RISING DAMP: THE MOVIE
The promotional Press Pack sent out to promote the Movie.
The Story
The Theme Tune
The Theme Tune ‘Bonus (Rigsby lyrics)’
Rigsby (he doesn’t own up to Rupert) is the sleazy owner of a run-down boarding-house in London. One of his tenants is quietly spoken, black medical student, Philip, for who Rigsby, despite his colour prejudice, has a grudging respect – for Philip purports to be the son of a chieftain with twelve wives back ‘home’ in Africa.
Toward another tenant, Miss Jones, an angular spinster in her mid-thirties, Rigsby displays a barely disguised passion. But his amorous advances become desperate as he realises that Miss Jones’ maidenly ardour is directed towards the unwilling Philip, whose athletic prowess and intellectualism prove far more attractive than Rigsby’s general air of seediness.
As this romantic triangle twists itself into various frenzied complications, the Rigsby menage gains another recruit in John, an art student.
Apparently, a quiet, unassuming and studious individual, John, forced into a room-share with Philip, is actually hell-bent on losing his virginity in the arms of his buxom girl-friend, Sandra. After all, Philip’s first experience happened on his fourteenth birthday – all John got was a bike!
As Rigsby thrusts himself in vain at Miss Jones with attempts at stylish wining and dining and rides in the country in his vintage, not to say decrepit, MG, John lures Sandra back to his room to ‘model’ for him. Her indignation matches his frustration as, regardless of Sandra’s outraged father, John tries to bring their relationship to fruition.
Rigsby still has one room remaining empty. It is taken by the seemingly immaculate Seymour, complete with Old Etonian accent and Battle of Britain air, Rigsby is ecstatic – at last a true gentleman with taste and opninions akin to his own pretensions.
Seymour’s every wish is Rigsby’s instant command, while his smooth talk and Brylcreemed charm spin a romantic web in which to snare Miss Jones and her Post Office Savings Book.
But the day of reckoning arrives with awkward questions about rent arrears and a lost wallet. Seymour, in trying to fend off imminent exposure, reveals the truth about Philip’s background. Disillusioned, Rigsby allows himself a mistaken moment of heroism, an act which instantly kindles Miss Jones’ ardour as she suddenly recognises many attributes in him that she had not noticed before!
All might have ended happily but for the one four-legged member of the household, Rigsby’s cat, Vienna. He or she, it is the final cause of Rigsby’s final and complete disillusionment with the world in general, and the female sex in particular.
THE CAST
Rigsby – Leonard Rossiter
Miss Jones – Frances de la Tour
Philip – Don Warrington
John – Christopher Strauli
Seymour – Denholm Elliott
Sandra – Carrie Jones
Cooper – Glynn Edwards
Bert – John Cater
Alec – Derek Griffiths
Italian Waiter – Ronnie Brody
Accordionist – Alan Clare
Rugsby Player – Pat Roach
Boutique Assistant – Jonathan Cecil
Workman – Bill Dean
CREDITS
Directed by – Joe McGrath
Produced by – Roy Skeggs
Executive Producer – Brian Lawrence
Screenplay by – Eric Chappell
Director of Photography – Frank Watts, BSC
Editor – Peter Weatherly, GBFE
Music composed and arranged by – David Lindup
Musical Supervisor – Philip Martell
Title Song: Music by – Brian Wade / Lyrics by – Eric Chappell
Production Manager – Ron Jackson
Art Director – Lewis Logan
Camera Operator – Neil Binney
Assistant Director – Roger Simons
Sound Recordist – Alan Kane
Sound Editor – Terry Poulton
Assistant Art Director – Carolyn Scott
Continuity – Phyllis Townshend
Make-up – Bunty Philips
Costume Supervisor – Laura Nightingale
Hairdresser – Daphne Volmer
Assistant to Producer – Katy Arnold
Production Accountant – John Bigland
Dubbing Mixer – Bill Rowe
Production Assistant – Jean
Choreographer – Janet Jackson
Director of Publicity – Jean Garioch
