Are You Being Served?: The Movie

Back in 1977, the long-running British TV sitcom Are You Being Served? made the leap to the big screen, with decidedly mixed results. Leaving their department store during renovations for a company-paid holiday in the subtly named Costa Plonka, the staff of Grace Brothers find themselves embroiled in a variety of mix-ups and mishaps, leading to an amusing game of late-night tent-hopping and a finale which finds them smack dab in the midst of an armed uprising. While fans of the series are sure to enjoy a reunion with their favorite characters, newcomers would be better "served" by the newly released original episodes. Tech-wise, the picture quality of this bare-bones release is quite soft, but the Dolby mono soundtrack boasts a level of clarity that will be appreciated by viewers less accustomed to British accents. An optional purchase. (B. Grafius)