Not currently on display at the V&A

Porridge

Poster
1979 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This poster advertised the 1979 film Porridge, based on the successful BBC television series of the same name written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, broadcast on BBC1 from 1974 to 1977. Set in the fictional prison H.M.P. Slade, the programme ran for three series and included two Christmas specials.

The film was released in the United States as Doing Time, since 'porridge' was the British slang for a penal service, said to have originated in the 1950s after the ubiquitous prison breakfast food. Most of the warders and inmates from the original television series appeared in the film with the notable exceptions of Lukewarm, Blanco, Heslop and Harris. There was also a different governor, played by Geoffrey Bayldon rather than series regular Michael Barrington. The film was the last project completed by the popular young actor Richard Beckinsdale who died in March 1979 aged 31. Its star, the comedian, actor and writer Ronnie Barker (1929-2005) was one of the greatest stars of British comedy in the second half of the 20th century


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePorridge (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Printed ink on paper
Brief description
Oversize poster advertising the1979 film Porridgewith a colour image of Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher, Richard Beckinsale as Lennie Godber and Fulton Mackay as Mr. MacKay
Physical description
Oversize poster advertising the film Porridge, featuring a colour picture of Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher, Richard Beckinsale as Lennie Godber and Fulton Mackay as Mr. MacKay, blue background with yellow and white text.
Dimensions
  • Height: 75.3cm
  • Width: 101.3cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
Fletcher's inside story- Even funnier as a film / JACK GILL Presents for BLACK LION FILMS / A WITZEND PRODUCTION / RONNIE BARKER in / PORRIDGE A / Starring / RICHARD BECKINSALE FULTON MACKAY and BRIAN WILDE With PETER VAUGHAN As "Grouty" / Written by DICK CLEMENT and IAN LA FRENAIS Produced by ALLAN McKEOWN and IAN LA FRENAIS Directed by DICK CLEMENT / Read the Pan Book "Porridge- The Inside Story" Released by ITC Film Distributors Ltd. / Printed in England by Lonsdale & Bartholomew Ltd. Nottingham
Credit line
Given by Charlotte Barker, daughter of the late Ronald Barker OBE.
Object history
Related to the release of the film Porridge in 1979.
Summary
This poster advertised the 1979 film Porridge, based on the successful BBC television series of the same name written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, broadcast on BBC1 from 1974 to 1977. Set in the fictional prison H.M.P. Slade, the programme ran for three series and included two Christmas specials.

The film was released in the United States as Doing Time, since 'porridge' was the British slang for a penal service, said to have originated in the 1950s after the ubiquitous prison breakfast food. Most of the warders and inmates from the original television series appeared in the film with the notable exceptions of Lukewarm, Blanco, Heslop and Harris. There was also a different governor, played by Geoffrey Bayldon rather than series regular Michael Barrington. The film was the last project completed by the popular young actor Richard Beckinsdale who died in March 1979 aged 31. Its star, the comedian, actor and writer Ronnie Barker (1929-2005) was one of the greatest stars of British comedy in the second half of the 20th century
Other number
THM/407/12
Collection
Accession number
S.128-2012

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Record createdFebruary 27, 2012
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