Never Mind the Quality Feel the Width (film)

Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width is a 1973 British comedy film directed by Ronnie Baxter and starring Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker, reprising their roles from the television series of the same name.

The film expands upon the premise of the TV series, focusing on the ongoing rivalry between two branches of a clothing manufacturing company: Hyman Cohen Limited, run by a Jewish family, and Patrick Kelly Limited, run by an Irish Catholic family. The Ronnies play rival foremen, Bernie Cohen (Corbett) and Patrick Kelly (Barker), whose antagonism is a constant source of comic conflict.

The plot revolves around a dispute over a valuable piece of cloth, leading to a series of escalating pranks and schemes between the two rival factions. Their antics often involve their respective families and co-workers, resulting in chaotic and humorous situations.

Like the TV series, the film utilizes slapstick humor, witty dialogue, and stereotypical representations of Jewish and Irish cultures for comedic effect. The humor is largely based on the clash of cultures and the absurdity of their entrenched rivalry.

Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width was produced by Hammer Film Productions, primarily known for their horror films, and released in the UK in 1973. It received mixed reviews, with some critics praising the performances of Corbett and Barker, while others found the humor to be dated and reliant on stereotypes. Despite the mixed reception, the film was a commercial success, likely due to the popularity of the television series upon which it was based. The film is considered a product of its time and offers a comedic, if potentially controversial by modern standards, portrayal of cultural differences in 1970s Britain.