Rising Damp, The Cocktail Hour, 1977
As ITV celebrates it’s 70th year we look back to an episode of one of their best sitcoms, Rising damp.
The penultimate episode of series three, a classic that sees Rigsby planning a move into the upper classes as he teaches his lodger Alan how to behave around his posh new girlfriend.
Summary
When Alan starts dating the upper class Caroline Armitage, Ruth says that Caroline’s Mother is a wealthy property owner,.
This peeks Rigsby’s interest as he sees his chance to move in higher circles. He becomes keen on the idea that Alan gets engaged to Caroline so that he can benefit by it.
He gives Alan the benefit of his experience with lessons in etiquette.
When it’s time to meet Caroline’s Mother, Mrs Armitage Alan plans an upmarket tea-party with Phillip and Ruth both invited. When Rigsby finds out he’s been missed off the invite list he’s furious and crashes the party.
He discovers that Mrs. Armitage is the former Mabel Bagworthy, a common rag-and-bone man’s daughter that he was at school with, who rode to school on her Father’s cart, he takes great delight in telling everyone. what he knows. Needless to say, the engagement is off.
Clips
Cast
Leonard Rossiter – Rigsby
Richard Beckinsale – Alan
Don Warrington – Philip
Frances De-La Tour – Miss Jones
Judy Buxton – Caroline
Diana King – Mrs Armitage
Details
Channel: ITV
Written By: Eric Chappell
Production Company: Yorkshire Television
Original Transmission Date: May 17th, 1977
Where To Watch
Rising damp streams free on You Tube, and ITVX, is screened on free view channel: That’s TV and available on DVD.