Are You Being Served? (film)
Are You Being Served? is a 1977 British comedy film based on the BBC sitcom "Are You Being Served?" (1972–1985), which follows the staff of the men's and women's clothing departments of the London Grace Brothers department store. The story is an adaptation of the successful stage version of the show, which played at Winter Gardens, Blackpool. The film was directed by Bob Kellett and the screenplay was by series creators and writers David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd. The film also featured the performers from the television series, including Mollie Sugden, John Inman , Frank Thornton, Trevor Bannister, Arthur Brough, Wendy Richard, and Nicholas Smith. Premise. Mr. Humphries is taking advantage of a staff discount on a blue rinse in the hairdressing dept. Mr. Harman is demonstrating a new inflatable bikini to Miss Brahms and Mrs Slocombe. Mr. Lucas is chastised by Cpt. Peacock for being late again. As Grace Brothers is being redecorated, the management sends the staff on a paid holiday to the resort of Costa Plonka, on the Spanish coast. On the first night they think they are allocated 7 "penthouses" but it is in fact "tent-houses" outside the hotel . After various misfortunes and misunderstandings, they narrowly survive a gunfight between the revolutionaries and government troops. They are saved by a group of tanks that arrive on the scene; these prove to have been commandeered by Young Mr. Grace, who wanted to visit his beleaguered underlings, but could not find a taxi. Filming. Filming took place at Elstree Studios and London Gatwick Airport. Release. The film opened in British cinemas from 31 July 1977 onwards. Reception. In a contemporary review, John Pym of the "Monthly Film Bulletin" gave the film a negative review, stating that "The humour consists mainly of  a withering selection of patent British puns; an inflatable brassiere, some let's-insult-the-Germans jokes and a rickety thunder-box which bolts from the outside are thrown in for good measure." In a retrospective review, "DVD Verdict"'s Michael Stailey regards it as a film that is "guilty of violating almost every law of comedy and film." The film is widely considered to be lacking in originality, plot, and focus. At present, the film holds a 58% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes; the cutoff for a positive rating is 59%.