Specials and Documentaries

	A Life on the Box - Wendy Richard - This is a brand new documentary on the career and life of Wendy Richard; our Miss. Brahms.  Never-before released on television, to my knowledge you can only get this documentary from DVD disc #7 in the all-new DVD collection of "Are You Being Served?"  I bought my DVD set off of Ebay the day after it was released for sale on August 27, 2002 (on my 40th birthday no less).   This documentary covers Wendy's personal and professional life from her earliest years to the present.  Includes interviews from several major cast members of AYBS and more.
	Funny Turns - John Inman - This is the most recent video made surrounding AYBS.  It features the career of John Inman with primary emphasis on his character, Mr. Humphries.  Also featured are current interviews with supporting AYBS cast members Mollie Sugden (Mrs. Slocombe), Frank Thornton (Captain Peacock), Trevor Bannister (Mr. Lucas) and Wendy Richard (Miss Brahms).  Others interviewed include David Croft, Jeremy Lloyd and Danny LaRue.  Available commercially, this is a "must have" for any avid AYBS fan.  And, if you're still wondering if Mr. Humphries is gay, then the answer lies right here! Enjoy some interesting stories not made into episodes by reading "The Are You Being Served Stories" by KQED Books (ISBN 0-912333-02-2).
	Funny Women - Mollie Sugden - This is a brand new documentary on the career and life of Mollie Sugden; our Mrs. Slocombe.  Never-before released on television, to my knowledge you can only get this documentary from DVD disc #7 in the all-new DVD collection of "Are You Being Served?".  The documentary alone was worth investing $80.00 for this fantastic and expertly produced 7 disc DVD gift set.  The set includes every episode from the first five series of AYBS plus this documentary, the following documentary about Wendy Richard (Miss Brahms) and "Funny Turns" (above).  This documentary covers Mollie's personal and professional life from her earliest years to the present.  Includes interviews from several major cast members of AYBS, from her husband / actor (deceased) and more.
	A Salute to British Comedy on American Public TV - This is another great documentary that brings the AYBS fan more up to date on what's happened to the main characters since the series ended.  This documentary doesn't just cover AYBS though.  Other British comedies covered include "Monty Python's Flying Circus", "Allo', Allo'!", "Good Neighbors", "To The Manor Born", "Yes, Minister", "Yes, Prime Minister", "Keeping Up Appearances", "As Time Goes By" and "Waiting for God".  I highly recommend this documentary which I have enjoyed countless times.  Four of my favorite interviews with the writers David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd and special interviews with Nicholas Smith (Mr. Rumbold) are included here for your enjoyment.
	Are You Being Served? The Movie - As huge of a fan as I am of AYBS, my enthusiasm concerning the movie version just isn't there.  The movie has several problems:  1) the set isn't the same as in the show; 2) Mrs. Slocombe's facial appearance is disturbingly different for most of the movie; 3) there is no live audience reaction and 4) a weak story line and considerable reuse of material from the show, that is, the movie lacks originality.  However I did manage to find 4 clips that are worth seeing, so here they are and enjoy.
	The Best of Are You Being Served? - This is a great video (available commercially) that features some of the best scenes of AYBS.  The scenes are stitched together by a story line where Mr. Humphries gets a phone call from his mother while vacationing in Hollywood.  While there, she converses with Hollywood big shots who offer Mr. Humphries money to write a book, create a theatrical screenplay and a script for a movie surrounding all the various events and people he worked with while at Grace Brothers.  The video is very well done and I've watched it a number of times.  The following three scenes are my favorites and I hope will be yours too.
	Celebrating Mollie Sugden - An Are You Being Served? Special - In October 2002 the BBC distributed yet another documentary surrounding "Are You Being Served?" with an emphasis on Mollie Sugden, the actress who played "Mrs. Slocombe" in the series and in "Grace and Favour" ("Are You Being Served? Again!" in America).  Mollie recently turned 80 years old so the documentary was also a celebration of Mollie's long and successful career in Great Britton.  The main cast of characters from AYBS each have something to say or recall about the many happy memories experienced while doing the show with Mollie.  This special is available through BBC Home Video and comes with an extra special 30 minute trailer segment not aired on American PBS stations.
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