Are You Being Served? The Complete Collection (Series 1-14 Volumes)

Amazon.com

The definitive British sitcom is almost certainly Are You Being Served?, which depicts the squabbles, misadventures, and flirtations of the staff of Grace Brothers department store. The show was originally conceived as a vehicle for an irreverent junior salesman named Mr. Lucas (Trevor Bannister), but it soon became clear that mocking a social hierarchy isn't half as funny as taking it all too seriously. The show really revolves around Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), whose wildly changing hair color and mercurial moods terrorize the rest of the staff, and cheerful but sly Mr. Humphries (the effervescent John Inman), one of the first gay characters on television treated with dignity--or at least no more indignity than anyone else (the show makes some noise about not being sure if Mr. Humphries is gay or not, but no one in the audience will have any question). But the rest of the cast is superb as well: Frank Thornton as the elegant but leering floorwalker Capt. Peacock, Wendy Richard as the sexy, impish Miss Brahms, Arthur Brough as cantankerous Mr. Grainger (who, sadly, died after the fifth season; other characters took his position on the sales staff, but never quite matched up), and Nicholas Smith as the self-serving but incompetent manager Mr. Rumbold form a comic ensemble that has rarely been equaled.

These characters, written with affection and played with superb comic dash, endlessly jockey for status and salary while simultaneously creating an alternative family (the core structure for any sitcom on either side of the Atlantic). Are You Being Served? deserves its devoted fan base, who will revel in this comprehensive 14-DVD box set (which includes specials about Inman, Sugden, and Richard, as well as other extras). --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

GREAT SERVICE!.......2007-08-23

We are totally pleased with the "Are You Being Served" DVD set. It came so quickly and was in perfect condition. Thanks for giving such great and reliable service. You are the best. S. Ward

Best Way to Buy The Series.......2007-07-10

Get everything in one big box set. You wont regret buying this set. It is funny. It will make you laugh yourself silly. This is a series you will watch over and over again. There are episodes in here that you rarely see on the telly. Being able to watch the whole thing in order or whenever you want makes it well worth the cost.

FABULOUS!.......2007-06-22

i love this show and would watch it every Saturday when it came on PBS. when i found out that they had released the entire show on DVD, i just had to have it! it has total rewatchability, when i'm bored i'll grab a random DVD and watch whatever episodes it contains! all the characters are dear to my heart, and every episode guarantees laughter!!! :)

They keep on serving.......2007-06-21

The gang at Grace Brothers Department Store keep on serving up humor with a distinct British style. Reminiscent of the "I Love Lucy" series' integration of humor and musical or theatric mini-productions, the show delivers continuing satisfaction. My wife has temporarily retired her Lucy DVDs in favor of "Are You Being Served?" and continues to play and replay the episodes with no decrease in pleasure from the watching. It is a rare series that maintains its freshness play after replay. This has all the flavor of a series that can be called "Classic."

Are You Being Served?.......2007-06-13

This is one of the best British Comedies. Especially the innuendos. It is still relevent to our time.

Average customer rating:

Big screen visit
Only watch it if you are a fan of the show.
It was like the show but longer
Dont judge by other reviews!
British Entertainment

Are You Being Served? The Movie
Starring: John Inman , Mollie Sugden , Frank Thornton , Trevor Bannister , and Wendy Richard
Director: Bob Kellett
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0000640SH
Release Date: 2002-06-11

Product Description

THE OUTRAGEOUS MOVIE VERSION OF THE BELOVED BRITISH COMEDY SERIES "Are You Free?" While the store floor is being remodeled, the staff of Grace Brothers is treated to a continental holiday at Don Bernardo's Palace Hotel in Costa Plonka where they tangle with the local cuisine, swap cheeky lust letters and are caught in the middle of an armed rebel insurrection. Join Mr. Humphries (John Inman), Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), Captain Peacock (Frank Thornton), Mr. Lucas (Trevor Bannister), Miss Brahms (Wendy Richard), Mr. Grainger (Arthur Brough), Mr. Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), Mr. Harman (Arthur English) and Young Mr. Grace (Harold Bennett) as the bullets and knickers fly! Andrew Sachs ('Manuel' from FAWLTY TOWERS) co-stars in this hilarious feature-length 1977 movie version of the beloved BBC television series that has become one of the most popular British comedies in PBS history! Contains a 5x7 Theatrical Poster Replica

System Requirements:
Starring: John Inman, Molly Sudgen, Frank Thornton, Trevor Bannister, Wendy Richard, Arthur English
Director: Bob Kellett
Producer: Andrew Mitchell
Running Time: 96 Min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Writers Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft managed something quite clever with this, the film version of the 1970s sitcom Are You Being Served? The idea of this cheery collection of comedy stereotypes--the pompous one, the vulgar one, the camp one, the shifty one, and so on--being confined within a department store was a master stroke, as it allowed any kind of situation to arise without the plot having to exceed the restrictions imposed by the set. How, then, to keep the same theme for the big screen without just offering the television series writ large? Simple: send the whole cast on holiday together but make sure they can't leave their hotel, a state of affairs contrived easily enough by throwing a guerilla uprising into the plot. So it is, then, that the staff of Grace Bros. descends on the Costa Plonka while the store is closed for refurbishment. There are all the usual jokes involving knickers, boobs, toilets, and gay sex (sometimes all at once), adding up to a good slice of nostalgic fun for anyone who was there when lapels really were that wide. --Roger Thomas

Customer Reviews:

Big screen visit.......2007-07-16

All our favorite characters from the TV series, Are You Being Served, in a big screen production. It's fun and the humor is intact, but ironically the TV production is better. Just goes to show that bigger isn't always better, nevertheless a must see for die-hard AYBS fans!

Only watch it if you are a fan of the show........2007-03-13

The TV show Are You Being Served? has to be one of my all time favorites, and I believe it truly is the funniest British comedy ever on TV. However, the movie was lacking.
As I first started watching this movie, while they were still in the shop, I noticed that something was lacking, that something about it felt empty. It was the lack of a laugh track. Now, in all honesty, most of the time I prefer there not be a laugh track, but in Are You Being Served, a laugh track is essential. Without the laugh track, the comedic timing of the show was thrown off from the start.
Then, as they get into the movie, the jokes aren't new, and the conflict is predictable and leaves you yearning for it to be over.
If you are a huge fan of AYBS and want to have the complete collection, that is the only reason I would suggest buying this. It is the only reason I bought it, and the only value I see in it. There is definitely little (if any) entertainment value.

It was like the show but longer.......2007-03-03

The movie was great some people don't like it because it dose not take place in the shop will it dose for a couple of min and there is no people laughing in the background but thats not the point other than that it has the same old Grace Brothers nature but longer.

Dont judge by other reviews!.......2007-01-22

I bought this movie for my husband for christmas and he loved it! I read alot of the other reviews and was a little worried if he was going to like it or not due to some of the other reviews of the movie were harsh! If you take the movie in the context that they are not at the store and on Holiday and you dont exspect the same scenario's as in the store, I think you would enjoy the movie. My husband and my father (who saw the series when it origionally came out) both loved it and so did i!If your a fan of the show and just LOVE the characters like we do, GET THE MOVIE! If you like the show but dont love it dont bother!

British Entertainment.......2007-01-19

This movie contains many humorous situation and yokes included in "Are You Being Served?" series, so if you have seen one you may feel like you have seen the other.
I bought this movie for my husband to complete his collection with the series of "Are You Being Served?" and "Are You Being Served?Again!"

Are You Being Served? Again! (The Complete Series)

Average customer rating:

Are You Being Served Again
Excellent Work!
Lovely, Just Lovely!
Not as good as "Are You Being Served?" series
Not quite as crisp service this time.

Are You Being Served? Again! (The Complete Series)
Director: Mike Stephens
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0002F6BT2
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com

The core cast of the classic British sitcom Are You Being Served? returns to run a country hotel in Grace & Favour (known in the U.S. as Are You Being Served? Again!). John Inman (as the deliciously fey Mr. Humphries), Mollie Sugden (imperious Mrs. Slocombe), Frank Thornton (snobbish Captain Peacock), Wendy Richard (cheerfully tart Miss Brahms), and Nicholas Smith (jug-eared Mr. Rumbold) transplant their Department-store banter to a small village manor house, where they grapple with such problems as a stolen gypsy cart, American tourists, a mummified cat, and the bubbly attentions of farmgirl Mavis (Fleur Bennett), who shares a warm bed with a dismayed Mr. Humphries. Some plot elements are labored (far, far too much is made of this bed-sharing) while others get tossed aside before they go anywhere (Mrs. Slocombe's husband, who left her 40 years before, appears for a single underdeveloped episode), and a few too many jokes are recycled from the previous series (including a lot of sexual double-entendres that don't quite fly when the cast is this long in the tooth). Nonetheless, the comic ensemble maintains their easy, enjoyable rapport, which is no small accomplishment. This series is unlikely to entice the uninitiated into the fold, but fans of Are You Being Served? will take to it like comfort food. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Are You Being Served Again.......2007-07-22

The DVD is great, so funny. I love British comedy, some people might not like their style of humor, but if you like the British Network this is a funny DVD.

Excellent Work!.......2007-07-11

"Are You Being Served, Again?" is an excellent sequel to the original. I now know what became of all the characters I loved watching after Grace Bros. The gorgeous country side makes it aesthetically appealing, and our "city" folk in a country setting makes for great comedy! I have been watching for a long time now and really missed it when they took it off our PBS channel. I am looking forward to owning my own set of this series and will buy the other great shows I love so much as well; such as, "Keeping Up Appearances" and "Fresh Fields" along with "French Fields." If you haven't seen these, then by all means check them out too.

Lovely, Just Lovely!.......2007-04-02

I love the English Country, and with these old friends it was even better. I too had misgivings about this mini-series when it came out, but quickly changed my mind when I watched it. The show is great, it is different from the regular series, but sometimes changes are good. I think you will love this. Make a pot of tea, sit back in a cosy chair and enjoy.

Not as good as "Are You Being Served?" series.......2007-01-19

"Are You Being Served? Again! (The Complete Series)" is a continuance of "Are You Being Served?". Action takes place in a small hotel, that now belongs to the old staff from Grace Brothers. All characters are on their retirement and have to make the hotel function properly if they want to make any profit.
This series are not as good as "Are You Being Served?", but it can give you a few laughs.

Not quite as crisp service this time........2007-01-12

For fans of the "Are You Being Served?" tv series, this dvd is a must to add to their collection. The cast is a little older now and the jokes are fairly predictable. The new cast members make up for the loss of some regulars from the series, even though Billy Burden does laugh at his own jokes a bit too much. This dvd is much fresher than the "Are You Being Served?" movie and is well worth purchasing.

Average customer rating:

"Are you free?"
To "knee" or not to "knee"
Great Stuff
Great to have on DVD.... even if only in the USA!
Classic British Comedy...

Are You Being Served 1: Classic Years
Starring: Eileen Winterton , Taryn Kay , and Belinda Lee (II)
Director: John Kilby , Bob Spiers , David Croft , Martin Shardlow , and Gordon Elsbury
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000069HXE
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Description

Episodes: Dear Sexy Knickers, Our Figures Are Slipping, Camping In. The incredibly popular misadventures of the Grace Brothers department store begin with three classic episodes: Dear Sexy Knickers, Our Figures Are Slipping, and Camping In.

Customer Reviews:

"Are you free?".......2004-02-18

If the answer to the question most asked in this series is yes, then watching this hilarious British sit-com about the "misadventures" of a group of salesmen in Grace's Brothers department store is as good a choice as any. This DVD includes the series' pilot, in black and white, and the first five episodes of the series, all in color. During the first two or three episodes most of the jokes are based on double-entendres and in a few cases the authors seem to go as far as overkill. Nevertheless, in the last couple of episodes in this set, the approach changes, and while maintaining the characteristic mentioned, other humorous concepts surface.

The main attraction of this sit-com is its characters, they conform a colorful array of personalities and each has his/her own very distinctive appearance. Mr. Lucas is the junior salesman in the men's department, who has a hard time closing sales, is always on the verge of being fired and has a libido that never ceases to pop up. Mr. Humphries is always picking on Mr. Lucas and always knows the best way to "fix" things for their customers. He knows all the tricks in the business and is clearly attracted by his same gender. Mr. Grainger is the head of the men's department; he is a prude who is shocked frequently by the acts of his two underlings. In the women's department, which shares the same floor with the men's, there are two employees, Mrs. Slocombe who is the one in charge and her subordinate Miss. Brahms. Mrs. Slocombe is the typical middle-aged divorced lady, extremely willing to get involved with any worthy candidate for her affection. She brings in variety through her hair color, which is different in each episode. Miss. Brahms is the "sexy chick", who is always preyed upon by the male personnel, excluding Mr. Humphries, and who tries to get advantage of every possible benefit she can obtain through her looks. Finally, Captain Peacock is the floor manager, a middle-aged man, extremely strict with the employees, but who also likes to flirt with any available woman, doing no distinctions between employees and customers.

Although as I mentioned before some of the jokes are repetitive you can have a really good time watching this series. An example of the repetitiveness is the line "Are you free ?" which is used over and over and over and...It will give you the incentive though to continue watching and see if at any point the answer will be "No, sorry". I am not going to spoil it for you, so if you want the answer, you will have to get the DVD!

To "knee" or not to "knee".......2004-01-03

This volume is not as solid as volume 2 of the AYBS? set, but it still represents some of the best AYBS? episodes. It starts with the b&w pilot episode that has the ladies department moving onto the floor that has belonged exclusively to the gents ready-made department for the last 25 years. Such intrusion creates much tension between the two sides in the first few episodes but, as the staff get used to each other, the problem is not brought up as much and, after Mr. Grainger leaves, is no longer a problem. Mr. Lucas plays a bigger role in these early episodes (Trevor Bannister having second billing to Mollie Sugden) with Mr. Humphries playing more comedy relief. John Inman will, of course, become the main star of the show later on.

After the ladies move in, Mr. Lucas has his eye on Miss Brahms in "Dear Sexy Knickers." This is the famous episode where the "kneeing" trousers trick is introduced. When trousers and ladies underwear are down, the staff must discuss sale ideas after hours in "Our Figures Are Slipping." In "Camping In," the staff is stranded due to a transport strike and must spend the night in tents in the department. The best part of this episode is when Mrs. Slocombe tells Capt. Peacock that her inflatable mattress takes "puff after puff after puff" and Mr. Humphries peaks out from his tent to ask, "Can I help anybody?" Classic!. The gents and ladies finally ban together to take on an outside perfume saleswomen who is intruding on their sales in "His and Hers." Finally, in "Diamonds...," a customer offers a big reward for the recovery of a diamond she lost in the store and it appears every staff member finds it. The menu pages are very creative with rotating photos of Mrs. Slocombe. A lift conductor's voice even takes you to each episode! Of course, every fan will eventually want the entire 2 sets of this hilarious series, so go buy them now!

Great Stuff.......2003-11-20

As a Britt I have seen the episodes on sky T.V. and although they were funny didn't know that the pilot was actually a never before seen episode thinking it was the one where the ladies and gents have to share counter space (which is why I wrote this review). Although in black and white and without the bells and whistles it was one of the best I have seen, as you get to see the young Mr. Lucas learning the ropes from Mr. Humphreys. The cast are much friendlier than on latter episodes but the freshness of when Mr. Lucas First sees `Young Mr. Grace' is one of the funniest things I have ever seen.

It is terrible that we can't get the DVD on region 2 but most players over here can be made to play region 1 disks. Although inquiring into when a set may be releases by the BBC led me round and round the same email addresses, I suppose it makes the series more valuable having to wait a few weeks for them to come.

All in all I think this is a great purchase and I am definitely going to buy the whole collection one by one. Sorry there is no detailed episode guide but I'm too busy watching the disk :o)

Great to have on DVD.... even if only in the USA!.......2003-06-10

Believe it or not, although 'Are You Being Served?' is a British comedy, not ONE single episode of it is available on DVD in Britain! You can therefore imagine how surprised I was to discover that the situation "across the pond" is totally different!

It's extremely bizarre and ironic that 'Are You Being Served?' is not available on DVD in the UK, because A) it was made here, and B) it is still very popular over here! We still have daily repeats on cable television, and the movie is available on DVD over here, but no actual episodes (just a couple of clips on BBC compilation DVDs of 'classic' comedy moments). A few randomly selected episodes were released on VHS several years ago, but even these are now sadly long deleted. True, the Americans probably have a more 'obsessive' affection for this show than we do (because they love the quaint 'Britishness' of it, I guess), but I would like to point out that it's also very well-loved in its home country!

In fact, I am extremely annoyed with the BBC for choosing to release some of its best shows on DVD ONLY in the Unites States ('Are You Being Served', 'The Forsyte Saga', 'The Chronicles of Narnia', etc.). To add insult to injury, they give these DVD releases a 'Region 1' coding, effectively preventing them from playing on DVD players here in Europe! (It works the other way around as well in some cases, e.g. another classic BBC Britcom, 'Only Fools and Horses', is only available on DVD in the UK, and has a 'Region 2' coding!)

I do think it is an absolute disgrace that the BBC is giving 'Are You Being Served?' a Region 1-only DVD release (in its entirety, I might add!). By doing this, the BBC is neglecting both the British fans of this series AND its responsibilities as a public service broadcaster. As soon as I found out about these American DVDs, I went out and bought myself a 'multi-region' DVD player especially to watch them! (So, as Mrs. Slocombe might say, the BBC can "get stuffed"!)

All I seem to have done so far in this review is complain about the BBC's DVD release policy! I apologize. Back to the show itself: this DVD (Volume 1) actually contains SIX episodes (not three as the Amazon description says): Pilot, Dear Sexy Knickers, Our Figures Are Slipping, Camping In, His And Hers and Diamonds Are A Man's Best Friend. The Pilot episode was made in colour but now only exists in black and white. The other episodes on this disc make up the entirety of Season 1.

I enjoyed this DVD so much that I have decided to buy the entire box set of Seasons 1-5! According to BBC America's website, a second box set containing Seasons 6-10 will be released later this year - which is great news! In the meantime, the show will probably remain unreleased on DVD in the UK.... I would normally give this DVD 5 stars, but because I had to buy it from abroad AND buy a special DVD player to watch it on, I give only 4 stars because of the inconvenience caused! But for such a great show, it was well worth it. :-)

Classic British Comedy..........2003-05-20

I was thrilled that this wonderful series was finally coming out on DVD. After purchasing the first set of episodes, I was happily surprised at the pristine quality of the picture and sound. The extra features aren't that exciting, but that can be forgiven by the shows themselves. After seeing many different British comedies, I always return to this one if I want to smile. Even though you know what is going to happen, it will still make you laugh. The characters almost feel like part of your extended family after a time. You won't be disappointed by this DVD. Buy it!!!

Average customer rating:

Are You Being Served? Christmas
Christmas with Grace Brothers
are you being served xmas collection
excellent christmas laughs
TOO HILARIOUS!!!! Great way to get on the Christmas mood!

Are You Being Served? Christmas
Starring: Eileen Winterton , Taryn Kay , and Belinda Lee (II)
Director: John Kilby , Bob Spiers , David Croft , Martin Shardlow , and Gordon Elsbury
Manufacturer: BBC Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000A0GOIM
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Amazon.com

The holiday season bring s out the best in Grace Brothers' department store: Bickering, bribery, lechery, snits, and of course silly musical numbers while dressed in ridiculous costumes. Classic Britcom Are You Being Served? thrives on the comedy of petty squabbles and this collection of Christmas-themed episodes is prime stuff. The four episodes have been plucked from seasons 1-7; in one episode, the staff is forced to dress as fairy-tale characters for a holiday promotion; in another, they try to entertain young Mr. Grace by doing a children's ballet; in another, they apologize for not joining a strike by putting on a full-sized Punch-and-Judy show---and in the remaining episode, the temptation of a large bonus leads the entire staff to dress up as Father Christmas. The pleasure in such hijinks, as with most sitcoms, depends heavily on the audience's indulgence of the characters, but the cast of Are You Being Served? was rich with goofy charm (the effervescent John Inman is in particularly top form). A perverse Christmas display unit, from "The Father Christmas Affair," remains one of the show's all-time comic highlights. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Come visit Grace Brothers during the holidays, where there's plenty of laughter in store with this unbelievably quirky contingent of sales clerks. Nothing makes Christmas as special as stuffing four hilarious episodes of this classic comedy in your stocking. Each episode is presented uncut and has been lovingly restored. Also included is a never before seen "On Set Interview"!

DVD Features:
Biographies:Who's Who (Cast bios)
Interviews:Never before seen "On Set Interview" with the cast

Customer Reviews:

Are You Being Served? Christmas.......2007-01-17

Some of the best of AYBS; especially the Christmas Crackers. We buy Christmas Crackers, a Plum Pudding and put on the DVD. A good time is had by all!

Christmas with Grace Brothers.......2007-01-12

For any "Are You Being Served" fans, this collection is an excellent addition to their library!

are you being served xmas collection.......2007-01-10

they are just wonderful, and always a must for xmas time viewing. just like the grinch or charlie brown! I love the fact that they are in 1 dvd for my viewing pleasure!!!

excellent christmas laughs.......2007-01-09

Had a great time viewing this movie with my mom who is from England! Presented the movie to her in a special "English basket" with all goodies from "home" including "Are you being Served" movies and british bisquits and candies. Christmas was very special with the viewing of this movie, had many great laughs.

TOO HILARIOUS!!!! Great way to get on the Christmas mood!.......2006-09-05

This set is great to give to someone for Christmas that doesn't own the entire set on DVD. The scene where the mannequin's robe comes open and flashes Mr. Humphries is a classic. It always has me rolling on the floor. This DVD is great to help you get in the Christmas mood. I love watching the BBC Christmas comedies. I pull them out at Thanksgiving every year. GREAT to decorate the tree by. Another great Christmas DVD is the "Keeping Up Appearances Deck the Halls with Hyacinth." It also makes a great gift!

Average customer rating:

Episode Contents
a classic
Are You being served 2: C;lassic Years
Classic British Comedy
"You know what they say about vodka, Mrs. Slocombe ..."

Are You Being Served 2: Classic Years
Starring: Eileen Winterton , Taryn Kay , and Belinda Lee (II)
Director: John Kilby , Bob Spiers , David Croft , Martin Shardlow , and Gordon Elsbury
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000069HXF
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Description

Episodes: Big Brother, His and Hers, Cold Comfort. A choice selection of three episodes: the staff puts on a show when security cameras are installed, sales plummet when the pretty perfume girl gives away too much, and the fuel crisis has staff relations heating up.

Customer Reviews:

Episode Contents.......2007-08-01

I am finding the US version looking and stating run times different from the UK releases on Amazon. It states US actors playing the roles, which in fact is not true. So, here are the actual episode names for Volume 2:

1. The Clock
2. Cold Comfort
3. The Think Tank
4. Big Brother
5. Hoorah For The Holidays

All episodes are 5 star comedy.

a classic.......2007-04-11

Classic ensemble acting with witty writing--believable characters behaving believably, as real people do. In other words, from time to time making damn fools of themselves and each other. Who would imagine that a department store setting could, would offer such a rich array of comic and comedic possibilities. Pure genius. The only negative: inclusion of an idiotic, irritating "laugh track". Why do the people who market these products think we need the prompting of idiots cackling and hee-hee-ing (usually at the wrong or irrelevant times and places in the action)? They've spoiled another brilliant English comedy, too, "Keeping UP Appearances" with the same unnecessary and irritating insertions. But if this irritation can be overlooked, or somehow tuned out by the listening ear, then "Are You Being Served" will serve well anyone seeking intelligent comedy conveyed by wit, comedic verve, and superb ensemble stage interactions.

Are You being served 2: C;lassic Years.......2007-01-16

We have enjoyed many of these DVDs over the years. This is everybit as good.

Classic British Comedy.......2006-08-30

Every episode in this "Classic" second year of "Are you being served?" is a gem. This comedy depends on the characters being sterotyped: from "battle ax" Mrs. Slocombe to "sexpot" Miss Brahms to Mr. Humphries (the hysterical "queen" of the bunch) to the "dullard" Mr. Rumbold (the perplexed head of the department) to the "pompous" "Captain" Peacock to the "cheeky" (as described by Mrs. Slocombe) Mr. Lucas to the "socialist worker" Mr. Mash to the "dotty" Mr. Granger, who is constantly falling asleep until Mr. Humphries uses his signature line, "Are you Free, Mr. Granger"? in his campy voice.

The fun is watching the characters interact. The plots are very funny. This is not "high" English comedy. They use prat falls, unsophisticated humour and you love every minute of it.

WLIW runs the series on cable, so you can check it out before you buy the second year DVD.

Put your brains on pause and just sit down and laugh out loud.

"You know what they say about vodka, Mrs. Slocombe ...".......2006-03-08

Every episode of the classic years of "Are You Being Served?" is a treasure. When you buy something on DVD, there is the possibility that one will tire of it after awhile and roll their eyes whenever they catch that program on TV.

Not so with this classic BBC comedy.

"The Clock" is the cast at their best, "Cold Comfort" will leave you in stitches at the way the staff tries to beat the cold weather, "Big Brother" will keep you laughing at how the staff gets back at good ol' Rumbold for using security cameras in the store to try to deter theft (there are two more episodes on the DVD).

I'm usually not one for DVD extras (they tend to take the magic away) but I was interested in the backgrounds of the actors and actresses. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well-accomplished they all were and continue to be as well as the episode trivia. And the fact that there are five episodes on each DVD gives you more value for your dollar.

Are You Being Served? Collection 1 (Series 1-5)

Average customer rating:

Very Very Sorry !!!
Classic British Humor
"...And A Special Switch For Mr. Lucas To Shut His Atomic Cakehole..."
The very best of British comedies!
Can't stop viewing ...

Are You Being Served? Collection 1 (Series 1-5)
Starring: John Inman , and Mollie Sugden
Manufacturer: BBC Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000069HXD
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Amazon.com

Are You Being Served? created a standard for the British sitcom. When the Ladies' Department of Grace Brothers store is forced to share a floor with the Men's Department, the stage is set for delightful battles between men and women, senior and junior staff, and management and employees. The show was originally conceived as a vehicle for Trevor Bannister as the irreverent Mr. Lucas, a junior salesman who sardonically punctures the store's rigid hierarchy; but it soon became clear that mocking the established order isn't half as funny as taking it very seriously--with all the delicious pettiness that results. Mincing Mr. Humphries (the effervescent John Inman) and imperious Mrs. Slocombe (comic powerhouse Mollie Sugden) swiftly became audience favorites, ably backed up by snooty, lecherous Capt. Peacock (Frank Thornton), affable Miss Brahms (Wendy Richard), and curmudgeonly Mr. Grainger (Arthur Brough). That these talented performers cultivated a engaging comic rapport is no surprise, but it's constantly amazing that the writers were able, over dozens of episodes, to find inventive but believable new spins on the department store scenario, turning security cameras, daffy sales promotions, and even malfunctioning Christmas decorations into brilliant comic set-ups. The later series continued to be enjoyable even after the loss of several of the original cast members, but the first five series (which originally aired from 1972 to 1977) have the perfect balance of prickly personalities. A gem of a show, well deserving of the reverence of its rabid fans. --Bret Fetzer

Description

There's plenty of laughter in store when an unbelievably quirky contingent of sales clerks makes shopping at Grace Brothers the comic experience of a lifetime. The staff has been hard-at-work polishing and pressing all 34 classic episodes from the first five series of this beloved BBC comedy, many available on video for the first time (including the rarely seen, black-and-white Pilot episode). Also included is a bonus disc containing close ups of your favorite Are You Being Served? stars and more!

DVD Features:
Interviews:Who's Who
Other:Trivia
TV Spot

Customer Reviews:

Very Very Sorry !!!.......2007-06-27

I would like to recall the message I sent earlier regarding my stuff not arriving on time. I would like to here-by state that my package did arrive on the day I wrote the message to Amazon. The actual problem was with the Postal Service from my end. They failed to inform me that the package arrived the previous week. I want to say that Amazon are really professionals in whatever they do and that I have full trust and confidence in them. I will, very soon, be viewing the DVD's and giving my review on it, even though I know that it is going to be really hilarious. This is one Fantasic BBC's comedy series that you can never get tired of watching over and over again.

Classic British Humor.......2007-01-15

What can I say? Buy this set and you won't regret it. This is British humor at its best.

"...And A Special Switch For Mr. Lucas To Shut His Atomic Cakehole...".......2006-12-20

This set encompasses the first five seasons of the brilliant British sitcom "Are You Being Served" from the 1970s. The show is set in an upscale department store, Grace Brothers, and features the misadventures of the men's and women's departments, which are forced to share a small floor area. Grace Brothers has an aristocratic bent with an extremely well defined rank structure, which sets many of the comedic conflicts in motion. The show is extremely well conceived and written by BBC veterans David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd, but the magic of the show is due largely to the chemistry of the cast.

Most noteworthy in the cast are Mollie Sugden, John Inman, Frank Thornton, Wendy Richard, and Trevor Bannister. For pure laughs Mollie Sugden as Mrs. Slocombe is my favorite (her hair is a different color every week) and is perfect as the slightly pompous and matronly senior salesperson in the ladies department. Her junior, Wendy Richard (who is still on a British soap opera today) is excellent as the slightly crass Cockney lass, Miss Brahams. Unfortunately for Miss Brahams, all the men in the store (except John Inman) desire her, particularly the jocular Mr. Lucas, the junior salesman from menswear. Lucas is known for his wisecracks and disobedient antics which normally elicit a well written barb from one of the ladies (see my title for an example from Mrs. Slocombe.) Frank Thornton is perfect as the floor supervisor, Captain Peacock, and excels at portraying classic English stuffiness with a farcical edge. Second only to Sudgen (or perhaps tied with her) for pure comedic entertainment is John Inman as Mr. Humphries, the flamboyant mincing mama's boy who loves nothing more than measuring an "inside leg" (that's "inseam" to Americans.) His comic timing, diction, and costumes make Inman impossible to overlook.

This set is well packaged with trivia about the various episodes and several extras, most notably on disc seven which has biographies of Inman, Sugden, and Richard, all of whom have more interesting lives than you might suspect.

This show is essentially clean family fun: there is some innuendo, but no vulgarity of any sort. Virtually anyone can appreciated the at once understated, yet occasionally way over-the-top situations these performers so deftly made into one of the most eminently enjoyable shows ever to come from the UK. I highly recommend "Are You Being Served," a near-perfect sitcom if ever there was one.

The very best of British comedies!.......2005-06-19

Witty, intelligent, sarcastic, and populated with some of the most lovable characters, Are You Being Served is probably the funniest Britcom ever. It has aged very well, and one can watch it over and over again without feeling sated. Whether it's the nuanced or pointed jabs at the British society, the not so-subtle allusions to Mr. Humphries' afterwork life, or the language games, there are plenty of laughs to be had.

Can't stop viewing ..........2004-07-24

It's a great series, I watch it over again and again.

The sales people on a miserable salary are divided into 'seniors' and 'juniors' and it is unbelivable how desperately 'seniors' try to humilate 'juniors' just to prove to themselves they are better than their wage implies.

Some of the jokes are easily predictable, like those on Mr. Hamphries's 'other way' or Ms. Sloucomb's she-cat, nevertheless they are a superb humor.
A technical note: I cannot comprehend why the DVD should be close-captioned (a useless feature) instead of being sub-titled in English (an importand feature for a movie with many British idioms)

Average customer rating:

"Happy Birthday Dear Er Er"

Are You Being Served 5: Classic Years
Starring: Eileen Winterton , Taryn Kay , and Belinda Lee (II)
Director: John Kilby , Bob Spiers , David Croft , Martin Shardlow , and Gordon Elsbury
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000069HXI
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Description

Episodes: 50 Years On, Oh What a Tangled Web, Forward Mr. Grainger. Three favorite episodes: Mrs. Slocombe hints it's her birthday and everyone's guessing which one, Captain Peacock's acting very strange around Mr. Rumbold's secretary, and a promotion for Mr. Grainger goes right to his head.

Customer Reviews:

"Happy Birthday Dear Er Er".......2004-01-07

As relatively weak volume 4 in the AYBS? set is, volume 5 makes up for it big time! Fifty Years On is hilarious. It is Mrs. Slocombe's birthday, and the staff must find out her age and first name. The scene where Mr. Rumbold gets the staff together to rehearse their rendition of "Happy Birthday" is one of the funniest of this long-running series. Some of my favorite episodes of AYBS? are the ones that feature Capt. Peacock's womanizing reputation, and Oh What a Tangled Web has tales of Peacock's "blow tickler" and Mr. Rumbold's secretary flying around. The ending of this episode is rather weak, but, as a whole, it is still one of the best.

In Mrs. Slocombe Expects, the staff try a new sales technique suggested by Young Mr. Grace where they pretend to be customers to attract sales. And then there is the "expectant mother." Mrs. Slocombe can find homes for 6 but "anymore than that will have to be drowned in a bucket." The staff find themselves in the toy department in A Change is as Good as a Rest. It is refreshing to see the gang on a new "sales floor." The one episode of this set that is a little dicey is The Father Christmas Affair. Here, Mr. Grainger, Mr. Humphries, and Mr. Lucas rehearse an Al Jolson "Mammy" minstrel. There is also a surprise at the end which may offend some people. Still, this episode has one of my favorite AYBS? lines. Mrs. Slocombe tries out for the Father Christmas job by stating: "I will ask you to remember that Parliament has passed the sexual relations act which states that women are just as good at it as men and, what's more, they should be paid the same for doing it."

Amazon.com

The later series of definitive British sitcom Are You Being Served?--set in the hierarchical world of the sales staff of a department store--lost several of its original cast members, but this only gave more room for the antics of its most popular characters: The not-so-ambiguously-gay Mr. Humphries (sterling John Inman) and the multi-hued Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden, as regal and petulant as Queen Victoria), ably supported by lecherous floorwalker Capt. Peacock (wonderfully snooty Frank Thornton), affable Miss Brahms (helium-voiced Wendy Richard), and woefully incompetent Mr. Rumbold (jug-eared Nicholas Smith), who form a squabbling dysfunctional family within the strict rules, bowler hats, and neck frills of Grace Brothers store. Though the plots grow more absurd--one episode has the staff forced to sleep on a giant waterbed in the store basement, dressed like albino Teletubbies--the comfortable but never complacent rapport of the cast keeps the show sharp. Even the most groan-inducing sexual double-entendres (and there are many) gets carried off with aplomb; no matter how many times Mrs. Slocombe refers to her poor pussy (that is to say, her cat, Tiddles), it still gets a laugh from Sugden's unbeatable poker face. And though the writing occasionally wears thin, some episodes are among the series' best: When Mrs. Slocombe is temporarily given a managerial position, the overturning of the established order is comic gold; the staging of a Punch and Judy show lets everyone indulge in some topnotch slapstick. Are You Being Served? is a twinkling star in the Britcom firmament, guaranteed to turn any viewer into a delirious fan. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Attention shoppers! Your favorite dysfunctional sales staff is back with more mischief, more hilarity and more hair colors! Join Mr. Humphries, Mrs. Slocombe, Miss Brahms, Captain Peacock, Mr. Lucas and the rest of the gang as they make shopping at Grace Brothers the comic experience of a lifetime. The staff has been hard-at-work polishing and pressing all 35 classic episodes from series 6-10 of this beloved BBC comedy series, most of them never before available on video. Also included is a bonus disc containing interviews, television specials and other goodies featuring the Are You Being Served? cast.

DVD Features:
Biographies
Other:Trailers, Episode Summaries
TV Special:"The Best of Are You Being Served?" - Mr. Humphries and his mum look back at Grace Brothers? funniest moments. "Celebrating Mollie Sugden: An Are You Being Served? Special" - A brand new special featuring the Are You Being Served? cast celebrating the life and career of Mollie Sugden. "Are You Being Served? Again! (aka, Grace and Favour)" - Episode One - The Are You Being Served? cast leaves the department store behind and heads for Young Mr. Grace's country hotel.

Customer Reviews:

A Truly Obstreperous Show, And I Am Unanimous In This!.......2007-08-30

I gave the first "Are You Being Served?" box set five stars, and many parts of this set deserve five as well, but overall it was not quite up to the standards of the early show. The set is still delightful, but many of the original cast members left (Mr. Grainger, Young Mr. Grace, and Mr. Lucas, most notably) and were replaced by actors who didn't seem to gel with the rest of the cast as effectively as the originals; this is especially true in the cases of Mr. Spooner, the replacement for Mr. Lucas, and in the substitution of Old Mr. Grace for Young Mr. Grace. The show was very well established by the time these episodes were made, and a somewhat formulaic feel crept in to some of the scripts.

Having dealt with the deficits, there are many things to love about this set as well. The core characters are still quite strong, and the emphasis on Mr. Humphries, Captain Peacock, Mrs. Slocombe, and Miss Brahms is quite pronounced later in the set. Mrs. Slocombe is my perennial favorite, and her hair blooms into all new and hilarious shades, while Captain Peacock invents new ways of being pompous with each new episode. Mr. Humphries is always a great comedic character, and I was truly saddened when John Inman passed away recently.

The set has several extras, including "The Best of Are You Being Served?" hosted amusingly by John Inman. There are other features on Mollie Sugden, and an episode of the spin-off series, "Are You Being Served? Again!"

Don't let my four star rating in any way dissuade you from buying this set: while it does have certain flaws, it is still an absolute delight, and I am unanimous in this!

Still an avid fan!!!.......2007-05-13

Perhaps the definitive U.K. sitcom from the 1970s & '80s, Are You Being Served is still one of the funniest shows ever made. Any collection of episodes of this great series is worth having. But the best way to buy it is in a large set like this, so you also get a great price. I was enthralled from start to finish watching this set, which comes with bonuses including the 1st episode of Grace & Favour (aka Are You Being Served Again) and an excellent 90 minute celebration of Mollie Sugden's eightieth birthday, featuring all surviving cast members, including Trevor Bannister - Mr Lucas. But ultimately you want this set for the 35 episodes of Are You Being Served; and they are still hilarious. Unlike some shows from this era, this great show has not dated at all. Take my advice, if you don't already have it, buy this set (and Collection 1) now!!!

Good even with the updates in the cast ..........2007-01-15

Although this later set includes updates to the cast which weren't always up to snuff as the originals, I still enjoy these shows and I think you will too. So, "are you free" for some great entertainment?

I'm Free..............!!!!.......2004-01-26

Although I have recently ordered this series and have not had a chance to view the DVD's I have seen the show on TV and seen almost every episode. The cast did go through some changes but the final product is usally very funny. This program is an icon in the television programming arena because of its humor but because it's just desigened to be really funny and really silly all at the same time. You can tell that the cast is having a great time as well especially when Mr's Slocombe's character really wants to laugh and you (the audience) cathes her at trying to hide it. From what I have read on the reviews the only realy thing that wouldv'e been awesome would have been to add deleted bits and maybe add a blooper reel as well. Out takes should be included all the time on these types of sets. The show was really enjoyed when it aired and is always enjoyable to watch over and over again. So my advice is to get the sets (avoid the movie of the cast on holiday unless you really are addicted)because not only are they a collectors item but are pure fun especially on those rainy days, so go make some tea and grab the remote!!!!!

AT LONG LAST.... MY COLLECTION IS COMPLETE !!.......2003-12-17

WHEN I ORDERED THE FINAL SET OF DVD'S I COULD NOT WAIT TIL I GOT THEM !! I AM SOOOO HAPPY THAT MY COLLECTION IS NOW COMPLETE WITH ARE YOU BEING SERVED!!

Description

Episodes: Happy Returns, Founder's Day,The Old Order Changes. Young Mr. Grace in two birthday episodes plus what happens when Mr. Grace tries a more casual American approach to customers.

Customer Reviews:

Goodbye, Mr. Grainger.......2004-01-09

This group of episodes are the last starring Arthur Brough as Mr. Grainger and the last set of episodes in the season 1-5 boxed set (volume 7 in the set is a bonus disc of interviews). These shows are not as solid as the earlier episodes in this long running series, but are still very good. In Founder's Day, the staff puts on a "This Is Your Life" presentation for Young Mr. Grace's 80th birthday with mildly amusing stories and even a guest appearance by Mother Humphries. The Old Order Changes has the staff trying out a new casual approach Young Mr. Grace observed while visiting the United States. Things get very 1970s at Grace Brothers. Mr. Lucas' first name also changes from "James" to "Dick" ostensibly to accommodate one joke. Mr. Harmon gets a bigger role in Takeover, impersonating a shareholder to help Young Mr. Grace keep control of the company. For once, Capt. Peacock is not in charge and is relegated to the kitchen.

The best episode of this collection is Goodbye, Mr. Grainger, where the senior salesman is in a foul mood and the rest of the staff want him out. Mr. Harmon informs Grainger of his colleagues' comments and encourages him to write his letter of resignation. A misunderstanding about a lottery ticket cause a change of heart from the staff, and efforts are made to retrieve the letter from Young Mr. Grace's desk. Wait until they hear what Grainger wrote in the letter! In It Pays to Advertise, the staff act in a commercial for Grace Brothers. The funniest part of this episode is at the end when Young Mr. Grace says his lines while trying to pour champagne into a glass. Like all the AYBS? DVDs, this one has very creative menu pages. A lift conductor's voice takes you to each episode and there are rotating photos of the Employee of the Month (in this case, Mr. Lucas-it must have been a very slow month). I highly recommend both boxed sets of this series

This DVD is also contained in the boxed set of AYBS.......2003-01-09

When I purchased the boxed set of the first 5 series of "Are You Being Served?" Amazon.com suggested this DVD as well. It seemed only natural, since it's labeled "Volume 6" -- but note that this is a duplicate of the Volume 6 disc in the 7-DVD boxed set!

So despite Amazon.com's suggestion, don't buy this if you're also buying the boxed set. :^>

(I didn't intend to review the disc itself, only to make this information available ... but this DVD is one of the best, and it includes a somewhat rare episode that isn't often shown in on U.S. PBS stations: "Founder's Day," in which the staff put on a "This Is Your Life"-type presentation for Mr. Grace.)

DVD:

DVD

DVD