Rising Damp (film) Rising Damp (film) Rising Damp is a 1980 comedy film based on the British situation comedy "Rising Damp", which aired on ITV from 1974 to 1978. The television series was, in turn, adapted from Eric Chappell's stage play "The Banana Box". Chappell adapted the play to television, and wrote the screenplay for this feature film. The film's director was Joseph McGrath. Leonard Rossiter plays Rupert Rigsby, the middle-aged landlord of a decrepit townhouse. Rigsby has fallen for his only female tenant, Ruth Jones (Frances de la Tour). Ruth, however, prefers Philip, who is much younger, more attractive, and more sophisticated
Rising Damp pay him for it. Miss Jones openly fancies Philip, frequently cooking for him, much to the annoyance of Rigsby. However, unfortunately for her, this is not reciprocated. She does find solace in Philip's superior intellect and the two appear to be friends. Besides being a sexual interest of Rigsby, Miss Jones is also a social interest to him, being as she is genuinely middle class (seemingly upper middle class). Rigsby sees her as a sophisticate and any courtship with Miss Jones would be a social as well as sexual conquest. Alan George Moore (Richard Beckinsale) is a likeable young medical