Chips with Everything

I wasn't even a teenager when this was screened but remember it if not vividly then as being something significant. The BBC plays often touched on thorny issues and this was the first time I became aware of the class divide and its impact on lives. I seem to recall that there were significant aspects of bullying and other behaviours that at the time I was unaware extended beyond the playground.

I do wish I could get to see it again but can't find it anywhere. There were several BBC plays or dramas from around that time that really stood at as being groundbreaking and I often how well they've stood the test of time.

I read garthreid15's post with interest because I was also an extra in Chips with Everything. A group of us from Salisbury College of Technology were lured by the promise of a few pounds and the fun of being involved with a BBC production on nearby Salisbury Plain. Even now, I am amazed that we were all prepared to sacrifice our long hair for the price of a few pints.

Many of the actors were young and relatively unknown at the time but went on to carve successful careers. Thorley Walters was an obvious exception. Although I had no idea who he was, nobody was left in any doubt that he was the star of the show. While the rest of us shivered in old army uniforms, he was very quickly wrapped up in a big fur coat between takes.

I did get to watch the final programme on a grainy TV from the back of a large room so never really saw the fruits of our labour properly.

Gathreid15 - did you manage to get hold of a copy? If so, I would love to see it after all these years. Happy to pay for the privilege.

I have been looking for a copy of "Chips with everything" 1975 BBC Play of the Month for years and cannot find it.If anyone has an old VHS Tape or even a DVD copy would you please email me, I would be forever in you're debt. This is most important to me. Thank you G. It was filmed at Northolt camp,myself and many friends were in it and it would be fantastic to see it again.As part of the Band I remember being stuck up to our axle in a ford Transit at night in the middle of Salisbury Plain, being pulled out by a tank,on our way to recording. On a personal note I was very saddened to hear of the Death of Arnold Wesker, such a great talent. He will be sorely missed.