About this season
The Rag Trade is a British television sitcom broadcast by the BBC between 1961 and 1963 and by LWT between 1977 and 1978. The scripts were by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney, who later wrote Wild, Wild Women, Meet the Wife and On the Buses. Wild, Wild Women was a period variation of The Rag Trade. The action centred on a small clothing workshop, Fenner Fashions in London. Although run by Harold Fenner and Reg the foreman, the female workers are led by militant shop steward Paddy Fleming, ever ready to strike, with the catchphrase "Everybody out!" Other cast members included Sheila Hancock, Esma Reese Cannon, Wanda Ventham and Barbara Windsor. The Rag Trade was revived by ITV company LWT in 1977, with Jones and Karlin reprising their roles. The 1977 version ran for two series, most of the scripts being based on the BBC episodes from the 1960s, and featured Anna Karen and future EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth as factory workers. The theme tune for the LWT series was written and performed by Lynsey De Paul.
Episodes (15)
1. Stay In Strike
Aired 11 September 1977 • 30 min
Fenner entertains a German client who's keen to see the workforce. Unfortunately, it's before nine o'clock and the workers aren't working. To ensure the staff arrive on time, a clocking-in machine is installed which leads to a strike.
2. The Sample
Aired 18 September 1977 • 30 min
The girls have produced an exclusive Italian sample dress for a potential buyer. Unfortunately, when the buyer arrives to see it, Kathy is wearing it out on a date.
3. Fixing the Rate
Aired 25 September 1977 • 30 min
Fenner has a problem - a rising wage bill and falling production. To improve the situation, he sets up a time and motions study. The girls of course throw a spanner in the works.
4. The Lunch Problem
Aired 2 October 1977 • 30 min
The local diner has put its prices up, leaving the girls out of pocket. They are outraged when Fenner refuses to give them a special subsidy, so they take special measures to dine in luxury at the factory.
5. The Export Order
Aired 9 October 1977 • 30 min
Fenner is ecstatic to land an order from the US. Knowing the American market is demanding, he insists on perfection. Unfortunately the girls spend the afternoon celebrating Kathy's birthday.
6. The Italian Line
Aired 16 October 1977 • 30 min
Mr. Fenner brings in an Italian designer to help with the smooth running of the factory. Paddy is instantly opposed, until she meets the Italian heart-throb.
7. Olive's Baby
Aired 23 October 1977 • 30 min
After a row with her old man, Olive has no choice but to bring her baby into work. Terrified that Fenner will disapprove, she tries her best to hide him.
8. The Wedding Dress
Aired 30 October 1977 • 30 min
Kathy announces that she's marrying Big Jim who works on an oil rig. To save her expense, the girls agree to make her a wedding dress from stock fabric. Unfortunately, Mrs. Fenner is helping to stock-take.
9. The Sideline
Aired 6 November 1977 • 30 min
Fenner has picked up an order for a line of fur coats. When Olive makes a panda toy with some of the waste, Paddy spots an opportunity to sell her new boyfriend, Roger, a batch of soft toys.
10. The Guvnor's Wife
Aired 13 November 1977 • 30 min
When Kathy and Paddy tape down the button which switches the intercom on, Mrs. Fenner hears some home truths from her husband who is talking with the girls in the work room.
11. The New Girl
Aired 20 November 1977 • 30 min
Mr. Fenner realises that during his absence, production plummets. To counter this, he hires stuck-up June to supervise. The girls hatch a plan to get rid of the stuck-up overseer.
12. The Bet
Aired 27 November 1977 • 30 min
Fenner gets the chance to supply a large chain with Fenner Fashions, however, the girls are distracted when they place a bet on the horses.
13. The Accident
Aired 11 December 1977 • 30 min
When Kathy falls off a chair in the restroom while trying on a dress, Paddy tries to get her compensation by rigging up an accident in the workroom.
14. The New Brother
Aired 18 December 1977 • 30 min
Skilled seamstress Shana Ahmed is employed to complete the hand embroidery on a new line. Her husband objects to her working there and is worried that she'll pick up bad habits.
15. Christmas Rush
Aired 24 December 1977 • 30 min
Production always slows down as Christmas nears and one dress gets destroyed as the clock reaches 5pm. Will anyone stay behind and help Mr. Fenner?