Porridge was released in 1979 and is based on the British TV series Porridge which aired between 1974 and 1977. It was directed by Dick Clement and produced by Ian La Frenais. The screenplay was co-written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. Porridge is set a year before the final episode of the TV series and includes one of the last appearances by Richard Beckinsale. The actor who played Lennie Godber died in March 1979, a few weeks after its completion.
When Porridge was released in the USA it was titled Doing Time. In the film all the warders and inmates from the original TV series appear in the film, with the notable exceptions of Lukewarm, Blanco, Heslop and Harris. There is also a different governor, played by Geoffrey Bayldon rather than series regular Michael Barrington.
The storylines follows long time Slade prison inmate Fletcher who is ordered by Grouty to arrange a match between the prisoners and an all-star celebrity football team. Fletcher is unaware that the match is only a diversion so that an escape can take place. When Fletcher and his cell mate Lennie stumble on the escape, they are taken along, and find themselves having to break back into prison to avoid getting into trouble.
Rising Damp was released in 1980 and is based on the British TV series Rising Damp which aired between 1974 and 1978. It was directed by Joseph McGrath and produced by Roy Skeggs. The screenplay was written by Eric Chappell. The TV series was adapted from Chappell’s stage play The Banana Box and he then adapted it for the feature film. When adapting the screenplay Eric Chappell changed the location from the TV series set in Yorkshire to inner-city London.
The storyline follows Rupert Rigsby, a middle-aged landlord of a decrepit townhouse. Rigsby has fallen for his only female tenant, Ruth Jones. Ruth, however, prefers Philip, who is much younger, more attractive, and more sophisticated than either Rigsby or her. Philip is not especially interested in Ruth, but he eggs Rigsby on in order to humiliate him.
Film Details
Title
Porridge
Year of Film
1979
Director
Dick Clement
Starring
Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay, Brian Wilde, Peter Vaughan, Sam Kelly, Barrie Rutter, Daniel Peacock, Christopher Godwin, Geoffrey Bayldon
Origin of Film
United Kingdom
Genre(s) of Film
Comedy | Crime
Box Office
Budget: Unknown
Opening Weekend: Unknown
Gross: Unknown
Film Details
Title
Rising Damp
Year of Film
1980
Director
Joseph McGrath
Starring
Leonard Rossiter, Frances de la Tour, Don Warrington, Christopher Strauli
Origin of Film
United Kingdom
Genre(s) of Film
Comedy | Romance
Box Office
Budget: Unknown
Opening Weekend: Unknown
Gross: Unknown
Poster Details
Type of Poster
Quad
Style of Poster
Final
Origin of Poster
UK
Year of Poster
1980
Designer
Unknown
Artist
Tom Beauvais
Size (Inches)
40″ x 30″
NSS # / Printer Markings
Printed in England by W.E. Berry Ltd Bradford
Tagline
Double the laughs with Fletcher & Rigsby in one hilarious programme!
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