Private Enterprise (The Comic Strip Presents . . . )

Date: 1986
Director: Adrian Edmondson
Production Company: Michael White / Comic Strip Production

Stars: Peter Richardson, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Rik Mayall, Chris Langham, Lionel Jeffries, Roger Sloman
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

A toilet roll delivery man steals a demo tape by a newly disbanded group and spots an opportunity to make a fortune by marketing a new pop band . . . without their involvement!

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson

A television film from ‘The Comic Strip Presents . . . ‘ series.

A special episode broadcast in 1986.

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Out on his delivery round, Keith (Peter Richardson) unloads toilet rolls at a small business unit.

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Leaving four packages too many, Keith suggests to the Foreman that if he gives him a tenner he'll say no more about it.

Keith drives on to the next call, the Elephant Recording Studios. Geoff Dodd reveals this as Wapping Wall, E1 looking west with Metropolitan Wharf to the left. Different parts of Wapping Wall feature in a number of films. (RL)

Not surprisingly, that cleared area now provides residential accommodation. (RL)

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Inside the building, Keith pockets a demo cassette tape made by the band "Toy Department".

At work the following day, Mr. Pinder (Roger Sloman) watches Keith set out after commenting that a lot of stuff seems to have been falling off the back of his van lately. Pennington Street E1 with the tower of St. George in the East church in the distance.

St. George in the East outlived the workshops and units. PW

To the sound of "Toy Department", Keith leaves the yard of "Moving Stationary". Facing west on Pennington Street with the walls of the then derelict Tobacco Dock warehouse on the left.

A changed distant skyline. PW

As he moves to the music, Keith's attention is drawn towards a pair of Young Women walking along the street. St. Peter's Square W6 with St. Peter's church in the distance. The church also appears in 'The Man Who Had Power Over Women'.

Also seen in The Naked Truth. SJ

Keith whistles as he passes the Women. Facing numbers 21 and 22 St. Peter's Square from the corner of North Eyot Gardens.

Growth means not much to compare now. SJ

After surveying the damage to the van, Keith glances across the road. The corner of St. Peter's Square and North Eyot Gardens in Hammersmith.

The wall is holding up well. SJ

The offices of "Hard Corps Records". 22 St. Peter's Square W6 which, at the time of filming, was the headquarters of Island Records.

Now with a blue plaque to commemorate Island Records. SJ

Grabbing the cassette, Keith enters the record company offices to try his luck. North Eyot Gardens with the since demolished and rebuilt number 20 St. Peter's Square in the background.

A rather general view from no. 22 looking east. SJ

Receiving a less than positive response from promoter Derek, Keith tosses the cassette into the skip he hit as he walks away. North Eyot Gardens in Hammersmith W6 with number 21 St. Peter's Square to the right.

A winter shot may provide a better view. SJ

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After returning to the Elephant Recording Studios and taking a master tape when discovering that "Toy Department" have split up, Keith misses the ferry that the former members catch from Felixstowe as they leave for Sweden.

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Keith's mate Brian (Adrian Edmondson) explains that his car keeps breaking down because he's a child of the recession.

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Desperate to destroy all of the venues when Derek organises a tour for the non-existent band, Keith and Brian travel to Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff and Leicester.

After Brian and Keith appear at a press conference disguised as band members, the two decide that it's time a fatal accident was arranged. Facing south on the east side of Gibson Square in Islington N1 located by Steve Randall.

I attempted to incorporate the lamppost on the right and lost some of the focus depth. SJ

Dressed as Stig, Keith escape from a hotel with his partner Debbie (Jennifer Saunders) when his parole officer Miss Nayler arrives with two Policemen to arrest him. Geoff Dodd is also able to identify the Britannia Hotel on Primrose Hill Road, NW3, with the entrance of the car park being on Fellows Road as can be seen in the following capture. (RL)

Looking south from Fellows Road. SJ

The pair are spotted by a group of Fans waiting outside. The car park entrance of the Britannia Hotel, Primrose Hill Road looking towards Fellows Road, NW3, the houses Geoff tells us, have since been demolished. (RL)

Looking north at the new 20-24 Fellows Road. SJ

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Keith and Debbie run back towards the hotel car park before being mobbed. The car park of the Britannia Hotel, Primrose Hill Road, with, in the background and identified by Geoff, Rackstraw House on Adelaide Road, NW3 (RL)

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Rescued by Brian when Stig is apparently shot, the three drive towards London Airport. The Westway at Westbourne Park W10 with the Great Western Main Line passing beneath Portobello Bridge to the top centre.