Boys Costumes Depicted in Television Shows: A.J. Wentworth (England, 1982)


Figure 1.--"A.J. Wentworth" was an amusing British sitcom set in a British prep school. The boys are quite charming. They all wear traditional uniforms, including short trousers and kneesocks. I don't remember any episodes that actually dealt with clothing. There were only six episodes made.

Amusing British sitcom set in a British prep school. The boys are quite charming. They all wear traditional uniforms, including short trousers and kneesocks. I don't remember any episodes that actually dealt with clothing. There were only six episodes made. The series was based on stories written by H.F. Ellis, which first appeared in the satirical English magazine Punch. The tories were then compiled into two books, The Papers of A J Wentworth, BA (1949) and The Papers of A J Wentworth, BA (Ret'd) (1962). The series were the misadventures of math master (teacher) of dodling A.J. Wentworth BA. He taught at a boys' preparatorty school--Burgrove. A traditional British prep school is a school for children 8-13 years of age. The stories are set in the 1940s at which time these schools were mostly single gender schools, usually boarding schools in rural settings. Wentworth was liked by the boys, but often had trouble maintaing discipline. He had an obsession with the up-keep of the school's honour and amusingly the high cost of pen nibs. He was forever matching wits with boys. His real nemesis, however, was the humorless Matron who ws less popular with the boys. The series rather reminded one of Jennings, although not set around one of th boys as the main character.

TV-ology

Amusing British sitcom set in a British prep school. The series was based on stories written by H.F. Ellis, which first appeared in the satirical English magazine Punch. The tories were then compiled into two books, The Papers of A J Wentworth, BA (1949) and The Papers of A J Wentworth, BA (Ret'd) (1962).

Cast

The boys are quite charming. although I am not sure who they were or if the appeared in other programs or movies. The series rather reminded one of Jennings, although not set around one of th boys as the main character. The Wentworth series had a sad footnote. You might recognise the actor who plays A.J. It is Arthur Lowe. The Wentworth series was recorded just a few weeks before Lowe's untimely death. The series was the final one for the masterful, Arthur Lowe who was best known for his part of Captain Mainwaring in "Dads Army" and previously Mr Swindley in "Coronation Street" during the 1960s.

Plot

The series were the misadventures of math master (teacher) of dodling A.J. Wentworth BA. He taught at a boys' preparatorty school--Burgrove. A traditional British prep school is aschool for children 8-13 years of age. The stories are set in the 1940s at which time these schools were mostly single gender schools, usually boarding schools in rural settings. A wonderful book about prep schools is the Apertures Press, Boys' Preparatory Schools. Wentworth was liked by the boys, but often had trouble maintaing discipline. He had an obsession with the up-keep of the school's honour and, amusingly, the high cost of pen nibs. He was forever matching wits with boys. His real nemesis, however, was the humorless Matron who was less popular with the boys.

Costuming

The boys all wear traditional uniforms at a typical British prep school, including blazers, ties, short trousers, and kneesocks. They do not seem to have worn sandals which were quite common in prep schools. The length of the shorts suggests the 1940s and 50s rather than the 60s. I don't remember any episodes that actually dealt with clothing. There were only six episodes made.

Reader Comments

One reader writes, "It clearly depicts the antics that the boys get up to in and out of class. It's well worth watching if HBC readers can get hold of the series, or if it is aired on television again." Another reader writes, "I thought that was Arthur Lowe in this image, and another "A.J." page confirms it. The reviewer is right that the series has a sad ending, as Mr. Lowe died of a stroke in 1982. Arthur Lowe brought to life some memorable characters. His Father Duddleswell of "Bless Me, Father" is a favorite. Lowe also played the headmaster in the film, "If...", but that particular role was small and didn't bring out his great good humor."






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Created: February 14, 2004
Last updated: February 17, 2004