Wendy Richard Appreciation Page

WRAP > Gallery > 1970s Images

The 1970s

1970	1971	1972	1973	1974
1975	1976	1977	1978	1979
The in-line thumbnail images anchor larger images.

		No Blade of Grass movie (131k)	NBOG is the only movie role Wendy had where she does not appear as a brunette (she wore a black wig to play the part of Clara Pirrie). The first image is a montage of video clips. The three following that are from lobby cards (large photos on cardboard distributed by the MGM studio to theaters showing the movie). The first B&W card is one of the best photos I've seen of Wendy in character. The 2nd B&W shot is cropped from a lobby card and emphasizes Wendy, of course. The last card (in color) is intriguing, for Wendy's character is shown here with glasses, though during no scene in the actual movie can she be seen wearing the specs. Were those Wendy's own glasses, inadvertently left on during the publicity shot?
		No Blade of Grass movie (44k)
		No Blade of Grass movie (54k)
		No Blade of Grass movie (73k)

		No Blade of Grass movie (132k)	This pair of images are of a very rare official MGM publicity photo of Wendy, with Nigel Davenport. The first pic is the pub pic itself; the second is a closeup of a quite handsome 27-year-old Wendy.
		No Blade of Grass movie (237k)

		Dad's Army: "Two and a Half Feathers" (110k)
		Dad's Army: "Mum's Army" (100k)

Up, Pompeii!
(78k)

In Up, Pompeii, one can see that yellow suited Wendy's complexion quite handsomely.

The second, black-and-white photo is a posed publicity still from this time. Fairly rare previously, many 8x10 hardcopies have recently become available via auction to benefit various charitable causes.

Remaining even rarer is this other black and white photo. Though it is clearly from the same session, the viewpoint and Wendy's pose are subtly different.

Up Pompeii!
(54k)

Up Pompeii!
(81k)

Carry On Again Christmas.
(93k)

This hour-long show was broadcast in black and white. The color shot here is almost certainly a publicity still from the set. The other actor is Sid James.

Wendy said that she wore a dark wig for the part.

Carry On Again Christmas.
(48k)

		Gumshoe (78k)	In 1971 Ms. Richard made Gumshoe with Albert Finney. This seemed to be the movie that won her the most recognition, though her presence on-screen was far shorter than in No Blade of Grass. The top photo is a publicity still from the movie's set. Interestingly, note there is a third person present (standing beyond Finney), who is not an actor in this scene. This pegs the shot as a specialty take, done either during a dedicated photo op or a dress rehearsal. The second photo is similar but not identical -- no one's standing in the background this time.
		Gumshoe (96k)
		Gumshoe (91k)

Montage of images of Wendy Richard from 1971 in "Please, Sir!"

Please, Sir: "The Pruning of Hedges"
(96k)

Thanks to Charles for confirming which series and episode these images came from.

One may also find a wallpaper of Wendy in this show in the Art section of the Gallery (look for wall #9).

Please, Sir: "The Pruning of Hedges"
(20k)

		On The Buses movie (26k)	As far as I can tell, this is the only role Ms. Richard had in the 1970s which was shot completely outdoors. The black and white image is a lobby card for the movie.
		On The Buses movie (45k)
		On The Buses movie (27k)
		On The Buses movie (21k)

		On The Buses: "The Busman's Ball" (70k)	In 1971 Ms. Richard did her work on the On The Buses movie before doing this television episode.
		On The Buses: "The Busman's Ball" (38k)

		Bless This House (27k)	Notice the blast from the past behnd Wendy in each of the three images: it's an advrtising poster for the musical play Godspell, which was playing at locations in the London area in 1971 and 1972.
		Bless This House (27k)
		Bless This House (45k)

Both Ends Meet
(102k, 106k)

Your webmeister was able to quickly determine the source of these lovely but unlabeled photos. The main clue? Note the word "Cannon" on Wendy's blouse in the leftmost image -- that was the name of the sausage company that provided the setting for the early-1972 comedy Both Ends Meets. A beautiful Wendy Richard, 28½ years old here, is clearly in character as Maudie, a secondary character to Hylda Baker's protagonist Dora.

		The Fenn Street Gang: "Is That A Proposal, Eric?" (103k)	Wendy's work in The Fenn Street Gang was first aired in early 1973, but was filmed in late 1972. The first photo here is a montage of images from her episode. The second photo is a posed publicity shot of the three actresses: Carol Hawkins in the black and white swimsuit; Sandra Bryant in orange; and 29-year-old Wendy in a backless white suit. Clearly, Hawkins looks the worst in this publicity shot. The huge ghastly wig and obviously heavy make-up are a real shame -- in reality, the actress was quite naturally attractive (as is more evident in the montage images). Her look here was actually part of the storyline, as the other two contestants had convinced her to tart herself up in order to have any kind of chance at winning, though of course their intent was really just to sabotage the poor girl. In any case, it's too bad the look has been preserved forever in this photo. A careful look at Wendy's left hand shows her to be wearing the same style ring on her little finger as she does 25 years later during EastEnders.
		The Fenn Street Gang (154k)

		Carry On Matron (38k)	The movie was released in 1972, but actually filmed in late 1971 at Pinewood Studios, with some exterior shots done in Astor, Berkshire. On a humorous note, an audio commentary for a DVD release of the movie records a couple of the actresses (Jackie Piper and Patsy Rowlands) commenting on how solid and stiff the fake baby was that Wendy and Kenneth Williams had to work with in this scene.
		Carry On Matron (41k)
		Carry On Matron (48k)

		AYBS? (pilot) b/w (39k)	The series Are You Being Served? kicked-off in 1972. The un-titled pilot episode was indeed shot in color in May of that year, but apparently has been lost; only a black-and-white version has ever been broadcast. The second image here is the only color shot I've ever seen of Ms. Richard from that series pilot. It appears as an illustration in The 'Are You Being Served?' Stories book.
		AYBS? (pilot) color (17k)
		AYBS? (pilot) b/w (46k)

		Dad's Army: "The King Was In His Counting House" (99k)
		Dad's Army: "The King Was In His Counting House" (38k)

		AYBS?: "His And Hers" (93k)	Early in 1973, Wendy learned that AYBS? had been picked up by the BBC as a series. These episodes were a few of those first that helped propel her to national recognition as Miss Shirley Brahms.
		AYBS?: "Camping In" (48k)
		AYBS?: "Diamonds are A Man's Best Friend" (49k)
		AYBS?: "Dear Sexy Knickers" (56k)

		Bowler: "Members Only" (88k)	The first two images are of Wendy's initial "cigarette girl" look, with the third image showing her attire after Stanley Bowler's insistence she be able to take guests' coats and hats "with quiet charm."
		Bowler: "Members Only" (117k)
		Bowler: "Members Only" (86k)

		Carry On Girls (70k)
		Carry On Girls (90k)
		Carry On Girls (38k)

		Carry On Girls (107k)	The gentleman with Wendy in this first photo is the late Peter Butterworth, who played "The Admiral", one of the permanent residents of the hotel where the beauty contest was being held. The second image is Wendy standing next to colleague Barbara Windsor. Both women are wearing heels, but note their clear height difference -- and Wendy herself was only 5' 4" tall.
		Carry On Girls (117k)
		Carry On Girls (86k)
		Carry On Girls (22k)

		Carry On Girls (55k)	The bottom-most image, from a lobby card, is interesting because this exact shot does not appear in the final version of the movie. It's taken from a different angle than the motion picture camera, but also Wendy (in the red one-piece swimsuit) is a few steps further down the ramp then in the 'official' scene. This is the infamous "muck" scene, of which she spoke with some regret in her memoirs.
		Carry On Girls (64k)
		Carry On Girls (51k)

		Dad's Army: "My British Buddy" (95k)	A close look at the third (bottom-most) photo reveals a number of oddities. For one thing, the guy with his hand on Wendy Richard's left shoulder is definitely not dressed for early 1940s Britain! Second, the Yank in the foreground has an extremely modern and expensive wristwatch for an enlisted soldier to own. Third: what in the world is "Horder Scotch Whisky"??
		Dad's Army (91k)
		Dad's Army (101k)

The Dick Emery Show: "The Milkman"
(70k)

1973 is only a guess at the year when Wendy did this short stint on The Dick Emery Show.

		AYBS?: publicity still (43k)	The first image is not from any particular episode. I'm guessing it is from early 1974, based on Wendy's appearance.
		AYBS?: "Big Brother" (22k)
		AYBS?: "Cold Comfort" (55k)
		AYBS?: "The Clock" (18k)
		AYBS?: "The Clock" (55k)

		AYBS?: "The Clock" (94k)	At first glance, this pair of images might appear to be duplicates, but look closer! Frank Thornton's glasses and Trevor Bannister's handkerchief are missing in the top (black and white) photo. Less obvious is the different way Wendy's blouse collar is arranged. The top photo was probably a posed publicity shot; the bottom (color) image is the actual scene from the show.
		AYBS?: "The Clock" (67k)

		AYBS?: "Christmas Crackers" (51k)	1975 saw Ms. Richard in good form in many of the AYBS? episodes. A notable exception, however, was in "Christmas Crackers", this year's Xmas production. During the show, her demeanor and bearing seemed markedly out of character. In contrast, the shot from "German Week" is one of the finest of Ms. Richard, showing off her fine complexion and winning smile.
		AYBS?: "German Week" (57k)
		AYBS?: "New Look" (39k)
		AYBS?: "The Hand of Fate" (71k)

Not On Your Nellie: "Requiem for a Heavyweight"
(58k)

The first photo shows Wendy, as barmaid Doris, with actor John Barrett, who played Jed Pickersgill in the series.

In the middle montage, the very short lady with Wendy is Hylda Baker.

Baker joins Wendy in the bottom image, along with garishly-clad Roger Howlett, who plays another regular character in the series. The trio's appearance in this publicity photo doesn't quite match any of the actual scenes in the show; most likely, it was snapped during an out-take or during a rehearsal of this episode.

Not On Your Nellie: various episodes
(98k)

Not On Your Nellie: "High Society"
(141k)

		Hogg's Back (41k, 47k)	All of these shots are from various television schedule magazines of 1975. The latter two, obviously the same photo, were used in Dutch publications about ten years apart, though your webmeister suspects the base image was originally shot as a publicity photo for the series.
		Hogg's Back (20k, 32k)

		Hogg's Back I (165k)	Wendy appeared in six first-season episodes of Hogg's Back. For each them, here is a montage of images, showing Wendy at her loveliest.
		Hogg's Back II (142k)
		Hogg's Back III (168k)
		Hogg's Back IV (153k)
		Hogg's Back V (150k)
		Hogg's Back VI (173k)

		AYBS?: "Fifty Years On" (59k)	Shortly after the episodes of the '76 television season were in the can, Ms. Richard embarked on the theatrical version of AYBS?
		AYBS?: "The Father Christmas Affair" (49k)
		AYBS?: "Top Hat and Tails" (60k)

AYBS? - the play (117k)

Since the cast members here are probably not in character for this photo, then strictly speaking it should appear in the Herself gallery. But since it was shot at the play's venue in the Winter Pavilion, Blackpool, likely in late 1976, your webmeister has elected to include it with Wendy's work photos.

Note she is wearing the same dress as in this more casual photo which appeared in a magazine early the next year.

Celebrity Squares (37k)

This was likely a publicity photo rather than a take from the game show's set, but it still gives an idea of Wendy's lovely looks.

		AYBS?: The Movie (46k)	Ms. Richard completed her AYBS? cinema film this year as well as making yet another series of episodes for television. The first of the two black & white images is an on-set shot of Wendy in evening attire (see the third color image). The second of the B&W pics is a posed publicity photo, distributed as an 8 x 10 glossy.
		AYBS?: The Movie (42k)
		AYBS?: The Movie (36k)
		AYBS?: The Movie (36k)
		AYBS?: The Movie (149k)
		AYBS?: The Movie (27k)

		AYBS?: The Movie (56k)	In this set of black & white pictures (some of which also appear in the Rigelsford AYBS? book), Ms. Richard is attired as Shirley Brahms, yet none of these are from any scene in the movie. The first two attractive shots were probably intended specifically as publicity stills, as was the third image with co-star Trevor Bannister. The bottom three pics seem to be more impromptu 'behind the scenes' shots. The last photo appears to show Wendy being interviewed by a real-world journalist on-set and in-costume. The next-to-the-last shot is a cute one showing Wendy puffing on a cigarette in a holder while reading a newspaper (interestingly, without her glasses).
		AYBS?: The Movie (65k)
		AYBS?: The Movie (114k)
		AYBS?: The Movie (62k)
		AYBS?: The Movie (51k)
		AYBS?: The Movie (65k)

		AYBS?: The Movie lobby card (109k)	A pair of lobby cards from the movie. The topmost is from a scene very close to the end; the bottom card is from near the start.
		AYBS?: The Movie lobby card (detail) (68k)
		AYBS?: The Movie lobby card (120k)

		AYBS?: The Movie (31k)	These two images from the movie provide an interesting -- though hardly surprising -- comparison of a publicity shot of the cast and the respective caricature of it done for use as a lobby poster. Note Wendy's dramatic transformation.
		AYBS?: The Movie lobby poster (56k)

		AYBS?: "Mrs. Slocombe Expects" (62k)
		AYBS?: "Take-Over" (26k)
		AYBS?: "The Old Order Changes" (48k)

AYBS? publicity photo
(58k)

Probably shot in early 1977, this is an excerpt from a photo of Wendy with her colleagues from Grace Brothers during a publicity tour of the Netherlands. Though still relatively unknown in the US, by this time AYBS? had apparently already created a splash with the Dutch television audience.

		AYBS?: "The Club" (66k)
		AYBS: "Do You Take This Man?" (75k)
		AYBS: "Many Happy Returns" (56k)

		AYBS?: "Whatever You Can Do" (96k)	The first (top) image here isn't a screen grab, but rather a publicity photo of Wendy, about Nov '79, kitted out as Shirley. Notice what she's holding in her left hand? Cute touch, that; and indicative of the sort of small clues about herself that Wendy occasionally brought along to the shows that she appeared in.
		AYBS?: "The Apartment" (59k)
		AYBS?: "The Agent" (24k)
		AYBS?: "Strong Stuff This Insurance" (56k)

Spooner's Patch: "The Morning After"
(110k)

Wendy is wearing an attractive evening gown in this publicity photo, and she appears to be borrowing a few quid from Dermot Kelly's character.

Definition
(69k)

AYBS?-themed advertisement
(84k)

Besides her television work, Wendy also took the opportunity (probably in late 1978) to do this advertisement that appeared in the Jan 79 issue of Margriet, a Dutch women's weekly magazine. John Inman's presence is clearly meant to recall their roles on Are You Being Served?, and this reinforces the series' popularity in the Netherlands at this time. Considering the product, it is not surprising that both Wendy and John appear wearing knitted sweaters . . .