Hypnosis Part Two

In the last posting we explored two cases of men under hypnosis being made to undress down to their underwear, Dagwood Bumstead to his boxer shorts and Rick to his union suit.  Awhile back, my good union suit buddy, Joe of NYC, sent me a link to a 1970's British TV show following the same hypnotic theme.

Having enjoyed posting the exploits of the stripped down Dagwood and Rick, Joe and I would like to introduce to you a peculiar landlord who was bamboozled by a couple of his tenants, Ambrose and Philip. Dagwood and Rick have nothing over Rupert Rigsby, played by actor, Leonard Rossiter....

Rising Damp was a popular television sitcom in Great Britain, airing in September, 1974 through May, 1978. It revolved around four, down-on-their-luck, inhabitants of a run-down apartment building, exploring various problematic situations. The show won an award for “Best Situation Comedy” in 1978 and came in 27th in a 2004 poll of "one hundred best" British sitcoms. It featured landlord Rigsby, a tight-fisted, responsibility shirking, landlord and his ineptness in overseeing a dilapidated Victorian townhome which had been turned into apartments. 

Rising Damp is a condition that can occur in older structures in areas suffering from above average ground moisture. In rainy England, the seeping of water up interior walls is common, causing brown spots on the walls and can lead to mold. 

In Season Four, Episode 5, titled “Under The Influence,” written by Eric Chappell, landlord Rigsby barges into one of his tenants' apartments, demanding that Ambrose pay his over due rent. After tomfoolery, Ambrose manages to get Rigsby to forget why he came in, convincing him that he, Ambrose, is a hypnotist. When Philip, another tenant drops in, Rigsby attempts to get Ambrose to prove his ability. He urges him to hypnotize Philip to prove he can do that which he claims.

Of course, the attempt backfires, and it is Rigsby who becomes hypnotized, rather easily in fact. Ambrose guides Rigsby, now hypnotized back to his boyhood. It's a warm summer day. Rigsby is a boy again and is convinced to strip off his clothes so he might go swimming with the other boys who are already frolicking in a nearby pond.

A bit reluctant at first, Rigsby follows Ambrose's directive by taking off his shoes, then his shirt, followed finally by the unbuttoning and pulling off of his trousers. He is soon down to only his “combinations” and socks. He cuts a ridiculous figure standing there in a short sleeved union suit.

When Rigsby begins unbuttoning his combinations to go "skinny dipping" with the other boys, Ambrose quickly convinces him to leave on his underwear!

To their delight, Rigsby joins the boys, sitting down on the edge of an old chair in just his long underwear.

When Philip questions Ambrose as to why he had Rigsby strip to his underwear, he simply asks how else would Rigsby believe he had been hypnotized, if he were not to awaken without his clothes. Makes sense. The mates have a grand time.

Very soon, spinster Ruth Jones, another tenant and a woman Rigsby is enthralled with, arrives and is aghast to see Rigsby sitting there in Ambrose's apartment, dressed only in his combinations underwear. Ambrose decides it's a perfect time to awaken the hapless stooge. 

It takes a moment for Rigsby to realize it is he who had been hypnotized and that he is sitting on the edge of a chair in his baggy underwear. And, in front of the woman he most admires. Horrors! Realizing the situation, he jumps up and tries to hide, grabbing his shirt to partially cover himself. 

Miss Jones is shocked, Rigsby is embarrassed, and Ambrose and Philip can't conceal their absolute delight in catching their landlord in a hypnotic predicament.  

The next day, Rigsby convinces Ambrose to hypnotize Ruth, thinking under hypnosis she would be amorous towards him. Visiting the hynotized Ruth in her apartment, Rigsby is accosted by his over heated heartthrob. She can't wait to tear off his clothes, attempting to get Rigsby down to his combinations again. With his shirt half torned off, it's evident that Rigsby is still wearing a union suit.

If you enjoy British humor and combinations, this is one you should find and watch on your favoritate streaming service!

A special thanks to Joe of NYC for his combinations contribution to Union Suit Fan... Chris

Added March 12, 2022:

If you have kept up with the exploits of Tom and RC, the wagering boys in Union Suit Fan, you'll recognize this guy wearing his short-sleeved, baggy "combinations" underwear, just like the type Rigsby wears sans Bronco cap and glasses!