The Show:
Although it was one of ITV's most popular comedy shows ever, regularly pulling in over eighteen million viewers, Rising Damp was rather short lived, lasting just 27 episodes spread over four series. Based on scriptwriters Eric Chappell's 1970 play The Banana Box, ITV's Yorkshire division commissioned a pilot which was a great success. It brang together the principle cast from the stageplay, including Leonard Rossiter (2001: A Space Odyssey) as landlord Rupert Rigsby, Richard Beckinsdale (Porridge) as student Alan Moore and Frances de la Tour (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) as Ruth Jones whilst also adding another main cast member who wasn't part of the stageplay, Don Warrington (Bloodbath at the House of Death) as well spoken Trinidad born student Philip Smith. Together they live in a seedy, damp bedsit, run by Rigsby, leading to many laughs.
One of the main things with the show is it's 'hidden' pop culture it hides behind. Rigsby often takes what most would assume to be racist stabs at Philip, but really, it is just showing his ignorance to other cultures which is shown very well in the opening episode where he has just come back from a holiday in Spain. Both students also annoy Rigsby by always arguing with him about their differing views on things ranging from politics to the environment, the kind of arguments you'd have with your Dad because of the era in which you are growing/grew up. What the show has done is managed to get four different people into a single house, all with completely different characteristics, yet you can connect with them all on different levels. This shows the hidden depth of the level of scriptwriting, yet the jokes still manage to come thick and fast with the cast all managing to give great performances and excellent delivery in their respective roles. Rising Damp was recently the highest rated ITV sitcom ever made in a poll by the British Broadcasting Association and if you buy this and watch it, you'll see why it so highly regarded. It has aged a little though so beware it might not be as good as you originally remember. Here is a small episode guide:
That's My Boy - Rigsby returns home from a holiday in Spain to find that Ruth has returned as a tennent and there's a woman with a baby staying.
Stage Struck - Hillary, the new tennent, causes disruption in the house as he has to contend with Rigsby's homophobia and writing a script for a play.
Clunk Clink - To try and finaly win Ruth over, Rigsby buys a sports car, only to get into a crash drink driving. With a magistrate....
The Good Samaritan - When Rigsby thinks his new tennent is going to try and top himself, he decides to call the good samaritans, who think Rigsby is the suicidal one.
Fawcett's Python - Ruth believes the new tennent to be a prostitute so asks Rigsby to evict her. She's just an exotic dancer though, with a really big snake,
The Cocktail Hour - After managing to impress her with the car in Clunk link, Alan becomes engaged to the daughter of a wealthy family.
Suddenly A Home - When a hypochondriac tennent is taken into hospital, Rigsby comes up with an extreme theory.
The DVD:
Video:
Acorn Media have provided us with the original aspect ratio of 4:3 and it's pretty average. The colours are washed out, grain is evident and there are a couple of small cases of ghosting (due to the PAL>NTSC transfer), however, it isn't as bad as it sounds. All the problems (apart from washed out colours) are only present if you're really concentrating on finding flaws, and it appears to be the same print used as the re-runs on television in the UK.
Audio:
Acorn Media have provided us with the original mono track in English, and it's perfectly adequate. For a dialogue driven show with little background music or need for sound effects, you don't need much more. Volume levels are consistent and dialogue is clear at all times, but a small bit of background hiss is present. No subtitles have been included which is an unfortunate (and stupid) stance to take.
Extras:
Nothing substantial but we do get some production notes and filmographies for the four main cast members.
OVERALL:
Fans of British comedy will love this show and should buy it instantly. Others may want to take a dip by renting it first.
