Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width

1 9 6 7 – 1 9 7 1 (UK)
38 x 30 min episodes
1 x 60 minute episode

For 15 years, Irish-catholic trouser maker Patrick Michael Kevin Aloysius Brendan Kelly has been working for Emanuelle (Manny) Cohen, a Jewish jacket maker, in their back-street workroom in Whitechapel in the East End of London.

Then the two decide to combine forces and form a partnership, recognising that each needs the others skill. They become the most argumentative of sparring partners, needling each other as well as the cloth, each incapable of understanding the other’s religious beliefs.

Rabbi Levy and Father Ryan (pictured at left) often visit to separate the quarrelling pair – and while they’re at it, order new suits.

The series originated from a 1967 Armchair Theatre production which starred John Bluthal and Frank Finlay. Its potential was recognised and a series commissioned.

During its four-year run a number of guests appeared in single episodes of NMTQ, among them Dennis Price, David Kossoff (who appeared as himself) and Chelsea footballer, Peter Osgood.

Thames Television took over production of the series in 1968 when ABC lost its ITV franchise. Very little changed over the years, except that the photograph on the wall of Moshe Dayan was replaced by one of Mrs Golda Meir.

The tailors were also reunited for a 1973 full-length feature film, which also starred Yootha Joyce and Bill Maynard.

Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width was once heralded by the World Council of Churches as an example of inter-religious unity. The final episode (‘And A Yarmulke To Match’) has never been aired.

John Bluthal had previously supplied the voice for Commander Zero in the Gerry Anderson puppet series, Fireball XL5.