Nearest And Dearest, Film Version, 1972
Nearest and Dearest had started life on TV back in 1968, by 1972 it had reached it’s sixth series and like many successful sitcoms of the day it got the big screen treatment.
The film was produced by Hammer Films alongside a film subsidiary of Granada TV.
Hylda Baker and Jimmy Jewel reprise their TV roles as feuding brother and sister Nellie and Eli Pledge, owners of Pledge’s Purer Pickles.
There’s a title song sung by Hylda Baker.
Nearest And Dearest on the TV would go on for one last series after the film was released.
Summary
Following their Father’s death, Eli and Nellie Pledge inherit a pickle factory in Colne, in the North of England.
Sadly Pledge’s Purer Pickles” is decrepit. Staffed by a workforce that is a decade beyond retirement age. The warring siblings struggle to keep the the business afloat. However alongside an aging workforce, the siblings are further hampered by severe lack of funds and zero business acumen.
While Nellie works hard to keep the business going, Eli prefers to indulge in the delights of beer, cigarettes, gambling and women.
The annual Summer holiday is soon upon them and the entire factory is closed down.
Nellie takes Eli to a Blackpool boarding house run by landlady Mrs. Rowbottom, whose eyes light upon bachelor Eli. However, Eli only has eyes for the younger Freda.
Eli’s attempts to further his financial ambitions by marrying off Nellie to a colleague in the pickling business are challenged when Vernon Smallpiece is snatched from the altar by bailiffs for non-payment of his debts.
Film In Full
Starring
Hylda Baker – Nellie Pledge
Jimmy Jewel – Eli Pledge
Joe Gladwin – Stan
Edward Malin – Walter
Madge Hindle – Lily
Freda – Pat Ashton
Yootha Joyce – Mrs Rowbottom
Details
Written By: Roy Bottomley and Tom Brennand
Producer: Michael Carreras
Director: John Robbs
Year Of Release: 1972