Product Description

"Rising Damp" has proved compelling viewing for over a quarter of a century and provided some of the most memorable characters in sitcom history. This guide explores the history of the show right from its first inception as a play called the "The Banana Box" and includes a full episode guide. Relive all your favourite moments from the classic sitcom, from Rigsby's doomed love for Miss Jones to Alan and Philip's continuous and successful attempts to get the better of the delusional and over-bearing Rigsby.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #190598 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

About the Author
Richard Webber is a journalist specialising in showbusiness. He has contributed to a host of newspapers and magazines, including Daily Express, Sunday Express, The Mirror, TV Times, The Lady, Yours, OK!, My Weekly and Woman's Weekly. He is the author of seven previous books about classic television programmes, including the best-selling The Complete A-Z of Dad's Army. Richard lives in Somerset with his wife, Paula, and baby daughter, Hollie.

Customer Reviews

Simply an Outstanding Tribute to a Classic Series!
If you've enjoyed this hilarious comedy series, you will surely enjoy Richard Webber's delightful (not to mention comprehensive) tribute. With complete participation from everyone involved in the production (those surviving, of course), Webber seamlessly weaves their many anecdotes into the text. The result is a dynamic, captivating, and thoroughly satisfying look back at the series largely through their recollections and memories, and it is without a doubt one of the best tribute books I've ever read (and I've read a number of them).

The book includes a detailed history of the series (and the stageplay--The Banana Box--upon which it was based), with information on how the series came about, how the right atmosphere was created on the set, how the right effect was achieved for the characters through wardrobe, and so on. The book commences with a 7-page bio of writer Eric Chappell. It includes brief (one-half page or so) bios of the producers and directors, bios on each of the four main actors and the characters they portrayed (2 to 7 pages each), and brief (1 to 2 page) bios of all the actors who appeared as "other tenants." A lovely inclusion are the very brief (but informative) little bios on all the other actors who appeared in the show--actors such as Diana King, Larry Martyn, Fanny Rowe, and Andrew Sachs to name a few. Indeed, it was interesting to find out what became of many of them and what other shows they've been in.

Also included is a complete episode guide, with summaries of each episode, the cast listing for each episode, the date of recording and of original transmission, and even the locations where rehearsals took place. A few interesting tidbits are tucked in--things like Richard Beckinsale accidentally tripping and falling into the garage door at the end of "Clunk Clink," or Leonard Rossiter choking on a piece of confetti at the end of "Come on in the Water's Lovely." Also included are an episode guide to every character, and a brief but memorable scene from each episode. Finally, the book includes a very informative and interesting 7-page behind-the-scenes look into the making of the movie and how it came about, with recollections of some of the cast and crew.

The book itself is a 6" x 8 1/2" 180-page hardcover and includes a detailed 5-page index. Lest anyone be disappointed by the appearance of the book, I ought to mention that it is NOT the glossy-paged, oversized, abundantly-illustrated tribute book that one may be expecting. The book looks like a typical novel or biography (ie. it's all text), with two 8-paged sets of photo inserts. All the photos are stills from the show. The first set consists of 16 colour photos, with 17 b/w stills comprising the second set. Though I admit I was a little disappointed initially with the look of the book, I very quickly discovered that what this book lacks in appearance it more than makes up for in content. Quite frankly, I'd gladly trade any of my beautiful, eye-catching tribute books for one as thorough and informative as this. Richard Webber is a very skilled, capable writer of tribute books, and this one is simply outstanding. I highly recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed this truly classic comedy series.

14
Richard Webber's sitcom companion books are essential reading for all who love great British comedy, and this is no exception. Rising Damp was ITV's most successful sitcom, and one of the all-time greats. This book features in-depth interviews with the series' author, Eric Chappell, and all the main cast. The history of the programme is described in minute detail - from its inception as a play, through the phenomenon of the sitcom, to the 1980 movie. It is filled with behind-the-scenes information, updates on the supporting cast, script excerpts and many exclusive photographs. A fantastically-researched, well-written, well-presented tribute to one of the cornerstones of British comedy.