The Hustler (Porridge)

Last updated
"The Hustler"
Porridge episode
Episode no.Series 1
Episode 2
Directed by Sydney Lotterby
Written by Dick Clement
Ian La Frenais
Original air date12 September 1974 (1974-09-12)
Episode chronology
 Previous
"New Faces, Old Hands"
Next 
"A Night In"
List of episodes

"The Hustler" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge , produced for the BBC. It first aired on 12 September 1974, [1] and is the second episode of the first series. In this episode, Fletcher and his friends hold an illicit gambling syndicate under Mr Mackay's nose.

Contents

Synopsis

While working in the prison farm one morning, Fletcher takes to holding bets with another fellow inmate, Horrible Ives, while at the same time stealing eggs from the farm to swap for better goods. Prison officer Mr Barrowclough visits Fletcher at the farm, and discusses with him the gambling and tobacco rackets run by another inmate, Harry Grout, hoping he will not get involved in such activities. Although Fletcher assures him that he sees gambling as a "mug's game", he later speaks to Godber in the kitchen about joining in a friendly wager. Shortly after Godber refuses to join in, prison officer Mr Mackay arrives and conducts a surprise search of Fletcher. Finding nothing, he then turns his attention to Ives, who is also visiting the kitchen, and finds stolen eggs on him, unaware that Fletcher had handed them over to him earlier.

Later that afternoon, Ives visits Fletcher in the hopes of taking part in a little game he is holding with other inmates, only to be refused a place. However, Fletcher lets him know who is taking part, and when and where the game is taking place, and bets with him that the prison guards will be unable to stop it happening. On a Saturday afternoon, Fletcher meets with inmates Evans, Heslop and Lukewarm in the prison's boiler house to play a game of snakes and ladders for bets. However, Mr Mackay informs Mr Barrowclough of what is happening, believing that gambling causes nothing but problems within prison, and disrupts the game by having a coal delivery take place at that moment.

That evening, Fletcher is left in disgrace with the Governor, who orders him removed from his job at the farm, suspends all his privileges for four weeks, and to be moved to a single cell over concerns his a corrupting influence. Ives soon arrives to collect his winnings, taunting him at being caught out, only to learn that the prison will turn against him upon learning he ratted out Fletcher's actions to the guards. Fletcher refuses to cancel the bet to save Ives from trouble, having the last laugh on him by revealing he had bet with the entire landing that he would land in a single cell by Sunday.

Episode Cast

ActorRole
Ronnie Barker Norman Stanley Fletcher
Fulton Mackay Mr Mackay
Brian Wilde Mr Barrowclough
Richard Beckinsale Lennie Godber
Brian Glover Cyril Heslop
Ken Jones Ives
Christopher Biggins Lukewarm
Ray Dunbobbin Evans
Graham AshleyMr Appleton
John Quarmby Prisoner Officer

Related Research Articles

<i>Porridge</i> (1974 TV series) British 1970s TV sitcom

Porridge is a British sitcom, starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and broadcast on BBC1 from 1974 to 1977. The programme ran for three series, and included two Christmas specials and a feature film of the same name.

Norman Stanley Fletcher Lead character in the British sit-com Porridge

Norman Stanley Fletcher, commonly nicknamed "Fletch", is the main fictional character in the BBC sitcom Porridge, and the spin-off, Going Straight. He was played by Ronnie Barker.

"No Way Out" is the first Christmas special of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 24 December 1975. In this episode, prisoner Tommy Slocombe makes an escape attempt in the lead-up to Christmas.

"The Desperate Hours" is the second Christmas special of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 24 December 1976. In this episode, Fletcher and Godber are in trouble for brewing liquor in the lead-up to Christmas, but are caught up in a hostage situation in the Governor's office. It is the only episode of Porridge to air in 1976.

"A Day Out" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 26 September 1974, and is the fourth episode of the first series. In this episode, Fletcher and some of his fellow prisoners are allowed out for the day to dig drainage ditches for the local council, only for mishaps to soon occur.

"Happy Release" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 21 November 1975, and is the fifth episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher concocts a scheme to help another prisoner get revenge on someone for cheating them of their possessions.

"New Faces, Old Hands" is the first episode of British sitcom Porridge, produced for the BBC. It first aired on 5 September 1974, and forms part of the first series of the sitcom. The episode focuses on Norman Stanley Fletcher's arrival to Slade Prison alongside two others, where he attempts to manipulate things to his benefit.

<i>Porridge</i> (film) 1979 film by Dick Clement

Porridge is a 1979 comedy film based on the television series Porridge. It was released under the title Doing Time in the United States. Most of the warders and inmates from the original series appear in the film, with the notable exceptions of Lukewarm, Blanco, Heslop and Harris. There is also a different governor, played by Geoffrey Bayldon rather than series regular Michael Barrington.

"Prisoner and Escort" is the pilot episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It was originally broadcast on 1 April 1973 as part of a series of pilot shows with the overall title Seven of One. In this episode, Norman Stanley Fletcher is transported from London to Slade Prison by Mr Mackay and Mr Barrowclough.

"Ways and Means" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 3 October 1974, and is the fifth episode of the first series. In this episode, Fletcher intends to help new prisoner who has an attitude problem, when they decide to hold a rooftop protest.

"Just Desserts" is an episode of the British Porridge. It first aired on 24 October 1975, and is the first episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher finds something he stole has since been stolen, and this soon causes problems for others.

"Heartbreak Hotel" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 31 October 1975, and is the second episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher becomes depressed after his daughter visits him, while Godber receives a letter from his fiancée with bad news.

"Disturbing the Peace" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 7 November 1975, and is the third episode of the second series. In this episode, Mr Mackay leaves Slade Prison to go on a course, though the prisoners soon wish for him back when they discover how awful his replacement is.

"A Storm in a Teacup" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 18 February 1977. In this episode, Fletcher is tasked by Grouty to replace a bottle of pills Harris stole. But there is a surprise for Fletcher in his teacup.

"Poetic Justice" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 25 February 1977. A new inmate arrives at Slade Prison. Fletcher is astounded that the inmate is the judge who sentenced him to Slade Prison.

"Pardon Me" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 11 March 1977. Blanco Webb is due to be paroled, but he doesn't accept it, as he would be admitting his guilt. Fletcher and the rest of Slade Prison petition to the Home Office for Blanco to be pardoned.

"A Test of Character" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 18 March 1977. Godber is studying for his O Level History exam, but doesn't want Fletcher's method of cheating. Meanwhile, Fletcher and Warren are having a dispute on the Solar System.

"Final Stretch" is the final episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge, the sixth episode of the third series. It first aired on 25 March 1977. Godber's upcoming parole hearing is threatened by the prospect of a fight with fellow inmate Jarvis. Meanwhile, Fletcher is suspicious of his daughter's holiday plans.

<i>Porridge</i> (2016 TV series)

Porridge is a British television sitcom, starring Kevin Bishop, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and broadcast on BBC One. The show is a sequel to the original 1974 series of the same name, which both Clement and La Frenais wrote. The sitcom focuses on prison inmate, Nigel Norman Fletcher, the grandson of Norman Stanley Fletcher, who is sent to Wakeley Prison to serve a five year sentence for cyber crimes.

References

  1. "Original Air Date (The Hustler)". IMDb. Retrieved 25 June 2013.