Search - Are You Being Served?, Vol. 12 on DVD

"They're 4 my pussy[cat] it wins a cup everytime I show it"

mwreview | Northern California, USA | 01/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First, I recommend buying this volume as part of the second boxed set of this long-running series. You get volumes 8-13 and an extra volume 14 that has a special Mollie Sugden 80th birthday celebration with interviews from her co-stars and the first episode of the adorable "Are You Being Served Again!" series (known as "Grace and Favour" in the UK). Volume 12, by itself, is a good one although it includes a couple of ringers.The two below average shows are "Memories are Made of This" and "Monkey Business." In the former, Mrs. Slocombe reverts to childhood after being hit in the head with a golf ball. This one is silly even by AYBS? standards. In the latter, Grace Bros. is threatened by a Japanese takeover and the staff goes to #10 in the hopes of voicing their grievances to Prime Minister Thatcher. Oh, and there is a monkey loose in the store. The plot goes all over the place.Now for the good stuff: In "Calling All Customers," the staff puts on a hilarious radio play to attract customers. The content of the play, however, draws in the wrong type of customer and the department's punk rockers must intervene. Mrs. Slocombe's pussy is missing in "Lost and Found" and she mistakes a kind gesture of Mr. Humphries as a marriage proposal. This episode probably marks the only time Mr. Spooner shows any sympathy for the senior saleswomen with the colorful hair. In "Good-bye Mrs. Slocombe," Mrs. Slocombe is considered "redundant" (in other words, she's too old) and is forced out. Unwilling to retire, she takes on other jobs at the store until her co-workers can figure out how to get rid of the snooty spinster (Ms. Featherston) who has replaced her. Mr. Humphries posing as a "customer" is the strategy, although "she" doesn't seem difficult enough to justify Ms. Featherston's reaction.The best of this disc is "Grounds for Divorce." This episode is one of my favorites of the post-Mr. Lucas seasons. Here, almost every female seen in this show is enamored with Capt. Peacock. He must go to drastic measures to save his marriage (even shocking Mr. Humphries). These shows first aired between May 1983 and February 1985. The DVD has fun graphics with rotating photos of "Employee of the Month" Mrs. Slocombe and a lift conductor's voice that takes you to each episode."

The Laughs Keep Coming!

D. Davis | Austin, TX | 04/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a fan of the original AYBS cast, I was hesitant to venture outside the world of Mr. Grainger and Mr. Lucas, choosing to remain within the first few seasons of the show as that was where the best laughs were, in my opinion. Well, I decided to finally step out of that time period and pick up Volume 12 on DVD, and I have to say that the laughs are just as good, if not better, than the early seasons.

Mrs. Slocombe experiences here wildest adventures yet in this volume! See her get hit in the head with a golf ball and subsequently lose her memory. See her smash food in Mr. Harmon's face. Watch her "accidentally" pick up a phone call directed to the Prime Minister from Ronald Reagan. Her favorite "daft boy", Mr. Spooner, has some great moments here as well. He plays the role of the spacey young attendant very well, and, of course, the usual pompous attitude of Captain Peacock and the wacky fan favorite Mr. Humpries round out the cast. (Did I forget to mention Miss Brahms and ol' Jug Ears?)

If you're looking for a great "later" edition of AYBS episodes, give this volume a try. You're certain to enjoy it!"