Camp Mr. Humphries, Mrs. Slocombe's pussy and the ridiculous goings- on at Grace Bros. have kept audiences laughing since 1973. This tongue-in-cheek farce, by top writers Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, is one of BBC's best-selling classic comedies, especially in America, where its success is phenomenal. A large, old-fashioned department store in London, Grace Bros. is still run on strictly hierarchical lines. Each member of staff knows their place -- in theory. In practice, they are all engaged in their own private wars with management and with each other: On the top floor is young Mr. Grace (Harold Bennett), a frail octogenarian with a dollybird on each arm. Take the lift down and you'll find Mr. Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), manager of the clothing department. In reality he leaves the day-to- day running of his floor to his snooty shop-walker, Captain Peacock ( Frank Thornton). Peacock's ambition is a seat in the executive restaurant, but meantime he has to mediate between Menswear and Ladies' Fashions. In Gentlemen's Ready-To-Wear, Senior Salesman, Mr. Grainger (Arthur Brough), is an obstinate old man prone to falling asleep. He is later replaced by Mr.Tebbs (James Hayter), then by Mr. Goldberg (Alfie Bass) , who served in the army with Captain Peacock. Under him is Mr. Humphries, played by John Inman, a very popular character with his camp mannerisms and jaunty readiness to measure an inside leg. Bottom of the pecking order comes randy Mr. Lucas (Trevor Bannister), who is later replaced by Mr. Spooner (Mike Berry). Ladies' Separates and Underwear is staffed by Senior Saleslady, Mrs Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), a rapacious widow with an astonishing range of fluorescent hair colors and malapropisms. Her main topic of conversation is her pussy. Junior Saleslady, Miss Brahms (Wendy Richard), is a sharp-tongued, buxom Cockney. And finally, down in the basement, (but usually up in the department), is the caretaker, Mr. Harman (Arthur English), who delights in making a nuisance of himself with his trade unionism and ridiculous display models.
http://www.phill.co.uk/comedy/aybs/index.html
Episode # 127
Mr. Grace likes to play musical chairs with his departments. He orders Ladies' and Gentlemen's Wear into the toy department where they start to slowly but surely warm to the change. (27)
Monday, April 01, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 128
The staff compile a retrospective for Mr. Grace's 80th birthday. After all, he is the creator of the Grace Brothers enterprise and deserves to be brought into full glory. (28)
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 129
The staff dress in mod fashion as a sales gimmick, after Mr. Grace's visit to the States. Mr. Grace next goes to China and gives them his new sales proposal, described in his Little Red Book. (29)
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 130
The staff prevent another firm's hostile takeover of Grace Brothers by impersonating the shareholders. Mr. Harman gives a rousing speech, and Grace Brothers is saved. (30)
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 131
Mr. Grainger's temper as become extremely short. The staff, in a private meeting with Mr. Rumbold, decide he must go. However, when he wins the lottery, his bad mood vanishes and he makes his peace with the staff and stays on. (31)
Friday, April 05, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 128
The staff compile a retrospective for Mr. Grace's 80th birthday. After all, he is the creator of the Grace Brothers enterprise and deserves to be brought into full glory. (28)
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 130
The staff prevent another firm's hostile takeover of Grace Brothers by impersonating the shareholders. Mr. Harman gives a rousing speech, and Grace Brothers is saved. (30)
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT2
Episode # 132
The staff star in a TV commercial for Grace Brothers, produced by Mr. Humphries. Could Mr. Grace's cheapness be the reason for using his staff in such fashion? (32)
Monday, April 08, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 133
The staff prepare for a visit by the Queen. The visit is abruptly ended when Mrs. Slocombe accidentally pushes a flower pot out the window, nearly hitting the Royal Couple. (33)
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 134
Young Mr. Grace invites his workers to form a social club - in a dismal cellar badly in need of decoration. Undeterred, the staff tackle the paint and paper job with vigor. (34)
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 135
Mrs. Slocombe has fallen for a bouzouki player in a Greek restaurant. When he returns home to his wife, Mrs. Slocombe stages a wedding for her wealthy uncle so she can get the house promised her if she marries a Greek. (35)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 136
Sales figures are down; profits are low. Young Mr. Grace is forced to make some economies. The threat of redundancies is looming. Someone is going to have to go - but who is it to be? (36)
Friday, April 12, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 131
Mr. Grainger's temper as become extremely short. The staff, in a private meeting with Mr. Rumbold, decide he must go. However, when he wins the lottery, his bad mood vanishes and he makes his peace with the staff and stays on. (31)
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT2
Episode # 137
A new display of perfume arrives from Bliss, but there is no Bliss Girl to man the counter. Mrs. Slocombe refuses the position, so Mr. Humphries becomes the Bliss Girl for the day. (37)
Monday, April 15, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 138
It is Young Mr. Grace's birthday and there is the traditional free lunch for staff in the canteen. Afterwards, the staff plan a much more festive event for the celebration. (38)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 139
Mr. Goldberg is hired as a junior after having recently run his own small tailoring business. To Captain Peacock's chagrin, the staff learn that Mr. Goldberg had served under the Captain but recalls those army days differently. (39)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 140
The staff must take physicals to get insurance. Listening through the door of Mr. Grace's office, they hear Mr. Harman describing the state of the furniture, which they misunderstand as being the results of their physicals. (40)
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 141
By permission of Mr. Grace, Mrs. Slocombe moves into a display apartment in Grace Brothers, because her new home is occupied by squatters. Due to a transport strike, Mr. Humphries seeks to join her in her new accommodation. (41)
Friday, April 19, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 129
The staff dress in mod fashion as a sales gimmick, after Mr. Grace's visit to the States. Mr. Grace next goes to China and gives them his new sales proposal, described in his Little Red Book. (29)
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 132
The staff star in a TV commercial for Grace Brothers, produced by Mr. Humphries. Could Mr. Grace's cheapness be the reason for using his staff in such fashion? (32)
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT2
Episode # 142
Mrs. Slocombe temporarily takes the place of Mr. Rumbold, who has taken ill . She eats the cream cakes she finds in his office. But she then gets a call from the hospital warning that the ice cream is what made him ill. (42)
Monday, April 22, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 143
Captain Peacock is challenged to a boxing match by a member of another department. He backs out, and Mr. "Hugger" Humphries is " elected" to take his place in a wrestling match. He loses that match, but Mrs. Slocombe enters the ring and defeats the challenger. (43)
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 144
The standard of the canteen food of Grace Brothers is rapidly going from bad to worse. After confronting the catering workers with their complaints, the staff are told to get on with the food preparation on their on. (44)
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Length : 27 min
MPT
Episode # 145
Mr. Goldberg runs an agency to get the staff better jobs. After Captain Peacock and Mr. Rumbold become aware of this, Mr. Humphries and Mrs. Slocombe are given raises, and decide to stay with the store. (45)
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 146
The staff contract a strange tropical illness, Marine's Disease, from Mr. Humphries. They are quarantined in the basement until the disease is past. (46)
Friday, April 26, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 130
The staff prevent another firm's hostile takeover of Grace Brothers by impersonating the shareholders. Mr. Harman gives a rousing speech, and Grace Brothers is saved. (30)
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 133
The staff prepare for a visit by the Queen. The visit is abruptly ended when Mrs. Slocombe accidentally pushes a flower pot out the window, nearly hitting the Royal Couple. (33)
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT2
Episode # 147
Captain Peacock's wife works at Grace Brothers, as Mr. Rumbold's secretary. He is intensely jealous and is absolutely convinced that the two of them are having an affair. (47)
Monday, April 29, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 148
Mr. Humphries is made editor of the new staff magazine. The 1st Floor staff is not pleased with the stories he writes about them causing friction in the relations between floors. (48)
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 149
The staff go on strike after being threatened with a pay cut or being moved to the bargain basement. They stage a protest on the roof which is interrupted by a fire which destroys the basement. (49)
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 150
Old Mr. Grace becomes convinced that Mr. Humphries is his long-lost son. Mrs. Humphries (also played by Mr. Inman) arrives, and shows that she has never had relations with Mr. Grace. (50)
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Length : 27 min
MPT
Episode # 151
Grace Brothers has decided to enter the video age and display advertisements on closed circuit television throughout the store. Meanwhile, there is a new face in Menswear. (51)
Friday, May 03, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 134
Young Mr. Grace invites his workers to form a social club - in a dismal cellar badly in need of decoration. Undeterred, the staff tackle the paint and paper job with vigor. (34)
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT2
Episode # 152
Mrs. Slocombe has dreams in which she and Mr. Humphries become romantically embroiled. When she attempts to turn fantasy into reality, the situation becomes most difficult to handle. (52)
Monday, May 06, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 153
Mrs. Slocombe sells her home-made perfume. After a misunderstanding, Mrs. Peacock finds Captain Peacock without his pants (perfume had spilled on them) and the ill-fated trousers in the hands of Mr. Rumbold's secretary. (53)
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Length : 27 min
MPT
Episode # 154
Mr. Humphries is accused of stealing and his distinguished career could end in disgrace. In a trial, he is found guilty and dismissed, but Mr. Harman finds the missing money in the back of the till from which it was supposedly stolen. (54)
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 155
When the handsome golf pro from Sports comes to the floor for a demonstration, he accidentally hits Mrs. Slocombe. She then thinks she's a little girl, wrecking havoc on the store as she cavorts around the department. (55)
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 156
The staff perform a play on CB radio to advertise Grace Brothers. The play results in the store being swamped by truck drivers who are driven off by Mr. Humphries and Mrs. Slocombe. (56)
Friday, May 10, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 135
Mrs. Slocombe has fallen for a bouzouki player in a Greek restaurant. When he returns home to his wife, Mrs. Slocombe stages a wedding for her wealthy uncle so she can get the house promised her if she marries a Greek. (35)
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT2
Episode # 157
Bad news. Grace Brothers may be bought by the Japanese. The staff take their problems to Number Ten, where they contact President Reagan by the phone. Mrs. Thatcher gets fashion tips from Mr. Humphries. (57)
Monday, May 13, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 158
Mrs. Slocombe's cat is missing, and in comforting her, Mr. Humphries finds himself entangled more deeply than he would have expected. It appears that he is to be Tiddles' replacement. (58)
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 159
Mrs. Slocombe is forcibly retired from her position. Mr. Humphries and Captain Peacock get her job back, but they are retired in the same manner. They end the show as the cleaner and the lift operator. (59)
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 160
Captain Peacock's marriage appears to be in trouble. The rest of the staff soon discover that Miss Bagnold is his unwanted paramour. (60)
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 161
It is closing time when two ruthless criminals enter the scene. What can be done to save the assets of the store? The staff hatch an incredible plan, and it almost works. (61
Friday, May 17, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 136
Sales figures are down; profits are low. Young Mr. Grace is forced to make some economies. The threat of redundancies is looming. Someone is going to have to go - but who is it to be? (36)
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT2
Episode # 162
The staff like to bet on horse races. After being caught watching the race in Mr. Rumbold's office, Mr. Humphries goes to the sports department and mimes the race to the rest of the staff over the security camera. (62)
Monday, May 20, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 163
The staff film a commercial for a nightclub to the run in the store. The picture is lost when the ad is shown, leaving only the sound, making the nightclub sound like a harem. (63)
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 164
The staff are offered accommodation on the premises to save time and money on traveling. But they soon find that flat-sharing is not altogether a bed of roses. (64)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 165
Mr. Spooner's vocal talents are discovered during the staff show. He is signed by a record company, and the staff appears on TV performing the song when Mr. Spooner loses his voice. (65)
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 166
The holidays are at hand and the staff dress up to try to boost sales. Mrs. Slocombe dresses as Robin Hood, which explains the funny quiver she has in back. The department is remodeled, and they enjoy their holiday dinner in the canteen. (66)
Friday, May 24, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 137
A new display of perfume arrives from Bliss, but there is no Bliss Girl to man the counter. Mrs. Slocombe refuses the position, so Mr. Humphries becomes the Bliss Girl for the day. (37)
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT2
Episode # 168
The floor staff enact a life-size Punch and Judy show to try to placate the rest of the Grace Brothers employees, whose picket lines they crossed. (68)
Monday, May 27, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 101
The Ladies' Intimate Apparel must share a floor of Grace Brothers department store with the Gentlemen's Department. In fact, Mr. Grainger is forced to take down his trousers and let Mrs. Slocombe put her knickers there instead. (1)
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 102
Mr. Lucas continues his attempts to win the heart (or at least the body) of Miss Brahms, this time through a love letter addressed to " Sexy Knickers". His attempt at delivery creates even greater problems, however, as Mrs. Slocombe receives the note and assumes it is from Captain Peacock. (2)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 103
The staff are concerned about the decrease in sales. Mr. Rumbold decides to hold a staff training session for the departments on Captain Peacock's floor, but the staff find its timing most unfortunate. (3)
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 104
The staff must spend the night in Grace Brothers due to a transport strike, camping out in tents on the sales floor. Mrs. Slocombe refuses to share her tent with Miss Brahms, who then won't leave Captain Peacock's. Mr. Lucas has great trouble getting his to stay up (which is unusual for him). (4)
Friday, May 31, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 138
It is Young Mr. Grace's birthday and there is the traditional free lunch for staff in the canteen. Afterwards, the staff plan a much more festive event for the celebration. (38)
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT2
Episode # 105
A perfume retailer causes agitation among the staff by giving away free ties and knickers with each sale. The sales staff feel she will reduce their sales, but Captain Peacock's agitation is of an entirely different sort -- he immediately attempts to chat her up. (5)
Monday, June 03, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 106
A wealthy client loses a valuable diamond in the store. A reward is offered for the missing diamond, but at the same time a shipment of rhinestones is dropped in the store. The staff each finds a rhinestone, which they think is the missing diamond. (6)
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 107
Mr. Grainger fears he will be forcibly retired. At his going-away party, Mr. Grace misunderstands and accepts the clock that is Mr. Grainger's retirement present from Grace Brothers, and Mr. Grainger continues on in his old position. (7)
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 108
The staff try to cope with a shortage of heat. Mr. Lucas creates a bewildering array of heating devices, ranging from two hairdryers to aim up one's pants to a new sales line -- "Novelty Foot Warmers. (8)
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 109
At Grace Brothers, all eyes are on the bottom line. When sales begin to slip in the Ladies' Lingerie and Gentlemen's Ready-Made departments, the staff are asked to pool their ideas for improving sales. (9)
Friday, June 07, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 139
Mr. Goldberg is hired as a junior after having recently run his own small tailoring business. To Captain Peacock's chagrin, the staff learn that Mr. Goldberg had served under the Captain but recalls those army days differently. (39)
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT2
Episode # 110
Surveillance cameras are installed at Grace Brothers. Mr. Rumbold begins to carefully watch their every move. He counts Mrs. Slocombe's visits to the ladies' room, observes Miss Brahms adjusting her "stock", and catches Mr. Lucas smoking. (10)
Monday, June 10, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 111
The staff must suddenly try to choose a group holiday package, as the store is being closed for renovations and they are ordered to take vacation. They are shown a selection of slides from a short list of the worst hotels to be found. (11)
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 112
Everyone on staff hopes the hand of fate is working for their own particular promotion. Mr. Humphries displays his talent for telling fortunes. (12)
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 113
The staff protest the monitoring of their breaks and trips to the restroom, in the form of a signing in and out book. A union meeting is convened, and Mr. Grace finally arranges for the coffee to be brought to the staff to avoid them losing their break time in transit to the canteen. (13)
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 114
Captain Peacock, as a reward for his many years of service, gains privileges to the Executive Washroom and Dining Room, to the great consternation of Mr. Grainger. In the Executive Dining Room he is treated to "Le Shepard's Pie" and an "amusing" little wine. (14)
Friday, June 14, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 140
The staff must take physicals to get insurance. Listening through the door of Mr. Grace's office, they hear Mr. Harman describing the state of the furniture, which they misunderstand as being the results of their physicals. (40)
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT2
Episode # 115
Seasonal illnesses have most of the staff down. Mr. Lucas first feigns illness to get home to his girl. He next pretends to sprain his ankle, in an act of supreme frustration, but is sent to the hospital by Mr. Grace, spoiling his plans for the day. (15)
Monday, June 17, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 116
Mrs. Slocombe is greatly disturbed to learn that she has no say in the garments she sells -- namely, knickers with slogans such as "In Case of Emergency, Pull Down". Young Mr. Grace says he is going to marry one of the staff. Could it be Mrs. Slocombe? (16)
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 117
The staff try to promote the sale of their goods, by dressing up in German fashion. Mrs. Slocombe does her duty in sampling the German wine, gets drunk, and ends up fighting Captain Peacock during their dance. (17)
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 118
The ladies' department temporarily move into the gentlemen's while their department is remodeled, and tensions run high. No one is more pleased than Mrs. Slocombe when the men learn that they now must move into the ladies' while their side is redone and she gets her chance at pay back. (18)
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 119
Ever on the look to improve their level of sales, the staff try a Twenties sales theme. The floor promotes the Great Gatsby style, complete with appropriate musical accompaniment. (19)
Friday, June 21, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 141
By permission of Mr. Grace, Mrs. Slocombe moves into a display apartment in Grace Brothers, because her new home is occupied by squatters. Due to a transport strike, Mr. Humphries seeks to join her in her new accommodation. (41)
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT2
Episode # 120
Mr. Rumbold tries an experiment -- opening the store earlier in the morning. Sales are good, but the staff are not pleased at having to come in so early. Through a variety of techniques they try not to sell anything to avoid the longer hours. (20)
Monday, June 24, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 121
A ballroom dance contest has the Grace Brothers staff at their elegant best. (21)
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Length : 28 min
MPT
Episode # 122
Mr. Grainger temporarily takes over Mr. Rumbold's position, to Captain Peacock's envy. The staff are no less amazed -- they were sure Captain Peacock would get anything going in that office, especially the new secretary. (22)
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 123
A surprise fire drill reveals a horrible lack of organization in the store's fire procedures. So panic measures are taken to turn the staff into expert escapists, anti-arsonists and paramedics. (23)
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Length : 29 min
MPT
Episode # 124
The staff celebrate Mrs. Slocombe's birthday. The major task is to confirm her age, which is finally determined by finding the age of her pussy, Tiddles. From the records they decide that she must be turning 50. But is that right? (24)
Friday, June 28, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT
Episode # 142
Mrs. Slocombe temporarily takes the place of Mr. Rumbold, who has taken ill . She eats the cream cakes she finds in his office. But she then gets a call from the hospital warning that the ice cream is what made him ill. (42)
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Length : 30 min
MPT2
Previous Episodes Not Found
