are very hard to find on TV. "The Father Christmas Affair" shows the staff of Grace Brothers competing for money posing as "Father Christmas" (aka Santa Claus), while Mr. Humphries and Mr. Lucas show Mr. Grainger a new act for his old folks' home.

"Christmas Crackers" is the funniest one of the three, in my opinion; while Mr. Grainger is having difficulty being "roused" by his wife, the staff discuss how to raise Christmas sales, Mr. Rumbold's suggestion to wear fancy dress doesn't go over too well, and Mr. Mash makes his pudding go up in smoke while Grainger does a Rumbold impression.

"Top Hat and Tails" isn't technically a Christmas episode, but it is such a rare show that it can easily be forgotten. Capt. Peacock suggests the staff join the "Golden Shoes Competition", but Mr. Humphries finds they aren't quick learners after all. Some of the events that follow are hilarious; a suit problem for Peacock, a rather high dress for Mrs. Slocombe, and being outdanced by two "automated display units".

Highly Recommended! June 10, 2003

Laughs Galore!!

This is a very funny video. It is non-stop laughter. If you like British Comedy this video is the one to buy! December 9, 2002

Are You Being Served?

This hillarious blend of Father Christmas Affair, Cristmas Crackers, and Top Hat and Tails will surely tickle your funny bone.

In Father Christmas Affair, the staff are troubled with the problem of finding a Father Christmas for the store untill there is a fifty pound bonus.

In Cristmas Crackers, the staff get into the Cristmas season by having their usual(ly bad) Christmas dinner(except Mr.Lucas) and get into their holliday costumes to fit their winter wonderland department.

In Top Hat and Tails, The staff prepare to enter "The Golden Shoes Competition" how ever akwardly it seems. They also welcome their new akward robots who in time dance better than the staff. January 23, 2002

Celebrate Christmas with a Chuckle!

The gang from Grace Brothers is back! Let's get into Christmas costumes and watch Mr. Humphries and Mrs. Slocumb and that hottie Ms. Brahms spread Christmas Cheer. Let's set the department store aglow in holiday designs. Let's watch Mr. Grace treat the staff to a Christmas lunch filled with fun and havoc....boy was that a luncheon we won't forget. Just like the set of 7 volumes, this Christmas edition will not disappoint. I love English comedies! And so will you as it will hook you into watching and loving the holidays even more. Well worth it....highly recommended. September 15, 2001

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