Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width

Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width

1968 - United Kingdom

Originating from a 1967 Armchair Theatre production which starred John Bluthal and Frank Finlay as a pair of tailors, one Jewish - the other Irish, Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width was once held up by the World Council of Churches as an example of inter-religious unity. Set in a back street workroom in London's famous Whitechapel area, the series (with Joe Lynch replacing Frank Finlay for the series) told of trouser-maker Patrick Michael Kelly and jacket-maker Emmanuel (Manny) Cohen, who joined forces and became the suit-making company of Cohen and Kelly. 

Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width
Frank Finlay starred in the original Armchair Theatre production.

However, their relationship was a rocky one and often required the interventions of Father Ryan (Eamon Kelly) and Rabbi Levy (Cyril Shaps) as the central characters tried to come to terms with each-others philosophies and beliefs. Writers Vince Powell and Harry Driver wrote well-observed and humorous scripts drawing on their own backgrounds. Powell was a churchgoing Catholic who had heard the term used for the series title said by an Irishman, when he worked briefly as a tailor himself, and Driver was brought up in the Jewish area of Manchester, and had previously worked in Marks and Spencer. 

The writers also had a long and distinguished career and during the term of their partnership (Driver died in 1973) created some of Britain's best known sitcoms, including; Bless This House, Nearest and Dearest, Love Thy Neighbour and For The Love Of Ada, as well as supplying scripts for Coronation Street and Adam Adamant Lives! 

Interestingly enough ABC, who produced the show, had six unscreened episodes at the time they lost their broadcasting franchise to Thames Television, who then took over the series. The first three episodes were shown soon after the new company took over but the next two did not see the light of day for almost two years and were only broadcast after the final series had been shown (they were billed as repeats - which they were not). The final episode ('And A Yarmulka To Match') has never been seen. The tailors were reunited for a 1972 full-length feature film.

Published on January 11th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Fantastic Voyage

Animated series based on the 1966 live action movie of the same name.

Also released in 1968

Thora Hird as The First Lady

A female official takes her seat on a local council. But the no-nonsense councillor has to face up to the bureaucracy of both local and central government.

Also released in 1968

It's A Square World

Former Goon Michael Bentine in a surreal sketch show; combining satire, zany slapstick and animated models.

Also starring John Bluthal

One Foot In The Grave

The exploits of a pensioner and his long-suffering wife in their battle against the trials of modern life.

Also tagged British Sitcom

Second Verdict

Two fictional policemen scrutinise six real life historical murder cases and present evidence for and against the verdicts

Also starring Cyril Shaps

Devil in the Fog

"In the beginning this tale tells how I, George, eldest born son of Master Salathiel Treet, strolling player and man of genius, came to have greatness thrust upon me."

Also released in 1968

Stalin TV Movie

American political drama television film starring Robert Duvall as the Soviet leader, telling the story of Joseph Stalin's rise to power until his death

Also starring Frank Finlay

Mr. Aitch

Harry Aitch wants status more than money. If status means he's got to have money then he'll go out and get the money. Any way that's practically legal. But he spends most of the time conning himself...

Also tagged British Sitcom

Supercar

Action adventure series about a flying and underwater car.

Also starring Cyril Shaps