Middle-aged siblings inherit pickle factory, struggle to keep it afloat. Romantic entanglements lead to farcical mishaps as they vie for control. Attempted arranged marriage scuppered by bailiffs.
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Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast
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Hylda Baker | ... |
Nellie Pledge
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| Jimmy Jewel | ... |
Eli Pledge
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Edward Malin | ... |
Walter Tattersall
(as Eddie Malin)
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Madge Hindle | ... |
Lily Tattersall
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| Joe Gladwin | ... |
Stan Hardman
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| Norman Mitchell | ... |
Vernon Smallpiece
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| Pat Ashton | ... |
Freda
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Bert Palmer | ... |
Bert Henshaw
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| Peter Madden | ... |
Court Bailiff
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| Norman Chappell | ... |
Man on Bus
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| Yootha Joyce | ... |
Mrs. Rhoda Rowbottom
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| John Barrett | ... |
Joshua Pledge
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Carmel Cryan | ... |
Club Hostess
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Sue Hammer | ... |
Scarlet O'Hara
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Janie Collinge | ... |
Vinegar Vera
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Donald Bisset | ... |
Vicar
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Kerry Jewel | ... |
Claude
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Adele Warren | ... |
Mimi la Vere - Stripper
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Nosher Powell | ... |
Bouncer
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Maxwell Craig | ... |
Man in Pub (uncredited)
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Eric Kent | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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Directed by
| John Robins | ||
Written by
| Roy Bottomley | ... | () |
| Tom Brennand | ... | () |
| Harry Driver | ... | (television series created by) |
| Vince Powell | ... | (television series created by) |
Produced by
| Michael Carreras | ... | producer |
| Roy Skeggs | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Derek Hilton | ||
Cinematography by
| David Holmes | ||
Editing by
| Chris Barnes | ||
Casting By
| James Liggat | ||
Art Direction by
| Scott MacGregor | ||
Makeup Department
| Jeanette Freeman | ... | hairdresser |
| Eddie Knight | ... | make-up |
Production Management
| Ron Jackson | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| William P. Cartlidge | ... | assistant director (as Bill Cartlidge) |
Art Department
| Arthur Banks | ... | construction manager |
| Don Picton | ... | assistant art director |
Sound Department
| Frank Goulding | ... | sound editor |
| Les Hammond | ... | sound recordist |
| Gordon K. McCallum | ... | dubbing mixer (as Gordon McCallum) |
| John Hayward | ... | re-recording mixer (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Nosher Powell | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Chic Anstiss | ... | camera operator (as Chick Anstiss) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Rosemary Burrows | ... | costume supervisor |
Music Department
| Philip Martell | ... | music supervisor / composer: additional music (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Lorely Farley | ... | continuity |
Production Companies
- EMI Films (Presents) (As Anglo EMI Films)
- Granada Film Productions
- Granada Films
- Hammer Films
Distributors
- Anglo-EMI Film Distributors (1972) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- MGM-EMI (1972) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- British Empire Films Australia (1974) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Weintraub Entertainment Group (1987) (World-wide)
- Lumiere Pictures (1992) (World-wide)
- Leisureview (2003) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Hammer Studios (2022) (World-wide)
- ITV - Independent Television (1978) (United Kingdom) (tv) (Original UK Airing)
- Jidasu (1992) (Japan) (VHS)
- StudioCanal UK (1999) (World-wide)
- Talking Pictures TV (2024) (United Kingdom) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
On their father's death, Eli and Nellie Pledge inherit a pickle factory in Colne, Lancashire in the north of England. The warring siblings struggle to keep the decrepit "Pledge's Purer Pickles" afloat, hampered by a lack of funds, zero business acumen, and having inherited a workforce that are mostly old and useless. While Nellie works hard to keep the business going, Eli prefers to indulge in the delights of beer, cigarettes, gambling and women. When the summer holidays come and the entire factory is closed down, Nellie takes Eli to a Blackpool boardinghouse run by landlady Mrs. Rowbottom, who takes a shine to bachelor Eli. However, Eli is more interested in a younger woman, Freda. Complications ensue when Eli attempts to further his financial ambitions by marrying Nellie off to Vernon Smallpiece, a colleague in the pickling business. But his plans are scuppered when Vernon is snatched from the altar by bailiffs for non-payment of his debts. |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | From HAMMER who gave you 'ON THE BUSES' See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Hylda Baker sings the theme: the lyrics had been added to Derek Hilton's original instrumental for her 1969 Columbia Records disc "Nearest and Dearest" (DB 8644), though the film uses a different version. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Referenced in Absolutely Fabulous (2016). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Nearest and Dearest See more » |
| Quotes |
[Nellie has inspected nude statues at the art gallery]
Nellie Pledge: Ooooh, these sculpturers! They don't know when to stop chiselling, do they? Eli Pledge: I suppose that statue is what you call a Greek god. Nellie Pledge: Well, I don't know if he were Greek, but he were a big lad. Eli Pledge: Well, what's worrying you then? Nellie Pledge: Well, I'm going to get married next week, aren't I? I don't want Vernon to be disappointed. Eli Pledge: If you're going by that statue in the art gallery it's you that's going to be bloody disappointed. See more » |