Mollie Sugden, who died this week aged 86, was a British comedy actress best known for her character Betty Slocombe in the 1970s TV sitcom Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served?, which was immensely popular and ran from 1972 to 1985, was set in Grace Bros department store. The show was full of corny jokes and delightful characters of whom Mrs Slocombe was one of the favourites.
Mrs Slocombe, whose hair was dyed a different, lurid colour every episode, was head of the Ladies Separates and Underwear department and was always spouting double entendres: “Captain Peacock, I do not respond to any man's finger!", she says in response to a summons from the boss; "Before we go any further, Mr Rumbold, Miss Brahms and I would like to complain about the state of our drawers. They're a positive disgrace."
A divorcee, Mrs Slocombe would return home alone each night to her "little pussy".
Why am I mentioning all this? Because reading her obituary sent my mind spinning back 30 years almost to the day when I met her.
I had just started working at The Daily Telegraph when Kirsten Cooke, an actress who was later to become famous for her role as Michelle Dubois in the British TV sitcom ‘Allo, ‘Allo, phoned me and asked if I’d like to see her in a play at Richmond Theatre. There was an afternoon matinée and I had the day off (4th July 1979).
How did I know Kirsten? I was indirectly responsible for her marriage to my friend, Billy Bottle, whom I have previously mentioned in my series on My First Newspaper. I was going out with Kirsten’s best friend, Felicity, who was a barmaid in The Ship pub in Herne Bay; she was doing a degree at Kent University and did bar work to supplement her grant.
One night Felicity asked me to turn up at the pub early as her friend was down for the weekend and wouldn’t know anyone apart from her and she was working. I did and I instantly liked Kirsten: stunningly attractive, smart and lots of fun. Billy Bottle was drinking at the other end of the bar and spotted this vision of loveliness. Within seconds, he was by my side asking to be introduced. He instantly fell in love as did Kirsten. They married about six weeks later; the marriage lasted about a year.
Anyway, back to my story. I went to see Kirsten in the play (I can’t remember the title) at Richmond and afterwards met her backstage where she introduced me to the cast. Kirsten and I then went to a teashop for a cuppa and a chinwag before she had to get ready for the evening’s performance.
Mollie Sugden popped in and asked if she could join us. She was a big star but didn’t have a big head. She was delightful and witty. At one point, a man came over and told Mollie he was a big fan and could he have her autograph. She chatted to the stranger while signing her autograph. The man thanked her and off he went. We carried on with our tea for a few minutes before Mollie suddenly shrieked: “I don’t bloody believe it – that little bugger’s stolen my bag!” An opportunist thief, he was never caught. Mollie stole the show and the “fan” stole her bag.
So, in a long-winded way, that is one of the reasons why I remembered Mollie Sugden, apart from her being a fine actress.
Mollie Sugden RIP.
16 WHAT SAY YOU?:
Mollie was a great comedy actress - I so used to enjoy 'Are You Being Served' too. Fancy you getting to meet her! 'Allo Allo' is another of my favourite programmes.
wow, you mixer of stars you :)
RIP molly.....
x
She was a veritable star - And what a sweet, down-to-earth memory to have of her, Sir...
I saw Alan Price perform in Newcastle when I was in my teens, he came on stage to play Desperado on the piano, and looked as glum as buggery - His wallet had just been stolen from his dressing room - And nearly in his hometown to boot! Hope you're fine and dandy, Sir.
Saz (Fat, Frumpy & Fifty) and I are blogging about parenting teens at Mad Manic Mamas blogspot - for Dads and other rellies too - Please say if you'd like to join us as a dear author?
Love,
Fhi x
I work for an actors' agency and I think that the best actors are very often the ones who are friendly and ordinary. The ones who are "grand" and full of themselves tend to be the ones who aren't quite so good!
what a great story! :-)
we've never watched ARE YOU BEING SERVED? after reading this we intend to seek/search watch the dvd's.
given what you've said, she's sure to be missed. :-(
thank you for the post.
..
.ero
I am so jealous that you had tea with Mollie Sugden. She was fantastic, her timing with a line was perfect.
They don't make them like that anymore. A cracking post as always. When's your book coming out ?.
I loved your memories!
And what a story of Mollie and the handbag thief!
A lovely, touching story. I can't say I was a big fan of Are You Being Served? - all a bit too Carry On camp and corny for me, but your tale has made me reassess my views of Mollie & co
Yes, she was a delight!
That was the silliest TV show ever
and I loved it.
ah dumdad, what great stories you have to tell
billy bottle, what an excellent name
Dumdad: a delightful tribute made special by the detail you're able to recall.
Woman of No Importance: joining you off piste ... I was wondering where Alan Price came into this, but your mention did remind me of the two hours I spent at his home in Barnes a few years ago. He may well be a professional grump but he was good as gold to me, giving a great interview for all of about 500 souls who read the magazine of the London branch of the Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association and then insisting on driving me home.
If he was robbed in Newcastle, it will have been by a Mag. As the people of Scunthorpe and Doncaster are about to discover, you simply can't trust them.
Another of his money and theft related moans was that the rest of the Animals didn't have a whipround when someone nicked his brand new organ one night.
She and Miss Brahams are now appearing in an episode in the celestial spheres somewhere - with John Inman and old Mr Grace as well
You've all done very well!
Fab story!
She was always my favourtie character in AYBS. I used to watch it at my granparents' (we didn't have tv at home)and whenever she alluded to her "pussy" my grandad would roar with laughter and my gran would tut disapprovingly. Me? I had no idea why, at the time :o)
AYBS is corny and silly and ridiculous and FUNNY! And it's still on TV all these years later.
Sad to think that most of the cast have gone to the great department store in the sky now.
RIP Mrs Slocombe, and Miss Brahms, and Mr Humphries....
Richmond Theatre used to be my local.....saw the great "Jonners" give his talk there...All very, very sadly missed.............
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