“How can you have rising damp in the attic? You’re higher than the crows up there.
It should be very healthy – like Switzerland.”
The best of British comedy – that’s Rising Damp, the classic 70s sitcom from ITV. The story of one seedy, lonely, stingy, bigoted landlord called Rigsby and his cat, a foul smelling flea bitten thing called Vienna, living in a dilapidated boarding house in the north of England.
Produced by Yorkshire Television and created by award winning writer Eric Chappell, Rising Damp ran for four series from 1974 – 1978. There were 28 television episodes and a film version, based on the television series, which was released in 1980.
Rising Damp won a BAFTA for Best Situation Comedy in 1978, and has been consistently remembered as one of the best sitcoms on television.
The film version of Rising Damp won the following Evening Standard’s British Film Awards in 1980 for Best Comedy Film, Best Actress – Frances de la Tour, Best Director – Joseph McGrath and Best Actor – Denholm Elliott.
Leonard Rossiter was also awarded the Peter Sellers Award for comedy in 1980.
The Oh…Miss Jones! website presents an affectionate, fun and detailed journey through ITV’s classic 70s sitcom. From its first inception as a stage play titled The Banana Box back in 1971, to the classic award winning television series which ran from 1974 – 1978, Rising Damp has entertained millions for over 45 years and has rarely been off our screens. Currently the sitcom is available to view on multiple streaming platforms across the internet.
Rising Damp has given us some of the most memorable characters in sitcom history, which have gone on to become household names – Rigsby (Leonard Rossiter), the lonely, gullible, bigoted landlord; Miss Ruth Jones (Frances de la Tour) the sensitive, lonely spinster who works as an admin officer at the local university… she is also the unrequited love of Rigsby’s life; and two medical students, the shy, long-haired, innocent Alan Moore (Richard Beckinsale), and the self-confident, cool, self-proclaimed son of a paramount chief, Philip Smith (Don Warrington).
This site will feature a full A-Z of everything you ever wanted to know about the classic sitcom, including a full episode guide complete with full cast lists, episode and movie synopses, production details and technical observations. You can relive all your favourite scenes from all 28 episodes, a ‘did you know?’ fun facts section including scenes to watch out for, Rising Damp abroad, press cuttings and the Rising Damp on stage.
You’ll also find full biographies of all the major players, inside information from the writer and creator, Eric Chappell, illustrated throughout with many rare behind-the-scenes photos and stills from the series, first-hand accounts from the people involved in the making of the show, scenes that were cut from the final edits, never before seen publicity material, mementos, spin-offs and original movie posters.
This website will be the definitive guide to the classic sitcom.
Please get in touch with me at omj@risingdamp.org with any questions, submissions, or would like to inquire about obtaining more information on the series – I’d love to hear from you!
About me:
I am a British comedy, film and music enthusiast, working as a freelance media researcher and archivist in the arts. Visit my IMDB profile here – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5455819/
From 1994 – 2016, I have worked on, and contributed to, a number of projects based on the classic sitcom, Rising Damp, along with a number of other comedy projects including but not limited to:
Credits:
Rising Damp Forever – Shiver Productions for ITV
The Unforgettable Leonard Rossiter – Watchmaker Productions for ITV
Rising Damp – A Celebration – Boxtree Publishing
Rising Damp – Granada Media DVD / Video releases + BBC Radio Nationwide promotion
“Oh…Miss Jones!” The Official Rising Damp Souvenir Magazine (Self-published)
“Oh…Miss Jones!” The Official Rising Damp Website (Self-published 2001-2003)
“Oh…Miss Jones!” A Rising Damp website
BBC Radio – Nations Favourite Sitcom ‘Rising Damp’ / Carry On Films
The A-Z of Everything Carry On – Harper Collins Publishing
The A-Z of Only Fools and Horses – Orion Publishing
The Private World of Kenneth Williams – BBC Worldwide
Think No Evil of Us – My Life with Kenneth Williams – David Benson for Bona Prods
Fifty Years of Hancock’s Half Hour – Century Publishing
From Safari Suits to Sexploitation: British Low Culture – Routledge
If you would like to contact me for assistance on a related project, please send me an email at omj@risingdamp.org.
